Can following the rules be called rebirth?

Chapter 258, Section 256: The Uninvited Peace Talisman
On a winter afternoon, the sunlight is like diluted amber.

A patch of orange-yellow shone through the Panamera's wide windshield.

With one hand on the steering wheel, Zhou Mingyuan drove smoothly across Nanhu Avenue and turned into another street.

The destination was clear: opposite Jiangcheng University of Economics and Law.

Early in the morning, he arranged to meet Gu Caiwei, and then they went to Optics Valley together to check out potential locations for the new store.

The car stopped in the designated parking space across the road, and the gaze was directed out the window.

At the entrance of the University of Finance and Economics, a constant stream of youthful people, young faces wrapped in various winter clothes, come and go.

Soon, Zhou Mingyuan's attention was firmly captured by a beautiful figure.

It was Gu Caiwei.

She stood by the roadside, paused briefly to look around, and quickly spotted the conspicuous white Porsche before walking over quickly.

The little princess today has clearly been dressed up in a very special way.

The distance from the school gate to the other side of the road is just a short walk, and the surrounding crowds automatically become the background.

An air of nobility, carefully cultivated through wealth and refined taste, emanated from her, making her appear out of place.

In fact, winter is the season that best reflects the disparity between the rich and the poor.

Summer clothes are cheap and lightweight, and even if you come from an ordinary family, a clean T-shirt and shorts can barely keep you looking presentable.

But not in winter; winter equipment is a complex system.

In winter, respectable people mostly wear cashmere, down, or fur.

A good cashmere sweater is lightweight, warm, and close-fitting. Wearing a well-tailored coat over it is enough to keep you warm and still look elegant.

For those struggling to get through winter, their gear might consist of bulky cotton-padded coats or low-quality down jackets with too much polyester content that generate static electricity in dry environments.

To keep warm, one has to layer on top of another, which is cumbersome and inconvenient.

The difference in material and design is immediately noticeable.

For example, at this very moment, Gu Caiwei stands gracefully beside the sidewalk.

She wore a long Loro Piana coat in a luxurious oatmeal gray.

This top-quality fleece is fine, light, and soft like a cloud. It has no conspicuous logo, and its texture is unparalleled in sunlight.

The cut is a clean H-shape, extremely minimalist, with smooth lines that cascade down like a waterfall, perfectly complementing the girl's tall and graceful figure.

She wore wide-leg trousers in the same color as her coat, with a beautiful drape that barely covered her shoes. Only when she took a step would a corner of her suede square-buckled ankle boots occasionally peek out, making her look incredibly stylish.

Beautiful women don't need to speak in winter.

When each individual item is highly recognizable, an outfit can perfectly demonstrate superiority and taste.

"Sorry for the long wait again~~~"

Gu Caiwei opened the car door, her signature soft, sweet voice bursting in, her tone full of excitement.

"Since you look so beautiful today, I can wait another ten minutes."

"Humph!"

"Only worth ten minutes?"

Gu Caiwei was clearly in a very good mood.

Hearing the other person praising him in circles, the smile in his eyes deepened, and while fastening his seatbelt, he started blablabla on and on.

Let me tell you.

"Just before I left, the stray cat downstairs in our dorm, a British Shorthair, actually gave birth to a litter of kittens!"

"It's so fluffy and cute! I secretly took some treats to feed it last time, and now it's all affectionate whenever it sees me~"

"Children who know how to be spoiled have the best lives."

Zhou Mingyuan smiled as he started the car and slowly merged into the traffic.

"Don't you want to take one home and raise it?"

"A little bit, but the dorms definitely won't do."

Gu Caiwei wrinkled her nose: "Putting aside whether the rules allow it or not, it seems that one of my roommates is allergic to cat hair."

"Too."

Zhou Mingyuan nodded, indicating his understanding.

"That's right!"

Gu Caiwei continued enthusiastically, "I heard that President Zhou has made another fortune?"

"Yoga pants sold a million yuan in GMV, and it even made it onto Tencent News!"

"You're so well-informed!"

Zhou Mingyuan slowed down the car and turned his head with a smile.

"There's nothing I can do; I'm doing business with someone."

Gu Caiwei spread her hands, looking helpless: "We are all in this together, whether we prosper or suffer."

"It's normal to keep an eye on things. In case your MCN goes out of business and runs away at a loss, I can prepare accordingly."

"Are you planning to settle scores with me?"

Zhou Mingyuan smiled and asked in return.

"We're preparing funds for your escape!"

