While Lin Chu was eating at Ensue, Li Kai was with Liu Junfeng at some little restaurant they’d found to grab a bite.

Liu Junfeng was three years older than Li Kai, and his conduct and way of handling things were impeccable in every respect.

Li Kai held him in very high regard.

He had gone drinking with him last night to vent, but now they weren’t drinking—just grabbing a meal and chatting.

"I’m getting pressured to get married, and Brother Chu gave me a bag of gold bars—five million—saying it’s a wedding gift. And I, fuck... haha, I’m actually hesitating."

Li Kai didn’t mention Teacher Meng at first, just smiling as he brought up the money.

He hadn’t fully decided whether to accept it and needed an advisor to help him strategize.

This was a true test of worldly experience and emotional intelligence.

Liu Junfeng: ?

After a brief moment of shock, he grinned slyly. "Holy shit, did you two sleep together? Offer up your ass?"

Li Kai: ...

A wave of vulgarity hit him, so crass it felt like it seeped into his bones. He couldn’t help but laugh and curse, "No. Don’t ask for the details. Just... that’s the situation. Brother Chu... gave me... five million."

He said the words one by one, very deliberately.

The corner of Liu Junfeng’s mouth twitched. After a moment’s thought, he basically got the gist of it.

’It was obvious he’d stolen a girl. Of course, she couldn’t have been a girlfriend, much less a wife. At most, there was just something going on between them.’

’Otherwise, a fight would’ve been inevitable.’

"If you don’t want the money, give it to me. I’m so broke I’m about to sell my ass, the pressure is insane. What’s there to even agonize over?"

He joked nonchalantly.

’This kind of thing isn’t for judging, just for handling.’

’Fuck, this is just how our circle is. How can you even judge it?’

’Which one of the guys they hung out with every day wasn’t a huge lech?’

’Birds of a feather flock together.’

Li Kai glanced at him, pursed his lips, and laughed. "Fuck, cut the bullshit and give me some constructive advice."

This was Liu Junfeng’s style. He was usually messing around, but on the rare occasion he got serious, he was reliable. He had a strong, charismatic personality and was very adaptable—he could be tough or gentle, depending on the situation.

Liu Junfeng watched him as he picked up some food with his chopsticks and chewed slowly.

"So, are you two still going to be friends? Or are you just gonna cut ties and be done with it?" he asked casually.

Li Kai laughed. "Of course we are! What, am I gonna take the money and run? That’s not an option. Or am I supposed to throw the money in his face and yell, ’You’re fucking insulting me, you bastard!’? He didn’t mean it like that."

Liu Junfeng nodded and chuckled. "God, I wish someone would throw money at my face. Why don’t you do it? I promise to take it without a single complaint. I’d even kowtow to you. My ass would be yours for the taking."

Li Kai: ...

He was speechless. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Liu Junfeng clearly got a kick out of being a smartass. He then asked, "Still feeling hung up on it? Think your pride’s been wounded?"

Li Kai was silent for a few seconds. Then, he waved his hand dismissively and gave a slight smile. "It’s in the past. I’ve made my peace with it."

Rationally, the incident was over. Even married couples fought; it was normal for friends to hit a rough patch.

Emotionally, however, there was still a lingering feeling.

"That’s normal. Let the past be the past. He’s only twenty-four—young and impetuous. Sure, in terms of influence, he’s the ’big brother,’ but age-wise, he’s just a kid. It’s totally normal for him to handle things clumsily. When I was in my twenties, I was obsessed with trying to bag my boss’s wife, hahaha... You’re such a rookie."

Liu Junfeng lit a cigarette and suddenly let out a laugh he couldn’t hold back.

Li Kai: ...

Of course, he knew what Liu Junfeng was laughing about.

He flicked a peanut, and it landed squarely in the man’s mouth. "Stop fucking laughing!"

"He really gave you five million? Holy shit, that’s a damn good deal. I should start sending girls to the big boss too... Five million, tsk..."

Liu Junfeng continued to rib him.

Li Kai’s eyes widened in disbelief.

’Is this how you cynical old bastards think?’

"Don’t be such a degenerate! Hey... I’m giving you to the count of three to get serious. Three... two..."

