Chapter 297 — Letting Bygones Be Bygones
Years of Heartflutter · Page 2 of 5
"Yang Juehuan means to send me to his private island to take charge of overall operations, to build the island into a world-class resort, and to have you serve as my armchair strategist. Are you willing?" Sun Lin's face turned stern as he demanded of Tian Long.
"What!" Tian Long raised his head and looked at Sun Lin in disbelief. He had betrayed Sun Lin so thoroughly, yet Sun Lin was willing to let bygones be bygones, to forget past grievances and even entrust him with an important task—Tian Long was instantly astonished beyond measure.
"What? Not willing?" Sun Lin gave a cold snort.
"Willing, of course I'm willing!" Only now did Tian Long confirm that his hearing was not playing tricks on him—Sun Lin really was sending him to Africa to help build the island.
"If you're willing, then get up already!" Sun Lin laughingly scolded him and kicked him in the backside, telling him to hurry and stand up.
Tian Long knew Sun Lin had truly forgiven him this time—otherwise he would not have said such things. While thanking him, he hurriedly rose to his feet. "Brother Jun, I've made a mistake once before. From now on, just watch how I perform."
"Don't talk too big. If you don't work hard when the time comes, I can still have you killed just the same!" Sun Lin did not forget to threaten him. "Don't forget—over there, it's Yang Juehuan's world!"
"Yes..." Tian Long answered in fear and trembling.
Once Sun Lin had set aside the grievance in his heart, he stopped thinking about what Tian Long had done before and began to speak openly with him about his plans for the future. A man who does great things does not fuss over trifles. Now Sun Lin's stature had leaped all at once from the helmsman of assets worth a few hundred million to the navigator of an entire island, and his vision had broadened considerably.
Tian Long, for his part, kept this lesson firmly in mind, and in his heart he no longer dared harbor any wild ambitions. It was now clear that Yang Juehuan's strength was far beyond anything he could ever shake.
At noon, Zhang Jinguo arranged a banquet, and Yang Yongjin, setting aside past grievances, invited Tian Long to sit at the table as well. Because Yang Ce had set the tone, everyone—Sun Jie included—showed no hostility toward Tian Long.
It was Tian Long himself who felt thoroughly embarrassed.
The meal proceeded in a harmonious and friendly atmosphere, but from everyone's silence it was also clear that the barriers between them would not dissolve in a moment.
Fortunately everyone was hungry and so did not stand on ceremony. Tian Long and Tian Yan had not eaten well the night before, and Sun Lin, Sun Jie, and Sun San had eaten even less, so before long the banquet had been mostly consumed.
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Yang Ce said to Tian Long, "Uncle Tian, I'd like to have a private talk with you."
Tian Long looked at Yang Ce with some puzzlement—he had already talked with Yan earlier. He did not know what Yang Ce wanted to discuss with him now, but whatever it was, he could not refuse when Yang Ce summoned him, so he rose and said, "Very well, Mr. Yang."
"Just call me Yang Ce—'Mr. Yang' sounds awkward." Yang Ce waved his hand. "Whatever you say, I'm still of the same generation as this kid Tian Yan. It feels strange for you to call me that."
"Then I'll gladly obey!" Tian Long did not insist. He knew Yang Ce did not much care about such trivial details—what Yang Ce valued was a person's heart, not these hypocritical formalities.
This time Yang Ce did not take Tian Long to his former room, but instead to the room where he had talked with Sun Lin—which was to say, Tian Long's former office. But this time, Yang Ce had become the master of the place.
After entering the room, Yang Ce sat down in the boss's chair behind the desk, while Tian Long stood to one side like a guest.