He Zhen had invited Rebecca to serve as the company’s head of research and development. Beyond the appropriate salary, he promised to allocate a portion of the company’s annual profits specifically for research funding, ensuring her work could proceed more effectively.
In addition, He Zhen would grant Rebecca some shares.
Though they were not yet married, He Zhen was already eager to share what he possessed with her.
Unexpectedly, Rebecca firmly declined his offer.
Busy seizing market share from Slann, He Zhen had not yet found time to discuss the matter deeply with Rebecca.
If she remained unwilling, he would not pressure his girlfriend.
He Zhen thought that, at worst, once domestic operations stabilised, he could entrust the company to Pang Jinglong and focus on expanding overseas markets himself.
In international relationships, distance was never the true issue. The real question was whether the bond was strong enough. If neither partner wished to compromise, even a domestic long-distance relationship rarely endured, let alone one across borders.
What He Zhen had not anticipated was that Rebecca, having just rejected his invitation, promptly agreed to acquire the shares Wen Ying was transferring.
Rebecca was exceptional and proud.
She possessed not only a sharp intellect but also a privileged upbringing. A woman like her would earn through her own abilities and was comfortable leveraging connections and resources, yet she detested the label of “profiting from romance”.
From the outset, Rebecca had offered to invest in He Zhen’s company, but he felt too embarrassed to accept his girlfriend’s support and refused.
Later, when He Zhen proactively offered shares without requiring payment, Rebecca did not insist on contributing funds.
Yet she could certainly afford it.
“Working for one’s boyfriend” and “building a business together as partners” were entirely different. The proud Rebecca would accept only the latter.
He Zhen was not hopelessly obtuse; he simply had not considered it at the time.
The nuances that escaped He Zhen were clear to Wen Ying.
Once the notion of divesting took hold, she contacted Rebecca immediately. One wished to sell, the other to buy. They agreed at once.
The two had coordinated privately, staging a delightful ambush on He Zhen.
After the initial astonishment, He Zhen quickly composed himself and joined Wen Ying in applause.
“This is a tremendously pleasant surprise!”
Rebecca strode forward on her long legs and bestowed an ardent kiss upon He Zhen.
In the private room sat two couples: Wen Ying with Xie Qian, Rebecca with He Zhen. Only Pang Jinglong remained solitary.
Most pitiable was Pang Jinglong, genuinely reluctant to see Wen Ying withdraw, yet compelled to applaud warmly upon discovering the new shareholder was Rebecca.
He had little choice, lest Rebecca misinterpret his reserve.
He Zhen’s gaze drifted towards Wen Ying several times.
She had clapped so enthusiastically that her palms glowed red.
Transferring the shares to Rebecca appeared to delight her immensely.
For reasons unclear, He Zhen always sensed a familiarity with Wen Ying, and she seemed to understand him and Rebecca remarkably well.
How peculiar.
Thus, Wen Ying’s divestment resolved itself perfectly.
On the drive home, midway, Xie Qian asked as if in passing, “How did you think to transfer the shares to Rebecca? If you no longer wished to hold them, buyers would hardly be in short supply.”
Wen Ying was a public figure, ill-suited to involvement in medical aesthetics, yet not all her acquaintances were celebrities.
A subtle hint in her social circle would suffice. Even if Peng Lümáo and Wang Xüzhá lacked interest, their fathers would eagerly secure the shares for their sons.
Wen Ying cast Xie Qian a glance, her eyes soft and scarcely threatening.
“This is known as facilitating others’ happiness. I heard Lady Dai, He Zhen’s mother, has ceased contact with Sara Zhuo, which is truly heartening. Yet, as the proverb says, rivers and mountains are easily changed, but human nature is hard to alter. Ending ties with Sara Zhuo does not guarantee Lady Dai has fully reformed her disposition. He Zhen’s decision to venture independently stemmed from family discord, did it not? Aunt Zou has treated me kindly. I wonder whether Lady Dai will extend the same to Rebecca…”
This was the extent of what Wen Ying could do for He Zhen.
