Chapter 146: The Backup Choice

A two-year buyback.

This was the deadline Wu Ya had set for himself.

With a word from Huang Silu’s old man, it was smoothly realized.

This gave him an even deeper appreciation of Huang Silu’s father!

He was far more than just a hardware company manager—not that simple at all!

"Then let's just sit back, wait for the report to be approved, and take action immediately! I'll use this time to scramble for some money, so I won't be left empty-handed when the report comes down. Pulling from our working capital would disrupt production."

Wu Ya nodded, his mind already beginning to race.

Huang Silu.

After leaving the factory and parting ways with Sister Chai, the group headed straight for Huang Silu's place.

"Hehehe, hahaha, that is hilarious!"

"Look at you! Just a joke with no punchline whatsoever, and it cracks you up like that? If it were actually a good one, would you explode?"

Before they even reached the doorway, loud laughter echoed out from the alley.

Immediately following it came a sharp voice full of extreme dissatisfaction.

Huang Silu and Qiao Ya then appeared one after the other by the roadside.

Screech—

Wu Ya slammed on the brakes, bringing his battered Flying Pigeon bicycle to a steady halt right in front of them.

"Qiao Ya, where are you two headed?"

Liu Qian leaned forward from the back seat and asked.

"Nothing much, just going shopping. I was about to go crazy being cooped up, and you guys finally showed up! Look, just some completely senseless joke, and it had him laughing like this! Utterly boring!"

Instead of a polite reply, she was met with Qiao Ya's full annoyance.

Qiao Ya complained that Huang Silu lacked romance and didn't know how to cheer people up, knowing only how to grin like an idiot!

Little did she know, the reason Huang Silu was laughing so happily had nothing to do with the joke at all.

It was simply because...

She was by his side.

"You, you're always so nitpicky! In my opinion, Huang Silu is completely devoted to you. When you say east, he never looks west. How wonderful is that?"

Liu Qian jumped off the bicycle, pulled Qiao Ya aside, and said in a low voice.

"Hmph! That's exactly why it's so tasteless! Poke him and he moves; don't poke him, and he stands there motionless. Have you ever seen a shadow puppet show? Exactly the same!"

Such is human insatiability.

What you possess is actually the best.

It's just that when things come too easily in your hands, you fail to cherish them.

This applied to Qiao Ya at this moment with absolute perfection.

Huang Silu's submissiveness stemmed purely from his heartfelt affection, didn't it?

Otherwise, knowing Young Master Huang's temper, would he ever let anyone boss him around so casually?

"Fatty Huang, how have things been these past two days?"

While the two women were whispering to each other, Wu Ya naturally crept up to Huang Silu with a sly expression.

To win his father's help, he had fed Huang Silu those tactics after all.

You couldn't just hand over a product and neglect after-sales service, could you?

He needed to check on the customer's user experience to demonstrate his humanistic care.

Only then would it be easy to speak up the next time he needed to use this kid.

"Hehe, you wouldn't believe it. I ran my mouth just like you taught me, and Qiao Ya actually believed it! She even said that as long as I neglect her for the sake of serious business, it's not a problem at all! Otherwise—watch out!"

Huang Silu's face bloomed with absolute bliss.

Wu Ya had told him to claim he was burying his head in researching the bond market, which was why he had neglected Qiao Ya's feelings.

But hard work pays off.

It had finally allowed him to predict that the market would experience a shift in the coming days!

And a major fluctuation at that!

This bold declaration not only made Qiao Ya's displeasure vanish completely, but it also made her admire Huang Silu even more.

To be so young and yet entirely dedicated to serious matters—and capable of predicting shifts in the bond market?

This was far more badass and transcendent than some veteran masters and experts who had immersed themselves in the field for years!

Given time, wouldn't Huang Silu soar straight to the skies?

Overwhelmed by joy, even the innate flaw she had previously thought irredeemable—Huang Silu's ugly appearance—looked a lot smoother in her eyes!

It even took on a robust and handsome feel!

"Hahaha, that's great, just great! But... then why were you still full of complaints and dissatisfaction with you?"

Wu Ya let out a loud laugh, then seemed to suddenly sense something.

Withdrawing his smile, he quietly pointed behind him with his finger.

Though Qiao Ya and Liu Qian's voices were soft, they had both heard them clearly.

Clearly, it was the rhythm of deep dissatisfaction.

Hearing Wu Ya's question, far from looking embarrassed, Huang Silu's face took on a hint of mystery.

Yet no matter how you looked at it, it carried a rather despicable flavor!

"Hehe, women, you know—they always talk in reverse! The more they like you, the more they say they hate you! Didn't you... know that?"

