The Billionaire's Hidden Affection-Chapter 367: The Beginning of Independence 2_1

"What’s the matter?"

Xu Xiaoya hesitated a bit. "I’m afraid you’ll be upset."

Yan Xixi smiled. "Should we be beating around the bush?"

Only then did Xu Xiaoya speak up. "When I resigned, Zhang Xiang gave me a check..."

Yan Xixi was well aware of this sum of money. It was a whopping seven-figure bonus.

"Zhang Xiang said it was my share of the profits, allocated by the Third Young Master as per our contract. But I know, the truth is, this was all the Third Young Master looking out for us..."

The profits from the luxury goods store were indeed massive. The distribution itself wasn’t wrong—however, no costs had been accounted for. This meant that not only was the initial investment not deducted, but even the rent wasn’t factored in. What Xu Xiaoya received was pure profit, which was why the amount was so large.

To put it bluntly, it was a favor from Wan Donglin.

Yan Xixi had thoroughly reviewed the company’s books at the beginning of the year, so she understood this completely.

She responded nonchalantly, "Xiaoya, the money is rightfully yours. What’s there to fear?"

"Xixi, what I mean is, I want to invest all this money into our store..."

Yan Xixi was slightly surprised.

Xu Xiaoya was very straightforward. "I’m optimistic about this industry and believe it can be profitable. However, I hope this will be our joint venture, not something where we’re completely dependent on Huang Xiaojue’s whims. I want to invest all of this money, plus everything we currently have. With that, even if Huang Xiaojue weren’t involved, we could still run it ourselves and wouldn’t owe too many favors. That way, regardless of your future relationship with Huang Xiaojue, we wouldn’t be left in a bind..."

Yan Xixi didn’t know what to say for a moment.

She had considered this issue before. In fact, ever since Huang Xiaojue’s mother began to distance herself from and warn her, she had sensed a looming shadow. What would happen if this store were entirely Huang Xiaojue’s investment and a problem arose between them in the future? Would she and Xu Xiaoya fail utterly again?

This wasn’t just about her. Xiaoya had originally been doing well at the boutique. She had resigned, giving up everything, to stand by her through thick and thin.

What if such a situation arose again? Would Xu Xiaoya have to bear the consequences of a breakup and a career setback once more, just like Yan Xixi had?

Experience is the best teacher.

Business is business, and personal favors are personal favors.

When business at the boutique had been booming, Yan Xixi had admittedly been pleased. However, since she hadn’t invested a penny, no matter how eager she was, she dared not claim the shop as her own. But if it were her own investment, that would be different. She would truly have a say then.

Besides, Huang Xiaojue’s ambition didn’t lie in running a shop. His own career was so demanding. How could he possibly have the mind to manage this? He had only provided the funds and effort out of his affection for her.

Or perhaps, it was his indirect way of compensating her for being forced to resign.

If she could solve the problem herself, why place all the pressure on Huang Xiaojue?

She couldn’t pin all her hopes on a man for her entire life. If leaving a man meant she would be ruined—what was the point of that?

Only then did she realize: Xiaoya already possessed such a strong sense of crisis, yet she herself had still been hoping to rely entirely on Huang Xiaojue.

Xu Xiaoya was very straightforward. "Xixi, after all we’ve been through, I’m truly wary now. You can rely on a mountain, but it might collapse; you can rely on a man, but he might run away. We really have to rely on ourselves."

It was a true wake-up call.

Yan Xixi hesitated slightly. "Xiaoya, if you invest all your money, you won’t have any left. That..."