Chapter 491: Chapter 491

Jiang Xiaoxiao muttered softly in protest, "Day in, day out, all you talk about is wanting a daughter, but I think boys are pretty good too." Though it seemed like she was dissatisfied with Xiao Bai, her words were brimming with happiness; she was clearly flaunting her love.

The remark was originally meant for Wan Chu’er, but was overheard by Xiao Bai with his keen ears. He immediately shot her a discontented glance, "A delicate and cute daughter is wonderful. What if it’s a naughty boy who always climbs up on the roof and causes trouble? It could drive you mad."

He vividly remembered just how mischievous he was as a kid, and how much of a headache he used to give the adults of the Bai Family.

With Mrs. Zhu, the Old Master, and others around, Jiang Xiaoxiao, who was thin-skinned, didn’t want to argue and just huffed, prompting laughter from everyone.

After dinner, Xiao Yu joined Jiang Xiaoxiao for a walk in the courtyard to aid digestion, while Xiao Bai went to the study with Wan Chu’er.

"These past two years I’ve invested in some industries; some based on your advice, some with a group of friends I know, and some I felt had great potential for growth—all detailed in this document. Have a look." Xiao Bai handed Wan Chu’er a document, his expression proud. It seemed that his development in Beijing over the last two years had been quite successful. Thɪs chapter is updated by novel✦fire.net

Wan Chu’er raised an eyebrow, took the folder, and casually asked, "How’s Hailang doing?"

Xiao Bai snorted, "Even though that was our first company and the one we invested the most effort in, ever since we sold it to Thunder, those foreign guys may not interfere with the company’s decisions and development, but they always try to sneak their own private agendas into our products."

At that, Xiao Bai snorted disdainfully, "They think they can play those tricks over my head. Do they take me, Xiao Bai, for a traitor who would easily bow down to them? So I simply resigned from the company. The internet world changes rapidly; we had to commit fully to maintain our lead in the industry.

Now, there are plenty of smart people around, and domestic internet companies are blooming everywhere. Moreover, since Thunder’s resources are concentrated in their main company, Hailang’s position in the industry has been declining, to the point that it might be sold off cheaply by Thunder next year."

Although Wan Chu’er had anticipated that Hailang might gradually decline, hearing it confirmed still made her somewhat sentimental. After all, Hailang once carried so many of her and Xiao Bai’s ambitions and beliefs.

How fickle world affairs are!

She looked down at the document in her hands, flipped open the first page, and saw the neatly written "Chubai Investment Co., Ltd." She paused for a second looking queryingly at Xiao Bai.

Xiao Bai said with a smile, "Same old rules, we’re fifty-fifty partners."

"Okay," replied Wan Chu’er, feeling a warm current in her heart. It seemed like ever since she acknowledged Xiao Bai as her Second Cousin, he has always been open-hearted and supportive towards her, even after she left Beijing for the Northwest.

She didn’t play coy or utter any unnecessary thanks. Their interests were already firmly intertwined.

Seeing Wan Chu’er’s reaction, Xiao Bai also revealed a contented smile.

As Wan Chu’er skimmed through the document, she noticed Xiao Bai’s investment projects were indeed diverse—entertainment, catering, real estate, coal mines, internet enterprises, and many more. Surprisingly, there were dozens of investments, both big and small.

"Where did you get so much money from?" asked Wan Chu’er in surprise.

Xiao Bai laughed, "Shocked, huh? Well, we got quite a sum from selling Hailang. Many of these projects are top-notch, and the compounding effect of money is not bad. Most of the funds are loans secured by assets from banks. Nowadays, anyone with a bit of savvy is using bank money to make money."

She didn’t hope for Xiao Bai or any other friends and relatives to be involved in such things, as they were fully capable of earning clean money.

Xiao Bai smiled, "Don’t worry, if I were to really engage in such underhanded tactics, the old man would be the first to not let me off the hook. Those who do that kind of stuff are the lowlifes who can’t show their faces in public."

Thinking of her grandfather’s character, Wan Chu’er smiled and nodded. She looked down at the investment projects again, pointing to the coal mine project in the north, and asked:

"How did you manage to get involved with this?" This is like a golden rice bowl that can produce gold.

Xiao Bai spoke lightly: "The coal resources there are abundant; you could just take a shovel, dig anywhere, and coal would come out. The coal mine transactions are bustling.

A few of us pooled our money together and bought a coal mine from a local village committee. The deal was mutually satisfactory, and the money we paid was enough for every household in the village to get several hundred thousand. They were very happy."

"Now the coal market is booming, literally making money hand over fist. Brother, I have truly and thoroughly experienced this first-hand. With such a golden goose, investing in other projects naturally means no shortage of funds." By the end of his explanation, Xiao Bai couldn’t help but click his tongue in admiration.

Listening to this, Wan Chu’er felt excited, then a bit conflicted. After a long while, she said, "It really seems like the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer."

Xiao Bai laughed heartily, "That’s just what the incompetent say. Remember when you and Aunt Bai were poor, you still managed to start a pickles factory with your own hands. And after coming to Beijing, haven’t you been doing well all on your own?

I heard you d a school with 200,000 yuan up northwest? That’s a good deed. In the future, whenever you’re free, go around and see where else you can to. We’re not short on money now; it’s like giving back to society and the country."

He had the air of a magnanimous big spender, like one of the world’s wealthiest tycoons.

Wan Chu’er smiled and asked jokingly, "With all this money, wouldn’t you feel heartache giving me half?"

But what she got in return was Xiao Bai’s disdainful rolling eyes, "I’d rather look at my wife and daughter. I’m leaving."

Saying this, he truly got up without dragging his feet and walked towards the door. Just before leaving, he tossed a black bank card to Wan Chu’er, "Take it and spend it. Now you can afford to support Jiang Kechu. You should have more backbone in front of the Jiang Family from now on."

Wan Chu’er was speechless: "... When did Jiang Kechu ever offend you?"

"Hmph, I still remember that punch he threw at me, and also, his name doesn’t sound nice!" Xiao Bai’s teasing voice drifted in from the yard, as he had already happily walked towards Jiang Xiaoxiao.

Wan Chu’er fiddled with the black card in her hand, talking to herself: "He who accepts a person’s gifts becomes subservient to them. Jiang Kechu, it’s your own fault for having punched the petty Xiao Bai."

After a while, Xiao Bai said it was getting late, and his wife and daughter needed to go to bed early. He had that look of a man who doted on his wife to the skies.

Wan Chu’er took the twins out to send them off. Chuanqi and Hunter had already grown very fond of Aunt Jiang Xiaoxiao, who had given them a bunch of fun toys, which was far more attractive than Xiao Bai’s investment share.

Chuanqi asked reluctantly, "Auntie, when will you come again?"

Jiang Xiaoxiao gently said, "We’ll see each other at Grandma’s house tomorrow."

Tomorrow, Wan Chu’er was supposed to bring the kids to the Jiang Family’s large compound. Mrs. Jiang had heard of their return and had already called twice just today.