Chapter 58: Success

Li Ruo stared intently at the card reader, her heart pounding in sync with Ye Chen’s fingers as he entered the numbers. She could distinctly hear the sound of her own heartbeat. At last, after Ye Chen keyed in the password, the machine let out a crisp beep. Then came the sizzling sound of the receipt printing.

“It… it worked?!” Lin Ziwen was utterly dumbfounded—this was obviously the sound of a successful transaction and the receipt being printed. She couldn’t believe Ye Chen had just casually spent thirty million. She was stunned, realizing the man before her was, in fact, a hidden tycoon. Lin Ziwen couldn’t help but feel a flutter in her heart.

“It really worked?” Li Ruo was equally astonished. She looked up at Manager Zhu in bewilderment and asked, “Did you enter the wrong amount? How could the transaction have gone through?”

Ye Chen tore off the printed receipt from the machine and handed it to Li Ruo with a cheerful smile. “President Li, please look it over. This is the transaction amount.”

Li Ruo snatched the receipt from Ye Chen’s hand. Her beautiful eyes scanned the slip, which clearly showed the thirty million amount. She was momentarily frozen—the Number One Villa was now someone else’s property. It wasn’t the loss of the house that pained her, but the fact she couldn’t fathom where Ye Chen had gotten thirty million to buy it.

“Ye Chen, be honest. Where did your money come from?” Li Ruo bit her lip in anger, glaring at him.

“Oh? President Li, it’s one thing for you to manage me at work, but now you’re meddling in my personal life as well? Don’t you think you’re overstepping your bounds as a boss…” Ye Chen grinned with a cocky air, a hint of pride in his expression. He absentmindedly took out a pack of cigarettes, placed one between his lips, and looked at Li Ruo with a smile.

“Hmph, I suspect this money isn’t legitimate. In fact, I strongly suspect you of laundering money!” Li Ruo snorted coldly.

“Nonsense!” Ye Chen shot her an annoyed glance. “If you don’t believe me, call Manager Liu at the bank and ask if it’s dirty money!”

With that, Ye Chen stood up from the sofa and turned to leave.

“Ye Chen, stop right there!” Li Ruo was furious—how could he be so disrespectful?

“What’s wrong, President Li? Want me to stay for dinner?” Ye Chen grinned. “Don’t be shy. I still need to check out my new villa. I’ve been poor for so many years—never even lived in a villa before! Hahaha…”

With a triumphant laugh, Ye Chen strode out. At the door, he spotted Li Ruo’s Ferrari and couldn’t resist a prank. He walked over and drew a turtle with a colored pen on the back of her car, making it especially noticeable from behind.

His masterpiece done, Ye Chen drove away. Li Ruo remained in the sales office, while Lin Ziwen stood silently behind her. Manager Zhu checked the account carefully and said, “President Li, the thirty million has been deposited.”

“I see,” Li Ruo nodded, rubbing her slightly throbbing temples. Even with her IQ of 150, she couldn’t begin to understand how Ye Chen had managed to acquire such a sum. She quickly dialed Manager Liu at the bank, and from him she learned that Ye Chen had deposited the money himself a few days ago, personally accompanied by an armored car. Apparently, many people were present, including members of the Yanlong Gang.

This last detail made Li Ruo’s eyes widen. So Ye Chen had some unclear connection with Yan Bu’er? Her mind was tangled with questions and doubts. If Ye Chen was part of the Yanlong Gang, why would he come to Tianya Group? And if he harbored any ill intentions toward the company, why had he repeatedly saved her?

The cascade of questions left Li Ruo shaking her head in resignation.

She said her goodbyes at the sales office and, with no mood for golf, drove home.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen was feeling smug. But Mouse, beside him, suddenly remarked, “Boss, you had your fun buying a villa, but did you realize? Throwing away thirty million, we’re back to square one!”

Smack!

