The only problem was that the elephant was a bit tricky to handle.
Ji Ling couldn’t help but feel embarrassed as he absentmindedly touched his nose. After all, not long ago, he had turned down Yan Yixuan, causing him to lose face. Going back to ask for his help now probably wouldn’t be so easy.
If Yan Yixuan wanted to find Ji Ling, he could track him down no matter where he was, even if Ji Ling were at the ends of the earth. But if Ji Ling wanted to find Yan Yixuan, even if he knew exactly where he was, he couldn’t get to him.
He could be in the main office of the headquarters, in any of the subsidiary company conference rooms, maybe even at his luxurious home, or perhaps in the bed of one of his many beautiful companions.
All of these places were beyond Ji Ling’s reach at the moment.
So, Ji Ling decided to take a chance at the bar where they had had a falling out. But this time, when he showed up, they didn’t even let him through the door.
It seemed like everyone in their circle knew by now that Ji Ling had offended Yan Yixuan. The security guards at the bar weren’t exactly pushovers, and Ji Ling couldn’t force his way through. He had no choice but to wait outside.
He had no idea when Yan Yixuan would show up, or if he would show up at all.
At first, he waited right by the bar’s entrance. But after standing there for a while, people started to notice him, and he became an eyesore. So, he moved across the street, standing at a distance, hoping to spot Yan Yixuan among the bar’s customers.
Every night, he waited from when the bar opened until the early hours of the morning. When he got tired, he’d lean against a tree and sit down. At first, he’d keep an eye on the people entering the bar, hoping to catch a glimpse of Yan Yixuan, but eventually, he grew too lazy to even look.
He figured Yan Yixuan must have known he was here by now. If Yan Yixuan wanted to show up, he would.
Ji Ling waited one day, then two, then three… soon it was nearly a week.
He didn’t show any signs of impatience, almost as if it had become a habit. Every night, he’d automatically show up and wait by the street until morning.
On the seventh day, Ji Ling watched as well-dressed men and women laughed and entered the bar across the street, thinking to himself that once the night passed, he could finally go home, sleep, and then go tell the gangsters he hadn’t managed to get any money. Maybe they’d even beat him up a little.
But no matter what happened, he could at least sleep first and dream a good dream.
The night was a bit chilly, so Ji Ling sat down on the curb, his gaze fixed on the bar’s entrance. But his mind started to wander.
Whenever he had time to think, his thoughts inevitably drifted to faraway things.
He wondered what Zong Jiqi was doing, what the board members of the group were up to, and what all the shareholders, big and small, were doing.
From the snippets in the financial news, it was nearly impossible to guess the decisions being made by Zong Jiqi and the board. The problems they were facing were overwhelming. After losing Zong Bolin, they had to calm the banks down to continue lending, deal with shareholders pulling out their investments, and reassure distributors to keep the products on the shelves. Zong Jiqi, however, was an outsider. Even if he could manage just one of these tasks, it would be a miracle.
Ji Ling was constantly anxious, but right now, he was too far removed from the Zong family’s affairs. All he could do was sit there in the night wind, quietly waiting.
Waiting for the attention of a benefactor.
Ji Ling’s gaze stayed fixed on the dazzling scene across the street. The contrast was stark—just one street away, it was vibrant and full of life, while on his side, everything was quiet, almost dreamlike. The streetlights were too dim to compete with the neon lights, but they still quietly illuminated the bustling sidewalk across the way.
His hands were clasped tightly together as he sat motionless by the roadside.
Until a car slowly pulled up and stopped right in front of him.
Ji Ling looked up to see the window roll down, revealing Yan Yixuan, who was looking at him from inside the car.
The light from the streetlamp illuminated Yan Yixuan’s figure through the window, softening his outline, but the look in his eyes as he stared at Ji Ling was cold, condescending, and almost tinged with disappointment.
Ji Ling looked up at him but couldn’t help but smile.
Yan Yixuan’s arrival was his victory.
Seeing Ji Ling’s smile, Yan Yixuan turned his head away and calmly said, “Get in.”
Ji Ling stood up but stumbled a little, which made Yan Yixuan glance at him again.
“My leg’s numb,” Ji Ling explained, then circled the car and got in from the other side.
Yan Yixuan signaled the driver to start the car, but didn’t say another word to Ji Ling. Ji Ling wasn’t one to talk much either, so they sat in silence. After a while, as the car drove on, Ji Ling looked back at Yan Yixuan. He was leaning against the seat with his eyes closed, his brows showing signs of fatigue.
Ji Ling was very familiar with this look, though not because he knew Yan Yixuan well, but because he was used to seeing this kind of behavior from people who would rest whenever they could.
It seemed that Yan Yixuan didn’t spend every day in a world of indulgence. He was actually working hard, managing a family business, especially a century-old family like the Yan family, where surviving wasn’t about living frivolously.
Ji Ling imagined what Yan Yixuan must look like when he was working, and before he knew it, he smiled again.
“What’s so funny?” Yan Yixuan opened his eyes and asked.
Ji Ling’s voice had been hoarse since his injury, sounding older than his looks. He replied, “Young Master Yan works so hard, yet still finds time to meet with me. I’m truly flattered.”
