397: Chapter 397 Field Investigation

"Hey! Wait up!"

An Ran wanted to stop them, but it was too late.

Wu Ya was startled by the weight of the suitcase.

"This... how can it be this heavy?!"

Hearing Wu Ya's question, An Ran replied somewhat sheepishly, "Because I brought quite a lot of things this time, so the suitcase is a little overweight."

"It's fine, I'll drag the luggage myself."

Just as Wu Ya was about to refuse the suitcase in her hand, Shen Yan took it over.

"I'm a grown man standing right here, there's no reason to let you two carry the luggage."

"Let's hurry up, don't go hungry."

Seeing Shen Yan insist, An Ran didn't say anything more.

After all, it was just for a short distance; there was no need to stand there refusing back and forth.

Soon, the three of them arrived together next to Shen Yan's car.

"Beep beep!"

The car trunk opened remotely.

Shen Yan lifted the two suitcases one by one into the trunk.

Once everything was ready, Wu Ya and An Ran got into the car.

"I'll take you to eat at some roadside stalls first to tide you over, and then you two can discuss what you want for a proper meal."

An Ran and Wu Ya agreed that it was fine.

Not long after, the three of them arrived at a roadside stall.

"The street food here tastes quite good, try it."

Hearing this, An Ran nodded and ordered a plate of fried noodles.

After ordering what she wanted to eat, An Ran took off her hat and placed it on the table.

"Actually, I didn't just come here for tourism; I also want to discuss project matters."

Shen Yan asked, "Did you watch the press conference?"

An Ran smiled and replied, "It's embarrassing to say, but I only saw it on the way here."

Shen Yan raised an eyebrow slightly in surprise.

"Didn't you come here because you saw the press conference?"

An Ran shook her head.

"I was already quite interested in your company's project. I came this time for an inspection."

"I have a habit: before investing, I must investigate the strength. Only projects that meet my requirements qualify to be invested in by me."

Saying this, An Ran curved the corners of her lips toward Shen Yan.

"Of course, I believe that the projects CEO Shen handles will certainly not disappoint me."

Shen Yan didn't accept her flattery at all.

"No, no, no. My project is just an unfinished embryo; it's too early to say these things now."

An Ran laughed heartily.

After laughing, she put away the smile on her face and said to Shen Yan with utmost seriousness, "Although I'm not very good at judging people, I can say I'm extremely accurate and decisive when it comes to projects."

"After the press conference you held last time, I couldn't stop thinking about your project."

"To put it plainly, I think your company's project has investment value."

"Of course, you have already proven it to me now, so there's no need for me to make an unnecessary trip."

As soon as she finished speaking,

Shen Yan spoke up, "No, this is not an unnecessary trip. I actually welcome you to conduct a field investigation at our laboratory."

An Ran sounded a bit disbelieving about what Shen Yan said. She squinted at him and asked, "Really? Are you really willing to let me conduct a field investigation in your laboratory?"

Shen Yan and Wu Ya exchanged a look and said in unison, "Really!"

Seeing these two being so frank and completely unguarded, An Ran was even more satisfied with them.

The most important thing she valued in investing in a project was sincerity.

If the person in charge of the investment project lacked sincerity, no matter how good the project was, she would not choose to invest.

In her eyes, character represented everything.

Even if a project was developed very well, if the character of the person behind it was poor, the project would eventually fail.

"Okay, then I will graciously accept. After I rest for one night, I will go with you tomorrow for the field investigation."

Shen Yan nodded.

Then, as if casually, he mentioned to An Ran, "If you are satisfied, are you planning to invest for one cycle, or are you prepared to be responsible for the entire project?"

An Ran was not a fool; she knew Shen Yan was testing how much money she intended to invest.

It was a case of true heart for true heart.

Since Shen Yan and Wu Ya were treating her with sincerity, she wouldn't beat around the bush with them either.

Thinking about it, she held out a fist.

Wu Ya looked at the fist in confusion and asked, "What does that mean? Are you not planning to invest?"

An Ran chuckled, "This is one billion. If you can achieve a satisfactory phased result, I can continue to invest more."

Hearing this, Shen Yan was satisfied.

It seemed An Ran was indeed as capable as he understood her to be.

If An Ran could continue investing, the funding for the Artificial Intelligence project would not be a worry.

"Good. Then tomorrow we'll first tour the laboratory. After that, if there's anywhere else you want to go, you can have Xiao Wu lead the way to take you."

An Ran subconsciously asked, "Aren't you coming with us?"

Shen Yan paused for a moment, then smiled and replied, "If you need my company, it's not impossible for me to set aside work to accompany beautiful ladies and go sightseeing with the two of you."

As soon as he said that, An Ran and Wu Ya burst into laughter.

The atmosphere among the three became even more harmonious.

...

After finishing the street food, Shen Yan prepared to take the two of them to a restaurant for dinner.

"No, why don't you send me back to the hotel first? That plate of fried noodles just filled my stomach."

Hearing this, Shen Yan shook his head.

"We agreed to eat a little street food to tide us over, but you ordered fried noodles without saying a word—and a large portion at that. It would be strange if you weren't full after eating..."

"Forget it, you go back and rest well. We'll take you out for something delicious tomorrow."

An Ran smiled and agreed.

Shen Yan first sent An Ran back to the hotel, and then sent Wu Ya home.

After dropping both of them off, he finally returned to his own doorstep.

When he got home, it was nearly midnight.

He originally thought Shen Ya and Youyou had already gone to sleep, but unexpectedly, when he returned, Shen Ya and Youyou were still leaning on the sofa.

"It's so late, why haven't you two gone to bed?"

Hearing Shen Yan's question, Shen Ya stretched and replied to him, "It's all because of you..."

Shen Yan looked completely baffled.

"What does it have to do with me?"

Shen Ya pointed at Youyou sitting next to her.

"This child wanted to wait for you to come back to ask you something."

"I was afraid she'd be scared sitting alone in the living room late at night, so I decided to wait here with her for you."

Shen Yan frowned and walked toward Youyou sitting on the sofa.

"What question is so urgent that it has to be asked tonight? Can't it wait until tomorrow?"

Youyou pouted and said, "No! Youyou must ask Daddy tonight! If I don't ask, Youyou can't sleep!"