A major cultural tourism project landing in Rongcheng seems, on the surface, unrelated to ordinary people’s lives, yet it has countless subtle impacts.
When the provincial TV broadcast the news, Wen Ying’s family of three watched it.
Wen Ying knew how many thrilling battles had unfolded behind the scenes, how close Zhao Dong had come to securing this project. Even if she couldn’t predict all the ripple effects of Zhao Dong winning such a massive project, she knew it would have been disastrous for Xie Qian.
Wen Dongrong sighed at the news, “Rongcheng gathers the province’s best resources. Projects like this never land in our small town.”
Chen Ru instinctively said, “Once this project is signed, nearby house prices will soar again.”
Wen Ying and Wen Dongrong both turned to look at her. Chen Ru frowned, “What’re you staring at? I was just saying!”
Just saying?
Wen Ying felt it was more than that.
Though Chen Ru had worked at a bank for years, she lacked investment experience. Buying property in Rongcheng was only due to Chen Li’s repeated urging.
Buying two flats at once was because of Wang Jun’s advice at the sales office; the discount was too tempting to pass up.
Now, watching the news, Chen Ru’s first thought was that nearby house prices would rise… a shift in mindset, her instincts sharpening.
Of course, Chen Ru might have just been speaking offhand. Knowing house prices would rise, she had no plans to buy more—her family couldn’t afford it right now.
Wen Dongrong stayed silent at the time. Only after Chen Ru finished watching the news and went to study did he clear his throat lightly:
“In a month or so, aren’t you getting your royalties?”
With the book selling so well, the royalties due in November would be substantial.
The exact amount depended on sales data, but given the current trend, Wen Dongrong estimated it could be around a million.
…A million!
In all his years of work, apart from the public funds he’d handled, Wen Dongrong had never seen such a sum personally.
For Wen Ying to earn this at her young age—if he hadn’t already stirred resentment at work, Wen Dongrong would’ve been showing off.
Wen Ying grew wary, “Royalties are coming, but Mum said to save it. Any spending over a thousand yuan needs her approval. I can’t betray her trust!”
This cut off Old Wen’s hopes.
Given what he’d done, getting a thousand yuan a month in pocket money was decent, just within Chen Ru’s limit. If this came out, Wen Ying wouldn’t be breaking rules—admittedly, she was testing dangerous waters. Worst case, she’d cling to Mum’s leg and cry, and only Old Wen would face the consequences!
With this in mind, Wen Ying held firm, refusing to give Old Wen extra pocket money.
Wen Dongrong was furious.
Listen to her! He wasn’t hinting at raising his monthly allowance!
Even if Black-Hearted Cotton dared offer more, he wouldn’t dare take it.
Mosquitoes live long these days, surviving past summer. They don’t vanish until winter, and with September evenings turning cool, sleeping on the balcony could easily lead to a cold…
“Don’t talk nonsense. I’m just reminding you not to squander your royalties. If you can’t resist spending, buy a house.”
Buying a couple of flats wouldn’t hurt; even if they didn’t profit, they wouldn’t lose.
You could live in them or rent them out.
A few years ago, Rongcheng’s house prices were low; now look at them!
The two flats they bought last year had risen nearly a thousand yuan per square metre. If they ever needed cash and sold one, they’d make a tidy profit over last year’s price!
Wen Ying definitely wanted to buy property, but not in Rongcheng.
Though surprised Old Wen would suggest it, she wouldn’t admit it, “I’m listening to Mum, saving the money for university!”
Wen Dongrong snorted heavily, their flimsy father-daughter bond always on the verge of collapse.
That evening after the news, Deng Shangwei called Wen Ying, also mentioning the Happy Valley project.
“Boss Qin and Manager Wang want me to invest there. Got any spare cash to join me?”
The project had been rumoured for a while, but the exact location wasn’t confirmed until the news broke. Like Chen Ru, who thought of rising house prices, big players were already moving in with capital.
Deng Shangwei’s main business was seafood, but that didn’t stop him from seizing other opportunities. Qin Xianming and Wang Jun were bringing him along to profit, and Deng thought of Wen Ying.
Wen Ying had not just the upcoming royalties but other funds, more than Wen Dongrong knew.
Her bond with Deng Shangwei was stronger, so she didn’t use the excuses she gave Old Wen, admitting her money was already allocated.
“You’re still investing in Tianjiao for filming?”
“Yeah, I like this industry, it makes me happy…”
Wen Ying replied vaguely.
In truth, the money from Shrimp King’s share transfer, plus the remaining profits from *The Princess’s New Clothes* after lending to Xie Qian, and the 400,000 yuan blog signing fee, had already covered the 2 million yuan Wen Ying needed for Tianjiao’s second project.
The November royalties were hers to use freely.
But she rejected Old Wen’s property suggestion and declined Deng Shangwei’s investment offer… what if Xie Qian needed more funds?
Though the royalties wouldn’t be pivotal for Xie Qian’s logistics company, they could ease some financial strain if needed!
Zhao Dong’s bidding failure thrilled Wen Ying, and she was curious.
How did Xie Qian pull it off?
The situation had turned so suddenly.
Wen Ying messaged Xie Qian, asking how he did it, but he wouldn’t tell her, leaving her fuming as she went to bed.
The next day, meeting Xie Qian, he showed no hint of anything unusual, as if he wasn’t the one who’d orchestrated Zhao Dong’s downfall.
That’s a male god for you—humble, low-key!
Xie Qian kept tight-lipped, driving Wen Ying’s curiosity wild.
Li Mengjiao burst into the classroom like a gust of wind, her face a mix of shock and indignation, “Have you heard? Song Chan’s going abroad. They say her dad, the magazine editor, offended some big shot and fears retaliation, so Song Chan’s being rushed overseas. Ugh, what kind of big shot is so overbearing they’d target a high schooler!”
That’s Li Mengjiao for you.
Despite not liking Song Chan much before, hearing she might be oppressed by power, Li Mengjiao was quick to defend her.
Petty grudges between classmates are trivial, but when an outsider bullies a student, it sparks collective outrage.
Offended a big shot, fearing retaliation, rushed abroad?
Such rumours were laughable. What kind of big shot would bother with a high schooler… wait, hold on.
Wen Ying’s gaze fell on Xie Qian.
So, Song Chan going abroad and Zhao Dong’s bidding failure were actually the same matter?!
She’d almost forgotten about Song Foxiang, that big player!
