"A bit of a miscalculation, I'm feeling a bit hungry now," Guo Xuyang said.
"No worries, we'll grab a snack later. The small eats here are quite good. After we're done, I'll take you for some wild game."
"What kind of wild game?"
"Whatever flies, swims, or runs on the ground. Anything you want."
"A private chef?"
"Absolutely. Who dares to sell that openly nowadays."
"You saying that makes me a bit eager."
"It's a deal for a complete package, all expenses paid, food, drink, and entertainment guaranteed."
"Stop talking about food, or I'll really get hungry. I barely ate enough at lunch."
"What did you eat for lunch that you weren't full?"
Guo Xuyang recounted his lunchtime experience.
Xu Dahai chuckled, "Eating there is just expensive. If you want good food, it's our own restaurants. Those foreigners are always finding ways to make money off us Chinese."
"I saw quite a lot of people inside. Your nephew and cousin were eating there."
"They're just showing off. But the food there is decent, especially the desserts. They're more authentic than what we Chinese make. As for the other dishes, forget it."
"Two shrimp balls and half a tomato for eighteen hundred? I really don't know how they dare to charge that," Guo Xuyang continued to complain.
"Otherwise, how would they make money off you? It's no help, many people are still rushing to give them money."
"Xu Liping brought us there today, saying the dishes inside were quite good. Who knew it would turn out like this?"
"You mentioned Xu Liping. Whose canary is she?"
"A friend's. Why are you asking so many details?"
"You say this woman has looks and talent, why does she have to be someone's caged bird?"
"I actually haven't discussed this with my friend.
When I first started out, this friend helped me a lot.
So, I handed over the industries in Shanghai for Xu Liping to manage.
She's also quite loyal. So far, I haven't heard any bad rumors about her."
"You're trusting her with such a large enterprise?"
"If I don't trust them, I won't use them. That's always been my principle for employing people. I trust her."
"Is your friend quite wealthy?"
"The money you earned today, he can earn it back in three days."
"Holy hell, a big boss? No wonder that woman is willing to be his canary."
"Money is one aspect, and mutual attraction is another.
Xu Liping's daily income isn't low now.
Her eating at that restaurant is no different from us eating at a roadside stall."
"Then why is she still willing to be someone's canary?"
"Didn't I tell you? They're compatible. Otherwise, they would have broken up long ago."
"Then, according to you, my nephew doesn't stand a chance at all?"
"Pretty much. Otherwise, I wouldn't have told you.
After all, the reputation of a canary isn't very good. Moreover, she's also helping me with my work."
"I understand. We're brothers. I know you're doing this for my own good.
How about it? Do you want to steam for a bit longer? Or should we find a girl to give you a back massage?"
"Let's steam for a bit longer. I haven't sweated through yet. A massage feels better after a good sweat."
"From what you say, you're quite the expert. It seems you've been to places like this quite often?"
"Don't you know Pi Xiaoqian? Fatty took me there."
"I haven't seen him in a long time. Back when we first joined the recruit company, we trained and guarded together. We caused quite a few incidents."
"Speaking of which, he's someone with a story then?"
"We both fancied Li Minyu, and we both pursued her.
This guy was better at being attentive. He'd always go to show his affection. Later, Li Minyu didn't pay much attention to me anymore.
However, when it came to joining the special forces, he didn't get in. Later, for some reason, he transferred out.
I had more contact with Li Minyu. But she still seemed not to have forgotten Pi Xiaoqian, acting indifferent to me."
Guo Xuyang didn't really want to talk when Xu Dahai brought up Li Minyu again, but he wanted to discreetly inquire about the relationship between Li Minyu and Pi Xiaoqian.
"No wonder Fatty is still obsessed with Li Minyu. So that's what happened. Are you implying the two of them got together?"
"No. I heard they never even held hands."
"That's not right. Given Fatty's personality, he wouldn't let that go."
"Perhaps it's true love. The more you like someone, the less you're willing to act on it."
"Since she doesn't think highly of you, why are you still waiting? Your nephew and cousin are already so old, aren't you in a hurry?"
"I'm the youngest. My family isn't pressuring me, and I'm happy being free."
"How did you join the Stellar Scavenging project?"
"I was seconded from above. They saw my good marksmanship and high overall assessment, so I was selected."
"What's the deal with that Tong Xin?"
"I'm not entirely sure. She seems to be from the Fourteenth Bureau. It's rumored she has special abilities.
I haven't inquired about the specifics. It's not something we should be asking about."
"From the Fourteenth Bureau? Isn't she from the special forces?"
"No. Why are you asking about her?"
"I've been assigned to a small team with her. I don't actually know her situation very well."
"That shouldn't be the case. They should tell the team leader the detailed information about everyone. I know all the information about my team members."
"You say you know all your team members' information. Based on your understanding, who do you think will be cut this time?"
"It's hard to say. The two female team members will likely be cut, as their stamina is a bit lacking.
And then... it's really hard to say. I'd better not guess. Let's rely on the final test results."
"How many days will you be staying here after returning?"
"A week. In five days, I have to report back for testing.
Then, based on the test results, the final personnel to be cut will be determined, and preparations for replenishment will be made."
"You guys are indeed working very hard. When are you planning to retire?"
"No plans. I intend to wear this uniform for the rest of my life.
Returning to society makes me feel out of place. It's more comfortable wearing this uniform."
"Does your family agree?"
"They're very supportive. Besides, my brother is there to take care of our parents' filial duties for me."
"I said some harsh words this morning. Can you go back and apologize to your boss for me?"
"Brother, you didn't do anything wrong. This is also because the elder one spoils him.
If Ye Zi hadn't intervened to teach Xiao Fan a lesson, he still wouldn't know his limits and would have caused unknown trouble upon his return."
"That's true. The main thing is that your boss, without any regard for right or wrong, sent people to arrest me, which really angered me.
If you hadn't come today, I was prepared to dig up his past."
Xu Dahai knew Guo Xuyang wasn't lying; he had the capability.
"It's a good thing I came, otherwise my brother would have been taken down by you, and he wouldn't even know what happened.
At his position, it's unbelievable that he wouldn't have some dirt from his past.
It was just a coincidence today. I was chatting in my brother's office when I heard my nephew call and say Xiao Fan had been beaten.
I was wondering who would be so foolish to beat Xiao Fan.
After all, this place has people from all walks of life, but Xiao Fan is a special existence. With my brother's connections, everyone would show him some respect."