The Youths of Wuling by the Eastern Gold Market, Silver Saddles and White Horses Amid the Spring Breeze Chapter 107: Discordant Notes
In 2005, the milk tea market was hardly prepared for such a marketing strategy. Within just two days, the wildly popular sales scene of "Qinglu" made headlines, with even television stations broadcasting footage of long queues.
Moreover, the Xianjiang Evening News ran a front-page headline that evening titled "A Cup Hard to Find," which drew even more attention.
Even Qin Lu called him, saying, “Fang Yu, your milk tea shop is incredibly popular! My classmates and I waited in line for ages to buy some.”
Fang Yu quickly explained, “Silly girl, that’s my marketing strategy. If you want milk tea, just say so—there’s no need to queue!”
After exchanging a few gentle words with his beloved, he hung up, only to sense that something was off in the internet café.
Today, it should have been Zhao Bin and Lu Zhen’s turn to work the day shift together, but there was a noticeable distance between them. They hadn’t spoken all morning and even bought separate lunches.
To think, these two had been inseparable childhood friends since elementary school—their bond even stronger than his and Cheng Chen’s.
At lunch, Fang Yu quietly pulled Lu Zhen aside and handed him a cigarette. “What’s going on between you and Zhao Bin? Do you have some kind of disagreement?”
Lu Zhen looked upset. “Boss Fang, you noticed? I’m telling you, I can’t believe what Zhao Bin did. He actually sent a text to Zhang Yan, saying I’m not a good person and that he’s going to take care of her instead.”
It turned out that Lu Zhen had recently started dating Zhang Yan, a girl from the neighboring shop, and they were now officially a couple.
“Huh? That can’t be. Zhao Bin has been in Xianjiang for a while, but I’ve never seen him interested in any girl. Not even Shen Molan, a wealthy heiress, caught his eye recently,” Fang Yu said skeptically. After all, he and Zhao Bin had grown up together.
“Boss Fang, look at this,” Lu Zhen said anxiously, pulling out his phone and handing it over.
On the screen was a forwarded message, densely packed with over a hundred characters. Since it was someone else’s private message, Fang Yu didn’t read it all but caught a few phrases like “I just want to hold your hand and walk quietly together.”
Fang Yu was stunned. Among friends, there were usually unspoken boundaries, and Zhao Bin had clearly crossed a line.
Unable to sit still, he comforted Lu Zhen briefly before returning to the internet café and beckoning Zhao Bin over. “Zhao Bin, come with me to grab some drinks and instant noodles.”
They got into the Santana 2000 and hadn’t driven far when Fang Yu cleared his throat awkwardly and said, “So, uh, you and Lu Zhen aren’t getting along, huh?”
Zhao Bin feigned ignorance. “What? No, we’ve always been like this.”
“Come on, brothers don’t need to hide things from each other. Is it about Zhang Yan?”
“What Zhang Yan? I’m telling you, Lu Zhen does nothing but play games all day at the internet café. I’m the one who’s been working hard; everything’s on me!”
“Really? He seemed to be putting in effort this morning.”
“That was just for show when you were around. I know him well—he only ever plays games. Whenever something needs doing, I’m the one who does it.”
Seeing Zhao Bin’s stubborn denial, Fang Yu stopped pressing and reluctantly nodded. He drove to the wholesale market in the neighboring town to buy some drinks and snacks.
“Wait, let’s stop by the cake shop on the next street,” Zhao Bin suddenly said as they were about to head back.
“Sure, want some bread?” Fang Yu asked, turning the wheel to the right.
“Some cream puffs,” Zhao Bin replied.
Zhao Bin had always loved dairy products, so Fang Yu didn’t object. After buying the treats, they returned to the internet café on the snack street.
By then, Xia Churan and Li Jing had arrived early for their shift and were chatting happily.
The two got out of the car while Fang Yu busied himself bringing the drinks behind the counter. Zhao Bin carried the bag of cream puffs toward the other side of the snack street.
“Hehe, Fang Yu, you went to stock up. Molan said she’s treating us to dinner tonight,” Xia Churan said, linking her arm with his, smiling brightly.
“Tsk, Miss Shen still can’t let go of Zhao Bin, huh?” Fang Yu teased, glancing at the young lady standing by the counter.
“Ridiculous. When have I ever liked him?” Shen Molan flicked her long wavy hair, acting proud.
“Alright, alright. Your love life isn’t my business,” Fang Yu said, half-smiling.
Xia Churan’s doe-like eyes sparkled as she tugged him into a corner. “Fang Yu, tell me, who exactly are you? Molan says with your internet café and milk tea shop, you couldn’t possibly afford that sports car.”
Fang Yu forced a dry laugh and waved it off. “It’s nothing. Cars can be used for tax deductions. Shen Molan’s family runs a big business—they must know that too.”
The girl shook her head stubbornly. “Even for tax deductions, there’s no way it would cover that much. Don’t think I don’t know anything.”
He hadn’t told anyone about Bao Le Me’s situation and could only be vague. “Fine, I’m just a spendthrift. What’s there to ask?”
Xia Churan pouted in dissatisfaction. “Hmph, you never tell me the truth. Oh, Fang Yu, on our day off, will you give me a ride home?”
“What? Give you a ride? If I remember right, you live in Mudong, right? That’s not too far from Xianjiang—just a bit over two hours by car. You want me to drive you all the way?”
“But if I take the bus, I only get to the town. Then I have to walk more than ten miles to get home,” the girl said, sounding a bit forlorn.
Fang Yu softened immediately. In the biting cold, even a grown man would struggle walking five or six kilometers, let alone a young girl in her prime.
“Alright then, when’s our day off?”
“The 10th. Hehe, so you’ll take me home?” The girl’s face brightened instantly, knowing she had touched a soft spot.
“Looks like I’m no match for you.”
Qin Lu didn’t need a ride; coming from a well-to-do family, her parents would naturally pick her up.
After a while, Cheng Chen arrived at the internet café. Zhao Bin had just returned from the other side of the snack street, and the atmosphere turned awkward.
To ease the tension, Cheng Chen forced a smile and leaned over the bar counter. “Hey, Zhao Bin, don’t be so serious. Smile a little—we’re all brothers here, following Fang Yu to Xianjiang to make a living. No need to put on a tough act all the time.”
Zhao Bin didn’t look up. “I was born this way. Besides, I’ve faced many storms in life—good times and bad. I even swore I’d never let anyone control my emotions again.”
Hearing this, Cheng Chen rolled his eyes in frustration and cursed before stomping off. “What nonsense! Do you think I haven’t seen movies? You’re barely old enough to know storms.”
In the end, Fang Yu stepped in to smooth things over. “Alright, alright. Tonight, Miss Shen is treating us to a free meal. Isn’t a free feast more tempting? Let’s all cheer up.”