Chapter 67 Heartbreak (1)

“What’s your family name, Ye’er?” Ye Lang asked with a gentle smile.

“My surname is Zhu—Zhu Ye’er!” the little girl replied.

“I can give you the recipe, and I can also provide you with funds. However, you can only use my money on those businesses that are losing money. The more you lose, the better—ideally, lose it all!” Ye Lang said with a smile.

The room fell silent.

It wasn’t just Ye Lang’s astonishing way of squandering wealth that shocked everyone, but also the fact that he offered a helping hand to this little girl named Zhu Ye’er. Usually, he was indifferent to others.

However, perhaps it was in Ye Lang’s nature to help people, especially when it came to spending money. Seeing someone as pitiful as Zhu Ye’er, it was only natural for him to step in. Besides, by doing so, he could pursue his goal of squandering money. Why wouldn’t he?

“Why didn’t I think of that? This way, Ye’er’s business can be saved, and you can spend your fortune—everyone wins!” Zhen Xiaoyan slapped her forehead, regretting that she hadn’t come up with the idea herself.

Zhu Ye’er was momentarily stunned, but soon her face lit up with excitement. “Alright, it’s settled! Can we discuss the details now?”

As long as someone was willing to fill the losses in those failing businesses, it was as good as injecting capital, and she wouldn’t have to worry about them anymore.

Over the past three years, she had already cut off a number of such ventures; those that remained were impossible to abandon. If she’d had the capital, she wouldn’t have had to give up on some earlier businesses.

Why keep running these money-losing businesses? Because in some aspects, losses are inevitable and necessary in business. These losses, when considered as part of the bigger picture, often bring greater overall profit, and the larger the business, the more such ventures there would be.

In fact, such businesses were a symbol of strength; many people wanted to get their hands on them, provided they had the resources to bear the losses.

“There’s no need to discuss details with me. Just do as you see fit—lose money wherever you think best. Don’t hold back. If the funds aren’t enough, just ask me for more! And another thing: go out and play when you should. You’re still young and should make friends. There’s no end to making money,” Ye Lang said, gently patting Zhu Ye’er’s head with a smile.

“But I…”

“I’ve said my piece; whether you listen is up to you.” Ye Lang spoke softly. Though he was kind enough to help Zhu Ye’er, his help had its limits—he would not force others to follow his wishes.

Zhu Ye’er stood there in a daze, pondering his words.

At that moment, Ye Lang did not linger. He walked out of the classroom and began his after-meal stroll.

“Ye Lang, I never thought you had such a gentle and considerate side…” Zhen Xiaoyan caught up to him, laughing softly.

“I’m just pretending,” Ye Lang replied bluntly.

Regardless of whether Ye Lang was pretending, after this incident, Zhu Ye’er developed a fondness for Ye Lang—naturally, it was the affection of a younger sister for an older brother. She liked his gentle smile, which gave her a sense of warmth and care.

That gentle smile became her spiritual support, helping her weather countless hardships.

Thus, even if Ye Lang’s funds were all lost, she would always consider his share within her business—an amount that was by no means small.

Even if Ye Lang flatly denied this in the end, refusing to admit any claim to her business, it would no longer matter.

Ye Lang didn’t care, and neither did Zhu Ye’er.

What surprised Zhu Ye’er most was that after Ye Lang invested his funds, some of those loss-making businesses miraculously began to turn a profit!

He truly was a prodigal blessed by Lady Luck herself!

……

On a grassy field at the Alchemy Academy, a young man lay comfortably on his back, napping. Beside him, a lovely young woman gazed quietly at the blue sky.

The scene was so idyllic that it drew envy from onlookers and filled hearts with warmth.

Yet, it also stirred up a storm in the hearts of one or two others, leaving their faces clouded with gloom.

The youth and maiden were none other than Ye Lang and Zhen Xiaoyan. The ones stung by the sight were, of course, Young Master Mo Ya and Sha Lan.

When Mo Ya had first arrived at the Alchemy Academy, he had already heard stories of Ye Lang and Zhen Xiaoyan. After Sha Lan brought him here, the sight hit him even harder, and his face grew darker still.

Yet, the arrival of Mo Ya and Sha Lan did nothing to disturb Ye Lang and Zhen Xiaoyan, who continued basking in their nap and reverie.

“Well, well, our belle is keeping the Thirteenth Young Master of the Ye family company again. Not content with the nights, now you’re glued together even in broad daylight,” Sha Lan remarked with ill intent.

“Right now, I can only be with him during the day. He’s already sent me home at night,” Zhen Xiaoyan replied, oblivious to the underlying meaning. She never quite understood such insinuations.

“So that’s why you’re sticking with him—forgotten your own boyfriend already?” Sha Lan pressed on.

“Oh, Mo Ya, I’m sorry! Let’s go have lunch together!” Zhen Xiaoyan said anxiously, afraid that Mo Ya would be angry.

“No need. You stay here with him,” Mo Ya replied through gritted teeth. Though he sensed Zhen Xiaoyan cared for him, it was meaningless now.

“All right then. Anyway, you have Sha Lan to keep you company. I’ll stay with Ye Lang,” Zhen Xiaoyan said, cluelessly—her tone as guileless as ever.

“Hmph!” Mo Ya flung his sleeve and turned to leave.

Sha Lan, walking away with Mo Ya, could hardly contain her delight. At this rate, Mo Ya and Zhen Xiaoyan’s relationship was doomed.

“Who was just talking?” Ye Lang opened his eyes groggily.

“They’re gone. Go back to sleep.”

“Oh…”

……

A few days later, the rift between Zhen Xiaoyan and Mo Ya seemed to deepen, leaving Zhen Xiaoyan anxious and still unaware of the problem.

Finally, she turned to Ye Lang for help.

“Ye Lang, I think Mo Ya’s starting to dislike me. He’s always with Sha Lan now. What should I do?”

“Try doing something romantic together. Hold hands, stroll through town, dance, have a candlelit dinner—then go in for a passionate kiss…” Ye Lang suggested.

“We’ve only just started dating. Isn’t holding hands a bit too soon?” Zhen Xiaoyan frowned.

“…Miss, don’t tell me you haven’t done any of those things?” Ye Lang asked in disbelief.

“No, I haven’t!” Zhen Xiaoyan shook her head.

“Good grief. Then what did you mean by going on dates with him all the time before? What were you two even doing?” Ye Lang was at a loss.

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Asking for some votes here—if I make it onto the recommendation list, I’ll go all out and update even more…