Chapter 26
Jiang Shangwan’s call came through quickly. She seemed to be in a noisy, crowded place, through the receiver, Shi Yu could hear loud rhythmic music playing and many people whispering, which muffled her words.
She covered the receiver with her hand, trying to make her voice clearer: “I’m drinking at a bar. Why are you giving me so many shares? I never got any message from you asking me to invest. So, is the project you mentioned last time done?”
Shi Yu couldn’t help but curve the corner of his lips. His tone was light, hiding a trace of a smile: “I want to give them to you.”
Because it was too noisy on Jiang Shangwan’s side, Shi Yu’s words were hard to catch. She thought he meant he was planning to spend a lot on promotion, so she said, “I’ll have my assistant send you the materials, to your school? Also send me the details on the project completion. After the PR department finishes review in the next couple of days, they will start working on it.”
“The shares are for you. The rest isn’t necessary. When you’re drinking, remember to eat something to settle your stomach, you’ll feel better.”
Jiang Shangwan frowned slightly and tilted her head, wanting to ask clearly again, but the call had already been disconnected.
Jiang Shangwan: ……?
—
When Shi Yu pushed open the door to the private room, Lin Chuan was bending over, pouring tea from a dark blue teapot into a ceramic cup. The fragrant tea poured out, with a faint white mist rising.
Hearing the door open, Lin Chuan paused, the teapot knocking the table with a bang.
He quickly called out to Shi Yu, “Mom, this is my roommate Shi Yu, God Yu!”
Shi Yu nodded slightly and looked toward the beautiful woman sitting in a sandalwood chair with her eyes lowered. A large oval jade pendant of bright green hung quietly over her gold-embroidered qipao.
She was well-maintained, looking no more than in her early thirties. Her gentle almond-shaped eyes were half-closed. She took a delicate sip of hot tea. It was hard to imagine such calm elegance belonged to Lin Chuan’s lively, outgoing mother.
Suddenly she put down her cup, raised her head to meet Shi Yu’s gaze, and spoke warmly, “No wonder a friend privately told me that the participant didn’t look like my son at all. My son isn’t as handsome or tall as you.”
Lin Chuan rubbed his forehead, “Mom, I’m still standing right here! Is that okay to say?”
“Please sit.” Lin Chuan’s mother’s name was Wen Yuwan—truly fitting her graceful nature.
“At first, when I heard about investing in this period drama, I was a bit hesitant. I thought Xiao Chuan was just throwing money around recklessly. I had seen this production team before—Wang Jie has a strange temper, and the quality of his work isn’t always stable. The new screenwriter is also hard to figure out. I was unsure whether to put all my chips in, so I thought I’d just let Xiao Chuan try investing a little and practice.”
“But it turned out your choice was very successful.” Wen Yuwan looked at Shi Yu’s calm profile. This young man, about the same age as her son, was clearly much more mature and steady than her son.
“Actually, a large part of it was luck. The decision back then was mostly based on intuition,” Shi Yu said honestly.
When facing someone in a high position, honesty is the best answer.
It’s like stock trading—how to judge the right time to buy from complex charts isn’t just about analyzing rigid data, but more about a feeling: how much to buy, when to buy, whether to hold, add to the position, or cut losses and sell.
“No wonder he always praises you,” Wen Yuwan looked at Lin Chuan affectionately. “Investment requires keen insight—that’s what we call intuition. I insisted that Xiao Chuan study finance, but he didn’t like it. Yet, I found that although he isn’t good at investing, he’s very good at reading people.”
“Maybe he should be in charge of corporate management.”
“No need at all. Let me be a salted fish,” Lin Chuan said expressionlessly.
“I heard from Xiao Chuan that the stocks you picked have also brought good returns. Last time at the investment meeting, your split was 70% to you and 30% to him. Do you have any better ideas? Our family has many better resources. For example, would you be willing to work for the Lin family as a professional investor? I can offer you a more stable income,” Wen Yuwan said. “Starting at five million yuan a year.”
Shi Yu showed a brief flicker of surprise and hesitation. Then he stood up, poured himself a cup of hot tea, and respectfully toasted her: “Thank you for your trust. I didn’t expect that coming to dine with you would bring such a great opportunity.”
He lowered his head slightly, his smooth hair falling to cover half his eyes, but his expression was serious: “However, I’m very sorry. I have already started my own company and am preparing to launch it, so I may not be able to work for your enterprise.”
“That’s alright.”
Even though she was politely declined, no displeasure showed on Wen Yuwan’s face. She seemed quite pleased with Shi Yu’s words and manners. She smiled, “If you ever need anything, just contact us through Xiao Chuan. We’re willing to help you. You’re a smart and good kid.”
“Hey? Bro, you started a business? How come I didn’t know?”
