Xia Wan didn’t take the flowers.
“This is…”
Ji Yuanchuan hurriedly explained, “Oh, it’s a misunderstanding! A girl just now gave me these. She said she felt bad I didn’t help when I saw me getting beaten, so she sent me a bouquet to make up for it. I felt a bit awkward holding it, so I figured I’d just put it somewhere. I hope Comrade Xia Wan won’t mind.”
Hearing his description, Xia Wan could more or less guess who had sent it.
“Since it’s the girl’s kind intention and Comrade Ji has already accepted it, there’s no need to be polite. Flowers are just objects anyway. We’re going to eat, and carrying them might cause misunderstandings better to leave them behind.”
Ji Yuanchuan hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Right. I’ll just put them by the roadside if anyone likes them, they can take them.”
With that, he carefully placed the flowers at the side of the road and followed Xia Wan to the restaurant.
Xia Wan led him to a state-run restaurant and found a corner to sit.
“Order whatever you want don’t hold back!”
Ji Yuanchuan seemed nervous. He looked at the menu, then up at her. “I’m new here and don’t know what’s good. Why don’t you order?”
Xia Wan glanced at the menu and, relying on the original owner’s memories, picked a few familiar dishes.
While waiting for the food, Xia Wan looked at Ji Yuanchuan curiously and asked, “Comrade Ji, where are you from?”
Ji Yuanchuan scratched his head awkwardly. “I’m from the capital. I wanted to go south to learn business, but I was scammed along the way and ended up looking for help from an old friend of my father nearby.”
“Do you know where this person is? Maybe I can help you look for him.”
Ji Yuanchuan smiled sheepishly. “I only remember his surname Su. He’s an employee at the local textile factory.”
“Just the surname? Nothing else?”
He shook his head. “I planned to go to the factory to ask around. Some of the older ladies there might know something…”
Xia Wan stared in disbelief at the man in front of her she could hardly believe he was the person in the book who later made a fortune.
Could this really be a case of ‘dumb luck’?
Still, Xia Wan caught a key piece of information.
Hearing the surname Su, she immediately thought of Su Lijuan.
Plus, this fool was Su Lijuan’s ex-husband in his previous life there was a high chance that when he first met her, Su Lijuan was fooled by his appearance and thought he was a wealthy young master.
“I grew up around the textile factory. I know a few older ladies there and am somewhat familiar with the people. Let me help you ask around.”
Ji Yuanchuan brightened. “Really? Thank you so much!”
“No problem. You saved me first, so this is my way of returning the favor.”
Ji Yuanchuan scratched his head, grinning sheepishly. “You’re treating me to a meal and helping me find someone I only did a small favor.”
Xia Wan noticed his silly smile and guessed he probably didn’t even have money for food.
“Oh, by the way, you mentioned wanting to do business. What kind of business?”
At the word “business,” Ji Yuanchuan immediately lit up. “I want to sell radios! A classmate in Pengcheng told me radios are cheap there. Since radios are the only way for ordinary families to receive outside information, they’ll sell well if priced right!”
Xia Wan looked at him and lowered her voice. “Wouldn’t that be considered opportunistic profiteering?”
Ji Yuanchuan mirrored her tone, whispering, “Don’t worry. It’s not so much of an issue anymore. The country is opening up, and the economic outlook is bright! Not just radios I think in the future, TVs, refrigerators, and other big appliances will be in every household and affordable for everyone!”
Xia Wan finally understood why this guy later became rich.
Although foolish in some ways, he had a sense of foresight.
“How much money do you still need to start your business?”
Ji Yuanchuan froze at the question.
Seeing his reaction, Xia Wan continued, “Can I invest in your business? I have some spare money, so I can give it to you to run the business. If we make a profit, we split it. If we lose, I’ll take the loss. How about that?”
Ji Yuanchuan’s lips trembled.
“You… you really trust me that much?”
Xia Wan nodded firmly. “Of course. We don’t know each other, yet you risked your life to save me. You must be an honest person. Right now, all your business needs is money, right? I have three thousand yuan here can I invest it?”
Hearing “three thousand yuan,” Ji Yuanchuan’s expression became even more animated.
“Of course! Comrade Xia, trust me! I’ll make this business work. I promise no one will scam this money again! If anything happens, I’ll even compensate you!”
Xia Wan looked at him. “Since we’re doing business, let’s agree on everything first. I provide the money, you provide the effort, and we split the profit fifty-fifty. Agreed?”
“Fine! Fifty-fifty it is!”
“Then after we finish eating, we’ll write a contract in two copies. Once signed, I’ll give you the money.”
“Got it!”
Just then, the food arrived.
While eating, they discussed the details of the business.
After finishing, they left the restaurant.
“Comrade Ji, where are you staying now?”
Ji Yuanchuan quickly pointed. “I’m staying at the guesthouse over there. I originally planned that if I couldn’t contact Uncle Su and ran out of money, I’d buy a ticket home. Luckily, I met Comrade Xia you saved me from going home in such a pitiful state.”
“Any place to stay is fine. I’ll go help you ask around tomorrow.”
“Hmm, I’ll walk you back.”
Ji Yuanchuan eagerly insisted on escorting her home.
They walked along the street, chatting casually.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Yan appeared again, this time with his gang, holding steel pipes and other weapons at the intersection.
Seeing this, Ji Yuanchuan sensed danger and wanted to pull Xia Wan away.
However, more people surrounded them from behind.
Xia Wan frowned. “This same old trick again? Couldn’t you come up with something new?”
Xiao Yan angrily pointed at them. “You embarrassed us so badly today. You two will kneel and kowtow three times to apologize, and pay me five yuan or you won’t leave!”
Xia Wan glanced at Ji Yuanchuan.
She wanted to see if this formerly timid guy would actually kneel and pay.
Ji Yuanchuan, nervous, held her behind him, gritted his teeth, and whispered: “Comrade Xia, they have weapons be careful. I’ll rush their leader. They’ll instinctively protect him, and you can escape immediately. Then you go get backup!”