Chapter 122: You Are Nothing But an Abacus

"You brat! How dare you hang up on me? Do you think you can just stop acting in front of Qiao Ya? Don't forget, there's another bond market fluctuation in ten days!"

Wu Ya vented all his fury into the receiver, but alas, such a signal was destined never to reach Huang Silu.

"Sigh, forget it. It seems this kid has really been put through the wringer by Qiao Ya these past few days. I’ll be the bigger man and let it slide. I suppose I’ll just have to pay him a visit myself."

After muttering to himself for a while, Wu Ya put down the phone, got up, and left on his bicycle.

"His father, has Ya'er been too tense lately? Why does he act so strange?" Zhang Caixia watched her son’s retreating back, her face etched with worry. After all, he was only eighteen. Even with the support of Liu Qian’s parents, creating such a large business required immense effort. Add to that the jealousy of the neighbors and the constant meddling of petty people, and it was enough to exhaust any adult, let alone her son.

"Who knows! The boy is always coming and going in such a rush, never telling us anything. Who knows what he's up to? But he's a boy, and going through some trials is never a bad thing. Don't worry so much." Wu Wanli’s words sounded indifferent, but he couldn't hide the clear concern in his eyes.

By now, Wu Ya had long since disappeared.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

Soon, Wu Ya was knocking on Huang Silu’s door.

*Creak.*

"Why is it you? You’re like a ghost that won’t go away!" As soon as Huang Silu appeared, his professional-looking smile froze instantly. The next second—*slam!* With a loud bang, he shut the door right in Wu Ya's face.

"You brat! Do you think I’m here to deliver gifts? Because I showed up empty-handed, you immediately close the door? Is this how you Huangs, how your Five Classics Company treats me? So you're going to be that rude, huh? Fine. I’ll see if you don’t open this door and let me in."

Wu Ya stood before the gate and began to shout at the top of his lungs. But before he could finish... *Whoosh!*

"Get in here, you idiot!" As the door swung open, Huang Silu grabbed him and hauled him inside.

"Heh heh, I thought you didn't like opening your door! What, changed your mind about letting me in?" Wu Ya rolled his shoulders and shook his leg, looking like a total nuisance waiting to be punched. He looked at Huang Silu with nothing but mockery.

"Are you trying to get my old man killed? Standing at the gate shouting like that—why don't you just go report us to the Discipline Inspection Commission instead?" Huang Silu’s anger hadn't dissipated—it couldn't! This jerk was literally standing at his front door airing dirty laundry about gray-market dealings. Even if it wouldn't directly affect his father, gossip spreads, and people love to talk over tea. His family already had enough talk surrounding them; he didn't need this, especially from his own best friend.

"Oh? I got excited and forgot where I was! My bad. As your brother, I offer you a proper apology!" Wu Ya feigned sudden realization. He bent over and gave Huang Silu a formal bow, but the posture looked intentionally awkward and mocking.

"Are you doing this on purpose to piss me off? Even your bow looks like you're attending a funeral! Wu Ya, I’m going to skin you alive!" Huang Silu couldn't take it anymore. With a roar, he bolted toward the kitchen.

"Whoa, my dear brother! Don't do that, or this really will turn into a funeral!" Wu Ya flashed forward, intercepting him in two steps. "Alright, alright, stop being angry. Let’s calm down, okay?"

"Fine. What do you want? If it’s something small, don’t bother; if it’s something big, I can’t do it anyway!" Huang Silu sighed, turned around, and sat on the sofa, fuming. Why was he so unlucky? He’d just been tortured by Qiao Ya for being neglectful, forgetting her birthday, and having a huge falling out. And now, this disaster Wu Ya shows up. He didn't even offer a word of comfort, just provocation. What a piece of work.

"Heh heh, it's about what I was calling you for... oh wait, you hung up before I could finish! Here is the thing..." Wu Ya quickly explained the entire plan he had discussed with Director Pei in detail. He knew exactly how to ask for favors, especially when going through an intermediary. If you miss a detail or leave something out, the result could be a hundred thousand miles away from your goal, because the middleman might "misread the scripture." Of course, Wu Ya was also being this detailed because of Huang Silu.

Huang Silu might be a terrible student, but he had grown up around the nuances of social maneuvering. The clearer the instructions, the better he knew how to take the shortest path.

"Hmm, this matter..." After listening, Huang Silu blinked at Wu Ya, his face finally showing the first trace of a smile since Wu Ya entered. Wu Ya felt relieved. *The brat can do it.* But before his smile could fully bloom, Huang Silu’s face changed. "This is going to be tough!"

"You..." This sudden shift made Wu Ya jump up, fists raised, ready to use violence.

