Discovery

Wang Yan said nothing. He only glanced at them, smiled faintly, shook his head, and walked away.

This time, no one stopped him. They did not understand what Wang Yan was smiling about, and the look in his eyes just now had been rather frightening.

Wang Yan had no intention of wasting time arguing with them. It would serve no purpose. As he had said, it was Gu Jia's birthday, and he did not want to cause trouble.

Of course, that did not mean Wang Yan was broad-minded enough to pretend nothing had happened. He might not be petty, but he certainly had a temper. His level was only slightly higher; he had not reached the point of feeding himself to an eagle like some bald monk. It was already generous of him not to harm them, yet these pieces of trash had insisted on coming over to cause trouble. Every one of them deserved a lesson, or he would be letting down both his father and mother.

But matters had to be handled one at a time. The urgent issue was Lin Youyou. There was still plenty of time, so he was in no hurry. Once this was over, he would slowly play with these four idiots.

Zhong Xiaoqin, Zhong Xiaoyang, and Wang Manni had experienced too little and seen too little. Even though Zhong Xiaoyang was somewhat stronger than the other two, he was not much better. All they had felt was that Wang Yan's gaze was terrifying, making them shudder.

Liang Zhengxian was different. His family was considered one of the wealthy clans on Hong Kong Island, and the island's special environment had made him familiar with that sort of look from Wang Yan. He could sense the disdain and indifference toward life in Wang Yan's eyes. That was not something an ordinary person could possess. He immediately knew he had caused trouble, committed Wang Yan's name to memory, and planned to investigate him thoroughly after returning. If Wang Yan had only been putting on an act in front of them, he would make sure Wang Yan ended up begging in the streets.

Xu Ziyan had been listening for quite a while. He also knew what having no manners meant. Given Wang Yan's influence on Xu Ziyan, even his biological parents would not have been able to do much, let alone a godmother.

"Dad, wait for me. I'm not playing with them."

Children were always clear about whom they loved and hated. Hearing them speak of his father that way, Xu Ziyan pouted and glared at them unhappily. Then, imitating Wang Yan, he shook his head and turned to follow him.

Wang Yan was called to a halt. When he turned around, he happened to see Xu Ziyan shaking his head. The boy learned quickly. It amused Wang Yan so much that he nearly burst out laughing. He had no idea why the boy was shaking his head so seriously.

The remaining four stared at Xu Ziyan in utter confusion.

Wang Yan had no interest in their reactions. He and Xu Ziyan held hands and moved somewhere else to continue squatting down and counting ants.

Zhong Xiaoqin and Wang Manni were Gu Jia's close friends. Since this was Gu Jia's birthday party, it would not look good for them to make a scene. After thinking it over, they decided to let it go.

Zhong Xiaoyang, on the other hand, had no connection to the matter. Even Liang Zhengxian, an elite who was obviously stronger than him, had been verbally crushed by Wang Yan, which made him feel somewhat better. He simply treated Wang Yan like a lunatic.

Liang Zhengxian was waiting to investigate Wang Yan thoroughly after returning and make him beg in the streets.

After all, Zhong Xiaoqin had watched Xu Ziyan grow up, so she had feelings for him. How could she be happy after Xu Ziyan had treated her like that and called a lunatic like Wang Yan "Dad"?

Fuming, she pulled Wang Manni along and brought the two men to find Gu Jia, who was chatting with someone.

She pointed at Wang Yan, who was squatting nearby and counting ants with Xu Ziyan, and said in an unpleasant tone, "Gu Jia, who is that person? Why does Ziyan call him Dad?"

Gu Jia followed Zhong Xiaoqin's pointing finger. Seeing Wang Yan and Xu Ziyan thoroughly enjoying such a childish game, she could not help laughing. Only then did she remember that Zhong Xiaoqin's tone was clearly hostile. She stopped herself and said apologetically, "His name is Wang Yan. He lives upstairs from us. Ziyan likes him a lot, so he made him his godfather."

As she spoke, she remembered her earlier evasiveness. "He's the friend I told you about. Huanshan and I have been especially busy lately, so he's usually the one taking care of Ziyan. What's wrong? Why are you asking about him?"

