Chapter 27: Alone with Big Brother (1)
After glancing at the message, Jian Yiling quickly turned off her phone, choosing not to respond immediately. She wasn't fond of having too much interaction with Qin Chuan, and she had no intention of revealing her true identity regarding the investment opportunity. According to the original storyline, there was little doubt that Qin Chuan's project would be successful, and Jian Yiling saw no reason to miss out on a lucrative chance to earn money.
Although she didn't particularly like the male lead, that didn't stop her from wanting to make a profit from him. In fact, she had shifted her focus entirely; rather than seeking Qin Chuan's affection, she was now more interested in leveraging his financial potential. In her previous mindset, she might have wanted his heart, but now, she aimed to have him earn money for her instead.
To ensure that she secured her investment before the original investors appeared, Jian Yiling decided to invest in Qin Chuan's venture, asking for only 20% equity. She anticipated that when the real investors arrived, they would capitalize on the urgent need for funding, demanding as much as 30% equity. By acting first, Jian Yiling could ensure that even when the expected investors showed up, Qin Chuan and his team would be more inclined to accept her offer instead.
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When school was over, Jian Yiling noticed a change in her usual routine. Instead of the familiar driver waiting for her, it was Jian Yuncheng who had come to pick her up. Their mother, Wen Nuan, had only taken a brief two-day rest before heading back to the hospital to swap shifts with Jian Yuncheng. As a mother, Wen Nuan wanted to be there for her son during his lowest moments, offering her support in any way she could. No matter how skilled or attentive a hired caregiver might be, nothing could replace the comfort of a mother's presence. Thus, Wen Nuan insisted on taking care of Jian Yunyin herself.
As Jian Yiling studied her brother's face, she could see the obvious signs of exhaustion etched on it. Over the past few weeks, Jian Yuncheng had been juggling responsibilities: caring for their younger brother while also managing his expanding company overseas. He often found himself burning the midnight oil, staying up until three or four in the morning, and averaging less than four hours of sleep each night. Just a few days ago, he had fallen ill with a fever but had merely taken some medication and rested for a short time before getting back to work.
"Today it's just the two of us at home. What do you feel like eating? We can grab something outside," Jian Yuncheng suggested, instructing Aunt An to head to the hospital to look after Wen Nuan. With their brother still hospitalized, he couldn't afford for their mother to fall ill.
Jian Yuncheng's demeanor toward Jian Yiling had noticeably softened compared to before. While still serious and often wearing a stern expression, he had begun to show a bit more warmth in his tone.
Jian Yiling studied her brother for a moment, her gaze dropping. "Let's eat at home. You're too busy to go out," she replied, noting the red veins in his eyes that suggested he was in desperate need of rest.
"Alright," Jian Yuncheng agreed, his expression brightening slightly. "Then let's just order takeout." He was far too drained to go out to eat, and the thought of a cozy meal at home was inviting.
When they arrived home, Jian Yuncheng noticed several delivery boxes piled up in the entryway—at least seven or eight, all addressed to Jian Yiling. Aunt An had helped her sign for them while he was at school. He didn't pry into what she had ordered; their family had always given the children the freedom to manage their own finances. From a young age, they had been encouraged to develop a sense of financial independence and responsibility.
At Jian Yuncheng's age, he had already started experimenting with buying stocks and mutual funds. So, whatever Jian Yiling had purchased online was none of his business as her older brother.
"Why don't you go take a nap? I'll get everything ready for dinner and call you when it's done," Jian Yiling suggested, gently nudging her brother toward the study. As she spoke, her eyes avoided direct contact with his, focusing instead on the floor.
Jian Yuncheng caught a glimpse of her round face and the soft strands of her hair falling around it. He mistakenly assumed that when she said she'd handle dinner, she meant she would be in charge of ordering the food.
"Sounds good to me. I'm not picky," he replied, not seeing any reason to object.
What Jian Yuncheng didn't realize was that as soon as he retreated to the study, Jian Yiling stepped into the kitchen. After quickly checking the ingredients in the fridge, she began preparing dinner for the two of them.