The meal was finished amidst this awkward atmosphere.
After Chu Ge had briefly cleaned up the table, suddenly two voices sounded at the same time.
"Chu Ge, take me to work."
"Brother-in-law, can you take me to school?"
"Huh?" Chu Ge was stunned for a moment, looking at Shen Yaoyao with some puzzlement: "Don’t you usually not need me to take you?"
Chu Ge had only ever taken her once, and after a strong insistence from Shen Yaoyao, Mu Bingtong had agreed to let her ride a mountain bike to school.
Mu Bingtong also looked at Shen Yaoyao with a puzzled face, wondering what was off about the young girl this morning, acting all weird.
"I just... just..." Shen Yaoyao’s pretty face turned red, stammering for a while before saying: "Well, I just don’t feel like riding a bike this morning, it’s so tiring!"
"You’re just lazy." Mu Bingtong glanced at her unamusedly but then turned to Chu Ge and said: "You go take Yaoyao to school first, it’s okay if I’m a bit late to work."
Indeed, there would be some minor punishments if Shen Yaoyao was late to school, but as for Mu Bingtong... even if she was really late, who in the company would dare say anything?
The white Maserati sped along the highway with gentle and soothing music playing inside, and Chu Ge, temporarily acting as the driver, glanced through the rear-view mirror and asked: "What made you think of getting someone to drive you today? Aren’t you always advocating for independence?"
"It’s... nothing!" Seemingly reminded of something, Shen Yaoyao’s pretty face blushed again, hesitated for a long while, and then said in a faint voice: "Uh, about last night, thank you."
"Oh, I thought it was something else." Chu Ge waved his hand nonchalantly: "Just a massage, no need to take it to heart."
Taking advantage of a red light, Chu Ge suddenly looked back at Shen Yaoyao and mischievously smiled: "But this way of thanking, it’s quite creative indeed!"
What he meant was clearly about having to act as a driver, and Shen Yaoyao stomped her foot: "Hey, that’s not what I meant!"
The rest of the journey was spent in their playful chatter, but just as Shen Yaoyao got out of the car, she suddenly kissed Chu Ge on the cheek.
"This girl." Touching the wet mark on his face, watching the young girl’s bouncing silhouette, Chu Ge couldn’t help shaking his head and smiling as he drove away from the school.
After dropping Mu Bingtong off at her company, Chu Ge also took the opportunity to ask for leave, as he had already agreed with Huo Tianqian last night to visit him today.
The person who came to pick him up was a big man dressed in a black tight-fitting outfit, sporting a buzz cut and a scar stretching from his forehead to his chin, which, combined with his cold demeanor, naturally exuded a deterrent force.
However, Chu Ge completely ignored this intimidating presence, got into the car, and smiled as he asked: "Ah Hu?"
Ah Hu was also present at the underground parking lot incident last time, one of Huo Tianqian’s trusted lieutenants, and Chu Ge had seen him several times accompanying Huo Tianqian.
"Mr. Chu remembers me?" Ah Hu was stunned for a moment, then showed a simple and honest smile: "Master Huo sent me to pick you up."
This man treats his enemies with ruthless coldness, but towards his own people, he reveals his naive side. Thus, Chu Ge actually has a better impression of him than of Huo Tianqian.
The car drove directly into a small estate. In a place like Shanghai, where every inch of land is precious, it’s incredible to have an estate this expansive, complete with its own fishing pond. One can imagine how powerful Huo Tianqian must be.
However, Chu Ge has been in frequent contact with colossal families like the Ouyang Family recently, so he isn’t very impressed by Huo Tianqian’s influence.
Seeing Chu Ge getting out of the car, Huo Tianqian hurried over to greet him. Knowing that Chu Ge prefers tranquility, at this moment, aside from himself and Ah Hu, his close confidants, there were only some specifically arranged service staff present.
"Nice place." After getting out of the car, Chu Ge looked around and nodded in admiration, "Surrounded by the concrete jungle, yet you’ve managed to create such a nature-close scenic estate. It seems Master Huo really knows how to enjoy life."
"Ah, not at all." Huo Tianqian quickly waved his hand and laughed, "Just indulging in some temporary comforts. If Chu is interested, I can give this estate to him!"
Chu Ge knew that Huo Tianqian was serious; the moment he nodded, the estate could immediately be transferred under his name!
For ordinary people, this would definitely be a life-changing opportunity, but Chu Ge didn’t even change his expression, simply smiling indifferently: "Alright, just expressing my admiration. I’m not really interested in this place; let’s talk about serious matters instead."
Speaking of serious matters, Huo Tianqian’s expression also became serious. He waved his hand to have the waitstaff leave, then led Chu Ge to sit at a stone table, taking a seat across from him: "Thing is, in the list you gave, there’s Earth Ganoderma. This item is already rare, and perhaps you won’t find much throughout Huaxia. I happen to have some small business out of town, and one of them located this Earth Ganoderma."
Having said this, Huo Tianqian paused, pouring a cup of tea for Chu Ge.
Chu Ge picked up the teacup and took a gentle sip, nodding to indicate "Go on."
"I had already spent a lot of money to procure it, but there’s a family in the area that also took an interest in this Earth Ganoderma." A hint of anger appeared on Huo Tianqian’s face: "They are the local tyrants, and my main forces aren’t stationed in that area, which resulted in the Earth Ganoderma being snatched away."
"Snatched?" Chu Ge caressed his wine glass, narrowing his eyes and staying silent for a moment.
Huo Tianqian then called Ah Hu over and told Chu Ge, "Mr. Chu, if you need anything during this time, just contact Ah Hu."
"Hm?" Chu Ge glanced at him: "You’re leaving."
"Yes." Huo Tianqian’s face showed a bit of frustration: "I’m planning to personally make a trip over. No matter what, I have to bring back the Earth Ganoderma for Mr. Chu!"
Huo Tianqian’s expression clearly had a theatrical element, but then again, who in this era doesn’t wear a mask?
Chu Ge was silent for a while, then suddenly asked, "Huo Tianqian, what is your view on Martial Artists?"
"Martial Artists?" Although unsure why Chu Ge would ask this, Huo Tianqian honestly replied: "They are beings who stand above ordinary people. Without technology in this world, they would be gods!"
Clearly, he hasn’t forgotten the incident where Chu Ge crippled Shi Weiyu with a single punch back at the factory.
"Do you wish to become a Martial Artist?"