Yan Yixuan snorted, saying, “I don’t know which fool has been sitting on the side of the road for a week. I’m just showing some mercy.”
Ji Ling smiled again.
He didn’t tell Yan Yixuan that, in fact, today was the last day. If Yan Yixuan didn’t show up today, Ji Ling wouldn’t wait anymore.
Yan Yixuan took Ji Ling to a hotel, but Ji Ling wasn’t surprised. This hotel was also part of the Yan family’s holdings, and Yan Yixuan often stayed in the luxurious suite on the top floor. He walked in here like it was home, and Ji Ling followed him into the elevator without feeling awkward.
They both entered the room, one after the other. Yan Yixuan casually yanked off his tie and tossed it onto the sofa, then went to the bar, opened a bottle of sparkling wine, and poured himself a glass. Leaning against the counter, he asked Ji Ling, “Want a drink?”
Ji Ling stood in the middle of the living room like a pillar, stiffly refusing, “No, I still have some psychological trauma when it comes to alcohol.”
Yan Yixuan chuckled, raised his glass to Ji Ling, took a sip, and teased, “Yeah, back then someone acted all virtuous, refusing to bend no matter what. Now look at you, standing here.”
Ji Ling’s face stung, but he didn’t let his expression change. He replied, “I still refuse.”
Yan Yixuan’s smile faded. “Then why are you even here? I don’t have time to keep playing this ‘forcing you into submission’ game.”
Ji Ling remained calm. “I have something to ask of you.”
Yan Yixuan snorted. “You might not have realized yet, but plenty of people have things they want from me. The difference is, they offer something in return.” He looked Ji Ling up and down. “What do you have to offer?”
Ji Ling’s body was slender, but his fair, delicate skin and the refined curve of his neck and collarbone made him seem fragile, almost like someone you couldn’t help but want to break.
Now Yan Yixuan understood why someone almost strangled him at the club.
A person like this, with nothing to their name—what else could they possibly have to trade?
Ji Ling stood straight, never wavering, and replied, “I’m different from the others. They come to take from you. I’m here to borrow from you.”
Yan Yixuan raised an eyebrow. “Borrow? Borrow what?”
“Money.”
Yan Yixuan almost burst out laughing.
First, the pitiful act at the bar. Then waiting by the roadside for seven days. Now, here he was, speaking so nobly. But in the end, it all came down to something so vulgar.
Ji Ling ignored the sarcasm and disdain in Yan Yixuan’s eyes and continued, “If you want something physical, I’m still unwilling deep down. But right now, I need money. As you can see, I have nothing. The only person I can turn to is you.”
He took a step forward, speaking earnestly and decisively. “Outside the door of this luxurious suite on the top floor, there’s a line of people waiting. You don’t need to waste your time on me. I’m like an ant passing by your feet. Unless you’re bored, you might step on me for fun. You, the great Yan Yixuan, have too many important things to do to even bother.”
Ji Ling continued, “But for me, since I’ve had the chance to walk through this door, to stand here, even if I’m just an ant, I’ll still look for a way to crawl up your pants leg. That’s why I’m here, shamelessly asking for your help.”
Yan Yixuan swirled his glass, listening to Ji Ling speak.
In fact, they weren’t that familiar with each other. This was the first time they had talked so much, or more precisely, the first time Ji Ling had said so much. And it completely changed Yan Yixuan’s impression of him.
This young man, who seemed so delicate, was this calm and eloquent?
Yan Yixuan asked, “What do you need the money for? Don’t tell me it’s because your relative is seriously ill and you need to save them, or that you’ve been framed and need to help someone pay off their debts.”
Ji Ling corrected him, “It’s a loan, I said I’m borrowing money. I will pay you back. There’s no life-or-death situation, it’s just that I need some initial capital right now.”
Ji Ling then explained everything to Yan Yixuan, though he left out the part about being reborn and time-traveling.
This was another surprise for Yan Yixuan.
He had met many people who had spent the night with him, and when they made requests, they either wanted something tangible or asked for favors in their careers. But no one had ever come to him asking for cash to buy a company.
Finally, he showed some interest and said to Ji Ling, “Starting a business isn’t as easy as you think, especially since you’re starting halfway through.” He smiled, adding, “If you’re willing to compromise, I can offer you a position in my company.”
Ji Ling shook his head. “There’s no need. I only need cash, and I promise to pay you back in six months.”
Yan Yixuan narrowed his eyes and asked, “Do you have any collateral? Any guarantees? Why should I trust you?”
Ji Ling knew Yan Yixuan was saying this on purpose. The money to acquire a small company probably wasn’t even as expensive as the car he had given to one of his beauties. Yan Yixuan was just playing his game, throwing sarcastic remarks and making things difficult for him because he hadn’t done what Yan Yixuan wanted.
Suddenly, Ji Ling felt like he had won.
Yan Yixuan had come to see him, had let him in, and now he was wasting time going in circles with him. He was sure Yan Yixuan would agree to his request.
Ji Ling felt an inexplicable confidence about it.
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
Hmm, I don’t know… I feel like you just now raised a flag, MC…