The God of Wealth starts with doing whatever you want

At the same time, Ou Jingya stood on the balcony, her phone pressed to her ear, listening to the endless busy tones of unanswered calls.

The early summer evening breeze ruffled her long, loose hair, and her pale blue dress looked flimsy in the night.

He still won't answer.

She murmured to herself, a slight, almost imperceptible tremor in her voice.

The sound of a door opening came from behind her. Wu Jinyan walked into the living room carrying two cups of hot milk. Seeing her daughter's back as she stood on the balcony, she sighed softly.

"Jingya, come in, it's cool at night."

Ou Jingya turned around, her eyes slightly red, but her gaze was unusually firm as she said, "Mom, I'm going to find him."

"Nonsense!"

Wu Jinyan placed the milk on the coffee table, her voice laced with suppressed anger, and said, "I haven't even settled the score with you for what happened this afternoon, and you still want to go find him? Do you know what kind of person he is? Do you know who he's with..."

"I know."

Ou Jingya interrupted her mother, walked into the living room, and said, "I know he has more than one woman in his life, I know he may not be able to give me marriage, I know all of this."

Wu Jinyan looked at her daughter in disbelief: "You knew? You knew and yet..."

"Because I love him."

Ou Jingya answered softly but clearly, “Mom, I’m thirty years old, not a teenage girl anymore. I know what I’m doing and I know what I want.”

"What do you want? Do you want to be a mistress who can't be seen in public?"

Wu Jinyan's voice sharpened as she angrily said, "Jingya, you are my daughter, a teacher at Jiangcheng University! How could you..."

For a traditional woman, especially a highly educated one, this is absolutely unacceptable.

"mom!"

Ou Jingya raised her voice, tears finally streaming down her face, and said, "I don't want to be a 'mistress,' I just... I just fell in love with someone, and this person just can't belong to me alone."

Seeing her daughter crying, Wu Jinyan's heart softened.

She went over to hug her daughter, but Ou Jingya gently avoided her.

"I'm sorry, Mom."

Ou Jingya wiped away her tears and said, "But I have to go to him. I need a clear answer. If he's willing to face this with me, then I'm not afraid of anything."

If he's unwilling... then I'll give up.

“You’re forcing him, and you’re forcing yourself too,” Wu Jinyan said helplessly.

"No, I'm giving us a chance."

Ou Jingya picked up her bag from the sofa and said, "Mom, I'm sorry to have disappointed you, but I want to be in charge of my own life."

After saying that, she walked out of the house without looking back.

Wu Jinyan chased after her to the door, watching her daughter's figure disappear into the stairwell, but ultimately did not call out to her.

She leaned against the door frame, tears silently streaming down her face.

As a mother, all she wants is for her daughter to be happy.

As a teacher, she knew Xu Yun too well and was also too aware of the potential harm this relationship could cause.

Xu Yun didn't go home; he parked his car by the river.

Roll down the car window, and the river breeze, carrying moisture, rushes into the car.

The lights of cargo ships on the distant river flickered, while the neon lights of the city on the opposite bank were reflected on the black water, shattering into a colorful spectacle.

He recalled the first time he met Ou Jingya at university.

She was wearing a beige knitted sweater and sitting quietly in the corner reading a book. When someone came over to chat with her, she politely got up, her smile gentle, but her eyes were distant.

Later, Wu Jinyan introduced them: "This is my daughter, Jingya. Xu Yun is my most outstanding student."

"I've long admired your name, Senior Xu Yun."

She reached out her hand, her fingertips slightly cool, a smile playing on her lips.

"Just call me Xu Yun."

He held her hand and felt her tremble slightly.

Since then, they have occasionally run into each other at Wu Jinyan's house.

Sometimes we eat together, sometimes we visit each other on holidays.

However, the two did not interact much; they were merely acquaintances, like a senior and junior student.

But who would have thought.

Now their relationship has actually turned out like this.

Being too charming can be a problem.

Is this what they call a "peach blossom calamity"?

Everything happened naturally, yet it seemed as if it had been destined all along.

The phone rang again.

Xu Yun glanced at it; it was still Ou Jingya.

This time, he answered the call.

Not answering the call isn't a solution either.

"Where are you?"

On the phone, Ou Jingya's voice came through the receiver, slightly out of breath, as if she were walking.

"By the river."

He gave a specific location.

"Wait for me." The call ended.

Twenty minutes later, a taxi stopped beside the riverside walkway.

