I Have 10 Trillion Dollars only Usable For Simping
Chapter 433 - 390 Not saying goodbye

Chapter 433: 390 Not saying goodbye

Perhaps it really was because he had angered the Moon God, as the starry sky was resplendent last night, but unexpectedly, a torrential downpour began early the next morning.

Jiang Chen stood inside the house, admiring the mist-enshrouded mountains, his mood pleasant, with no worries about the Moon God’s punishment.

The affection meter had finally climbed to 75.

A cause for celebration indeed.

Regretful as he was, he hadn’t anticipated that by somehow mistakenly turning down a great opportunity—albeit foolishly—he would actually increase Pei Yunxi’s fondness for him.

It truly was a case of ’trying to pick the flower fruitlessly, but planting willows without intent only to find shade.’

As a top student, Jiang Chen was certainly not someone who ignored problems. Last night he had exhausted his thoughts, pondering for half the night and roughly analyzing the reason for this bizarre phenomenon.

He hadn’t sworn an oath, which perhaps made Pei Yunxi feel his "sincerity."

Of course.

That might be part of it.

The more important reason.

Was possibly because he hadn’t sworn an oath, leading Pei Yunxi to subconsciously perceive that he had chosen to give up, thus feeling relieved and without further concerns. Consequently, it was natural for her to increase her fondness for him.

This was the same as how ordinary people feel greatly relieved when a major threat is lifted.

Jiang Chen smiled silently.

Indeed, there are many paths to Rome.

There’s always more than one way to achieve a goal.

If the other party took the initiative, then his approach might be considered...

Advancing by retreating?

In ordinary circumstances, perhaps he really wouldn’t have the face to persist further, but Jiang Chen was not one to give up lightly, as seen by the reputation he had fought hard for at Dongda University, which showed his tenacity in clinging to his goals steadfastly.

Moreover, from last night’s experience, Jiang Chen had learned a lesson.

Sometimes, one must know how to adapt and not be too rigid.

With the rain pouring so heavily, the exploration team couldn’t go out and all had to stay indoors, but everyone was busy, engaged in lively discussions about the gains from recent days, debating film details, and working together to improve them.

Jiang Chen participated as well, not standing aside. He retold the story Lu Songgao had shared the night before and suggested integrating it into the film.

While the discussion was in full swing, Jiang Chen’s phone rang. He took it out to look—it was a call from Luo Peng.

"You guys keep talking."

Jiang Chen walked to the bedroom and answered the call.

"Jiang Chen, I’ve been dumped."

As soon as the call connected, a heavy sigh came from the other end.

Jiang Chen didn’t understand right away.

"What do you mean?"

"Teacher Xiang Tian left."

Luo Peng’s tone was desolate, sounding very despondent.

"Left?"

Jiang Chen was still puzzled. "What do you mean by left? Be clear with your words."

"It means she has left the school, and I won’t be able to see her again."

Jiang Chen furrowed his brows slightly.

"Was it the school’s decision?"

After being called in for a talk last time, Vice-Chancellor Fu had taken a step back, and it was only a suspension. Could it be that the school’s senior management had decided to make an example out of this, to serve as a warning to others?

"No."

Luo Peng sighed deeply, "It was Teacher Xiang Tian’s own decision. She said that the incident had done irreparable damage to the school’s reputation and that she could not face staying any longer, so she took the initiative to resign, and the school accepted."

Jiang Chen was silent.

"Jiang Chen, why is my life so difficult?"

"Come on, you didn’t like her that much."

And really,

Luo Peng had indeed not been very lucky in love recently, first meeting defeat with Luo Li’er, and now Koda Kaoru’s affair coming to a sudden end.

"Jiang Chen, are you having fun over there? How about I come over to distract myself and heal a bit?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen readily said, "Sure, but you should prepare yourself, this isn’t a tourist development area, conditions are quite tough."

"How much longer are you staying there?"

asked Luo Peng.

Jiang Chen thought for a moment, "Shouldn’t be more than a few days now."

What he meant was he would leave after the Moon God Festival had passed, and with five points of affection already gained, it was unlikely he could continue to increase it in a short period. Staying here seemed fairly meaningless.

"Then forget it."

After bemoaning his situation for a good while, Luo Peng finally hung up the phone reluctantly.

Jiang Chen held the phone, hesitant and unsure whether he should call Koda Kaoru.

Their last encounter had been in Vice-Chancellor Fu’s office.

The last exchange was a mysterious text from Koda Kaoru, saying she had a gift for him.

Because he was in the eye of the storm at that time, he had not replied.

But now that she had resigned from the school and might be returning to Dongying, they would each be on separate paths. Perhaps they would never have the chance to meet again in this lifetime.

After much deliberation, Jiang Chen still picked up the phone and dialed her number.

In Shenzhou, the land of ceremonial rites, knowing each other was a kind of fate, and a polite farewell was the least of good manners.

"Beep, beep, beep..."

After about ten seconds, just as Jiang Chen was about to hang up, the call connected.

"Jiang Chen-kun."

It was still that distinctly nuanced greeting.

"Teacher Xiang Tian, you resigned?"

"Hmm, how did you know?"

"Luo Peng told me."

Jiang Chen paused, "Your leaving the school has made him very upset."

