"Invest? Invest in what?"
Gong Nanyan looked slightly puzzled.
Mu An had no intention of hiding anything.
"I have quite a few unique food recipes, and I just happen to have some spare cash."
"So I plan to open a restaurant, and I wonder what Nanyan thinks about that?"
How to maintain a long-term relationship with someone?
Money and business are a good excuse!
Mu An was planning to do just that.
If it were someone else, Gong Nanyan might have rejected the idea without a second thought.
With so many restaurants around, without exceptional cooking skills, it would be impossible to survive in such fierce competition!
But thinking of Mu An's earlier display of culinary skills, she knew there was real potential, and she felt a strange flutter in her heart.
If a restaurant really opened, she would have a stable job.
She could even find time to accompany Young Bai!
Having been busy with life, she had already missed many moments of her daughter's growth!
"I might not have much money to invest..."
Gong Nanyan bit her lip, contemplating, but still wanted to choose to give up.
She recognized the reality!
The current reality for her was that she was poor!
That also meant she could only choose to give up!
Even though she knew that the end of this path might lead to success!
[Because my family is really too poor to have any money, Gong Nanyan hesitated for a long time but still decided to refuse, although she felt regretful and a bit sorry for your suggestion... Emotion fluctuation +15, congratulations, you have received the reward [Money +2 million]!]
...
"Don't be in a hurry to refuse, let me clarify first, I don't intend to have you invest money."
"However, I will still give you corresponding shares!"
Mu An said with a light smile.
He was well aware of her situation.
His fundamental purpose was not to make money, but to gain emotional rewards from her.
So, no matter what, he would pull Gong Nanyan onto his 'battle wagon'!
"What does this mean?"
Gong Nanyan was a bit confused.
How could one get shares without money? Is there really such a free lunch in the world?!
"My plan is this: you will be the owner of our newly opened restaurant."
"I won't pay you a fixed salary, but your commission will be based on the restaurant's monthly revenue."
"The higher the revenue, the higher your commission will naturally be!"
"I will also give you a 10% share upfront, and at the end of the year, you can receive a certain dividend based on the number of shares."
"But obtaining this job and the 10% share comes with conditions."
"My condition is that you must work under me for at least ten years!"
"If you can accept that, then we can go sign the contract when we have time!"
Mu An slowly laid out his conditions.
In fact, he was also digging a pit.
And taking this opportunity to bind Gong Nanyan, the female lead, to his side.
Even if in the future, that Dragon King protagonist had the ability to snatch back his wife.
As long as Mu An wrote an astronomical penalty for breach of contract that the other party couldn't afford in advance,
Then the other party would either have to pay up or be subjected to legal action from him.
And either choice would severely impact the protagonist's luck!
"This..."
With such generous conditions laid out before her, made Gong Nanyan hesitated instead.
After all, the two are not related by blood; at most, they can be considered friends...
"Xiao Mu, why are you going to such lengths for me?"
"I... I'm not as good as you think, and I've already..."
Gong Nanyan lightly bit her lip and instinctively turned her face away. She didn't want the other person to see the glimmer of moisture in her eyes. Her heart, which had been silent and cold for many years, seemed to be touched at this moment.
[Due to your repeated help, Gong Nanyan's heart is not made of stone; she has been deeply moved. She admits that she seems to have a strong affection for you. Emotional fluctuation +20, congratulations, you have received the reward [Stamina +5]!]
...
"Why? Because you are Youbo's mother!"
Mu An looked at her with a smile, even teasing her.
"I am Youbo's 'baba'! Isn't that what I should do?"
"Don't worry about losing money by opening a restaurant with me. I have many food recipes in hand, each one a brand new top-tier taste experience. Once they are released, they will definitely sell like hotcakes! At that time, you just need to count the money!"
"Besides..."
Mu An steeled his heart and suddenly boldly wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into his embrace and whispering in her ear.
"I've always wanted to have an older sister like Sister Nanyan; this can be considered a kind of reward..."
Such words made Gong Nanyan's pretty face instantly flush. Her long-sealed girlhood heart began to beat violently at this moment. It seemed like a lively little deer awakened with the arrival of spring, happily bouncing around, curiously observing this heart-stirring new world!
[Your words have made the other person feel moved, emotional fluctuation +15, congratulations, you have received the reward [Physique +1]!]
[From Gong Nanyan's shy emotional fluctuation +20, congratulations, you have received the reward [Fortune +20]!]
...
"Then... I look forward to your guidance!"
Gong Nanyan took a deep breath. In fact, she didn't resist such words in her heart. Perhaps it was because of that time when he stood in front of her to block the criminals. Perhaps it was that time he helped her treat her ankle. Or maybe it was when he cured Youbo's illness in a moment of crisis. Or when he made Youbo smile again and found 'baba'...
