Chapter Eighty-Five: Good Friends

“Yes, yes, I did it. I was wrong. Please, don’t—”

Although Han Chunhua sat on a fortune worth billions, she was still only flesh and blood. Seeing Yang Jiekai raise his hand again as if to smash down on her kneecap, she was so frightened that she wet herself.

Under Yang Jiekai’s relentless questioning, Han Chunhua finally told everything from beginning to end.

As Yang Jiekai had guessed, ever since the Second Master of the Han family had broken her leg last time, she had harbored a deep grudge. With her abilities, of course she did not dare do anything to the Second Master himself, so she took out all her resentment on Han Ning.

And Yang Jiekai learned something even more shocking: Han Chunhua’s revenge against Han Ning was only part of the reason. More importantly, she had learned that the Purple Jade Company was growing bigger and bigger, and she had set her sights on it as well.

In fact, this time she had hired killers not only to target Han Ning, but Han Wei as well. As long as those two sisters were dead, the shares of the Purple Jade Company would surely be divided up by the other members of the Han family. It was simply that Han Wei had been lucky; that day she had not happened to be riding in the same car as Han Ning.

“If I hand this video over to the police, you should know what the consequences will be.”

While Han Chunhua was speaking, Yang Jiekai had been recording everything on his phone as evidence.

“Don’t! I’m begging you. I’ll do anything you want!”

Hiring killers to murder someone was a grave crime in Great Xia. No matter how wealthy Han Chunhua was, if this video were handed to the police, she would probably spend the rest of her life in prison.

“Han Chunhua, listen carefully. Taking your life would be easy for me, and I can also make you wish you were dead. I’ll let you off this time. But if you dare cause any more trouble for Han Ning, I guarantee you won’t even have the chance to regret it!”

With that, Yang Jiekai grabbed her collar and said each word slowly and clearly. “Remember this: I never joke with anyone who is not my friend!”

On the way back, Yang Jiekai did not the least bit worry about what sort of retaliation Han Chunhua might attempt next. He knew she had been thoroughly frightened this time, and with evidence in his hands, she would not dare make any more moves.

By the time they arrived at the hospital, Han Ning’s condition had improved considerably, though she still had to lie in bed and could not move around carelessly.

“Weiwei, bring me last month’s company report…”

Han Ning was a workaholic. The very first thing she did after waking was still to think about the reports, which left Yang Jiekai standing nearby with a look of utter resignation.

“Sis, just rest properly. I’ve got the company covered.”

Han Wei was also completely speechless at her work-obsessed older sister. When she saw Yang Jiekai return, she immediately glared and said, “Where did you run off to? Your own wife is like this, and you’re still wandering around everywhere.”

Yang Jiekai could only shrug helplessly. Naturally, he could not tell these two sisters the truth.

“Weiwei, you and Mrs. Wang should go back first. Leave things here to me,” Yang Jiekai said.

Mrs. Wang had originally wanted to stay, but the words reached her lips and then she swallowed them back. After everything that had happened, she was now fully convinced of this prospective son-in-law. Seeing that Han Ning was out of immediate danger, she deliberately wanted to create a little space for the young couple.

As for Han Wei, her face suddenly felt hot. She did not know why, but when Yang Jiekai had called her “Weiwei” just now, it had made her heart tremble violently. Looking at her sister lying in the hospital bed, she even felt a strange twinge of jealousy.

Good heavens, what am I thinking?

Realizing this, Han Wei’s face instantly flushed red. She hurriedly dragged Mrs. Wang away in a rush.

“Don’t work yourself so hard. Your health comes first.”

Yang Jiekai sat in the chair beside her, took an apple, peeled it, cut off a small piece, and held it toward Han Ning’s delicate mouth.

“I’m not eating.” Han Ning turned her face away, keeping a stern expression.

Yang Jiekai blinked, then smiled. “I’ll count to three. If you still don’t eat it, I’m going to take care of you right here in this hospital bed.”

As he spoke, he put on a grin as roguish as could be.

That expression made Han Ning shiver. Afraid he might actually do something outrageous, she reluctantly opened her small mouth and let him feed her the apple.

And to be honest, it really was sweet.

“Wife, there’s something I’ve wanted to say to you for a long time.”

Yang Jiekai sat to one side, picked up a banana, and said as he ate it, “You leave early and come back late every day, and you still work overtime deep into the night. You push yourself too hard.”

“Life is supposed to be a struggle.” Han Ning’s tone was firm.

Yang Jiekai smiled. “Is it really? Then tell me, if one day you had wealth beyond measure, if you became the richest person in the world, what would you do then? Is money really that important to you?”

“Well…” Han Ning was momentarily at a loss for words. After a long pause, she said, “It’s the realization of one’s value in life. It has nothing to do with money.”

“You’re wrong.”

Yang Jiekai smiled. “The realization of one’s value in life does indeed have little to do with money. But it also doesn’t necessarily mean standing high above others or achieving great fame and success. In my view, life is nothing more than eating, drinking, and taking care of the necessities. Having a little money to keep yourself fed and warm, a loving family, and living quietly from day to day—that’s enough.”

