Chapter 141: Everyone Is a Rich Merchant

Chapter 141: Everyone's a Tycoon

Jian Ruochen occasionally thought Guan Yingjun was taking forever, but the thought quickly dissolved in the warm tide of passion.

He wasn’t sure if this kind of mutual assistance naturally took longer each time, but it certainly seemed longer than the first and previous occasions.

Still, overall, it wasn’t as long as Guan Yingjun’s sessions.

The older ginger is spicier.

After soaking in hot water, Jian Ruochen’s entire body was flushed pink and warm. Wrapped in a towel, he rinsed with warm water in the shower and emerged to find the skin on his fingertips wrinkled.

Warm and comfortable all over, it was the perfect time to lie in bed with the air conditioning on and do absolutely nothing.

·

With the series of major cases concluded, the Major Crimes Unit unexpectedly landed a seven-day break. All five teams benefited from Team A’s success and got to take vacation too.

The plainclothes officers’ lives finally got more lively.

Some gathered for meals and socializing, others sneaked off to bookstores to prepare for promotion exams, and a few went on dates with their partners.

There was a bit of everything.

Liang Xinyue from Team C had a sweet tooth and had gotten chummy with the elderly vendor selling malt sugar biscuits near Lan Kwai Fong. On his days off, he’d help out with small tasks while snacking on newly prepared amber walnuts, living a carefree and pleasant life.

His peace would have been perfect if he hadn’t seen Consultant Jian wearing casual pants and slippers, emerging from the merit officers' apartments to buy snacks while he was out purchasing vinegar.

Using the investigative and logical skills he picked up on the job, Liang Xinyue deduced that Consultant Jian must be living at Detective Guan’s place!

Hiding behind a small stall with a bottle of vinegar in hand, he watched Consultant Jian stroll along, eating fish ball skewers, and was so astonished he was beside himself.

Consultant Jian and Inspector Guan were this tight in private!

What chances did Team C have left?

All that talk from Sir Chen about poaching or talking Consultant Jian into coming over to their side was nothing but a pipe dream!

Liang Xinyue watched as Jian Ruochen made the rounds downstairs, a string of plastic bags hanging from his wrist, before leisurely heading back in the direction of the Bauhinia Apartments.

Inspector Guan even came downstairs to meet him, taking some of the bags Consultant Jian was carrying.

Liang Xinyue was stunned.

He couldn’t even imagine how wonderful it must be to live with someone like Consultant Jian—pleasant, with high EQ, wealthy, and good-looking.

Who would have thought that beneath Inspector Guan’s cold and distant exterior, he was living such a sweet setup away from the eyes of the police station!

He didn’t even have to go downstairs to buy his own snacks.

·

Inspector Guan, who didn’t even need to buy his own snacks, opened one of the plastic bags and eyed the sweet and sour tomato tofu inside, which was coated with triple the amount of chili powder. He said with a dry chuckle, "Sneaking out for snacks is one thing, but did you have to add this much spice?"

Jian Ruochen’s expression was so earnest he could've passed Party inspection on the spot. "The vendor’s hand slipped."

"The seasoning at that stall is help yourself," Guan Yingjun stated flatly. "The owner is an informant that Huang Youquan handles."

Jian Ruochen fell silent and quickly stuffed the remaining grilled fish balls into his mouth, afraid that if he waited too long, "Officer Guan" would confiscate them.

Dealing with enforcers was his specialty.

A smile flickered in Guan Yingjun’s eyes, suddenly reminding him of when he was very young and his mother would sneakily buy ice cream while his father wasn’t around during family trips.

Jian Ruochen’s behavior made it feel as though they were already as close as family.

Once they were home, Guan Yingjun noticed Jian Ruochen’s eager eyes fixed on the tofu and felt his heart soften. He used a spoon to scrape off the chili-powder-coated surface of the sweet and sour tomato tofu, letting Jian Ruochen taste a piece with just a hint of spice left. Then he headed downstairs to buy tofu skin, crab roe, and high-quality broth to make crab roe mock goose.

Keeping in mind Jian Ruochen’s preference for savory flavors, Guan Yingjun fried scallions, ginger, and garlic, then added a broth seasoned with Sichuan peppercorn and black pepper to make a sauce. He coated the tofu skin thoroughly with the crab meat mixture.

The Sichuan peppercorn left lips tingling and numb, and the dish was even more flavorful than real roast goose.

