Meng Tingchuan returned to the law firm and learned that Chen Yu wasn’t alone; the other person with golden hair was likely his friend from the bar.

Chen Yu and his friend needed a very simple contract. Xiao Mei asked about their requirements and called an intern lawyer. “Xiao Jiang, Mr. Chen wants to transfer his shares. Draft a contract for them.”

By the time Meng Tingchuan arrived, Xiao Jiang had already found a template and was discussing the details with them. Seeing Meng Tingchuan, Xiao Jiang greeted him. “Mr. Meng.”

Meng Tingchuan nodded, glanced at Chen Yu, and said, “I’ll take it from here.”

Xiao Jiang found it a bit strange. The firm mainly handled international business, and such simple, routine tasks were usually left to interns, with practicing lawyers just giving a final review. For Mr. Meng to take over was unusual.

Chen Yu was also surprised. From their conversation last night, he hadn’t sensed any willingness from Meng Tingchuan to help.

Meng Tingchuan led them to his office, and Ning Qianjin kept winking at Chen Yu. Chen Yu knew what he was thinking—probably asking when they met.

Chen Yu ignored him, but Ning Qianjin, more forward than Chen Yu expected, whispered, “He’s a catch.”

Chen Yu: “…”

There was a difference between Mr. Meng and the intern. Meng Tingchuan didn’t need a template; he just asked them for some information.

During this time, Aqi came to deliver coffee, knowing the boss was there, he brought a cup for each of them.

Chen Yu noticed that Meng Tingchuan was drinking a latte and was a bit surprised. Could it be that Lawyer Meng only drank espresso before because he hadn’t tried other drinks, and now he was falling for lattes?

Meng Tingchuan, either receptive or always attentive, noticed Chen Yu looking at him and looked up. “What’s the matter?”

Chen Yu shook his head and saw that he had stopped writing. “Are you done?”

“Almost.”

By the time the contract was drafted, Lawyer Meng had a good understanding of the bar’s situation.

“The share transfer price is usually determined based on the past three years’ revenue and future prospects. Have you settled on this price?”

“Wait,” Ning Qianjin frowned and did a rough calculation. “Isn’t this price a bit low?”

Chen Yu had quoted a price that sounded reasonable, so he hadn’t double-checked it. Now, with the lawyer’s input, he realized the price was off.

“It’s not low,” Chen Yu said. “When I initially invested, I included my technical contribution. I haven’t been to the bar much in the past two years.”

Last year, Chen Yu had otitis media and needed rest. With the bar expanding and more bartenders, they didn’t rely on him as much, so he went less often and rarely stayed past midnight.

Ning Qianjin was surprised by this plan. He paused and said, “What’s this about? Without you, the bar wouldn’t have survived. Do you know how many customers came just for you?”

Chen Yu said, “That’s a different matter.”

Ning Qianjin was skeptical. “You’re not giving me shares based on my savings, are you? Why is it so precise?”

“No, I…”

“Then listen to me. Let’s renegotiate the price.” Ning Qianjin made the final decision. “For the same amount, reduce it to twenty percent, and you keep five. This way, I can ask you to make guest appearances in the future.”

Ning Qianjin knew Chen Yu well. When he put in a real effort, Chen Yu found it hard to resist and reluctantly agreed.

Meng Tingchuan printed the contract and gave each of them a copy to review. When he handed it to Ning Qianjin, he said, “You can have someone you trust review it as well.”

This was Meng Tingchuan’s professional habit—contracts needed to be reviewed by both parties. However, his statement indirectly aligned him with Chen Yu.

Ning Qianjin picked up on this and waved it off, signing the contract. Outside, he asked Chen Yu, “When did you meet this Lawyer Meng?”

His tone was a bit suggestive. “He’s your type, right?”

He looked reliable and serious.

Chen Yu didn’t deny it and said in a calm voice, “A matchmaking partner.”

Ning Qianjin was genuinely surprised. “Matchmaking?!”

He had been joking about it, but he didn’t expect it to be true.

“Uh-huh,” Chen Yu responded, turning the question back on him. “Didn’t you say I should go matchmaking?”

“Then you actually went?”

Chen Yu said, “The landlord who runs a matchmaking agency offered to introduce me.”

“To the lawyer upstairs?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Wasn’t the law firm renovated at the same time as your coffee shop? How did you not notice each other being neighbors?”

“What should I have noticed?” Chen Yu found it a bit amusing. “I didn’t even know his sexual orientation.”

Ning Qianjin agreed. “It’s not obvious.”

Ning Qianjin prided himself on his ability to read people. If he couldn’t tell, it was likely not obvious. He grinned mischievously. “If I can’t tell, he’s probably a pure one.”

He had a look of envy.

Chen Yu:

Ning Qianjin, belatedly, said, “You went matchmaking… Should I have said so much just now?”

Chen Yu shook his head. “It’s fine.”

Ning Qianjin was still worried. “Maybe I should talk to him. He seems like a reliable person.”

