Chapter 14

Old Liu drove Lei Huanxi all the way to Xiantao Village, being very courteous throughout the journey. Having followed Zhu Guoxu for a long time, he had already figured out that not only did the boss like this young man, but the boss's son admired him even more.

This kid might have a bright future. It would be wise to build a good relationship with him now; who knows when he might be of help?

Lei Huanxi was somewhat listless.

He had thought that growing ginseng would solve his financial problems, but he never expected such a result. Why did he blurt out the idea of having Zhu Guoxu invest in Xiantao Village? If he had known, he would have directly asked for a couple of million, which would have been more practical.

Well, it's done now. What's the point of regretting it?

After returning home, he ate a large bowl of braised pork until it was all gone. Little Fatty opened his eyes in the water basin, saw Lei Huanxi, and then closed his eyes to go back to sleep.

The phone rang. Lei Huanxi thought it was Zhan Dao again, but when he saw the caller's name, his bad mood instantly vanished.

"Monkey?"

Monkey was the nickname of his best friend from university, Zhou Yaping. The guy was very thin and often joked that he looked like a monkey, hence the nickname.

"Huanxi, why haven't you called me in so long?" Zhou Yaping's voice on the other end was filled with excitement.

"What's there to call? I'm doing so poorly. If I called, you'd think I was asking for money and put me on the blacklist."

"Go to hell, you're so worldly now."

"Then lend me a hundred thousand or so."

"Go to hell, I'm just earning a fixed salary at my dad's company."

"Look at you, you start crying poor as soon as money is mentioned."

"Enough, stop being a smartass." Zhou Yaping laughed. "How about it, still playing the game? I saw Zhan Dao yesterday and mentioned you."

"Not much, I'm back in my hometown and can't even afford a computer."

"I'll send you one. I don't have a hundred thousand, but I can afford a computer."

"If you really send it, get me broadband too."

"Deal, I'll take care of it. Hey, I have some serious news to tell you..."

Zhou Yaping recounted what happened during dinner, and Lei Huanxi's smile gradually faded.

How despicable, really despicable. What does Xu Yanyan mean? Just because I embarrassed her boyfriend that day? Why does she have to target me like this? I lost my job and even got beaten up.

Is there some deep-seated grudge?

"Huanxi, she's deliberately trying to embarrass you." Zhou Yaping was indignant. "Our classmates, seeing that she found a rich boyfriend, are all fawning over her. I bet our class president, Yan Zilu, will call you tonight."

"Is he still not over her? Still fawning over her?"

Yan Zilu was quite a "talent." In university, he pursued Xu Yanyan relentlessly, but she only used him as a lackey. Who would have thought that even after graduation, with Xu Yanyan already taken, he still followed her around.

"Isn't that right? I heard he's starting his own business and looking for investors. I guess he's after Jiang Bin's money, hoping to get some benefits." Zhou Yaping was full of disdain. "Forget it, let's talk about you. What are you going to do? I don't have much money, but I can afford to treat you to a meal."

"Don't worry about it, come if you want." Lei Huanxi was resigned. "It's just a meal at a countryside restaurant. What's the big deal? Remember to come early."

"Deal, I'll hang up now. See you then."

The call ended.

Lei Huanxi threw the phone aside and lay down on the bed.

Come to mock me? Show off how rich you are? No problem, come if you want. A countryside meal? Sure, I can get some vegetables and a fish, and make a whole table of dishes. The two thousand yuan in my pocket should be enough.

After the meal, I can take them for a tour of Fairy Mountain. What's the big deal?

As for my home? There's nothing I can do about it. It's old and shabby, but I can clean it up a bit. Everyone knows I've been poor since university.

How embarrassing can it be?

Show off? Let Xu Yanyan show off her happiness. I'll just pretend not to hear.

Thinking this, he felt a bit better.

In the evening, he made some food and ate with Little Fatty. Just as he finished washing the dishes, Yan Zilu's call came in.

First, he asked about Lei Huanxi's well-being, then mentioned that their classmates were coming to visit. "How about it, Huanxi, any problems?"

Any problems? Do you still think you're the class president?

"Come, you're welcome."

Lei Huanxi's quick agreement caught Yan Zilu off guard. "Huanxi, make sure your place is clean. I heard that Jiang Bin, the young master of Xihai Group, is coming. It's a great honor for him to visit you."

"What honor? What does it have to do with me?" Lei Huanxi said irritably.

"You see, you see, that's your temper." Yan Zilu put on his class president airs. "If you say a few nice words, Jiang Bin might get you a job with just a word."

Lei Huanxi was speechless.

I was just kicked out by Jiang Bin. He's going to help me find a job? Dream on.

"If I really can't make it, I'll let you know. I have a company now. Oh, right." Yan Zilu suddenly remembered something. "Huanxi, if you really don't have a job, come to me. Basic salary is 800, with performance bonuses. You can't earn 800 a month in the countryside, right?"

800? In Yundong City, there's still a salary of 800? Does he think everyone is a fool?

Lei Huanxi laughed. "Thanks, I'm doing fine. I just sold some peaches and made ten thousand. I'll come to you if I really have no other options. See you next weekend."

"Blow it out your ass." Yan Zilu hung up the phone, muttering to himself as if Lei Huanxi could still hear him.

He then looked up and said to Jiang Bin and Xu Yanyan, "Lei Huanxi is just boasting. He said he made over ten thousand selling peaches."

After dinner, Xu Yanyan had asked Yan Zilu to stay for tea, making his heart race, thinking he might have a romantic encounter.

But when they got to the teahouse, he found out that Xu Yanyan's boyfriend wanted to see him.

Yan Zilu's company developed mobile games. Many college students do this, having an idea and immediately starting a company, appointing themselves as project managers, and then trying to find investors.

But Yan Zilu faced many setbacks. The reason was simple: his company had three people, all project managers. A few times, when he met with investors, they only asked, "Who's the programmer?"

This question left the three managers speechless.

In the end, he couldn't secure any funding. The other two "managers" were disheartened and left, leaving only Yan Zilu to struggle on.

By coincidence, Jiang Bin was interested in investing in mobile games and decided to meet with him. After a few questions, he lost all interest.

He was about to leave, not wanting to waste time with Yan Zilu, when Xu Yanyan asked him to call Lei Huanxi, and Jiang Bin's interest was piqued again.

The last time, he sent Gu Biao, but Gu Biao came back beaten up. He was looking for a way to get back at Lei Huanxi.

Mentioning the peaches, Jiang Bin and Xu Yanyan's faces darkened. Jiang Bin forced a smile. "Let him boast. Ten thousand? I spend more than that on a single meal with clients... By the way, Yanyan, I'll go too."

"Really, Weisen, that's great." Xu Yanyan said in a sweet voice.

"I'll take my Mercedes." Jiang Bin's eyes twinkled. "Manager Yan, you want investment, right? I can give you some money..."

Yan Zilu was overjoyed, but before he could express his gratitude, Jiang Bin continued, "But you have to do something for me. On that day, embarrass Lei Huanxi in front of your classmates. The more, the better. Make sure he can never hold his head up in front of them again, and will avoid you all."

"Ah." Yan Zilu was taken aback but quickly understood.

Jiang Bin and Lei Huanxi must have some grudge. Is it because of Xu Yanyan? I pursued her in university too.

But thinking of the money, he ignored everything and said, "Don't worry, Young Master Jiang, I'll take care of it. I'll make sure you're satisfied. It's just a poor kid, right?"