Chapter 46 I'm here to pick up my girlfriend.
After washing up, Chen Ci went downstairs to buy herself breakfast.
There's a breakfast stall downstairs in the apartment complex that's always busy; they sell out almost all their breakfast by 8 a.m. Even though Chen Ci was supposed to work overtime today, she hadn't planned on getting up this early… but after having that dream, she couldn't fall back asleep.
Thinking that she couldn't get up so early for nothing, Chen Ci specially went downstairs to buy breakfast.
Perhaps because it's Saturday, breakfast wasn't as sought after as usual, and Chen Ci managed to snag some popular pastries at a bargain price.
She carried the takeout bag and drank her soy milk as she went home. She had a video conference this morning, and this afternoon she needed to finalize the artwork with the illustrator and contact the designer. Tonight… it was time to think about what to wear to Zhou Shilin's house for a casual dinner tomorrow.
However, the plan fell through at noon because Wu Junnan suddenly called to say that a friend had invited them to dinner that evening.
"It's Zhao Siwen, do you remember him? He was in the same club as us in college."
Shen Ci and Wu Junnan met in a student club at university. On her first day at university, Wu Junnan pulled her into their anime club. At the time, Wu Junnan was a junior and the club president, while Zhao Siwen was the vice president.
“I remember, our vice president, he became a full-time president after you graduated.” Chen Ci said to Wu Junnan on the other end of the phone while eating the noodles she ordered for lunch. “We haven’t been in touch much since he graduated too.”
Although they have a group chat, apart from the first year after it was created, almost no one talks in it anymore.
“I’ve kept in touch with him. He’s been traveling around a lot these past few years, and he happened to be in City A today, so he said he’d treat us to a meal so we could all get together.” Wu Junnan sent Chen Ci a private room reservation on WeChat. “He booked a private room at Tianxiaju, and I’ve sent it to your phone.”
“Okay.” Chen Ci glanced at the private room Wu Junnan had sent and raised an eyebrow. “Having booked such a large private room at Tianxiaju, it seems President Zhao has made quite a bit of money these past few years.”
Wu Junnan said, "He probably invited some other friends as well, but it's okay, just think of it as going out for a meal. Anyway, you're at home today, so you'll probably just order takeout, right?"
Chen Ci: "..."
The noodles in my hand suddenly didn't taste so good.
"Instead of eating takeout at home, let's go to Tianxiaju for a good meal. I'll pick you up on my way, and we can go together."
"Wow, thank you so much, Senior Brother Wu!"
"You're welcome. Just remember the red envelope you promised to give my daughter."
Chen Ci: "..."
Zhao Siwen had arranged to have dinner with them at 6 p.m., but Wu Junnan picked her up at 5 p.m. downstairs in Shen Ci's apartment complex. After getting into the car, Shen Ci thanked Wu Junnan again, saying, "Thank you, Mr. Wu, for saving me money on a taxi."
While driving, Wu Junnan chatted with her: "Didn't you say before that your dad was going to give you a car? It will be more convenient once you have your own car."
"It's still early, I haven't even had time to take my driver's license test yet."
“…” Wu Junnan glanced at her sideways, “Are you targeting me? I told you that you didn’t have to take the driving test when you were in school, but now that there are no winter or summer vacations, you can only go to driving lessons on weekends.”
Chen Ci pouted. She was too lazy to learn to drive even when she was in school, and she didn't want to learn even more now: "Do you think self-driving cars still need a driver's license?"
"Ask President Zhou about that. Doesn't Shijie also research autonomous driving?"
“You’re right.” Chen Ci picked up her phone and started sending messages to Zhou Shilin.
Chen Ci: Mr. Zhou, do owners of self-driving cars still need to take a driving test?
Zhou Shilin: What, don't you want to take the driving test?
Chenci: You replied so quickly, looks like you're not busy right now.
Zhou Shilin: It is indeed rest time now.
Zhou Shilin: In the short term, cars with self-driving technology will still require a driver's license, so don't even think about it.
Sinking porcelain: ... = =
Chenci: That technique is pretty rubbish [smirk]
Zhou Shilin: ...
After Chen Ci picked up her phone, she never put it down again, and the two chatted like that the whole way.
Wu Junnan regretted saying that one sentence; otherwise, he wouldn't have had to endure her saccharine expression the whole way.
Upon arriving at the private room, Chen Ci tidied her clothes and hair, and together with Wu Junnan, they pushed open the door and went inside.
The private room was bustling with activity. Besides several university club members, there were a few others whose names Shen Ci couldn't recall, presumably Zhao Siwen's friends. Since they were all young, they were quite relaxed together. Zhao Siwen, surrounded by them, chatted and laughed. Seeing Shen Ci and Wu Junnan enter, he immediately waved and greeted them: "Senior Brother Wu, Junior Sister Shen! Over here!"
