You're My Boss From Now On

Both parties signed the agreement, and Wang Hengli immediately arranged for his company's salesperson to coordinate with Fang Bai. That same day, Fang Bai took a hundred rough blanks and the processing drawings and left.

The quantity of goods taken was always recorded on a work order; it wasn't a matter of taking as much as one pleased.

Of course, many companies had lax systems and didn't sign agreements for subcontracting—just a verbal understanding sufficed.

Transport was handled by Hengli Company. Fang Bai handed the driver a pack of cigarettes and told him to come back in four days to pick up the goods, with no further notice needed.

The driver, pleased with the cigarettes, helped unload the goods without hesitation.

A hundred rough blanks were unloaded by a few people in just a few minutes.

Jiayu Processing Plant also had orders from two other factories to finish, which would take another two days. Qin Donghai planned to complete those before starting on Hengli Company's order.

Watching the driver drive off, Fang Bai instructed his father-in-law, "Boss Qin, this batch of orders is counting on you. I didn't get this order easily, so please make sure the quality is up to par."

Qin Donghai shook hands with Fang Bai politely. "Of course, of course. Mr. Fang, rest assured—my processing plant lives off its quality."

"By the way, do you have time this evening, Mr. Fang? I'd like to treat you to a simple meal." Qin Donghai paused, then added.

One more friend meant one more path forward; he didn't dare slack off on any business and wanted to host Fang Bai.

"Let's wait until this batch of five hundred is done and the payment's in hand. I'll look for orders from other factories too—you'll need to prepare to add more hands." Fang Bai gave a wry smile and declined, mainly because he was busy lately.

Besides, he knew his own tolerance for alcohol. Once drunk, he'd blurt out all sorts of things. The scene from his past life, where his father-in-law chased him down three streets, was still vivid in his mind.

In truth, Fang Bai had known back then that he was too drunk to run fast, stumbling as he went. His father-in-law could have caught him but just kept chasing, wanting to curse him out and vent some frustration. After all, they'd worked together so long—actually hitting him would have been awkward.

Qin Donghai had no idea what processing price Fang Bai had secured the order at, who he'd dealt with, or how much kickback he'd given to whom. He also didn't know Fang Bai's relationship with Hengli Company. He generally wouldn't approach Wang Hengli to sign a deal privately—such behavior would be looked down upon.

Whether a small workshop or a big factory, all the bosses in Wen City valued their reputation. Otherwise, they couldn't survive in the circle.

By letting him know which company the order came from, Fang Bai was showing trust. Qin Donghai wouldn't do anything dishonest.

In fact, Fang Bai wasn't worried about his father-in-law breaking the deal and taking the order himself. If it were another boss, he wouldn't have revealed which factory the order came from and would have used his own driver and truck to haul the goods.

After wrapping up the subcontracting, Fang Bai returned to his rental place to study.

The past two days spent on subcontracting had cost him a lot of time. Tomorrow, he'd go back to school, compile all the questions he couldn't figure out, and ask the teachers for help.

The next morning, Classmates were surprised to see Fang Bai, who often skipped class, actually show up at school. They were curious about what he'd been up to lately that kept him away.

"Fang Bai, you're something else—come and go as you please. Even the homeroom teacher's given up on you," his deskmate Wang Dakai said, giving him a thumbs-up, his eyes full of admiration.

"Heh, family stuff held me up. Let's just study." After saying that, Fang Bai lowered his head and continued reading.

Talk less, do more, and seize every second to review.

Since his rebirth, he didn't want to waste a single moment.

In his past life, his parents were poor farmers who spent their whole lives struggling to put food on the table. They couldn't give him anything else. Some things you only understand when you've lived through them.

Some people, by the time they get it, it's already too late. They're older, and their energy, stamina, and learning ability have all declined.

The biggest difference between the poor and the rich is that the rich have clear goals and plenty of room for trial and error, while the poor spend their whole lives lost in their own class, never seeing clearly what they truly want.

Fang Bai had matured early, but his life had been too full of hardships.

After two morning classes, during the eye exercises break, Homeroom Teacher Zhan Feng learned that Fang Bai was at school and called him to her office.

A few classmates gloated, thinking Fang Bai was in for it. Skipping that many days of school—no matter how impressive he thought he was, that couldn't fly.

Fang Bai tucked his hands behind his back, grabbed his question notebook, and left the classroom.

A few classmates, seeing his old-fashioned way of walking, like a school leader, felt the urge to kick him.

To be fair, that was a bit unfair to Fang Bai. After all, he'd spent decades navigating society in his past life, and those habits had become second nature.

A moment later, Fang Bai arrived at Zhan Feng's office. He greeted the other teachers with a smile first, then politely addressed his homeroom teacher: "Good morning, Teacher. You've got some dark circles—don't stay up too late grading papers."