“I just finished the paperwork these past few days. I also need to transfer part of the shares,” Shi Yu explained. “The project we worked on recently is the platform I’m preparing to launch.”
“No wonder. I saw you tapping away at your keyboard day and night, thought you were working on some competition again.”
“To be honest, although I won’t be working at your enterprise, I do have some ideas for cooperation,” Shi Yu carefully explained the concept and weak points of the ‘Wish Come True’ platform. “The following promotion is crucial. I need a key partner to help with publicity and intellectual property protection.”
“Interesting, this is the first time I’ve heard of such a concept.”
“Promotion won’t be a problem, and protecting your interests won’t be either. No one in Jiangcheng dares to openly embarrass the Lin family,” Wen Yuwan said, stroking the cup lid with her right hand and taking a small sip of tea. “The tea’s gone cold—let me pour some fresh tea.”
“If you’re willing, I can only offer you up to 20% equity,” Shi Yu said hesitantly. “Fifty percent is already in the hands of someone very important to me, the most I can offer is twenty.”
“Child, we don’t need equity,” Wen Yuwan refused his offer with a smile. “That’s not a big deal. This is your first starting point—keep your shares safe and don’t give them away easily. Work hard. When you succeed, if you’re in a good mood, you can give Xiao Chuan some pocket money.”
Shi Yu clasped his hands tightly, pressing his thumb into the webbing of his other hand, and pondered for a moment.
“I will definitely deliver a good result for you.”
“I believe that,” Wen Yuwan said. “You have a familiar aura, similar to my husband’s—resolute, self-assured, seemingly reserved but with a wild drive to push forward.” She shook her head helplessly. “It’s a pity Xiao Chuan didn’t inherit any of that, he just plays games all day.”
“He’s good,” Shi Yu said. “He’s warm, passionate, and has the courage to take on and let go when needed. Not everyone dares to entrust their investment rights entirely to someone else. When I first met him as a freshman, I could tell he grew up in a good family environment.”
“Exactly,” Lin Chuan muttered, pouting. “Both you and Dad look down on me all the time. I’ve been trying really hard, okay? You’re just too competitive.”
“Thank you,” Wen Yuwan said, liking Shi Yu more and more. He was the ideal son she wanted, but unfortunately, life doesn’t always go as planned—having children is like opening a blind box, the odds are random and not up to the parents’ wishes.
“Leave the subsequent promotion to us. Just send the specific materials to Xiao Chuan,” Wen Yuwan said, glancing at the time. “I have a meeting to attend, so I won’t see you back to school. You two can go back together.”
After Wen Yuwan left, Lin Chuan clicked his tongue. “See that? It’s rare to see my mom so gentle. I told you, if you were her son, she’d definitely be very pleased.”
“She must love you very much,” Shi Yu recalled his own parents. They had passed away when he was very young. Over the years, he barely remembered his mother’s face—whether she was gentle or stern.
“Heh heh, then we’ll share motherly love.”
“On one condition—you help me finish this week’s big assignment!”
“Dream on.”
“Hey hey hey!”
Shi Yu dodged the hand that tried to grab his clothes and turned away without mercy.
—
In June, the overwhelming presence of Wish Come True had gone live, with countless huge pink-background billboards plastered everywhere on platforms —
【Do you have an obsession?】
【Do you have a deeply desired wish that you want to fulfill but feel powerless to achieve?】
【Do you long for a platform where others can help and support your dreams and wishes?】
【Wish Come True helps you realize everything you want.】
From the website launch to the app’s public beta release, Wish Come True quickly and fiercely burst into countless people’s sight: shopping malls, subway platforms, TV ads, and even towering CBD skyscrapers were filled with its presence.
This dreamlike app, like relentless wild grass, quickly came into existence and spread. In a very short time, it took the top spot on the download charts. Along with that came a massive influx of new registered users, almost overwhelming the servers.
When Shi Yu first started his company, he rented only a small studio of a few dozen square meters and hired two programmers to maintain it. Now, they were sweating heavily: “Boss, this isn’t working—how come there are so, so, so many people…”
“This is just the beginning. Hold steady,” Shi Yu replied.
As the online time extended, more and more wishes were fulfilled, creating a positive feedback loop among users. More people, seeing others succeed, grew curious and tried the app for themselves.
In just a few days, Shi Yu’s company had expanded to dozens of employees and moved to an office in Jiangcheng’s CBD. Even with the high rent, the current revenue from Wish Come True easily covered it.
The flood of investment offers ignited the first high point of Shi Yu’s life.
In the evening, just after hanging up the phone, Shi Yu saw a rather unexpected message. His finger trembled slightly as he swiped the screen.
Jiang Shangwan: 【LA TERRAZZA Restaurant & Bar (Jiangcheng branch)】
The message was straightforward and brief, with no tone: 【Come before eight.】
—𝖦𝗈 to my Carrd and check my other works!—