Gu Caiwei pursed her lips and changed the subject again: "But you really are quite impressive."

"The premiere was so successful that it immediately made a name for itself in the industry."

"I feel that in the future, it will be much easier to negotiate business deals with your Jieyou Media, and the prices will be very convincing."

The focus of finance enthusiasts and law students will always be vastly different.

When discussing the issue of so many orders, Li Zhi's reaction was similar to that of most girls.

Wow, that's amazing! I also bought a product in color xx to support you.

Gu Caiwei, on the other hand, would speak from the perspective of an entrepreneur, siding with Zhou Mingyuan.

"That's right, as expected of you. You're very smart."

There is a famous quote in The Godfather.

Those who can see through the essence of things in a second and those who can't see it even after half a lifetime are destined for completely different fates.

Zhou Mingyuan nodded: "This can be considered a milestone event for our MCN."

"After one success, Du Jianuo and other anchors in the company are qualified to sit at the table in the next stage."

"so good"

Gu Caiwei rested her chin on her hand, her eyes sparkling.

"Your track is definitely a hot trend!"

"By the way, guess who I saw on my phone yesterday?"

"I actually saw Zhao Xue doing a live stream! My goodness, and quite a few people are sending her gifts!"

She chattered on about these everyday trifles, like a happy little bird, radiating joy and infectious energy.

"The news is too outdated. Zhao Xue has been broadcasting for a while now. She signed with an MCN called Jiayuan Media."

Zhou Mingyuan mostly drove attentively, listened with a smile, and occasionally responded with a few words.

Enjoy this unguarded desire to share.

"what?"

"I really don't know."

Gu Caiwei giggled, equally immersed in the relaxed atmosphere.

She would always feel inexplicably happy when she spent time alone with Zhou Mingyuan.

Whether it's watching him focus on driving, listening to his occasional witty replies, or even when he doesn't say anything, it's all just as interesting.

The car stopped temporarily after passing a red light intersection.

The conversation paused for a moment. Gu Caiwei leaned back in the leather passenger seat, turning her gaze away from the window and casually scanning the interior of the car.

That said, Zhou Mingyuan's car always seems so clean.

The dashboard was spotless, the center console was neatly arranged, and a teddy bear that he had personally brought back was placed not far away.

Lovely.

Eh?
What is this?
Then, her gaze froze, as if a movie had been paused.

There was an unfamiliar ornament hanging in the rearview mirror area.

A delicate and small amulet.

It is woven from red silk thread, with dark tassels hanging at the bottom, and hangs quietly below the rearview mirror.

The material is delicate, and it is plated with gold in the sunlight. The style is traditional and the meaning is clear.

The tail of the amulet swayed slightly as the car came to a stop, like an abrupt intruder, instantly grabbing Gu Caiwei's attention.

"I don't care whether she's suited for this industry or not. But with her personality, she'll definitely make a lot of viewers shower her with money."

She was still reciting the second half of Zhao Xue's live stream anecdote when her voice involuntarily lowered, even taking on a slightly strange ending tone.

It was as if a large portion of their vitality and energy had been suddenly drained away.

"Let them take the bait."

Zhou Mingyuan was focused on the traffic lights ahead and didn't notice the changes in the girl beside him at all.

Gu Caiwei narrowed her eyes and didn't reply, her thoughts focused on the small peace pendant.

Where did this amulet come from?

When did it appear?

Who hung it on his car?
A series of questions came to mind.

Gu Caiwei was absolutely certain.

This thing was definitely not there when I rode in his car last time.

As the saying goes, a car reflects its owner; Zhou Mingyuan doesn't do anything fancy or modify his car like many young men do.

Even though he drives a luxury car worth millions, he remains the same.

Plain car.

Amateur.

Zhou Mingyuan doesn't seem like the kind of person who would have such ulterior motives as to buy these kinds of small items with a praying or decorative nature.

His world has always been rational and simple, even a bit cold.

The atmosphere, which had just been as cheerful as birdsong in winter, took a turn and became subtle.

The green light is on.

Zhou Mingyuan lightly pressed the accelerator, and the car continued to move forward smoothly.

Gu Caiwei bit her lip and fell silent.

Only the sweet songs playing on the car stereo remained, still sung with glee.

She sat up, adjusted her posture, and stared intently at Zhou Mingyuan's micro-expressions.

His tone was casual, gentle, and relaxed, without the slightest hint of anything unusual.

"Eh~"

"This amulet is quite exquisite. When did you buy it?"

(End of this chapter)