"Haha, it's nothing. Just regular work. Thanks for your concern."

Hearing this from Fang Bai and noticing her colleagues glancing at her a few more times, Zhan Feng felt pleased.

Working diligently should be known to colleagues and superiors alike.

Besides, she hadn't been grading papers last night—she'd been busy with family matters.

She knew Fang Bai was articulate, but she hadn't expected him to be so emotionally intelligent. She liked this kind of student.

She pulled up a chair for Fang Bai to sit. Once he was seated, she said gently, "Fang Bai, I have something to discuss with you. There's a monthly exam at the end of this month to test the senior and repeating students. I hope you can attend."

"No problem, I'll be there. Thanks for letting me know, Teacher."

Fang Bai agreed without much hesitation. Until the college entrance exam, his focus was on studying.

"Alright, if there's nothing else, head back to class."

"Teacher, I actually have a few questions I'd like to ask you."

Zhan Feng was a bit surprised. She loved students who took the initiative to ask questions. Smiling, she said, "Oh, sure."

Fang Bai took out his notebook and placed it on her desk. "It's these questions—they've got me a bit confused."

Seeing the many questions recorded in Fang Bai's notebook, covering various subjects, Zhan Feng felt gratified. It showed he hadn't stopped studying even outside of school.

The questions Fang Bai asked weren't simple, and Zhan Feng had to put in some effort to explain them clearly.

Like English words like incident and accident, Fang Bai couldn't figure out the difference. If only there were a categorized reference book like in later years, he could look it up in a snap—but for now, he had to ask the teacher.

It had only been a little over a decade since the college entrance exam resumed, and review materials were scarce. Fang Bai bought everything he could get his hands on. He read efficiently; having lived for decades, he had rich life experience and a strong grasp of language, making Chinese reading comprehension much easier.

For other subjects, those extra decades didn't give him much of an edge.

But he understood one principle for mastering basic knowledge: categorize and summarize!

For materials he didn't have, he had to rely on himself.

After the Homeroom Teacher explained it clearly, Fang Bai felt a sudden clarity.

Just before the third period started, Fang Bai left the office satisfied.

When Fang Bai stepped into the classroom with a smile on his face, some classmates who hadn't thought highly of him were disappointed—it seemed the Homeroom Teacher hadn't scolded him after all.

The third period happened to be English class.

Zhan Feng stepped up to the podium and said directly, "Classmate Fang Bai just asked me quite a few questions, which happened to remind me—I think these are exam key points. I'll summarize them again, so everyone write them down."

At that, the students were a bit surprised: the Homeroom Teacher hadn't called Fang Bai out to punish him but to give him special tutoring!

Could Fang Bai be the Principal's relative?

Some classmates thought exactly that—otherwise, how could he take leave so freely, and the Homeroom Teacher even tutor him one-on-one?

Wang Dakai shot Fang Bai another glance, curious if his background was really that impressive—he hadn't noticed it before.

Fang Bai quietly read his book and listened to the lesson, paying little attention to his classmates' stares.

He was determined to master English because he'd definitely need it in the future.

Back then, the college entrance exam didn't test listening comprehension yet—rote memorization was enough—but he still had to memorize everyday phrases on his own.

When the fourth period ended, the school broadcast played the song Childhood. Students from all grades pulled out their eating utensils from their desks, clattering as they rushed out of the classroom and sprinted toward the cafeteria.

Zhan Feng didn't dare delay the students' lunch, so she dismissed class on time.

Watching his classmates dash out with their lunch boxes, Fang Bai followed suit. After two steps, he realized he hadn't gotten a meal card or a lunch box.

"Forget it, I'll eat off-campus. I really can't get used to the cafeteria food."

His deskmate Wang Dakai saw Fang Bai heading back into the classroom instead of continuing to rush out. Curious, he turned back and asked, "Fang Bai, aren't you eating?"

"You go ahead, don't wait for me."

"Oh, you don't have a meal card, right? How about using mine—I'll treat you. The school has public lunch boxes, but they're a bit unhygienic. If you don't mind, we can share mine; I'll just swipe my card."

Fang Bai hadn't expected such warmth. He smiled and said, "Thanks, really, no need. I'll eat off-campus. How about you come with me, and I'll treat you?"

Looking at him—nearly 190 centimeters tall and built big—his lunch box wasn't much different from the other students'. Could one serving fill him up?

Sharing a lunch box with him—he didn't mind, but it felt really awkward.

Fang Bai didn't know if the school used gutter oil, but he wasn't about to find out.

"The school food really is hard to swallow, but we can't leave campus at noon."

Wang Dakai, the big guy, grumbled, "If we could eat off-campus, there'd barely be any students in the cafeteria at noon. Even a bowl of noodles outside is better than this.

