Yu Mengzhi was surprised to find that the food at the roadside stall actually tasted good.
In her previous impression, roadside stalls were supposed to taste bad, and she had been indoctrinated with various notions since childhood, such as the more expensive things were, the better they were.
This also led her into a cognitive bias—cheap things were bad.
But for many people, weren't roadside stalls also high-consumption places? For them, this should be equivalent to a feast fit for an emperor.
Unconsciously.
Yu Mengzhi realized she had eaten until she was full and almost burped.
This made her feel very embarrassed.
After eating and drinking to her heart's content, Chen Jinzhao smiled and said to Yu Mengzhi, "Then I guess I don't need to go to your house tomorrow, since I've already met the old man today."
Yu Mengzhi hummed in agreement.
Now, she couldn't figure out what her grandfather thought of Chen Jinzhao, and she didn't want another conflict between them.
"Oh, right, there's something I need your help with," Yu Mengzhi said.
"I'm attending a wedding banquet tomorrow, and I'd like you to accompany me. By the way, you know the people getting married."
"I know them?" Chen Jinzhao asked, puzzled.
Yu Mengzhi smiled faintly, "It's Ning Fei. I'll pick you up at your place tomorrow morning. And don't dress too casually, wear that suit I bought you last time, understood?"
Chen Jinzhao was not fond of Ning Fei, always feeling that the guy had some hidden intentions towards him.
"Can I not go?" he asked with a wry smile.
Yu Mengzhi shook her head, "It's not up to you. Although the Ning family doesn't have any business dealings with the Yu family, we all do business in Jiangnan, and we see each other around. We should show the Ning family some respect."
Chen Jinzhao sighed repeatedly.
He still couldn't understand why Ning Fei had attacked him last time, and now he had to attend his wedding. Wasn't this a ridiculous situation?
Yu Mengzhi knew what Chen Jinzhao was worried about, "I've already called him and warned him. He'll be more restrained in the future."
With Yu Mengzhi saying this, what else could Chen Jinzhao say?
He could only agree.
After leaving the semi-urban area, the two then went to a nearby police station to hand over Liu Wenyao's USB drive. With this evidence, Su Jinghui and Sun Hanfei could be dealt with decisively.
After giving their statements, they walked out of the police station at nine o'clock at night.
"Miss Yu, I'll take you home," Chen Jinzhao offered proactively.
Yu Mengzhi chuckled, "Sure, but how will you take me home without a car?"
Chen Jinzhao: "..."
"Alright, I'm just kidding, don't take it to heart," Yu Mengzhi said. Unconsciously, she was trying to understand Chen Jinzhao's thoughts instead of always imposing her own.
Chen Jinzhao looked at Yu Mengzhi in surprise.
For the dignified CEO of a corporation to say something like this? It must have been difficult for her.
Finally.
Chen Jinzhao hailed a ride-sharing car and took Yu Mengzhi to her doorstep.
This was not the Yu family's manor, but a property Yu Mengzhi had purchased in the Donghu villa area, where she lived alone.
"You can stop here. See you tomorrow," Chen Jinzhao waved and disappeared into the night.
Yu Mengzhi stood at the door, gazing into the night. Only after Chen Jinzhao had vanished did she withdraw her gaze, turn around, and walk into the living room to sit on the sofa.
After a day of running around, she was a bit tired.
She stared blankly at the quiet, large house, with fragments of memories with Chen Jinzhao appearing in her mind from time to time. It was only now that she realized how lonely she was.
Recalling the time spent with Chen Jinzhao, a smile appeared on Yu Mengzhi's lips.
This man had shown her another world, full of life and warmth. Speaking of which, Yu Mengzhi felt she might have gone mad. After all that had happened between her and Chen Jinzhao, they should have become enemies.
In fact.
She and Chen Jinzhao were becoming friends.
It was utterly absurd.
Yu Mengzhi began to overthink, wondering if there was a possibility of being with Chen Jinzhao in the future.
As soon as this thought popped into her mind, Yu Mengzhi quickly cast it aside. She knew all too well that she and Chen Jinzhao were from different worlds. Furthermore, with Qin Fengwu's existence, it was absolutely impossible for her and Chen Jinzhao to be together.
Even if they forced it, it would be destined to have no outcome.
Thinking of this.
Yu Mengzhi fell into deep melancholy and confusion.
At that moment.
Chen Jinzhao returned to the entrance of his residential compound but did not go further in. Instead, he stopped and looked at a figure standing to his right at the entrance.
He smiled and said, "Where is Shen Liangping?"
The young man's expression was surprised, clearly not expecting Chen Jinzhao to recognize him. He then frowned and said coldly, "You're quite perceptive. Uncle Shen has been waiting for you in the car for a long time. Please."
He pointed to a commercial van parked by the roadside.
Chen Jinzhao walked directly towards it. Shen Liangping's head peeked out from the car window. "Mr. Chen, please come with me."
"It seems I have no choice but to refuse?" Chen Jinzhao said with a smile.
Shen Liangping said calmly, "Since you knew I would come to find you, you should understand my resolve. You are a smart person, and I hope you won't make things difficult for me."
"Please,"
The car door opened, and Shen Liangping gestured for Chen Jinzhao to get in.
Chen Jinzhao's eyes flickered. Without hesitation, he sat down next to Shen Liangping.
What he found laughable was Shen Liangping's arrogance. With Chen Jinzhao's strength, he could have killed Shen Liangping in three seconds. Apart from the driver, the other two in the car wouldn't have had time to react even if they had guns.
The car started.
Shen Liangping clearly had no intention of talking to Chen Jinzhao, leaning back in his seat and resting his eyes.
The car sped through the night, soon leaving the suburbs. After passing through winding mountain roads, they arrived at Xingdan Mountain outside Ninghai City.
Xingdan Mountain was not high, only about three hundred meters above sea level. Due to the presence of the mountain road, the summit of Xingdan Mountain had become a prime spot for weekend excursions and camping.
From the summit of Xingdan Mountain, one could take in the entire bustling Ninghai city.
However.
Today, Xingdan Mountain was deserted. It was clear that the Yu family had 'cleared the area' through other means.
Shen Liangping acted with great authority. After his subordinates unfolded a folding chair, he got out of the car and sat on it. Then, he took off his sunglasses and scanned Chen Jinzhao.
"Do you know why I've asked you here?" Shen Liangping asked in a cold tone.
Chen Jinzhao smiled and remained silent.
Shen Liangping frowned, considering this a serious provocation. "What? You don't look convinced?"
"The old man appreciates your courage and ability and believes you have potential. If you accept, you might even be able to succeed me and become the next 'Shadow' of the Yu family. It's a pity you're not cherishing this opportunity."
"Moreover..."
"You harbor unrealistic fantasies about things that cannot happen."
"I've asked you here to help you face reality. There isn't even a one-in-ten-thousand chance between you and the young lady."