The God of Wealth starts with doing whatever you want

As dawn broke through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the master bedroom in the large apartment, a golden hue spread across the oak floor.

Xu Yun slowly opened her eyes, her arm feeling slightly numb from being used as a pillow.

Li Jinshu was curled up in his arms, her long hair spread out on the white pillowcase, sleeping soundly.

Her eyelashes fluttered slightly, as if she were having a dream, and a faint smile lingered on her lips.

This is the seventh day since I returned home from Crescent Island.

Over the past week, Xu Yun seemed to be releasing all the fatigue and tension accumulated on the isolated island in the Pacific Ocean in the gentle embrace of Jiangcheng.

He stayed with Li Jinshu for two whole days, listening to her talk about the preparations for Asia's largest chain center.

Next, I accompanied Su Mu at her media company to handle several cross-border mergers and acquisitions, and also took the opportunity to "test" the soundproofing of her newly renovated office.

Hehe... seems pretty good.

Furthermore, Ning Qian's cooking skills have become increasingly refined.

That evening, she cooked eight dishes in her apartment, from steamed grouper to slow-cooked Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, which Xu Yun praised repeatedly.

After dinner, the two leaned back on the sofa watching an old movie. Halfway through, the screen went black, and the remote control was knocked off onto the carpet by someone, with no one remembering to pick it up.

I'm just too busy to pick them up.

Liang Yan is still the same as ever; among all her female confidantes, she's incredibly flirtatious and also the most daring.

She dragged Xu Yun along under the pretext of visiting the Cloud Film City, which was under expansion, but actually insisted on taking him to a temporary prefabricated house on the construction site for a half-hour "in-depth discussion" on brand development strategy.

When they came out, the construction foreman looked at them strangely, but Liang Yan's expression remained normal, except that her ears were slightly red.

Instead, it made Xu Yun feel embarrassed.

Yang Siqi surprised Xu Yun the most.

This woman, who used to only sell goods online, has now quietly opened a biotechnology startup in Optics Valley, focusing on the research and development of medical aesthetic materials.

She said that selling those things online wouldn't make much money, and she wanted to start a listed company so she wouldn't be outdone by other women.

In the laboratory, she, a woman who knew nothing about collagen regeneration, was still wearing a white coat and explaining collagen regeneration technology to Xu Yun.

However, Xu Yun had absolutely no interest in any of these things!

So halfway through her presentation, she was forced to sit on the lab table and "test the product's effectiveness in real time."

Afterwards, she blushed and muttered, "Those culture media are very expensive..."

As for Song Xiaowei, she's a big celebrity now and gets a lot of attention, so she has to sneak around to meet people every time.

Every time we get intimate, it's either in the car or in the room.

But it's quite interesting!

Of course, Xu Yun didn't forget the important matter.

Every afternoon at three o'clock, he would appear on time in the VIP ward of the International Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital.

Zhong Yanyan's wound is healing very well. After examining her, Director Lin said that she could be discharged from the hospital in another week after the stitches were removed.

Xinuo is getting more and more energetic every day. The advantages of natural childbirth are now fully apparent. She is already able to carry Xiyan and take a slow walk in the corridor.

However, these two women's minds are now mostly occupied by the new life.

"Xu Yun, look, Mu Zhong can smile!"

"Nianyan was holding my finger tightly just now!"

"Xiyan drank 90 ml of milk today. The nurse said her appetite is like that of a one-month-old baby!"

Their eyes sparkled as they spoke, a radiance of new motherhood that filled Xu Yun with both joy and a subtle sense of loss.

In the past, when he came to the ward, all their eyes were glued to him.

What's even more "outrageous" is the mother, Zhang Sujuan.

After she brought Chen Xin and two-year-old Xu Miaomiao from Jiang County, the Donghu Villa was completely transformed into a childcare center.

Three cribs were lined up on the first floor, and a children's room was set up for Miaomiao on the second floor.

