The school beauty is aloof? Whatever, she has a younger sister.

Chapter 186 The First Meeting of the Two Fathers

Monday morning.

Zhang Beifang sat alone in the living room, brewing a pot of strong tea and sipping it slowly.

The winter sun shines through the window, and the steam from the tea rises gently, creating a very pleasant atmosphere.

His factory recently reduced production, so he was put on leave.

However, compared to the anxiety of his fellow workers, Zhang Beifang seemed unusually relaxed.

After all, he also has a side job—writing novels to make money.

The currently serialized novel "The Scoundrel and the School Beauty" has good traffic and considerable donations.

In particular, there was a very generous and loyal reader nicknamed "Diaper" who always gave generously, with tips starting at no less than 500 yuan, which made Zhang Beifang very happy.

So these past few days he's been drinking tea more often, inspiration strikes him all the time, and he feels much more relaxed than when he was working in the factory.

Moreover, his wife, Mei Yinglan, was still at work, while his son left for school early.

He lives alone at home, it's very quiet.

"Tsk tsk, what a life of luxury." Zhang Beifang poured himself a cup of tea and sipped it slowly.

Suddenly, the cell phone on the table started buzzing.

Zhang Beifang glanced at the caller ID—Xu Qing.

He picked up his phone and answered the call.

"Hey, Northern. You're not at work today, right?"

“Yes, I’m off today.” Zhang Beifang nodded.

"Then could you do me a favor?" Xu Qing's voice was as gentle as ever. "I'm currently out and about and can't get away. Could you go to Tianhai Building and drive my car to the vehicle management office to register it?"

"Oh, you're getting the license plates? Sure, no problem, I'll be right there."

"North, thank you."

"Why are you so polite?"

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Beifang put down his teacup and stood up to stretch his limbs.

"At my age, I've never driven a BMW."

He chuckled twice, walked to the entryway, and picked up his coat: "Perfect... let's test the feel of it."

Tianhai Building.

Zhang Beifang drove his old car, which he had bought ten years ago, and parked it steadily on the side of the road.

As soon as he got out of the car, he saw Xu Qing standing at the entrance of the building waving at him.

"North, here."

Zhang Beifang strode over and entered the hall.

As soon as you enter, the warm air from the heater hits you, instantly dispelling the chill outside.

Seeing him come in, Xu Qing handed him the keys: "Thank you for your help, Northern."

Zhang Beifang waved his hand: "No trouble at all, I'm free anyway."

After speaking, he looked around, surveying the office building.

The decor was quite nice, and everyone coming and going was a white-collar worker in formal attire.

"You opened your new company here?"

Xu Qing nodded: "Yes, the new company is right here."

"Which floor is it on?"

Xu Qing smiled and said, "The whole building."

"Huh?" Zhang Beifang was taken aback, his reaction was a beat slow.

"I bought the whole building."

"..."

Zhang Beifang drove his BMW away from Tianhai Building.

No, it should be called Qinglan Media Building from now on.

He gripped the steering wheel, watching the tall building recede into the distance in the rearview mirror: "Xu Qing is no longer the gentle and sweet young girl she used to be..."

"Now you're President Xu."

However, it's impossible for the two of them to be together.

After all, the feelings of youth are ultimately just a glimmer of light in memories.

He would only occasionally think of her from that time, and of himself from that time.

But the true weight of life lies in the present, in his wife and children. Zhang Beifang stepped on the gas, getting closer and closer to the vehicle management office.

The vehicle registration process was not complicated. Zhang Bei completed the formalities smoothly in just over twenty minutes, and the license plate was installed.

He drove away from the vehicle management office, and not far ahead he saw that the small road ahead was crowded with people.

Going to the market?

Zhang Beifang stopped the car and looked at the row of temporary sheds set up on the side of the street, with people coming and going.

Under one of the sheds was a pot, with thick, white mutton soup bubbling inside.

There were freshly made pancakes and freshly fried dough sticks on the side.

"Wow, it's been so long since I've seen such an authentic mutton soup stall."

Without hesitation, he found an empty parking space and squeezed into the makeshift table under the stall.

He had just sat down when the small stool opposite him was suddenly pulled out.

A man carrying an old suitcase sat down, wearing a cotton coat.

He was short and thin, with a cigarette between his fingers.

Zhang Beifang glanced at it and struck up a conversation in a very familiar manner: "Just got off at the train station?"

Chu Jie glanced at the tall, middle-aged man opposite him and nodded silently.

“I just came out of the vehicle management office, which is right next to the station. I happened to see this market on the way, and the mutton soup smelled amazing, so I couldn’t resist stopping for a bowl,” Zhang Beifang continued.

"Mm," Chu Jie replied.

"In winter, a bowl of mutton soup is like a lifeline. I loved these stalls when I was a kid. By the way, are you a local?"

"Ah."

"Then you must know that the mutton soup is most fragrant when it's market day."

Chu Jie took a drag of his cigarette but didn't respond.

Zhang Beifang glanced at him, smiled, and asked, "Brother, how many do you eat a day?"

Chu Jie exhaled a puff of smoke and said calmly, "Half a pack."

Zhang Beifang nodded: "I used to smoke too, but I quit. It was mainly because it was too expensive."

Chu Jie: "I don't smoke, I'm tired."

Zhang Beifang smiled knowingly: "Yes, when I first quit, I was completely listless. But when I thought about my son going to high school and college, and how many places I would have to spend money, I gritted my teeth and threw away the cigarettes."

Chu Jie paused for a moment, his hand holding the cigarette. "Hmm...that makes sense."

"How old is your child?" Zhang Beifang asked as he took the mutton soup from the owner, continuing the conversation.

"High school, Grade 11."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Beifang chuckled and said, "That's quite a coincidence. My son is also a sophomore in high school."

Chu Jie glanced at him, said nothing, and simply nodded slightly.

Zhang Beifang took a sip of soup and added, "My son is driving his mother crazy all the time. Do you have a boy or a girl?"

"girl."

"Oh, girls are great. They're like a warm cotton-padded jacket, keeping you warm even when you grow up," Zhang Beifang sighed. "But then again, you have to be careful with girls. These days, boys are so sweet-talking, they can easily fall in love before you know it."

Chu Jie took a sip of soup with his spoon: "My daughter is very sensible."

Zhang Beifang nodded, but still couldn't help but say a few more words: "They are sensible, but it's no wonder that boys these days know how to flirt. My colleague's daughter is only in her first year of high school, and she's already dating a boy."

Chu Jie paused for a moment, then asked, "Has your child not been in a relationship yet?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Beifang was taken aback for a moment, then shrugged and laughed, "Who knows? My child has a sweet tongue and can play the guitar, so he's especially good at charming young girls."

"But I don't care whether he flirts or not; it's his business. As long as nothing unexpected happens."

Chu Jie glanced at Zhang Beifang silently, without saying anything more.

Zhang Beifang, still enthusiastic, handed over a freshly fried dough stick: "Brother, have a fried dough stick! This is perfect with mutton soup."

He then continued chatting on his own.

"My child is doing quite well in English..."

One middle school.

In the classroom, Zhang Muchen sat on his desk and suddenly shivered.

Chu Jiuli noticed the movement and looked up: "What's wrong?"

Zhang Muchen scratched the back of his head: "...It's nothing, I just suddenly felt something was off."

It seems like someone is talking about me behind my back.

(End of this chapter)