Meng Jianshu had a business engagement that evening, so a few of them made plans to meet up for a late-night snack—beer and skewers.
As it happened, Chen Xiao wasn't willing to miss Zhao Xiangjun's dinner. He chatted with his friends for a bit, telling them he'd head home first and join them later that night.
When he got to the parking lot, he found a car parked directly in front of his, blocking him in.
The young valet ran over and said the car's owner had left their contact information. He would go get them to move the car.
Chen Xiao sat in the driver's seat and waited. A moment later, he was surprised to see Lili walking over, keys in hand, to move the car. It was only then that he realized the BMW 3-Series in front of him belonged to Meng Jianshu's group.
Lili got into the driver's seat, started the car, and subconsciously glanced over at the driver of the white Mercedes-Benz. She froze for a second.
He gave her a nod. Once she moved her car, Chen Xiao drove back to Hai Run Mansion.
Hai Run Mansion now truly felt like home to him. His old rental had always felt cold and empty whenever he went back.
Zhao Xiangjun was already cooking, so he sat down nearby, crossing his legs casually.
"Xiangjun, when's your next day off?"
"Why? Something going on?"
"I was thinking of taking you out somewhere."
"I'm not going out. What's there to see? I'll either be babysitting for my brother, or if I have any extra time, isn't it better to just relax at home?"
'She's even more of a homebody than I am!'
"Alright then."
Seeing his slight disappointment, she thought for a moment and asked, "Was there something specific you had in mind?"
Chen Xiao said, "A few friends invited me to a country resort. They're all bringing their girlfriends, and I'd be there alone..."
"Then you should bring your girlfriend."
"But I don't have one, so..."
"So you want me to fill in!"
"No..." He didn't know how to explain it.
"Fine. Just confirm the date, and I'll request the day off in advance."
She had actually agreed. Chen Xiao was taken aback for a moment; he hadn't expected it to work. He'd only asked on a whim, just to see what she'd say.
The meal tasted especially sweet to Chen Xiao. He felt their relationship had taken a huge step forward. Given her personality, it was clear she wouldn't agree to go out with just anyone.
Her willingness to go meant that in her eyes, Chen Xiao was different—at the very least, he was someone she could trust.
By now, she was used to his laziness. She peeled his shrimp for him and always made sure to peel and cut up any fruit.
She peeled the dragon fruit, cut it into chunks, and served it to him with a small fork. He felt as happy as a king.
After dinner, they chatted about her current job.
The shop where Zhao Xiangjun worked allowed employees to buy shares. When a few slots opened up, Zhao Xiangjun decided to invest a little, putting in all the savings she had.
That was why she had only been able to transfer 5,000 to Chen Xiao yesterday. All her money was tied up in the shop investment; she was broke!
'An investment? That's what the fund is for! Why use her own money? What a waste!'
"How much did you invest?"
"100,000, for five percent of the shares."
"What's the maximum?"
"The personal cap is ten percent."
"Then you should invest the full ten percent. I've seen how busy your shop is; the returns should be pretty good!"
Zhao Xiangjun rolled her eyes. "You might as well sell me. You make it sound like I own a bank!"
"Don't worry about it. Just invest. I'll be your bank! Go for the ten percent. I'll transfer you the money."
"No! Why would I take your money? I'm perfectly capable of earning my own!"
"I'm not just giving it to you, it's an investment! It's a sure thing, a guaranteed profit. Why wouldn't you do it?"
Given his relationship with Zhao Xiangjun, he knew she would never accept 200,000 as a gift. That's why he was trying so hard to frame it as her making an investment.
"No. I can't stand being in debt. Besides, don't act like you don't know what to do with the money you've earned. You should save it. There will be plenty of big expenses down the road!"
"Why are you being so stubborn? This investment will generate returns, and my money is just sitting in the bank doing nothing. Stop arguing. It's decided!"
'Hmph!' She knew he had a point, and she knew he was just trying to do something nice for her, but she still had trouble accepting it.
In the end, after much coaxing and wheedling, Chen Xiao finally convinced her. The main reason she gave in was that she agreed with his logic. From what she knew of the shop's business, the investment was a guaranteed profit. It was an incentive program the shop created to boost employee morale. And besides, if she really did lose money on it, she could pay him back for the losses.
Seeing the bank notification for a 200,000 deposit, she asked, "Didn't I only need another 100,000? Why did you send so much?"
"I have plenty of spare cash. You should save your own money for a down payment on a house. Use my money for the investment!"
Zhao Xiangjun shot him a look. "I'm not buying a house. Renting is perfectly fine. I have no desire to become a mortgage slave."
"What's there to be afraid of? You've got a sugar daddy supporting you now. I'm your rock!"
"I'm afraid that shield of yours will break, and we'll go down together!" she said.
'...' 'What a jinx.'
He earned another 9,600 from the fund during dinner. After deducting the 200,000 he just sent, his balance was still 980,000!
'At this rate of earning, what's there to worry about?' Besides, he hadn't even touched his own personal savings.
After dinner, he rested in his apartment for a bit before heading out at the agreed-upon time to meet his friends for skewers.
There were four of them this time; Lili didn't come. Tao Yong had picked the spot, a place right near his rental.
Surprisingly, the only lobster for their barbecue was something Tao Yong had cooked and brought from home. You had to admire his knack for frugal living.
The friends chatted freely about life while reminiscing about their high school days.
They talked about what had become of the class brainiac and gossiped about how the school belle was already married.
Those tender years of youth were always unforgettable. Back then, there was no distance between them. But once you stepped out into the real world, a lot of things changed.
For instance, Meng Jianshu would mock Tao Yong, "Look at you, knowing how to live so frugally!"
Liu Bo would chime in as well, always siding with Meng Jianshu—after all, Meng was a boss who ran a construction business.
As for Tao Yong, it was unclear if he even registered their mockery. He just kept his head down, drinking and boasting about how he was going to make a million a year.
Before they knew it, they had drunk quite a lot. The food was gone, but they weren't done drinking yet.
Just then, Meng Jianshu suggested they continue drinking at a KTV. There was a budget KTV near Tao Yong's place, and Meng Jianshu dragged them all to Candy KTV.
As soon as they entered the lobby, Tao Yong started shouting for a private room, but he made no move to pay for it.
Chen Xiao found the situation painfully awkward. 'When they're drinking, they all act like big shots, but when the bill comes, they're all silent.'
He pulled out his phone and scanned the code to pay. It was a budget KTV, after all; it wouldn't cost much.
Just as he was about to follow the attendant to their room, he heard a drunken Tao Yong ask the manager if they had any girls to keep them company.
A budget place like this naturally didn't have hostesses on staff, but the manager said he could call some over. Tao Yong immediately agreed.
The guys spent half an hour in the private room, caterwauling and downing a few more beers. Then, an attendant brought in a group of girls. There were five of them, and Tao Yong told them all to stay and drink, sing, and play games with them.
By this point, Chen Xiao was already regretting coming. This get-together was just a big bragging contest. That innocent feeling of camaraderie from their school days had vanished completely.
He sat alone in a corner, scrolling through his phone. The girl next to him was dressed to the nines, but he couldn't possibly be interested in someone of her caliber.
After spending so much time with Zhao Xiangjun, he found he wasn't even interested in school-belle types like Ma Jing anymore.