Chapter 63: Wang Xinyou Returns to Normal

Cao Xiaomin downed another large glass of wine, then finally looked at He Tian and spoke: “It’s all because of my useless brother! He’s addicted to gambling, always losing, again and again. Every time he swears he’ll never gamble again, and every time, I give him money to help him out. I pity my loving parents, my sister-in-law, and my little niece who’s just two years old!”

“But!” Cao Xiaomin said, her voice trembling with anger, “He keeps going back to gambling, time and again! I just can’t bear it! My savings are gone! I’ve borrowed from Xinyou, Rongrong, Liman—too many times to count.”

“My brother did stay clean for a while, but... last night, I got another call from him, except it was someone else calling. He gambled again, and now he’s been detained. They want me to pay to get him out, or else... I don’t even know what they might do!”

“I tried to steel myself, to leave him to his fate, but I can’t let go... Yet I really can’t face borrowing from Mengrou and the others again. I simply don’t have the nerve anymore! So, after thinking it over, you’re the only person left in this city that I can turn to!”

Cao Xiaomin’s whole body trembled with anger. Her tone revealed a hatred for her brother that had reached its peak, yet the bonds of family refused to let her walk away.

He Tian could see that for Cao Xiaomin to ask him for money today must have taken tremendous courage.

“I’ll lend you the money,” He Tian replied immediately, giving her his answer, then added, “But, Sister Cao, you know as well as I do—by constantly helping him out, you’re actually enabling your brother time after time. After this, he’ll probably only get worse.”

“After this, even if he gets beaten to death, I won’t interfere again!” Cao Xiaomin clenched her white fists, speaking fiercely.

“Sister Cao, it’s not that I don’t believe you, but I don’t think you can really sever the ties,” He Tian shook his head. “You should try to solve the problem at its root.”

“I’ve thought about that, but who can control him?” Cao Xiaomin said in anguish.

Having such a family member, it was clear how helpless she felt.

And the fact that she was willing to ask He Tian for help instead of turning to her business associates—He Tian didn’t believe she couldn’t borrow from them.

But she hadn’t chosen that route, perhaps because borrowing money would affect her future happiness.

As for He Tian—it was different.

Well, He Tian could only guess so far. Whatever Cao Xiaomin’s real intentions were, he couldn’t figure them out.

“How much do you need?” He Tian asked.

“Twenty-three million,” Cao Xiaomin replied softly. “I’ll try to get Mengrou to agree to pay you a year’s endorsement fee in advance... I know it’s too much to ask, but I really have no other way. I’d rather... I’d rather give it to you.”

“Sister Cao, I don’t like hearing that,” He Tian said sternly.

Cao Xiaomin’s face flushed with embarrassment and anxiety. She had already humbled herself this much—if she was scorned further, she’d want to crawl into a hole.

“Even if you have feelings for me, you should wait until you know me better,” He Tian suddenly winked and smiled. “I like beautiful women too.”

“He Long, if you help me this time, I... I’ll...” Cao Xiaomin bit her lip, speaking softly.

He Tian sighed.

He had always thought such scenes in movies and TV dramas were made up. How could someone in real life consider selling themselves for money?

Especially someone as successful and elite as Cao Xiaomin!

But reality proved him wrong.

As for whether Cao Xiaomin was telling the truth, or if she was trying to cheat him—He Tian could distinguish that.

“All right, Sister Cao, I was joking! No need to bother Sister Wang, or she’ll get suspicious. Although I don’t think hiding this from your three sisters is right, I understand you have your own reasons. I’ll transfer thirty million to you later. But I have one condition... If you go back to Qingdao, I want to go with you. The people detaining your brother are not to be trifled with. To be honest, Sister Cao... your beauty makes you too tempting for men,” He Tian said gravely.

Fine, He Tian admitted he was moved to help because of Cao Xiaomin’s beauty.

But men are visual creatures—is that wrong?

No, not at all.

Besides, Cao Xiaomin had already made such a heartfelt plea—how could He Tian bear to refuse?

“Really? Thank you, thank you so much! But you shouldn’t come with me, it’s too dangerous... I’m grateful enough for your loan. If you risk yourself, I honestly don’t know how to thank you,” Cao Xiaomin said quickly.

“Don’t worry, Sister Cao! I’ve trained for a while—ordinary guys can’t beat me,” He Tian said with a smile. “Come, let’s eat. I’ll transfer the money to you later. If you’re going, it’ll have to be after midnight—I have something to do tonight and can’t leave.”

“There’s a flight to Qingdao at two in the morning,” Cao Xiaomin didn’t want to delay at all.