After tasting it, Jian Ruochen completely lost interest in the mock goose stashed in Zhang Xingzong and Sizheng Liu’s drawer.

October 4th.

There were classes at the University of Hong Kong.

While attending courses to earn credits, Jian Ruochen noticed that the promotional materials he had journalists write some time ago were having an effect.

Many students from other majors at the Academy of Social Sciences wanted to transfer to criminology.

Teacher Li was swamped.

Jian Ruochen was embraced enthusiastically by one classmate after another, showered with endless compliments, and handed several small bouquets.

When Guan Yingjun arrived to pick him up from Li Zhangyu’s place, he happened to see a boy with dyed blond hair holding a bunch of baby's breath, beaming excitedly and gushing enthusiastically: "I only want to study this subject because of you! You came off so cool in that interview with the reporters! And during the Hong Kong bank robbery case! If I can become your junior and spend every day with you, maybe I could be that cool too someday, right?"

Jian Ruochen already had four or five small bouquets in his arms and a cluster of yellow osmanthus branches hanging over his wrist.

The tiny yellow flowers clustered by his ear made his complexion appear as pure as fresh snow, his lips the color of lotus root faintly visible, and the petals brushing against the corner of his mouth tempting someone to steal a kiss.

Guan Yingjun’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

It was the fourth today, October 11th wasn't far off.

When the time came...

Jian Ruochen smiled. "Of course, of course. You should go ask Teacher Li about it. Changing your major is something to consider carefully."

He was struggling to hold all the flowers, and the bouquets began to slip. Just as they were about to fall, Guan Yingjun swiftly reached out, caught them, and set them aside before taking the rest. "I’ll take these."

The blond boy awkwardly withdrew his hand.

Jian Ruochen kept only the osmanthus branches, giving Guan Yingjun a soft smile before turning back to the blond boy. "I’ve got to go now. I printed a copy of the reading list and left it on the table—just follow that to buy what you need. If you find it’s not to your liking, don’t force yourself to switch majors."

The blond boy opened his mouth but couldn’t get a word out, could only watch helplessly as Jian Ruochen walked away.

Morning of October 7th.

Jian Ruochen informed Luo Binwen about his plan to meet with mainland authorities at a restaurant.

Uncertain about Uncle Luo’s views on the mainland, he watched Luo’s expression carefully. "Would you like to come with me?"

Luo Binwen sighed.

He felt he might have some issues. All joking aside, it was already quite good that Jian Ruochen hadn’t kept it from him like some young ladies might.

"If you’re willing to have me along," Luo Binwen said softly.

Jian Ruochen nodded repeatedly. "We’re family. Your name is in my will, so of course I want you to come with me."

11 a.m.

A silver-black Alphard minivan slowly pulled up in front of a hotel tucked away in a corner of Kowloon City.

Jian Ruochen presented the meal voucher and was led by a host, who was clearly a Chinese soldier in disguise, to the door of a private room.

The host had dark skin and wore a wired earpiece. His gaze on Jian Ruochen was particularly intense.

The legendary 5.9 billion, spent unconditionally!

He softened his tone. "Please wait a moment. We need to conduct a security check."

Jian Ruochen felt his scalp prickle.

Security check?

Who exactly was coming?

So strict?

He hadn’t been nervous at first, but recalling how Hong Kong residents opening restaurants in the capital could even meet senior leaders, as written in history books, he thought it wasn’t impossible for his story to be recorded in one too.

Jian Ruochen spread his arms and let the device scan him, then placed his keys and phone into a tray.

The host hadn’t expected him to be so cooperative—showing no resistance during the check, standing obediently as if he were used to it. He smiled slightly. "Alright, Mr. Luo, please spread your arms."

Luo Binwen turned slightly. "I’m a British citizen of Chinese descent. It might not be appropriate for me to enter."

"It’s appropriate. We’ve looked into Mr. Jian’s will. He trusts you deeply." After saying this, he quickly collected the metal items on Luo Binwen, even unbuckling his belt.

The more procedures they went through, the more nervous Jian Ruochen became, a fine sweat breaking out on his back.

When the host opened the door, the first thing they saw was a circular screen partition, in front of which stood a moss-covered root carving. Walking around it, they entered a square room with a round table in the center, which was nearly full of people.

Jian Ruochen was dazzled by the overhead light, sweat beading on his upper lip.

He glanced around.

And... there was more than one leader present.

