Chapter 54: A Visit of Gratitude
Twenty million was nothing to Xu Youyou. Without asking a single question, she transferred the money to the company’s account on the same day.
Although Xu Youyou didn’t ask, Xie Ran still remembered his duty as a subordinate. He quickly sent a complete business plan to Xu Youyou’s residence.
Xu Youyou didn’t bother to open it and casually said, “You’ve been quiet for so long before making this decision. I trust your judgment.”
Hearing this, Xie Ran felt a warmth in his heart—he hadn’t experienced being trusted in a long time.
Over the past half-month, he hadn’t made any drastic changes to the company. He merely promoted a new HR manager in the human resources department and spent two days talking to every employee in each department.
After stabilizing the company, he personally traveled to Gan Province.
Ouyang Ouyang was in Gan Province filming with a crew. Instead of shooting everything at Hengdian like other production teams, he insisted on using real locations.
According to the information Xu Youyou received, Xie Ran had a deep conversation with Ouyang Ouyang there and observed the filming process up close.
A few days after returning from Gan Province, Xie Ran came to Xu Youyou asking for money.
Xu Youyou didn’t ask or check, but Xie Ran didn’t intend to keep her in the dark. He explained, “I think the short drama industry is on the rise. Over the past few days, I’ve selected several short drama scripts and plan to start production on ten at once.”
Xu Youyou’s eyes widened slightly at this, but when she thought back, she realized the short drama industry had indeed boomed in her past life.
Xie Ran continued, “I didn’t just look at the domestic market. I also researched the overseas market. My next step is to use the money earned from short dramas here to invest in short dramas abroad.”
Xu Youyou stared at him in amazement. She couldn’t help but marvel: The system really picked the right person this time!
Foreign markets lagged behind domestic ones by at least a full business cycle in the short drama sector. In her past life, Chinese web novels that went overseas had already mesmerized foreign readers. If they could shoot the same scripts with foreign actors, they could easily rake in money much faster than in China.
She vaguely remembered hearing about someone making a fortune from this in her past life, but she had too many business ventures to think about it at the time.
She never expected Xie Ran to analyze the situation so accurately with just a few pieces of information.
Xu Youyou immediately said, “No need to wait. You can start working on this now. Oh, and about the short drama app you mentioned wanting to create—I agree to that too. Go ahead and do it.”
Xie Ran was momentarily stunned before carefully saying, “The total investment for all of this might reach one or two hundred million…”
Xu Youyou waved her hand dismissively. “I’ll transfer three hundred million. Hire whoever you need, spend whatever you need—don’t hold back.”
Xie Ran straightened up in his seat. The more Xu Youyou trusted him, the more he wanted to prove himself worthy.
“Is there anything else that needs funding? Tell me all at once,” Xu Youyou said.
Xie Ran shook his head. He got up to leave.
However, before he could step out, a new visitor arrived.
Xu Youyou’s residence was over a thousand square meters. Even with six robot vacuums, there was still housework left to do. She had also grown tired of the meals delivered by the property management, so she had recently hired six housekeepers through an agency.
“Miss Xu, there’s a gentleman outside who says his surname is Lu. He brought an assistant and claims to be an old acquaintance of yours. He’s here to visit you.”
Hearing this, Xu Youyou raised an eyebrow. “Lu Shaoyan? Why is he here? Is it about the Gu family’s matter?”
The housekeeper asked, “Would you like me to turn him away?”
Xu Youyou shook her head. “No need. Let him in. Also, call over two bodyguards.”
She had fresh tea prepared in the small reception room.
As Xie Ran left through the main entrance, he saw Lu Jingyao and his assistant entering, prompting him to take a second glance.
Lu Jingyao hadn’t expected to see another man at Xu Youyou’s house. His heart tightened as he exchanged a glance with his assistant, Liu.
Liu immediately asked the housekeeper, “Is that man Miss Xu’s boyfriend?”
Without thinking much, the housekeeper answered, “He’s the head of one of Miss Xu’s companies.”
Liu quickly leaned over to whisper to Lu Jingyao, “He’s wearing a suit and carrying a document folder. Looks like he’s here for business.”
Lu Jingyao nodded, then seemed to realize something and added, “I didn’t ask you to pry into this. Mind your own business.”
Liu glanced at his boss but didn’t call him out on his obvious curiosity.
In the small reception room, Xu Youyou saw the two men approaching and looked genuinely surprised.
Lu Jingyao felt a jolt in his chest. He couldn’t understand why Xu Youyou looked so astonished to see him. Was she upset that he had found her address?
As he set down a prepared gift, he quickly explained, “I didn’t intentionally look up your address. Before I left the country, I had planned to buy this house, but the seller refused to sell it to me. Later, I accidentally found out it was sold to you.”
Xu Youyou wasn’t particularly concerned about modern-day information leaks. She merely said, “I’m not surprised by Mr. Lu’s extensive connections. But… your injuries have healed?”
She still remembered that Lu Jingyao had nearly been killed abroad. She didn’t expect him to be back in action so soon.
Lu Jingyao’s expression flickered with embarrassment. He had always been careful in his dealings but had been caught off guard by a ruthless betrayal.
“I’ve mostly recovered. I also took time to recuperate after returning to the country. I’m truly grateful to you for saving my life,” he said, his voice unexpectedly sincere.
He had thought these words would be hard to say, but when he met Xu Youyou’s clear eyes, the gratitude flowed naturally.
Xu Youyou rarely saw him this humble and awkwardly replied, “Well… just be more careful next time you go abroad.”
Liu placed a jewelry box on the table and said softly, “Miss Xu, our Mr. Lu is extremely grateful for your life-saving help. This is a small token of appreciation.”
Xu Youyou hesitated for a moment before returning the gift. “I only saved him by chance. Even if it had been another Chinese person, I would’ve done the same. There’s no need for such a grand gesture.”
Lu Jingyao stiffened. Based on his investigations, Xu Youyou was someone who valued money greatly. If she refused his gift, did that mean she disliked him?
The thought flashed through his mind, but he quickly suppressed it. He wanted to convince her to accept the gift, but what came out of his mouth was different:
“Miss Xu, my life does have some value. If you refuse this gift, does that mean you want something else?”
Xu Youyou’s mind filled with question marks.
“Mr. Lu, I understand that you don’t like owing favors, but forcing a gift on someone—is that how you treat your savior? If you’re not truly grateful, then please leave.”