"I am quite a domineering person; I hope you can adapt in the future!"
"I wonder if I can see the real Sister Nanyan?"
Mu An continued to act domineeringly, showing no signs of hiding his thoughts. Just as he was about to pull down the mask she was wearing, it seemed to trigger some fatal switch. Gong Nanyan suddenly broke free.
"Xiao Mu... actually, I don't look as good as you imagine!"
"An accident years ago left me disfigured... So, can you let me selfishly keep the last beautiful image I have in your heart?"
As she spoke, tears filled her eyes, and her gaze was filled with pleading, making her look heartbreakingly sad.
"The past fire accident left Gong Nanyan with lingering memories, becoming an eternal pain in her heart."
"If it weren't for her daughter, she might have forever remained trapped in her own world, unwilling to come out!"
[From Gong Nanyan's sad emotional fluctuation +20, congratulations, you have received the reward [Proficiency +5000]!]
Mu An fell silent for a moment, knowing he had touched on her 'wound.' But this 'wound' was also his breakthrough point to make her explode with gold coins! He gently wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes with his large hand and said softly.
"Alright, let's not cry anymore! As my Sister Nanyan, it wouldn't look good if you keep crying!"
"You little rascal, who is your Sister Nanyan? You just know how to sweet-talk!"
"Hmph! I don't even know how many naive girls you've tricked with this line!!"
Gong Nanyan was amused and broke into laughter, pretending to be angry and pouting.
"I only want to trick you now; I wonder if Sister Nanyan can give me this face?"
"Hmph! That depends on your performance!"
Gong Nanyan couldn't help but let out a soft hum. Her eyes were filled with affection, like spring water! And that fleeting charm was priceless!
Mu An was somewhat mesmerized, unwilling to snap back to reality for a long time! He lowered his head, slightly adjusting his mood. As expected of the female lead, she almost made him lose his composure!
Soon, Gong Nanyan also realized that her behavior was somewhat inappropriate. She lowered her head, her ears flushed, her body slightly trembling, as if she was still forcibly enduring something. She had just acted coyly towards a man much younger than her. This was truly... too embarrassing!
But it seemed that this version of her was the real her! And the real her had been suppressed by life for too long... Perhaps she should indulge herself a little!
After all, such opportunities were rare!
[Gong Nanyan felt very ashamed of her earlier coy behavior, emotional fluctuation +15, congratulations, you have received the reward [Proficiency +2000]!]
"Ahem, how about this! Why don't you go take a shower and relax? It will be just in time for dinner later!"
"And I have a magical pill here; taking it might bring unexpected surprises!"
Mu An winked at her and handed her a small wooden box. Inside was the [Perfect Beauty Pill]! If the last line of defense in her heart was her concern about her appearance, then he would completely break it!
After all, he was the super considerate, villainous character who only thought about earning emotional rewards!
"Hmph! You better behave and cook; don't peek! Otherwise..."
"Otherwise, what?" Mu An instinctively replied.
"Otherwise, I won't let Youbo call you 'baba' anymore!"
It seemed that many of her mental barriers had been lifted, and Gong Nanyan now had a bit more of a playful and proud demeanor. The feeling of a girl and a mature woman intertwining made it hard for Mu An to resist; he almost couldn't hold back!
"Don't worry, I'm a gentleman! I promise I won't peek!"
"And who knows, after your shower, Sister Nanyan, you might feel a sense of rebirth?!"
Mu An cheerfully assured her. As for the effect of the Perfect Beauty Pill, he decided to keep it a surprise for now!
He couldn't wait to see a flood of emotional rewards rushing towards him!
...
Splashing sounds~
Water droplets escaping from the showerhead fell like flowers scattered by a celestial maiden, continuously gliding over Gong Nanyan's face, which trembled every time she touched it.
Her eyes held a hint of pain.
If she could, she would wish it were just a dream!
The droplets stopped sliding down.
When Gong Nanyan reached for her clothes, she accidentally touched a box beside her.
It was the box that Mu An had given her earlier.
Could that little rascal be playing tricks, and actually have something else inside...?
As if she thought of something, her face flushed slightly.
But when she opened it, she found that it was indeed just a pill.
The delicate fragrance was quite refreshing.
Aside from that, there were no other items.
For some reason, Gong Nanyan felt a faint sense of disappointment.
But recalling what Mu An had said, she swallowed the pill without asking what its effects were.
This was, to some extent, an absolute trust in him!
"It seems like it doesn't have any effect..."
Gong Nanyan couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.
But soon, she realized that her face was starting to itch.
