This person is clearly a male protagonist in a female-oriented novel, yet he is excessively lucid.

Yu Chenzhou was really lucky; this Escalade happened to be in stock at this dealership, saving him the long wait time of ordering a car.

Without the slightest hesitation, he chose to pay in full and successfully acquired the imposing SUV.

The salesperson who was responsible for receiving him showed a barely perceptible hint of regret because it was a full-payment transaction.

After all, she would earn significantly less in installment commissions if she paid in full.

However, the top-of-the-line Escalade Sport Platinum has a base price of 150 million yuan, and with purchase tax, insurance and other fees, the final price is a whopping 165 million yuan.

This deal was enough for her to earn a hefty commission, so she remained enthusiastic and attentive throughout the process.

The car pickup process was very smooth; selecting a license plate number and obtaining a temporary license plate were all done in one go.

Next, it was time to change the interior according to one's own preferences. Yu Chenzhou didn't have to worry about this at all, as Xiao Yilin took the initiative to handle all the matters, carefully communicating with the shop about the materials, colors, and craftsmanship requirements.

While waiting for the interior customization, Yu Chenzhou specially sent his old car for a thorough deep cleaning.

Although Xiao Yilin will most likely not drive this car in the future, in Yu Chenzhou’s view, not doing something voluntarily and not needing to do it objectively are two different things.

He didn't want Xiao Yilin to feel even the slightest bit uncomfortable if she ever needed to use the car in the future.

As Yu Chenzhou and Xiao Yilin sat in the shop's rest area, they played games to pass the time while waiting for their old car to be cleaned and their new car's interior to be installed.

A slightly surprised voice rang out beside me.

"It's you? Yu Chenzhou! It's me, Zhao Hongcheng! I'm from Class 6, Grade 12 at Jiangcheng No. 4 High School. Do you remember me?"

The sudden sound made both of them look up at the same time.

A slightly overweight man wearing a casual jacket stood in front of me.

His face was full of surprise. He stared at Yu Chenzhou's face for several seconds, then lowered his head to think for a moment before revealing a look of delight and asking for confirmation in an urgent tone.

The name Zhao Hongcheng made Yu Chenzhou pause for a moment, and he quickly searched his mind for fragments of memories from his high school days.

He steadied himself, looked at the other person's face again, and the contours of their brow bone and mouth gradually overlapped with the figure in his memory. After hesitating for a few seconds, he asked uncertainly:

"You're... Zhao Hongcheng, the guy from high school who always wanted to borrow my homework to copy?"

"Yes, yes, that's me!"

Zhao Hongcheng nodded vigorously, his smile widening.

He pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, took one out and offered it to Yu Chenzhou, twirling the cigarette between his fingers, and said with a nostalgic tone:

"Back in school, you were the top student in our class, consistently ranking at the top of your class. Not only me, but many classmates loved to copy your homework."

By the way, who is this...?

His gaze shifted to Xiao Yilin, who was sitting next to Yu Chenzhou, his eyes filled with curiosity.

Yu Chenzhou politely declined the cigarette offered by Zhao Hongcheng, saying, "Thank you, I don't smoke."

He then turned to the side, pulled Xiao Yilin's hand, and introduced her:

"This is my girlfriend, Xiao Yilin."

"Linlin, this is Zhao Hongcheng, my classmate in high school."

Xiao Yilin smiled politely at Zhao Hongcheng, her voice gentle and clear: "Hello!"

Hello, hello!

Zhao Hongcheng quickly stood up to respond, appearing somewhat flustered.

After a brief greeting, Zhao Hongcheng pulled up a chair and sat down opposite Yu Chenzhou. He then changed the subject, asking with a hint of inquiry in his voice:

"After the college entrance examination, I heard that you were admitted to a key university. After that, we went our separate ways and gradually lost contact."

"It's been so many years, where are you working now?"

"It's not exactly a high position."

Yu Chenzhou waved his hand and said in a calm tone.

"I studied clinical medicine in college and started working at the First Municipal Hospital after graduation. I'm still there now, but I've submitted my resignation and am currently going through the relevant procedures."

And you? When did you come to Shanghai to develop your career?

"I'm nowhere near as successful as you."

Zhao Hongcheng chuckled self-deprecatingly, lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled a smoke ring, saying:

"My grades have always been bad, so naturally I didn't get into university in the college entrance exam."

After graduating from high school, I started learning to cook from my grandfather, which can be considered as inheriting the family business.

"Look, that 'Hongcheng Restaurant' across the street, that's mine."

