Chapter 705: Chapter 89: Initiative
Chapter 89 Initiate [Correction]
(Thanks to the book friend [Dragon Unheard] for being promoted to Elder, making up for the added acknowledgment!)
The four of them entered the restaurant together. He Zhexia hadn’t made a reservation, but since there weren’t many people at this time, they easily found a suitable table.
To Li Yan’s surprise, the spot He Zhexia found was actually a table for four!
With four seats, they were now two men and two women. The girl He Zhexia brought, regardless of their relationship, would naturally sit with him, while Li Yan and Bai Jie had to sit opposite them.
After sitting down, Li Yan asked in a low voice, "Didn’t contact anyone else? Just the four of us?"
"Yeah, Ah Bing, Ah Qing, they’re all busy, said they had to work overtime. I thought maybe another weekend we could get together. Anyway, everyone’s in the same place, we can always catch up. Besides, fewer people mean we can chat more quietly. Oh, I haven’t introduced you yet, this is Xiaowei!"
He Zhexia introduced the girl beside him, and everyone greeted each other. He didn’t mention if she was his girlfriend, colleague, or friend. But being adults, everyone understood the situation—it seemed like something was going on, not quite at the point of being official, so no one pressed further to avoid awkwardness. For a boss like him with some money, not having a woman around would be unusual.
"Let’s order something to eat first!" Having been here before, He Zhexia called over the waiter and ordered some signature dishes.
As they waited for the food, they started chatting. Since last time they went straight to the reunion and then disbanded when it was late, they hadn’t had a proper chat before now, so they took the chance to catch up on each other’s lives.
He Zhexia felt that if he boasted too much, it would seem bragging. With Xiaowei beside him, he didn’t need to, nor did he need to in front of Li Yan and Bai Jie, so he skimmed over his own updates.
Bai Jie laughed and said, "My life isn’t as thrilling as yours. Our dance center doesn’t have many students, and I’m getting older, too lazy to practice much, sometimes it gets boring. I haven’t made many friends here either, so do stay in touch, classmates!"
As she spoke, she cast a glance at Li Yan, intentionally or not.
Xiaowei just listened quietly, occasionally laughing along. He Zhexia was more interested in Li Yan’s situation: "Class Monitor, what have you been up to all these years? Why hasn’t anyone heard from you?"
Li Yan chuckled, "Hehe, I chose not to keep in touch with others or family, so naturally, no one knows about me. As for where I’ve been... sigh, it’s a long story, not worth mentioning really, if I’d been doing well, I wouldn’t have hidden away, let’s not talk about it!"
Seeing him shake his head with a wistful look, even with a smile, there was an air of weariness that made them reluctant to press further.
He Zhexia smiled wryly, "Actually, it’s nothing. Starting a business back then was tough, could say it’s a long story. Graduated from a third-rate college, damn, the salary was just enough to get by, forget buying a house, couldn’t even think of getting a girlfriend. Later I thought I couldn’t go on like this, it wasn’t life, but neither was it death, so I took a gamble. Once, I survived three months on instant noodles, now I can’t see a pack without wanting to crush it!"
"Haha, do you go around crushing instant noodles in supermarkets?" Li Yan grinned.
"Let’s not dwell on the past. So now, what about your company? Last time you mentioned some company that let you fly everywhere with beauties accompanying, it must be impressive?" He Zhexia shifted the focus back to Li Yan with a smile.
"Paradise Group, I used to be in the business department, just a small employee, the person you met last time was my boss."
"Hehe, look at your memory! I remembered it. Though the class monitor hasn’t kept in touch, I knew you were busy. But I did keep tabs on you!" Bai Jie joined the conversation.
"You kept tabs on me?" Li Yan asked, surprised.
"Yes, maybe you were in the business department, but not anymore, right?" Bai Jie chuckled, "I saw an entertainment news piece about a film’s ’Springtime Leaked’ launching ceremony, and there you were on TV! Later I looked up the details, and you were listed as the first co-producer. So, class monitor, care to share?"
He Zhexia was also a bit surprised, "Wow, impressive! Is it a promotion or a new company?"
"Not much, Paradise Group set up a small film investment subsidiary, not many people, no scale, my performance in the business department wasn’t great, so they had me manage this little subsidiary, and this film is our first investment. Despite the stars, the investment isn’t large." Li Yan gave a simple introduction, not wanting to boast, feeling it wasn’t his strong suit, so he hadn’t mentioned it initially.
"Wow! So now you’re a film company boss? Amazing!" This finally gave He Zhexia’s companion a topic to join in on.
Bai Jie also laughed, "Yes, our class monitor truly isn’t ordinary, becoming a boss at any time."
Even He Zhexia laughed, "This film business, with so many stars, even if the investment isn’t large, it must be millions, right? Haha, selling me wouldn’t be worth it!"
"No, it’s only a million plus, millions was just media exaggeration. Plus, the money, whether it’s much or little, isn’t related to me. I’m not a real producer, just representing Heavenly Film for now, still just a worker!"
Xiaowei and Bai Jie seemed envious of Li Yan’s modesty.
"Mr. Li, as the film company boss, you must meet stars often, they must be eager to please you!"
"Hehe, more than eager, I’d say." Bai Jie, having been married, spoke straightforwardly, making Xiaowei blush shyly.
Even He Zhexia smiled knowingly, "Prospect there!"
Li Yan chuckled, "Come on, Heavenly Film is just a newly established small company, and you think I’m Han Sanping or Zhang Weiping? Joking privately is fine, but it’d be embarrassing if it got out."
"Well, you certainly have great potential!"
Just then, the restaurant began serving their food, interrupting their jokes.
But Bai Jie’s words made Li Yan a bit wary, realizing he should avoid appearing on camera in the future. That Sonia must have known his look from Eva but recognized him from the news. Another ’Rose,’ would surely know too. Now Bai Jie also recognized him from the news—though entertainment news has limited influence, for intentful people or coincidences, many unexpected outcomes could occur.
Amidst the light-hearted joking atmosphere, they finished dinner, with Li Yan becoming more familiar with the others. Xiaowei also grew more acquainted with them and joined some discussions.
After having tea and chatting for quite a while, they headed to the next venue, where He Zhexia had booked a room at some KTV.
During dinner, they only drank a little wine, but at KTV, He Zhexia ordered quite a bit of alcohol to liven things up.
Singing wasn’t Li Yan’s forte, nor was he interested. Upon reaching the KTV room, it was Bai Jie and Xiaowei taking turns singing while he drank with He Zhexia on the side.
After some time, He Zhexia showed his prowess, often singing with clients, he was well-skilled in this aspect. Encouraged Li Yan to sing, but seeing his reluctance, Xiaowei and Bai Jie resorted to playing dice drinking games with him. To Li Yan, it was no big deal, even against the two of them, he’d win more often than lose.
Karaoke king He Zhexia finished singing and then dragged Xiaowei for a duet of love songs. Maybe Xiaowei was from his company, usually not convenient in his friend circle. Now with indifferent classmates, they freely embraced and sang passionately.
Leaving Li Yan and Bai Jie, playing dice and drinking lost appeal. Watching the others like that, Li Yan, smoking, secretly chuckled. Probably He Zhexia hadn’t invited more classmates for his convenience.
Stubbing out the cigarette in the ashtray, Li Yan got up to use the restroom, pondering if they should end the night early.
Just after entering the restroom and closing the door, Li Yan noticed someone behind him, turning to see Bai Jie had followed.
"You in a hurry? Go ahead..."