Li Kai issued an ultimatum.

Before he finished counting, Liu Junfeng laughed. "I’m thinking, I’m thinking, hold your horses. Open a business. Just think of it as start-up money from the big boss. Set up a place for the gang to eat, drink, and hang out. I was just wondering, a bar or a restaurant? But neither seems right. You’re not really cut out for that line of work..." he proposed.

Li Kai’s interest was piqued. He found himself agreeing. "Go on."

’This money feels like a hot potato in my hands.’

’But this idea from Brother Feng... it actually feels a lot better.’

Liu Junfeng mulled it over for another moment.

"Mm, I’ve got it. A maid cafe. Tsk, hire a bunch of schoolgirl types—full-time, part-time, whatever. They can cosplay, wear black stockings, qipaos... When you feel like making money, you open to the public. When you don’t, it’s a private, members-only clubhouse."

"I bet Brother Chu alone could keep the whole place afloat. When it comes to this sort of thing, he’s a total animal. A beast."

"Besides, you’ve got five million in start-up funds... And since you’d be the boss, couldn’t you sleep with whichever one you want? Hey, just make sure I get a lifetime membership... I haven’t even charged you a fucking consulting fee for this genius idea of mine!"

Liu Junfeng grew strangely excited, a smug grin spreading across his face as he spoke with a rush of enthusiasm.

Li Kai felt a thrill of excitement as he listened.

He truly hadn’t considered that angle.

But the more he thought about it, the wider his grin became, and it was harder to control than the recoil on an AK-47.

’A maid cafe!’

KNOCK! KNOCK!

Liu Junfeng rapped on the table. "Wipe that shit-eating grin off your face and pour me some tea. I’m getting thirsty!"

Li Kai eagerly poured him some tea, a huge smile on his face. "Done. That’s a great idea. I think making it members-only is the way to go. We won’t deal with outsiders. One, it’s safer. Two, I can’t be bothered with the hassle of a public business. And three, we’ve got plenty of bros. Shit, this is like controlling a key resource—we can hook up all the guys!"

Liu Junfeng smiled, nodded, and jutted his chin in approval.

"Brother Chu’s gym, my club, and your maid cafe... that’s a whole fucking package deal. We can work out in the morning, go racing in the afternoon, and drink coffee at night. We can cut down on hanging out in bars. We’re getting old, man. Keep drinking like that and we’ll end up with fucking ED... Oh, right, what’s that new company Brother Chu started?"

Li Kai said, "A live-streaming company, I think?"

Liu Junfeng clapped his hands. "Fuck! That’s the whole set! Let’s do it!"

Li Kai: ...

’It feels like I’ve just merged from a county road straight onto the freeway.’

He’d spent all these years focused on outdoor activities, basically living like a drifter. He was never short on women, but he’d never built a real career, and his social circles were just loose-knit groups. Now, he suddenly felt as if the door to a new Chapter in his life was swinging open.

The two of them discussed more of the details...

Li Kai’s phone suddenly rang. A glance at the screen showed it was Lin Chu. "Drinking tonight. Sky City."

Li Kai: ...

"Sounds good. What time?"

Lin Chu said, "A little after nine. Room 666. It’s already booked. Whoever gets there first can get started."

Li Kai: "Got it."

Lin Chu hung up.

Just as he hung up, Liu Junfeng’s phone rang. It was also Lin Chu. "Brother Feng, what’ve you been up to? Haven’t seen you around, you been busy? You free for drinks tonight?"

Liu Junfeng smiled. "Sure, I’m down. Where at?"

Lin Chu: "Sky City. Nine tonight. Room 666."

"Alright, see you there!"

After hanging up, Liu Junfeng chuckled, looked at Li Kai, then shrugged and threw up his hands. "Damn, I’m so fucking jealous. I still haven’t broken into the inner circle. I’m just a drinking buddy, while you’re already cutting butt-buddy deals with the big boss."

Li Kai: ...

’These cynical old bastards... they really do think on a different level...’

’They’re all so depraved. I’m the last bastion of innocence in Peng City.’

’But it looks like I’m about to get on that freeway myself.’

...

...