As he spoke, he pointed with the finger holding the cigarette to a restaurant not far away outside the window, then asked with a look of surprise:

"The First Municipal Hospital is a top-tier tertiary hospital in Shanghai. Countless medical students would kill to get in; it's a guaranteed job with a secure future. How could you just quit like that?"

"You've probably heard about the medical malpractice incident at the First Municipal Hospital that caused such a stir online a while ago, right?"

Yu Chenzhou picked up the water glass on the table and took a sip, his tone still calm, as if he were talking about someone else's business.

"The dean wanted me to take the blame for the doctor involved, but I was definitely unwilling, so I simply submitted my resignation."

"Enough about me. But you, you've brought your grandfather's craft to Shanghai. You've really carried on the family tradition, haven't you?"

He changed the subject, asking with a hint of teasing.

When talking about his grandfather's culinary skills, Zhao Hongcheng's face was full of pride.

He gave a thumbs-up and said with certainty:

"You're absolutely right! My grandfather's Hubei cuisine is renowned throughout Jiangcheng, known as 'Jiangcheng's Best'."

When they arrived in Shanghai, their authentic flavors attracted many repeat customers.

In a place like Shanghai, you can't get a foothold in business without real skills.

"I absolutely believe that."

Yu Chenzhou nodded in deep agreement, a look of nostalgia appearing in his eyes.

"Didn't we have our high school graduation dinner at your restaurant?"

Your grandfather's braised beef hooves with lotus root, glutinous rice cake with fish, Jingzhou fish cake, Du Po chicken, braised snakehead fish with lotus root, and Huangpi Three Delicacies—every dish tasted authentic. Just thinking about it now makes my mouth water.

"Want to eat it? That's easy!"

Zhao Hongcheng slapped his thigh and said enthusiastically.

"It's still early, and I'm an old acquaintance of the owner of this interior decoration shop, so I'll go say hello to him."

I guarantee I'll make sure your car looks brand new and is in perfect working order. If there's even the slightest problem, just come to me.

"Come on, let's go to the shop and have a seat. Today I'll cook for you myself and show you my skills, so you can taste my cooking and see if I've truly mastered Grandpa's techniques."

When Zhao Hongcheng unexpectedly ran into his old classmate whom he hadn't seen for many years in a foreign land, he was exceptionally enthusiastic and grabbed Yu Chenzhou's arm to lead him outside.

Yu Chenzhou glanced at Xiao Yilin beside him, and seeing that she had no objection, he nodded and said:

"Alright, it's dinner time anyway. I'll trouble you tonight and have dinner at your shop."

He did not refuse Zhao Hongcheng's warm invitation. He got up, took Xiao Yilin's hand, and followed Zhao Hongcheng out of the car interior store.

Before leaving, Zhao Hongcheng specifically sought out the owner of the interior shop, patted his chest, and gave him a few instructions, repeatedly urging him to put in extra effort and take good care of Yu Chenzhou's car.

Following Zhao Hongcheng into "Hongcheng Restaurant", Yu Chenzhou subconsciously glanced around at the interior decoration.

The shop is not small, and its decoration style has a strong Jiangcheng flavor. The wooden tables and chairs are paired with retro lanterns, which makes it look elegant and warm.

Judging from the size and decor of the store, Yu Chenzhou could tell that the initial investment in this store must have been quite substantial.

"Little Yang!"

Zhao Hongcheng called out to a waiter not far away, and after the waiter ran over, he pointed at Yu Chenzhou and Xiao Yilin and gave them instructions:

"This is my old classmate and his girlfriend. Take them to the private room at Yellow Crane Tower and treat them well. Arrange tea and snacks for them."

After instructing the waiter, he turned to Yu Chenzhou and the other man and said:

"Please sit in the private room for a while. I'll go to the kitchen and cook some authentic hometown dishes for you myself."

After saying that, he turned around and walked quickly towards the kitchen.

"Zhao Hongcheng, don't go to too much trouble, just make something simple!"

Yu Chenzhou shouted at his retreating figure.

"I'll be waiting for you in the private room. Let's have a good drink."

Zhao Hongcheng didn't turn around, but instead raised his hand with his back to him and made a clear OK sign before walking into the kitchen without stopping.

About half an hour later, Zhao Hongcheng walked into the Yellow Crane Tower private room with a plastic bottle of wine.

Five dishes, all authentic Hubei flavors, were already laid out on the table in the private room. They were generously portioned and had a wonderful aroma.

Among them are Du Po Chicken and Braised Lotus Root with Snakehead Fish, which Yu Chenzhou had specifically mentioned before.

