The God of Wealth starts with doing whatever you want

It was already nine o'clock at night when we came out of Old Lin's heavily guarded courtyard house.

The black Mercedes-Benz van smoothly drove away from the quiet neighborhood where only the sound of the wind could be heard.

Outside the car window, the silhouettes of the armed police officers on duty stretched long under the streetlights until they disappeared around the corner.

The car was completely silent.

Jiang Peiyao sat in the passenger seat, holding her phone, the screen displaying the schedule for returning to the Red Cross headquarters the next day.

But she couldn't concentrate on reading a single word at that moment.

Michelle and Fu Baoying sat side by side in the back row, both maintaining proper posture, but their eyes were both fixed on the back of the front passenger seat.

Or rather, it fell through the back of the chair onto the man who was resting with his eyes closed.

They were sweating profusely while eating that meal.

It wasn't anything fancy, just a simple four dishes and a soup, laid out on that old octagonal table.

The cook was Mr. Lin's personal secretary, a middle-aged man who didn't talk much but was efficient in his movements.

But the old man sitting in the main seat...

Even when wearing the most ordinary gray Zhongshan suit, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes piled up like ravines when he smiled.

Yet, the aura he exuded, refined by time and imbued with power, still put unprecedented pressure on the three women, who were all quite accomplished in their respective fields.

That was a completely different kind of oppressive feeling from business tycoons.

What alarmed them even more was Xu Yun's state of mind throughout the entire process.

He was neither reserved nor did he try to ingratiate himself.

When discussing the economic situation, he was able to answer every professional question posed by Professor Lin.

When discussing international relations, his insights could even elicit occasional nods of deep thought from the elderly.

When the topic turned to some old stories and anecdotes, he could chime in at just the right moment, making Old Lin laugh heartily.

The feeling wasn't like a junior paying respects to an elder; it was more like... an equal exchange between friends across generations.

Especially when Old Lin mentioned "Grandpa Zhong Yanyan back then...", Xu Yun just smiled and casually replied, "The old man was stubborn and caused you a lot of trouble."

Old Lin shook his head and smiled, "He's not stubborn, he just knows what he wants. You're a lot like him in that respect."

At this point, the three women were all deeply shocked.

It turned out that Zhong Yanyan's family background was far deeper and more terrifying than they had imagined.

"tired?"

Xu Yun suddenly spoke, breaking the silence in the car.

He opened his eyes and looked at the two people in the back seat through the rearview mirror.

Fu Baoying was the first to recover, revealing an impeccable smile, and said, "Fortunately, Old Lin is very talkative, and I have learned a lot from listening to him."

She wore a champagne-colored suit today, with a clean cut that made her look both capable and feminine.

As the head of a multi-billion dollar investment group, Fu Baoying has seen a lot of things, but this is the first time she has directly come into contact with people at that level like today.

It would be a lie to say I wasn't nervous.

But what she cared about more was why Xu Yun had brought them along.

Is it a display of strength? A test of character? Or... a signal of some kind of recognition?

Michelle, on the other hand, was much more honest.

She let out a soft breath, took off her sunglasses, rubbed her temples, and said, "A bit... that old man's aura was too strong, I didn't dare to say much the whole time."

She wore a beige cashmere coat today, with a light gray knitted long dress underneath. Her makeup was light, and she looked a few years younger than her actual age.

But this deliberate "low profile" only made it stand out more in that situation.

After all, who among those who can sit in front of Elder Lin is a simple character?
Xu Yun smiled but didn't respond to that question. Instead, she asked Jiang Peiyao, "What time is the meeting tomorrow?"

"At 10 a.m., with several leaders of the project review committee."

Jiang Peiyao immediately got into work mode and said in a steady voice, "I will be meeting with representatives of two international organizations later regarding the implementation of aid funds for malaria prevention and control in Africa. I do not intend to get involved in that."

"Ah."

Xu Yun nodded in agreement, saying, "We don't have that much money to save outsiders. Let's save our own people first."

The car drove into the underground parking garage of the hotel where we were staying.

The four people got off the car one after another, and the elevator went up to the top-floor suite area.

After Fu Baoying arrived, Xu Yun moved out of the courtyard house and into this place.

