Chapter 73: Mars Collides with Earth (1) The young nobles of Five Tombs, east of Gold Market, ride white horses with silver saddles through the spring breeze.

In early November, the cold winds had already begun to sweep through Xianjiang. Compared to the warmth and humidity of Jiangnan, this place was noticeably drier. That morning, Fang Yu had just arrived at the internet café. Seeing Lu Zhen, whose dark circles had grown even more pronounced, he hurriedly waved his hand.

“You’ve worked hard. Go home and get some rest, I’ll take over your shift.”

“Boss Fang, you’re here! Alright, alright, I really can’t hold out any longer,” Lu Zhen replied, stifling another yawn.

There weren’t many students left at the café at this hour. No sooner had Fang Yu taken his seat than his phone rang. It was Zhang Hao.

“Old Fang, I’ve got news for you. The deal for that app you asked me to look into has been settled—the technical details still need some ironing out, though.”

Fang Yu jumped up, barely able to contain his excitement.

“That quick? Which phone company did you go with?”

“Tianxing Mobile, a domestic brand. They offered the lowest price,” Zhang Hao replied, his voice carrying a hint of guilt.

Fang Yu felt a chill run down his spine. That company had started out making imitation phones, and only later carved out a space in the market by adopting the mobile system. But due to poor management and the complete upheaval brought by the arrival of a certain fruit-branded phone in 2007, they had gone bankrupt not long after.

But the agreement had already been signed, so Fang Yu could only grit his teeth and instruct, “Zhang, no matter how much debt we rack up, we have to get this app made. And tell them—the customized phones need to use touchscreens, understand?”

“Alright, I’ll talk to Lao Hang about it.” Zhang Hao was far from confident. The current growth of Baoleme was impressive, which was why he agreed to Fang Yu’s request, but he didn’t know much about the phone business himself.

“Oh, how are things going with the franchisees?” The ads were running on the Baoleme homepage, and even Fang Yu couldn’t control them.

“Don’t worry about that. People have already come to discuss franchise details. I’ll have finance wire the funds to you.”

Fang Yu gave Zhang Hao a few more reminders before hanging up, troubled, and turned to jot down some notes at his computer.

It was Saturday, not yet ten o’clock, and business at the internet café was picking up again. After the recent renovations, many students had rekindled their interest in Seven Stars Internet Café. Fang Yu was considering whether to add another twenty computers. While pondering, his phone rang again. Without looking, he answered.

“Zhang, what else is up?”

A soft, playful voice answered, “Hehe, who’s Zhang?”

“Lulu? Why are you calling me so early? It’s the weekend—aren’t you sleeping in?” Hearing the voice of his first love, his mood immediately lifted.

“Hmph, it’s all your fault. You haven’t come to see me in ages. Have you been out with some other girl?” The girl’s voice was full of grievance.

It was no surprise. Ever since they’d gotten together, Fang Yu’s business had suddenly picked up, and he’d neglected their relationship.

“I wouldn’t dare. How about this—I’ll come see you this afternoon, okay?”

“Hehe, guess where I am?”

“Hm? I don’t know. Where?”

“I’m right outside your school. Ah, this bus is so crowded—I couldn’t get a seat the whole way.”

Fang Yu jumped to his feet, stammering, “Lulu, you came all the way here? Why didn’t you tell me? Stay right there—I’ll come get you.” With that, he rushed out from behind the counter and dashed toward the entrance to Snack Street.

Two minutes later, he spotted Qin Lu across the street, dressed all in white, standing timidly, looking like an angel out of a fairy tale.

“Silly girl, why didn’t you say you were coming? At least let me pick you up.” He wrapped his arms around her, gently pinching her icy cheeks.

Qin Lu’s face flushed, but she accepted the affection, snuggling closer and burying her face in his chest. “Stupid Fang Yu, you never contact me anymore, and your replies to my messages are half-hearted. I had to ask around all the way here.”

Fang Yu felt a pang of guilt. Making his first love feel neglected was a grave offense. He quickly put on a bright smile.

“Alright, alright, it’s all my fault. Let’s get inside, it’s cold out here. I’ll have them bring you a hot milk tea.”

“Inside? You mean your classroom?” Qin Lu still didn’t know about the internet café.

“No, I actually took over an internet café on Snack Street. Let’s go sit inside.” Fang Yu scratched his head.

“Huh? I thought it was a milk tea shop—now you’ve got an internet café too?” she asked in surprise.

Without giving her a chance to protest, he took her hand and led her down Snack Street. Several familiar shop owners saw them and couldn’t help but tease:

“Boss Fang, is this your girlfriend? Tsk tsk, never seen her before.”

“Hey, haven’t seen you in a few days, Boss Fang. New girlfriend? What happened to that tall girl from the other day?”

Fang Yu was so embarrassed he nearly wished the ground would swallow him up. He mumbled vague replies, feeling as if the short walk down the street was a marathon.

Qin Lu turned her head in confusion. “Hey, Fang Yu, who are they talking about? Hmph, tell me the truth—are you seeing another girl?”

The girl in question was, of course, Xia Churan. On this street, everyone knew the belle of the Foreign Languages Department. Even if they didn’t know her name, most were aware she was the companion of the boss of “Qinglu” Milk Tea Shop.

“No way, don’t listen to them. I’m as well-behaved as they come.”

Qin Lu, puffing her cheeks in annoyance, let herself be led inside. Since her boyfriend had left high school, his popularity had only grown, and there were surely more than a few girls secretly sending him glances.

Once inside the internet café, Qin Lu looked around in surprise. “Wow, you really took this place over? It’s pretty big, though there aren’t many computers.” She had occasionally visited internet cafés herself to look up information, but those in the university district weren’t much better than this.

Fang Yu waved his hand proudly. “Of course. I’m planning to add another twenty machines in a few days. By the way, are you thirsty, Lulu? I’ll call and get some milk tea delivered.”

As she sat at the counter, happily waiting for her drink, the door curtain lifted and a waft of fragrance drifted in.

“Hey, Fang Yu, have you eaten yet? Li Jing said Cheng Chen is taking her downtown for lunch. Hey, what are you staring at?” It was Xia Churan, no doubt.

Fang Yu’s hand, reaching for a drink on the shelf, froze midair. He turned around awkwardly. The two girls met each other’s gaze, and in that instant, each read the hostility in the other’s eyes.

“Fang Yu, who is she?” Qin Lu’s gentle nature didn’t mean she’d tolerate rivals, especially not such a beautiful one.

Xia Churan was no fool; she could tell at a glance that the girl at the counter was no ordinary acquaintance. She might not be more beautiful than herself, but her delicate, fragile air would easily inspire anyone’s protective instincts.