"It's really not easy to treat you to a meal. Mr. Jin is busy with his career now. Do you still remember your fellow townsman?"

"I remember, you helped me, of course I remember you."

Jin Shu is not an ungrateful person. Strictly speaking, Lu Xu's help saved her at least two or three years of detours, and allowed her to meet that CEO, which enabled her career to develop rapidly in a short period of time.

Therefore, Jin Shu remembered Lu Xu's kindness. Even though she had already paid him, everyone knew that the money she gave was not much at all.

"As expected, Mr. Jin is still as businesslike as ever. The college entrance exam is coming up soon, isn't it? I feel like time is passing very slowly, but looking at you now, it's surprising that you're still a student."

You're amazing, I admire you from the bottom of my heart.

Jin Shu nodded.

"So you invited me to dinner this time to catch up with old friends."

"You can think of it this way: I hope we can become friends. I'm in foreign trade, and you want to expand into overseas markets, right? Let's cooperate and achieve a win-win situation."

Jin Shu took a sip of juice and quietly looked at him.

She had no reason to refuse a collaboration that came to her, but given Lu Xu's current status, he could have sought collaborations with established and powerful companies in China, rather than actively pursuing a new clothing brand like hers.

"I'm naturally delighted that Mr. Lu wants to cooperate with us. Since we're from the same hometown, let's not be so reserved. Mr. Lu, please state your requirements as soon as possible. We can exchange benefits. If possible, I should also show my sincerity."

"Sincerity?"

Lu Xu leaned forward slowly, and his voice suddenly softened as the soothing music played.

"I've always been worried that I might have done something wrong and seemed too presumptuous. Since you like to be straightforward, I won't hide anything from you either."

Jin Shu, I've always liked you. If you plan to find a partner after you get into university, I hope you'll consider me first.

As Lu Xu spoke, his gaze remained fixed on Jin Shu's face the entire time, his attitude sincere and his expression earnest.

Jin Shu looked at his face, and after a moment of daze, she suddenly chuckled softly.

"Sorry, I'm not planning on finding a partner."

"Why are you so sure? You're still young, how can you be certain about the future?"

Jin Shu shook her head, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, then got up and pushed the chair back.

"Thank you, this meal is on me. I have something to do at school, so I'll head back now."

Stepping out of the restaurant, Lu Xu easily caught up with Jin Shu's pace with his long strides.

“I regret it. I shouldn’t have revealed my selfish motives so early. We can continue to cooperate as friends and benefit each other.”

"Although Jinhe is young, he could indeed soar to great heights if someone gave him a helping hand, but if given time, I will achieve what I desire."

I am very grateful for Mr. Lu's help as a fellow townsman, but I still hope that we can discuss cooperation again when we are truly on equal footing in the future.

"Mr. Lu, you don't need to see me off. Please go home."

Looking at Jin Shu's faint smile, that indifference and aloofness as cold as smoke and mist, it reminded him once again of that night two years ago.

He believed that he had helped her and therefore deserved her favor, but was ultimately rejected without hesitation.

Two years later, he had achieved wealth and status that ordinary people could not attain, and he made the same mistake again. Of course, he felt that he deserved to be treated like this by Jin Shu.

Isn't this just like using resources to exchange for a girl's love?

If Jin Shu agreed, it wouldn't seem like her at all.

"Jin Shu, Jin Shu, I apologize to you. I had a few drinks and I was indeed a little tipsy."

President Lu, who was once fawned over and flattered by others, now acted like a young boy, nervous and even impatient, trying to explain himself clearly.

Jin Shu kept walking.

"You don't need to explain to me. No matter what you're like, I won't consider you."

Hasn't she been hurt enough by that jerk? Jin Shu must be out of her mind to reconsider accepting a man.

She saw clearly that most people in the world are cold-hearted after living for tens of thousands of years.

She saw things clearly, thought them through thoroughly, and acted naturally and decisively.

Lu Xu, however, was shameless and followed her all the way to the school gate.

He knew that Jin Shu had bought a house here and had been living here recently.

"I'm home now."

"I'm home too."

Lu Xu pointed to the newly built building across the street.

“I’m currently involved in a new business called real estate. This residential complex is an investment I made with others. You even bought two units there. I know all of this.”

Do you know what privacy is?

“I’m in charge. There aren’t many people buying houses. Even if it were someone else, I would remember that you bought two houses in one go, let alone you.”

I also like the houses here, so I kept one as well.

Although Lu Xu was wearing a suit, he seemed to have transformed back into the idle boy in the village, always smiling and carefree, like a wildcat with sharp claws—sharp-willed but utterly unserious.

"How about this, if you don't want to do foreign trade with me, then invest in real estate with me. Many people are not optimistic about this sector, and I can't attract much investment; I'm short of money."

"Think about it, we could start a company together."

She had spent over an hour with him, and only this sentence successfully got Jin Shu to look at him properly.

Her eyes lit up, and Lu Xu couldn't help but smile; he knew she was interested.

How much do you need?

"Of course, the more the better. Buying land now is a good deal, and the government is also strongly supporting it."

"Can."

"Agreed so readily? Shouldn't you do some proper research?"

Jin Shu shook her head.

“I have been investigating for a long time. Housing is very important to people in our country. This industry will develop very well in the future, but I don’t understand the specific operation of the industry. Now you provide the technology and I provide the money. We can cooperate.”

Lu Xu's smile deepened as he looked at Jin Shu.

Under the streetlights, Jin Shu was enveloped in the tall shadow of the man, making her figure appear even more slender.

Students coming and going after class happened to witness this scene.

Jin Shu was a prominent figure at school; everyone knew her. So, seeing her talking to a young man under the lamp naturally piqued the curiosity of many.

"Who is that man? He's dressed like a boss."

"Who else could be the boss who knows Jin Shu? He looks quite young, probably from a wealthy family."

Coincidentally, Jin Yin also saw it. At first, she was a little unsure, but when she saw the person's face under the light, she couldn't help but feel a flutter in her heart.

It's Lu Xu!

The person she will never forget in her life!

In her previous life, she was bewitched by his face and dropped out of school early to marry him. He seemed to be living a life of luxury and wealth, but she never expected that he was actually penniless!