The God of Wealth starts with doing whatever you want

Late at night, in the east wing of a courtyard house.

The moonlight outside the window was like water, casting the shadow of the crabapple tree in the courtyard onto the paper window, swaying gracefully.

Only a dim bedside lamp was lit in the room, its soft light spilling onto the messy bed.

Michelle curled up in Xu Yun's arms, her fair shoulders exposed outside the silk quilt, where a few faint red marks remained.

Her breathing had not yet fully calmed down, and the strands of hair on her forehead were damp with fine sweat, clinging to her skin.

The air was filled with the lingering scent of passion, mixed with her faint perfume and his unique aftershave.

Xu Yun placed one hand on her waist and the other behind her head, gazing at the ancient wooden beams above, his eyes appearing particularly deep in the dim light.

His chest rose and fell steadily, a subtle contrast to Michelle's still-breathing gasps.

The two lay there quietly for about fifteen minutes.

Until the faint sound of the night watchman's clapper could be heard outside the window.

The alley where this courtyard house is located still retains some old Beijing customs.

Xu Yuncai spoke slowly, his voice slightly hoarse from the past, but still clear: "How is Ruan Qinghua doing lately?"

This problem came suddenly, yet it was also somewhat reasonable.

Michelle's body stiffened almost imperceptibly for a moment.

She lifted her head slightly from his embrace and examined his profile in the dim light.

Xu Yun's expression was calm, as if it were just a casual question.

But she knew he wasn't the type to ask trivial questions.

She paused for a few seconds before answering softly, "Not really."

"Oh?"

Xu Yun turned his head to look at her, frowning as he asked, "What do you mean?"

Michelle bit her lower lip, seemingly organizing her thoughts.

Finally, she sighed, buried her face in his shoulder again, and her voice came out in a muffled tone.

"Things are very bad in Hong Kong right now."

She began to speak, her voice gradually becoming clear and calm, the languor and tenderness from before gone.

"The film industry has been in a slump for several years now."

As you know, domestic box office revenue has been declining since the year before last, and the data for the first half of this year is even worse, dropping by another 20% compared to the same period last year.

It's not just Huayi Brothers; it's the same for Media Asia and Emperor Entertainment.

Everyone is scaling back investment, and many projects can't even get started.

Xu Yun didn't interrupt, but listened quietly, his fingers gently stroking her arm intermittently.

"That's not the worst part."

Michelle continued, "The entire entertainment industry is shrinking. Records aren't selling well, concert ticket sales are bad, and TV station advertising revenue has been declining year after year."

We artists, especially those who are new to the industry, feel this most acutely. These days, we're lucky to get one or two roles, and our pay is kept very low.

She paused, a hint of bitterness in her voice.

"Huayi's assets and profits have shrunk drastically in recent years. As for the listed company, the stock price has fallen by nearly 60%."

The Xiang and Ruan families... are engaged in fierce internal strife over the group's transformation and future development.

Xu Yun frowned slightly: "Internal strife?"

"Ah."

Michelle nodded and said, "The Xiang family thinks they should completely shift to the mainland market, move their focus to Beijing and Shanghai, and even consider moving their headquarters here."

They felt that the Hong Kong market had reached its limit and they had to cling to the mainland as a major player.

"Where is the Ruan family?"

"The Ruan family..."

Michelle hesitated for a moment before saying, "The older generation of the Ruan family is still quite conservative. They feel that their roots are in Hong Kong and they can't give up easily."

Moreover, their connections in Hong Kong's political and business circles are deeply entrenched; if they were to relocate entirely to the north, the value of these networks would be significantly diminished.

Xu Yun chuckled lightly, a hint of sarcasm in his voice: "So it's a battle between 'conservatives' and 'radicals'?"

"You could say that."

Michelle sighed and said, "But things aren't that simple. You should know about the Xiang family's influence in Hong Kong."

She raised her head, looked into Xu Yun's eyes, and said earnestly:

"Xiang Huaqiang is just the most well-known member of the Xiang family on the surface."

Everyone thinks he's a 'big boss' or a 'person in charge,' but actually... within the Xiang family, he's not even ranked.

The truly influential people in the Xiang family are all in the political and judicial circles.
Xu Yun's gaze deepened: "I've heard about it."

"So Young Master Ruan is in a difficult situation right now."

Michelle said in a complicated tone, "Although his father is one of the founders of Huayi Brothers, his health has been poor in recent years, and he has semi-retired. Young Master Ruan has not been in charge for long, and his foundation is not yet stable."

Faced with pressure from the Xiang family, he... felt somewhat overwhelmed.

As she said this, she suddenly laughed self-deprecatingly.

"Otherwise, I wouldn't have come to Beijing on my own, begging around like a headless fly, trying to find opportunities in mainland China."

It's not just me; many Hong Kong artists are now moving to the mainland.

Chan Wai-man signed with a mainland agency last month, Lau Wah has taken on three mainland dramas this year, and even Tony Leung has started contacting mainland directors…

"It's an inevitable trend," Xu Yun said calmly.