"Haha, the young man is nervous," chuckled the white-haired elder at the head of the table. "If you’re hot, take off your outer coat. I’m retired now, no need for such formality."

In 1993, that particular leader had indeed retired.

Jian Ruochen quickly took off his jacket and hung it on the back of his chair, then looked at the others around the table.

Gu Youming was there too. He had a scholarly demeanor, wearing gold-rimmed glasses with an eyeglass chain attached.

He nodded in greeting to Jian Ruochen, the chain on his glasses swaying slightly with the movement.

The elder who had spoken first said with a warm smile as he introduced, "This is Gu Youming. He’s currently a director of the China General Chamber of Commerce, originally from Sichuan Province."

Jian Ruochen was taken aback.

Well, he's even changed his registered hometown!

What sharp instincts!

No wonder he’s been Hong Kong's richest man for so many years.

"And this is our current leader."

Jian Ruochen glanced over and nearly swayed in his seat.

His mind was filled with one thought—he’d really broadened his horizons.

Mom, Dad, I’ve made it!

Gu Youming found his expression of pure admiration quite amusing, more genuine than any polite remarks.

Everyone present was shrewd and could tell sincerity from pretense.

He had been invited today because the higher-ups were worried Jian Ruochen might feel uncomfortable meeting too many leaders at once, so they asked a Hong Konger to help the young man find some common ground.

But Gu Youming felt Jian Ruochen had more in common with the mainlanders than with him.

Everyone at the table was older, the eldest being eighty-nine.

Jian Ruochen, not even twenty, was young enough to be the great-grandson of half the people there.

He was generous, charming, and likable—young and very adaptable.

Who wouldn’t like him?

Gu Youming sighed inwardly.

He had spent a fortune, drank countless toasts, and cultivated many relationships to get where he was.

But Jian Ruochen...

The mainland leader, with a heavy accent, said in Cantonese, "I’ve heard you’ve invested in many community projects in Hong Kong, helping fishermen solve livelihood issues and catching quite a few criminals. Very impressive! It’s rare for capitalists nowadays to care so much about grassroots welfare."

He was met with a strong local accent.

Jian Ruochen blushed at the praise.

Drawing on his past experience dealing with retired officials, he replied, "The fishermen in Repulse Bay already have the drive to improve their lives. They’re simple, hardworking folks, willing to go along with my ideas. The success of the fishing village now is thanks to their efforts and labor. I just provided a method. I’m sure they’ll keep improving in the future."

His Mandarin was precise, with a slight Cantonese lilt, making his words sound humble and endearing.

Gu Youming listened, thinking this way of speaking didn’t sound like a typical Hong Konger.

When he first went to the mainland, he was accustomed to arrogance, thinking the mainland was backward everywhere and that he was there to develop and lead them.

He would never have put the people first in his remarks.

Jian Ruochen seemed to never think of himself as superior.

Also, Gu Youming hesitated for a moment.

He had some connections in the criminal police team and vaguely remembered that Jian Ruochen’s Mandarin was said to be accent-free.

Could it be that the criminal police team had a biased view of him and exaggerated?

Or was Jian Ruochen doing this deliberately?

See how that one remark delighted all the uncles and elders.

"What a modest young man."

"But I'm really happy to receive your affirmation!" Jian Ruochen said, unable to maintain his composure, and broke into a grin. Compared to his usual confident smile, this one seemed a bit simple-minded.

His smile made everyone burst into laughter, and the atmosphere at the table instantly relaxed.

Representatives from Hong Kong and Macau had come, and as they looked at Jian Ruochen, they suddenly sighed inwardly in unison.

There are perks to not understanding finance, after all.

If it were them, they’d also prefer someone like this—no cunning in financial matters, politically astute, upright in thinking, and has a way with words.

Most importantly, he has a truly sincere heart.

They really are getting old.

Before the meal had even properly begun, Jian Ruochen’s status in the eyes of those shrewd elders was already entirely different from theirs.

Cooperation is about mutual benefit, friendship means going all out for each other, and when it comes to the younger generation, it’s about shielding him under one’s wing.

When it comes down to it, it's fundamentally different.

"I heard you like mainland cuisine," the slightly accented Mandarin voice spoke up again. "Let’s eat first, and chat while we eat. No alcohol tonight—we have a young person at the table, take it away."

Gu Youming exchanged a glance with the Chairman of the Macau Chamber of Commerce sitting beside him.

Sure enough, they're protective of him.

They’re really going to treat Jian Ruochen like their own child.