Young gallants from the five imperial tombs gathered east of the Golden Market, their silver saddles and white steeds riding through the spring breeze. Chapter 123: The Fate Deserved (2)

Aside from Zhao Bin and Cheng Chen, who offered slight nods, Shen Molan completely ignored him. She let out a scoff through her nose and stood up.

"You've got quite the nerve. This steamed bun of yours is already sour—can't you smell it? I can't stand that stench. I'm leaving."

Jin Hai tightened his grip on the plastic bag in embarrassment. The pickles and buns were indeed a bit sour, but he couldn't bear to throw them away.

"Haha, Churan, does your friend have a problem with me? Why is she always targeting me?" Jin Hai asked, looking at Xia Churan with a sheepish grin.

"Not at all. Molan is the daughter of a major corporate family with assets in the hundreds of millions. She's bound to have a bit of a spoiled temper."

Jin Hai’s eyes lit up at these words. To him, assets in the hundreds of millions were an unreachable dream, and yet, this arrogant girl was actually a wealthy heiress?

"Right, right, it’s my fault for not being prepared. No wonder your friend is annoyed. Oh, it’s getting cold out—Churan, let me buy you some milk tea, shall we?" Jin Hai tried his best to display the gentle side of a prospective boyfriend.

While Jin Hai went to buy the tea, Xia Churan smiled craftily and pulled out her phone to compose another text message to Zhu Wei. Although Fang Yu and the others couldn't see what was written, they knew by the girl’s expression that it wasn't anything kind.

When Jin Hai returned, he showed his true colors. He had only bought milk tea for the three girls, and the cheapest kind at that—the three-yuan cups from the Xianlin milk tea shop next door.

"Here you go, Churan, have some milk tea. Qin Lu, you have some too. Oh, and Churan, where is your friend? I brought one for her as well."

Xia Churan and Qin Lu felt too embarrassed to refuse and took them, but Shen Molan didn't offer a pleasant look. She waved her hand coldly.

"I never consume such cheap things."

Zhao Bin, standing nearby, added fuel to the fire. "Exactly. Miss Shen wouldn't be used to that. Fang Yu, why don't you bring out some of those Häagen-Dazs we stocked up on a few days ago?"

That batch of Häagen-Dazs had been specially procured by Fang Yu and the others when they returned to the city. They usually kept them in the freezer; aside from Lu Zhen, who had a sweet tooth, the rest of the guys rarely touched frozen treats.

Since it was winter, there was virtually no demand for ice cream, and the occasional high-energy student would only ever buy cheap popsicles.

"Hmm, Häagen-Dazs—I suppose I could try that. I didn't expect you people to have this here." Shen Molan finally gave a slight nod.

Fang Yu gestured for Lu Zhen to bring some out. Xia Churan and Qin Lu seized the opportunity to set their cheap puddings aside. With so many eyes on them, they felt obligated to give one to Jin Hai, so the "four-eyed geek" also received a cup.

"Wow, I never realized this ice cream was so delicious!" Xia Churan beamed as she ate.

"I think it’s just okay. Too sweet. Not as good as a popsicle," Jin Hai insisted, still trying to save face.

Just as they were eating, the internet cafe door swung open. A second later, the color drained from Jin Hai’s face.

"Damn it, you four-eyed freak, you dare show your face here?" Zhu Wei appeared before them, seething with rage.

"What? You want to hit me? I’m Churan’s prospective boyfriend; why can’t I come here?" Jin Hai’s face turned pale as a sheet. He couldn't even keep his grip on the Häagen-Dazs, but he kept trying to put up a front.

"Damn it, enjoying ice cream, are you? Here, eat this!" Zhu Wei lunged forward and kicked Jin Hai square in the chest.

There were still many students playing in the cafe. Seeing this, Fang Yu stepped forward to restrain Zhu Wei.

"Enough. Young Master Zhu, don't stir up trouble in my shop. If you want to fight, go outside!" Fang Yu shot him a stern look.

Zhu Wei felt a bit intimidated by Fang Yu and nodded. "Fine. Fang Yu, I’ll give you some face and won't cause trouble in your shop. Damn it, get out here!" With that, he grabbed Jin Hai by the collar and dragged him outside.

Zhu Wei hadn't come alone; he was followed by two lackeys. Jin Hai immediately began screaming at the top of his lungs, "Ouch! Thugs are beating me! It's murder!" He looked just like a village shrew.

What happened to Jin Hai after being dragged out of the cafe, Fang Yu didn't know, but the man didn't return—presumably, he went home to nurse his wounds.

At five in the afternoon, his phone rang. Seeing it was Zhang Hao, he stepped aside to answer.

"Hey, Lao Zhang, what’s up?"

"Hmm, Lao Fang, I wanted to discuss something with you. Our phone tests over the last few days have been excellent. The net profit per unit is over 5K. So, do you think we should integrate everything and get ready for mass production?"

"Sure, absolutely. And it’s not just these versions—let’s get the European and other international versions ready too. Let’s earn money from all over the world!"

"Whew, the code is just a bit difficult to write."

"Never mind, let’s consolidate the issues first. I’ll talk to you tonight."

"No problem. I’ll get Lao Hang and Lao Cao to join in too."

After hanging up, Qin Lu walked over to him. "Fang Yu, I have to head back now. The department head needs to see me tonight."

He clicked his tongue. "Hmm, I can't get away right now. Cheng Chen, could you do me a favor and take Qin Lu back to school?"

Cheng Chen, assuming it was related to the milk tea business, nodded. "Sure. Come on, Qin Lu, let’s go."

Just as Qin Lu was about to agree, Shen Molan stood up.

"No need for Zhao Bin. I’ll take your girlfriend. I happen to be heading into the city to buy some things anyway."

"You?" He looked at the heiress with suspicion.

"What? Afraid my driving isn't up to par?"

He wasn't worried about her driving; he was worried that this heiress might give Qin Lu a hard time on the way. But the naive Qin Lu didn't know any better and nodded. "Hmm, that would be a bother, thank you."

Watching the two women walk out and climb into Shen Molan’s pink Z4, Xia Churan walked up from behind him with a giggle.

"Relax, don't worry. Molan isn't the type to go out of her way to make things difficult for people. Besides, she comes here to hang out all the time; why would she give Qin Lu a hard time?"

Fang Yu thought about it and realized she was right. Shen Molan had never been one to meddle in affairs that didn't concern her. For now, the phone business was the priority.

As Shen Molan and Qin Lu drove the Z4 out of the snack street, Qin Lu pointed out the window in surprise. "Hey, isn't that Jin Hai? Why hasn't he left yet?"

Shen Molan slammed on the brakes and rolled down the window. Jin Hai was crouched by the side of the road, looking wretched, his head and face covered in bun crumbs and bits of pickled vegetables.

"Jin Hai? What happened to you?" Qin Lu climbed out of the passenger seat and walked toward him.

The "four-eyes" seemed dazed from the beating. He looked up blankly, and upon seeing Qin Lu, he struggled to stand up, forcing a smile. "Haha, oh, it’s you, Qin Lu. It’s nothing. That Zhu Wei didn't have it easy either; I managed to land a few hits on him. You two heading out?"

"Yeah, I’m heading back to school. The department head needs me, and Miss Shen is giving me a ride." Qin Lu pointed to the Z4.

Jin Hai’s eyes lit up again. "Haha, say, Miss Shen, could you give me a lift too? The bus is too far, and I’m still in a bit of pain. I’d be too embarrassed for Churan to see me like this."

Shen Molan didn't even bother to turn her head. "Are you blind? Can't you see my car only has two seats?"

The Z4, unlike a 640, truly only had two seats.