Chapter 652 - 355_2

In this beautiful atmosphere, suddenly "ring, ring," a burst of cellphone ringing sounded.

The music abruptly stopped.

Fang Cheng steadied the steering wheel with his left hand and took out his cellphone from the bag in the armrest box with his right hand.

He glanced at the caller ID, it was Xiao Shuai’s number.

Previously, Fang Cheng had let Xiao Shuai use funds from the activity budget to buy a new phone for communication.

If it’s a non-urgent situation, he would contact Fang Cheng by phone.

If the situation was indeed urgent, Xiao Shuai would repeatedly meditate Fang Cheng’s name in his mind.

Then, through the Spiritual Link, they would connect and communicate promptly, taking responsive measures.

This could prevent sudden and inexplicable warnings in mind, making it unclear the severity of the situation.

Now that it was a phone call, it indicated that the situation was still within controllable limits.

Fang Cheng glanced at Zhou Xiumei, who was casting a curious glance beside him.

After a moment of hesitation, he pressed the answer button and put it to his ear.

"What’s up?"

His voice returned to its usual calm.

On the other end of the line, Xiao Shuai’s respectful voice immediately came through:

"President, Chen Chen invited me again to be a guest at the Yuanchen Group Building today."

He quickly reported the situation of his own accord:

"We talked for about half an hour, that Secretary Liu accompanied us the whole time."

"Chen Chen mainly complained to me about how difficult it is to manage the company now, how hard it is to gather the task payments, but he repeatedly guaranteed that he would pay the remaining balance by the deadline."

"By the way, he’s still not giving up, trying to find out information about our organization in a roundabout way, trying to get me to talk."

"Don’t worry, President, I kept my mouth shut right and played Tai Chi with him, leaving him to guess for himself."

"Everything else was normal. The bizarre part was that at the lunch he hosted, he suddenly sighed, saying he’s been working hard for years and doesn’t have a close confidant around."

"Then, he made an outrageous request..."

Xiao Shuai paused, apparently feeling that what he was about to say next was too absurd.

"What request?"

Fang Cheng asked calmly.

There was a two-second silence on the other end, then Xiao Shuai’s voice sounded again, his tone becoming quite peculiar:

"He... wants to take me as a godson."

As these words came out, the air inside the car seemed to also become quiet for two seconds.

Fang Cheng’s lips twitched, and he asked lightly:

"He’s not much older than you, is he?"

"I also feel like he’s taking advantage of me."

Xiao Shuai’s voice had a trace of embarrassment:

"That guy’s only seven or eight years older than me. Who would have thought he’d want to become my dad on this trip..."

"He even confidently said that if I agreed, he’d fully cultivate me to become the ’Crown Prince’ of the Red Tiger Gang, and the next Gang Leader."

"President, I have a feeling what he’s saying is very far-fetched, like he’s painting a big cake, possibly with some kind of conspiracy..."

Fang Cheng pondered slightly.

Xiao Shuai himself was not of much utility value, worth Chen Chen’s big expenditure.

The purpose of such an act was nothing more than to draw Xiao Shuai in to get closer to himself, this mysterious assassin, and the so-called "organization" behind him.

However, this comes with a very high price.

Crown Prince of the Red Tiger Gang?

Fang Cheng secretly smiled, pondered for a moment, then instructed:

"You can make your own decision about this kind of thing, as long as it ultimately aligns with the interests of the organization, your actions can be flexible."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Shuai cautiously expressed his thoughts:

"President, I thought so too. Whether he’s sincere or not, since this old guy’s actively handing me the ladder, I might as well climb up and take a look."

"If I can get into their inner circle, maybe I can really dig up some juicy details about the Noah Organization. Even if he wants to play tricks, staying close to him is better than guessing outside, I can always stay prepared."

"Alright, handle it your way."

Fang Cheng approved of his reasoning, while reminding:

"The key is to stay clear-headed and not be swayed by Chen Chen’s sugar-coated bullets."

