Chapter 46: Are We Almost at Number One?

“Uncle, I think Old Third got fooled,” Liu Haoyu said with a laugh.

“You think so too? I agree. Each of those dogs could fetch three million.”

“I’ll talk to him later. Tell him not to rush selling the other one,” Liu Haoyu added.

“Yang Fan, what kind of dogs are those, to be sold for such a price?” Zhao Jing asked from the back seat, with Wu Qian equally curious.

“They’re two Tibetan Mastiffs.”

“That still doesn’t justify such a price, does it?” Wu Qian couldn’t help but interject.

“Well, these are especially intelligent Tibetan Mastiffs.”

“Uncle, look to your right—there’s Old Ye!”

Liu Haoyu lowered the car window. Old Ye was walking by with his secretary, Xiao Yu.

“Haoyu, everyone else has a secretary. You should get one too.”

“No need—what’s the use?” Liu Haoyu replied bluntly. His horizons had expanded; if he wanted women, he could find any kind he wished—why insist on a secretary?

“Such high ideals! Uncle is really proud of you,” Yang Fan said with a smile.

“I’m proud of myself, too!” Liu Haoyu replied, lifting his chin and chest as if he truly meant it.

In fact, in just a short time, Liu Haoyu had undergone a transformation from within, and even Liu Mingfeng spoke of his son with pride.

“Old Ye, don’t lead Xiao Yu astray!” Liu Haoyu called out the window.

The dinner was not at the Night Flame Hotel but at the Grand Banquet Tower in the heart of Tianning City, a place of even higher prestige. Each meal here cost at least tens of thousands, sometimes hundreds of thousands.

It was truly a goldmine. In the parking lot, several high-end SUVs stood—a quintessential display of masculine style.

When Yang Fan arrived, Zhang Chen and his group were already there, their beautiful secretaries dressed to impress. In a short span, Yang Fan and his friends had begun their ascent from society’s lower rungs to its upper-middle tier.

“Yang Fan, you’re so late! We’ve been here a while. Where’s Old Ye?”

“He’s right behind us,” Yang Fan answered, as Ye Xiao’s car pulled in.

“And where’s Xue’er?” Li Jingyi asked.

“I called her—she should be on her way,” Liu Haoyu said, pulling out his phone to call again. Just then, Qian Xue’er’s car arrived as well, another top-tier SUV, the most luxurious kind.

The Qian family truly had wealth. Qian Xue’er stepped out, accompanied by five live-streamers, who were sticking with her tonight.

“President Yang!”

Yang Fan nodded, and the five streamers’ eyes sparkled. Wealthy, handsome—he was the ideal husband. Yet, seeing Zhao Jing and Wu Qian at his side, they knew it was just a dream.

The competition was fierce, but among women, victory belonged to those with the greatest skill.

To be courted was a kind of happiness…

With everyone assembled, only Old Third had come from his group.

“Old Third, where are your brothers?”

“They didn’t come,” he replied.

“How could they miss this?”

Old Third whispered a few words in Zhang Chen’s ear.

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“We’ll talk privately later!” Zhang Chen said, delighted.

Everyone exchanged looks. Yang Fan knew what they were up to—Ah Ming and the others were trying to get Director Sun Jing Tian to introduce them to new connections.

It was exactly as expected, and money without beautiful women was nothing but waste paper.

“All right, let’s go inside!” Yang Fan declared.

On the third floor of the Grand Banquet Tower, they entered a large private room, something like an exclusive self-service area. Though buffet-style, the food was exquisite—truly a feast of delicacies.

“Anyone moving house soon? If so, hurry up! I haven’t had a home-cooked meal lately and was hoping to mooch off you for a few days,” Yang Fan said.

“There are plenty—Old Ye, Wang Xin, Qin Jun, all moving.”

“President Yang, you must come! You’ll be well fed!” Zhang Meng said.

“So it’s settled?” Yang Fan asked.

“Pretty much. Our parents have agreed, and we’re locking things in this year,” Wang Xin replied.

“That’s great—let’s drink to that,” Zhang Chen said, raising his glass.

“Zhang Chen, if you drink, how will they get home?”

“You’re so old-fashioned! My secretary Ting’er can drive.”

“Oh, multitasking!” Yang Fan understood now—what a clever move.

Indeed, there’s an unspoken rule: when you drink too much, you give your secretary a chance.

…

The meal cost two or three hundred thousand—a lavish affair. As the evening wore on, Yang Fan decided it was time to take Zhao Jing home.

Once he’d seen her home, it would be nearly ten o’clock. Rarely did no one interfere, so he intended to savor this rare moment alone together.

“Are there any activities after dinner?”

“There are—‘Four Seasons Hymn’!”

“All right, I’ll take Zhao Jing home first, then find you later.”

“Uncle, I’ll drive you!” Liu Haoyu stood up promptly.

“No need, I’ll go myself later. Take care of Wu Qian! Keep her close!”

Wu Qian hesitated, watching as Yang Fan waved to everyone. Time was precious; every second mattered.

Zhang Chen and the others understood Yang Fan well. With a house full of troublemakers, his moments alone with Zhao Jing could be counted on one hand.

Only because Ai Xiaomei had left, and Lin Ruo was too busy for him.

“A pair of star-crossed lovers…” Wu Qian muttered. In the end, who knew what would happen? Still, she felt genuinely happy tonight and appreciated Liu Haoyu’s care—he was looking out for her.

In truth, Yang Fan was simply worried his secretary would lose direction. On their way, he and Zhao Jing walked arm in arm, not bothering with a taxi, just strolling along.

“Is there really no food at your place?”

“Exactly. Ai Xiaomei and Xu Zihan are gone, Lin Xi was taken by them, so only Lin Ruo and I remain, and Lin Ruo won’t be back until the evening.”

“When you have time, come to my place. I’ll cook for you.”

“Gladly!” Yang Fan was more than willing. Truth be told, he’d never been to Zhao Jing’s home, and he looked forward to it.

“Maybe I should come tonight?”

“Huh? Not tonight, my place is a mess. Don’t you know? Girls always want to show their best side to the one they love. Let’s wait for another day!”

Yang Fan nodded vigorously.

“Tomorrow I need to go home for a bit. The day after tomorrow, I’ll call you, and you can come over.”

“You’re going home? Where’s your hometown?” Yang Fan asked, surprised.

“I’ll tell you later. By the way, isn’t the first almost here?”

“Yeah, just fifteen days away,” Yang Fan said.

“You remember clearly. Have you been waiting for this day?” Zhao Jing smiled softly.

Yang Fan was lost in thought again—indeed, only fifteen days until the first arrived.