Though Chen Xiliang had only invested 3.5 million, which represented his savings from these years, losing it would still hurt.

However, considering the total investment was 100 million, and Xia Xiaolan dared to operate on such a scale, his 3.5 million seemed trivial—what was there to worry about?

If it’s lost, it’s lost. Business always involves risk.

Back then, hadn’t he been gambling when he quit his stable job at the garment factory to become a self-employed trader with uncertain income?

Chen Xiliang only knew that he’d never lost money working with Xia Xiaolan.

From tape recorders,

To make sportswear after Chinese athletes won Olympic gold,

To establish the Luna brand.

His path to wealth had always been closely tied to Xia Xiaolan. Without her, there would be no Luna today, and he would at best be a wholesaler making a few hundred thousand a year.

So if he lost, he lost—just consider those years of savings gone.

As long as Luna remained, he could earn several million again.

Chen Xiliang’s thoughts basically mirrored Bai Zhenzhu and Kang Wei’s mindsets. Chen Xiliang and Kang Wei were better off—when Xia Xiaolan met them, they weren’t lacking money. Chen Xiliang had already accumulated his first pot of gold through clothing wholesale, while Kang Wei had made money trafficking cigarettes with Zhou Cheng.

Xia Xiaolan had merely accelerated their wealth accumulation and catalyzed their careers.

Bai Zhenzhu had it worse—she’d given her profitable fruit stand to a fellow apprentice, and her new stand was barely surviving. If Xia Xiaolan hadn’t invited her to do business in Pengcheng, Bai Zhenzhu would have nearly become a butcher. If anyone’s life had been truly changed by Xia Xiaolan, it was undoubtedly Bai Zhenzhu.

Naturally, Bai Zhenzhu was grateful to Xia Xiaolan and defended her unconditionally.

At least so far, Xia Xiaolan hadn’t felt she’d helped the wrong person!

With the money matters settled, they cheerfully discussed other topics. Shao Guangrong asked Kang Wei about the golf club’s atmosphere. Kang Wei said it was just more upscale. Though Shao Guangrong wanted to go, he had to consider his career path—visiting such places could suggest official merchant collusion, creating unfavorable impressions, so he had to pass.

Kang Wei gave him a look, “You’re getting a bit full of yourself!”

What kind of official was he anyway?

Just a tiny administrator.

Shao Guangrong wanted to punch him.

“You can’t judge everyone by Brother Cheng’s standards. I’m building my foundation slowly—you wouldn’t understand.”

Thinking about today’s college graduates, if they were willing to work in remote countries, their starting positions were quite high. Though he’d started working earlier, he was disadvantaged by his initial education level.

The continuing education degree from Huaqing could make up for some of it, but it still couldn’t compare to fresh university graduates.

Of course, Shao Guangrong wasn’t doing too badly now.

People are always greedy—he couldn’t help wondering if he might have done better taking a different path!

When no one else was around, Kang Wei asked him, “Why didn’t you accept when I offered to cover the 100 million? I could cover the remaining gap. Honestly, though Sister Xiaolan mentioned the possibility of losses, I feel the chances of profit are higher. She wouldn’t have invited us to join if she wasn’t confident. Look, she’s gathered 90 million from somewhere and doesn’t need our 10 million—she just wants to help us make money… Of course, if we lose, we accept it like gamblers should.”

Shao Guangrong obviously couldn’t come up with 1 million, but Kang Wei could and wanted to cover Shao Guangrong’s share too.

“What, you’re pitying me?”

Shao Guangrong leaned against the car with a cigarette, looking rather punch-worthy.

Only in front of his childhood friend would he show this side, acting annoying.

He meant it as a joke, but Kang Wei asked seriously:

“Do you still like Little You? I mean seriously?”

Shao Guangrong put out his cigarette, his attitude becoming serious. After careful thought, he answered: “I think it’s serious. That girl has a kind of resilience that I find special.”

Hah, men!

When they don’t like someone, Yu Li’s actions are deception and calculation.

Once they fall in love, it’s automatically beautified as “resilience.”

Kang Wei didn’t mock him. Shao Guangrong had always been a playboy—it was rare for him to seriously like a girl. As long as Yu Li wasn’t some unforgivable criminal, Kang Wei wouldn’t interfere with Shao Guangrong’s feelings.

Shao Guangrong was paying for his previous playboy ways. Having dated many girls, how serious were his claims of “liking” them? Yu Li would probably consider this carefully.

The world works this way—having a good family background and capabilities doesn’t guarantee getting what you want.

Especially in “love,” there are too many uncertainties.

Though Yu Li’s circumstances weren’t as good as Shao Guangrong’s, so what? No rule says a woman of lesser means must accept the pursuit and affection of a better-off man!

Kang Wei spoke directly and sincerely:

“I know about Yu Li’s mother’s situation. Caring for a long-term patient creates huge pressure on Yu Li. I don’t know if you two can work out, or if your family will accept her. We’ve grown up together, and though we’re not blood-related, we’re like real brothers. As your brother, I can’t kidnap Little You for you, but I can at least do something else… If your family disapproves, having money means you can still help Yu Li support her mother’s treatment, right?”

Little You seemed unwilling to let Shao Guangrong shoulder the burden.

But if they got together and Shao Guangrong’s family disapproved, he couldn’t rely on family support—they couldn’t expect Yu Li to bear everything alone.

Having money is better than not having it. With financial comfort, many problems become solvable.

Having experienced romantic setbacks himself, Kang Wei particularly wanted those around him to live well. Not being able to be together because of “not loving” was acceptable, but failing because of “no money” or similar trivial reasons would be too regrettable!

Shao Guangrong made a fist and lightly punched Kang Wei:

“Thanks, brother! But 400,000 is enough. I appreciate your kindness. I still get annual dividends from the building materials store, and that’s about right. You know my situation—I can be somewhat financially comfortable, but not too wealthy!”

Too much wealth would raise questions.

He didn’t know how long he could receive dividends from the building materials store. If Little You accepted him, Shao Guangrong wanted to transfer his 4% share to her name.

Taking money without effort felt wrong, which was why Shao Guangrong squeezed time to work on the Beijing branch.

He had contributed to the building materials store; this money wasn’t given out of pity but earned fair and square. This would give him confidence when giving it to Little You.

As a man, if he couldn’t even support his woman, he’d be too useless.

Shao Guangrong had clear plans for his affairs. Little You would be his eventually, no escape.

But his brother was in a pitiful state, look how Xiao Dan had messed him up.

—What’s more important, dignity or love?