A light laugh came from the other end.

"There are no everlasting banquets under heaven. Tell Luo that he shouldn’t be too sad."

From her tone, her mood seemed normal, and the resignation didn’t seem to have affected her too much.

"Teacher Xiang Tian, what are your plans next?"

Jiang Chen asked with polite concern.

"Haven’t thought about it yet, going back to my country first, to rest for a while,"

the other lazily responded.

Indeed.

With her qualifications, she wouldn’t have to worry about making a living; she would live well anywhere,

Jiang Chen fell silent, not knowing what to say.

"Jiang Chen, sorry I can’t say goodbye in person. I’m really glad to have known you."

"Me too."

"Really? Hehe, then I’m relieved."

Even without seeing her, the laughter that came through still possessed a bewitching charm.

"Jiang Chen, remember to take care of yourself."

At a loss for words, all Jiang Chen could say was, "Have a safe journey."

"Thank you."

Koda Kaoru seemed to lean closer to the microphone suddenly, her faint breath, as if carried on radio waves with the warm wind, brushed against Jiang Chen’s ear.

"Jiang Chen, let’s not say goodbye. All farewells are for better reunions. I believe we will meet again."

"I just hope that when we do meet again, you’ll still remember me."

Jiang Chen found these words a bit odd.

I just hope that when we do meet again, you’ll still remember me?

Does she mean not to forget her?

It doesn’t seem quite right.

But before he could say more, the call had been disconnected.

Jiang Chen slowly put down his phone, not even having had time to ask about the gift.

The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

Huainan.

The sky was clear and cloudless.

Perhaps it was the exhaustion, but Meng Jiye, once off the plane, looked somewhat uncomfortable, his complexion slightly darken.

"Do you want to rest at the hotel first?"

Shi Zhenhua turned his head.

"No need."

Meng Jiye forced a smile; his pallor wasn’t due to fatigue.

Despite his unwillingness, he ultimately could not defy Shi Zhenhua’s authority.

The group exited the airport through the VIP passageway.

"Chairman."

The Huainan side had been notified and sent a convoy to pick them up; it was an imposing sight.

People in suits and leather shoes opened the car doors respectfully.

Shi Zhenhua and Meng Jiye got into a stretched Lincoln.

The rest of the entourage got into other cars.

Ignoring the awed gazes of the pedestrians, the convoy made its way out.

"Chairman, Director Shi, I am Qi Wei, the general manager of Huainan Jinhai Energy, a subsidiary of the Huainan branch office,"

A soundproof partition separated the driver’s seat from the back of the extended Lincoln, ensuring absolute privacy.

A middle-aged man in his forties sat upright opposite Shi Zhenhua and Meng Jiye.

As a leading private enterprise, Jin Hai Industrial had numerous subsidiaries, with Huainan Jinhai Energy being one among the branches.

Logically, a person of Qi Wei’s rank would not qualify to be receiving them at the airport.

"Chu Tai?"

Meng Jiye asked.

Chu Tai.

The head of the Huainan branch, the person in charge of Jin Hai’s operations in Huainan; logically, he would be the obvious choice to pick them up.

Qi Wei showed an embarrassed look.

"He doesn’t know we’re here," Shi Zhenhua said indifferently. "Tell Meng about the situation in Huainan in detail."

"Yes."

Qi Wei hurriedly passed the prepared documents to them; Shi Zhenhua and Meng Jiye each received a copy, and at the same time, he explained, "Two years ago, under Director Chu’s guidance, our Huainan Energy spent a total of eighteen billion to acquire three mines. However, after acquiring them, we found that, apart from one mine, the reserves in the others were seriously lacking, and they were difficult to exploit. Because of this acquisition, our Huainan Energy’s finances became quite tight, and coupled with the continuous downturn in coal prices, so..."

Meng Jiye interrupted impatiently, "Get to the point."

"Yes."

Qi Wei gathered his words and swiftly condensed them, "Recently, our Huainan Energy encountered some financial difficulties, I asked Director Chu for help, but he told us to solve our own problems, so I had to plan to sell the three mines together. But the price offered by the buyer was only twenty-eight billion."

At this, Meng Jiye couldn’t help but frown.

He might not be the most capable, but he certainly wasn’t foolish; in terms of business talent, he was definitely stronger than average.

"You spent eighteen billion at the time of purchase, and now can only sell for twenty-eight billion? How much have you lost in two years?"

Qi Wei muttered and hesitated, not daring to respond.

"Have you reported this situation to Chu Tai?"

Meng Jiye continued to press.

"I did, but Director Chu said that we need to solve our problems ourselves."

Well, well.

Through a brief exchange, Meng Jiye realized that there was deep trouble brewing here.

No wonder Shi Zhenhua had come personally.

"Was it Chu Tai who told you to buy those mines?"

"Yes, I had warned Director Chu at the time, considering the coal industry’s slump, we needed to be cautious, but Director Chu didn’t listen."

"One hundred fifty-two billion in two years, even robbing banks wouldn’t be this fast," Meng Jiye murmured.

Shi Zhenhua was silent, quietly perusing the documents.

Whilst the sun shone brightly outside the car window, a storm seemed to be fermenting in the shadows.