Chapter 96: An Enemy Becomes a Benefactor?

Chapter 96: Chapter 96: An Enemy Becomes a Benefactor?

"Jiang! You saved my life. I feel like I’ll never be able to repay you."

"You don’t have to be so formal with me."

Rong Anyao gripped Jiang Fan’s hand, her face filled with a pleading expression.

Perhaps moved by her sincerity, or perhaps by a pang of pity in his heart.

In the end, Jiang Fan took the bank card.

"I’ll hold onto it for now. If I need it, I’ll use it. If not, I won’t touch it. Just let me know whenever you want it back, and I’ll give it to you."

"Think of it as me saving up your dowry for you."

"If you can’t even agree to that, then I’m not taking it, no matter what."

Jiang Fan held the bank card between two fingers of his right hand, his tone resolute.

"Okay, whatever you say."

’As long as Jiang Fan takes it, that’s all that matters. There’s no way I’m taking it back.’

And there was no way Jiang Fan would know the amount wasn’t just a few thousand or tens of thousands, but over 200,000.

As a blogger with nearly two million followers, her monthly advertising revenue was substantial. Plus, as her fanbase grew, so did her merchandise sales.

Jiang Fan cut her a nice slice of cake, then pulled the rest of the large cake in front of himself. Without a second thought, he grabbed a fork and started digging in.

’First time eating such an expensive cake. Can’t let any of this go to waste.’

After finishing off the last of the cake, Jiang Fan was so stuffed he could only groan and roll his eyes.

Watching him, Rong Anyao covered her mouth and giggled.

"Jiang, it’s your birthday today, but I have a small wish of my own. Can you grant it for me?"

At some point, she had sat down on the floor cushion by the sofa. Propping her chin in her hands, she asked, blinking her large eyes.

"A wish? What is it?"

"Go on, if it’s something I can do, I’ll do it."

He was slumped against the sofa, so relaxed he didn’t even lift his eyelids.

"Really?"

Rong Anyao looked delighted.

"Of course."

The next thing Jiang Fan knew, his vision went dark as someone settled onto his lap, wrapped their arms around his neck, and pressed their lips against his.

The soft, yielding pressure made him tilt his head up slightly.

Her nimble tongue pried past his teeth...

She didn’t let go until Jiang Fan was almost out of breath.

"Are you crazy? Trying to suffocate me?"

Jiang Fan gasped for air.

"Hmph. You said you’d grant my wish."

"That was my wish."

Jiang Fan was left speechless, wanting to argue but not knowing what to say. After all, he *had* said it.

"Alright, I’m heading out."

"That’s all for today."

"I’ll come see you again when I’m free. You can call me, too."

Rong Anyao slid off Jiang Fan’s lap and picked up her small purse.

"Huh?"

"It’s so late and you’ve been drinking. Where do you think you’re going?"

"You take the bedroom. I’ll sleep on the couch."

Jiang Fan grabbed her hand.

He couldn’t rest easy letting her go home alone after she’d had so much to drink.

"Ah?"

Whatever she was thinking, Rong Anyao’s pretty face blushed.

"What are you thinking about? I have new toiletries and everything here."

"Feel free to use them."

"Okay."

Seeing Jiang Fan actually lie down on the couch, Rong Anyao felt a pang of disappointment.

Still, she did as he said.

"I’m going to sleep. Just give me a shout if you need anything."

Jiang Fan was truly exhausted, and with all the alcohol he’d had, he fell asleep on the couch almost instantly.

Rong Anyao, however, found it much harder to fall asleep in the bed.

She tossed and turned, unable to sleep. In truth, she wasn’t the least bit drowsy; for her, that amount of alcohol was no different than drinking water.

Unable to sleep, she suddenly sat up, got dressed, and left the bedroom. She then proceeded to tidy up the entire messy living room.

Listening to Jiang Fan’s soft snores, Rong Anyao simply sat beside him, watching him quietly.

A long time later, as the morning sun began to fill the living room, Jiang Fan’s eyes fluttered open.

"Huh? Why were you sleeping out here?"

Jiang Fan was startled to see Rong Anyao sleeping slumped over right next to him.

"I feel safe next to you."

Woken by Jiang Fan’s voice, she let out a yawn.

"Go on, this is no place to sleep."

"Go sleep in the bedroom. When you wake up, order yourself some takeout."

"I need to get ready for work."

Jiang Fan glanced at the time—it was already 8:30.

If he dawdled any longer, he’d be late.

"Okay."

Rong Anyao nodded. She was exhausted; she hadn’t slept well at all beside Jiang Fan all night.

She fell asleep almost as soon as she lay down on the bed. Meanwhile, after getting ready, Jiang Fan opened his front door only to find Li Muwan standing right outside.

"What are you looking at? Drive. We’re going to work."

"You want to go together?"

Jiang Fan scratched his head.

"You don’t want to?"

Perhaps still angry about last night, Li Muwan sounded extremely impatient.

"It’s not that I don’t want to. I’m just worried our colleagues will get the wrong idea again if we show up together."

"Drive!"

Seeing how insistent she was, Jiang Fan rubbed his nose and said no more. He started the car, and the two of them drove to the office.

Sure enough, the moment the pair stepped through the office doors, they drew stares from nearly everyone.

But Li Muwan didn’t head to her office, ignoring the gossiping stares and teasing glances from the onlookers.

Instead, she clapped her hands, drawing everyone’s attention.

"For the next week, all eight teams will leave a skeleton crew to handle essential duties. Everyone else will report to Jiang Fan."

"He will be in charge of project scheduling and planning, and Sun Yanzi will be the coordinator. I’ve sent the project plan to your computer."

"That is all."

"Do you have anything to add?"

Li Muwan asked, turning to look at Jiang Fan.

"Uh, can you come over here for a second? I have a question."

Jiang Fan pulled her aside. "I have full authority over this project, right?"

"Yes."

Li Muwan nodded.

"If we execute this plan successfully, do I have the authority to decide everyone’s bonuses?"

"Of course."

"I don’t care about the process, only the result. Recover those several million in losses for the company."

Jiang Fan nodded, then immediately turned and walked back to the center of the room.

"As long as everyone cooperates and we get this project done right, all bonuses will be doubled, and you’ll get two extra days of paid vacation."