Lin Youyou's Plan Succeeds

The next day, <Wang Yan> called the bosses of several companies that needed to hold celebration events.

He wanted to play matchmaker, introducing business to <Xu Huanshan> to keep him busy but not too busy.

If there were no conditions, he'd create them. He couldn't let <Xu Huanshan> be too idle, nor could he be so busy that he had no time to fool around with <Lin Youyou>.

He still had some influence. After a few calls, he secured four deals. The locations were all over the map, naturally.

Once everything was settled, he directly handed over the clients' contact information to <Xu Huanshan>. He made it clear: "These orders are yours. Don't try any funny business. Just go sign the contracts and do the designs."

Things were mostly settled with the <Jingcheng> order, so he just needed to maintain the relationship. The orders <Wang Yan> introduced were substantial, collectively exceeding the <Jingcheng> deal in value. The profit margins were good, meaning <Xu Huanshan> could earn a lot.

<Xu Huanshan> began his happily busy life. In this busyness, he also felt the sense of success that comes with being a man.

After all, every action, every communication, brought him one step closer to igniting fireworks. Every second was money.

However, he didn't consider that the business <Wang Yan> introduced was essentially the same as the business <Gu Jia> had introduced. He no longer complained about relying on connections, nor did he lose his temper with <Gu Jia>, nor did he utter meaningless grumbles.

As <Xu Huanshan> got busy, his trips to <Jingcheng> gradually decreased.

What about <Lin Youyou>? She had finally found someone she liked, and things were progressing within her expectations and control. <Xu Huanshan> was busy picking up money, and if this went on too long, he might completely forget about her.

<Lin Youyou> began to actively flirt. She'd post cute selfies, share photos of delicious food to show her happy mood, and engage in subtle flirtations.

But the situation was different now. <Xu Huanshan> was endlessly busy and didn't have much time to pay attention to her. This was <Wang Yan>'s miscalculation. He hadn't expected the fireworks business to be so demanding; one less order would have been perfect.

Fortunately, <Lin Youyou> wasn't one to be trifled with. She solved this small flaw.

After a while, <Lin Youyou> realized her efforts were futile. Her eyes darted, and an idea struck her. After finding out <Xu Huanshan>'s address, she didn't hesitate. She immediately resigned, booked a flight, and headed straight for <Xu Huanshan>. She feared that if she waited too long, she might disappear from his life.

That evening, <Xu Huanshan>, who was resting after a video call with <Gu Jia>, received a call from <Lin Youyou>. She said she had arrived in his city.

<Xu Huanshan> was surprised by <Lin Youyou>'s sudden arrival. He knew why she was there, but he hadn't expected her to be so decisive. He immediately set out to pick her up.

The two ate dinner together, both lost in thought.

<Lin Youyou> feigned innocence, chattering aimlessly about her recent experiences to <Xu Huanshan>, while he simply listened.

After dinner, <Xu Huanshan> settled <Lin Youyou> into the hotel where he was staying.

In the newly opened room for <Lin Youyou>, <Xu Huanshan> gave her some instructions before preparing to return to his own room to rest. He had things to do tomorrow, and he felt the atmosphere in the room was becoming precarious, teetering on the edge of control.

Seeing <Xu Huanshan> about to leave after only a few words, <Lin Youyou> couldn't stand it. This was why she had come. It was all or nothing; she had to win him over today.

She suddenly hugged <Xu Huanshan> from behind, her voice trembling slightly: "<Xu Huanshan>, don't go. Don't you know how I feel?"

"Don't you know why I resigned and traveled thousands of miles to be here?"

"Don't hide. I know you have feelings for me. Please don't go, okay?"

<Xu Huanshan> gently pulled away her arms and looked at her. "What are you doing? Don't you know? I'm a married man."

"If any of my previous actions led you to misunderstandings, I apologize."

Seeing <Xu Huanshan> struggling to maintain his composure, <Lin Youyou> knew she had him. She cried, "What's your fault? It's all my fault. I'm shameless for wanting to approach you, a married man. I intended to ruin your marriage."

"Don't say that about yourself. It's all my fault. Perhaps something I did during our interactions was too much, and it caused you to misunderstand."

Flustered by <Lin Youyou>'s outburst, <Xu Huanshan> quickly tried to solidify his resolve. "In this world, I am only responsible to my wife, <Gu Jia>. She has sacrificed so much for me, for our children, for our family. Without her, I wouldn't be who I am today. I can't betray my wife and children... She..."

The mention of <Gu Jia> angered <Lin Youyou>. Everything they did together involved constant talk of <Gu Jia>, <Gu Jia>, <Gu Jia>. Her ears were ringing.

She forcefully interrupted <Xu Huanshan>: "Stop talking."