Why would Wang Yan bring an unrelated woman home? Wouldn't that just cause trouble for himself? Neither Wang Manni nor Daisy knew where he lived. Hearing this, Wang Manni also learned for the first time that Wang Yan lived in Junyue Mansion, and she was quite surprised.

She had visited Gu Jia's home before, and it had already exceeded her imagination. She knew how much Gu Jia's apartment had cost. According to Gu Jia, the higher the floor, the more expensive it was. So how much had Wang Yan's place cost? Compared with the various high-end lifestyles Liang Zhengxian, who openly declared himself a bachelor, displayed, a house worth fifty million was far more shocking. She somewhat regretted what she had done earlier.

Zhong Xiaoqin was also very surprised after hearing Gu Jia's explanation, but that did not stop her from complaining to Gu Jia and criticizing Wang Yan. Then her mouth ran like a pair of worn-out cotton trousers, and she chattered through the entire incident. When she finished, she added her verdict: "Gu Jia, how could she be so rude? She has no manners at all." She had genuinely decided that Wang Yan was ill-mannered.

After listening to Zhong Xiaoqin's rambling, Gu Jia immediately understood what had happened.

After spending so much time with Wang Yan, she knew him fairly well. A wealthy single man having something happen with a beautiful woman was perfectly normal. Although Gu Jia was somewhat unhappy about it, she understood it perfectly well.

Misia was right downstairs from them, and Wang Yan might occasionally go there in his daily life. Wang Manni was attractive, and Gu Jia knew her temperament well. There was no need to think about it—she must have something going on with Wang Yan.

Wasn't it obvious that Liang Zhengxian had been standing up for Wang Manni and provoking Wang Yan, while the four of them had joined in to watch the spectacle? Wang Yan clearly did not want to bother with them. Although not shaking hands had been somewhat discourteous, he had still answered them. Liang Zhengxian had been too blind to social cues, relying on his status to block Wang Yan and save face, only to be humiliated. Whom else could he blame?

Gu Jia was also somewhat unhappy about the four of them attacking Wang Yan as a group. But she could not do anything about it. On one side were her girlfriends; on the other was a little flirtation. She was in a difficult position.

All she could do was smooth things over. "Xiaoqin, Manni, and gentlemen, let me apologize on behalf of Wang Yan."

"It's my birthday today. Let's all have a good time and not make things too ugly. Can you do me this favor?"

Since Gu Jia had put it that way, if they continued causing trouble, they would not even be able to remain friends. The two men might not care, but they still had to consider the reactions of the women beside them. Thus, aside from Zhong Xiaoqin remaining somewhat indignant, no one said anything more.

Soon, evening arrived. Gu Jia spoke at the front for a while, doing little more than thanking the guests and reminiscing about their hardships before celebrating their success. Then Xu Huanshan went onstage to confess his love, spouting honeyed words despite his guilty conscience.

Wang Yan sat at the very back, watching them show off their affection.

He wondered whether Gu Jia, whose eyes were full of happiness at that moment, would write something like "Reflections on Xu Huanshan's Affair" after learning that Xu Huanshan had cheated on her.

After they spoke for a while, the banquet officially began. Wang Yan ate a little and did not linger over it.

When the time seemed right, he wiped his mouth, stood up, and went to the front to find Gu Jia, who was chatting idly with her close friends.

When Wang Yan approached, the four-person group wished they could glare him to death, but Wang Yan paid them no attention.

He went up to Gu Jia and said, "Gu Jia, I'll head off first. You all have fun."

Gu Jia knew that Wang Yan had already done them a favor by coming. None of the people here was worth his effort to befriend, and after the unpleasantness earlier, she did not try to keep him.

He had been drinking, so Wang Yan called a designated driver and went straight back to Junyue Mansion.

Once Gu Jia's birthday was over, life returned to normal.

Liang Zhengxian investigated information about Wang Yan as soon as he returned that day. In modern society, gathering information was incredibly easy. Everything about Wang Yan was out in the open, and Liang Zhengxian quickly collected detailed information without much effort.

After reading it, especially after learning what level Wang Yan's business partners were at, he understood. He had misjudged Wang Yan and kicked a steel plate. Still, he was not afraid. His own family was not to be trifled with either.

After waiting several days without seeing any retaliation from Wang Yan, he stopped taking Wang Yan seriously. He continued flirting with Wang Manni, never tiring of enjoying her enchanting body.

