409: Chapter 49: High Hopes

Shen Yan still insisted.

"No matter what, you helped me out. I'll toast you."

Since he put it that way, An Ran naturally wouldn't refuse.

After all, favors from important people were far more valuable than gold and jewels...

"Clink!"

As the sound of their glasses meeting echoed.

The atmosphere in the private room quickly warmed up considerably.

The few people gradually relaxed.

The conversation was no longer focused on work matters.

Before they knew it, they had already had three rounds of drinks.

"I can't drink anymore. If I keep drinking, I won't be able to catch my flight tomorrow..."

An Ran, with a flushed face, stood up tipsily.

Seeing that she was already drunk, the others didn't continue drinking either.

The group got up one after another and headed out.

Since everyone had been drinking, Shen Yan arranged for Chen Guangke to take a taxi to send Wu Ya home, while he took a taxi to send An Ran back.

"Thump!"

The car door closed.

An Ran leaned against the window with her eyes closed.

Shen Yan thought she had fallen asleep, but not long after, An Ran spoke to him.

"CEO Shen, I really think highly of you."

Hearing this, Shen Yan blinked, turned to look at An Ran still leaning against the window with her eyes closed, and said to her, "Thank you."

An Ran pursed her lips and continued, "I genuinely think highly of you from the bottom of my heart. I checked all your previous records and found that every project that passed through your hands turned out very well."

"Especially after you opened a new company, your capabilities doubled. I believe you can make the Artificial Intelligence project a success. I have this expectation, and I hope you won't disappoint me."

When she finished speaking.

Shen Yan replied to her with a serious expression, "Of course. This is my project. No one has higher expectations for it than I do."

After a long pause, An Ran didn't respond again.

Shen Yan looked down and saw that she had fallen asleep leaning against the window. He didn't know if what she just said was drunken talk or sober words.

By the time he dropped her off at the hotel, it was already past nine o'clock.

Since time wasn't pressing, he didn't immediately take a taxi back. Instead, he walked outside to get some air.

The investment matter had been settled.

With An Ran's investment, he wouldn't have to worry too much about the Artificial Intelligence project anymore.

Now, the most urgent matter for him was the land issue.

He had to quickly find a way to get the necessary procedures completed.

Otherwise, there could be an accident at any time.

Thinking this, he took out his phone, hailed a taxi, and decided to go home early to rest, planning to meet the person An Ran introduced to him tomorrow.

...The next day.

Shen Yan opened his eyes in bed.

He frowned, fumbled around his pillow, picked up his phone, and checked the time.

Wow! He had slept straight through until past three in the afternoon.

He opened his message inbox.

He saw that An Ran, Chen Guangke, and Wu Ya had all sent him messages.

【Old Chen: Are you awake? If you are, remember to go ask about the land transfer procedures again.】

【Wu Ya: You drank quite a bit last night. Your head must hurt when you wake up today. I cooked some hangover soup for you; it's at the company.】

【An Ran: [Business Card]】

【An Ran: This is someone I know. Add him, then tell him you are my friend, and explain the situation to him.】

After reading these messages, Shen Yan opened the message box and replied to them one by one.

【Don't rush. I have my own pace.】

【No need, I have an auntie at home.】

【Okay, thank you, CEO An.】

After replying, he rolled out of bed.

As he walked towards the bathroom to wash up, he added the contact An Ran had recommended to him.

The contact's screen name was just a simple symbol, revealing nothing.

As soon as he sent the request to add a friend, the other party quickly accepted.

Seeing that the request was accepted, he immediately introduced himself to the other party and stated that he was An Ran's friend.

The other party also replied almost instantly.

【Okay, my name is Ning Ke. I hear you have something you want to consult me about?】

Shen Yan had originally intended to write down the situation he encountered in text and send it to the other party, but as he was about to type, he suddenly changed his mind.

The reason was simple—it was too troublesome.

Although text communication was concise and clear, he couldn't immediately perceive the other party's emotions, nor could he get timely feedback on the matter.

This was worlds apart from what he wanted.

In order to get to know this person and obtain his help, he decided to ask him out for a meeting.

Thinking this, he typed his reply into the message box.

【Yes. I was wondering when you might be free? I'd like to treat you to a simple meal?】

The other party didn't reply instantly this time.

Shen Yan didn't mind. He set his phone aside and continued washing up on his own.

When he finished washing up and changed his clothes, he picked up his phone again and saw the other party's reply.

【I'm free tonight. Where are you?】

Seeing this message, Shen Yan suddenly remembered something.

This person was introduced by An Ran, so it was highly likely he wasn't in the city where Shen Yan currently was.

Holding this guess, he typed a message asking which city the other party was in.

【I am in S City.】

Seeing the reply, Shen Yan sighed.

【I am in Sea City, and the issue is also in Sea City. I wonder if you have any colleagues based in Sea City?】

After a while, the other party directly initiated a voice call.

Shen Yan didn't hesitate and answered immediately.

Shen Yan had originally expected the person An Ran recommended to be an older middle-aged man, but unexpectedly, the other party's voice was very young.

"CEO Shen?"

Shen Yan responded.

"It's like this, I travel to Sea City quite often too. Asking me to recommend a local colleague for you... it's not impossible, but you need to tell me first what exactly you need my help with."

Since they couldn't meet in person, Shen Yan could only briefly explain the situation he encountered to the other party over the phone.

"Oh, I see. Actually, this is a small matter. I can solve it myself."

Hearing this, Shen Yan raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Will it be too much trouble?"

The other party chuckled.

"No trouble at all. You are CEO An's friend, and her friend is my friend."

After a few polite exchanges, Shen Yan hung up the phone.

The land issue was temporarily resolved.

He planned to handle the other company matters before Ning Ke sent him a message.

Since Youyou was now in kindergarten, the auntie wasn't at home all day.

Besides coming over to cook lunch and dinner, she wasn't around at other times.

Therefore, only Shen Yan was home now.

He glanced into the kitchen and noticed it was mostly filled with vegetables and meat, with nothing suitable for making hangover soup.

He thought for a moment and decided to go out to buy a bowl of hot soup instead.