Seeing that the dishes on the table hadn't been touched, Zhao Hongcheng unscrewed the bottle cap to pour wine, and chuckled as he complained:

"We've been classmates for so many years, why are you being so polite?"

"Hurry up and eat! If you leave it like this, the food will get cold and the taste will be ruined."

Yu Chenzhou didn't reply, his gaze fixed on the bottle of wine, and asked:

"How strong is your liquor? I can't hold my liquor as well as you, so don't get me drunk."

"I don't know the exact alcohol content, but this is a pure grain liquor that I brewed myself. It has a mellow taste, so you can drink it without worry."

As Zhao Hongcheng spoke, he filled Yu Chenzhou's glass with wine, then looked at Xiao Yilin and teased her with a smile:

"Isn't your sister-in-law here with you? Even if you get drunk, don't worry, she'll take you home."

When Xiao Yilin heard the title "sister-in-law," she accepted it very naturally.

She smiled at Zhao Hongcheng and said in a relaxed tone:

"I'd really like to see what he looks like when he's drunk."

To be honest, in all the time I've known him, I've never seen anyone get him drunk.

It's not that he has a high alcohol tolerance, but rather that he has incredibly strong self-control and never lets himself drink too much.

As they were talking, Zhao Hongcheng had already handed a glass of wine to Yu Chenzhou.

Yu Chenzhou picked up a full glass of wine in front of him, brought it close to his nose and smelled it. The rich aroma of the wine instantly filled his nostrils.

He put down his wine glass, shook his head helplessly, and said:

"Hmm, the aroma of the wine is indeed strong, but the alcohol content of your wine must be quite high."

"Given my alcohol tolerance, I'd probably be passed out after half a glass; I simply can't handle it."

Seeing Yu Chenzhou's appearance, Zhao Hongcheng was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening.

He thought for a moment, then simply handed the wine bottle and an empty wine glass to Yu Chenzhou, and took the wine from in front of Yu Chenzhou, saying:

"These days, urging someone to drink can easily lead to conflict, and it's not good if it damages the friendship between classmates."

Here's what we'll do: give me this glass of wine, and you can keep the bottle. Pour as much as you want to drink; we're not going to have a drinking contest, just enjoy yourselves.

The main problem is that he himself doesn't know the exact alcohol content of the liquor. He's used to drinking it, but it's hard to say how it might be for others.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Yu Chenzhou took the wine bottle from Zhao Hongcheng, unscrewed the cap, and poured himself a third of the wine—just enough for a short sip.

Zhao Hongcheng didn't mind at all, but picked up his wine glass and unconsciously drank a little faster.

The two chatted and ate, and before they knew it, they had finished their drinks at the same time. The dinner, full of hometown flavors, was gradually coming to an end.

During the meal, fueled by alcohol, Zhao Hongcheng opened up and poured out his grievances.

From the initial difficulties of starting a business in Shanghai, to the various troubles encountered during the operation, and the warmth and coldness of human relationships, he poured out all the hardships he had endured over the years.

Yu Chenzhou didn't interrupt much, just listened quietly, nodding occasionally in response. He understood that Zhao Hongcheng probably hadn't found anyone to confide in for too long.

After dinner, Yu Chenzhou received a call from the interior shop saying that both cars had been repaired and he could pick them up.

However, Yu Chenzhou had been drinking and definitely couldn't drive, so he had to take out his phone to call a designated driver to take his old car back first.

After Yu Chenzhou and Xiao Yilin left, Zhao Hongcheng turned around and stepped into the store. A waiter quickly came over with a bill and said:

"Boss, there's something I need to tell you."

This is the bill for the private room at Yellow Crane Tower. Originally, according to your wishes, this meal was on the house.

But your classmate's girlfriend specifically came back to pay the bill after you left, and the bill has already been entered into our system. How should we handle this situation?

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hongcheng suddenly realized that Xiao Yilin's real purpose in using the excuse of going to the restroom when she left earlier was now clear.

He paused for a few seconds, then slowly began to speak:

"Just handle it as it is; there's no need to make any special changes."

His feelings were extremely complicated when he said those words.

Having worked hard in Shanghai for many years, he had seen all sorts of classmates and friends who freeloaded on meals and drinks, and he had long been used to it. Yu Chenzhou's self-awareness and dignity made him feel somewhat emotional.

He had initially been somewhat dismissive of exchanging contact information with Yu Chenzhou, but now it seemed not so bad.

"How about we invite him to next week's class reunion?"

Thinking this, Zhao Hongcheng posted about his encounter with Yu Chenzhou in the classmates' group chat.