“Good, we’ll take that flight! Sister Cao, it’s nothing big—if money can solve it, it’s not a real problem. Don’t worry, let’s eat!” He Tian laughed.

“Hurry up and eat! Sorry... I tricked you!” Cao Xiaomin suddenly laughed.

“Hahaha, Sister Cao, honestly, I was mentally prepared for you to force yourself on me and I’d just go along!” He Tian laughed heartily.

“Eat!” Cao Xiaomin’s face turned crimson with embarrassment.

———

That afternoon, Cao Xiaomin went back to work.

He Tian returned to the Wang family villa.

“Where have you been? Didn’t you know we’re moving today? Come help!” Wang Xinyou called out as soon as she saw him.

“Sister Cao was celebrating with me, what could I do?” He Tian grinned at Wang Xinyou, feeling relieved to see her back to normal.

“Sister Cao is such a beauty...” Wang Xinyou snorted.

“Haha, aren’t you a beauty too? Dress up tonight, you’re coming with me to Young Master Hai’s banquet!” He Tian laughed.

The moving company was already handling the final stretch. Nothing important was left, so there was no need to watch carefully. Besides, Lan Ji was still around!

“You’re going to Young Master Hai’s banquet? You?” Wang Xinyou stared at He Tian in surprise.

“What’s wrong? Didn’t you already know? Back at Longhai Gardens!” He Tian looked at her, puzzled.

“Did I? Oh, I must have forgotten! If you want to go, go. I’m not going!” Wang Xinyou shook her head.

“Come on, everyone’s bringing a date. If I show up alone, I’ll stand out too much!” He Tian said with a wry smile.

“I don’t care! I’m not going! What’s our relationship anyway? I’m not going!” Wang Xinyou insisted.

“You little minx! Playing games with me, huh?” He Tian thought to himself, fully aware of Wang Xinyou’s intentions. She wanted him to confess.

But He Tian refused to let her have her way.

“I won twenty billion racing last night! I plan to invest it all in your investment company. If you won’t go... then investing isn’t much fun for me,” He Tian said softly.

“What, twenty billion? Really? I’ll go, I’ll go! It must go into the investment company!” Wang Xinyou immediately replied in a sweet tone, “Brother He Tian, can you really let your little sister’s company run on such meager funds?”

“You’re really going?” He Tian asked.

“Really going!” Wang Xinyou nodded.

“Good! The money’s yours!” He Tian finally agreed.

“Yay... haha!” Wang Xinyou clenched her fists in excitement.

“But I warn you, that’s a lot of money. Be careful—I worry about what you might get up to,” He Tian cautioned her.

“Pff... just wait and see! Absolutely no problem!” Wang Xinyou flashed He Tian a supremely confident smile.

“Well, get busy then!” He Tian laughed.

“Heehee, Sister Lan Ji, I’ll help you!” Wang Xinyou beamed as she hurried to assist Lan Ji.

With the last valuable items loaded onto the truck, the Wang family villa was now empty.

He Tian drove Wang Xinyou and Lan Ji to Longhai Gardens.

“He Tian, living over there has some hidden dangers. On the road from downtown to Longhai Gardens, there are many spots perfect for an ambush,” Lan Ji said, gazing out the window.

“I know!” He Tian smiled gently. “Actually, I’m hoping they’ll show up again. The information I got last time was too little. If I stay passive, I need them to slip up.”

“Who’s targeting Xinyou and Xinmeng?” Lan Ji asked.

“Lan Ji, I’ll talk to you about it later,” He Tian glanced at her, smiling.

Lan Ji nodded, falling silent.

She was afraid He Tian wouldn’t trust her, but now it seemed that wasn’t the case.

Still, Lan Ji had her own suspicions. She reckoned the secrets hidden here were truly astonishing.

“Brother He Tian, what if I act as bait?” Wang Xinyou was surprised that Lan Ji didn’t know everything, but gritted her teeth and spoke determinedly.

“Don’t say such nonsense! Behave yourself! What did I tell you yesterday? No need for you to be bait. Sooner or later, I’ll drag out the people behind this,” He Tian said sternly.

“Oh come on, don’t be so serious! I was just joking,” Wang Xinyou stuck out her tongue and laughed.

“Xinyou, this is the real you. Yesterday, you really scared me, you know?” Lan Ji enjoyed this lively, genuine Wang Xinyou.

“Sister Lan Ji, I won’t be like that in the future!” Wang Xinyou promised with a smile.

“In the future, don’t let anything get you down,” Lan Ji said with a smile. Having witnessed life and death, Lan Ji’s nerves were far tougher than Wang Xinyou’s.

She understood the true nature of this world far better.