"Oh... I really didn't!"

Wu Ya tightened his face and shook his head in reply.

What kind of bloody logic was this?

Indeed, when a woman is being willful and capricious, most of what she says might be the opposite of what she means.

But regarding matters of the heart, based on Wu Ya's experience, he had certainly never heard of anyone speaking in reverse!

"By the way, your sudden visit with Liu Qian—do you have something you need my help with again?"

Ignoring Wu Ya's expression, Huang Silu changed the subject and puffed out his chest once more.

He hadn't forgotten that Liu Qian was still staying at Wu Ya's place under his name!

Since both of them were here today, they must want to go home.

Yet they didn't want to lower their heads to her parents and return on their own initiative, so they had come seeking help here again.

Naturally, he had to put on a big show.

He had to let them know he wasn't so easy to deal with!

However...

"Cut the crap and stop putting on airs for me! Figure out a way to send Liu Qian back, and make her parents realize that you two are a bad match! At the same time, make her parents realize that I am the most suitable one! Even if I'm just a backup option, I'm the most suitable one! Understood?"

He was met with a harsh, scolding barrage from Wu Ya.

A backup option?

Huang Silu blinked his small eyes after hearing this.

For a moment, he failed to process it.

As for the rest—making Liu Qian's parents give up, making them realize they couldn't reach high enough for him, and showing them that Wu Ya was the ideal match—he could handle all of that. It was as easy as pie.

But...

To willingly be a backup option, and consider himself the best one?

Isn't this just a bit too cheap?

"Wu Ya, aren't you wronging yourself a bit too much? Tell me honestly, did you do something shady? To the point where you're willing to lower your status to such a humble degree?"

Huang Silu leaned close to Wu Ya's ear and whispered in a mysterious tone.

This fellow must have done something unspeakable over the past couple of days!

Otherwise, with his high-and-mighty pride, how could he possibly lower himself to being a backup option?

And so willingly at that?

This could only mean one thing: in his mind, even as a backup option, he was the original factory's spare part—the kind that couldn't be casually replaced!

With such rock-solid confidence and ample backing, if nothing had happened, ghosts would believe it!

In response...

"Fatty Huang, if you don't clear those filthy thoughts out of your brain within five seconds, I'll personally pry your skull open and wash it out for you!"

Another unsparing tongue-lashing from Wu Ya!

What was this kid thinking?

Everything was already leaking out from those slit-like eyes of his.

So lewd, so dissolute!

"Fine, fine! You're the boss, I can't afford to offend you, and I won't argue with you, okay? But my mouth... well, it's clumsy! When we get to Liu Qian's house, what if I accidentally slip up and express the wrong meaning, turning 'unsuitable' into 'extremely suitable'? Tell me, what should we do then?"

Having been scolded, Huang Silu nodded his chubby head furiously.

He seemed to have backed down.

Yet every word was dripping with heavy threats!

You dare scold me? Well, if I get unhappy, I'll just do the opposite!

Anyway, Liu Qian's parents' favorite is me! You'd better behave yourself in front of me. Otherwise...

Hmph-hmph!

You'll get what's coming to you!

Just by stirring up a little trouble or throwing a wrench in your plans, I could give you plenty of grief.

A loser willing to be a backup option dares to act so arrogant in front of me?

Are you courting death, or are you courting death?

Unfortunately, whenever it came to dominance and momentum, ever since the day Huang Silu met Wu Ya, he had never won.

Not in his past life, nor in this one.

It had always been this way, without exception.

Naturally, this time was no different.

"Hehe, suit yourself. Feel free to try! But... what about Qiao Ya... what about the bond market... and what about..."

"Shut your trap! Shut it right now!"

Just like that.

Before Wu Ya could finish speaking, while his head was still swaying with swagger, Huang Silu let out a panicked, desperate yell.

"What's going on?"

The commotion here successfully caught the attention of Liu Qian and Qiao Ya.

An inquiry followed closely behind.

At the same time, Qiao Ya's dissatisfied gaze shot toward them like lightning.

"Oh, nothing, nothing! We were just discussing the bond market situation in the next few days! This guy Wu Ya is getting a bit too greedy, so I told him to cut it out right now."

Huang Silu put on a miserable expression and hurriedly turned back to explain.

Meanwhile, one of his hands secretly reached out, aiming to pinch Wu Ya's thigh and twist hard!

Unfortunately for him...

"Hehe, since you've already predicted it and believe the accuracy is over ninety percent, why should I be afraid of investing a little more? No matter what, your old man here is a boss of some standing now! The tailor shop at my place is thriving!"

