Chapter 41

Chapter 41

"What are you really thinking?" Jiang Yiyan was vague, "I just think it's a good opportunity. I'm interested and it's in my field of expertise. Most importantly, it can make money, which could be considered a small venture of my own. Why wouldn't I consider it?"

Of course, Wen Mochuan wasn't asking about that.

"You've changed so much recently." Since the topic had been brought up, Wen Mochuan decided to see it through.

He also opened up to her, "At first, I thought you were deliberately changing your personality because Shu Yao was coming back, and you were planning something against her. But after such a long time, you haven't caused any trouble, so I've been wondering what you're really thinking."

"Oh." So that's what he was asking.

Jiang Yiyan was still quite nervous, as she feared Wen Mochuan might see through her. If she told him now that she wasn't the same Jiang Yiyan, but someone else, and that the real Jiang Yiyan was no longer here, and she was essentially possessing her body... He would probably think she was possessed?

Therefore, Jiang Yiyan definitely wouldn't tell the truth.

She feigned calmness and instead of answering his question, she asked him back, "Is that bad?" She asked, "Now I'm living my life quietly, no longer targeting Shu Yao and her mother, giving everyone peace. Is that bad?"

"Of course not." Wen Mochuan knew this was better than before. Compared to the chaotic days, this peaceful and harmonious life was much better.

But he was curious how one person could change so drastically.

"Of course this is good, but I don't know if you've truly let go of the past or if you're just enduring and trying to adapt to a different lifestyle. Yiyan, have you really let go of the past?"

The real Jiang Yiyan wouldn't let go, but she wasn't the Jiang Yiyan from this world, so... she didn't have to let go or not.

However, one should have a conscience. Since she took over the original body, she couldn't completely deny everything about her past. The Jiang Yiyan in the book did many outrageous things, but there were reasons for her behavior. Her transformation into that kind of person was influenced by many others.

So, appropriately, Jiang Yiyan would naturally speak up for the original body.

"You've known me since we were young. When my mother was still around, was I ever that unreasonable? No. As a child, with my father and mother's love, I was cheerful, generous, understanding, and kind-hearted. People used to say I was like a little sun, always bringing joy to others."

"But then... our family faced changes. My parents suddenly divorced, followed by my mother's illness and passing, and then my father remarried... With all these consecutive blows, do you think I, a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl, could accept them happily? I did many bad things, but becoming that hateful person, was it all my fault?"

"Mochuan, honestly, was it all my fault?"

Wen Mochuan couldn't provide an answer.

Perhaps her drastic personality change had reasons, but when Uncle Jiang remarried, it was after divorcing Aunt Jiang. Aunt Cai, although a newcomer, wasn't the one who intruded in their relationship.

As for Shu Yao... she was even more innocent.

Yet, Yiyan forced her resentment and hatred onto these two. This might be why everyone increasingly disliked her.

"Of course it's not all your fault, but Aunt Cai and Shu Yao... What did they do wrong?" Wen Mochuan said objectively.

"So." Jiang Yiyan didn't care that he was still defending Shu Yao and her mother, "That's why I've matured and learned how to judge right from wrong. Since Shu Yao and her mother did nothing wrong, why should I continue targeting them?"

"Instead of wasting time fighting with them, I'd rather save that energy and focus on something truly meaningful. Like doing something I'm good at and enjoy, which could be considered a true fresh start." In the end, Jiang Yiyan steered the conversation back to the partnership with Yu Wenlai.

Wen Mochuan wouldn't interfere with what his wife wanted to do. So as long as she liked it, he would support her.

"If you're really interested, this partnership can be discussed." After receiving his wife's call in the afternoon, Wen Mochuan had already sent people to investigate the owner of the cheongsam shop. He ran a family business that started during the Republic of China era, genuinely running a small business.

As for his intentions in inviting his wife to partner up, Wen Mochuan didn't know yet. However, with him around, Mr. Yu wouldn't be able to play any tricks.

Wen Mochuan continued, "If you work at his place, it's either as an employee or a partner. There's a fundamental difference. If you're just an employee, you get a fixed salary each month, and at most, some year-end bonus based on the boss's mood. But if you're a partner, you get a share of the profits, and your income will be tied to the shop's performance. It's variable but also unstable."