The courtyard house arranged by Lin Zhengyu was nice, but it was still someone else's house.

“Baoying lives next door to me, and Peiyao and Michelle live across the street.”

Xu Yun swiped his door open, turned to the three of them and said, "Tomorrow I'll take Pei Yao to a meeting, and the next two days I'll show you around Beijing."

He spoke so naturally, as if all of this was perfectly reasonable.

Fu Baoying's eyes flickered slightly, and she nodded with a smile, saying, "Okay, I also want to see the snow at the Forbidden City. I heard that winter came early this year."

The weather forecast says it will snow tomorrow.

Jiang Peiyao continued, looking at Xu Yun and asking, "Aren't you... busy?"

"I've finished everything I needed to do."

Xu Yun pushed open the door and said, "The rest is just keeping you company."

The door closed gently.

Only three women remained in the corridor, accompanied by a subtle silence.

Fu Baoying spoke first, her tone gentle: "Michelle, where do you want to go tomorrow? I remember you said you wanted to see the painted corridors of the Summer Palace."

Michelle was surprised that Fu Baoying would ask her this question. She paused for a moment before saying, "Um... I really want to see it, but it depends on what Mr. Fu arranges. I'm fine with anything."

“I’m a few years older than you, you can just call me Sister Baoying.”

Fu Baoying smiled, her beautiful phoenix eyes revealing no hostility, and said, "Since we came out together, there's no need to be so formal."

Jiang Peiyao stood to the side.

Her gaze swept lightly between the two of them, finally landing on Fu Baoying's face, and she asked, "Mr. Fu, are you very familiar with Beijing?"

"I've been here a few times before, but always for work, so I haven't really had much time to relax."

Fu Baoying said frankly, "Thanks to Xu Yun, I can finally relax and have some fun this time."

At this point, the three women all understood one thing without saying a word.

It was no accident that Xu Yun brought them together.

Their relationship with each other is far more complex than simply that of "love rivals."

"Well... goodnight."

Jiang Peiyao swiped her swipe to open her room door.

"Good night."

"Good night."

The doors closed one after another.

The corridor fell silent again.

But deep down, everyone's heart is far from as calm as it appears on the surface.

Everyone was wondering if Xu Yun would come to their room that night.
If he doesn't come to his own room, whose room will he go to?
Unsurprisingly, Xu Yun went to Fu Baoying's room that night.

For the next two days, Xu Yun truly acted as a professional tour guide, leading the three women around Beijing.

On the first day after the snow, the Forbidden City, with its red walls and golden tiles covered in a thin layer of snow, was as beautiful as a painting.

Xu Yun somehow obtained special passes that allowed them to tour the palace alone during closing hours. In front of the empty palace, only the sound of their four footsteps rustling in the snow could be heard.

Fu Baoying took many photos and would occasionally discuss the bracket structure of a building or the details of a historical period with Xu Yun.

Her business acumen translated into a keen awareness of culture at this time.

Michelle was quieter. She wore a woolen hat and scarf, with most of her face buried in the soft cashmere, only her eyes showing, as she listened attentively to Xu Yun's explanation.

The questions he occasionally asked all carried the unique perspective of an actor, a keen eye for detail.

Jiang Peiyao was wearing a heavy down jacket and holding a cup of hot coffee in her hand.

She rarely spoke, but her gaze towards Xu Yun held a tenderness and worry that others couldn't comprehend.

She knew that this kind of "leisure" was an extreme luxury for Xu Yun, and what it meant that he was willing to spend such time on them.

The next day, we went to the Summer Palace. Kunming Lake was covered with a thin layer of ice, and the sunlight shone on it, creating a shimmering golden glow.

The murals in the corridor looked particularly vibrant in the winter sun. Xu Yun could even point to a painting and tell the story behind it and the name of the painter.

"How do you even know this?" Michelle couldn't help but ask.

“I’ve come here a few times with my master before.”

Xu Yun said casually, "He likes these things, so I listened to them more often."

It's "Master" again.

Fu Baoying and Jiang Peiyao exchanged a glance.

Who exactly is this "master" who never shows his face but is omnipresent?
The women who had been by Xu Yun's side for a long time already knew this, because it seemed that many of Xu Yun's skills or other things were taught to him by them.