“That’s just what people who refuse to strive would say!” Han Ning did not agree with him at all.

Yang Jiekai shook his head with a smile. “Then let me ask you this: do you have any friends? Friends who can stay up chatting with you in the middle of the night if you can’t sleep, and friends who would help you no matter what when you’re in trouble?”

Han Ning fell silent at once. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Every word Yang Jiekai had spoken had struck her heart exactly where it lived. She had been born into wealth and had long since grown used to schemes and power struggles. Later, she rose through the business world and spent her days navigating all kinds of human relationships. But if one spoke of true friends, she really had none.

Seeing her expression, Yang Jiekai smiled. “How about this: from now on, I’ll be your good friend.”

“A good friend?” Han Ning was stunned. She had not expected him to say something like that.

Yang Jiekai nodded. “I know my appearance has caused you irreparable harm, but I had no choice. I’ve always wanted a chance to apologize to you. Now I can say it clearly: from now on, I’ll do my duty. In front of others, I’ll be your husband and make a proper shield for you.”

“But in private, I can be your best friend, and I’ll keep waiting until the person you truly like appears. When that day comes, just tell me, and I’ll divorce you without hesitation.”

Han Ning suddenly fell silent.

Looking at the young man before her, smiling as brightly as sunlight, she suddenly found him not nearly so detestable. And his words just now seemed to have quietly touched some string in her heart that had been frozen for a long time, making the tip of her nose sting.

“How about this: the doctor said your injuries aren’t serious. You can be discharged tomorrow, though you’ll need a few days of proper rest. Don’t go tossing yourself around for the next few days either. Han Wei will keep an eye on the company. I’ll take you out to relax properly and let you live like an ordinary person for once.”

Yang Jiekai stood up, stretched, and said, “And you’re not allowed to refuse. This is my request to you as your friend. If you do refuse, hehe, you know what I mean. There’s no dirty trick I can’t pull.”

After saying that, Yang Jiekai walked toward the door. At the threshold, he did not forget to turn back and say, “Sleep well. I’ll make do on the recliner outside the door tonight. If you need anything, call me anytime.”

“Wait!” Han Ning suddenly called out.

Yang Jiekai turned with a smile. “Anything else?”

Han Ning clenched her teeth and said softly, “It’s cold outside. Go home and sleep. I’m fine here.”

Yang Jiekai smiled but said nothing. He simply lay down on the recliner outside the door.

That night, when Han Ning got up to use the bathroom, she suddenly thought of something. Quietly opening the door to take a look, she saw Yang Jiekai fast asleep on the cold recliner. Something seemed to brush lightly across her heart, and she only felt the bridge of her nose grow sour.

The next day, under Yang Jiekai’s “coercion,” Han Ning had no choice but to set aside the company’s affairs and go with him to experience so-called ordinary life.

The first thing Yang Jiekai did was take Han Ning to the busiest commercial street in Anhai City, then wave a hand grandly and say, “From now on, forget all your worries and start shopping like crazy. I’ll just follow behind you as your porter.”

All of Han Ning’s clothes were custom-made to her measurements by top luxury brands. She had never really gone shopping before, and to a woman like her, it always felt like a waste of time.

Perhaps shopping was a woman’s nature. At first Han Ning was somewhat uncomfortable, but after visiting a few stores, she gradually got the hang of it.

She tried on one outfit after another and wandered from shop to shop, while Yang Jiekai trailed behind carrying bag after bag, faithfully playing the role of a dedicated porter.

“Wife, let me give you a suggestion,” Yang Jiekai said suddenly.

After a full day of shopping, Han Ning was in a very good mood. “Go on.”

“You shouldn’t always wear such serious clothes. You could try different styles, like Han Wei’s. I think you’d look just as good, if not better.”

“You mean Weiwei’s style?” Han Ning frowned slightly. “Would it suit me?”

“Try it and you’ll know!”

With that, Yang Jiekai pulled Han Ning into a shop and picked out several outfits in different styles. When Han Ning came out of the fitting room in her new clothes, Yang Jiekai nearly had a nosebleed.

A sleeveless top with exquisite embroidery, paired with straight-cut slim casual pants, completely changed her usual image of strict office attire. It was as fiery as anything could be.

“Why? Doesn’t it look good?”

Han Ning was wearing such a style for the first time, and seeing Yang Jiekai staring straight at her, she could not help feeling a little unnatural.

“Good-looking? It’s gorgeous. Stunning. Absolutely breathtaking!” Yang Jiekai praised her without restraint.

After shopping all day, the two of them felt rather hungry. Han Ning originally wanted to find an upscale hotel for dinner, but Yang Jiekai rejected the idea outright.

“The food in those places is all for show, not for eating, and it’s ridiculously expensive too. I’ll take you somewhere else. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied.”

“Where?”

“Can you handle spicy food?”

“More or less.”

Yang Jiekai nodded with a smile. “Then that’s perfect. Let’s take the bus. We’ll be there in a little while.”

“The bus?” Han Ning froze. In all her life, she had never once taken a bus.