"Hey, son."
The call connected, and Zhang Lanfang's voice came through: "How's your trip in Shanghai?"
It was mixed with the sounds of papers being quickly flipped through and people discussing.
Zhou Xing was silent for a moment, then said somewhat helplessly: "Mom, I've already returned to Jiangcheng."
"Huh?"
Zhang Lanfang on the other end of the line was somewhat surprised.
Then came the sound of her getting up and walking, as if she had found a quieter spot. Zhang Lanfang then said: "I've been so busy I've lost my head, so I forgot to tell you."
"Right now I'm at the company headquarters here in Kyoto. I have a lot of things to handle. I estimate it'll be about a month before I can come back."
"Your dad has also gone abroad for negotiations. He won't be back for a while."
Zhou Xing rubbed the space between his eyebrows.
How could they forget something like this?
He really wanted to complain, wondering if he was actually their biological son.
It was like this in his previous life, and in this life, they were still so casual.
If he had known it would be like this... he could have just stayed in Shanghai until school started.
There was absolutely no need to come back.
"Sorry, son. Your dad and I probably won't be able to see you off when school starts."
Zhang Lanfang continued: "I'll wire you two hundred thousand in a bit for your living expenses and tuition. When it's time for school, you can go register yourself."
"When you come back for winter break, I'll welcome you back properly."
"I can't talk anymore now. I still have things to deal with here. Bye."
*Beep beep beep...* Zhou Xing listened to the dial tone on the other end, feeling a complex mix of emotions.
"Ding!"
A text message arrived.
"[Account 2963 received a deposit of 200,000.00 chinese yuan on August 18, 22:01. {China Merchants Bank}]"
Zhou Xing put down his phone.
He didn't want to stay in this family for another moment.
No warmth!
Only the coldness of money.
Zhou Xing picked up his luggage, turned, left the room, exited the villa, quietly hailed a taxi, and headed towards the hotel where Luo Qianqian was staying... The next day.
Early morning... Luo Qianqian, wearing her Flight Attendant uniform, woke Zhou Xing.
She looked at Zhou Xing: "I now have serious reason to suspect you didn't come back for home at all, but just to torment me!"
Recalling the miserable state of last night, her eyes welled up with tears.
Being stood up by his family, yet in the end, she, Luo Qianqian, was the one who suffered. What kind of logic was that?
And now, just returning yesterday, today they were heading back to Shanghai.
Although she was happy to spend time alone with Zhou Xing... things like this shouldn't be too frequent.
Otherwise, her body really couldn't take it.
"I didn't expect this either."
Zhou Xing shrugged.
Since neither of his parents were home, there was no point in him staying here.
So he chose to book a ticket on the same flight Luo Qianqian was working.
Preparing to return early.
Taking advantage of the few days left before school started, he would implement the Selection Plan and get the company set up.
Having been reborn once.
He couldn't just indulge in a life of luxury and pleasure.
Building a business empire, growing it strong, and standing at the pinnacle of the world also held its own appeal.
Now, with the opportunity right before his eyes, he had no reason to refuse it.
"Then you have to promise to let me rest properly for a day after we arrive in Shanghai."
Luo Qianqian said: "Otherwise, I'd rather die than go to Shanghai with you. Even if I have to take leave or quit, I won't fly this shift."
"I'll let you rest."
Zhou Xing responded. Only then did Luo Qianqian nod in satisfaction and wrap her arm around his again.
That's more like it.
Zhou Xing, however, smiled faintly.
He had only promised to let Luo Qianqian rest, not for how long.
Besides, appropriate physical exercise was also for the sake of better rest... At the airport.
Zhou Xing boarded and found his seat.
To his surprise, the usually quiet business class was completely full today.
These passengers were all craning their necks, eagerly looking towards the cabin crew.
Their faces full of anticipation.
Luo Qianqian came forward to hand Zhou Xing a towel and slippers, also somewhat puzzled: "I don't know what's going on today. There are quite a few more passengers in business class."
Zhou Xing shook his head. Whatever.
Even if business class was full... there were only so many passengers.
Luo Qianqian only needed to take good care of him, as there was another Flight Attendant responsible for the rest of business class.
They could handle it easily.
The other Flight Attendant walked over to a business class passenger.
That passenger immediately sat up straight, looking at the Flight Attendant with eager anticipation.
However, the Flight Attendant just performed the routine service, then stood up, preparing to move to another passenger.
"Wait..."
The passenger was dumbfounded.
That wasn't what he saw yesterday.
The Flight Attendant had actively offered a kiss.
So today, gritting his teeth, he had spent nearly an entire month's salary to buy a business class ticket on this airline, just to experience that feeling.
"Did you forget something?"
The passenger stopped the Flight Attendant.
"I'm sorry, sir. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
The Flight Attendant stopped, wearing a professional smile.
"When flying business class, doesn't it include an active kiss?"
The passenger no longer held back.
"Sir, you must have misunderstood something. We, the cabin crew, are only responsible for safely transporting you to your destination."
The Flight Attendant frowned almost imperceptibly: "And providing you with service while ensuring your safety. How could there possibly be the kind of service you're mentioning?"
"That's completely impossible. No domestic airline offers that kind of service."
The passenger became anxious and pointed at Luo Qianqian, saying: "How can you say there isn't? I saw it yesterday. She actively kissed a business class passenger. I was sitting in the front row of economy class at the time and saw it clearly."
"Are you referring to me?"
Zhou Xing stood up, looked at the passenger, then pulled Luo Qianqian into his arms and kissed her on the cheek: "Sorry about that. It's because she's my girlfriend."
Luo Qianqian also smiled somewhat apologetically at the passenger.
The passenger sat in his seat, stunned for a long time, almost spitting out blood.
What had he been expecting?
Just thinking about spending nearly a month's salary for nothing on this flight.
And getting nothing in return.
His heart ached terribly. He looked at the Flight Attendant before him: "I'm going to report your airline for fraud!"
...The plane landed smoothly at Pudong Airport.
Zhou Xing, as usual, waited for Luo Qianqian at the airport. The incident on the plane was just a minor episode for them.
Luo Qianqian didn't care at all about being discovered for showing favoritism during work.
Even if she were fired by the company.
She could still live comfortably. Keeping this job now was merely to please Zhou Xing.
"Honey!"
Luo Qianqian, carrying her small suitcase, quickly reunited with Zhou Xing.
The two then headed towards the parking lot.
His Lamborghini had been parked here when he returned to Jiangcheng. He originally thought he'd leave it for about half a month, making it more convenient to get to school when he came back for the semester.
He hadn't expected only a single day to have passed.
Getting into the car.
Zhou Xing was just about to start the car when his phone rang.