Zhang Sujuan is busy from morning till night every day, feeding this baby, changing that baby's diaper, and playing with Miaomiao's building blocks. Her smile never stops.

"Mom, take a rest," Xu Yun said for the third time.

"Why rest? I'm happy!"

Zhang Sujuan was carefully patting Mu Zhong to help him burp, her movements as practiced as a professional postpartum nanny.

“When you were little, I was raising you all by myself. How could I have these conditions? Now it’s great, I have four grandchildren all at once. My heart is overflowing with joy.”

She turned to look at Xu Yun, her eyes softening, and said, "It's just that you've had a hard time supporting such a large family."

Xu Yun smiled, walked over and put her arm around her mother's shoulder.

"It's okay, we can afford to raise them, we can raise as many as we want."

This is true.

The report Chen Zhe sent yesterday shows that the subsequent profits from shorting the Rothschild family alone would be enough for him to buy ten islands in the Pacific and raise hundreds of children.

Not to mention the daily profits of Yungang Capital, the gray income of the Yunbao organization, and the equity dividends that even he himself can hardly remember.

For him, money is now just a string of numbers.

But some things money can't buy.

For example, right now, he is standing in front of the crib, watching the three wrinkled little ones sleeping soundly.

Mu Zhong's mouth resembles his, Nian Yan's eyes resemble Zhong Yan Yan's, and hope Yan's nose resembles Xinuo's...

These tiny lives are the continuation of his bloodline, the roots he has planted in this world.

My phone vibrated.

Xu Yun went to the balcony to answer the phone; it was Lin Zhengyu.

"Any news from the old man?" Xu Yun asked jokingly.

"It hasn't been officially approved yet, but several bigwigs have held a closed-door meeting."

Lin Zhengyu lowered his voice and said, "Your proposal to 'donate an aircraft carrier' has shocked everyone."

Some people think you are a patriotic entrepreneur, some suspect you have ulterior motives, and others speculate that you possess some kind of cutting-edge technology...

In short, it's highly controversial.

"As expected," Xu Yun said calmly.

What is the concept of an aircraft carrier?
The construction cost alone exceeds ten billion US dollars, not to mention the supporting carrier-based aircraft, escort fleet, personnel training, and daily maintenance...

The total cost over its entire lifecycle could reach hundreds of billions.

There are only a handful of countries in the world capable of maintaining an aircraft carrier, and now a private individual is saying he wants to donate one to the country?
This is no longer just extravagance, it's fantasy.

"The old man asked me to ask you two questions."

Lin Zhengyu continued, "First, where did you get the aircraft carrier? Second, what do you want?"

Xu Yun gazed at the shimmering East Lake in the distance and remained silent for a few seconds.

"Brother, what are you thinking? I funded the construction of the aircraft carrier for the country, not donated it directly. As for what I want..."

He paused for a moment and then said, "I don't want anything else, I just want money. Can't I make a small contribution to the country?"

"..."

This time, there was a longer silence on the other end of the phone.

"I will pass it on."

Lin Zhengyu concluded, "However, Xu Yun, you need to be prepared. This kind of thing involves too many things, and even if the higher-ups are really willing, the process will be very lengthy."

"I know, I can wait, I'm not in a hurry."

After hanging up the phone, Xu Yun returned indoors.

Zhong Yanyan was leaning against the headboard breastfeeding Nianyan when she saw him come in and asked softly, "Work again?"

"Yes, it's nothing."

Xu Yun sat down by the bed and reached out to touch her daughter's face.

The little one was suckling enthusiastically and completely ignored him.

“You seem to have a lot on your mind lately,” Zhong Yanyan suddenly said.

Xu Yun looked up and met her clear eyes.

This woman, who grew up in the Zhong family and was accustomed to the changing of power, possessed an extraordinary sensitivity.

"Is the construction of Crescent Island progressing smoothly?" she asked.

"It went smoothly, but some flies kept trying to get closer to take a look."

"Can Lin Wanzhou handle this?"

"Yes, he's more capable than I imagined."

