Returning to '97, creating a new life

As long as the money is right, people on and off stage can be treated the same.

Based solely on his impression of the service, Xu Kai didn't feel any surprises. It was just a routine process. Apart from being tall with long legs, good-looking, and knowing how to do makeup, the service awareness was still at a very basic level.

He had been to the Dongguan Grand Stage before it closed down; it was a top-notch venue with unparalleled service.

The room was magnificent, and the women were stylish and beautiful, like models. No wonder Niu Dongyang considered this a grand occasion; the price was definitely exorbitant.

She thought Xu Kai was just a younger brother and was ready to take the initiative, but Xu Kai pressed her shoulders and made her practice squatting down, letting her knees test whether the wool carpet was comfortable.

He appreciated Mr. Niu's kindness and released his anger. However, he didn't act rashly. Just when the other party showed genuine interest and wanted to take the initiative, Xu Kai smiled and escorted him to the door of the room, seeing him off.

There wasn't anything truly breathtakingly beautiful, nor were there a variety of services that would make you linger. It was simply a game of entering and exiting the room. Xu Kai, however, still had some ambition in how he got in.

The next morning at eight o'clock, Xu Kai appeared at a coffee shop that imitated the duplex design built on the first floor of a hotel in a big city. From the window, one could see the street scene outside, and from the railing, one could see people coming and going in the hotel lobby.

I ordered an iced Americano, picked up a magazine, and kept glancing around the lobby.

A short while later, Xu Kai saw Niu Dongyang's driver, who came up, took Xu Kai's room key, and then waited on the sofa on the first floor.

Niu Dongyang came down with Hu Yuxuan, and that's the difference.

Xu Kai needs to be more sensible, while Hu Yuxuan gets up, washes up, and leaves after receiving a phone call from her uncle in her room.

"How about it, Lao Xu? Have you seen it for yourself?"

Seeing Hu Yuxuan's smugness and overflowing curiosity, Xu Kai really didn't know what to say. Mainly, he couldn't explain it clearly in a few words and convince the other party. He could only choose to acquiesce. Fine, whatever you say goes. I learned something last night. I've become a man, just like you say.

Wouldn't that make you feel a little more accomplished?

"Uncle Niu, I know a pie shop that makes really authentic mutton pies and mutton offal soup. Shall we go try it?"

Niu Dongyang nodded: "Okay, you lead the way."

Having worked in the provincial capital for several years, he knows that many uniquely flavored foods are known for their deliciousness even in the most remote parts of the country. Although Niu Dongyang has businesses in the provincial capital, he might not even know about small shops like those hidden away in boxes or iron sheds.

The lamb pie is not very oily but has a very rich meaty aroma. It has a large filling and a thin crust, and is served with chili oil made by the owner himself and pure Shanxi aged vinegar.

The soup is thick and creamy, without any fancy technology involved. Before Xu Kai was reborn and returned, he would occasionally go to the provincial capital and crave this soup. However, by then, the old couple had already retired, and their daughter-in-law was supporting the old shop. They still adhered to the old couple's traditions, and the soup base was still prepared in the same style as many years ago.

Niu Dongyang was one of those who became wealthy during the primitive era of land reclamation. He had experienced hardship, great hardship. For him, the key to good food is not how expensive or rare the ingredients are, but whether it can be made to whet people's appetites.

Seeing that Xu Kai didn't seem very interested, Hu Yuxuan stopped talking. But in his heart, he finally felt a little comfortable. It was a kind of little emotion between friends. I'm not afraid that you drive a Land Rover, but you're not as good as me in every way. My mentality will be unbalanced. There's a small place where you're not so great. I'm happy. It's more comfortable to be with you.

Including the driver, the four of us ate very comfortably in this small shop. We drank the mutton offal soup with pepper powder until we were sweating and felt warm all over.

"This place is nice..."

After the meal, the two were taken back to the training base.

In the car, Niu Dongyang lit a cigarette and asked, "Have you inquired?"

The driver nodded: "Yes, I asked. They gave her an extra two thousand yuan. The woman said she only bit him once, nothing else. She said the other party didn't seem to like her, which is why they didn't have a deeper conversation. During the process, she seemed very experienced; she's a woman who knows how to play the game."

Niu Dongyang chuckled, "Oh, this is quite interesting."

Some things were left unsaid, but remained in my heart.

Is he trying to maintain his public image with me, or does he genuinely look down on me? Given his family background, he shouldn't have access to entertainment projects of this caliber. Where does his confidence come from?

After thinking for a moment, Niu Dongyang spoke again: "Find an opportunity to go to his restaurant or arcade, bump into him, chat with him, and find out what he's really thinking."

"Okay, Mr. Niu." Driver He Dong nodded. He didn't need to know why his boss wanted to do this; he only needed to know that he would faithfully carry out the task and complete it as perfectly as possible.

What's the use of understanding a child's true thoughts about sensual pleasures?

Not caring doesn't mean He Dong is curious.

