Chapter 86: Speaking Against Conscience

“Let me introduce you. This is Lawyer Zhang Wei, and this here is my friend, Mei Liangxin.”

Xu Shaochen introduced Zhang Wei and Mei Liangxin to each other.

“Nice to meet you, Lawyer Zhang.”

Mei Liangxin extended his hand toward Zhang Wei.

Zhang Wei smiled faintly and shook hands with Mei Liangxin. “Mr. Mei, pleasure to meet you.”

“Lawyer Zhang, my friend here doesn’t have much experience in this area, so I’ll need you to take extra care of him,” Xu Shaochen said, raising his wine glass.

Seeing this, Zhang Wei quickly stood up, raised his wine glass, and clinked glasses with Xu Shaochen. “Not at all, Mr. Xu. You’re being too polite. This is within my duties.”

After some brief pleasantries and with the hotpot heating things up, the atmosphere between the three became lively.

Round after round of drinks and a variety of dishes followed.

Xu Shaochen called the waiter to settle the bill and handed Mei Liangxin a business card. “You should go find him later. He’ll be handling the matter this time.”

“General manager of Daqing Demolition Company? What a lousy name!” Mei Liangxin couldn’t help but complain as he took the business card.

Hearing this, both Xu Shaochen and Zhang Wei gave Mei Liangxin an odd look. Really? With a name like yours, you have no right to judge!

Mei Liangxin scratched his head, looking a bit puzzled. “Why are you guys looking at me like that?”

“Nothing, really. You’re just too handsome,” Xu Shaochen forced a fake smile that was 99% phony; the remaining 1% was pure insincerity.

Zhang Wei sighed. Really, speaking against your conscience like this, aren’t you afraid of getting struck by lightning?

With a radiant smile, Mei Liangxin flipped his parted hair and pointed at Xu Shaochen. “That’s why I like honest people like you who don’t tell lies. Modesty, my friend, modesty. I didn’t wear sunglasses today, and several female drivers almost caused accidents because of my looks. I don’t want to cause another unnecessary commotion because of my face.”

Xu Shaochen: “…………”

I really want to take that boiling hot pot and pour it over your face. Since you have no face anyway, it doesn’t matter if you get disfigured.

“Keep chatting. I’ll take my leave.”

Xu Shaochen smiled slightly at Zhang Wei, paid the bill, and walked out of the hotpot restaurant.

“Take care, Mr. Xu.”

Zhang Wei respectfully called out as he watched Xu Shaochen leave.

“Brother, you know there’s no good ending for someone who fawns over others,” Mei Liangxin said with a sigh.

The smile on Zhang Wei’s face froze. It’s a miracle he’s lived this long without getting beaten up.

………………

“Boss.”

Outside the hotpot restaurant.

Seeing Xu Shaochen come out, Long San hurriedly stepped forward and opened the car door for him.

“Head to the milk tea shop we first met at.”

After getting in the car, Xu Shaochen said casually, thinking that he hadn’t been there since their last meeting and now had some time.

“Yes, Boss.”

The car started smoothly, and Long Si followed behind in the Audi. Both cars were heading in the direction of the airport.

“Ring, ring, ring…”

The drive to the airport would take over half an hour, so Xu Shaochen was just about to catch up on some sleep when his phone rang.

He took a look at the screen and saw it was Zhao Qingyu calling. Without hesitation, he answered and put the phone to his ear.

“Xu Shaochen! What on earth are you doing? You haven’t shown up for your major classes! Today is the second day already!”

As soon as the call connected, Zhao Qingyu’s furious voice shot through the phone.

“Teacher Zhao, I’m really busy. I’m dealing with company matters, so studying has to take a back seat.”

Faced with Zhao Qingyu’s anger, Xu Shaochen remained calm.

“Don’t forget that you’re still a student!”

Zhao Qingyu’s tone softened a bit. She was just worried that Xu Shaochen might lose himself in a life of luxury, but hearing that he was busy with legitimate work calmed her down.

“Teacher Zhao, for a meddlesome woman like you, I have only one thing to say: I love you, darling. Let’s talk tonight.”

After saying that, Xu Shaochen hung up the phone casually, a wicked smile playing on his lips.

Sitting in the driver’s seat, Long San had the same thought as Long Er did last night: what a scumbag.

Xu Shaochen’s casual prank threw Zhao Qingyu into a fluster; her face flushed as she held the phone, unable to react for a long time.

Did he say that… he loved me?

And he called me darling?

This little rascal is getting more and more outrageous, with his courage growing bigger and his behavior increasingly unrestrained.

What is this supposed to mean? Zhao Qingyu was completely confused, her mind swirling with thoughts.

Meanwhile, the mastermind behind it all, Xu Shaochen, had already arrived at the milk tea shop Zhang Liang owned.

“Liangzi, busy?”

Xu Shaochen instructed Long San and Long Si to wait outside and went inside by himself.

“Shaochen! What brings you here? Sit down, I’m almost done here. Wifey, get some snacks for Shaochen!”

When Zhang Liang saw Xu Shaochen, his eyes lit up with joy as he quickened his pace in wiping down the tables and called out to Zhou Li.

“Sure, Shaochen, have a seat. I’ll whip up some snacks for you.”

Zhou Li responded warmly, given that Xu Shaochen had gifted them several thousand yuan, which was no small amount for them.

“I’ve been busy the past two days and just finally have time to come over. How’s business?”

Zhang Liang finished up his work quickly and sat across from Xu Shaochen.

Xu Shaochen ate the kebabs Zhou Li had prepared and drank milk tea, all the while looking at Zhang Liang.

He had to admit, the kebabs and various fried items were delicious; the seasonings Zhou Li and Zhang Liang used were distinct from what you’d find elsewhere.

“Not bad. Business is getting better. Mornings are a bit slow, but we’re usually busy all afternoon without any breaks.”

Zhang Liang beamed with happiness. Life was getting better, and at this rate, they’d be able to buy a house in Jiangzhou in a few years.

“By the way, you’re here at the right time. I wanted to ask you something. A few old classmates in our high school group have been talking about organizing a reunion. How do you feel about that?”

Zhang Liang suddenly remembered something and looked at Xu Shaochen as he asked.

“A reunion?” Xu Shaochen paused for a moment, then asked, “How many people are interested?”

“Not too bad. Mostly people in or around Jiangzhou, so about 20-something folks. Zhang Liang thought for a moment, knowing those from out of province wouldn’t come.

Xu Shaochen thought for a bit and said, “Alright, let’s have a reunion. It’s been over two years since we last saw each other. Let’s do it tomorrow, it’s perfect since it’s a Saturday. Whether they’re studying or working, everyone has a day off. Let them know to meet at the Jiangzhou University gate at 9 AM sharp, and I’ll handle the rest.”

Now that he had money, he wanted to organize an extravagant class reunion—something extraordinary to leave a memorable impression on his old classmates.

It wasn’t really about showing off; Xu Shaochen didn’t care about that.

After all, it was meaningless. Everyone was on different life paths; nothing remained but the old bonds of friendship.

“Alright, I’ll give a shout in the group later. Do you want me to add you to the group?”

Zhang Liang nodded and looked at Xu Shaochen.

“Nah, I’ll pass.”

Xu Shaochen shook his head and declined. The only group he was in was his university class group, and no others.

Because messages in those groups were super annoying, and it didn’t serve any purpose.

People were either studying or working, and they were all in different places now.

Longing for the past was normal once in a while, but aside from a few select people, deep bonds were hardly likely to persist.

After not seeing each other for so long, even the strongest feelings would naturally fade.

There’s nothing time can’t erase.