Who's going to be the female lead's simp? Aren't the supporting female characters mor

The lights of Haicheng CBD were as bright as day, turning the night sky a fiery red.

In a back alley less than 500 meters from the Bai's Building, there is an authentic Shaxian snack shop with a greasy sign.

Inside, however, there was an eerie yet harmonious atmosphere.

"Boss, issue the invoice."

Bai Qianqian pulled out a tissue and elegantly wiped the bit of braised sauce from the corner of her mouth. Then, she took out the tissue that Bai Jingyou had just sent from her expensive Hermes handbag and took out her phone to scan the code.

She hadn't changed out of the Armani haute couture suit she'd rented for the press conference, and sitting on the greasy folding stool, she looked like a white swan fallen to earth.

"Thirty-six yuan in total." The boss was a loud-voiced middle-aged man who was wiping the table while glancing at the two strange people who looked like they were going to the Oscars but had come to eat noodles.

"We'll split the bill, I'll pay you 18." Bai Qianqian's fingers flew across the screen, as precise as if she were typing code. "Also, that extra duck leg was something you wanted to eat yourself, it's not covered by reimbursement, so you'll have to pay for that six yuan yourself."

Bai Jingyou's hand, which was holding a duck leg, froze in mid-air.

Looking at the serious-looking woman across from him, he suddenly found the duck leg in his hand no longer appealing.

"Mr. Bai, we just signed a contract worth billions." Bai Jingyou chuckled, "You have to be so meticulous about even six dollars?"

"The core of an algorithm lies in a closed-loop logic, and the core of finance lies in clear accounts." Bai Qianqian pushed up her blue-light blocking glasses, her eyes clear to the point of being somewhat foolish. "Business is business, and personal is personal. This meal is my treat for you; the budget only includes noodles. The duck leg is an overspending item."

[Looks like he's terrified of being poor. This damn miserly trait is actually kind of...cute?]

"Okay, I'll pay." Bai Jingyou shook his head, stuffed the whole duck leg into his mouth, and took a big bite, as if he were biting Bai Qianqian's wallet. "Chen Mo, pay. Remember to get a receipt, I need to get reimbursed when I get back."

Chen Mo, who was standing at the door like a door god, twitched at the corner of his mouth.

Two people whose combined net worth could buy half of Haicheng are haggling over a six-yuan duck leg here.

This is probably just the perverse sense of humor of the wealthy.

……

The weekend was pleasantly breezy.

The Jiang family's villa is located at the foot of Xiangshan Mountain in the western suburbs of Haicheng. It does not have the domineering atmosphere of Banshan Manor that overlooks all living beings, but it has a more tranquil atmosphere that reflects the passage of time.

The courtyard was filled with orchids, and a faint fragrance floated in the air.

As soon as Bai Jingyou's car came to a stop, a beautiful figure walked quickly from the corridor.

Jiang Mengyao was wearing a beige knitted long dress, her long hair was casually tied up, and she was holding a pair of pruning shears in her hand.

She didn't possess Ye Lingqing's domineering beauty, nor Bai Qianqian's aloofness. She was like the orchid in this courtyard, gentle and serene, making people feel at ease at first glance.

"You're here?" Jiang Mengyao's eyes and brows were full of smiles as she naturally took the coat Bai Jingyou had taken off. "My dad is waiting for you in the study. The tea is just brewed."

"How's Uncle's mood?" Bai Jingyou asked in a low voice. "Should I go buy some knee pads so it'll be easier for me to kneel later?"

Jiang Mengyao chuckled and reached out to straighten his slightly crooked tie. Her fingertips accidentally touched his Adam's apple, causing a slight shiver to run through her.

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"It's not that exaggerated." She gave him a reproachful look, her voice soft. "Although Dad seems serious, he admires capable people. As for the Chu family's affairs... although the methods were a bit drastic, the business world is like a battlefield, and Dad understands that."

"That's good." Bai Jingyou took her hand and squeezed it gently. "Then I'm going to be interrogated. If I don't come out later, remember to go in and get me out."

Jiang Mengyao's cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn't pull her hand away. She just gently pushed him and said, "Go on, the soup is still simmering on the stove. I'll go check on it in the kitchen."

Watching Jiang Mengyao walk into the kitchen, Bai Jingyou's smile gradually faded, replaced by a deep calm.

The land of gentle pleasures is the graveyard of heroes.

But he's not a hero; he's a villain. A villain's haven is usually a place to recover before a major battle.

Pushing open the heavy mahogany door of the study, a rich aroma of ink and tea wafts out.

In the center of the study, an elderly man with gray hair but vigorous spirit stood in front of the desk, wielding his brush and ink.

Until Jiang Zhenguo finished his last stroke, finished his work, and exhaled.

"Swift and decisive, yet compassionate and benevolent."

Jiang Zhenguo looked at the eight large characters on the Xuan paper, put down his brush, turned around, and stared intently at Bai Jingyou. "Jingyou, what do you think of these characters?"

This is a question that could cost you your life.

"The calligraphy is excellent, the strokes are vigorous and powerful, penetrating the paper." Bai Jingyou stepped forward, looking the old man in the eye with neither humility nor arrogance. "But I don't entirely agree with the meaning."

"Oh?" Jiang Zhenguo raised an eyebrow, walked to the tea table and sat down, gesturing for Bai Jingyou to sit as well. "Tell me about it."

