Chapter 65

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Protagonist:

Lin Xiyu

"Oh, I get it."

Wang Fan, as his childhood friend, knew him well; after a few seconds of stunned silence, he understood: "You want Zhang Xiaoqian to collapse on Friday, then push Director Du further until he can't take it anymore......."

"Smart."

Guben raised an eyebrow and gave him an appreciative look.

"In a flash, your move of cutting off the fuel under the pot is brilliant."

Wang Fan admired him to the point of prostration: "If she kicks up such a fuss, even if she's the mayor's daughter, no one can stand her. If we don't send this plague god away, we'll drive ourselves crazy."

"She brought it on herself; no one else to blame."

Guben didn't want to waste words on a certain mayor's daughter, and used the opportunity to change the subject: "How much surplus is on the internet cafe's books? Bring me ten thousand yuan; I have a use for it."

"The money is......."

Wang Fan stopped smiling, his upturned peach-blossom eyes flashing a hint of fox-like cunning: "But what do you want to do? You have to give me a reason. No matter what, the internet cafe is jointly run by the two of us. How this money is spent, as a partner, I have the right to know."

"Not spending, but borrowing......."

Guben spoke plainly: "Xiyu's family has an urgent need. You keep a tab for now, and once she finishes her documentary and the prize money arrives, you'll be paid back."

"What are you talking about?"

Wang Fan grinned lewdly: "What's our relationship? Tiegexi, we grew up wearing the same pair of pants. Your wife is my wife. Even if you two split up later, I wouldn't mind taking over......."

"Get lost!"

Gu Binjun's face darkened, and he kicked him in annoyance: "What nonsense are you spouting! Xiyu is mine. You all restrain yourselves. Don't talk nonsense in front of her. Also, tell Qu Peng and Li Liang that no one is to have designs on her."

"Yikes, so aggressive?"

Wang Fan couldn't dodge and took the kick squarely: "What's the matter, playing for real? Didn't you say it was just an act, using your grandfather's name to cover for her in front of outsiders? Surely you don't really want her to be your girlfriend?"

"Otherwise?"

Guben raised an eyebrow and glared at him.

"Guben, you're done for."

Wang Fan stared at him for a few seconds, then laughed with a puff: "You've already fallen for her. I didn't see it before. The Study Committee Member has such charm that she can make the dissolute Young Master Gu the Second turn over a new leaf."

"Stop blabbering."

Guben, impatient with his nonsense: "This afternoon, go to her house and deliver the money."

"Why don't you go yourself?"

Wang Fan was somewhat displeased: "It's such a hot day, and all you do is order me around to work."

"I promised her grandmother."

Guben's hand paused as he repaired the circuit, and he sighed helplessly: "In love, one must show restraint and not overstep. Before my family agrees, I can't go to her house to see her, lest the neighbors gossip......."

"Pfft."

Wang Fan spat out a mouthful of spit.

Soon, unrestrained and boisterous laughter filled the internet cafe.

"What does 'not overstepping' mean? Can't hold hands, or can't kiss? Such a strange requirement? You're both eighteen, in the prime of youth, full of vitality. Keeping it all bottled up, won't you get sick from repression?"

He laughed so hard he nearly shed tears, and after laughing enough, he provocatively glanced at a certain private part of Guben's body.

Guben could take no more, gritted his teeth, and spat out one word at him.

"Scram!"

—

At noon in the scorching summer, the weather was stifling. The flowers and grass in the small courtyard had wilted, drooping listlessly on their branches and leaves. Only the cicadas on the treetops called tirelessly.

Lin Xiyu finished lunch, rested for a while, saw that it was nearly two o'clock, took a small horse stool to the doorway, and sat under the eaves waiting for someone.