"I’m serious! This really isn't easy to handle!" Huang Silu said with a grave expression, then fell into deep thought. Wu Ya’s movements froze, and he started to worry. He knew Huang Silu wasn't joking anymore. It made sense; this involved hundreds of thousands in funds. How could it be easy? Especially since, while Huang Silu’s father had status, he was in the Five Classics Company—a completely different agency from the neighborhood office. He would have to pull strings.

"Fatty Huang, just give me a straight answer. Can you do it or not? If not, I need to tell Director Pei quickly so I don't mislead him."

A long time passed. Seeing Huang Silu still in a gloomy, contemplative state, Wu Ya lost his patience. "Oh? What did you say?" Huang Silu hadn't even heard him.

Wu Ya was annoyed. "Fatty Huang, are you thinking about my business or about Qiao Ya?"

To his surprise, the answer was, "I'm thinking about Qiao Ya!"

*Pfft!* Wu Ya nearly coughed up blood. He stared at Huang Silu with wide, bloodshot eyes, as if he could kill him with his gaze. But to Huang Silu, this ferocious look was still leisurely. "Why are you looking at me like that? Did I answer wrong?"

Wu Ya gave up. He was truly beaten. "Fatty Huang, the matter I’m talking to you about is urgent! Help me with this, and I’ll help you win Qiao Ya back!"

*Win her back?* Huang Silu’s ears perked up. "No problem! Small matter! I’ll call my old man right now! Aren't those neighborhood officials always drinking and carousing with my father?"

*Damn it.* It turned out it was just a phone call away! Wu Ya suddenly realized he’d been played. *How did this fatty get so smart?* He was intentionally playing dumb, forcing Wu Ya to make an offer. And look—the moment the condition was set, he was all-in.

A wave of humiliation washed over Wu Ya. But soon, he let out a long sigh. Huang Silu was already on the phone. Now wasn't the time to interrupt. Besides, hadn't he played tricks on Huang Silu plenty of times? It was just karma.

In less than three minutes, Huang Silu looked at Wu Ya with a smirk. "How is it?"

This time, Wu Ya didn't let his guard down. This was a major matter—it concerned his future plans! Plus, after being toyed with by this brat, he refused to jump to conclusions. "Heh, let's hear it."

"My old man said it’s a piece of cake! Not only can he speak for you, but he can get the whole thing approved for you directly!"

What? Wu Ya froze. He felt his head buzzing. He had only expected a little help to get the ball rolling, but who knew the great Manager Huang would be so enthusiastic? He’d gone all the way. It was an unexpected windfall! Even Wu Ya, who had lived thirty-nine years and been reborn, couldn't suppress his excitement.

But he quickly restrained his smile. "Fatty Huang, tell your father to make sure the buyback time—the time the funds are approved—isn't too soon! Try to get me a two-year term!"

A two-year term was most beneficial to him. Not only would he recover a large portion of the contract fees, but the equipment could be bought back just as it reached the end of its depreciation. It was a bit ruthless, but business is business. He had invested the initial capital, after all. Who works for free?

"Don't worry! You think I sit around at home doing nothing? I didn't study finance for nothing! I might not have learned much else, but when it comes to crunching numbers... truthfully, it's my natural strength!"

Huang Silu was bragging, but he exposed himself with that last remark. "Heh, I really thought you’d learned something. Turns out you're just a human abacus," Wu Ya said with disdain, returning to their usual banter.

"Hey, I handled your business. When are you going to handle mine?" Huang Silu didn't let him get away with it. *Distraction?* Wu Ya might have the heart for it, but Huang Silu didn't have the mood. How to stop Qiao Ya from causing a scene was the real priority.

Wu Ya just smiled faintly and turned to look at the scenery outside. *Now you're anxious?* Sorry, I need to relax. You had me on edge this whole time!

Huang Silu frowned. *Playing hard to get, are we?* "Fine, you rest then. I have other private matters to discuss with my father." He stood up, heading toward the bedroom where the extension phone was.

Before he could even leave the living room, Wu Ya spoke. "Tell Qiao Ya that you’ve been deep in research on the bond market for the past few days because you predicted a fluctuation in ten days! That’s why you’ve been neglecting her."

*Perfect.* But... "Are you certain the bond market will fluctuate in ten days?" Huang Silu asked, full of doubt. If the timing was off, the effect would be weak. Girls were experts at picking holes in things. If he set her expectations high and things went wrong, he’d be asking for a tongue-lashing.

"You're sure?" Even though Wu Ya had told him this before, in the heat of their argument, Huang Silu didn't dare take even the slightest risk.