He guessed that Wang Yan had merely been talking tough. After all, in modern society, everyone sought profit through harmony, and there was no need to become enemies over a minor conflict. Wang Yan had probably learned of his strength and calmly abandoned the idea of retaliating. Of course, Wang Yan would certainly resort to kicking him while he was down and tripping him up in secret, so Liang Zhengxian only needed to keep an eye out from time to time.

Zhong Xiaoyang and Zhong Xiaoqin had no further contact with Wang Yan either. The two of them were busy being lovey-dovey, and within a few days they had forgotten him completely.

Only Wang Manni occasionally fantasized, when no one was around, about what it would be like to live in a fifty-million-yuan mansion and enjoy life as Mrs. Wang.

Wang Yan did not care what those people thought. It was not their turn yet.

Xu Huanshan had nearly finished communicating about his previous orders. There was not much going on lately, so he had remained in Shanghai. He went out to accompany clients whenever he had nothing else to do. Gu Jia was no longer very concerned with Xu Huanshan's business, as she was busy handling the procedures for the tea factory. She did not know that Xu Huanshan had been free lately and had no suspicions.

Over the past few days, Wang Yan had mostly figured out Xu Huanshan's schedule. He began his operation immediately.

That afternoon, after picking Xu Ziyan up from school, Wang Yan drove him out for something delicious. Whenever he had nothing to do, he searched all over the city for good food, and whenever he had time, he took Xu Ziyan out for a feast.

The place they went this time was somewhat far away, and it was already quite late when they returned.

Gu Jia also knew where Wang Yan and Xu Ziyan had gone, so she did not need to hurry home and stayed at the dessert shop to work. If Xu Huanshan was busy as well, Wang Yan would pick her up on the way home. Today was no exception.

Based on his observations of Xu Huanshan's movements during this period, Wang Yan drove around slowly on the way back, picking Gu Jia up somewhat later than usual.

Gu Jia sat in the passenger seat, chatting and joking with Wang Yan, while Xu Ziyan dozed in the back.

While keeping Gu Jia's attention occupied, Wang Yan gradually slowed the car and unconsciously drove toward the hotel where Xu Huanshan and Lin Youyou were staying.

Xu Huanshan was truly something. Wang Yan admired him despite himself. Or perhaps it was because this was his first affair and he had no experience. There were two roads from Gu Jia's dessert shop to Junyue Mansion, and they were about the same distance. Wang Yan usually chose according to the situation, not always taking the same one. That hotel stood directly along one of the roads, impossible to miss.

Wang Yan drove slowly along that road, leaving the matter to fate. It would be best if he encountered Xu Huanshan. If not, he would change tactics tomorrow and continue arranging "chance" encounters. He had Xu Huanshan's movements completely under control. In any case, Xu Huanshan could not escape.

Wang Yan was the protagonist, after all, with the system at his side and destiny on his side. His fate was naturally tough enough, and his luck was more than sufficient. As he drove past, Xu Huanshan happened to walk out of the hotel.

Wang Yan had sharp eyes, and he was paying close attention as well. He spotted Xu Huanshan at a glance.

He turned to Gu Jia and said, "Hey, Gu Jia, isn't that Old Xu?"

Hearing this, Gu Jia looked in the direction Wang Yan indicated and indeed saw Xu Huanshan standing at the hotel entrance, looking at his phone. Thinking of Xu Huanshan's unusual behavior recently, Gu Jia keenly sensed the possibility that he was cheating.

She immediately picked up her phone and, suppressing her unease, called Xu Huanshan. "Honey, where are you? When are you coming back?"

Xu Huanshan answered, "Wife, I'm at a restaurant. I just finished drinking with a client. I'll be back soon."

Drinking? He had drunk at a hotel? Although hotels also had restaurants, it was obvious that this was not what Xu Huanshan meant. Gu Jia said she understood and hung up.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Gu Jia said nothing. Tears immediately began to fall. No wonder women were said to be made of water—the tears came far too quickly. Perhaps her emotions had already begun building when she made the call.

What Wang Yan could not stand most was a woman crying her eyes out. He could only take some tissues from the car and hand them to her. "Gu Jia, don't overthink it. The hotel has a restaurant too. Maybe they ate there."