Zhong Yanyan nodded, and after Nianyan finished eating, she gently put her back on the crib before turning around and holding Xu Yun's hand.

"Xu Yun, I know that what you are doing now is very big, so big that I may not be able to fully understand it."

But you must remember, no matter who you are outside, whether it's 'Mr. Xu,' 'General Manager Xu,' or 'that Chinese person' in other people's eyes, here..."

She pointed to her heart, then to the crib, and said, "You are just a husband and a father. We don't want you to be a hero. We just want you to come back safe and sound."

"I don't want to be a hero."

Xu Yun smiled, leaned down and pressed her forehead against Zhong Yanyan's, just like on the day of the surgery.

I promise you.

He said, "I always come back safely."

In the following days, Xu Yun deliberately slowed down the pace.

He would accompany Zhang Sujuan to the vegetable market to buy groceries.

Although the presence of four plainclothes bodyguards behind her drew the attention of the vendors, the mother was very happy, chattering on and on about how to choose fresh sea bass and seasonal vegetables.

He took Miaomiao to the children's playground, and the little one, who was just over a year old, could already call out "Daddy" in her baby voice.

Although Xu Yun knew how much of that "Dad" was taught to him by Chen Xin, he still felt a pang of tenderness.

Miao Miao laughed heartily while riding the carousel, and Xu Yun watched from outside the railing. Suddenly, he felt that living an ordinary life like this might not be so bad.

Of course, "ordinary" is only relative.

On the afternoon of the fourth day, Xu Yun was giving Su Mu a "shoulder and neck massage" in her office when her encrypted phone suddenly vibrated.

He glanced at it; it was an urgent briefing from Crescent Island.

"What's wrong?" Su Mu noticed that he had stopped moving.

"An uninvited guest has arrived on my island." Xu Yun got up, walked to the window, and dialed the number back.

Liu Zhenwu's voice came through, with the faint sound of an alarm in the background.

"Mr. Xu, two hours ago, a 'scientific research vessel' flying the Panamanian flag requested to anchor within 12 nautical miles of our island, claiming that its equipment had malfunctioned and needed repair."

After we refused according to procedure, the other party did not leave, but lingered on the perimeter.

Fifteen minutes ago, they released three underwater vehicles in an attempt to approach the underwater construction area of ​​the port. "Were they intercepted?"

"The underwater vehicle was blinded by our active sonar array; two were retrieved, and the third self-destructed."

The ship withdrew after our patrol boat approached, but…

Liu Zhenwu paused for a moment before replying, "We found a military-grade high-definition camera module and a signal repeater in the wreckage of the submersible. Their technical characteristics are highly consistent with those of the drone we found last time."

Xu Yun's eyes turned cold.

Once is a test, twice is a provocation.

What are the characteristics of the other vessel?

"The ship's name is 'Ocean Explorer,' and the registration information shows that it belongs to a Singaporean marine research company, but we checked and found that it's just a shell company."

The ship has been modified, with concealed sonar array openings near the waterline, and at least two electromagnetic monitoring systems are hidden in the superstructure.

"I want Lin Wanzhou to trace the origins of this ship. I need to know its sailing route, ports of call, and the backgrounds of all crew members over the past six months."

In addition, the engineering team has been notified that underwater dock construction will be switched to a fully enclosed mode starting tonight, and all material transportation will now take place via subsea pipelines.

"Understood. And... Mr. Xu, do we need to demonstrate some 'deterrence'?"
The island now has eight newly commissioned low-altitude defense systems. If the enemy comes again, they can…

"Do not."

Xu Yun interrupted him, saying, "It's not the right time yet. We need to be like a bear trap, hiding quietly until the prey stretches its whole leg in, and then snapping it shut."

After hanging up the phone, Su Mu had already gotten dressed and walked over.

"Do you need my help?"

She asked, "Do you need me to drive you?"

"Not for now."

Xu Yun put his arm around her waist, buried his face in the crook of her neck, took a deep breath, and smiled, "Just let me hug you a little longer."

