Chapter 58: Rival’s Confession (1/2)

Zhao Qingfeng accepted Manager Zhang’s cordial invitation. At the dinner table, he was calm and composed, like a seasoned general. This not only puzzled Liu Li and others but also astonished Manager Zhang, who had traveled abroad twice. He admired Zhao Qingfeng’s vision for the future, but thought it was just a gifted insight.

However, when he felt he couldn’t overpower Zhao Qingfeng in terms of presence, he started to harbor a different idea — could this young man be aiming to replace him?

Zhao Qingfeng, who had already seen through his thoughts, secretly chuckled to himself. Raising a glass of wine, he toasted everyone at the table.

“My brothers and sisters, thank you for your kindness in inviting me to drink twice.”

“Actually, I am just an ordinary middle school student. Whatever ideas I proposed before were just fleeting thoughts.”

“I’m already happy that Brother Zhang found them useful.”

“But this time, I hope we are drinking as friends, not as business partners.”

“Of course, the cooperation between you is none of my business for now. I just wanted to earn some commission and more so to be friends with a person like Manager Zhang, a standout among his peers.”

His speech was met with applause. Zhao Qingfeng knew people like Manager Zhang too well. To hear the truth from his mouth, one must be very close to him, or else it was impossible. So, let’s just compliment each other. After all, the goal wasn’t to become friends, just to resolve a small crisis.

Manager Zhang completely let go of his doubts and smiled broadly.

“Good, Little Feng, I’m making you my friend for sure.”

“Don’t mind the age difference of a decade or two. There have always been examples of friendships that transcend age. Let’s follow the ancients and be such friends.”

“From now on, I’ll treat you as my brother, and you’ll be my elder brother.”

“No, no, I misspoke. We are brothers. If I have problems in the future, I’ll have to consult you.”

Manager Zhang was polite, and Liu Li followed suit. Zhao Qingfeng didn’t refuse. Human nature is complex, but he understood one thing: everything couldn’t escape the word ‘benefit’. Whether friends or family, relationships often change due to ‘interests’.

The best way to maintain a relationship is ‘win-win’. Mutual help and benefit ensure everyone gets their share and the relationship lasts.

Besides, he had no intention of replacing Manager Zhang. If he wanted, he could easily overshadow Manager Zhang, even their chairman. It wasn’t an exaggeration. It’s just that it would be tiring and unnecessary.

Zhao Qingfeng found the adults’ gathering boring and yearned for the simple and beautiful life on campus. Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but remember Shen Lingyao.

What was this little girl doing now? Hadn’t she sneaked out to play?

“Humph, if she doesn’t study well and I find out, I’ll have to whip her with a little whip (o￣?￣)ノ┬—(?︿??)…”

…

At this moment, Shen Lingyao was lingering at the entrance of the Amusement Park. The park, busy with visitors on Saturdays and Sundays, was a popular leisure spot in the county. The scenery was lush and vibrant, a perfect place for locals to relax.

However, she wasn’t there to play. She had bought some small bracelets and hair flowers in the trading city, laid a floral cloth on the ground, and squatted down to set up a stall. Zhang Manman had told her that her mother used to make a decent income by selling little trinkets for girls here every weekend.

Shen Lingyao was motivated and chose to set up a stall rather than tutor, as it offered more freedom and didn’t involve dealing with parents’ attitudes. She especially dragged Zhang Yang along to earn some quick money.

It was her first time setting up a stall, and she felt somewhat embarrassed and awkward. Shen Kuo definitely wouldn’t approve of his daughter doing small business, but Ding Xiang once mentioned she hoped her daughter would experience the hardships and coldness of society.

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