"Yes, it's an inevitable trend."

Michelle repeated, her tone somewhat desolate, "I've caught up with the end times of Hong Kong's entertainment industry. Sometimes when I think about it, it's really ironic."

A brief silence fell over the room.

Xu Yun's fingers stopped on her arm and ceased stroking it.

He seemed to be thinking about something, his gaze fixed on some empty point in the darkness.

After a long silence, he slowly spoke, asking a question that surprised Michelle: "Why didn't Ruan Qinghua ask Fu Baoying for help?"

Michelle was stunned.

Fu Baoying.

This name is now a household name in Hong Kong.

Three years ago, she was just a female executive with some connections, but now she is a figure who can stir up a storm.

Several of the films she invested in were box office hits, and last year she successfully acquired a stake in a long-established television station.

Rumors circulate that Fu Baoying has strong backing from mainland capital, and her influence is unfathomable.

Michelle naturally knew that Xu Yun was behind Fu Baoying.

In fact, Huayi Brothers had discussed internally whether to cooperate with Fu Baoying.

But ultimately nothing came of it.

"How do you know... he hasn't contacted him?" Michelle asked hesitantly.

Xu Yun glanced at her, his eyes seeming to say, "What do you think?"

Michelle smiled wryly and said, "Okay... I heard that Young Master Ruan did contact President Fu, but... they didn't reach an agreement."

"reason?"

"I'm not entirely sure about the specifics."

Michelle shook her head and said, "I only overheard Young Master Ruan mention it once or twice, it seems that... the conditions proposed by Ms. Fu are unacceptable to the Xiang family."

Xu Yun seemed thoughtful: "What are the conditions?"

"It seems so..."

Michelle tried hard to recall and said, "Ms. Fu wanted a portion of Huayi Brothers' shares, which was not a small amount, and she also demanded a say in the company's decision-making."

The Xiang family felt this was tantamount to inviting a wolf into their home and strongly opposed it.

Upon hearing this, Xu Yun's lips curled into a very faint, meaningful smile.

"interesting."

"What's interesting?" Michelle asked, puzzled.

Xu Yun did not answer immediately.

He released his arms from hers, sat up and leaned against the headboard. The silk quilt slipped down to his waist, revealing his well-defined upper body.

He reached for the cigarette case on the bedside table, took out a cigarette, and lit it.

Afterwards, half a cigarette; those who know, know.

In the dim light, a point of scarlet glowed and flickered.

"Fu Baoying is my woman."

Xu Yun took a drag of his cigarette, slowly exhaling the smoke, his voice sounding somewhat ethereal in the smoke.

Michelle's eyes widened.

Although she had suspected it beforehand, hearing Xu Yun admit it himself still gave her a shock.

“So…” she murmured.

"So I know her style of doing things very well."

Xu Yun continued, "It's normal for her to want Huayi Brothers' shares and a say in the company."

If she wants to help Ruan Qinghua, these conditions are negotiable, and could even be quite favorable.

But the conditions she proposed were unacceptable to the Ruan and Xiang families…

He paused, then turned to look at Michelle, his eyes sharp as knives through the smoke.

"Then there's only one possibility: she never genuinely intended to help Ruan Qinghua. Or rather, she felt Ruan Qinghua wasn't worth her effort." Michelle felt a chill run down her spine.

"You mean...Ms. Fu doesn't actually think highly of Young Master Ruan?"

It's not that I don't have a positive outlook.

Xu Yun shook his head and said, "It's because she sees things too clearly."

The landscape of Hong Kong's entertainment industry has been set: internal strife continues within Huayi Brothers, while the Xiang family's influence remains deeply entrenched.

Why would Fu Baoying get involved in this mess now? Unless there's enough benefit, or…

"Or what?"

"Or perhaps there's a personal connection."

Xu Yun said slowly, "But there is clearly no such favor between her and Ruan Qinghua."

Michelle fell silent.

She suddenly remembered that she had seen Fu Baoying at a party last year.

Ms. Fu was surrounded by people at the time, and she was poised and elegant, speaking with impeccable manners.

When people approached her for a chat, she responded politely; when others offered to collaborate, she declined tactfully.

The whole person is like an exquisite ice sculpture, seemingly transparent, but actually separated by a layer of cold distance.

Michelle felt at the time that this woman was not simple.

Looking back now, it was more than just complicated.

"So now, Young Master Ruan is truly isolated and helpless."

Michelle said in a low voice, her tone carrying a hint of complex emotions.

She and Ruan Qinghua had known each other for two years, and although their relationship was mostly based on mutual benefit, there was still some affection between them.

Seeing his current difficult situation, it's hard not to feel a little sorry for him.

Xu Yun stubbed out his cigarette, lay back down, and pulled her back into his arms.

Everyone has their own path to walk.

His voice returned to its usual calm as he said, "Since Ruan Qinghua has chosen to take over the family business, he must bear the corresponding responsibilities and risks."

