Tan Linyuan had been playing this game of chess for a full three years.
From the moment he reunited with Nan Yu, he had already started to plan meticulously.
Although the current situation had far exceeded his original plan, at least it was moving in a good direction.
It turned out that a long time ago, he had already designed an escape named "freedom" for Nan Yu.
In Jiangcheng, Tan Linyuan's reputation and influence were strong enough. Coupled with the leadership of the Chamber of Commerce, even if he wasn't someone that people feared to the bone, he was still intimidating enough.
But all this was only in Jiangcheng.
Jiangcheng was too small, and his identity was too complicated.
Naturally, he could protect Nan Yu, who had just lost her parents, regardless of others' objections. He could find a villa for her to live in and provide her with a life of plenty.
But her life would also be forever trapped in that villa prepared for her.
As long as she was in Jiangcheng, the Shen family would never let her go.
If such a free and proud jasmine like her was caged up for a lifetime, it would never bloom brightly.
Similarly, if he forcefully protected a woman against all odds, the members of the Chamber of Commerce would also criticize him.
He was the person in power of the Chamber of Commerce, the head of the Tan family, and also the god enshrined in the hearts of all the people in Jiangcheng.
He mustn't have the slightest bit of selfishness.
So he hid his selfishness and tried to make everything flawless.
The Shen family had always been doing evil deeds and would surely bring about their own downfall sooner or later.
His original plan was to get rid of the Shen family first, and then send Nan Yu to Jingbei in the name of showing pity for the innocent female relatives.
Although Jingbei was cold, it was a fertile soil for her to grow freely.
But no matter how much he calculated, he didn't expect that his self - control was so poor.
The closer he got to her, the stronger his desire to possess her became.
He couldn't bear to watch her being wronged, to watch her fawning on the Shen family with a humble attitude, or to watch her ask him with empty eyes, "What else can I do?"
He wanted her.
He couldn't calmly claim to be a Buddhist - like person, nor could he suppress his jealousy and watch her marry someone else.
Tan Linyuan said calmly, "The special approval for Jingbei has come through. From now on, my focus will shift there, and I'll separate from the Chamber of Commerce."
The Tan family was closely related to the Chamber of Commerce. Naturally, he could become a hands - off manager, and he wouldn't have to worry about the affairs of the Tan family anymore.
Nan Yu suddenly understood and couldn't help but blurt out, "Then what about you and the Tan family in the future..."
"Well, from now on, the Tan family is the Tan family, and I am me." He replied calmly. "The Chamber of Commerce will also elect a new person in power. Everything will have nothing to do with me anymore."
He was going to peel off the Buddhist robe on his body personally and remove the glory imposed on him by others.
He wanted to be an ordinary person who would spend his whole life with her.
Nan Yu didn't move for a long time and didn't say a word.
Tan Linyuan looked at her and couldn't help but smile. "Are you afraid I won't have the money to support you and the baby? It won't come to that."
"Although we'll start from scratch and hardships are inevitable, I'll never let you and the baby suffer."
"No." Nan Yu's voice was hoarse and slightly choked. "I'm just... I'm just happy for you."
Happy for his rebirth.
"Why didn't you tell me all this earlier?" Nan Yu couldn't help but shed tears of joy. She wiped away the moisture with her hand. "This is really good news."
"The requirements for applying for the approval in Jingbei are very high. I wasn't sure I could meet them." Tan Linyuan looked at her. "I cooperated with Qu Gaolin for a while in the early stage, and only then did I barely have the chance to submit the application for review."
Everything was like beads strung into a line.
She instantly understood all his helplessness and deeply felt what he meant by "being constrained by others" back then.
He had endured for so long. Now that everything had come to light, it turned out that it was all for her.
"I originally planned to tell you all this after you gave birth safely." Tan Linyuan said in a flat tone.
Nan Yu said with a smile, "It's not too early to know now. Let's just think of it as opening a surprise in advance."
Tan Linyuan also said to Nan Yu, "By then, we'll settle down in Jingbei. During festivals, we'll come back to Jiangcheng to visit your parents."
Nan Yu must be homesick, and she would also have to go back to Yenanwan for a short stay from time to time.
He thought very carefully. "If you miss Qu Jiaran or Niannian, you can also come back and visit them often."
Nan Yu of course happily agreed. Then she said a little dejectedly, "You've done so much, but I can only sit back and enjoy the benefits."
Tan Linyuan smiled. "Guess why I did all this?"
If it weren't for her firm choice, if she hadn't stood by his side without hesitation and been with him like a moth flying into the fire, he would never have come this far.
He knew he was cowardly and originally didn't have the courage to fight against fate.
Liang Yi brought two good news: one was that the approval had passed, and the other was that they could go to sign the documents the day after tomorrow.
Once the signing was completed, all the procedures could start to operate.
This time when Tan Linyuan went there, he also planned to buy a house in Jingbei as a little home for him and Nan Yu.
"We haven't decided on our wedding house yet. We can just use that as our wedding house."
From then on, their brand - new lives were about to begin.
At this point, Tan Linyuan took a deep breath and said seriously, "Yuyu, would you like to..."
"I'd like to." Nan Yu answered very quickly.
Tan Linyuan was momentarily speechless. "... I haven't even said what it is."
"I'll agree to anything you say."
Tan Linyuan smiled helplessly and rubbed her head. "I mean, would you like to live with me in Jingbei from now on?"
Nan Yu looked up at his calm pupils.
They used to be a calm lake. No one had ever entered, and he didn't plan to let anyone stay.
But now, they were filled with her figure.
The corners of her lips lifted, and just like she had answered countless times before, she answered again, "I'd like to."
...
When Liang Yi learned that Tan Linyuan was going to take Nan Yu to Jingbei with him, his jaw dropped in shock.
"What, can't your private plane fit three people?" Tan Linyuan raised his eyelids.
"No, it's not that." Liang Yi immediately denied it. He wouldn't allow anyone to doubt his strength. "It's just that she's about to give birth. It's not convenient for her to travel around. If something goes wrong, won't you kill yourself on the spot?"
Tan Linyuan was already used to Liang Yi's crow - mouth.
Liang Yi came up with a solution for Tan Linyuan. "Let her stay at home. I'll send someone to protect her."
"No need." Tan Linyuan refused straightforwardly. "She's only the safest when she's by my side."
Only when he could see her all the time could he feel at ease.
Having known Tan Linyuan for so many years, Liang Yi knew very well that once he made a decision, no one could change it.
"... Alright, then I'll come to pick you up at that time."
Tan Linyuan suddenly changed his mind. "Forget it. You take the plane by yourself. I'll drive there. It'll be safer this way."
Liang Yi was shocked again. "... You're not afraid of an accident on the plane, are you?"
Tan Linyuan replied, "Yes."
Liang Yi: "..."
This world was really crazy.
Liang Yi was too lazy to argue with Tan Linyuan about how safe his plane was. He simply waved his sleeve and left. "Then see you in Jingbei."