"My suggestion is... since you want to do this, don't worry about the salary. You're not doing it for the money. If you enjoy it, work hard and earn more to show your value." What's the point of a fixed salary?

Jiang Yiyan thought, wasn't she doing it for the money? She was doing it for the money. But after carefully considering Wen Mochuan's advice, she naturally agreed with him.

What's the point of a fixed salary, and she didn't want to work for someone else anymore. If she was going to do it, she'd take a share of the profits, even if each deal resulted in less profit.

But she was hesitant and sought Wen Mochuan's opinion again, "You're right, I do want to be a partner. But... his small business has been operating for so many years, with a solid reputation and no shortage of customers. If I ask to be a partner, isn't that like getting something for nothing? It might not be appropriate."

Wen Mochuan smiled, revealing the cunning face of a true businessman in an instant.

"You don't need to be timid. Since he chose to partner with you, there must be something irreplaceable about you. Since you have an advantage, use it as leverage in negotiations. Now he's the one seeking you out, not the other way around, so everything is negotiable."

"Of course, your concerns are valid. Although you have the upper hand, you shouldn't demand too much; you need to find a balance." Wen Mochuan taught her the ways of business partnerships.

Every word he said, Jiang Yiyan listened to carefully.

But talking about it was easy, actually doing it was difficult.

Especially finding that balance... it was the hardest thing to control.

"But it's hard to strike that balance," Jiang Yiyan spoke frankly.

Wen Mochuan: "If you're really sure, when signing the contract, I'll have Lawyer Li accompany you. As for striking that balance... I can only give you advice, but ultimately, you have to decide. Once it's settled and written into the contract, you won't have to worry, as Lawyer Li will ensure everything is in order." Lawyer Li was the legal advisor for Wen Mochuan's company.

In other words, Jiang Yiyan could negotiate according to her wishes, and once everything was settled, Lawyer Li would handle the aftermath.

With no worries holding her back, Jiang Yiyan relaxed.

"Alright, let's do it your way." Jiang Yiyan looked at him with a smile, her eyes shining. She really wanted to exclaim, "It's great having you," as a friend.

But she was currently his wife, and saying that would be too ambiguous.

Ever since Jiang Yiyan first transmigrated, she decided not to get involved in the romantic entanglements of the main characters. Therefore, in their interactions, she tried to avoid any ambiguity and wouldn't take the initiative to get close to Wen Mochuan, her nominal husband.

But she did trust Wen Mochuan's character, so gradually, she began treating him as a friend.

In short, in this unfamiliar world, without any relatives or acquaintances, Wen Mochuan was an important presence in her life.

.

Although Jiang Yiyan made her decision that night, to avoid seeming too eager, she waited two or three days before calling Yu Wenlai.

During these few days, Yu Wenlai had been waiting for her response. Seeing Jiang Yiyan's call, he subconsciously smiled.

He had sincerely invited Miss Jiang to collaborate, and naturally hoped for her affirmative response. Though he could roughly tell that she was also interested on that day, nothing was set in stone, so he couldn't be entirely sure. Not until he received her call now.

Though he hadn't answered the call yet, Yu Wenlai had a hunch it would bring good news.

Yu Wenlai waited a moment before answering, "Miss Jiang." His voice was as gentle as ever, his tone slightly rising, making him pleasant to listen to.

He was calm and composed, while in contrast, Jiang Yiyan seemed somewhat nervous.

Perhaps she still cared quite a bit about this collaboration opportunity. Therefore, she feared that following Wen Mochuan's advice might make Boss Yu think she was being too pushy, potentially causing him to back out.

After all, from what he said, he was never short of collaborators; even when others approached him, he consistently turned them away. Her receiving his favor and this opportunity was truly fortunate.

"Boss Yu," Jiang Yiyan greeted him first, trying to calm her emotions and sound poised and graceful, "It seems... you were waiting for my call?"

Wen Mochuan taught her that the more formal the setting and the tenser the atmosphere, the more suitable it was to tease the other party lightly, to help ease the mood. Once the atmosphere was under her control, she would, in a sense, become the one steering the negotiation.