I heard the cafeteria's been contracted out. The school makes excuses saying outside food is unhygienic, so they force us to eat on campus. Damn, it's shady."

Fang Bai went back to his desk, grabbed an English book, and walked toward the classroom door, saying, "Just come out with me. The guard won't stop us. Decide quickly."

They'd only paused for less than two minutes, and now only the two of them were left in the classroom—those starving kids sure ran fast!

Wang Dakai looked at the empty classroom, figuring that by now the cafeteria line would be the longest. He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Then I won't be polite. Just not sure if we can get out."

With that, he stuffed his lunch box back into his desk drawer and followed Fang Bai out.

At the school gate, the guard saw Fang Bai and smiled, nodding in greeting.

But when he spotted the big guy beside Fang Bai, his face immediately turned cold. "You there, what do you think you're doing?"

The guard recognized this mature-looking, burly student—too obvious. If he hadn't, he'd have mistaken him for a young thug. He didn't dare call out carelessly.

The sharp command made Wang Dakai flinch.

Fang Bai smiled at the guard and said, "Uncle Wang, this is Wang Dakai. Maybe five hundred years ago, you were from the same clan. He's coming out with me to eat, and we'll be back after."

"Oh, little Wang, is it? Then go ahead." The guard's face immediately softened into a smile as he waved them off. Wang Dakai let out a sigh of relief and followed Fang Bai out of the school gate.

Less than ten meters from the gate, Wang Dakai couldn't hold back and asked, "Fang Bai, are you really the Principal's relative?"

"No, you're overthinking it."

"Then why is the guard so polite to you?"

"You'll find out later. Just focus on your studies." Fang Bai smiled, not wanting to lead this guy astray.

Wang Dakai felt Fang Bai was mysterious, definitely hiding some inside scoop they didn't know. If not the Principal's relative, maybe an illegitimate son?

A little while later, Fang Bai arrived at a restaurant not far from his place. He was a regular, and the owner greeted him warmly. "Mr. Fang, what would you like for lunch?"

"Boss, there are two of us. Tomato soup, stir-fried sour-spicy cabbage, twice-cooked pork, and a small stir-fried meat dish." Fang Bai ordered casually. The chef cooked Sichuan-style, which suited his taste.

Their portions were generous, so it should be enough for two.

If he were alone, one meat dish would've been plenty.

Wang Dakai, sitting in his chair, was a bit confused as he listened to the two of them talk.

The boss called Fang Bai "Mr. Fang"?

They were having a feast here?

Wasn't that a bit too extravagant?

He'd initially wanted to urge Fang Bai not to order so much—just a couple bowls of noodles would do—but then he remembered that Fang Bai and the boss were old acquaintances. It seemed Fang Bai had eaten here plenty of times and must know the prices, so he held back.

Then, seeing Fang Bai pick up a book and read with complete disregard for his surroundings, Wang Dakai, who hadn't brought anything with him, scratched the back of his head, unsure what to do. It was a little awkward.

After a while, the dishes came out one by one. Fang Bai put down his book and started eating, while Wang Dakai ate somewhat stiffly.

"Hurry up and eat so we can head back to school for a nap. You're usually so talkative, but now you're eating like a little girl—slow as can be."

"Oh, okay, hehe. This food is really good, Fang Bai. From now on, you're my boss. Whatever you say, I'll do."

It wasn't just the meal that won him over—it was Fang Bai's mysteriousness, his low-key nature, his generosity, and that unique aura about him.

Wang Dakai still remembered the first time Fang Bai walked up to the podium to introduce himself; he'd secretly admired him deeply back then.

So, he felt that sticking with Fang Bai couldn't possibly be a mistake.

"Cut out that gangster talk and focus on your studies."

"Yes, boss."

Fang Bai rolled his eyes, too lazy to argue, and got back to eating.

Wang Dakai quickly finished a big bowl of rice, set down his bowl, and sat upright. Fang Bai could tell he wasn't full and said with a smile, "Feel free to get more rice—it's free. Scoop as much as you want."

"Oh, really? Haha, one bowl really isn't enough for me. This food is amazing."

Wang Dakai enjoyed the meal thoroughly, though he felt a twinge of regret when he saw Fang Bai pay just a few bucks—that one meal cost as much as a week or two of his own food expenses.

But the food was truly delicious. Compared to it, the school meals were practically dog shit.

After eating, Fang Bai told him to head back to school on his own. Wang Dakai didn't ask why; he knew Fang Bai would speak when he wanted to. As a proper sidekick, he had to know what to ask and what not to, and he wouldn't go blabbing to his classmates.

If he couldn't even grasp that, he didn't deserve to call anyone "boss."

Walking back to school, Wang Dakai carried himself with a different kind of swagger. When he reached the school gate, he called out to the guard just like Fang Bai did: "Uncle Wang, I'm back!"