As soon as Ou Jingya got out of the car, she spotted Xu Yun's car.

She walked over quickly, opened the car door, and got into the passenger seat.

The carriage was dark, with only the reflections on the river revealing each other's silhouettes.

Ou Jingya asked, "Why didn't you answer my calls?"

Her voice was calm, but her tightly clenched hands betrayed her nervousness.

"I'm thinking about something."

Xu Yun turned to look at her.

Ou Jingya's eyes shone brightly in the dim light, her cheeks were flushed from walking quickly, and her long hair was somewhat disheveled.

"What are you thinking? How are you trying to distance yourself from me?"

Ou Jingya looked straight at him and asked, "Just because of what my mother said?"

Xu Yun paused for a moment, then honestly said, "Part of it is."

But the teacher is right. I can't give you a future, I can't give you marriage, and I can't even give you a devoted relationship.

Because I have Su Mu, Liang Yan, and... other women around me.

Jingya, I am not the person you should choose.

"Then who should I choose?"

Ou Jingya continued to ask in return: "Someone who can give me marriage, but whom I don't love?"
Someone who can be devoted to me, but whose heart I can't feel?

Xu Yun, I'm almost thirty years old, not a little girl anymore.

I know love isn't a fairy tale, and I know life has too many frustrations and compromises.

But precisely because I know all this, I am even more certain that I do not want to compromise.

Xu Yun: "..."

She took a deep breath and continued, "This afternoon, my mom asked me, 'Are you serious about me?' You said you were."

Okay, now I'll ask you another question.

Xu Yun, are you willing to shoulder this burden with me?
How can I withstand societal scrutiny, my mother's pressure, and all the potential criticism and difficulties?

A breeze from the river rushed in through the car window, ruffling her long hair.

Her gaze was so firm and so brave that it sent a shiver down Xu Yun's spine.

"Jingya, do you know what that means?"

He calmly said, "It means you may have to face gossip from colleagues, strange looks from students, and misunderstanding from relatives and friends."

And... and you also have to accept that I have other women around me.

This may not be fair to you.

Whether something is fair or not is not up to you to decide, but up to me.

Ou Jingya reached out and held his hand tightly, saying, "I don't care what others think, nor do I care about titles or status. All I care about is you, your heart, and your feelings."

If you hold a place for me in your heart, if you're willing to let me stay by your side, then I'm not afraid of anything.

Her hands were cold, but she was holding them tightly.

Xu Yun could feel her trembling.

This seemingly gentle and delicate woman is displaying astonishing courage at this moment.

"Your mother's side..."

"I will try to persuade her."

Ou Jingya said, "But the premise is that you have to stand with me."

Xu Yun, I don't want you to bear everything alone; I want us to face it together.

If you back down, then there's no point in me being brave.

Xu Yun looked at her, at his teacher's daughter, a woman who should have had an ordinary, happy life.

She could have found a suitable man, married, had children, and lived a stable life.

But she chose herself, choosing a path full of thorns.

Then what is there to hesitate about!

"From both a moral and logical standpoint, what the teacher said makes sense."

Xu Yun finally sighed and said, "As a man, I shouldn't hold you back, but Jingya, you're right—if you, a woman, can be this brave, what reason do I have to back down?"

Tears welled up in Ou Jingya's eyes instantly, and she said happily, "You...you mean..."

"I mean, I'm willing."

Xu Yun grasped her hand in return, their fingers intertwined, and smiled, "I'm willing to face the teacher and all difficulties with you."

But Jingya, there are some things I must tell you in advance, so you know what you're about to face.

He paused, gathered his thoughts, and then began to honestly recount the women in his life.

With each word Xu Yun spoke, he felt Ou Jingya's grip tighten.

But he had to continue, he had to let her make her own choice with the knowledge of the situation.

"Besides, I may never be able to give you marriage."

He continued, “It’s not that I don’t want to, but… I can’t make that promise to anyone; it wouldn’t be fair to the others.”

All I can promise is that I will treat you well, respect you, protect you, and always be there for you when you need me.

But that's all I can give.

After saying this, a long silence fell over the carriage.

Only the sound of the river wind and the distant whistles of cargo ships could be heard.

Ou Jingya lowered her head, her long hair obscuring her face.

Xu Yun couldn't see her expression, but he could feel her hands trembling slightly.

Just when he thought she would back down, she looked up, tears still on her face, and smiled.