Ye Chen slapped his own head, frustrated. “You’re right, this was reckless. All the money I struggled to earn is gone. Damn, what about Feng Zhixiao’s hotpot restaurant?”

“Boss, you still have over a million in spending money, don’t you?” Shrimp grinned. “That’s enough.”

“True, true!” Ye Chen’s spirits lifted. “Today I really opened Li Ruo’s eyes—felt great, honestly.”

The group drove to Jiangnan No. 1 Residential Area. At the gate, the security guard recognized Li Ruo’s BMW and swung the gates open without a word. Entering the neighborhood, Ye Chen was taken aback—the place was enormous, and he nearly got lost. Fortunately, he remembered the layout from the map and managed to find Villa Number One.

Everyone got out of the car, stunned by the luxurious villa.

“Damn, this is what money buys you!” Shrimp exclaimed in awe.

“Yeah, it rivals a general’s mansion!” Mouse grinned. Ye Chen was equally captivated by the opulent villa. From outside, the floor-to-ceiling windows on the upper level were tightly covered by curtains. The villa was fully furnished with elegant decor—a vast backyard with a swimming pool, tennis court, and mini golf course. All of it had been designed for Li Ruo, but now it belonged to Ye Chen.

“Come on, let’s go inside!” Ye Chen took the keys from Manager Zhu and entered.

The interior was lavish beyond words—leather carpets, gilded wallpaper, vintage European sconces, and a massive crystal chandelier in the hall that made one gasp in admiration. The craftsmanship was truly extraordinary.

“Is this a home or a restaurant? It feels like I’ve stepped into a presidential palace,” Ye Chen marveled at the golden splendor. He hurried upstairs—three floors in total, with the third floor featuring a terrace and a small swimming pool adjacent to the master bedroom. Ye Chen pushed open the master bedroom door and was greeted by a pink and white sky, plush teddy bears, beautiful curtains, and a sliding closet adorned with Li Ruo’s photo. He paused, muttering, “Damn, this is obviously Li Ruo’s room!”

Grumbling, Ye Chen went downstairs. Clearly, the third floor was off-limits, so he chose a room on the second floor, one facing the natural lake, and settled in. Shrimp and Mouse insisted on staying on the first floor—Ye Chen knew it was to guard his safety, as the first floor was designated for bodyguards. The spacious hall was tastefully furnished, giving an impression of grandeur. Ye Chen was quite satisfied.

He parked Li Ruo’s BMW in the garage, deciding never again to drive such a flashy car—the red BMW resembled a mistress’s vehicle, and driving it would make him look like a kept man.

“Let’s go, time to celebrate with a meal!” Ye Chen grinned.

They had barely stepped out of the neighborhood when Feng Zhixiao called.

“Brother Chen, where are you?” Feng Zhixiao’s voice was especially fawning.

“Ha, you sound like you already heard the news!” Ye Chen laughed. “Zhixiao, come to the south gate. I’m there with Mouse and Shrimp, we’ll eat together. Bring your boys!”

“Alright!” Feng Zhixiao sensed something exciting was happening and hurried over with his men.

Jiangnan No. 1 was close to the south gate, making its properties highly sought after. South Gate Pedestrian Street was a landmark in Jianghuai City and the city’s most prosperous district. Ye Chen and his friends found a decent restaurant there, and by the time Feng Zhixiao’s group arrived, the first dish was just being served.

“Brother Chen!” Feng Zhixiao bowed, and the three boys behind him nodded obsequiously.

“Sit, we’re all brothers here. No need for formality,” Ye Chen waved and called to the waiter, “Bring us a case of beer!”

“Right away!” The waiter promptly brought the beer. Ye Chen looked at Feng Zhixiao and said with a smile, “Zhixiao, you used to mess around with your boys. Now, as your big brother, I don’t have much to give you, but the hotpot restaurant at University Town is my gift to you. From now on, lead your brothers in honest work. Don’t idle around all day. Remember, those who live on the streets are always risking their lives.”

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