Chen Ci smiled and walked up with Wu Junnan, glancing at Zhao Siwen a few times: "It's been a few years since I last saw you, Senior Brother Zhao, you've become more and more like a successful person."
"Oh, not at all, it's you, junior sister, who's getting more and more beautiful." Zhao Siwen said, then looked at Wu Junnan beside her, "But if we're talking about winners in life, it has to be our senior brother Wu. Not only is his company doing well, but now he even has a daughter!"
"Sure, sure. I'll invite everyone over for dinner at the end of the month when my daughter turns one month old."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the door to the private room was pushed open again. When Chen Ci looked up, she was surprised to see Chen Yun standing at the door.
"Chen Yun, you're here?" Zhao Siwen walked up and welcomed Chen Yun in. "Let me introduce you all. This is my childhood friend, Chen Yun. He just came back from abroad."
Shen Ci knew Chen Yun and Zhao Siwen, but she had never known that the two of them were childhood friends, so she looked at them with some surprise. Chen Yun greeted the others and walked up to Shen Ci: "Shen Ci, what a coincidence? You know Zhao Siwen too?"
“…Yes, we were in the same club in college.” Chen Ci nodded, looking at Chen Yun in front of her. He wasn’t wearing a suit today, but dressed more casually. At first glance, he still looked like he did when he was in school. “You and Senior Brother Zhao are childhood friends. How come I’ve never heard you mention it?”
“We lived in the same neighborhood when we were kids, but he moved away when I went to high school,” Chen Yun explained. “I didn’t expect you to know him too, it must be fate.”
Wu Junnan, who had been listening to their conversation for a few minutes, couldn't resist asking Chen Ci, "Are you and this Mr. Chen old acquaintances?"
"Oh, he's my high school classmate. I didn't expect that Senior Brother Zhao is also his friend."
"Oh..." Wu Junnan responded meaningfully. He suddenly felt that Zhao Siwen's invitation to dinner today seemed to have ulterior motives.
"This must be Mr. Wu from Pupu Paradise, right?" Chen Yun extended his hand and shook hands with Wu Junnan. "Chen Ci is very grateful for your care at the company."
"It's alright, it's alright. Our junior colleague is very capable, and the company can't do without her."
"You guys shouldn't just stand there chatting, find a place to sit down," Zhao Siwen said, walking up to them and inviting them to sit at the table.
Chen Ci sat down next to Wu Junnan in the empty seat next to him. As soon as she sat down, Chen Yun sat down on the other side of her.
"Would you like some juice?" Chen Yun picked up the freshly squeezed juice on the table and poured some into the glass in front of Chen Ci. "I remember you liked to drink freshly squeezed juice when you were in high school."
"Thank you, I can do it myself." Chen Ci tried to take the juice from his hand and pour it herself, but Chen Yun dodged her.
"It's okay, I'll pour it for you."
The glass in front of Chen Ci was gradually filled with juice. Chen Yun then took the juice and asked Wu Junnan next to him, "Senior Brother Wu, would you like some juice? Or will you drink alcohol later?"
“I drove, so juice will do.” Wu Junnan smiled, got up and took the juice from his hand. “I can pour it myself.”
Chen Yun exchanged a few pleasantries with him, then went to chat with Chen Ci: "Did you receive the flowers I sent you before?"
Wu Junnan's ears immediately perked up. So the roses from that day were from this kid! He had always felt that the way this guy looked at his junior sister wasn't innocent, and sure enough!
Chen Ci nodded and said to Chen Yun, "You don't need to send me flowers anymore. I can't blame you for what happened that day, but I hope you won't interfere in my family's affairs anymore."
"No, it won't happen again. I really didn't think things through that day." Chen Yun assured her that it wouldn't happen again, and then asked her, "What would you like to eat? I'll get the menu for you to see."
Chen Ci said, "No need, isn't it Senior Brother Zhao who's treating today? I'll eat whatever he orders."
Chen Yun glanced at Zhao Siwen, who, having received the signal, turned the menu toward Chen Ci: "I've already ordered a few dishes. If Junior Sister Chen wants anything else, just order. Don't be shy."
Chen Yun opened the menu and smiled at Chen Ci, saying, "Take a look and see what you'd like to eat."
While he was fawning over Chen Ci, Wu Junnan had already secretly picked up his phone and started to tip off Zhou Shilin: "President Zhou, there's enemy activity."
Zhou Shilin: Is it that Mr. Chen from last time again?
Wu Junnan: As expected of President Zhou, it's him! He's having dinner with us right now, and he's being incredibly attentive to our junior sister!
Zhou Shilin: He invited you to dinner?
Wu Junnan: No, it was a gathering organized by a college classmate. I didn't expect him to be Chen Yun's childhood friend!
Wu Junnan proactively sent the private room number to Zhou Shilin. After seeing it, Zhou Shilin replied, "Thank you, Mr. Wu, I'll remember your kindness."
