Chapter 327: Confession
Xu Youyou’s heart skipped a beat. The last time she had seen a young man with green hair, it seemed to have been Gu Xueying’s cheap little brother.
After selling the courtyard and making a tidy sum off Xu Youyou, Gu Xueying’s green-haired brother had completely disappeared.
Could it be that this person had come to Hualien?
She told herself it was probably just a coincidence — just someone else with the same hair color.
But in the next moment, Chang Run got out of the car and slightly raised his head, and everyone present got a clear look at his face.
Xu Youyou’s mind nearly twisted itself into a knot — it really was an old acquaintance!
However, it wasn’t Gu Xueying’s brother — it was Qian Run, who had once sold Xu Youyou an old Western-style house!
In the secret basement of that house, Xu Youyou had found two large crates of gold bars, which had caused her bank balance to skyrocket.
Xu Youyou remembered Qian Run so clearly probably because he had been quite bold — planning to flee and, before leaving, had managed to trick the people of the Red Dragon King organization.
“Miss Xu, meeting an old acquaintance in a foreign place — there’s nothing more coincidental in this world,” Qian Run said.
Xu Youyou had thought Qian Run would pretend not to recognize her, but unexpectedly, he spoke up on his own.
“Mr. Chang, I thought you had gone to some country in Europe or America. I didn’t expect you had only left the mainland,” Xu Youyou replied with a smile. Since he seemed friendly, she didn’t expose his real name.
Qian Run, however, showed no concern and openly said, “We Minnan people are like this — wherever Mazu (the sea goddess) agrees, we go. We never needed passports or visas.”
Xu Youyou gave an awkward smile.
Liu Yishou, on the other hand, seemed quite happy and led them into the Liu family’s villa: “Since you two are old acquaintances, it’ll make certain discussions easier.”
Qian Run smiled and said, “Business is business, but if it’s Miss Xu who wants to work with me, I’d be more than happy to.”
Facing him, Xu Youyou felt a little guilty. After all, she had reaped massive benefits from the so-called ancestral Western house he had sold her.
If Qian Run hadn’t left Shanghai and had discovered the hidden basement early, he wouldn’t have been forced to flee due to the Red Dragon King’s pressure. The debts he carried back then were nothing compared to the gold hidden in the basement.
“Mr. Chang is a straightforward man! Handsome, and with a keen eye too!” Liu Yishou praised.
Hearing this, Xu Youyou couldn’t help but glance at Liu Yishou — he could still compliment someone with a full head of green hair!
Xu Youyou took a closer look at Chang Run’s appearance. Last time they met, he had dyed his hair white. Now it was green — clearly, he liked dyeing his hair.
Maybe because his circumstances had changed, Chang Run no longer had the greasy, frivolous look he had back in Shanghai. Even with his green hair, he seemed calm and composed.
More impressively, his eyes were now especially clear, like someone who had finally walked out of inner torment — making him much more pleasant to look at.
The Liu family, almost all skilled in social maneuvering, hosted a dinner where everyone enjoyed themselves.
However, Xu Youyou didn’t rush to discuss business during the meal. Instead, after dinner, she left with Chang Run in the same car.
“Miss Xu, if you trust me, we can discuss the details at my place,” Chang Run said with a smile.
Even though Xu Youyou had a dozen bodyguards with her, she still hesitated upon hearing the invitation.
She was conflicted — part of her thought, nothing ventured, nothing gained, but another part urged caution. As she struggled internally, she saw Liu Xiangyi sitting in the front passenger seat.
“It’s already past nine. Mr. Chang and I still have business to discuss tonight. If you’re tired, have someone take you back to the hotel to rest,” Xu Youyou said.
Chang Run didn’t overthink her words and even complimented, “Miss Xu is not only sincere but also very considerate toward her subordinates.”
Liu Xiangyi perked up and said, “I went to bed at eight last night and slept until eight this morning — I’m not tired at all! I’ll come along and help you draft the contract!”
Xu Youyou, treating Liu Xiangyi as her “weathervane,” immediately felt relieved when she saw her so energetic. She said, “Since you’re not tired, come along. Don’t worry, I’ll have Sister Xu notify HR and count tonight as overtime for you.”
Liu Xiangyi’s eyes lit up. In most companies, getting normal overtime pay was already great — Xu Youyou always paid five times the hourly rate.
Sitting in the backseat with them, Chang Run overheard the conversation and chuckled, “Miss Xu, my uncle used to say that if you want your people to work wholeheartedly, you need to pay them real money. It’s a pity my uncle is now in seclusion. If you two ever met, you’d definitely have a lot to talk about.”
Xu Youyou said, “When I came to Hualien, I heard about Master Chang Qi’s kindness toward the paigu (牌姑, women working in traditional gambling houses). He is truly a good-hearted person.”
Chang Run raised his eyebrows slightly: “Miss Xu is different from others. I thought someone like you would disdain even mentioning paigu.”
Xu Youyou said, “They’re all pitiful people. If not forced by circumstances, they wouldn’t have ended up like that.”
“Miss Xu, I really feel sorry you haven’t met my uncle. He said almost the exact same thing. If you two met, you would certainly become close despite the age difference,” Chang Run said.
Xu Youyou smiled and replied, “If I have the chance to come back to Hualien, I must treat Master Chang to a meal.”
The car drove into a street known for its nightlife. After getting off, Chang Run led Xu Youyou into a mahjong parlor. They walked through a long corridor before reaching a small meeting room.
Chang Run dismissed everyone else and personally poured Xu Youyou a cup of tea. When only the two of them were left, he finally spoke:
“Miss Xu, back in Shanghai, you helped me a lot. I never had the chance to thank you properly.”
Xu Youyou, however, didn’t dare accept his gratitude so easily. During the transaction involving that old house, it had looked like she paid him a lot of cash and helped him repay his relatives’ debts, but in reality, she had been the one who profited.
“My uncle always said that no matter what, you should never deceive your friends or family. Back then, I was completely lost in gambling, dragging myself down wasn’t enough — I even dragged many relatives down with me. If Miss Xu hadn’t helped fill in those holes, I wouldn’t have been able to face my deceased parents,” Chang Run said sincerely.
Seeing his honest expression, Xu Youyou felt even more guilty. After a long moment of internal struggle, she finally said:
“Qian Run, there’s something I must confess to you.”
Qian Run laughed and said, “What a coincidence — I also have something to tell you.”