"He's already the father of so many children, and he's still so lecherous."

Su Mu gently patted his back, unable to resist teasing him a little.

Now, Xu Yun is no longer hiding many of his superficial affairs from them.

So Su Mu knew what this man was carrying on his shoulders.

A steel fortress rising in the Pacific Ocean, a business empire capable of changing the world's financial landscape, and a group of women and children who need his protection.

And then there are those eyes hidden in the shadows, constantly watching him.

"Xu Yun".

She suddenly said, "If one day you really do build a kingdom on Crescent Island... will you take us there?"

Xu Yun looked up at her.

Of course.

He said earnestly, "That place was originally built for you."

Once everything is ready, I will build a dozen or so villas on the island, one for each of you, so you can live wherever you want.

It has a private beach, hot springs, golf course, and the world's most advanced security system.

Then you'll never have to worry about being photographed by paparazzi, investigated by competitors, or harassed by bored people again.

Su Mu smiled and said, "Isn't that just keeping a mistress in a golden house?"

"It's to give you a real home."

Xu Yun corrected, "A home that belongs entirely to us, and that no one can disturb."

This vision silenced them both for a moment.

Outside the window, the skyline of Jiangcheng gradually lights up in the sunset.

This city on the banks of the Yangtze River is welcoming another ordinary night, with traffic flowing like a river and crowds surging, where countless joys and sorrows are unfolding in thousands of households.

Xu Yun knew that his story had long since transcended the boundaries of this city.

On the sixth night, Xu Yun received an encrypted video call from Lin Wanzhou at Yang Siqi's apartment.

Lin Wanzhou on the screen looked somewhat tired, but her eyes were sharp.

"Mr. Xu, we've found out that the 'Ocean Explorer' has docked in Seychelles, Dubai, Singapore, and Guam over the past four months."

Each port call involves a change of crew members, but we identified three core members through facial recognition cross-checking.

He pulled up three photos.

"This bald white man is named Andrei Volkov, a former intelligence officer of the Russian Northern Fleet. He was dismissed in 2018 for smuggling arms and has since been active in the black market intelligence trade."

The Asian face is Lee Jae-hoon, a former agent of South Korea's National Intelligence Service, specializing in electronic reconnaissance. He disappeared five years ago and was reportedly recruited by a transnational criminal organization.

Finally, this woman…

Lin Wanzhou zoomed in on the third photo, which showed a beautiful mixed-race woman in her thirties.

"Isabella Chan has the most complicated background. Her father is a Hong Kong tycoon and her mother is a French diplomat."

She graduated from MIT with a degree in electrical engineering, worked at Raytheon for three years, and then joined the National Security Agency (NSA), where her exact position is unknown.

He left his job three years ago and his whereabouts have been a mystery ever since.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that she now works for a 'private client,' specializing in gathering intelligence on high-tech projects and emerging powers.

Xu Yun stared at Isabella's photo.

This woman has fox-like eyes that appear alluring, but hide a cold calculation in their depths.

"Who is the employer?" he asked.

"We haven't found out yet, but the fact that these three people were on the same boat at the same time is definitely not just to take a few photos of the island construction."

I doubt……"

Lin Wanzhou carefully chose her words and said, "They may have received a long-term surveillance mission, targeting you and all your related projects."

"Including Crescent Island, the Clouded Leopard Organization, and even my network of connections in China?"

"Yes, and judging from their methods, they were very professional and knew how to proceed step by step."

The first time we deployed drones from an old cargo ship was to test our alert level and response speed.

The purpose of sending this modified research vessel is to understand the underwater facilities.

next time……"

"Next time, we should get serious," Xu Yun replied.

He walked to the window and looked at the night view of Jiangcheng. The city seemed peaceful and tranquil, but the struggle in the shadows never ceased.

“Lin Wanzhou, do three things.” Xu Yun turned around, his words calm but unquestionable. “First, launch ‘Operation Fog’ and give all visible projects on Crescent Island three layers of disguise: the outermost layer is ‘Rich Man’s Resort,’ the middle layer is ‘Marine Ecological Research Station,’ and the innermost layer is the real situation. Each layer must have corresponding fake documents, fake personnel, and fake activities.”