Then, she burst into tears and poured out her heart: "The first time I saw you, you had a scar on your face. It was obvious you'd been beaten up in a fight. A man your age who still gets into fights and comes home with injuries must be an interesting man."

Hearing this, <Xu Huanshan> smiled sheepishly, his mind flashing back to their first meeting.

<Lin Youyou> continued, "But as we got to know each other, I realized you're like someone living inside a shell."

"Afraid of the rain, can't get sick, listening to your wife about everything. These are all things she imposes on you. You've locked away the little boy inside you, and then you pretend you're not like that."

"Have you ever thought that you're just her tool, a tool she can manipulate?"

Stung by <Lin Youyou>'s words, <Xu Huanshan> loudly interjected, "Enough, stop talking. Isn't this what marriage is about? Mutual understanding, mutual change."

<Lin Youyou> also shouted, "<Xu Huanshan>, wake up! It's always been her changing you. What have you changed about her? Have you changed her even a little bit?"

"Fireworks are beautiful, but they need a spark to ignite them. But, <Xu Huanshan>, have you provided that spark?"

Hearing <Lin Youyou>'s words, <Xu Huanshan> fell silent.

Past events resurfaced in his mind, one by one.

He thought carefully. It was true, just as <Lin Youyou> said, <Gu Jia> hadn't changed much over the years. She told him not to do this, not to do that, even dictating what he ate, drank, and wore. Ever since they got together, he had lived according to <Gu Jia>'s arrangements. He had never truly been himself, never.

Sometimes, people only see, hear, and think what they believe to be true. <Xu Huanshan> was like that. It was obvious that after so many years together through thick and thin, it couldn't possibly be just him adapting and changing. His emotions had gotten the better of him, leading him into a moment of biased thinking.

Of course, <Wang Yan> also deserved some credit. The business <Wang Yan> introduced had gone incredibly smoothly. Everyone knew his connections were strong, and the partners respected his opinions. Such smooth sailing had inevitably made him a little arrogant.

Seeing <Xu Huanshan> lost in thought, <Lin Youyou> seized the opportunity. She pushed <Xu Huanshan> onto the bed. <Xu Huanshan>, still lost in thought, didn't notice and was pushed down.

Leaning over, she looked directly into <Xu Huanshan>'s eyes and questioned loudly: "<Xu Huanshan>, can you be yourself again? Be the little boy inside your heart?"

"<Xu Huanshan>, what are you hesitating about?"

"Tell me, what are you afraid of? Huh?"

"You are <Xu Huanshan>!!!"

He immediately hugged Xu Huanshan's face and started to bite.

Xu Huanshan had been busy lately, rarely going home for intimate moments with Gu Jia. Moreover, sometimes when he brought it up, Gu Jia would refuse due to discomfort, leaving him confused and attributing it to early menopause.

As he became busier, he earned more money. Money emboldened him. Also, during recent business dinners, seeing others indulge while he was alone at home only fueled his frustration.

Xu Huanshan was almost at his limit with Lin Youyou's provocations, especially her last sentence, "You are Xu Huanshan," which hit his sweet spot. "To hell with Gu Jia, to hell with being a tool, I want to be myself, I want to be Xu Huanshan, I am Xu Huanshan."

Lin Youyou caressed Xu Huanshan and murmured softly, "Xu Huanshan."

Afterward, Xu Huanshan lay with Lin Youyou against the headboard, reflecting on what had happened. He felt guilt, but more than that, he relished the thrill of betrayal.

"Others have mistresses, plural, playing cards, playing mahjong. What am I compared to them?" Perhaps most people console themselves by comparing themselves to others and finding excuses. At least, that's what Xu Huanshan did.

It had to be said, Xu Huanshan truly experienced a second spring.

The two were inseparable. Xu Huanshan traveled everywhere, taking Lin Youyou with him. He was so happy he forgot about Gu Jia, sometimes not even returning to Shanghai when he had nothing to do, instead taking Lin Youyou to travel.

With Lin Youyou's company every day, Xu Huanshan's demeanor was noticeably different. Of course, this was when he was with others. When facing Gu Jia, Xu Huanshan couldn't shake his guilt, as Gu Jia's authority built over the years was not to be trifled with.

Gu Jia likely understood Xu Huanshan better than he understood himself. Thus, when Gu Jia video-called Xu Huanshan, she sensed something unusual about him. However, Xu Huanshan always managed to brush it off, and Gu Jia didn't think much of it.

Gu Jia could never have imagined that Xu Huanshan, who always went along with her, would stray from the path.

The child was well taken care of by Wang Yan, so she didn't have to worry about him.

She managed her dessert shop daily. With enough money now, she didn't need to sell it. She often interacted with other wives, upgrading her social standing.

Sometimes, she would meet up with Wang Manni and Zhong Xiaoqin, listening to Wang Manni share exciting moments of high-stakes negotiations and Zhong Xiaoqin recount her emotional entanglement between Zhong Xiaoyang and Chen Yu.