"President, rest assured a hundred and twenty percent!"

Xiao Shuai’s tone instantly became incomparably firm:

"Noah knows who I belong to in my heart, my loyalty will always be yours alone, President!"

Seizing the opportunity again to express loyalty, Xiao Shuai continued:

"Also, Chen Chen said he might have gathered the balance by around April 1st, so how should I hand over the money to you then?"

"I’ll come to find you in a few days, we’ll talk about it then."

"Alright, I’ll wait for you."

Hearing he could meet the President in person, Xiao Shuai’s tone was inevitably tinged with excitement.

The call ended.

Zhou Xiumei blinked her clear big eyes and asked curiously:

"Brother Cheng, are you really in the big business now?"

Fang Cheng smiled and casually explained:

"Didn’t I say that I invested in a cleaning company? The person on the phone just now is someone I planted in the management, if there’s any sign of trouble over there, he will immediately inform me."

Zhou Xiumei suddenly understood, then pursed her lips in a smile:

"No wonder, the way you both spoke earlier sounded just like secret agents meeting on TV, all mysterious."

Seeing her make a rare joke, Fang Cheng cooperated with a hearty laugh:

"Exactly, the business world is like a battlefield."

He didn’t deliberately hide it.

Certain things should be learned a bit in advance by the people around him.

In the future, it wouldn’t cause excessive suspicion and worry due to his significant changes.

Moreover, Zhou Xiumei in her heart actually knows that his physical constitution far surpasses ordinary people, harboring many unspeakable secrets.

The car headed north all the way, back to the familiar Jiangbei District, finally arriving at Old Factory Street.

With a narrow street, Fang Cheng parked the car steadily by the flowerbed under the tubular building.

He tried to tuck it in, avoiding obstructing the already narrow road, and affecting the neighbors’ travels.

This brand-new, imposing black SUV formed a stark visual contrast with the slightly shabby surroundings.

The string of letters on the car’s front grille reflected a captivating gleam under the last light of the setting sun.

It was the time people were getting off work, several neighbor aunts were gathered, chatting on the street, and young people just returned on scooters.

All eyes were attracted to the car like magnets.

As Fang Cheng and Zhou Xiumei got off the car, a gasp erupted from the crowd, soon followed by a stir.

"Wow, Ah Cheng is driving the latest Range Rover? Did I see that right?"

A young guy knowledgeable about cars exclaimed.

"Ah Cheng, did you win the lottery, or rob a bank?"

An aunt exaggeratedly covered her mouth, her eyes widened like copper bells.

"This car must cost over a million, right? Yikes, if the back gets scratched, I’d have to pay for it with my scooter!"

Another uncle riding an electric scooter was cautiously squeezing into the building entrance.

Fang Cheng smiled and greeted the group of wide-eyed neighbors.

Responding with a few words, he pressed the key to lock the car.

After the crisp locking sound, the side mirrors folded automatically, drawing more astonished exclamations.

He and Zhou Xiumei walked into the corridor together, shutting out the envious discussions behind them.

On the ninth floor, in front of his home, Zhou Xiumei stopped, turned around.

With cheeks slightly flushed and bright eyes looking at Fang Cheng, she softly said:

"Brother Cheng, today... I was very happy, thank you."

Finishing her words, before Fang Cheng could respond, she turned quickly like a startled doe, opened the door, and dashed inside.

With a soft "bang," the door closed, enclosing that shyness behind it.

Fang Cheng stood in place, looking at the closed door, chuckling dumbfoundedly and slowly shaking his head.

A moment later, he turned, took out his key, and unlocked his own door.

The house was silent, no one was in.

Mom should have gone out grocery shopping.

This morning before setting out to buy the car, she mentioned she’d prepare a big meal for the dinner.

To celebrate acquiring a new car at home and to gear up for the upcoming important exam by having a substantial meal.

Fang Cheng glanced at the calendar as he changed his shoes and walked into the living room.

March 29.

Tomorrow is the day for the graduate school re-examination.

"""