His words only made Gu Jia cry harder. Fortunately, she was afraid of disturbing Xu Ziyan, who had already fallen asleep, so she did not make a sound. Her shoulders simply trembled as she sobbed.

Wang Yan had no idea what else to do. He pulled over, leaned toward Gu Jia, and patted her, letting her calm down.

When Gu Jia saw Wang Yan leaning over, she immediately grabbed his arm and leaned against his shoulder, starting to cry. Wang Yan was terribly uncomfortable. The space inside the car was limited, and Gu Jia kept pulling him toward her side, leaving him in a very awkward position.

They remained twisted together for quite a while before Gu Jia finally finished crying.

Wang Yan restarted the car and sped toward Junyue Mansion. He said to Gu Jia, "Pull yourself together. We'll be home soon."

Before long, the car entered the underground parking garage. Gu Jia took a deep breath and steadied herself.

Wang Yan carried the child, and the three of them entered the elevator.

In the elevator, Gu Jia fell silent for a while before saying to Wang Yan, "Wang Yan, will you come with me tomorrow and take a look?"

At that moment, Wang Yan was the first person Gu Jia could think of. Her sisters and her friends from the wives' circle were all useless. Not only would Wang Yan accompany her to see and hear the truth with her own eyes, but after flirting with him for so long, the little spark between them had already begun to grow.

Gu Jia had instinctively started treating Wang Yan as someone she could rely on. Otherwise, why would she have lost all passion with Xu Huanshan? It showed that, in the end, women were afraid of a persistent wolf.

Women ultimately needed to be cared for. No matter how capable a career woman was, she could not handle something like this alone. Seeing the plea in Gu Jia's eyes, Wang Yan nodded without saying anything more.

Xu Huanshan still had not returned. No one knew what he had gone to do.

Wang Yan carried the child to the bed and left without saying anything else to Gu Jia. What was there to say about this sort of matter? They only had to catch him in the act tomorrow.

After Wang Yan left, Gu Jia tucked the blanket around the child. Xu Ziyan was always restless in his sleep.

She walked out and carefully looked over the home they had built from nothing.

"Is it going to fall apart?"

Gu Jia's heart was filled with conflicting emotions. Meeting Xu Huanshan, getting to know him, falling in love, marrying him, and having a child—their increasingly better life replayed scene by scene in her mind.

She shook her head and went to take a bath. She wanted to clear her head and wash away the traces on her body. Thinking of Xu Huanshan flirting and being intimate with another woman, then returning to be affectionate with her, made her feel filthy. Whatever the reason, what Xu Huanshan had done was irresponsible toward their marriage and a betrayal of his wife and child. It was unforgivable.

While Gu Jia was bathing, Xu Huanshan returned.

When she saw Xu Huanshan walk in, Gu Jia asked despite already knowing the answer, "You're back? Where did you eat?"

Xu Huanshan did not think much of it. Gu Jia sometimes asked him that, so he casually made up a lie. "At that..."

After hearing the place he mentioned, Gu Jia became completely certain that he was cheating.

She said nothing more. "Oh, I see. Go wash up too. You reek of alcohol."

Seeing that Gu Jia was clearly in an unusual state, with slightly red eyes, Xu Huanshan asked, "Wife, you seem off. Why are your eyes red?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Some water got in my eyes, and they felt uncomfortable, so I rubbed them."

As she spoke, Gu Jia urged him, "Go get cleaned up. You smell awful."

After washing up, the two of them lay on the bed with their own thoughts, exchanging a few half-hearted words.

Xu Huanshan had already vented most of his energy on Lin Youyou, and he was tired as well. He soon fell asleep.

Listening to Xu Huanshan's breathing, Gu Jia had no desire to sleep.

She thought about Xu Huanshan's good qualities, their happy life as a family of three, how she should face this matter, and how she should resolve it. Her thoughts became a chaotic mess.

And so, in a daze, she remained awake until dawn.

Thanks to Big Brother Xiaofeng Liangshaosha for supporting me with a monthly ticket.

As always, thanks to all the good brothers who support your little brother.

Also, is Big Brother Lao Qian eighty percent out of monthly tickets? If not, leave your little brother a recommendation ticket so I know you are still with me.