Wang Manni recently learned that Liang Zhengxian was against marriage, which bothered her. Wang Manni was skilled, but he, Liang Zhengxian, was even more so, a master of manipulation. He easily swayed Wang Manni with a few words. Wang Manni no longer thought about marriage and even had the audacity to say, "If you don't want to get married, fine. But if you ever change your mind, I'll be the one by your side." What utter nonsense.

Zhong Xiaoqin was somewhat infatuated. After learning of her divorce, Zhong Xiaoyang began to make his move. His youth, passion, and vibrant energy were what she yearned for. Yet, after spending years with Chen Yu, she felt that perhaps simplicity was true happiness after all. This left her wavering and indecisive.

Gu Jia was different. Compared to those two, she openly displayed her ambition to them, speaking of the material wealth, social status, and desires she strived for, and the stark realities she understood. This made them feel that Gu Jia had changed, becoming someone they barely recognized.

She was no longer the housewife she used to be, nor the understanding sister. She had become an ambitious and powerful woman.

Zhong Xiaoqin was Xu Ziyan's godmother. She hadn't seen Xu Ziyan in a long time. Sometimes she would ask about him, and Gu Jia would always smile and say he was with friends, never mentioning Wang Yan.

Recently, she had been busy preparing for her thirtieth birthday, which was less than a week away. She wanted to host a party, using the opportunity to reconnect with her close friends. After all, everyone was busy most of the time and didn't have much time to communicate. Even the strongest bonds would fade over time and needed constant nurturing. Moreover, they could share resources and help each other. It was a win-win situation.

As the godfather of her child, she would naturally inform Wang Yan of her secret plans.

When attending someone's birthday party, one must bring a gift. Especially for someone like Wang Yan, who had his eyes on her.

Wang Yan had already prepared the gift he intended to give.

He couldn't give anything too extravagant, as that would put Xu Huanshan in a difficult position. Nor could he give anything too cheap, as that would be beneath his status and could lead to misunderstandings. In the end, he settled on a green jade bracelet, costing less than half a million.

He didn't know much about such things and had a professional recommended by an acquaintance. He was told it was good, so he bought it.

The price was just right. It might be more expensive than what Xu Huanshan would give, but not by much. Besides, Xu Huanshan's gift was meant for seduction. It wasn't too cheap either, making it presentable. It was just an ordinary bracelet, without much meaning, a small accessory that wouldn't raise suspicion.

Moreover, Xu Huanshan knew Wang Yan's capabilities and could understand his situation. As for Gu Jia, she could think whatever she wanted; it wouldn't be long anyway.

To be honest, in all his years, Wang Yan had rarely given gifts to women and wasn't skilled at it. The most expensive thing he had ever given was for a one-night stand, where he spent 300, then another 200 for an extra hour, which he remembered vividly. The woman called him "Brother Wang" so sweetly. It showed that money spent in the right place could yield twice the result.

Wang Yan hadn't been idle either. Every move Xu Huanshan and Lin Youyou made was under his control.

Since Xu Huanshan and Lin Youyou had gotten together prematurely, he didn't need to do anything unnecessary. A cat that had tasted forbidden fruit couldn't control its desires.

Patience was the most basic quality of an excellent hunter, and Wang Yan possessed it in abundance.

Fireworks were bound to ignite eventually. As long as things developed naturally, and Wang Yan gave a little push at the right moment, he could embrace the beauty and wait for the spectacular fireworks to light up the sky.

For a player like Xu Huanshan, as long as his two subordinates reported his every move, it was all over. It didn't take much of Wang Yan's energy; he remained leisurely.

Life was no different from before. He just took care of the child, studied, pursued hobbies, and flirted with Gu Jia occasionally.

Speaking of which, it had been a long time since he had been with a woman after that encounter with Wang Manni. Flirting with Gu Jia all the time, he wasn't a saint and was starting to feel the strain.

Patience was a matter of the heart, not the body. He could only endure so much. But Wang Yan had no need to endure. He had money and leisure; he could pick up a woman whenever he pleased. There was no need to suppress his desires. Having many beautiful women around was also a form of self-cultivation in life.

Just like the woman lying in his arms now, her blush still evident, her face full of charm – Dai Qing. She was the new deputy manager of Misia downstairs, who had been parachuted in to snatch Wang Manni's position, Daisy.

Thank you, Brother (Drunk and Dreaming Fatty), for the 100 coin reward.

Thank you, Brothers (Love Han Fei) and (Your Beauty~ I Can't Handle), for the monthly tickets.

Finally, thanks to my old brother (Qian Zhiming) for his continued support.

And thanks again to all the brothers who voted for recommendations.

And to all other brothers who commented or silently supported.