In her previous life, she had gleaned only fragments about Rebecca from He Zhen, sensing her excellence. In this life, through close interaction, Wen Ying appreciated Rebecca’s virtues more profoundly. She wished to aid not only He Zhen but Rebecca as well.
In reality, given Dai Chenglan’s social climbing, upon learning of Rebecca’s affluent background and potential to bolster He Zhen’s career, she would likely venerate her. Wen Ying’s fears of “in-law conflicts” were perhaps somewhat unwarranted.
Yet prudence dictated caution. Should Lady Dai one day act rashly and attempt to domineer, Rebecca would doubtless refuse to endure it. Escalation might prompt Rebecca to depart, leaving He Zhen behind. Wen Ying’s apprehensions were not unfounded conjecture. In her prior life, Rebecca and He Zhen had separated, proving family privilege bore little influence on the relationship’s fate.
Rebecca differed from Wen Ying. The latter avoided deep financial entanglements with her partner, while Rebecca minded not at all and even welcomed them. With Rebecca as shareholder, beyond romance, another safeguard existed with He Zhen. Lady Dai would ponder repercussions before mischief.
Should Lady Dai behave, Rebecca and He Zhen’s future would rest in their own hands.
Xie Qian experienced that odd sensation once more.
“You appear unusually invested in He Zhen’s family.”
“Do I?”
Wen Ying denied it vehemently. “I care deeply for everyone in my circle, thank you very much!”
The response was flawless.
What was strange about concern for He Zhen’s kin? Wen Ying also fretted over the wayward girl Yang Xi, over the rogue Xiao Liang…
Noting Xie Qian’s reflection, Wen Ying abruptly shifted topics. “With Zhao Dong, this minion, dispatched, is it not time to address Sara Zhuo? I warn you, beware that illegitimate son Zhuo Chen. Overt scoundrels pose little threat. Some feign nobility, professing desire for nothing.”
“Yet covet everything in truth.”
Xie Qian continued, “When Slann faltered, Zhuo Chen approached my father, claiming he sought only to salvage Slann and would contest nothing else.”
“Do you believe him?”
“Of course not.”
Xie Qian genuinely cared nothing for Xie Jinghu’s holdings.
He did not, yet others did, regarding him as rival, even foe.
By reason, a legitimate son present barred an illegitimate from inheritance. Legally untenable too. Xie Qian remained Zhuo Chen’s impediment to claiming “Jinhu”.
Beyond Zhuo Chen lurked Zhang Zhijun.
Neutralising Zhao Dong marked merely the first modest stride in a vast journey.
Xie Qian clasped Wen Ying’s plush hand. “Thank you for the warning. I shall remain vigilant. Tonight you profited from selling your shares in He Zhen’s firm. Let us dispense with those folk. Speak of joyous matters instead.”
Joyous matters, such as?
Wen Ying queried with her gaze.
Xie Qian leaned in, murmuring at her ear, his breath grazing her lobe with a tingling warmth.
“I rather envy He Zhen.”
Wen Ying blinked. “Envy He Zhen for what?”
Not mere bias as his girlfriend.
Xie Qian had little cause to envy He Zhen.
More handsome.
Superior academically; He Zhen had idled abroad.
Ventured independently sooner, with far grander operations now.
Thus, what prompted Xie Qian’s envy?
“He has a passionate girlfriend.”
Xie Qian struck true. Wen Ying’s earlobes burned crimson.
They were in the car, with Driver Yang ahead.
Yet Rebecca was indeed effusive, sparing no affection. Wen Ying simply disliked overt displays before others.
Who knew Xie Qian favoured public affection. Wen Ying eyed Driver Yang repeatedly. He drove attentively, undisturbed.
Wen Ying turned and swiftly kissed Xie Qian.
Was enthusiasm not required? She possessed ample.
