Chapter 4
In the blink of an eye, it was already afternoon. Zhou Chao checked the time and saw that it was already 4:08 PM. He grabbed his keys, locked up the convenience store, and headed towards the school in his car.
As Zhou Chao arrived at the school, students started coming out from the school gate. He took out his phone and dialed his sister’s number, which he had received from Third Aunt earlier.
At that moment, Guo Yan and her best friend, Kailin, walked out of the classroom. Guo Yan said to her friend as they walked, “Kailin, let’s go hiking on Beishan Mountain this weekend!”
Buzz, buzz! A vibrating sound came from Guo Yan’s bag.
“Hello, who is this?” Zhou Chao held the phone and heard a clear and slightly childish voice on the other end.
“Hello, Xiaoyan, it’s your brother Zhou Chao. Have you finished school? I’m waiting for you at the school gate,” Zhou Chao said with a smile.
“Ah, really? I’m coming to the school gate right away!” Xiaoyan’s voice was filled with excitement.
“Okay.”
Zhou Chao saw his little sister running towards him from a distance. “Brother, I’ve missed you so much!” Guo Yan exclaimed as she reached Zhou Chao and immediately clung to him like a koala.
“Come down, you’re already so big, but you act like a little kid,” Zhou Chao said softly, looking at his sister in his arms.
“Xiaoyan, this is the super handsome brother I often talk about. Brother, let me introduce you. This is my friend Kailin. Isn’t she beautiful?” Guo Yan held Kailin’s hand and said to Zhou Chao.
Zhou Chao extended his right hand to Kailin and said, “Hello, I’m Zhou Chao. You can call me Brother Chao, just like Xiaoyan does!”
“Brother Chao.” Kailin, blushing, reached out and gently shook Zhou Chao’s hand. Then she quickly let go.
“Ah, Brother Chao’s hand feels so comfortable,” Kailin said, burying her head against her chest like an ostrich.
Zhou Chao looked at Guo Yan and said, “Let’s go home. Mom has already prepared dinner. How about bringing your friend along?”
Upon hearing Zhou Chao’s words, Kailin raised her head and said, “Brother Chao, I’ll pass. My mom also prepared dinner for me at home!”
“Alright then, let’s go,” Guo Yan said with a hint of reluctance.
Zhou Chao, accompanied by his little sister Guo Yan, got into the car and headed home.
“Brother, is this your car?” Guo Yan couldn’t stop examining the small vehicle.
“Yes, I just bought it when I came back. It’s convenient for getting around,” Zhou Chao replied casually. As long as the documents were complete, he could say whatever he wanted.
“Mom, Brother Chao and I are back. Is dinner ready?” Guo Yan shouted as soon as they entered the house.
“It’ll be ready soon. I just need to finish cooking another dish,” came the voice from the kitchen.
“What about Dad? Hasn’t he finished work yet?”
“Your dad went downstairs to buy cigarettes.” Before the sentence was finished, the sound of the door opening signaled Guo Yan’s dad’s return.
“Xiao Chao, you and Xiaoyan are back. Dinner will be ready soon,” Guo Yan’s dad said to the two people sitting on the sofa.
“Old man, come in and bring the dishes. It’s time to eat.” Another voice came from the kitchen.
After everyone sat down, Guo Yan looked at the table full of dishes and pouted, “Hmph, Mom always favors Brother Chao and makes delicious food when he’s here.”
“You mischievous girl, there’s still so much food, and you can’t even finish it all. Hurry up and eat!” her mom scolded lovingly.
“Brother Chao, do you have any plans for the future?” Guo Yan’s dad asked Zhou Chao while holding his chopsticks.
“For now, I’ll stay in Fuzhou. After a while, I might go out and explore. As for the convenience store, Third Aunt, you can manage it,” Zhou Chao replied after contemplating for a moment.
“Ah, you’re still young. It’s time for you to go out and experience the world. I’ll take care of the convenience store for you. After all, it’s something your parents left for you.”
“Okay.”
After finishing the meal, Zhou Chao drove his Wuling Hongguang Mini EV back home. He lay on his bed, thinking about his future. With the system, he was bound to become richer and richer. Fuzhou was too small for him now. If he kept acquiring more things through check-ins, staying here would only bring him trouble. After all, having too much wealth would attract the attention of relevant authorities. He needed to go to a first-tier city.
Time quietly passed, and it was already the next day.
“System, check-in.”
“Check-in successful. Congratulations, Host, on obtaining a custom handmade Kiton suit from Italy!”
“A custom handmade Kiton??” Zhou Chao retrieved his phone and quickly searched online, discovering that it was a renowned company specializing in tailored suits.
“Receive.”
Zhou Chao changed into the custom handmade suit from the sofa. He looked at his handsome reflection in the mirror. A satisfied smile formed on his face as he thought to himself, “Perfect, an 82 out of 100.” He rewarded himself with the remaining 18 points with 666.
* Note: In Chinese internet culture, the number 666 is often associated with excellence and represents a high level of achievement.
“In the vast world, my love, beneath the endless green mountains, flowers are in full bloom.” As Zhou Chao indulged in his own self-appreciation, the phone rang.
“Hello, Lei Zi.”
“At 7 PM, on the 6th floor of Fuzhou Hotel, in the 666 private room. Don’t forget.”
“Got it. See you then!”
Zhou Chao hung up the phone, sat on the sofa, and fell into deep thought. He rarely kept in touch with his high school classmates anymore. Besides his childhood friend, Lei Mingtang, his relationships with others were just average. As for his first love, Xia Yuanyuan, they lost contact after she went abroad. Besides, the feelings he had for his first love had long faded after transmigrating.
In the evening, at the entrance of Fuzhou Hotel, Zhou Chao parked his car and coincidentally met Shu Lijuan, who had just gotten out of a taxi.
“Zhou Chao.”
“Hey, Beautiful Shu, do I no longer catch your attention? Am I not good enough for you anymore?” A voice came from behind. It was Lei Mingtang, who had rushed over from work.
“Let’s go, let’s head up. They should all be there by now,” Zhou Chao said to the two bickering individuals.
“Hmph, Lei Firecracker, you deserve to be single!” Shu Lijuan said and walked ahead, carrying her bag. Zhou Chao and Lei Mingtang exchanged glances, smiled, and followed her.