"Are you done talking?" she asked.

Xu Yun nodded. "Then it's my turn to speak."

Ou Jingya wiped away her tears, took a deep breath, and said, "Xu Yun, what I love is you as a person—your talent, your sense of responsibility, your seemingly casual but actually serious attitude towards life, and your gentleness towards those around you."

I love you completely, including your past, your present, and your complicated romantic relationships.

She paused for a moment, organizing her thoughts: "I know it sounds silly, but to me, love is not about possession, but about understanding and acceptance."

I accept you completely, including all the other women in your life.

I don't need you to belong only to me. I just need you to have a place for me in your heart, to be sincere with me, and to be there for me when I need you.

"As for marriage..."

She smiled, a smile tinged with bitterness and a hint of relief, and said, "I've seen too many marriages that are only together in name, and too many couples who are bound together by a sense of responsibility."

A marriage certificate does not guarantee happiness, but not having one does not mean you cannot be happy.

Xu Yun, what I want is genuine affection, not just a formal promise.

Xu Yun stared at her in shock.

He never expected Ou Jingya to say such things, nor did he expect her love to be so mature and so tolerant.

"You really think about it?"

He asked, "This is a very difficult road to travel."

"I figured it out."

Ou Jingya said firmly, "From the very first day we met... I've made up my mind. I'm just waiting, waiting for you to make up your mind too, waiting for you to be willing to walk this path with me."

Xu Yun could no longer hold back and reached out to pull her into his arms.

Ou Jingya obediently leaned on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Xu Yun whispered in her ear, "I'm sorry for making you wait so long."

"It's okay, we'll get there soon," she said softly.

The river breeze continued to blow, but the carriage became warm.

They embraced each other, as if trying to melt away all their previous hesitation, retreat, and unease in that hug.

After an unknown amount of time, Ou Jingya said softly, "Xu Yun, take me home."

Xu Yun froze, then chuckled awkwardly, "Are you sure? What about the teacher...?"

"I will talk to my mother tomorrow."

Ou Jingya raised her head, her eyes clear and firm, and said, "But tonight, I want to be with you."

Xu Yun, I don't want to hide anymore, I don't want to play hard to get anymore.

Since we've decided to be together, let's truly be together.

Xu Yun looked at her and saw the determination in her eyes, as well as a hidden unease.

She was forcing herself and him in this way to completely cut off any way out.

"Okay, it's up to you."

Xu Yun chuckled and started the car.

The car drove into Xu Yunzai's rooftop terrace by the river, and it was nearly midnight.

This was the first time Ou Jingya had visited his residence.

The house is spacious, warmly decorated, and offers a fantastic view, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the stunning river scenery.

But she also noticed that the place lacked a sense of life.

Too tidy, too deserted, it doesn't feel like a home.

"You don't usually stay here?" she asked.

"Ah."

Xu Yun poured her a glass of water and replied, "This is a place to stay."

Ou Jingya took the water glass and sat down on the sofa.

The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

Although they had an intimate relationship, Xu Yun deliberately kept her distance after that, and the two never truly dated as lovers.

"Jingya".

Xu Yun sat down beside her, took her hand, and said, "If you regret it, it's not too late. I can take you home, and then we can take it slow..."

"I do not regret."

Ou Jingya interrupted him, put down her water glass, turned to face him, and said shyly, "Xu Yun, kiss me."

Her gaze was so direct, so brave.

Xu Yun no longer hesitated and lowered his head to kiss her lips.

This kiss was different from the one we shared that afternoon under the wisteria trellis.

That kiss was tentative and impulsive, while this kiss is confirmation, a promise, and the beginning of a choice made after careful consideration by two adults.

Ou Jingya responded to him, putting her hands on his shoulders.

Her kissing skills were clumsy yet passionate, filled with an unwavering determination.

Xu Yun could feel her trembling, and could sense her inner unease and courage.

He supported the back of her head with one hand and wrapped his other arm around her waist.

She nestled into his arms, her body soft and warm.

"Xu Yun..."

She murmured his name between kisses.

This sentence acted as the final catalyst.

Xu Yun picked her up and carried her to the bedroom.

Moonlight streamed into the room through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting silvery-white spots on the wooden floor.

Xu Yun gently placed her on the bed and leaned down to look at her.

Ou Jingya's long hair was spread out on the pillow, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes shone like stars in the dim light.