Holding his phone, Wu Junnan wore a satisfied smile. With Mr. Zhou from Shijie indebted to him, Pupu Paradise would only have a smooth road ahead!
Over there, Shen Ci ordered one dish and then handed the menu to the others so they could order. After the food was served, Chen Yun continued to busy himself, serving Shen Ci food and handing her tissues. By the time the meal was halfway through, everyone could see his feelings for Shen Ci.
Chen Ci felt that after finishing her meal, she should take this opportunity to make things clear with Chen Yun. She took a sip of the juice in her glass and was about to speak when the door to the private room was pushed open again.
Zhao Siwen's invited people were all here, and the dishes had all been served, so there shouldn't be anyone else coming. After the door was pushed open, everyone looked up. Zhou Shilin stood in the doorway, his gaze fixed squarely on Shen Ci.
The private room fell silent instantly. Everyone, whether they knew Zhou Shilin or not, was now completely focused on him. Zhou Shilin was used to this kind of attention. He glanced at Chen Yun next to Chen Ci, then stepped into the private room.
"This must be... Mr. Zhou from Shijie Group, right?" Zhao Siwen has gotten to know quite a few people through his business dealings over the years. Although he hasn't had the chance to meet Zhou Shilin of Shijie Group yet, he has read all the news reports about Zhou Shilin.
At such a young age, he has already taken control of the Shijie Group, a business empire. He is truly a role model for young entrepreneurs like himself!
Although he said in a previous interview that his success was because he had a chairman father, any savvy young entrepreneur knows how difficult it is to take over Shijie from his father!
Mr. Zhou is being too modest!
Upon unexpectedly meeting his idol, Zhao Siwen was somewhat excited. He stood up and walked towards Zhou Shilin: "Hello, Mr. Zhou, what brings you here..."
"I'm here to pick up my girlfriend," Zhou Shilin stated succinctly.
There were only three girls in the entire private room, including Chen Ci. Hearing Zhou Shilin's words, the other two girls instinctively looked at each other, then saw the same shock in each other's eyes—
This can't be your boyfriend, right?
After exchanging glances, they both looked at Chen Ci.
Chen Ci didn't know why Zhou Shilin was here... No, she did know! Wasn't President Wu his informant?
She glanced sideways at Wu Junnan, who was pretending to be indifferent, and stood up from her chair.
Zhou Shilin walked to her side, looked at her, and asked, "Have you finished eating?"
"Mmm, I'm done eating." Chen Ci picked up her bag and smiled at Zhao Siwen, "Senior Brother Zhao, we'll be going now. Let's get together again next time."
"Hey, no, you're leaving already?" Zhao Siwen hadn't even spoken to Zhou Shilin when he saw him about to leave, so he quickly tried to persuade him to stay, "Why don't you sit down and have some with us, Mr. Zhou? There's still so much food left."
"No need, I've already eaten." Zhou Shilin politely declined his offer, took Chen Ci's hand, and walked out of the private room. "Please enjoy your meal, everyone. We'll be leaving now."
Zhao Siwen watched their departing figures with deep regret, while Chen Yun, standing up abruptly from his chair, chased after them.
Zhao Siwen: "..."
Chen Yun was bold enough, but he never expected that Chen Ci's boyfriend would be Zhou Shilin... If it were him, he would also choose Zhou Shilin.
"Chen Ci!" Chen Yun called out to Chen Ci as he chased out of the private room, "Wait!"
Chen Ci and Zhou Shilin stopped and watched him catch up from behind. Zhou Shilin's gaze held a hint of displeasure. He pulled Chen Ci closer to him and asked, "Is there anything else, Mr. Chen?"
Chen Yun frowned as he looked at the person blocking his way. He knew who Zhou Shilin was, of course. He had heard rumors that Chen Ci and Zhou Shilin seemed to be getting close, but seeing Zhou Shilin say to his face that Chen Ci was his girlfriend, he was still somewhat unwilling.
"Mr. Zhou, are you and Shen Ci really dating?"
Zhou Shilin retorted, "Otherwise what?"
Chen Yun pursed his lips and remained silent for a moment. Zhou Shilin glanced at him, took Chen Ci's hand, and turned to leave.
This scene seemed to provoke Chen Yun, who shouted at Zhou Shilin's back, "Zhou Shilin, do you even know her?! Do you know she has a mental illness?!"
After Chen Yun finished speaking, both Chen Ci and Zhou Shilin stopped. Zhou Shilin turned around, his eyes so cold they seemed to ooze ice shards. Just as he was about to say something, Chen Ci suddenly shook off his hand and quickly walked up to Chen Yun.
Her steps were so forceful that Chen Yun subconsciously took a step back. Chen Ci looked up at him, grinned, and said, "Do you know that mentally ill people aren't punished for killing?"
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