Bai Jingyou sat down, skillfully took the teapot, and poured a cup of tea for Jiang Zhenguo.

"The marketplace isn't a temple; it doesn't need bodhisattvas." Bai Jingyou's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable sharpness. "Ruthless methods are for survival; as for compassion... that's reserved for family and friends. To show compassion to your enemies is to dig your own grave."

Jiang Zhenguo paused slightly in the hand that was holding the teacup.

He blew away the foam, took a sip, and his eyes became somewhat complicated: "Although Chu Cang is greedy, he is, after all, an elder who watched you grow up. To ruin his reputation and put him in jail, everyone outside is saying that the Bai family has produced a ruthless monster who eats people without spitting out the bones."

"If we hadn't ruined his reputation, my sister or Mengyao might be in prison right now."

Bai Jingyou put down the teapot and looked directly at Jiang Zhenguo. "Uncle should know the truth about the car accident five years ago better than I do. Since Chu Cang dared to plot murder, I have to let him know that holding a knife in your hand comes at a price. I not only want him to lose, but I want him to lose so badly that no one will dare to have any more malicious thoughts towards the Bai family or the Jiang family."

A brief silence fell over the study.

The only sounds were birdsong outside the window and the boiling water in the purple clay teapot.

After a long while, Jiang Zhenguo suddenly burst into laughter.

"Good! Excellent, leaving no future trouble!" Jiang Zhenguo put down his teacup, the scrutiny in his eyes fading, replaced by admiration. "Young people these days are either too soft or too arrogant. There aren't many like you who can be both ruthless and know what's important."

He took a file folder from the drawer and pushed it in front of Bai Jingyou.

"Here's the information you requested about the Bluebird project, as well as the Jiang family's port management rights in Southeast Asia." Jiang Zhenguo sighed. "I originally planned to leave it to Mengyao as her dowry, but now it seems that it might be more appropriate to entrust it to you."

Bai Jingyou's heart stirred.

The Bluebird Project is a secret rare metal smuggling route that became a key resource fought over by various forces in the later stages of the original story.

Of course, once it's laundered, it becomes a golden trade route.

"Uncle, this is too precious."

"Don't thank me yet." Jiang Zhenguo waved his hand, his expression suddenly becoming serious. "This is a piece of fat meat, but also a hot potato. The Chu family has fallen, but the water behind this is deeper than you imagine."

He leaned forward, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of warning, "Late last night, someone from Beijing called me."

Bai Jingyou's eyes narrowed slightly: "The Shen family?"

"It's not just the Shen family." Jiang Zhenguo tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a dull sound. "Although Chu Cang has sent the Chu family away, he still holds dirt on many people. Although you got the black list this time, it's equivalent to holding those dirt in your own hands. There are some big shots in the capital, and nobody feels at ease."

"What do they want?"

"They sent someone over," Jiang Zhenguo said, staring at Bai Jingyou, "specifically to handle these kinds of messes."

Bai Jingyou quickly searched his memory of the original work, his pupils slightly contracting.

"Thank you for the reminder, Uncle." Bai Jingyou calmly put away the file bag. "We'll deal with whatever comes our way. As long as he's in Haicheng, I have a way to make sure he doesn't leave alive."

"Confidence is a good thing, but don't be arrogant." Jiang Zhenguo stood up, patted Bai Jingyou on the shoulder, and said, "Let's go eat. Mengyao has been busy all afternoon preparing this meal. If you dare to leave any food uneaten, you won't get past me."

……

The restaurant was bathed in warm yellow light.

Braised pork belly, steamed grouper, blanched bok choy, old duck soup... the whole table is full of home-style dishes, yet they are all delicious and visually appealing.

Jiang Mengyao took off her apron, served rice to the two of them, and said with an expectant smile, "Try it quickly. It's been a long time since I've cooked. I wonder if my skills have deteriorated."

Bai Jingyou picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in his mouth. It was fatty but not greasy, and melted in his mouth.

"Delicious!" he exclaimed sincerely. "Even better than what a Michelin-starred chef would make. Mengyao, whoever marries you in the future will be incredibly lucky."

Jiang Mengyao's cheeks flushed instantly. She lowered her head and ate her rice, not daring to look at her father's teasing gaze.

At this moment, there is no scheming or deceit in business battles, no heart-stopping life-or-death struggles, only the purest warmth of everyday life.

Looking at the shy girl beside him and the kind old man opposite him, Bai Jingyou finally relaxed for a moment.

After dinner, Bai Jingyou said goodbye and left.

Jiang Mengyao saw him to the door. The night breeze was a bit chilly, and she subconsciously hugged her arms.

Bai Jingyou took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders, then pulled her collar up for her: "Go inside, don't catch a cold. I'll take you horseback riding this weekend."

"Okay, be careful on the road." Jiang Mengyao nodded obediently, standing under the streetlight, watching the car drive away.

The Maybach drove out of the villa area and disappeared into the deep night.

"Boss, back to the old house?" Chen Mo asked.

"No." Bai Jingyou leaned back in his chair, an unlit cigarette between his fingers, his eyes appearing particularly deep in the darkness. "To the port. I want to see just how hot this gift from Old Jiang really is."

The car turned and headed towards the seaside.