Chapter 41: I've Already Eaten

In the past, Li Dong had always been out of favor in the Li family. Because he had no sons, the family held a strong opinion against him; he was never considered for any important positions, and even his annual dividends were the smallest among them. Song Li’s situation was even worse—constantly belittled and mocked by the daughters-in-law of the Li family, who derided her as a hen only capable of bearing daughters, never sons.

Song Li found no comfort in the Li family, nor did she gain any respect when she returned to her own family. Thus, when she saw Li Qingying marry what she considered a useless man, her resentment boiled over, and she often vented her frustrations on He Haoxuan.

“So, we’re spending eight million, but Qingying’s expenses are covered by the company anyway. We should take full advantage of the Xinghui Clubhouse,” Song Li clapped her hands, laughing.

“Alright, dear. Tonight you use the Xinghui membership card, and tomorrow night let me have it,” Li Dong began negotiating with Song Li about their schedule for using the card.

They agreed not to exceed fifty thousand per visit; if they did, they would reduce the number of times they went according to the amount spent.

If Fang Yongsheng found out, he would surely rush over to flatter them, offering the best deals possible. Originally, Fang Yongsheng had planned to waive all costs for Li Qingying’s family, but He Haoxuan refused, so the price was lowered to ten million.

Watching Li Dong and his wife revel in their good fortune, He Haoxuan shook his head and asked, “Do you really like going to Xinghui Clubhouse that much?”

“What do you mean by that, He Haoxuan?” Song Li, suddenly alert, slipped the membership card into her pocket. “Let me warn you: don’t get any ideas. We will never take a useless person like you to such a prestigious place.”

He Haoxuan smiled, heading upstairs. “Heh, I truly have no interest in places like that.”

“Yeah, right!” Song Li glared fiercely at He Haoxuan’s back.

The Xinghui Clubhouse was the finest in Qingshan City, famous for its exquisite food and drink. The idea that He Haoxuan wouldn’t want to go was simply laughable.

He Haoxuan returned to his room. He had barely lain down when Yi Xiaoyan sent him a message on WeChat: Are you free to take a call now?

He Haoxuan replied: Yes.

His phone rang; it was Yi Xiaoyan. “Are you free this afternoon? I’d like to see you.”

“Is something wrong?” He Haoxuan asked.

“Yes. If it’s inconvenient, we can meet Monday instead,” Yi Xiaoyan assumed that, since it was the weekend, the beautiful CEO would be at home and He Haoxuan wouldn’t be able to come out.

Thinking Yi Xiaoyan had something important to discuss, He Haoxuan replied, “It’s fine, just set a time. Let’s meet tonight.”

“At the usual teahouse.” Yi Xiaoyan hung up, sounding happy.

That evening, Song Li and the others were heading to the clubhouse, and Li Qingying was taken along as well.

Originally, Li Qingying had wanted to invite He Haoxuan to join them at the Xinghui Clubhouse, but Song Li refused, insisting that taking a cowardly failure to such an elegant place would be a disgrace, an embarrassment.

So, Li Qingying was dragged away by her parents, leaving He Haoxuan behind.

He Haoxuan lived in a small storage room at the far corner of the second floor—just a few square meters, barely enough for a small bed and a modest fabric wardrobe.

That afternoon, he tossed the ten thousand yuan Li Qingying had given him into the wardrobe, considering bringing some cash along, but realized he had his bank card and didn’t need it.

The little teahouse was a place he and Yi Xiaoyan had frequented in the past; the prices were reasonable and card payments were accepted.

The BMW had been taken by Li Qingying, so He Haoxuan found a small electric scooter in the garage. It had two seats, a 48V12A battery, and a top speed of only forty-five kilometers per hour—but it was better than a shared scooter.

He decided to use it. The key was left in the ignition, making it easy to take.

But after only a few kilometers, the scooter ran out of battery.

Damn, there’s no charger—what now?

Suddenly, He Haoxuan noticed the nearby Star Hotel and immediately called Xiaoqiang.

“Mr. He, hello!” Xiaoqiang exclaimed excitedly.

“Are you at the Star Hotel now? My vehicle broke down just a little way to the left of your hotel entrance. I need you to tow it for me,” He Haoxuan said.

“Yes, I’m here. I’ll be right there,” Xiaoqiang answered eagerly.

Soon, Xiaoqiang arrived in a luxury imported BMW X7, accompanied by a driver.

The X7, worth two or three million, was far more impressive than the X5.

When Xiaoqiang saw He Haoxuan, he jumped out of the passenger seat, holding a tow cable. “Hey, Mr. He, where’s your car?”

Xiaoqiang remembered He Haoxuan used to drive a BMW X5, but looking around, he saw nothing resembling it.

“I don’t have a car, just this electric scooter that’s out of power.” Seeing the tow cable in Xiaoqiang’s hand, He Haoxuan grabbed one end and sat on the scooter.

“This electric scooter?” Xiaoqiang ran a hand through his short hair.

But he didn’t dare object, and quickly attached the other end of the cable to the back of the BMW. “Mr. He, maybe you’d like to sit in the car and let me ride the scooter?”

“No need, just drive. I have an appointment to keep,” He Haoxuan shook his head.

Xiaoqiang hurriedly climbed into the passenger seat, instructing the driver, “Don’t go too fast—forty or fifty kilometers per hour.”

“Understood, boss,” the driver replied.

It was a comical sight: an extravagant luxury car towing a tiny electric scooter down the road, attracting curious glances from passersby.

Upon arriving at the teahouse, He Haoxuan called Xiaoqiang over. “Go buy a charger for this scooter and fully charge it for me.”

“Yes, Mr. He,” Xiaoqiang responded respectfully.

He Haoxuan entered the teahouse, spotting Yi Xiaoyan seated in the most secluded booth—the familiar spot, with the familiar person, though something felt different now.

Yi Xiaoyan saw him and waved. “Over here!”

As soon as He Haoxuan sat down, the waiter brought his favorite pastries and green tea.

Green tea was the cheapest option, so back in their student days, it was all they would order.

“You must be starving. Eat up,” Yi Xiaoyan urged, seeing the table covered with snacks and pastries.

He Haoxuan shook his head. “I’m not hungry. You still haven’t told me why you wanted to see me.”

“This is three thousand yuan, borrowed from a colleague,” Yi Xiaoyan opened her handbag and handed him the money.

“I have money. You don’t need to borrow for me,” He Haoxuan frowned.

“It’s fine. I took a tutoring job and I’ll pay my colleague back next month,” Yi Xiaoyan insisted, encouraging him to eat.

He Haoxuan glanced at the pastries—there were a variety, but not much quantity, not enough for two people.

“You keep telling me to eat, but if I finish it all, what will you have? You should eat too,” he said to Yi Xiaoyan.

“I... I’ve already eaten,” she replied, a little flustered.