Reliable enough to not frequent bars.

Chen Yu, in fact, didn’t fit in their circle either. Ning Qianjin always thought Chen Yu didn’t belong there, that he looked like someone who had always been a good student, doing homework diligently and even extra practice.

In a different environment and social circle, he might have found a partner long ago.

“No need,” Chen Yu said. He had felt some regret yesterday but was now more at ease. “We’re not in the same circle, so it’s impossible.”

If it was impossible, there was no point in worrying about misunderstandings.

“Wait, you didn’t even talk? How do you know it’s impossible?” Ning Qianjin looked at him as if he were joking.

Chen Yu was straightforward. “Does he seem interested in me?”

“He seems quite interested. He even suggested you have someone else review the contract, which means he’s on your side.”

Chen Yu had been focused on the shares and hadn’t noticed this. He was taken aback. “Maybe it’s just a habit.”

Ning Qianjin found Chen Yu’s explanation hard to believe but didn’t want to push too hard. He thought for a moment and said indirectly, “He must be helping you out of respect for you. Remember to thank him.”

“Uh-huh.”

In Chen Yu’s view, paying for services was the best approach. Past experience had taught him that free services were the most expensive. When he mentioned the fee after signing the contract, Meng Tingchuan said it wasn’t necessary.

Chen Yu didn’t want to engage in formalities with Meng Tingchuan and didn’t bring it up again, but he kept it in mind.

Ning Qianjin knew Chen Yu was a bit awkward in social situations. It wasn’t that he was unintelligent; Chen Yu was very sensitive. He just lacked the usual social tactics and was straightforward. Ning Qianjin suggested, “If you don’t know how to thank him, why not just ask him?”

It would also help gauge Lawyer Meng’s interest.

Chen Yu nodded and glanced back at the law firm, deciding to send a message on WeChat.

Back at the coffee shop, he heard Aqi complaining, “Boss, come help.”

Ning Qianjin, seeing the situation, said, “Mr. Chen’s business is booming.”

Since Chen Yu was busy, he didn’t stay long, waved goodbye, and said he was going to catch up on sleep. Getting up early was a challenge for someone who ran a bar.

The Old Silver Building’s side street was on the edge of Xifu City’s largest CBD. The coffee shop always did good business. Besides the regular employees, they hired part-time students during peak hours.

But it was near the end of the semester, and today, one part-timer had quit, another was on leave, and the last one had switched shifts and left after nine. The employees were swamped, and the boss couldn’t just sit around.

They kept busy until the morning rush was over, and everyone had a chance to talk.

Xiao Lan sat down and massaged her legs. “Boss, you should hire more people. This is too tiring.”

“The job listings are always up. Students are busy with exams. Maybe we should hire more full-time staff.”

Hearing this, Xiao Lan immediately protested. “No way. Why? Wouldn’t it be better to have more high-achieving, handsome guys around?”

Xiao Lan pretended to hit Aqi. “I just want to be close to the girls! The high-achieving, handsome guys are for the boss, right, boss?”

Chen Yu thought she was talking about hiring and responded casually. A moment later, he realized she was referring to Meng Tingchuan.

High-achieving, handsome guy… Chen Yu laughed, feeling a bit embarrassed. He picked up his phone but hesitated to send a message.

He was hesitant, but the high-achieving, handsome guy took the initiative, contacting him about the law firm’s monthly coffee subscription. The firm had a fixed budget for afternoon tea, and most of it was spent at the coffee shop, usually negotiated by Xiao Mei.

It was a short conversation, but after it ended, Chen Yu didn’t close the chat window.

He typed for a few minutes but didn’t send any messages.

Meng Tingchuan: “Is there something else?”

The same three words, but with a different feeling from the last time.

Chen Yu sighed in relief and said straightforwardly: “About the contract, I don’t know how to thank you.”

Meng Tingchuan: “Do you blame me for interfering?”

After all, Chen Yu and Ning Qianjin had already agreed on a price. If Meng Tingchuan hadn’t mentioned it, Ning Qianjin might not have noticed. Objectively, Lawyer Meng had disrupted Chen Yu’s plan.

Chen Yu shook his head instinctively, then remembered Meng Tingchuan couldn’t see and typed, “No.”

He wanted to add something to strengthen his point, but Meng Tingchuan sent a voice message: “I’m working late tonight. If you really want to thank me, can you make me a cup of coffee?”

His voice carried a hint of laughter, and Chen Yu realized Meng Tingchuan had been joking. To Chen Yu, Lawyer Meng didn’t seem like someone who joked.

Of course, this was just a stereotype.

But the realization that Meng Tingchuan could joke with him gave Chen Yu a strange feeling, especially since Meng Tingchuan had sent a voice message.

Chen Yu rarely used voice messages, and Meng Tingchuan’s sudden use of them broke the unspoken boundary Chen Yu had set.

He began to seriously consider Ning Qianjin’s words. Was Lawyer Meng really not interested at all?