Chapter Ninety-Seven: Bananas with Chili Sauce

After helping Wang Xiang finish his fight and charm some girls, Wang Xiang was grinning from ear to ear, loudly insisting on treating Yang Jiekai to drinks until they were both drunk and couldn’t leave.

“Cut the crap. I need to ask you something,” Yang Jiekai said, suddenly remembering his purpose for coming today. He pulled Wang Xiang aside. “Does your old man listen to you?”

Wang Xiang proudly replied, “Of course! I’m his only son. Whatever I say goes. Master, just tell me what you need—I promise I’ll get it done.”

Yang Jiekai nodded. “Alright. Do you remember the Ziyu Company?”

Wang Xiang thought for a moment. “Yeah, that’s your wife’s company. Last time, I even asked my old man to cooperate with Ziyu. What’s up, Master? Is the company in trouble again? Just say the word if you need help.”

Yang Jiekai nodded. “Good. Wait here for a moment.”

With that, Yang Jiekai took out his phone and stepped into a quiet corner, dialing Han Ning. “Wifey, I need to ask you something.”

Han Ning, who had been fretting over this matter and was visibly tired with red eyes from consecutive late nights, answered weakly, “Go ahead.”

“This company crisis—apart from funding, how many partners do you still need?”

Han Ning was taken aback, unsure why he was suddenly asking this, but answered honestly, “The more, the better.”

“Got it,” Yang Jiekai said, then hung up. Turning back, he was about to speak to Wang Xiang, only to find the young man had vanished.

“Wang Xiang!” Yang Jiekai shouted.

“Here!” came a distant reply, and Wang Xiang hurried over. “Master, what’s up?”

“Where the hell did you go? You disappeared just like that!” Yang Jiekai frowned.

Wang Xiang chuckled, “I just made a new girlfriend, so time’s a bit tight, hehe…”

“Get lost!” Yang Jiekai kicked Wang Xiang’s backside. “Right now, find the biggest private room you can, invite all the rich heirs you know. I have something important to tell you. And remember, only those with real family power—none of that small-time nonsense.”

“Ah?”

Wang Xiang was stunned, not understanding why Yang Jiekai was suddenly ordering this. “Master, what’s going on?”

“Damn it, just follow orders!”

“Yes, sir!”

Wang Xiang’s group of privileged playboys were generous with their spending. Yang Jiekai had only planned to find a quiet place to talk, but to his surprise, the group arrived in a convoy of sports cars, rushing to the finest nightclub in Anhai City. They booked the largest, most luxurious private room.

“Master, everyone’s here. Say what you need to say!” Wang Xiang said proudly.

Yang Jiekai nodded and didn’t waste time. Opening a bottle of wine for himself, he stood up. “Brothers, I had Wang Xiang bring you here today because I have a request…”

As soon as Yang Jiekai began, he noticed the expressions of Wang Xiang and the others change.

“What’s wrong?” Yang Jiekai asked, puzzled.

Wang Xiang was the first to stand, loudly shouting, “What did you just say? I didn’t catch that.”

Yang Jiekai was taken aback. What nerve was this guy on? Why was he suddenly angry?

Wang Xiang’s face turned serious as he continued, “You just called us brothers. That’s the biggest insult to me.”

“What insult?” Yang Jiekai was confused, not understanding how his words could offend them.

Wang Xiang spoke firmly, “As the saying goes, 'Once a teacher, always a father.' You’re my master, one generation above me. But just now, you called us brothers—that’s the greatest disrespect. I strongly protest!”

“Yes! Protest! Strongly protest!”

Most of those in the room had sworn allegiance to Yang Jiekai as their master alongside Wang Xiang, so they immediately began shouting in agreement.

Yang Jiekai could only laugh and shake his head. “Alright, my good disciples, I invited you here today because I have a favor to ask…”

“Master, what are you saying?” Wang Xiang interrupted again, displeased. “You’re our master, and we’re your disciples. If you have something to say, just say it. Since ancient times, masters don’t beg their disciples…”

Yang Jiekai was speechless. He took a deep breath and shouted, “Listen up! I have a task for you!”

“Hehe, that sounds more like it. Master, go ahead!” Wang Xiang said, finally satisfied.

Yang Jiekai wasn’t sure what to say—some people really preferred being scolded.

“This is the situation: your master’s wife is having some trouble. She needs partners for her business. Keep this in mind and, when you get home, no matter what it takes—starving, begging, crying, or whatever—you must convince your families to cooperate with Ziyu Company.”

