813: Chapter 88 Lucky Nouveau Riche

Her gaze swept over Shen Yan, and seeing that he was only wearing a plain cotton Polo shirt and not even a watch, her contempt deepened.

Shen Yan didn't even give her a proper look, focusing only on Youyou, who was waving at him from the merry-go-round.

This level of provocation, in his eyes, wasn't even worth a single toe of the antagonist Chen Wu.

"I run a small business."

Shen Yan replied casually, his tone as flat as if he were commenting on the nice weather.

Zhang Li scoffed and turned to link arms with the balding man beside her.

"Small business isn't easy either. The current economic climate is bad; many companies are going bankrupt."

"My Old Wang is much more stable. He just got promoted to vice president at 'Tianyi Group,' and his annual salary is only a few million, I suppose. Though it's not a lot, it's secure."

Mentioning 'Tianyi Group,' the balding man, who hadn't spoken, puffed out his stomach, a hint of reserved arrogance on his face.

Tianyi Group was an established real estate company in Jinghai City; it did have some clout.

"Since we ran into you, if you have any difficulties in the future, feel free to ask. After all, we were colleagues. We will definitely help if we can."

Zhang Li said this as if bestowing charity, her face beaming with smug satisfaction.

Just then, the client manager Wang Bo, who had been waiting nearby, walked over, holding two bottles of Evian water, which he respectfully handed to Shen Yan and Liu Hui.

"Mr. Shen, the sun is a bit strong here. Would you like to go sit in the lounge over there? Our boss heard you were here and wanted to come over to say hello."

This sudden interruption stunned Zhang Li.

The boss of Xinghai Park? That was one of the top ten big shots in Jinghai City, a figure who was usually as hard to meet as ascending to heaven.

That balding Old Wang's expression also changed drastically. He stared at the senior manager badge on Wang Bo's chest, then looked at Shen Yan's calm face, and suddenly felt a bit familiar.

The front-page headline of the financial news a few days ago seemed to feature this very face.

Rock Technology... Shen Yan...

The rising giant that had just swallowed over a dozen technology companies and reportedly had a massive background overseas.

Cold sweat instantly trickled down Old Wang's temples.

"You... you are Mr. Shen Yan, CEO Shen?"

Old Wang's voice trembled slightly, and his previous arrogance instantly shattered into pieces.

Shen Yan finally turned his head and glanced at him lightly.

That look held no warmth, nor any deliberate pressure, yet it made Old Wang feel as if he were being stared at by some large predator.

"vice president of Tianyi Group, right? We'll have opportunities to cooperate in the future."

This was both a pleasantry and an order to leave.

Old Wang acted as if granted amnesty, hurriedly pulling the still bewildered Zhang Li away while bowing and scraping.

"We wouldn't dare, we wouldn't dare. CEO Shen, please carry on. We won't disturb you."

With that, he dragged Zhang Li away, his steps so fast it was as if dogs were chasing him.

"Hey? Old Wang, what are you doing? That's just a broke loser..."

"Shut up! Do you want to get me killed? That's the boss of Rock Technology! A man even our chairman has to show deference to!"

The faint sounds of their argument faded into the wind.

Liu Hui looked at the two retreating figures and couldn't help but purse her lips and smile slightly, then gently linked her arm with Shen Yan's.

"Why did you scare them?"

"I wasn't trying to scare them; he's just timid himself."

Shen Yan unscrewed a water bottle and handed it to his wife. He watched the merry-go-round slowly stop, and Youyou rushed toward the railing like a happy little bird.

Shen Yan scooped up his daughter and lifted her high above his head, causing the little girl to let out a string of silver-bell-like laughter.

"Daddy, I want to ride the bumper cars next! The ones that crash the hardest!"

Youyou pointed to the venue where 'bang bang' collision sounds were coming from in the distance. There was no trace of her former timidity in her eyes, only the wild energy of a tomboy.

Liu Hui wiped her daughter's sweat with a tissue on the side. Although she said, "Slow down," the smile in her eyes could not be hidden.

Wang Bo, being very observant, whispered a few words into his walkie-talkie, then bowed and made a gesture of invitation.

The broadcast inside the bumper car venue suddenly aired a notice about "equipment maintenance," and the tourists who were queuing could only disperse helplessly.

The huge venue was instantly cleared, leaving only two brand-new Neon Speed bumper cars.

Shen Yan held Youyou and sat in the red chariot. Chen Guangke, acting like a child who never grew up, pulled Liu Hui, insisting on riding in the blue one.

"Sister-in-law, hold on tight! Watch how I send Brother Yan flying! I was oppressed by him at the company, so I have to get some revenge now."

Chen Guangke yelled and suddenly stomped on the accelerator. The blue bumper car charged forward with an unstoppable momentum.

Shen Yan held the steering wheel with one hand, protecting Youyou's head with the other, a playful smile curving his lips.

If he could confuse his competitors in the business world, he certainly wouldn't lose in this small amusement park.

The red chariot executed a skillful drift, avoiding a head-on collision, then slammed into reverse, hitting the side of the blue car hard with its rear.

The huge impact made Chen Guangke scream, and although Liu Hui jumped in fright, she was quickly infected by the unrestrained joy and burst into laughter.

Youyou was even more excited, clapping her hands red and shouting loudly, "Daddy is the best!"

This pure joy, devoid of any calculation of benefit, was the most luxurious enjoyment Shen Yan had experienced since his rebirth.

Meanwhile, on the open-air bench at the other end of the amusement park, the atmosphere was suffocating, like frozen concrete.

The scorching midday sun beat down without any cover, and the delicate foundation on Zhang Li's face had long since washed away into a mess by sweat.

But she didn't care to wipe it off. She huddled in the corner of the bench, tightly clutching the Evian water bottle that had long been squeezed out of shape.

Old Wang beside her was even more wretched. The few hairs he had were plastered wetly against his scalp, and a large patch on his shirt's back was soaked.

He stared fixedly at his phone screen, which displayed a recent acquisition news item from Rock Technology. His fingers trembled uncontrollably.

"Old Wang, maybe... maybe we should go back? It's not good to be out in this heat either."

Zhang Li spoke cautiously, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum.

Old Wang suddenly turned his head, the bloodshot in his eyes startling Zhang Li.

"Go back? Go back where? Tianyi Group is right next to Rock Technology's new industrial park. If I leave now, tomorrow I might not even have the qualification to sweep the streets there!"

He understood Shen Yan's methods too well; silence was the most terrifying thing.

Shen Yan's casual remark about 'opportunities to cooperate' sounded no less than a death warrant to him.

In Jinghai's circles, if Shen Yan wanted to ruin a vice president, he wouldn't even need to lift a finger; he just needed to frown at a banquet, and plenty of people would rush to wield the knife for him.

Zhang Li flinched at being yelled at, a mixture of grievance and fear intertwining within her.

"He... isn't he just a lucky upstart? We didn't really do anything to him, did we?"