Reunion with the Camphor Tree

Chapter 34: Reunion at the Camphor Tree

That gathering ended shortly after Wang Yue's sudden display of wealth.

The next day, they drove to the university town in Shangdu. After a quick look around, Wang Yue decided to buy a floor in a building on Huxin Island and had Li Weijuan handle the renovation expenses through the company, leaving him free of the details.

He also purchased four apartments in a nearby residential complex, one for each of them, with the intention of deducting the housing costs from their future salaries. The remaining apartment would serve as a place for him and Ruan Wan to stay.

Everyone was stunned by Wang Yue's generous gestures. The chubby Liu Lei was already discussing marriage plans with his girlfriend, as the only thing they lacked was a home, and now everything was perfect.

After settling these matters and leaving the rest to Li Weijuan and the others, Wang Yue and Ruan Wan continued their journey south with Xiao Yuan Yuan.

Shortly after they left, news of Wang Yue's newfound wealth spread from Li Weijuan and the other two to Zheng Wei. So, as soon as they exited the high-speed train station, they found Zheng Wei, Han Wen, Zhu Xiaobei, Zhang Kai, and Xu Kaiyang waiting for them.

Zheng Wei first hugged Ruan Wan and then playfully teased Xiao Yuan Yuan. Yuan Yuan recognized Zheng Wei's voice and called her "godmother" in her childlike voice, which delighted Zheng Wei.

However, her smile quickly turned stern when she met Wang Yue's gaze, a transformation so stark it could be mistaken for a professional face-changer.

"Boss Wang, we've found a good neighborhood. Let's go, let's go. We're going to pay!" Zheng Wei said fiercely.

"Let's go, I'll swipe the card!" Wang Yue readily agreed.

Wang Yue's attitude pleased everyone present, especially Zheng Wei, who had been so aggressive moments before.

"And an office building, the current one is too small!" Zheng Wei added, increasing the demand.

"Yes, buy it, we must buy it!" Wang Yue was still very agreeable. At this point, the others couldn't hold back any longer. Han Wen playfully punched Wang Yue's chest and laughed, and everyone else joined in.

On the way to the company, Wang Yue looked back and asked Xu Kaiyang, "Old Xu, after all these years, why haven't you won her over yet? I'm truly speechless."

"Don't even mention it. Earlier this year, I even visited Zheng Wei's parents. Although she hasn't officially acknowledged me, she's implicitly agreed!" Xu Kaiyang said helplessly. "I was happy for only a few days before your company's collaboration with Xingmao, where she met Lin Jing. Then, Chen Xiaozheng was directly appointed as the General Manager's Assistant at Dongfang Xingchen, and they also have a partnership with Xingmao."

Wang Yue patted his shoulder in comfort and then said, "From what I know of Zheng Wei, you now have a chance to compete with Chen Xiaozheng and Lin Jing. She's someone who doesn't settle in relationships. The fact that she brought you home means your chances are very high."

"Really? I think so too!" Xu Kaiyang said with some excitement.

"Also, people don't change their fundamental nature. Chen Xiaozheng was willing to compromise for his career back then, and he'll likely do so again. You must not do anything that backfires," Wang Yue warned Xu Kaiyang.

"Oh, okay. What about Lin Jing then?" Xu Kaiyang genuinely sought his advice this time.

"As for Lin Jing, as long as his parents are around, they have no chance. You should pray for their long life!" Wang Yue said helplessly. He didn't know either.

The group returned to the two-story building where the company was located. Wang Yue noticed the camphor tree on the lawn was now seven or eight meters tall, bringing back memories of that year, that day.

Xiao Yuan Yuan, seeing the tall camphor tree, was delighted. Although she didn't know its name, she found it to be a beautiful tree and ran off to play.

Entering the company, it was indeed cramped. The central aisle was narrow, and anyone a bit heavier hesitated to walk too quickly. It lacked the grandeur of a large corporation.

After a walk-through, Wang Yue came out again and said to Zheng Wei, "There's a building in Modu that will be our headquarters in the future. Would you prefer to go to Modu directly or buy a floor here?"

"Modu!" Zheng Wei actually wanted to go. Lin Jing and Chen Xiaozheng were both there, and she didn't want to face them right now; she was still angry. Zheng Wei looked at Xu Kaiyang again. "I'll go to Modu. Should Xiaobei stay here?"

"You two should go together. It's not that I don't trust your abilities, but the operation there will be too large, and you'll be stretched thin alone!" Wang Yue admitted he was also worried; he'd never managed a large company before.

"Then let Han Wen take charge here," Zheng Wei said after some thought. "What are your thoughts?"

"You decide. As soon as you get to Modu, you'll establish the head office. You'll need to consider everything, so I won't overstep," Wang Yue still preferred to be a hands-off boss.

"What about you?" Zheng Wei, seeing his somewhat lazy demeanor, felt a bit dissatisfied.

"Me? I'm going back to school! President Zheng!" Wang Yue said, as if he had great confidence in her.

Xu Kaiyang, overhearing Wang Yue's arrangements from not far away, was overjoyed. Although Lin Jing and Chen Xiaozheng's company headquarters were also in Modu, they had caused trouble and wouldn't be returning anytime soon.

Zhu Xiaobei was indifferent. Since the incident that year, she had become much more reserved and was now focusing more on technical development.

Zhang Kai had also matured significantly. He was no longer the slacker who failed classes and repeated years. He clearly felt he was the least capable among everyone, and if not for their consideration, he would have long fallen behind.

Han Wen had been following Wang Yue from the beginning. Regardless of how you calculated it, with Zheng Wei and Zhu Xiaobei going to Modu, he was the most suitable person to stay.

With things settled, Wang Yue, an unqualified boss, still operated on the principle of nepotism.

However, this was something he learned from Xiao Nai's company, putting his learning into practice. For now, it seemed to be working well, as the company's development was quite good.

"Ruan Ruan, can't you manage your Old Wang? He's already the father of his child, and he's still so eager to go to school!" Zheng Wei complained to Ruan Wan, exasperated with Wang Yue.

"I think it's great!" Ruan Wan smiled without saying anything.

"Wei Wei, haven't you noticed that Ruan Ruan is the type to follow her husband's lead? Talking to her is useless!" Zhu Xiaobei cut to the chase with her conclusion.

"Fine, I thought Piggy Bei was the type to cling to school and not want to leave, but I didn't expect someone even worse," Zheng Wei said weakly, unable to complain further.

"Stop disturbing Wang Yue and his wife while they're quietly getting rich. Let's think about this tree. Your birthday gift can't be moved either!" Xu Kaiyang glared fiercely at Wang Yue.

Wang Yue touched his nose, showing his helplessness, but still said, "This tree is a testament to our friendship. This small office building, I won't sell it; it will always remain here."

"Yes, we witness the tree's growth, and the tree accompanies our company's development!" Ruan Wan now looked at the camphor tree without the lingering resentment she had when they first went north. She knew that Wang Yue's feelings for Zheng Wei back then had long since turned into mere friendship.

The group chatted under the camphor tree. In the evening, they invited Zhu Xiaonan's husband, a chef, to help with a barbecue, and they didn't disperse until late into the night. Only the camphor tree remained on the lawn, watching the dispersing crowd and the office building that had fallen into darkness.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and all the best.