"Second, we will offer a $50 million bounty on the dark web in the name of Cloud Leopard for complete information on the 'Ocean Explorer' and its employer. We will take the offensive as our defense."

"third……"

Xu Yun paused for a moment, then said, "The training progress of the 'Shadow Blade' unit has been accelerated. I want them to achieve initial combat capability within sixty days."

The first batch of thirty people were secretly transferred to Crescent Island, where they were stationed under the guise of "engineering security."

Lin Wanzhou quickly took notes: "Okay, also, do you need to increase the protection of the women around you?"

"Not for now, the country is still safe."

But you should arrange a group of lookouts in Jiangcheng, on 24-hour shifts, without disturbing their lives, just in case.

Communication ended.

Yang Siqi walked over with two glasses of red wine and handed one to Xu Yun.

"Are you leaving again?" she asked, her voice tinged with reluctance.

"We'll have to stay a few more days."

Xu Yun took the wine glass, pulled her to sit on his lap, and said with a smile, "What, you can't bear to part with me?"

"nonsense."

Yang Siqi leaned against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, and said, "You're like a kite in the sky right now. We hold the string, but if the wind blows too hard, we don't know where you'll drift off to."

"The line won't break."

Xu Yun promised, "No matter how far I drift, I will come back."

Xu Yun slept very lightly that night.

He dreamt of the beach on Crescent Island, where Zhong Yanyan, Xinuo, Li Jinshu, Su Mu, Song Xiaowei, Liang Yan, Yang Siqi, Chen Xin...

All the women were wearing long white dresses and running and laughing on the beach.

The children chased after them, with Miaomiao running in front, and Mu Zhong, Nian Yan, and hope Yan swaying behind.

The sun was shining brightly, and the sea was a deep blue.

Then suddenly the sky darkened, dark clouds surged in from the horizon, and an unfamiliar ship appeared in the distance.

Isabella Chen stood at the bow of the ship, holding binoculars and wearing a strange smile.

Xu Yun suddenly woke up with a start.

The sky outside the window was already slightly bright, but Yang Siqi was still fast asleep, breathing evenly.

He quietly got up, walked to the living room, and opened his tablet to access the real-time monitoring of Crescent Island.

In the footage, the project is proceeding in an orderly manner, the radar antenna is slowly rotating, and the sentry stands ramrod straight on the watchtower.

Business as usual.

He made himself a strong cup of tea and sat on the sofa to drink it slowly.

On the coffee table is a crayon drawing that Miaomiao drew yesterday: a crooked house, three little people (probably her father, mother, and herself), and a creature that looks like both a dog and a cat.

Ordinary, yet precious.

Xu Yun picked up her phone and sent a message to Yu Xuan.

She is now the steward of all of Xu Yun's personal assets and cash.

"I transferred one billion from my personal account to Miaomiao's growth fund, and then another one billion to the joint trust of Muzhong, Nianyan, and Xiyan."

The safest investment portfolio should prioritize capital preservation, with returns as a secondary consideration.

Yu Xuan replied immediately: "Received. Also, Zhao Weiguo's secretary just contacted me and wants to meet you in Beijing next week, saying that there has been progress on the aircraft carrier issue."

Xu Yun replied, "Okay, I'll arrange a time."

He put down his phone and went to the balcony.

On the eastern horizon, the rising sun is tearing through the clouds and bursting forth.

A new day begins.

Meanwhile, deep in the Pacific Ocean, in the underground command center on Crescent Island, Liu Zhenwu had just finished handing over his shift.

He rubbed his sore eyes, looking at the "Ocean Explorer" on the monitor screen, which had already sailed a hundred nautical miles but was still hovering on the edge of the radar, and said to his co-pilot beside him.

"Notify all units to maintain the highest level of alert..." (End of Chapter)