"He really does look like him. What do you think he's doing here?" Miao Pengxiong said. "When you asked him just now, he said he wasn't looking for a job. So what else could he be doing? Could he have started his own business?"
Li Ming shook his head. "That's even less likely. Although we're good friends, considering his family's financial situation, he wouldn't have the money to start a company. I think you're overthinking it. When we eat, be careful what you say, so you don't make things awkward for everyone."
Miao Pengxiong nodded impatiently. "I know, I know. But I can't understand why you invited them to dinner. We haven't seen each other in so long. Even the best relationships fade. We're just acquaintances now."
"If we hadn't run into them, it would be one thing. Since we did, let's just catch up. Stop with the nonsense and get in the car. If we're late, we won't get a table," Li Ming said, wanting to end the topic and urging him on.
Li Ming then got into the passenger seat and fastened his seatbelt.
Meanwhile, Lu Fei sat in Liu Yifeng's luxury car, looking around with curiosity like a villager visiting a grand mansion.
"You really made it, kid! You've got a luxury car, a mansion, and even a son. You're a true winner in life!"
Liu Yifeng smiled. "It's nothing. You'll have it all too, someday."
"I'll pocket that promise for now. When I'm hungry, I'll take a bite. When I've eaten it all, I'll see if it comes true." Lu Fei had been dreaming of this day. Liu Yifeng firmly believed it would happen and told him to wait patiently for that day.
Before long, they arrived at the villa. Seeing the magnificent mansion, Lu Fei's eyes widened. "My goodness, it's like a castle! No wonder the houses here are so expensive. Damn, not only is the house beautiful, but the landscaping is also superb. And the security guards are all so handsome. Not like the apartment building I used to rent, where the two security guards combined had fewer than seven teeth. If there was any danger, I wouldn't know if he'd be protecting me or I'd be protecting him."
Lu Fei had a lot to complain about.
"The security guards here are all ex-military. They're highly skilled, so you don't have to worry about safety living here. That's why I bought a house here."
As they were talking, Liu Yifeng's car stopped in front of his own house. Since they had to leave again later, he didn't drive it in directly.
Lu Fei got out of the car and looked at the rock garden and swimming pool in the yard, exclaiming that it was like an imperial garden from ancient times!
"You really know how to enjoy life, living in such a nice house. By the way, where's Uncle?"
"He's probably in his room. Do you want to go in and see? Or should I call my dad out?" Liu Yifeng asked.
"I won't go in for now. There's always tomorrow. Your former colleague is still treating us to dinner, right? Let's not keep him waiting."
After hearing Lu Fei's words, Liu Yifeng went straight into the house. He saw his father mopping the floor with a mop, and a military documentary playing on the TV in the living room.
Liu Yifeng hurried forward and took the mop from him. "Dad, why are you still doing chores? I can hire a cleaner; it won't cost much. It's time for you to enjoy yourself, so don't tire yourself out."
"How tiring can this be? I consider it exercise. Otherwise, I feel restless just sitting here. By the way, you haven't eaten yet, have you? I'll make you something. I still have some dishes left from yesterday." Liu Chunsheng said.
"I'm here to pick you up for dinner outside. Let's go, Lu Fei is waiting outside!" Liu Yifeng put the mop aside and put his arm around his father's shoulder as they walked out.
Upon hearing that Lu Fei was also there, Liu Chunsheng suddenly remembered something. "By the way, has Lu Fei's ex-girlfriend caused him any more trouble?"
"No, they haven't been in contact."
"That's good. You two played together since you were little. If he encounters something like this, you, as his friend, must counsel him properly, understand?" Liu Chunsheng instructed.
Liu Yifeng quickly replied, "Dad, he's doing much better now. He's already moved on and doesn't need my guidance." Lu Fei, although he had loved Wu Qian deeply and would have done anything for her, was also a man who could let go when necessary. He wouldn't mope around for a woman who wasn't worth it. He'd feel down for a few days and then bounce back, focusing his energy on his career. In his opinion, as long as Lu Fei succeeded in his career, bought a house and a car, women would naturally come his way, and he wouldn't have to worry about becoming an old bachelor in the village.
Hearing this, Liu Chunsheng was relieved. "That's good. Now that we have the means, we should help him out as much as we can."
"That's why I invited him to our vegetable company to be the manager of the sales department and let him develop the market."
"That's a good idea. I remember he used to work in sales. You're quite good at utilizing people." Liu Chunsheng didn't understand business, but he had a good impression of Lu Fei. He was fine with him working there.
"Uncle Liu!" Lu Fei called out, seeing the two of them emerge from the house.
"You're here. Why didn't you come in and sit for a while?" Liu Chunsheng said, about to invite Lu Fei inside.
Lu Fei hurriedly said, "Uncle Liu, it's getting late. Let's go for dinner first. There will be plenty of opportunities to sit inside later."
Seeing this, Liu Chunsheng didn't insist. "Alright, let's eat first, and then we can come back and sit for a while after dinner."
Leaving the villa, Liu Yifeng drove directly to the restaurant where he often dined with Liu Ming. Although it was a small restaurant, it was a private establishment that had been operating for over twenty years. They had their own secret recipes, so business had always been good. Sometimes, if they arrived late, they had to take a number and queue, but Li Ming and his companion arrived early and happened to get the last two tables. He immediately claimed one. Since not everyone had arrived yet, he didn't want to order directly, fearing it wouldn't suit their taste, so they needed to order together.
"Why are they not here yet? Did Liu Yifeng go to the countryside to pick up his dad?" Miao Pengxiong was getting impatient. Just as he was speaking, they saw Liu Yifeng and his companions approaching.
"Li Ming, Pengxiong, I'm really sorry for making you wait so long. Let me treat you this time!" If it were just himself, it would be fine. But Lu Fei and his father were also here, which made it feel like they were taking advantage. Since Li Ming and Pengxiong were only two people, it was better for him to pay. However, Li Ming didn't agree. "I told you I'd treat, don't argue with me." Then, he turned his gaze to Liu Chunsheng. "Uncle Liu, do you remember me?" He had visited Liu Yifeng's hometown once, so he recognized his father at a glance.