The business world is like a battlefield; no one can protect him forever.

Michelle leaned against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, and suddenly asked, "And what about you? Will you help me?"

This question is direct, even a bit rash.

But at this moment, after experiencing intimate physical contact and sharing these hidden industry secrets, Michelle suddenly found a surge of courage.

Xu Yun did not answer immediately.

He looked down at her.

Michelle looked up and met his gaze.

Her eyes shone brightly in the dim light, filled with anticipation, unease, and a hint of desperate resolve.

“I’m already helping you,” Xu Yun finally said.

"Those people at the dinner party... did they change their attitude towards me because of you, right?"

"Lin Zhengyu greeted them."

Xu Yun readily admitted, saying, "However, how far you end up depends on yourself."

All I can offer you is an opportunity, a platform. Whether you seize it, whether you can establish yourself there, is up to you.

Michelle's heart sank and then rose again.

What's striking is that Xu Yun's words were both clear-headed and cold-blooded.

He will not protect her without any limits.

The good thing is, at least he was willing to give her a chance. That already makes her luckier than most people.

"I see."

She said softly, "I will try my best."

Xu Yun looked at her for a few seconds, then suddenly asked, "How much longer do you have left on your contract with Huayi Brothers?"

Michelle paused, then said, "There's still a year and a half left."

Will you renew it after it expires?

“I…” Michelle hesitated.

She had thought about this question many times.

Huayi Brothers treated her well, and Young Master Ruan gave her many opportunities.

But now Huayi Brothers is struggling to survive, with dwindling resources and increasingly fierce internal strife. Staying there would be a bleak future.

But if we leave... where will we go?

Although the mainland market is large, the competition is equally fierce.

As a Hong Kong actress with no connections or background, how easy is it for her to make a name for herself in mainland China?

“I don’t know,” she finally said honestly.

Xu Yun nodded, seemingly unsurprised by her answer.

"Think about it carefully."

He said, "In the next year and a half, you can travel more to the mainland, build up your network and resources, so that whatever choice you make, you'll have a backup plan."

Michelle felt a warmth in her heart.

He was planning this for her.

"Thank you," she whispered, burying her face back into his chest.

Xu Yun didn't say anything more, but just patted her back gently.

Silence returned to the room.

The moonlight outside the window seemed brighter, streaming in through the paper window and casting a silvery-white glow on the floor.

The night watchman's clapper has faded into the distance.

The night was deeper.

After an unknown amount of time, just when Michelle thought Xu Yun had fallen asleep, he suddenly spoke again: "I'll put in a word with Fu Baoying and get you discharged from Huayi Brothers. As for the Ruan family matter..."

Michelle's body trembled.

"But when you get back, tell him not to have too high expectations."

Xu Yun continued, "This world is very realistic, especially in business. I told Bao Ying a long time ago that I won't interfere in her affairs."

“I understand.” Michelle’s voice was choked with emotion.

Of course she understood.

Xu Yun's actions for her had already exceeded her expectations.

She's no one to him, at least not yet.

Their relationship is complex and delicate, a mixture of past feelings, present desires, and future uncertainties.

She should be content with what he has given her.

"Go to sleep," Xu Yun said finally.

"Ah."

Michelle closed her eyes, but couldn't fall asleep for a long time.

Her mind was unusually clear, and a variety of thoughts came rushing in.

The decline of Hong Kong's entertainment industry, the internal strife within Huayi Brothers, Ruan Qinghua's predicament, and his own future...

And there's this unfathomable man beside me.

She recalled Jiang Peiyao's calm gaze at the banquet, her composed and generous demeanor, and her words, "I'm a little tired, I'll go back to my room to rest first, you guys... can chat slowly."

What was that woman thinking?

Is she able to so readily accept Xu Yun bringing another woman home because she doesn't care at all, or because she's confident enough to know that no matter how many women Xu Yun has outside, he will eventually come back to her?

Or perhaps... this is part of some kind of tacit understanding between them?

Michelle dared not think too deeply about it.

She knew her current position was awkward and dangerous.

One wrong step could lead to utter ruin.

But at the same time, a long-lost feeling awakened in her heart.

That was ambition, discontent, and a strong desire to seize a glimmer of hope in this ever-changing tide of the times and fight for a future for oneself.

Xu Yun gave her a foothold.

What she's trying to leverage is her entire life.

Thinking of this, Michelle slowly opened her eyes and looked at the silhouette of the man beside her in the darkness.

Xu Yun's breathing had become steady and long, as if she had really fallen asleep.

She looked at him for a long time, then very gently leaned over and placed a kiss on the corner of his lips, before lying back down, smiling and closing her eyes.

that's nice!

Tonight's trip wasn't in vain; by a twist of fate, I ran into Xu Yun and once again successfully changed my life.

Tomorrow will be another new day.

She had to share this good news with her best friend, Wanqing.

After all, she can come to the mainland to be with her in the future. (End of Chapter)