Chapter Nineteen: She Certainly Didn’t Want to Owe Him Anything

After receiving the deed of transfer that afternoon, Huangpu Shenqing went directly to the Shangguan Group.

Since their offices were not in the city center, it took him half an hour to drive there.

“Come downstairs. I’m waiting outside your building,” Huangpu Shenqing said as he dialed Shangguan Renran’s private number.

“What?” Very few people knew her private number, so she answered as soon as it rang, never expecting it would be him. Why had he come?

“Is there something you need, Mr. Huangpu?” Shangguan Renran reverted to her usual cold composure.

“I have the deed for the land on the southern side of Lingnan,” he replied, sitting in his car and gazing up at the towering building.

“That won’t be necessary. I’ll figure something out myself,” she refused. They were neither friends nor family, and she did not believe he was acting out of kindness.

“Then I’ll come up,” he suggested, secretly wishing to do so—he wanted everyone to know that Shangguan Renran was his.

“I’ll come down. Please, Mr. Huangpu, let’s meet at a nearby café,” she said, unwilling to be seen with him in her office. She didn’t want to give others a reason to gossip.

She hung up and told Ye Xin, who was still working in the office, “I’m going out for a bit.”

“Yes, Miss. Do you want me to go with you?”

“That won’t be necessary.”

…

“What exactly do you mean, Mr. Huangpu?” She could not fathom his intentions, especially after their previous encounter.

“I just want to help you. This is the deed for the land on the south side of Lingnan,” he said, pushing the documents toward her. He wanted to give her everything she needed, wishing she did not have to struggle so much.

“Mr. Huangpu, let’s speak frankly today. I appreciate your consideration, but have you forgotten? We barely know each other, and what little acquaintance we have wasn’t pleasant. Why do you assume I need your help?”

Her words, the longest she had ever spoken to him, were as cold and sharp as ice, cutting straight to the heart.

“I… I only wanted to help you,” Huangpu Shenqing faltered, looking into her eyes, uncertain and at a loss for what to do.

He had believed that simply handing her the Lingnan land would be the most straightforward solution. The southern area was in no way inferior to Lingnan; in fact, it was home to the largest raw materials market.

“That won’t be necessary,” she said, picking up her bag and leaving. On her way out, she settled the bill for both coffees—she refused to owe him anything.

Watching her retreating, solitary figure, Huangpu Shenqing fell into deep thought. Renran, you must blame me; I’ve lost you.

—

After calling her father, Shangguan Renran packed up and left for Lingnan with Ye Xin, leaving Ye Zuo to manage things at the company.

Lingnan was a remote area of City A, populated by honest, simple villagers who grew their own crops. Some sold their harvests at market.

To the east lay government-certified farmland, producing crops for people nationwide. This was only a part of City A; every city had similar places.

To the south was land acquired by the Gong family last year—now recognized by the business world as prime for development.

Shangguan Renran had often imagined herself, in old age, tending to her own vegetables, working at sunrise and resting at sunset.

“Miss, let’s find a guesthouse first,” Ye Xin suggested, as dusk was near and they would need a place to stay for the night.

“Alright.” There were no hotels here, only guesthouses, but they were clean and tidy.

They arrived in Lingnan at six in the evening, had a simple meal, and retired for the night, planning to make inquiries the following day.

Renran called Xia Wanqing, letting her know she was in Lingnan and might be too busy to answer her calls.

Xia Wanqing immediately complained to her about the “white lotus” actress’s terrible acting, saying only post-production could save her.

She also mentioned that the male lead was a well-established actor who had debuted years ago, handsome and supremely skilled, while the female lead was also a seasoned actress—their show was sure to be a hit.

Renran was genuinely happy for her friend. Acting was Xia Wanqing’s dream; she loved embodying each character, bringing something new to her audience. This was her first real series.

They chatted briefly, then hung up. Renran, not wanting to interrupt Ouyang Muya if she was busy, sent her a message instead.

The next day, they visited the local villagers and learned that the village chief managed most affairs. They went to see him directly.

“What brings you two here?” the village chief asked kindly, rising to greet them.

“We’d like to know when your crops will be harvested?” Renran and Ye Xin stepped forward. Renran had just observed the fields and seen that the crops were not yet ripe.

“In just over two months. But may I ask why?” The local grain was harvested twice a year, with most of the land divided between state-held and privately managed plots.

“We’d like to purchase land in Lingnan, if possible,” Ye Xin said immediately.

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible. Some land was sold before; what remains is solely for the villagers’ own use,” the chief replied. What little was left was essential for their survival.

“So, the villagers have final say over their own plots?” Renran reasoned that as long as each owner agreed, the land could be acquired.

“Yes. If they’re willing to sell, I won’t interfere. But most are unlikely to do so.”

“Miss…” Ye Xin voiced her concern—it seemed unlikely the villagers would sell.

Renran thanked the chief and left his home.