She reached out and unbuttoned his shirt, her movements a little clumsy but incredibly firm, and said, "Xu Yun, I want to be your woman, in the real sense."

I want you to remember, this is the beginning of our relationship, not just another continuation of ambiguity.

Her frankness warmed Xu Yun's heart, and he could no longer restrain himself.

As his clothes slipped off one by one, and his skin touched hers, Ou Jingya's body was softer and warmer than he remembered.

Ou Jingya hugged Xu Yun tightly, as if she wanted to melt into his body. She wrapped her legs around his waist and whispered, "Xu Yun, give me a child."

Xu Yun froze: "What?"

Ou Jingya cupped his face in her hands, her earnest gaze heartbreaking.

"I want one of your children, so that even if Mom objects, she'll have no choice but to accept it."

And...and with a child, I'll truly be yours forever, and you'll always be mine."

Xu Yun understood her thoughts.

She wanted to use the most traditional yet decisive method to bind their relationship, to make it a fait accompli, so that no one could object.

“Jingya, you don’t have to do this…” he said suddenly with a touch of heartache.

"I am willing."

She kissed him and explained, "Xu Yun, I don't want to use the child to tie you down. I want... I want to have a child of our own, I want to have a complete connection."

Besides, I'm thirty years old, it's time for me to have children.

Since I love you, then the father of my child can only be you.

Her logic was simple and direct, yet it deeply moved Xu Yun.

This woman, for the sake of loving him, was willing to endure so much worldly criticism, her mother's opposition, and even the pressure of being a single mother.

"it is good."

He nodded and said, "If that's what you want."

"This is what I want."

Ou Jingya smiled, but tears welled up in her eyes. She said happily, "Xu Yun, love me, truly love me just once, and let me be yours."

Xu Yun stopped talking and responded with his actions.

When the two finally got together, Ou Jingya bit her lip to stop herself from crying out loud.

But tears kept streaming down my face.

These are tears of happiness, tears of confirmation, tears that she finally truly possesses this man.

The moonlight moved slowly through the room, and the lights on the river outside the window gradually went out.

The world shrinks to this room, to this bed, to the two people embracing.

After an unknown amount of time, everything calmed down.

Ou Jingya lay on Xu Yun's chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, her fingers unconsciously drawing circles on his chest.

"Xu Yun," she called softly.

"Ok?"

Will we always be like this?

Xu Yun hugged her tightly: "Yes, I promise you, as long as you don't leave, I will always be here."

"I'm not leaving."

Ou Jingya raised her head, looked at him seriously, and said, "Xu Yun, I may not be the most beautiful, the smartest, or the most helpful to you."

But I can be the one who understands you best, supports you the most, and puts the least pressure on you.

I will do my duty, without competing or vying for anything. As long as I have a small place in your heart, I will be content.

These words made Xu Yun feel both sad and moved.

What makes him so virtuous that he could win the heart of such a wonderful woman?

"Jingya, you don't need to wrong yourself like this."

He stroked her long hair and smiled, "To me, you are not anyone's possession. You are just Ou Jingya, the woman I love."

You can be jealous, you can be affectionate, you can ask me to spend time with you, just like a normal couple.

Ou Jingya smiled, but there were tears in her eyes. She asked, "Can I ask you to come with me to see my mother tomorrow?"

Xu Yun took a deep breath: "Okay, I'll go with you tomorrow."

"Aren't you afraid my mom will scold you?"

"afraid."

Xu Yun smiled honestly and said, "But I'm more afraid that you'll face this alone. Since we've decided to be together, we should face all the problems together."

Ou Jingya leaned back into his arms contentedly and smiled, "That's enough, Xu Yun. With your words, I'm not afraid of anything."

Late at night, the two fell asleep in each other's arms.

Ou Jingya fell asleep quickly, a smile still on her lips.

Xu Yun couldn't fall asleep for a long time. Looking at the sleeping face of the woman in his arms, he felt a mix of emotions.

He knew that starting tomorrow, everything would be different.

He has to face Wu Jinyan's anger and disappointment, and deal with the various problems that this relationship may bring.

But seeing Ou Jingya sleeping peacefully, he felt it was all worth it.

This woman has been so brave for him; he should at least give her a solid support.

Xu Yun gently kissed Ou Jingya's forehead and whispered, "Sleep well, my Jingya. Tomorrow, we'll face it together."

Ou Jingya murmured softly in her sleep, snuggled closer to him, and slept even more soundly. (End of Chapter)