Chapter Sixty-Five: Qin Lie's Guidance

After Huang Zequn dropped everyone off at their homes, he scurried off with a grin, saying that coming to the beautiful city by the sea, one simply had to experience the renowned cuisine and even more famous beauties.

“This is Han Dongxue, this is Gao Xiaolan. This is Sister Tao Caijie, and this adorable little girl is Cheng Xiaomei.” Qin Yang took on the role of introducer. “And this is Qi Mengwei, one of my few good friends in Jianghai City. For certain reasons, she’ll be living with us from now on.”

“Hello, big sister.” Gao Xiaolan and Cheng Xiaomei greeted sweetly, while Han Dongxue and Tao Caijie also exchanged polite salutations.

“Qi, you can share a room with Xiaolan for now and get some rest. I have a few things to take care of,” Qin Yang glanced at the time, “so I might be back late tonight.”

“Alright, be careful.”

Qi Mengwei nodded gently.

After a few more words, Qin Yang hurried downstairs. At that moment, Liu Molan was crouched before a garden, staring absentmindedly at the already barren flowerbeds. Qin Yang approached and said, “Let’s go, I’ll walk you home.”

“Mm.” Liu Molan stood, stretching lazily. “I need a good rest too.” She paused, then suddenly asked, “Just how many people are living at your place now?”

“Hmm? Four, including me.” Qin Yang replied, a bit vexed. “Had I known, I would’ve rented a bigger house from the start.”

“Were you planning on gathering even more girls into your home?” Liu Molan shot him a glare, then, curiosity piqued, pressed on, “So what exactly is the deal between you and Qi Mengwei? Now that she’s not around, you owe me a proper explanation. And stop hiding your identity from me. Han Caixuan is Madam Qin, wife of Mr. Qin Lie, chairman of Hailong Group. You and Mr. Qin Lie bear a striking resemblance. At first, I thought it was mere coincidence, but it’s clearly not. You, a bona fide heir, why are you working as a driver at a modest shopping mall?”

“Alright.” Qin Yang had long known she was onto him, so he decided not to hide it. “Back then, Yang Feng and I were both pursuing Qi Mengwei. I was a bit rash at the time, so during a gathering at a private club, I ended up beating Yang Feng. Maybe he couldn’t swallow the humiliation, so he made a bet with me: whoever won the car race would win Qi Mengwei. Don’t look at me like that—can you blame me? She’s so beautiful; what man wouldn’t be moved?”

“And then?” Liu Molan asked, a hint of jealousy in her tone.

Qin Yang shrugged. “And then? There was an accident in the race, and I ended up a drifter in this city. The old man was furious with me and stripped me of everything. He made me promise that, without accepting any of his help, I’d have to achieve something that would satisfy him. He only agreed to Hailong Real Estate working with you because we struck a deal. So I became a penniless vagabond. If you hadn’t taken me in, I’d probably be starving in the streets. Don’t suspect me of having any ulterior motives for staying by your side—I truly don’t. If you insist, the only one I’ll admit to is your beauty. That, I can’t help.”

“With an empty stomach, you still dare to take in strays.” Liu Molan kicked him in mock annoyance.

Qin Yang hurried to explain, “Listen, let me tell you the stories of Gao Xiaolan and Han Dongxue first.”

Liu Molan wasn’t in a rush to get home, and as they walked, she listened to Qin Yang’s vivid recounting of the two girls’ stories. When she heard about Gao Xiaolan’s father’s tragic murder and Han Dongxue being hunted by her enemies, her resentment toward Qin Yang faded into a sympathetic sorrow for the girls’ misfortunes.

“What about Qi Mengwei?” Liu Molan’s expression softened, her voice gentle.

“She?” Qin Yang lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. “She’s an orphan. I met her at the orphanage, was struck by her beauty, and started pursuing her. That drew the attention of others, including Yang Feng, and led to all this mess. I feel really guilty toward her. If not for me, she’d probably still be a cheerful teacher at the orphanage instead of the way she is now.”

“I heard someone say you’re the only man in Jianghai City who ever spent the night with Qi Mengwei. Is that true?” Liu Molan’s eyes narrowed.

Qin Yang cursed Huang Zequn for being such a blabbermouth, but explained, “It’s not what you think. Yes, we shared a room, but she was crying inconsolably that night. I must have lost my mind, because I spent the whole night singing to her with a guitar, just to cheer her up. The rumors are all nonsense, spread out of jealousy. I swear, I never so much as touched her, yet I’ve been saddled with this reputation.”

“Really?” Liu Molan asked with skepticism.

“Absolutely.” Qin Yang nodded solemnly. “I’ve nothing to hide in matters like this. A real man admits what he’s done and what he hasn’t—nothing more, nothing less. You have to believe me.”

“What’s it to me?”

Liu Molan huffed, but though her lips denied it, her heart was secretly pleased.

“That won’t do. If I’m wrongly accused, how am I supposed to find a wife in the future?” Qin Yang protested. “If this plants any doubts in your mind, I’ll have no hope of keeping this job.”

“Big talker.” Liu Molan tried to kick him again, but Qin Yang dodged, and the two began to tease and banter, laughing until they were both a bit breathless. Finally, Liu Molan said, “Qin Yang, are you really planning to be my driver forever? After all, if you want to achieve something that will make your father proud, with his standards, that’s as hard as reaching for the sky.”

“Ha! You really think I care about his fortune?” Qin Yang chuckled. “If I don’t inherit, he’ll probably just give it all to charity—which is better, isn’t it? I’m not short of money, and making more isn’t hard.”

“A true man should have ambition.” Liu Molan said. “How about this: now that Guo Jintao has left, why don’t you take his position?”

“Ha! If I did, you’d go bankrupt for sure.” Qin Yang shook his head. “Honestly, business doesn’t interest me. All those power plays are such a headache. I think I’ll be an adventurer for a while. If I ever feel like getting into business, I’ll start my own company.”

“You really do have dreams.” Liu Molan sighed. “But, Qin Yang, have you thought about what will happen to everything your father built? People eventually leave this world—are you really willing to see his legacy fade away? Aren’t you afraid of disappointing him?”

“No.”

Qin Yang waved her concerns away. “He’s told me since I was small—one must learn to let go. Hailong Group is the result of his life’s work, but I know he won’t cling to it until the end. If he ever decides he’s done, he’d let go without hesitation. As for disappointment? Not likely. He sent me away not because I lacked business skills, but because I wasn’t living up to his standards as a person. What he truly values isn’t wealth or commercial success, but living a life of meaning. That, to him, outweighs billions in assets. And besides, just because I don’t take over doesn’t mean my son can’t, does it?”

“I really envy you.” Liu Molan did not hide the quickening of her heart. “Qin Yang, if one day I truly can’t go on, I’ll definitely be your assistant, and we’ll explore the unknown together.”