Wu Ya chattered away nonchalantly as he strolled over to Liu Qian's side.

Qiao Ya didn't know yet that he had opened a factory.

Huang Silu had specifically instructed him not to mention it to her and Liu Qian.

The purpose was simple: he didn't want anyone to eclipse his spotlight in front of Qiao Ya!

After all, the favor he had won was hard-earned.

Before thoroughly consolidating it, he had to guard against any factor that might cause Qiao Ya discomfort!

"Wu Ya, Huang Silu is right! Even if his prediction is accurate, it's only ninety percent! There's still a ten percent uncontrollable risk! If something goes wrong, wouldn't your tailor shop—which has just started to pick up—fall right back into trouble? So listen to him, don't let a sudden rush of blood get to your head!"

Hearing that this was the issue, Qiao Ya's expression instantly softened, and she advised Wu Ya with a caring tone.

"Exactly! Wu Ya, listen to good advice and you'll never go hungry; just do as Huang Silu says! Huang Silu, when can I go home then? Have you thought of an excuse yet?"

Liu Qian helped smooth things over and immediately steered the conversation away.

As Qiao Ya's best friend, to be honest, Liu Qian felt a bit guilty.

Apart from having a better family background, Huang Silu didn't match Qiao Ya in any aspect.

But what could she do? She couldn't refuse.

Wu Ya was Huang Silu's brother, and he had asked her to help play matchmaker between the two.

How could she say no? She couldn't.

Of course, if they really managed to hook up, that would be a good thing.

Because Huang Silu was truly, wholeheartedly good to Qiao Ya.

However, constantly helping them lie and deceive Qiao Ya always left her feeling uneasy inside, as if her guilt kept deepening.

"A piece of cake! If you're in a hurry, we can leave right now! And I guarantee I'll handle everything cleanly, without a single trace of hesitation!"

Huang Silu immediately patted his chest, reverting to his usual unbeatable, swaggering self.

This wasn't him putting on airs again.

It was just a habit formed from the countless times people had asked him for favors over the long term.

Whenever he made a guarantee, that posture naturally took over.

Otherwise, how would he dare swagger in front of Wu Ya right now?

The four of them together were a constant series of heart-stoppers!

One misstep, and this guy would drop a cold surprise on you, making you shiver as if walking on thin ice amidst bitter wind and rain!

"Then what are you waiting for? Why aren't you sending Liu Qian home right away? Who knows how worried her aunt and uncle have been these past few days!"

The moment she saw Huang Silu's swaggering look, Qiao Ya's anger flared up.

Why couldn't he be a bit more steady and composed?

However...

"Hehe, my mom and dad worried? I bet right now they're so happy they don't even know where they are!"

Liu Qian followed up with a mournful sigh, instantly plunging the atmosphere to freezing point.

Indeed.

When Liu Qian left home, the banner she flew was that she was staying at Huang Silu's place.

And Liu Qian's parents had actually agreed to such a bizarre arrangement!

Although they had their eyes on Huang Silu's family background, doing this was indeed somewhat beneath them.

You could say their snobbery had reached unscrupulous lengths.

Therefore, were her parents worried while she was away?

That was utterly impossible!

The longer you stay, the better Huang Silu's family treats you—that's what makes them happy!

In fact, they probably wished you never came back at all!

"All right, enough nonsense. Huang Silu, remember: take Liu Qian back, and make sure you smooth things over with her parents for me!"

Seeing the heavy atmosphere, Wu Ya hurriedly urged him on.

No matter what, Liu Ming理 and 林永芬 were Liu Qian's parents.

That point would never change!

So, no matter what they did—even if some of their actions were despicable due to social climbing—their starting point was certainly for Liu Qian's good.

After all, they had only this one daughter.

No matter how much wealth they amassed, wouldn't it all belong to Liu Qian in the future?

Finding her a good match was a lifelong mission for parents!

"You guys can rest easy, just wait to hear the good news."

Huang Silu waved a hand dismissively at the two of them, hopped onto Wu Ya's battered Flying Pigeon bicycle, and sped away with Liu Qian.

Meanwhile, back at Liu Qian's house.

"Old Liu, do you think our little Nannan is still angry these past couple of days?"

Lin Yongfen asked Liu Mingli, who was sitting on the sofa engrossed in the newspaper.

It had been two days.

Their daughter hadn't made a single phone call back.

The other day, she had stormed out of the house full of grievance and anger!

"Angry?"

Liu Mingli put down his newspaper, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

Then he continued, "I'm afraid our daughter is too happy right now! I reckon she's having so much fun she's forgotten all about home!"