Could it be that the boss is using this opportunity to establish contact with the Yun family, and Xu Kai is just a stepping stone? If he makes a mistake, will he be abandoned by that girl from the Yun family, and will Boss Niu discard him after using him?

It's chilling to think about. Is the boss playing a long game?

If Niu Dongyang knew about this idea, he would definitely be furious. Damn it, you brat, you've been watching too much TVB drama and political intrigue. Do you think I would bother to play a big game against a kid?

………………

The 22nd day of the twelfth lunar month, the day before the Little New Year.

The members of the Songcheng No.1 High School basketball team returned to school, disbanded, and went on holiday.

At this time, it was also the last day of school. Senior high school students started school on the 10th day of the first lunar month, while junior high school students started school on the 16th day of the first lunar month.

Hu Yuxuan flew directly from the provincial capital back to his hometown for the Spring Festival.

After studying hard for half a semester, attending tutoring classes and focusing on her studies, Yunshang took a day off on the eve of the Lunar New Year. Early in the morning, she dressed up beautifully, made a phone call, and went straight to Xu Kai's house.

Sun Xiuyun didn't come back last night. Last night was the first time the siblings' game hall distributed profits. After the gathering at their grandparents' house, they played mahjong all night at the card room. Today they are going to have another gathering at the grandparents' house.

Wearing a down jacket and slippers, Xu Kai opened the door for Yunshang, then quickly ran back to his room, went straight to the heated kang (traditional heated bed), and crawled into the warm quilt. Sleeping on a heated kang in winter is definitely more comfortable.

He got up to add fuel to the fire as soon as he answered the phone. The fire pit was warm and the temperature in the room rose. As soon as Yunshang entered the room, Xu Kai pulled her into the bed. The heat was instantly ignited. She could smell the faint fragrance of toothpaste in Xu Kai's breath. This bastard had already prepared everything.

Young men and women, alone in a room, it's certain that the bullet is loaded, but in the end, they can hold back from firing. Xu Kai lay flat on the heated kang, his eyes vacant. He needed to empty his mind to calm down. He knew that Yunshang had been quite open with him today, and he himself had even felt it. If he insisted on letting his guard down, she would half-heartedly allow him to go.

Yunshang nestled in his arms, tilted her head to look at him, a slight smile playing on her lips. She reached out her hand, and as Xu Kai shifted slightly, she whispered, "I know you're good to me. Will this have even the slightest effect?"

His skills were superb; from being a novice to becoming self-taught, he progressed to a higher level with every breath, reaching the Grandmaster level in a short time.

Not only that, Yunshang leaned against him, speaking softly in the Wu dialect.

"I now realize that you are no match for Big Sister. I didn't even realize that you are so knowledgeable and capable."

Yunshang smiled faintly, offering neither explanation nor rebuttal, but simply leaning forward and offering a sweet kiss.

"what!"

Sensing something was wrong, Yunshang immediately got up and dressed. This was beyond the bounds of propriety; how could he still...? It wasn't just now...

Xu Kai laughed, lay down, and two minutes later, got up, dressed, and started clearing the land little by little. It felt pretty good. Conquering the high ground all at once didn't give him a sense of accomplishment.

Now, there is no longer any resistance when they hug; it's just a regular interaction between them.

"By the way, Wanwan invited me to Yanjing..." Yunshang paused deliberately, waiting to see Xu Kai's reaction. On the way here, she had guessed what Xu Kai's reaction would be.

"What, you're planning to learn more from her?"

"Yes, how can I make my little man happy if I don't learn more?" Yunshang is Yunshang, she is not pretentious, nor is she shy or avoids the topic. She speaks frankly, "I just want to learn some things to make you happy."

Xu Kai's eyes lit up, but Yun Shang kicked him: "What are you thinking? How could I be so shameless as to let someone take advantage of me?"

Seeing Xu Kai's expression, Yunshang gritted her teeth. She had guessed wrong; this bastard wasn't even thinking about whether she would suffer a loss.

With a malicious smile, she leaned close to Xu Kai, her mouth near his ear: "Come to think of it, if you could put Su Xingwan on your bed, with her looks and demeanor, and she gave you a pitiful look, wouldn't that excite you even more?"

Xu Kai deliberately chimed in, "Then there needs to be a queen with a whip and high-heeled boots to liven things up..."

Yunshang bit his ear directly, not with much force, just a slight sting. The two of them never limited themselves to the limits of joking around. The test revealed that they were quite immersed in such a level of playfulness, finding it a very comfortable kind of "fun".

"Come with me, I'll find a chance to make your wish come true." After some playful banter, Yunshang rubbed Xu Kai's ears.

"No, what if this guy is just pretending to be weak and actually has two partners, and he tricks us both into going, only to be taken advantage of by her? We'd both be at a huge loss."

Yunshang shrugged. She had already formed some judgments about Su Xingwan through phone calls and letters, so it was normal for Xu Kai to be wary of her.

My little man, you're always so cautious. Have you never thought that we seem so capable because we have good parents and elders? And what about you? Don't underestimate yourself; you're better than all of us.