Chapter 71: Xiao Xiao Also Wants to Extend Time

Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Xiao Xiao Also Wants to Extend Time

Since Gao Yuan had invested at the end of the year, he wouldn’t be able to receive a share of the Lin Group’s 2023 profits as dividends.

In other words,

although Gao Yuan owned 15% of the Lin Group’s shares, actually getting paid would depend on the company’s revenue in the following year.

However, after hearing Lin Hongnian’s explanation, he understood.

After all, he was joining so late in the year that most companies had already completed their annual accounting.

According to Lin Hongnian, the Lin Group had originally planned to pay out 30% of its 2023 revenue as dividends, but after a meeting, they had decided to lower that to 10%.

The remaining 90% would be reinvested into upgrading the factory’s equipment and instruments.

The main reason for this was the secret skincare formula Gao Yuan possessed.

It was only then that Gao Yuan understood why the domestic skincare industry couldn’t compete with those in Japan, South Korea, Europe, and America. The secret formula was only one piece of the puzzle; another crucial factor was the lack of precision in their manufacturing equipment.

Since that was the case, Gao Yuan naturally had no objections.

’So much for getting rich overnight. My dream of buying a luxury car and a mansion is shattered, just like that.’

’I guess I won’t be able to show my parents the balance in my bank account when I go home this time.’

’I’ve been poor for thirty years. What’s another twelve months?’

’Besides, once I successfully build the GY brand, it shouldn’t take that long to make a fortune.’

’Time to get to work!’

’The wheel of fortune turns. Don’t look down on a man in his prime just because he’s broke!’

Gao Yuan shook off his momentary disappointment, encouraging himself with a famous quote from his younger days.

「In the gym.」

Wang Lin had been standing beside Gao Yuan the entire time. She watched him with unwavering attention, especially after noticing he was lost in thought while on the treadmill.

She was worried he might have an accident. But since it was just the warm-up and the treadmill speed wasn’t high, she didn’t immediately interrupt his train of thought.

She knew that for a wealthy man like Gao Yuan to be thinking so intently during a workout, the matter must be very important. If she interrupted him rashly, he might get angry and fire her on the spot.

All she could do was wait and ensure his safety as best she could.

It wasn’t until she saw his running pace falter that she spoke up. "President Gao, our warm-up is finished."

Gao Yuan glanced at the treadmill’s timer and realized he had been running for half an hour without even noticing, far longer than the intended warm-up.

"Sorry, I spaced out there. Let’s move on to the next part of the workout!"

Gao Yuan said, giving Wang Lin an apologetic smile.

Wang Lin, of course, showed no sign of dissatisfaction and immediately had Gao Yuan begin the next set of exercises.

But it seemed today wasn’t Gao Yuan’s day for a workout. He had barely started on the weight machines when his phone rang.

Wang Lin handed the phone to a heavily panting Gao Yuan, who was wiping sweat from his brow.

Gao Yuan looked at the screen and saw it was a voice call from Xiao Xiao.

’Why does this woman always call me at night!’

Gao Yuan muttered to himself and walked over to the rest area.

"Sister Xiao, good evening!"

Gao Yuan greeted her with a smile as soon as the call connected.

He even put a playful, teasing lilt into her name, making it sound more intimate.

A sound like tinkling silver bells came through the phone, followed by Xiao Xiao’s incredibly gentle voice. "Gao Yuan, I’m so sorry to bother you this late."

"It’s no problem, I’m still awake. Just pumping some iron at the community gym."

Gao Yuan’s heart leaped with joy when he heard that she hadn’t called him "Mr. Gao" this time, but had used his name directly.

’This is a big deal!’

’We’re getting closer!’

Perhaps Xiao Xiao hadn’t even noticed the change in how she addressed him, simply feeling that it was more natural.

However, Gao Yuan knew perfectly well that the two forms of address carried entirely different meanings.

Unwittingly, he had gone from being a stranger to a familiar stranger in her eyes.

This small step was a quantum leap.