And the itchy spots were mainly where her face had been disfigured!
Could it be...
An incredible thought suddenly arose in her mind.
When she stood in front of the mirror again to take a closer look, she was completely stunned.
Is this still her?
The areas that had been disfigured were shedding, revealing smooth, tender new skin like that of a baby.
In the blink of an eye, an incredibly beautiful face appeared in the mirror.
Gong Nanyan touched her face in a daze, tears welling up in her eyes.
She even felt like she had returned to being eighteen, as if she had shed invisible shackles, feeling light all over.
The calluses on her hands from years of hard work gradually disappeared.
Her skin was as smooth as ice and snow, plump and tender!
...
[Due to the exceptional effects of your Perfect Beauty Pill, Gong Nanyan was deeply shocked. She was filled with disbelief at being able to restore her appearance, emotional fluctuation +25, congratulations, you have received the reward [Physique +5]!]
[Remembering that this pill was given to her by you, Gong Nanyan's heart was filled with gratitude and emotion, emotional fluctuation +30, congratulations, you have received the reward [Proficiency +10,000]!]
[You perfectly resolved the inner knot in her heart. Gong Nanyan wanted to share this joy with her closest person immediately, emotional fluctuation +22, congratulations, you have received the reward [Title: I am a Cold-Blooded Killer]!]
[Title: I am a Cold-Blooded Killer]: After equipping this title, you will master the strongest assassination techniques in the world and automatically enter a state of absolute calm during bullet time thinking!
At the same time, your physique and mental strength will increase tenfold! No side effects!
(Daily time limit: one hour)
——————
On the other side.
Mu An looked at the pile of emotional rewards, almost unable to contain his smile.
He knew that Gong Nanyan, this female lead gold mine, would definitely explode!
But he never expected it to explode so delightfully!
Just that title alone was enough for him to break even!
Not to mention the strongest assassination techniques and bullet time thinking state.
The latter, with no side effects and a tenfold increase in mental strength and physique for an hour, could become an incredibly powerful trump card in his hands!
"Dad, what are you laughing at?"
"I suddenly remembered something happy!"
"What happy thing?"
"Just... something happy! Being able to sit down and have dinner with you, isn't that something to be happy about?"
After Mu An's correct explanation, You Bai suddenly understood and giggled.
"In that case, You Bai is also very happy!"
"What is so happy?"
At this moment, Gong Nanyan, who had just finished bathing, walked in gracefully.
Perhaps due to the steam from the hot water, her pretty face had a hint of alluring redness.
She wasn't wearing that familiar mask.
Instead, she revealed her stunning beauty.
Her phoenix eyes sparkled with spring, and her smile was almost overflowing!
"Mommy, you look so beautiful today!"
You Bai's eyes sparkled as she hugged Gong Nanyan's thigh.
"Really? Wasn't Mommy beautiful before?"
Gong Nanyan pretended to be angry as she pinched You Bai's little earlobe.
"Hehe, Mommy looks good every day! In You Bai's heart, Mommy is the most beautiful person in the world!"
"You little smooth talker, your mouth is so sweet!"
Gong Nanyan couldn't do anything about her spoiled daughter.
But when she saw Mu An's gaze fixed on her, she shyly lowered her head.
"Are you... not done looking yet?!"
"Not enough, I can never get enough in this lifetime!"
Mu An said with a smile.
He never hid his appreciation for beautiful things!
That gaze was like being in a moving large gold mine, and he loved it!
Gong Nanyan was extremely shy, not daring to meet his gaze.
[From Gong Nanyan's shy emotional fluctuation +12, congratulations, you have received the reward [Money +2 million]!]
"Hehe, Dad and Mom are so shameless! Showing off their love in public! You Bai is hungry, I want to eat first!"
Gong You Bai made a funny face.
She skillfully pulled Gong Nanyan's hand to Mu An's hand.
The three hands tightly overlapped, just like a truly harmonious family!
"Let's eat!"
"Come try this hairy crab I made; it tastes so good!"
"Hehe, I want to give Mommy some first!"
"Then what about Dad?"
"Hehe, then Dad can have some too!"
...
After an unknown amount of time, a sumptuous dinner came to an end.
The already sleepy You Bai went to her room to sleep.
Outside, only Mu An and Gong Nanyan remained.
"Sister Nanyan, I suddenly remembered that your ankle hasn't been completely healed yet!"
"How about... I take good care of your ankle again?"
Mu An suddenly chuckled.
He said it was to treat her ankle, but his true thoughts were unknown.
But it was certain that he wanted to explode her coins.
In response, however, was a soft, mosquito-like hum from the woman.
"Mm!"
As for the treatment matters, they are not to be disclosed to outsiders.