Chapter 103: Many Friends, Many Paths

Inside the milk tea shop.

A few female classmates got their milk tea and couldn't help but complain, "Why is it a small cup?"

"It's still pearl milk tea."

"Just these two snacks, not even enough for one of me."

"Being so stingy, no wonder you all still don't have girlfriends."

The girls chattered their complaints, and the boys' faces turned green listening.

That cost them almost a hundred yuan.

Don't be fooled; they're now working in town and can earn over 2,000 a month.

That's still not enough to spend.

Every day they eat and drink, not to mention occasional clothes purchases; to buy a kidney machine they borrowed a lot, and for the next several months their wages will go entirely to debt except for food and drink.

If it weren't for being invited out by those female classmates, they wouldn't have been able to wander around like this.

Just for a cup of milk tea, they'd have to skip several days of plain noodles, maybe not even afford an egg.

The girls, sipping milk tea, asked curiously, "Never mind, where shall we go to eat later?"

One of the boys quickly replied, "I know a fast‑food restaurant that's cheap, affordable, and tastes decent."

"Huh?"

"You invited us out just to eat fast food?"

"You can stir‑fry dishes in a fast‑food place too."

"Alright, alright. Had I known, I'd have just chatted longer with Wu An earlier."

"Yeah, Wu An is still as handsome as when he was in school, and he's a top student."

The boy got so angry he almost tried to flip the table; someone gave it a shove, but the table was welded to the floor and wouldn't budge.

"What does being a top student matter? He's still just like us underachievers, only a high‑school diploma."

"I think his phone is a Xiaomi," the guy said, fiddling with the kidney machine in his hand.

The noisy group walked out of the milk tea shop, leaving trash everywhere, causing the shop's server to roll his eyes.

The fast‑food restaurant was just diagonally opposite the milk tea shop; a line of people crossed the road. As they were about to enter, a girl pointed at a nearby golden‑and‑jade grand restaurant and said, "I think I saw Wu An go inside."

"There was a girl with him."

The boys shouted, "Really?"

"I didn't see Wu An, only a stunningly tall beauty with flowing long hair."

"How do you know she's a beauty when you can't even see her face?"

"Damn, come on, you can tell from the silhouette."

Another girl said, "Why do we see different things? I think I also saw Wu An."

Someone summed up, "Never mind, stop arguing; you all must have mis‑seen."

"That's the most luxurious restaurant in our town, I heard they have a minimum spend."

"I also heard some big bosses from the county and city bring ingredients here for the head chef to cook."

"Is that true?"

"It should be real; I heard it from others too."

The group kept discussing the restaurant as they entered the fast‑food place.

……

The restaurant was huge.

It was a full five‑story building; the ground floor was a main hall with many small tables, right at mealtime, but there weren't many patrons.

Empty tables bore exquisitely arranged ornaments.

Wu An gave his name, and the server led him upstairs.

The upper floors were all private rooms; higher still was a banquet hall where people of some standing came to conduct business.

When they arrived, Gao Qiangqi was chatting with a skinny middle‑aged man; seeing them, Gao Qiangqi waved and said, "This is the restaurant owner Qin Zong."

Gao Qiangqi patted Wu An's shoulder and introduced, "This is my little brother A An."

"Hello, hello," Qin Zong beamed, "Just call me Elder Qin, not Qin Zong."

"Being able to treat Elder Gao to a meal, the youngster's not simple."

"He looks like a young hero."

Gao Qiangqi laughed, "You're wrong; I'm the one treating him."

Only then did Qin Zong show a hint of surprise.

Gao Qiangqi was a regular here; he often saw people looking for a way to ask Gao Qiangqi for a meal.

Very few people actually treat Gao Qiangqi to a meal.

He then realized that Gao Qiangqi's term "little brother" carried such weight.

Wu An smiled, "It's Elder Gao who gave me a chance; actually I'm just a fisherman."

"These past few days my Luck Value's been good, I helped Elder Gao with a small favor; to be precise, we're mutually beneficial."

"His grand introduction of me probably means he hopes I'll have a chance for his future support."

Hearing Wu An say that, both Gao Qiangqi and Qin Zong smiled; Qin Zong even produced a Cigarette, and Wu An quickly said he didn't smoke.

"Elder Gao's friends can't be wrong," Qin Zong put away the Cigarette, took out his phone, "Here, let's exchange contact info."

Wu An suddenly realized that, having been reborn, Father's notebook was essentially a guide—who to befriend, who not to, what future opportunities lie ahead; in a way it was even more useful than his Luck Value.

Some connections, regardless of whether they'll be useful later—more friends, more paths.

What if they do turn out useful?

Wu An naturally and cheerfully exchanged contact methods, seeing Qin Zong still using WeChat, he added him as a friend by the way, and said: "Now more and more people use WeChat; in the future everyone will use WeChat to stay in touch, which will replace calling and texting."

Qin Zong laughed heartily: "A An is a delightful person."

Nowadays, when people use WeChat, nine out of ten have ulterior motives.

Gao Qiangqi watched Wu An and Qin Zong chatting happily, thinking Wu An was truly impressive—not only capable but also good at handling matters.

His manner of doing things doesn't seem like that of a youngster; one overlooks his age and assumes he is about the same age as oneself.

Qin Zong left soon after.

Gu Anran and Gao Qiangqi exchanged a few polite words, then entered the private room together.

Lao Mai and A Qing were discussing how to deal with the Chen Family; seeing Gu Anran arrive, they instinctively stopped, and Wu An said, "It's fine, keep talking; Gu Anran is not an outsider."

"Let her listen too; she might even be able to offer us some advice."

Gu Anran smiled and sat beside Wu An.

The utensils were already set out; Gu Anran took hot water and scalded the bowls and plates, not just hers but also Wu An's.

The dishes arrived shortly.

The meal was mostly seafood, not typical home cooking.

Everyone ate while chatting.

Gu Anran was relatively quiet, so Wu An asked, "What do you think?"

Gu Anran set down her chopsticks, wiped her mouth with a napkin, and said, "In my view, the Chen Family may soon come looking for trouble."

Everyone was taken aback, and Wu An asked, "Why?"

Gu Anran said, "I feel… although outsiders don't know how much money you've made, repairing the old house and buying a car will surely spread far and wide."

"The Chen Family is watching you; they will certainly find out."

"Given the Chen Family's style, they will probably come soon to extort money."

Upon hearing this, Wu An thought it made sense and also felt a faint anticipation.

Lao Mai said, "Then we don't have much time left."

Gu Anran said, "I think, given the situation you now control, you already have victory in the bag."

"Then I'll borrow your good words." Lao Mai raised his cup, looked at Wu An, and said, "Your little girlfriend is quite something."

Wu An smiled.

Gu Anran also smiled, raised her cup, and said, "We should thank you; reporting the hospital director's illegal conduct helps us ordinary people."

"Nowadays, seeing a doctor costs so much money that you can barely afford to get treated."

"Alas, my grandmother's health is poor; I want to take her to a big hospital for a checkup, but she refuses to go."

"Just then."

Wu An's phone, which lay on the table, rang; he picked it up and saw it was his sister-in-law calling.

His heart skipped a beat, and he inexplicably felt something was amiss.

He picked up the phone and hurriedly answered.