Can following the rules be called rebirth?

Chapter 281, Page 279: The Discomfort of a Best Friend
The sunshine had not yet completely dispelled the winter chill of Wuhan, but Optics Valley World City was already showing signs of unusual restlessness.

Although most shops were not yet open, a large number of tourists and locals had already gathered under the giant Christmas tree to take photos.

The air was filled with a festive atmosphere.

At the entrance of the Jieyou Coffee Optics Valley store, the foreman of the renovation team is leading several workers in making final preparations.

Electric drills and hammers were scattered all over the ground, around the dust cloths lying on the ground.

"Brother Wang, I specifically talked to you about the modifications to the water and electricity yesterday. Please keep a close eye on them."

Zhou Mingyuan handed the folder to the foreman, along with a cigarette.

"Don't worry, Mr. Zhou. With you working this hard even during the holiday, your store is sure to be a hit!"

The foreman smiled, took the cigarette, and tucked it behind his ear.

Zhou Mingyuan shook his sleeves but didn't say anything, his gaze falling on the still unfinished space in the shop.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of people coming and going, and the dust that fills the interior, a clear future is being nurtured.

At this moment, Gu Caiwei walked over from not far away and began distributing the paper bags she had brought.

"Come on, come on, Santa's gifts! I waited in line for half an hour to get these croissants and Danish rolls. Everyone, eat your fill so you can get to work!"

The workers also got a share.

Boss Gu prepared individually wrapped cakes and hot drinks for everyone, instantly winning the favor of the entire renovation team. The foreman smiled broadly, repeatedly thanking the boss.

As Zhou Mingyuan watched Gu Caiwei move with practiced ease, flitting among the workers like a butterfly, a slight smile crept onto his lips.

She was always full of energy, not only fully equipped herself, but also specially prepared a set for Zhou Mingyuan.

Not only were there disposable shoe covers, masks, and hats, but there was even a thin dust cover-up in the bag.

"Here, put these on."

"I had this cover-up delivered specially yesterday. It's more durable than the disposable kind, so at least it can protect the clothes underneath."

Gu Caiwei lowered her eyes, took the cardigan out of her bag, and handed it to Zhou Mingyuan.

She was distracted the entire short distance from the parking lot to the coffee shop, which was only a few hundred meters.

The small Christmas gift on my chest serves as a constant reminder of that brief moment of intimacy.

An indescribable tension permeated the two of them.

A tension that has just undergone extreme stretching and urgently needs to be recalibrated.

"Okay."

Zhou Mingyuan smiled and nodded, then put on his gloves.

Fully armed and wearing masks, the two officially entered the war zone.

In an instant, the sharp hiss of the electric drill, the heavy thud of the hammer striking the wall, the ear-piercing noise of the angle grinder cutting materials, and the workers' energetic shouts mingled together.

The commotion, which only entrepreneurs could understand, instantly washed away the warm Christmas atmosphere.

"call"

Gu Caiwei breathed a sigh of relief and quickly adapted.

After all, this wasn't her first time supervising a construction project. She took out her tablet from her bag, pulled up the design drawings for the new store, and began meticulously comparing them with the actual site.

Practice makes perfect, and this time she examined it extremely carefully.

From the location of load-bearing walls to the pre-set openings for water and electricity pipes, from the flatness of the bar counter base to the location of future sockets, no detail that does not conform to the drawings can escape her eyes.

Having renovation experience makes all the difference.

"Engineer Wang, take a look here."

Gu Caiwei raised her voice, pointed to a newly cut groove in the wall, and spoke to the construction foreman.

"This depth seems to be half a centimeter shallower than required by the drawings. Please take a look and see if it will affect the later laying of the conduit."

"."

The foreman came over, took a look, immediately frowned, and then nodded. "Mr. Gu has a sharp eye! It's indeed not quite right; I'll have them fix it right away!"

Compared to the meticulous and attentive Gu Caiwei, Zhou Mingyuan seemed quite different.

He was more like the on-site fire chief and general coordinator.

He had to answer all sorts of phone calls, contact suppliers, contact property management, and ask all sorts of questions, while also dealing with various technical problems discovered by Gu Caiwei and the foreman.

And every now and then she'd drag me along to be a human backdrop for photos.

"Come here! Stand here."

"Yes, pretend to be pointing out blueprints and pontificating."

After finishing her work, Gu Caiwei immediately picked up her phone and transformed back into her energetic self, completely unaffected by her surroundings.

She recorded every single moment.

Close-ups of workers sweating profusely, piles of dismantled bricks, and a profile of Zhou Mingyuan making a phone call.
She even brought an extra small camera, which she fixed in a corner to record time-lapse footage, and used her phone to shoot vlog material everywhere.

"We must record all of this!"

Gu Caiwei announced loudly, her voice cutting through the noise, her smile beaming.

"When our store becomes a landmark in Optics Valley in the future, this will be the most precious record of our entrepreneurial journey!"

"."

Zhou Mingyuan shrugged and smiled, then was directed to walk around the room.

Her energy and optimism were indeed the brightest color in the dusty construction site.

Around noon, the noise subsided, and the workers took turns going out for lunch and a rest.

The two were able to catch their breath and found a restaurant nearby to have lunch together.

When they returned to the store, the other shareholder arrived late, but had already arrived at the scene.

Li Zhi was standing on a ladder, looking up and adjusting the chandelier on the wall.

Today she wore a light beige turtleneck cashmere sweater, paired with dark jeans and ankle boots, a simple and neat look that accentuated her graceful figure and gave her a cool and capable demeanor.

Unlike Gu Caiwei's charming and bright beauty, Li Zhi's beauty is noticeably more angular.

"I'm home?"

Hearing the door open, Li Zhi looked down.

She glanced at Zhou Mingyuan first, then her gaze fell on Gu Caiwei. Almost out of professional habit, she quickly scanned her friend's outfit.

Eh?
She couldn't explain why, but she felt something about Gu Caiwei today.
Something seems a bit strange.

Although she still looks as refined and elegant as ever, she knows her best friend all too well after so many years of getting to know her.

The lingering blush on her cheeks, her shifty eyes, and her slightly pursed lips.
Everything seems a little strange.

Soon, Li Zhi found the reason.

My best friend wore a sweatshirt specifically for its durability and ease of use while doing chores, but she had an exquisitely designed gray diamond brooch hanging on her chest.

Why wear a brooch when you're wearing a hoodie, not a skirt?
Moreover, Li Zhi had seen a lot of the world and had worked at Leying Law Firm for so long. Those extremely gossipy female lawyers would comment on the client's outfits every now and then.

This woman is wearing a VCA five-flower bracelet; she's got some financial resources.

That lady's Hermès bag is the most sought-after model; buying other items to match it will definitely be expensive.
She naturally learned a lot from what she saw and heard.

It was immediately obvious that the brooch on Gu Caiwei's chest was no ordinary item.

Both the design and the luster of the main stone make it quite valuable.

Given Vivi's style of dressing, this doesn't seem like an accessory meant to be paired with a hoodie.

So?

Li Zhi's heart tightened, and she stared intently into her best friend's bright eyes, vaguely guessing the reason.

(End of this chapter)