However, the past is the past. Currently, Li Chonglou and the other party have no intersection. He only knows that the other person must be in Panjiayuan now.
"Zhou Tong, I hope you haven't changed..."
Li Chonglou murmured and walked directly into Panjiayuan.
At this time, Zhou Tong was also in Panjiayuan, in his own studio.
As a professional broker, his business capabilities were recognized as top-notch in the industry. He knew so many people purely through his abilities, so he always had ample financial resources. Coupled with antiques being one of his interests, he rented a studio directly within the park.
On weekdays, besides going out to meet clients, he preferred to stay in Panjiayuan, either sipping tea in his office or browsing which stalls had new arrivals.
However, very few outsiders knew that he was not very satisfied with this seemingly leisurely life.
"Alas, when will someone understand me."
Zhou Tong leaned back in his chair, suddenly feeling a sense of loneliness. He couldn't find a close friend; all he had were acquaintances from drinking parties.
Just then, the doorbell outside suddenly rang.
Zhou Tong's body jolted. He put away his emotions, adjusted his tie, and said, "Please come in!"
Li Chonglou pushed the door open and saw Zhou Tong, dressed in a suit and tie, looking at him with a smile.
So fake... As an old friend from his previous life, Li Chonglou saw through Zhou Tong's true emotions at a glance.
As Zhou Tong was about to speak, Li Chonglou interjected, "I've come to you because I need your help with something. I'll give you satisfactory compensation after it's done."
Li Chonglou got straight to the point. After a moment of surprise, Zhou Tong responded. He always preferred direct people, and seeing Li Chonglou's straightforwardness, he asked directly, "Can you tell me what kind of compensation it is? As long as I'm truly satisfied, I'll help if I can. You can ask around if you don't believe me..."
Li Chonglou waved his hand, interrupting Zhou Tong, and said, "It's too monotonous to talk here. Let's find a better place to discuss it."
Zhou Tong was stunned again. For some reason, if it were anyone else, his first reaction would be suspicion. But with Li Chonglou, he felt no strangeness at all.
It was as if the two had known each other for a long time.
"That..."
Li Chonglou took out a business card and handed it to Zhou Tong, saying, "My name is Li Chonglou. I am the president of the Qin Prefecture Antique Association. This matter is very important to me, so I sincerely hope that Brother Zhou can help me. I've already inquired, and no one else can help me with this."
Directness, Brother Zhou, no one else – these few words had struck Zhou Tong's heart three times.
He disliked people who beat around the bush, he disliked being called "Boss Zhou" and the like, and he greatly valued recognition for his professional abilities.
In an instant, Zhou Tong agreed without thinking.
"Alright, let's go somewhere else to talk."
Li Chonglou smiled slightly, finally feeling relieved.
Little brother Zhou, you really haven't changed. That makes things easier.
Then Li Chonglou took Zhou Tong to a nearby ear-cleaning shop. Upon seeing the ear-cleaning shop, Zhou Tong's expression changed, and he looked at Li Chonglou with vigilance.
Li Chonglou pretended not to see it and said, "I heard the service at this new place is quite good. I've just arrived in Shangjing and am not quite used to it yet. Brother Zhou, you don't mind if I relax a bit first, do you?"
Zhou Tong's expression softened considerably and he said, "I thought President Li wanted to bring me to a place like this to discuss business. It's fine, I don't have anything else to do today, so I'll accompany you for an ear cleaning."
By the end of his sentence, Zhou Tong had a happy smile on his face. Li Chonglou subtly observed this.
He loves ear cleaning. Mission accomplished.
Of course, Li Chonglou wouldn't let Zhou Tong pay, which made Zhou Tong's smile even brighter.
"I didn't expect President Li to have such a hobby!"
Li Chonglou chuckled, "Ah, don't laugh at me, Brother Zhou. Actually, I wasn't very keen on ear cleaning before, but then I met a friend who came here every few days. Slowly, I was influenced by him."
Zhou Tong just smiled and said nothing more, but his gaze towards Li Chonglou clearly became more amiable.
After the ear cleaning, Li Chonglou took Zhou Tong to get a foot soak, and it was at a particularly formal establishment.
This time, before Zhou Tong could speak, Li Chonglou explained, "I'm always running around, so my feet inevitably sweat a lot. I like to soak my feet whenever I have free time to get rid of the odor."
Zhou Tong smiled even more radiantly and looked at Li Chonglou with increasing warmth. He began to initiate conversations with Li Chonglou.
Well, foot soaking is also accomplished.
Li Chonglou held back from mentioning the Wu family's affairs, treating it as if he had returned to the time when he interacted with Zhou Tong in his previous life.
Zhou Tong was also surprised to find that no matter what he said, Li Chonglou could follow up, and it wasn't a condescending exchange. It was purely because their hobbies were the same, or rather, Li Chonglou understood him.
After a conversation, Zhou Tong felt a joy of finally finding a kindred spirit.
Zhou Tong, being a straightforward person, as soon as they walked out of the foot bath shop, he directly said, "President Li, why don't we become sworn brothers?"
Even Li Chonglou, who was familiar with him, was startled by this suggestion. Damn, that's too fast?
Li Chonglou was a bit bewildered. Although he had anticipated that this approach would shorten the distance between them in the shortest possible time, he hadn't expected it to be this fast, already proposing brotherhood?
This time, it was Zhou Tong who was worried Li Chonglou might misunderstand. He explained, "President Li, please don't misunderstand. I simply feel an instant connection with President Li, a sense of meeting a soulmate whom I've known for a long time. To be honest, President Li's hobbies are also among my few interests."
Zhou Tong paused here, then continued, "Most importantly, President Li's knowledge of antiques is truly something I look up to. Of course, if President Li feels my status is not sufficient, you can say so directly. And you don't need to worry about the favor; if President Li asks, and I can do it, I will definitely help!"
Li Chonglou smiled and patted Zhou Tong's shoulder, saying, "If your age mentioned upstairs is true, then you'll have to call me Brother Li."
Zhou Tong's face lit up with joy, and he immediately wanted to drag Li Chonglou to formally swear brotherhood.
One had to admit that this development completely exceeded Li Chonglou's expectations. He had originally planned to spend some time restoring their relationship to what it was in his previous life, so that he could maintain secrecy while investigating the Wu family, but he hadn't expected to gain complete acceptance in just half a day.
However, Li Chonglou quickly understood. In his previous life, they had gradually become friends through mutual adjustment. But now, there was no need for any adjustment.
Many times, Zhou Tong would say the first sentence, and he would already guess what the next sentence might be, and it was an instinctive reaction.