But in the next moment, as the overjoyed Gao Yuan listened to what Xiao Xiao had to say, he fell silent.

"Here’s the thing, Gao Yuan. I might have to delay my return by a few days. Would you be able to watch the Sheltie for me for a little longer?"

It wasn’t that Gao Yuan was unwilling to grant Xiao Xiao’s request.

The Sheltie had brought him a lot of joy over the past few days. He found it especially comforting how the dog would obediently sit by his side while he was working on things.

’I guess this is what being a dog owner feels like!’

The reason for his silence was that he had already booked a ticket to his hometown for the day after tomorrow.

He had promised his father he would visit, and besides, he really missed his mom.

Xiao Xiao asking him to watch the Sheltie for a few more days put him in a difficult position.

While he could leave the Sheltie with Lin Wanyu and Li Mengqing, the two of them didn’t seem to be fond of dogs. He had been the one taking care of it all this time.

"Is it a bad time?"

Xiao Xiao’s incredibly gentle voice came through again.

Before Gao Yuan could answer, another voice suddenly piped up on the other end of the line. "Uncle, please help us, won’t you?"

"Hmm?"

The sweet, girlish voice, clear as an oriole’s song, immediately lifted Gao Yuan’s spirits.

"And you are?"

Gao Yuan asked, confused.

He heard some muffled talking on the other end; it sounded like Xiao Xiao was speaking to a young girl.

After a moment, Xiao Xiao’s voice returned.

"Gao Yuan, sorry about that!"

"That was my daughter. She can be a handful."

They chatted for a bit longer, and Gao Yuan learned that Xiao Xiao’s trip to Shanghai wasn’t just for an orphanage event; she had also gone to visit her daughter, who was attending school there.

The reason for the delay was that her daughter had begged her to stay for a few more days.

Once Gao Yuan understood the reason, he agreed to watch the Sheltie for a few more days for her.

For the rest of his workout, Gao Yuan was somewhat distracted. The image of Xiao Xiao’s graceful figure kept floating through his mind.

’That must have been Xiao Xiao’s daughter on the phone. I wonder if she’s really as young and cute as she sounded.’

’What a beautiful voice!’

Gao Yuan remained intensely curious all the way until the end of his workout.

As he walked out of the gym, a blast of cold wind made him shiver, shaking him back to his senses.

’I’m really becoming a degenerate.’

’Fantasizing about Xiao Xiao is one thing, but now my mind is wandering to... other places.’

’Pah!’

’I’m such an animal!’

’Or maybe I was never a good person to begin with?’

This philosophical question occupied his thoughts all the way home. It wasn’t until he walked through the door and saw Lin Wanyu and Li Mengqing that he had an epiphany.

’Does it matter if I’m good or bad?’

’Not in the slightest!’

The people around him were enjoying the little things in life with him. He hadn’t wronged anyone, nor had he gone out of his way to maliciously harm others.

Just live a good life and try to be happy.

Striving for happiness is what really matters!

Just like this very moment. After washing up, Gao Yuan found himself being pulled down onto the sofa by Lin Wanyu and Li Mengqing.

On his left was the lively and adorable Lin Wanyu, her smile as beautiful as a blooming flower.

On his right was the coolly stunning Li Mengqing, quiet and mysterious.

Gao Yuan already had more than his fair share of life’s greatest joys. What more could he ask for?

So, casting all other thoughts from his mind, Gao Yuan smiled at the two of them. "What are you two up to?"

"Brother, after we sign the contracts tomorrow morning, will you hang out with us?"

Gao Yuan was in a great mood, and since he was heading to his hometown the day after tomorrow, spending the day with them tomorrow was no problem at all.

He was about to agree instantly when he suddenly felt that something was off.

’Was something this simple worth the two of them cornering me like this?’

He couldn’t help but turn to look at Li Mengqing.

As far as Gao Yuan knew, Li Mengqing rarely made a fuss, and besides, she had work tomorrow.

Li Mengqing met his gaze, her expression still impassive, and stated in a perfectly calm voice,

"I’m taking the day off tomorrow."