“Yes, Master! We promise to complete the mission!” everyone stood up in unison.

Yang Jiekai nodded. “Good. I’ll check back with you in ten days. By then, I want a satisfactory answer. And remember, before I contact you, don’t leak a word of this to anyone!”

“We guarantee to complete the mission!”

At that moment, Zhao Xue, who had just sparred with Yang Jiekai, timidly spoke up, “Brother Yang, I have a favor to ask.”

Yang Jiekai looked at her kindly. “What is it? Go ahead.”

Zhao Xue looked serious. “I made a bet with Wang Xiang. If the people he brought could beat me, I’d become his girlfriend. I lost, so now I’m his girlfriend. Since Wang Xiang is your disciple, can I become your disciple too?”

She added, “Oh, my family also runs a company. I can help with your wife’s business.”

At that, Wang Xiang suddenly chimed in, “Master, just accept Xiaoxue!”

Yang Jiekai smiled. “Alright, I’ll accept you all. Ten days from now, I’ll call.”

After drinking with Wang Xiang and the others for a while, Yang Jiekai hurried home. It was already past midnight. When he arrived, the lights were still on. Wang’s mother, who usually went to bed early, was sitting on the sofa, looking worried.

“Mrs. Wang, why are you still up so late?” Yang Jiekai asked.

“Oh, son-in-law, you’re back!” Mrs. Wang greeted him, then sighed deeply. “I can’t sleep, so I came out to sit for a while.”

“What’s wrong, Mrs. Wang? Did something happen?” Yang Jiekai noticed her troubled expression and asked.

Mrs. Wang sighed again. “It’s about Miss Han. Although I don’t understand business, I can tell this time she’s in serious trouble. I want to help, but there’s nothing I can do. I just feel helpless.”

“Mrs. Wang, don’t worry too much. Your health is important. Try to get some rest.”

Yang Jiekai was used to Mrs. Wang’s affection for Han Ning. She had long treated Han Ning as her own daughter.

“How can I sleep?” Mrs. Wang sighed. “Seeing Miss like this feels like needles stabbing my heart. She’s always been steady and unshaken, even if the sky fell down. But this time… sigh…”

Perhaps overcome with emotion, she added casually, “Miss really has a hard life. If she were still in charge of the family group, I think things would be different…”

Suddenly realizing what she’d said, Mrs. Wang hurried to clarify, “Son-in-law, I didn’t mean it like that. What I meant was—”

Yang Jiekai wasn’t angry. He waved her off. “Mrs. Wang, no need to explain. You’re right. My arrival has indeed caused her irreparable trouble. It’s all my fault. I’m a bit tired now—I’m going to bed. You should rest early too.”

With that, he stood and went to his room.

“Son-in-law, I really didn’t mean it like that…” Mrs. Wang nearly cried, fearing he was upset with her.

Back in his room, Yang Jiekai slammed the door shut and sighed deeply, lying back with his hands behind his head.

He wasn’t angry with Mrs. Wang—he was angry at himself.

Mrs. Wang was right. If he hadn’t suddenly appeared, Han Ning might not be facing this crisis. It was all his doing.

Now he began to regret the decision he had made back then. He had just returned from the mercenary battlefield, still cold and indifferent.

But over time, through interactions with Han Ning, Mrs. Wang, and the old man, Yang Jiekai gradually felt the warmth ordinary people shared. His guilt toward Han Ning deepened.

If it weren’t for me, Han Ning wouldn’t be in this…

Closing his eyes, he wrestled with his conflicted emotions. Flashbacks filled his mind—scenes of smoke and blood from the battlefield, and moments of warmth back in China, playing like a slideshow.

About ten minutes later, Yang Jiekai made an important decision.

He came back to China to live an ordinary life. If he continued to be cold toward those around him for selfish reasons, he might as well return to the battlefield, where only profit mattered and emotions had no place.

Han Ning’s troubles started because of him. He decided then to protect her well.

The next morning, after a sleepless night, Han Ning came downstairs with red eyes. She found Yang Jiekai sitting at the dining table, dressed neatly and wearing a radiant smile.

“My esteemed wifey, breakfast is ready. Please enjoy.”

Yang Jiekai smiled as he lifted the metal cover from the table.

Han Ning blinked. “Bananas with chili sauce again?”

Yang Jiekai chuckled. “This time it’s different. Last time, it made you feel better. This time, if you eat it, I guarantee all your problems will be solved!”