On the way back, He Wenjie asked, "None of the models we looked at caught your eye?"
"They were all right. I think my little car is just fine, so there's no need to waste that kind of money. I don't really know much about cars, and most girls just judge a car by its logo anyway."
"When you put it like it, I suppose that's true."
They drove home and spent some time organizing the things they had bought yesterday—a new home, a new bed, and new bedding. Naturally, two people freshly caught in the throes of love had to test out the comfort of this bed. Having graduated from the rookie stage, Yang Tao was exceptionally enthusiastic, seemingly determined to drain every last ounce of energy from He Wenjie.
After the passion subsided, the two lay intertwined, whispering sweet nothings. He Wenjie muttered inwardly to himself: *Other transmigrators turn out fiercely powerful the moment they cross over, so how come I didn't get any special treatment at all? It looks like I'll have to step up my workouts starting today.*
The next day, He Wenjie accompanied Yang Tao to work. They parted ways as soon as they reached the hotel. He Wenjie went upstairs to tidy up his personal belongings, then opened his computer to check the recent stock market. His A-share account had grown to just over three million. After a few days of maneuvering, his Hong Kong stocks had doubled again, which translated to roughly forty-three or forty-four million RMB. He left ten million in Hong Kong stocks, converted another thirty million into US dollars to invest in the US market, and transferred the remaining odd three million into his personal bank account through the bank.
His initial accumulation phase was now complete. According to his plan, he would make steady investments in A-shares, keeping the gains within a reasonable range so that people would look on with envy without ever suspecting insider trading.
The money in Hong Kong stocks only needed to cover his daily expenses; the US market was where he would really stir up storms. Even if someone over there caught wind of it, there was nothing they could do to someone sitting safely back in China.
With these matters handled, He Wenjie strolled over to the cafe bar, sipping coffee while zoning out and occasionally batting his eyes at Yang Tao—what a pleasant life.
Because Yang Tao hadn't been to work for many days, all the blind dates arranged for her had ended in disappointment. Today, suitors coming to see her were exceptionally numerous, yet Yang Tao firmly rejected every single one of them. However, there was still one man who refused to give up even after Yang Tao explicitly told him she had a boyfriend, pestering her with endless nonsense. He Wenjie couldn't bear to watch any longer; he set down his coffee and walked over. "Being thick-skinned is fine when you're pursuing a woman, but when she's already made it clear she has a boyfriend and you still won't let go, you're utterly shameless."
"Who the hell are you? What business is it of yours?"
"Who am I? I'll show you right now." With that, he wrapped one arm around Yang Tao's waist, turned his head, and planted a kiss right on her lips.
"Now you know who I am." He cast a provocative look at the man as he spoke.
The clingy pest slinked away in defeat, while the colleagues watching the commotion from afar thoroughly enjoyed the show.
Yang Tao exclaimed, "Have you lost your mind? I'm still on the clock!"
He Wenjie greeted the surrounding colleagues amiably. "Can't help it. My girlfriend is so gorgeous; if I don't stake my claim, I won't have any peace of mind in the days to come."
"What kind of nonsense are you spouting? Everyone saw that—how am I supposed to show my face at work from now on?"
"You're quitting soon anyway, what does it matter?"
"You never wish me anything good, do you?"
"Quitting isn't a bad thing. Being your own boss's wife sounds pretty good, doesn't it?"
"I can't argue with you. I'll settle accounts with you after my shift." With that, she shook off He Wenjie's hand and walked away.
After Yang Tao left, He Wenjie went back to finish his coffee. Before long, his phone rang. "Mr. He, we've found the person you were looking for. How should we proceed from here?"
"Tail him. I want to know everything he does from now on—where he goes, who he meets, what secrets he has. Most importantly, I need to know his usual haunts."
"How are we pricing this?"
"Twenty-four-hour surveillance. One hundred thousand a month starting today. If you can get your hands on something that actually interests me, the price is negotiable."
"You're a pleasure to work with, Boss. We'll stay in touch."
A few days ago, He Wenjie had hired a private investigator to look into the whereabouts of Yang Tao's ex-boyfriend, Li Wei. By tailing Lan Weiwei, they had managed to identify Li Wei within a week; he was now going by the name Zhuang Yan.
Having already revealed his identity to everyone, Yang Tao stopped acting so coy and shy. At noon, she sat down to have lunch openly with He Wenjie in the guest room. "My boss just called me in for a chat. Just like you said, she told me to start preparing to hand over my work."
Seeing the disappointment in her eyes, He Wenjie comforted her, "It's fine. Didn't we already plan for you to be your own boss?"
"It's just that I've worked here for six years, so it's a bit hard to accept."
"Capitalism has never had a heart."
"That was the best youth of my life, just wiped away like that."
"All right, cheer up. Leaving this place means you have better options, doesn't it? Did they mention any compensation?"
"Six months' salary, in accordance with the labor law. Plus, they promised that once the handover with the new manager is successful, I can go home early."
"Well, that's fairly compliant with the rules. At least it's a clean break."
"I'm still not happy, though."
"Shall I cheer you up, then?"
"I still have to work later, stop playing around."
"You're leaving soon anyway, why be so dedicated?" Ignoring Yang Tao's struggles, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her toward the bed.
Soon enough, the initial resistance melted into joyful melodies.
After work, He Wenjie accompanied Yang Tao on a shopping spree. For a woman, there's no problem that can't be solved by a designer handbag; if there is, you just buy two. Initially, Yang Tao was still reluctant, but when He Wenjie showed her his profit margins from Hong Kong stocks over the past month, she stopped holding back. Good thing Yang Tao only saw the thirty million he made that single month; if she had seen his total principal, she would have been utterly dumbfounded.
Having vented her frustrations, Yang Tao's mood was indeed much better. That night, instead of going home, they returned to the hotel—at Yang Tao's insistence. In her words, it would be a waste not to stay in a room that cost thousands a night, and staying at the hotel meant she could just head downstairs for work in the morning.
When everyone saw Yang Tao and He Wenjie lugging bags of shopping back into the hotel, they cast complicated glances their way. Yang Tao seemed to have let go of all inhibitions lately; she greeted every friendly colleague she passed and walked hand-in-hand with He Wenjie openly into the elevator.
"Aren't you afraid of your colleagues gossiping behind your back anymore?"
"What is there to be afraid of? I found such a capable husband, they're too busy being green with envy to bother."
"Haha, this is the first time I've realized I'm quite so exceptional."
"Your excellence is something only I need to know about. You're not allowed to show off for all those wandering eyes out there."
"I promise to be a model husband who obeys every rule."
"Such a slick tongue."
"Oh? Why don't you taste it and see if my tongue is slick or not?"
In an instant, the entire room bloomed with the vibrant warmth of spring.