My stepmother forced me to donate bone marrow, so I retaliated by slapping my scumbag father in the

Yu Binglan said that she later went to Longdu.

At first, things weren't easy.

The Yu family favored sons over daughters, and she was raised as a tool for inheritance, learning business, etiquette, negotiation, and how to seize the right to speak at a meeting table with a group of men.

"They all think I'm a girl and can't support the Yu family."

Yu Binglan looked down at the cup, her voice flat, "That's why I'm determined to hold on."

"Later, when Xingchen Group encountered a crisis and I took over, many shareholders were waiting to see me fail."

"I quadrupled the group's profits in three years."

"From then on, no one dared to say that girls were no good in front of me."

Shen Ze looked at her and said, "You've always been amazing."

Yu Binglan looked up: "I wasn't that great when I was little."

"He was amazing even when he was little."

Shen Ze said, "Not crying even when you're being bullied is really impressive."

Yu Binglan was stunned for a moment, and the blush on her face deepened.

She said softly, "It was because you were there back then."

These words are light, yet more direct than any confession.

Shen Ze didn't rush to reply; he could sense Yu Binglan's feelings.

The reunion today was too sudden; the two hadn't seen each other for over a decade and needed time to get to know each other again.

Yu Binglan didn't press him, but simply smiled and changed the subject: "And what about you? What about you all these years?"

Shen Ze briefly recounted his mother's passing, his studies, graduation, and joining Fengsheng Group.

There were some things he didn't explain in too much detail.

For example, the system, Shuren Hospital, and the trend chart of major future events.

But when Yu Binglan heard that Xu Ying had passed away, the smile on her face vanished: "Auntie passed away?"

"Um."

"When?"

Many years ago.

Yu Binglan remained silent for a long time before lowering her voice: "When I was little, my favorite thing was the egg pancakes my aunt made."

She always said that Xiao Bing would definitely be beautiful when she grew up.

Yu Binglan's nose tingled slightly: "Auntie was right, but she didn't see it."

Shen Ze gripped his wine glass, his heart sinking slightly: "She would be very happy to see you like this."

Yu Binglan looked up and said earnestly, "Brother Shen Ze, if you'd like, you can take me to see Auntie sometime."

Shen Ze nodded: "Okay."

This meal took a long time to finish.

From the moment the lights on the Huangpu River first came on until the night outside the window had completely deepened.

The two seemed to have endless things to talk about.

A gap of more than a decade cannot be filled in a few words, but they are not in a hurry.

Yu Binglan recounted how she fought her way to gain a voice in the Yu family's collateral branch, and how her palms were sweaty when she returned to the hotel after securing a billion-dollar project on her own for the first time.

Shen Ze talked about his ordinary days in college, about the old photo album left by Xu Ying, and about the neighbors in Anping Lane.

Some of the words weren't earth-shattering, but Yu Binglan listened with exceptional seriousness.

She discovered that Shen Ze, just like when he was a child, didn't like to boast or complain about his hardships.

Even though I've suffered a lot over the years, I just say it all with a simple "It's all in the past."

The more this happened, the more heartbroken Yu Binglan felt.

Looking at the simple coat Shen Ze was wearing, and recalling the experiences he had just shared, she slowly formed a judgment in her mind.

Shen Ze may be doing better now than before, but he's probably not particularly wealthy.

At least compared to the social circles she belongs to, the gap is huge.

But that's not important.

She has been searching for Shen Ze for so many years, not to find a suitable business partner, but simply to find the older brother who used to stand in her way when she was a child.

By the end of the meal, Yu Binglan was already somewhat drunk.

She actually has a good alcohol tolerance, but she was having a good time tonight, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were much softer than usual.

"Brother Shen Ze".

"Um?"

"Don't disappear suddenly again."

Shen Ze looked at her and said, "No."

Yu Binglan seemed finally relieved and nodded with a smile: "That's good."

When the waiter came in to clear the plates, Zhao Jie followed him in and immediately noticed the drunkenness on Yu Binglan's face.

Looking at Shen Ze again, he remained clear-headed, his clothes were neat, and his posture was steady.

Zhao Jie sighed inwardly again. This man was truly capable; he could get President Yu drunk to this extent.

"Mr. Yu, would you like some dessert?"

"No."

Yu Binglan put down her napkin, her voice still relatively clear, "Give me the bill."

Zhao Jie immediately replied, "Okay."

Shen Ze was about to speak when Yu Binglan glanced at him first: "It's my birthday today, and I promised to treat you."

Shen Ze laughed and said, "Alright, the birthday boy is the most important."

Yu Binglan smiled, as if she had gotten the better deal.

Zhao Jie quickly brought the bill; the total cost of the meal was 268,000.

The price is not surprising, considering the rooftop presidential suite service fee, customized menu, wine, and private chef fees.

But for ordinary people, it's scary enough.

Yu Binglan took the bill, glanced at it, and signed and swiped her card immediately, her movements as swift as buying a cup of coffee.

After signing, she closed the bill and handed it back to Zhao Jie.

Then, she lowered her voice and said, "Manager Zhao, don't tell Mr. Shen the amount of the bill tonight."

Zhao Jie was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood.

Mr. Yu was afraid of hurting Shen Ze's feelings, and he felt a mix of envy and resentment.

For a meal costing over 200,000 yuan, Mr. Yu not only insisted on paying the bill but also made a special effort to protect his male pride.

This is hardly the same as keeping a gigolo.

This is something to be cherished and held in the palm of one's hand.

Zhao Jie nodded quickly: "Don't worry, Mr. Yu, I understand."

As he left, he couldn't help but glance at Shen Ze one last time.

Being handsome is great, but no, being handsome alone isn't enough.

For a woman like Yu Binglan to care so much, Shen Ze must have saved the galaxy in his past life.

After the meal, Yu Binglan did not call the driver.

Although she was a little drunk, she had only drunk a small amount of red wine, far from being unable to drive.

Shen Ze still asked, "Should we call a designated driver?"

Yu Binglan shook her head: "I'm fine, just a little happy."

After she finished speaking, she added, "If you're worried, you can sit next to me and keep an eye on me."

Shen Ze smiled and said, "Let's go then."

The two left the Caesars Hotel, and Zhao Jie personally saw them to the door.

The doorman drove the Maybach over, Yu Binglan got into the driver's seat, and Shen Ze got into the passenger seat.

As the car drove out of the hotel, Zhao Jie stood at the door watching the taillights disappear into the distance, his heart unable to calm down for a long time.

He had seen too many rich people in Caesar.

Men bring young women, women bring young men—it's all about exchanging favors and putting on an act; he's seen it all far too often.

But the way Yu Binglan looked at Shen Ze tonight was different.

That wasn't just for fun; it was something he genuinely cared about.

Zhao Jie couldn't help but sigh softly, "This Mr. Shen is really lucky."

inside the car.

Yu Binglan asked, "Where are you staying now? I'll take you home."

Shen Ze gave the address: "Huateng Villa District".

Yu Binglan paused slightly: "Hua Teng?"

"Um."

Which Huateng?

Shen Ze glanced at her: "Is there another Huateng Villa District in Shanghai?"

Yu Binglan remained silent for two seconds.

She originally thought that Shen Ze had lived an ordinary life over the years, and was even somewhat strapped for cash.

After all, his clothes were too simple, and he didn't deliberately show off any expensive watches or cars.