Chu Fang eventually invested in Anhongda.

On the one hand, he had high hopes for the company's future; on the other hand, he gained his sister-in-law's approval and successfully became close friends with Zhong Rou, so this deal was definitely worthwhile.

Life is back on track.

Chu Fang continued his usual leisurely routine of slacking off, living a carefree life.

At 5:30 p.m., Chu Fang said goodbye to Zhong Tingyue and then left the company. The latter rolled her eyes, her watery eyes filled with tenderness.

A little while later, Chu Fang arrived at the foot of a residential building and happened to run into Wen Xiangbing. The two of them went inside together.

Stepping into Rong Shunji's rented apartment, it's a small one-bedroom apartment with simple and ordinary decorations. The couple's wedding photo hangs on the wall, creating a warm atmosphere.

"You're living a good life, aren't you?" Wen Xiangbing looked around and said with a smile.

"So-so," Rong Shunji waved his hand, his face full of smiles.

"As expected of someone about to become a father, he's learned to be humble. That's not easy," Chu Fang added.

Wei Caixia is pregnant, and as good friends, they naturally wanted to come and visit.

“I have always been humble,” Rong Shunji said. “After all… I already have three children while I was in school. I will always be your loving father.”

"Ugh! Pah!"

Wei Caixia carried the dishes out of the kitchen with a faint smile on her face. Rong Shunji quickly took the dishes, placed them on the table, and said with some heartache, "Don't make any more, there's enough to eat."

"... ...Shouldn't we be the ones saying this?" Chu Fang said.

Wen Xiangbing also said, "We are the guests."

Despite this, the three dissuaded Wei Caixia from cooking a few more dishes. Upon seeing the three of them, Wei Caixia simply scooped up some food and went into the room to eat by herself, leaving the three of them enough space.

"That's great." Wen Xiangbing's tone was tinged with envy. "You really got lucky."

Rong Shunji brought the nutritious dishes into the room, gently closed the door, and said, "It cost 500,000."

"You think it's too expensive?" Chu Fang glanced at him sideways. "There's a reason why it's expensive."

“Hehe… …” Rong Shunji chuckled, “If you don’t mind the price, I’d be willing to add another 500,000.”

This is the truth, the honest truth.

Rong Shunji believed that marrying Wei Caixia was one of the luckiest things in his life. In this materialistic age, he was truly moved that a girl was willing to help him pay off his debts, live in a small house, and even bear him children.

If he had missed out on Wei Caixia back then, he might have regretted it for the rest of his life.

The three of them drank and chatted, discussing current events, reminiscing about the past, focusing on the present, and looking forward to the future... a style commonly known as "talking big."

Wei Caixia peered through the crack in the door at the three chatting, a faint smile playing on her lips.

... ...

Epiphyllum Residential Area.

Zhong Rou craned her neck to watch Zhong Tingyue cook, then generously added a spoonful of salt and said timidly, "Sister, let's wait for brother-in-law to come back."

She wanted to live.

"No need, your brother-in-law will probably be back very late." Zhong Tingyue answered without turning her head, her tone slightly smug: "Your brother-in-law is a great cook, and I'm not bad either. Today I'll let you try my cooking, and I guarantee you'll want to eat it again and again..."

How resentful I must be, wanting it to happen again and again.

Am I going to experiment on my own body?

Zhong Rou forced a smile, her mind a complete blank.

At that moment, she prayed frantically in her heart: "Brother-in-law, come back quickly, come back quickly, my sister is going to kill me."

... ...

Night falls and the stars are scattered like stars.

After the three finished drinking, they washed the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen waste. Rong Shunji told his wife to rest and then saw Chu Fang and his companion off.

Stepping out of the residential area, a gust of wind swept over me, instantly clearing my head.

The three strolled slowly along the street. Rong Shunji's smile never faded; he remained as cheerful as ever, with an added touch of warmth. Wen Xiangbing clasped his hands behind his head, gazing at the night sky as if lost in thought. Chu Fang, on the other hand, had his hands in his pockets, looking around.

"I wonder how Liangzi is doing?" Rong Shunji's voice broke the silence between the three.

“He’s doing better than you,” Chu Fang said. “Liangzi’s parents found him a job, nine to five, how great is that? By the time we meet again, he might already have a kid.”

“That won’t do!” Rong Shunji said seriously. “If he doesn’t invite the three of us to his wedding, I’ll stuff his baby in his belly.”

The three looked at each other and then burst into laughter.

“It’s been so long since we last met,” Rong Shunji said.

Chu Fang shrugged: "I'm available anytime."

Wen Xiangbing slowly withdrew his gaze: "I can find the time."

The two looked at Rong Shunji, who pointed to himself and said, "So I'm the only one who doesn't have time."

He paused, then continued, "There's nothing I can do. I'm not only burdened with hundreds of thousands in debt, but I also have a wife and kids to support, so the financial pressure is immense. Unlike you two, one of you is single and has no family to worry about, and the other is... well, you're a rich guy who never lacks money. I'm so angry!"

Wen Xiangbing patted his friend on the shoulder and said, "It's okay, just wait until I make a fortune, and I'll take you to the top and live a life of luxury."

Turning his head, his eyes scanning the surroundings, he said, "Look at this bustling metropolis, so brightly lit, so vibrant, a place where countless people dream of making a living. I, Wen Xiangbing, will definitely create my own success in this metropolis, become a big boss, become a person above everyone else..."

Chu Fang and Rong Shunji looked at each other, and the former said, "Have you had too much to drink?"

Wen Xiangbing smirked, "Fang Zi, you're so annoying. I'm expressing my ideals, why are you interrupting me?"

“I don’t have your grand ambitions. I just want to pay off my debts as soon as possible, buy a small house in my hometown, and live a comfortable life.” Rong Shunji asked, “What about you, Fangzi?”

Chu Fang solemnly replied, "Just lazing around waiting to die."

Get out of here!

Rong Shunji thought for a moment, then looked at Chu Fang and said, "Fangzi, the repayment period needs to be extended."

Having a child added an extra expense for him, putting him under considerable pressure.

"Whatever you want." Chu Fang waved his hand, paused for a moment, and then said, "Well... don't give me the money, just transfer it to your parents."

Rong Shunji raised an eyebrow.

Chu Fang spread his hands: "It's not my fault. Who told your parents to only have you as their son? If you want the stars in the sky, they'll pluck them down for you."

Now that things have come to this, Chu Fang no longer wants to keep it a secret.

Firstly, the two elders concealed the news of debt repayment in the hope that Rong Shunji would feel pressure to repay it and work hard. Now, Rong Shunji's hard work and struggle are clearly visible, so there is no need to hide it.

Secondly, it's entirely possible that Chu Fang didn't want his friends to be overwhelmed by debt, or even to the point of exhaustion himself.

The money owed to Chu Fang and the money owed to his parents are both debts, but in essence, they are not the same thing.

As they walked, the three parted ways. Rong Shunji stayed where he was, watching the two figures disappear into the darkness. He squatted down, took out a cigarette, and slowly smoked it, the smoke filling the air.

After taking two puffs, Rong Shunji threw the cigarette on the ground, stomped on it, and dialed his mother's number. His mother looked at him with surprise: "Son, what's wrong? Why are you sitting by the roadside? Are you feeling unwell?... ..."

His mother bombarded him with questions like a machine gun, and Rong Shunji's eyes reddened and filled with tears: "Mom and Dad, I'm sorry."

... ...