Xu Yun did this simply to give his system a "reasonable" identity, which would also allow him to barely explain his illogical actions.

We ate at a private restaurant by Shichahai Lake in the evening. From the window of our private room, we could see the frozen lake and the lights of the bar street on the opposite shore.

After five courses of food, Xu Yun put down his chopsticks, looked at Fu Baoying, and said, "Tomorrow you and Michelle will go back to Hong Kong first."

Fu Baoying paused for a moment, then nodded: "Okay, I've already had my team prepare a preliminary plan for the acquisition of Huayi Brothers, and we can get started as soon as we get back."

"You go and talk to Ruan Qinghua."

Xu Yun poured her a cup of tea and said, "I've already stated the conditions: get back Michelle's contract, cooperate with the acquisition, and give him the management rights."

As for the Xiang family…

He paused, a faint smile curving his lips.

"You handle it." Three words, spoken lightly.

But Fu Baoying understood the significance in it.

The Xiang family has been entrenched in Hong Kong for decades, and even though their influence has waned in recent years, they are by no means easy targets.

Xu Yun's decision to let her "solve" the problem was both an act of trust and a test.

"Do we need to use 'the connections over there'?" Fu Baoying asked cautiously.

Xu Yun shook his head: "No need. Business matters should be resolved through business means. What the Xiang family needs most right now is cash flow, and what they fear most is a sharp drop in stock price."

You know what to do.

Fu Baoying's eyes sharpened, and she instantly understood Xu Yun's meaning.

Strike the snake at its vital spot.

The Xiang family's listed companies have already been performing poorly recently, and if they are then attacked by capital...

"I understand."

She picked up her teacup, using tea instead of wine, and said, "I'll give you the results within a month."

"Not urgent."

Xu Yun clinked glasses with her and laughed, "Let's play it safe. What I want is for them to back down, not for us to fight to the death."

Michelle listened quietly, her fingers unconsciously stroking the rim of the teacup.

She knew they were talking about her future, even her life.

The Xiang family is no pushover.

But the conversation between Xu Yun and Fu Baoying sounded as calm as if they were discussing what to have for breakfast tomorrow.

This nonchalant attitude only made her more uneasy.

"Then I..."

She asked softly, "Is there anything I can do?"

Xu Yun looked at her and said gently, "Just do what you're supposed to do: film, win awards, and establish yourself as a top star. You don't need to worry about anything else."

"But what about Young Master Ruan..."

"Bao Ying will handle it."

Xu Yun interrupted her and said, "From now on, your agency contract will be transferred to Bao Ying's investment group. Your Sister Hua will continue to manage you. Your team will be upgraded, resources will be prioritized, and you will mainly develop in the mainland."

He spoke with such certainty, as if it were already a settled fact.

Michelle opened her mouth, but in the end she just nodded: "Okay."

She knew she had embarked on a ship from which there was no turning back.

The ship's captain sat opposite her, calmly gazing at the night outside the window with his unfathomable eyes.

On the morning of the third day, at the private jet tarmac of the Capital Airport.

Xu Yun's Gulfstream G650 sat there quietly, its streamlined fuselage reflecting the winter sunlight.

Hua Jie dragged two large suitcases behind Michelle, her eyes constantly glancing at the plane.

She's been a manager for over a decade, handling numerous artists, and has flown first class and chartered planes, but private jets...

This is the first time I've ever seen such a top-of-the-line model.

Moreover, Fu Baoying was also with them.

The young tycoon, who has recently been making headlines in Hong Kong and has been dubbed the "female version of Li Ka-shing" by the media, was standing by the gangway, whispering something to Xu Yun.

Sister Hua didn't even dare to get too close.

"We'll take care of the contract when we get back."

Fu Baoying's voice was soft but clear as she said, "I've arranged to meet Ruan Qinghua the day after tomorrow..."

She didn't finish speaking, but Xu Yun understood.

"Logically, I shouldn't be involved in your business matters. Even close brothers should keep clear accounts, but Young Master Ruan and I are still friends after all."

Xu Yun patted her shoulder and said, "Some things are fine as they are. What I want is for Huayi to help the Ruan family kick the Xiang family out of the game."

