“I haven't left Shengming Company yet, and I already have investments in Licheng anyway. I can check on them while I'm there.”

Before Shen Rui could say anything, Qin Chuan was already far away.

The clamor all around continued.

The wild music continued.

Men and women, laughing and cursing, continued.

But Shen Rui felt completely out of sorts.

Among their group of friends, he wasn't the biggest party animal, nor was Qin Chuan the most unconventional.

The biggest party animal was probably in Las Vegas working as a croupier, experiencing life and seeing all its facets.

The most unconventional one was currently in Antarctica observing penguins, looking as if he was ready to dedicate his entire life to nature.

But the most decisive and resolute of them all was, without a doubt, Qin Chuan.

Whatever he wanted to do, he would do. Whatever he said, he would deliver on.

Shen Rui knew the father and son didn't get along and that Qin Chuan would strike out on his own sooner or later. But he hadn't expected that in order to make a clean break and gain his freedom, Qin Chuan would reject the Qin Group's fortune just like that.

He who is without desire is strong. The only thing Qin Shiyu could hold over his son was the Qin Group. Once Qin Chuan voluntarily gave it up, he would be completely powerless.

Shen Rui's family background wasn't as good as Qin Chuan's, but it wasn't too far off. He was an only son, but his parents' expectations for him were not high. The company would be managed by professional managers in the future anyway, so he could just be an idler, collect dividends, and never worry about food or drink for the rest of his life.

So Shen Rui played when he wanted to play and indulged when he wanted to indulge, never putting too much pressure on himself.

But now, seeing his friends find their own goals one by one, it was impossible to say he wasn't the least bit moved.

He touched his forehead, running a hand up through his hair, and suddenly felt that maybe he should be a little more ambitious too.

...

While Qin Chuan was wandering around the old city, Bo He and Zhang Chen were sitting at a dinner table.

Face to face.

Zhang Chen gazed at Bo He's quiet and pretty face, and for a dazed moment, it was as if he had returned to a few years ago.

The same kind of table, the same noisy surroundings.

The clatter of bowls and plates being placed on the table brought him back to his senses.

The owner greeted Bo He: “Xiao Bo, we got fresh fish in today, lively and jumping. I saved one for you. Do you want it sweet and sour or braised in soy sauce?”

Bo He's mouth immediately started to water. “Sweet and sour, please. Will that be too much trouble?”

“Not at all, not at all. Just you wait!” The owner went off with a chuckle.

Seeing Zhang Chen in a daze, Bo He took the initiative to rinse their bowls and chopsticks with hot water.

“There aren't any high-end restaurants around here, just these little eateries. You'll have to make do.”

Zhang Chen saw that she had misunderstood and quickly said, “This place is like the ones near our old school. I'm used to this kind of food. But you've only been here for two days, how do you already know the owner?”

Bo He: “Yesterday on the road, I saw his kid playing outside. He got bumped by a motorcycle and was bleeding from his head, so I took him to the hospital and fronted the medical fees. Luckily, it wasn't serious, just superficial injuries. The owner was very grateful afterward.”

Zhang Chen showed a disapproving expression. “I know you're warm-hearted, but what if they had tried to extort you? You can't be too careful with people.”

Bo He nodded. “I'll be more careful next time.”

Zhang Chen could tell at a glance that she was just placating him.

“You're always like this. You haven't changed a bit.”

Bo He joked, “Well, Senior Brother, you're pretty much the same, still nagging as ever. The child was bleeding, wasn't he? If I hadn't seen him, that would be one thing, but since I did, how could I not do anything? Besides, if a child is left wandering alone and gets abducted, wouldn't that be much more serious?”

The owner quickly brought out the sweet and sour fish, interrupting the pair's seemingly familiar but superficial pleasantries.

Tender fish meat was drizzled with a sweet and sour sauce. Bo He had no time to talk to Zhang Chen anymore. She picked up a large piece of fish with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth. The sweet and sour flavor instantly filled her taste buds, evoking a pleasant sensation that made the hairs on her body stand on end.

Seeing her expression, Zhang Chen also picked up a piece to try.

Bo He looked at him. “It's delicious, right?”

Zhang Chen nodded. “It's quite good. Later, could you ask the owner to save two for me tomorrow? I want to treat Auntie An and Shu Yao to a taste.”

Bo He: “Director An?”

Zhang Chen: “Yes. The Shu family and my family are old family friends. This film happens to need a historical consultant for the subject matter, so Auntie An invited me. I watched Shu Yao grow up; she's like a little sister to me.”

This was a small matter, and he had assumed Bo He would agree without a second thought, but to his surprise, she politely declined.

“This shop's storefront is small, but business is booming. I heard people even drive over from the next city just to eat here. The fish are limited in number, and they're all reserved by regular customers. I'd be too embarrassed to ask the owner for that.”

Zhang Chen was taken aback.

This was a small matter, but Bo He, who wasn't even afraid of taking responsibility for an injured child and taking him to the hospital, was reluctant to help him reserve two fish.

Zhang Chen couldn't help but overthink it.

“Xiao He, do you still hate me?”

...

Licheng was an ancient city, but it was also divided into an old district and a new district.

Qin Chuan's hotel was in the new district. He had originally planned to just grab a casual bite for dinner and call it a night, but a video conference was suddenly canceled, and his evening suddenly became free and relaxed.

He had originally hailed a cab and asked the driver to take him to wander around the old district, but upon the strong recommendation of the local foodie driver, he arrived at this small restaurant. Its storefront didn't look like much, but it was the kind of place that, in novels, is often a den of hidden masters.

A myriad of lights from countless homes, a bustling mortal world.

A person lives their whole life pursuing nothing more than the basic necessities.

And satisfying the appetite became the most important among them.

Qin Chuan arrived rather early. The sky hadn't yet darkened, but the outdoor tables were already almost full, further showing how popular the restaurant was.

Fortunately, there was one small table left, just big enough for two people, in a corner against the wall where the view and air circulation weren't great.

Qin Chuan had no interest in inconveniencing himself for a meal, nor did he believe the chef could create some divinely delicious masterpiece. So he decided to turn and leave. No matter how much the driver praised it to the high heavens, he was determined not to stay.

Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks and turned back.

Qin Chuan silently walked to that spot and sat down, his expression as solemn as if he were attending a Hongmen Banquet, completely forgetting the vow he'd made a second ago.

Next to the table next to his, two tables away, were Bo He and Zhang Chen.

Since it was praised to the high heavens, I might as well give it a try.

Qin Chuan thought to himself, shifting a little further into the shadows.

He just wanted to see how delicious the food here really was, definitely not because he saw a certain someone.