The soup base is orange-red, with tomato slices and green garlic leaves floating on top, and a rich aroma.
"I didn't used to like eating at street stalls." Chu Ziyu put a bundle of pork into the soup pot, narrowing her eyes mischievously. "Well, my family had a little money, so I was pretty arrogant. But then I met A-Lin, and he didn't act like a rich kid at all."
He laughed heartily, "My dad is still very grateful to A-Lin."
Then Chu Ziyu talked about Lu Lin's junior and senior high school experiences.
"He was really arrogant in high school, and not just in high school, he was arrogant in elementary and middle school too!"
Chu Ziyu got more and more excited as she spoke, "What I remember most clearly is that back in the third year of junior high, there was this so-called school bully who was pursuing a girl who liked A-Lin. That bully called a few guys to ambush A-Lin after school."
"Hahaha..." Before she could finish, Chu Ziyu burst into laughter, tears streaming down her face. "And then A-Lin called the headmaster over too, hahahahahaha... that boss just threw money around like crazy..."
Yan Heqing listened quietly and attentively.
The Lu Lin that Chu Ziyu spoke of was different from the Lu Lin of today, yet they were the same—it was the Lu Lin he had missed.
The two adult men spent only 99 yuan on a hot and sour soup meal.
Yan Heqing had just finished paying the bill when Lu Lin called.
"Where are you? I'm coming to pick you up."
Chu Ziyu was quite sensible. "Oh, President Old Lu here. I'll be leaving now!"
He hugged the teddy bear tightly and said goodbye to Yan Heqing, "Let's play together again next time! I'm super good at having fun, and I can make sure we don't repeat ourselves!"
Yan Heqing agreed.
Chu Ziyu took a different route, while Yan Heqing headed towards the entrance of the food street.
After walking a few steps, they saw Lu Lin approaching from a distance.
It was around seven or eight o'clock, and it was already dark. The shops on both sides lit up with neon lights. Yan Heqing's pace was initially quite steady, but gradually quickened.
Lu Lin had also seen Yan Heqing earlier, and they stopped at the same time at the boiled meatball shop where Yan Heqing had invited him.
They also spoke at the same time.
"Have you got a meal yet?"
"You bought a rice cooker?"
Yan Heqing replied first, "I redeemed it by playing the game."
Lu Lin naturally took the rice cooker. "I've eaten. I took care of some things at the company and had a meal while I was there."
Yan Heqing thought of Lu Lin's new decision. He stopped, his light-colored pupils filled with complex emotions.
Did you notice?
This is the first time I want to ask Lu Lin.
Lu Lin didn't notice Yan Heqing had fallen behind at first and continued walking, but after only two or three steps, he turned around, his dark eyes calm, "What's wrong?"
Their eyes met, and after a few seconds, Yan Heqing's emotions returned to normal. He shook his head, followed Lu Lin, and said, "It's nothing."
Back at Yan Heqing's residence, Lu Lin stayed upstairs until almost ten o'clock before leaving.
Yan Heqing read for a while before going to school tomorrow, then took a shower and went to sleep.
For the next week, Yan Heqing filled every minute of his day with activities: going to school, conducting experiments, and checking on the renovations of the houses in the family quarters.
Lu Lin has been busy lately, only able to video chat with Yan Heqing for about No. 1 Primary School each evening.
On Friday night, Lu Lin sent me a design for a bookshelf and fish tank, then initiated a video call, asking, "Are you satisfied with this design?"
In the center is a rectangular fish tank with lighting, and above and below are walnut wood bookcases; it's truly stunning.
Yan Heqing nodded. "Satisfied."
Lu Lin smiled, "Want to go fishing tomorrow?"
"Next week," Yan Heqing said with a smile. "I have something to take care of tomorrow."
A short while later, Yan Heqing received a message from Lu Muchi.
"Tomorrow at 5 PM, Five Lakes Hotel."
Lu Muchi tried on a suit in the hospital room. The huge room was full of mobile clothes racks, hanging with shirts and suits of different styles and colors.
Lu Muchi's cast was removed, but he still needed to be careful when moving around, so Lu Changcheng didn't agree to let him leave the hospital and wanted him to be observed for a few more days.
Lu Muchi changed into one suit after another, and finally settled on a dark blue suit.
He was convinced that Yan Heqing was waiting for him to achieve success in his career and be free from his grandfather's control so that he would be more likely to be with him. He wanted to show Yan Heqing his mature side.
This time, he used his injury as an excuse to ask Yan Heqing to participate in his new project. First, he wanted to take the opportunity to see Yan Heqing more often. Second, Yan Heqing was a top student in software engineering and was capable of participating. Third, he was conveying a message to Yan Heqing that he was willing to let Yan Heqing participate in everything he did, including his most important company.
The new project was practically secured, with only the contract with Cheng Jian remaining. But suddenly, a tech company appeared, vying for the project, backed by Lu Group's Holdings...
His uncle invested in this technology company.
Lu Muchi didn't think Lu Lin was trying to trip him up. His uncle had no reason to target him, and besides, this project was a big deal for others, but it held no appeal for Lu Lin.
Lu Muchi was determined to win this project.
This was no longer just about proving to his grandfather that he was not much worse than Lu Lin; it was also a love letter he was sending to Yan Heqing.
Love letters worth billions.
Lu Muchi a warmth in his chest and began checking his watch, counting down the time until he would meet Yan Heqing.
He desperately wanted to see Yan Heqing.
The next day arrived amidst Lu Muchi's eager anticipation. He arrived at the Five Lakes Hotel at three o'clock to wait for Yan Heqing, and Yan Heqing arrived at four-thirty.
Lu Muchi kept his eyes on Yan Heqing the whole time and briefly explained the problem with the project, "Don't worry, it's not a big problem. Cheng Jian, my partner, is even more eager to sign the contract than I am."
Lu Muchi's brows were full of gentleness. "I asked you to come here today so you can learn more things that you didn't learn in school, so that you can work in the company later..." He coughed, "I mean my uncle's... You haven't met my uncle, but he's a very powerful person. He owns several companies related to your new major. I'll take you to meet him sometime."
At the same time, Lu Lin received a call from his assistant.
" President Lu, Cheng Jian and Young President Lu arranged to meet at the Five Lakes Hotel today."
Lu Lin was busy processing documents and didn't pay any attention.
His newly invested technology company has great potential, and with his financial support, Lu Muchi's collaboration with Cheng Jian will only teach Lu Muchi a bigger lesson.