Fu Baoying smiled and said, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

She turned to Michelle and beckoned, "Michelle, come here."

Michelle walked over, and Fu Baoying naturally took her arm, saying to Xu Yun, "I will bring the person back safely, and I will also provide the necessary resources."

I guarantee she'll get at least one nomination at next year's Hong Kong Film Awards.

These words sounded impressive, but Xu Yun knew that Fu Baoying never made empty promises.

"Thanks for your hard work."

He looked at Michelle and said, "Go back and get some rest. Take your time choosing scripts, there's no rush."

Michelle nodded, wanting to say something, but found her throat tightening.

These past two days have felt like a dream.

After visiting Beijing, I met the old man whose name I only ever saw in the news. Now he's taking a private jet back to Hong Kong, with Fu Baoying by his side and Xu Yun behind him.

She went from being a small-time actress who had to be mindful of others' opinions and could be used as a bargaining chip at any time, to suddenly becoming someone who was protected by two powerful figures.

This change is too fast, too unreal.

"Xu Yun..."

She finally spoke, her voice a little hoarse, "Thank you."

Xu Yun smiled and reached out to ruffle her hair.

The actions were intimate, yet devoid of lust.

"Let's go, send a message when we get there."

Fu Baoying pulled Michelle onto the plane.

Sister Hua quickly followed.

As she passed Xu Yun, she bowed almost ninety degrees and said with a smile, "Mr. Xu, thank you for taking care of Michelle!"

"Of course."

Xu Yun said calmly, "I'll have to put in more effort from now on."

"Definitely, definitely!" Sister Hua replied repeatedly, practically fleeing as she boarded the plane.

The hatch closed slowly.

Xu Yun stood on the tarmac, watching the Gulfstream taxi towards the runway, accelerate, take off, and finally become a tiny dot against the azure sky.

Jiang Peiyao followed behind him, looking at the man's tall and straight back, and suddenly felt a slight soreness in her heart.

It's not that he doesn't understand gentleness.

He simply hid his gentleness behind those seemingly cold and hard methods.

How fortunate are those who can be protected by him like this.

The winter sun shone on his face, casting a pale golden halo.

……

Meanwhile, inside the Gulfstream cabin at an altitude of 10,000 meters.

Fu Baoying accepted the champagne offered by the flight attendant, gently swirled it, but her gaze fell on Michelle, who seemed a little uneasy across from her.

"Relax."

She smiled and said, "We'll have plenty of time to work together in the future."

Michelle gripped the juice glass, her fingers tightening slightly: "Mr. Fu, I..."

"Call me Sister Baoying."

Fu Baoying interrupted her, her tone gentle yet carrying an undeniable force, and said, "Xu Yun has entrusted you to me, and I will take responsibility for you."

From this day forward, I will take care of your acting career, your safety, and your future.

Sister Hua sat a little further away, listening intently, her heart already churning with excitement.

Fu Baoying personally said, "I will take responsibility for you!"
This is practically like giving Michelle a get-out-of-jail-free card!
"Thank you... Sister Baoying." Michelle lowered her head, her voice slightly choked.

"I will talk to Ruan Qinghua about it."

"If you want to take on any roles or appear on any shows in the future, just tell Sister Hua, and she'll report it to me."

Fu Baoying took a sip of champagne and said, "The TV station has several big productions next year, and the female lead hasn't been decided yet. You can choose the script first."

Michelle looked up abruptly: "This...this is too..."

"You deserve it."

Fu Baoying put down her wine glass, turned her gaze to the surging sea of ​​clouds outside the porthole, and said, "Since Xu Yun asked me to help you, you'd better not disappoint him."

Don't let me down.

Fu Baoying didn't say the last sentence.

But Michelle understood.

She nodded vigorously, her eyes glistening with tears, but even more so with determination.

"I will."

Fu Baoying smiled with satisfaction.

She took out her tablet and started processing emails.

The plan to acquire Huayi Brothers, the capital plan to deal with the Xiang family... one thing after another, were being carried out methodically at her fingertips.

And it all started with that man's casual remark under the winter sun in Beijing: "You handle it."

Fu Baoying smiled slightly.

She would never betray the trust Xu Yun placed in her. (End of Chapter)