Then one for each of us.

The staff was quick to assemble as a group of people surrounded Ding Shi.

As soon as the light sign was turned on, the festive music played once more.

The one in lead also took out a golden piece of hard paper, folding it into a small crown and quickly putting it on Ding Shi’s head.

The thoughtful staff even pressed it tightly, as if preventing the crown from sliding off of the birthday star.

Ding Shi’s scalp turned numb, then he looked up at the two people across the table, feeling very uneasy. 

Bai Juanqiu was clapping along with the music. Seeing that Ding Shi was looking over, he nodded and gave his blessing with a straight face, “Happy birthday.”

Ding Shi: “…”

He quivered and looked to the side, and then: “??”

Ren Xingliu was actually filming this!

Was this something humane?

Ding Shi closed his eyes in despair.

Ren Xingliu was very dissatisfied and said, “Don’t go to sleep. Wake up, today is your birthday.”

Ding Shi: “…” 

The celebration didn’t last that long, but it felt forever inside of Ding Shi’s head, like it lasted his whole lifespan.

Finally, the music came to a stop. Before the staff left, they gave them a round of enthusiastic applause, and a paper bag with small gifts.

“Yes, there’s gifts.” Ren Xingliu took the paper bag and opened it.

The free gifts were of course nothing special, just a few candies and the plastic ducks he had just spotted. There were two ducks in total, they were small, about the size of a ping pong ball. 

The free gift was naturally nothing special, just a few pieces of candies, and the plastic ducky that he saw earlier. There were two ducks in total, about the size of a ping-pong ball.

Ren Xingliu picked it up and squeezed it, making the toy squeak. He squeezed it a few more times with great interest.

Ding Shi had black lines all over his head from the sight. “How boring.”

Bai Juanqiu smiled and said, “I think it’s very cute.” 

“You like it too?” Ren Xingliu gave him a look and handed him one of the ducks. “Then one for each of us.”

“Alright.” Bai Juanqiu smiled and really accepted the ducky, following with squeezing it as well.

Ding Shi: “?”

At first, he didn’t want these childish things at all, but after watching the two sharing the booties and having a good time, he suddenly wanted one himself. 

Moreover, he clearly earned them through his sacrifice. How come it became one for each of them?

He flattened his lips bitterly.

Fortunately, Ren Xingliu was not completely heartless. After dividing the spoils, he finally thought of him again and said, “You have also contributed, so I should leave you some souvenirs.”

Fortunately, Ren Xingliu wasn’t completely heartless. After sharing the loot, he finally remembered his childhood friend and said, “You have also contributed, so let me leave you some remembrance as well.” 

He asked thoughtfully, “Do you prefer flower shower efforts or starlight efforts?” 

Ding Shi: “?!”

No, he was good!

…

After the meal, Ding Shi was itching to hightail out of here, so he used the excuse of feeling tired to leave. 

Ren Xingliu and Bai Juanqiu found Xiao Huang at the charging place. Ren Xingliu took out the little yellow duck and made some gestures on the front of the car: “What do you think about sticking here?”

Ren Xingliu and Bai Juanqiu went to the charging station to find Xiao Huang. Ren Xingliu took out the little yellow duck, placed it above the scooter and gestured. “What do you think?”

“Perfect.” Bai Juanqiu remembered the picture he saw online and said with a smile, “I’ll find you a mini helmet next time, so the duck can wear one too.”

“Comrade Xiao Bai’s perception is still as sharp as ever.” Ren Xingliu gave a thumbs up, pondered for a moment and politely said, “Then I’ll find a butterfly knot for your duck.” 81gEra

Bai Juanqiu said, “…Alright.”

As Ren Xingliu was about to start the scooter, Bai Juanqiu thought for a moment before poking him.

Ren Xingliu asked, “What is it?”

Bai Juanqiu looked at him with sparkling eyes, “It suddenly occurred to me. Shouldn’t we celebrate actual birthdays together?” 

Ren Xingliu asked back, “Are you referring to your birthday or my birthday?”

Bai Juanqiu remained calm. “Both, yours and mine.”

Ren Xingliu mulled it over and said, “As long as you invite me for your birthday, I’ll definitely be there. I have to celebrate my birthday with my family, if you don’t mind that, you can come over. However…”

He paused for a moment and added with a serious look, “If we break up by then, you need to figure out a story to explain to my family.” 

Bai Juanqiu lowered his eyes and said in a low voice, “We will talk about this topic later.”

Ren Xingliu: “?”

He felt that there seemed to be something more in Bai Juanqiu’s words, and when he thought about asking again, the other party had already pushed him into the car, “Let’s go, it’s time to go back.

He felt that there seemed to be a deeper meaning in Bai Juanqiu’s words. Before he could ask, the other person already pushed him up the scooter. “Come on, let’s go. It’s time to head back.” 

–

Shengjing Technology.

In the office, Bai Juanqiu sat behind his desk, while Wei Duzhou sat in front of him, reporting the latest updates to him one by one.

“After the official launch of the Future City project, the company’s overall valuation has exceeded RMB 7 billion. Fenghan Capital’s intention is also relatively clear. The initial investment amount is RMB 1 billion. If everything goes well, the valuation should be able to be achieved by next year. Double…” 

“After the official launch of the future city project, the company’s overall valuation has exceeded seven billion. Fenghan Capital also made their disposition clear. The initial investment amount will be set at one billion. If everything goes smoothly, the company’s valuation should be able to double by next year…”

“In addition, the equity change plan has been initially determined. After the change is completed, the shares currently held by me will be officially transferred back to your hands… Further adjustments will be made based on Fenghan’s intentions, but you will remain The status of the largest shareholder remains unchanged…”

“In addition, the plan to transfer equity has been finalized. Once the change is completed, my percentage of equity will be officially transferred back to you… Subsequently, further adjustments will be made according to Fenghan Capital, but your position as the largest shareholder will remain unchanged…”

Bai Juanqiu casually placed his right hand on the table, lightly tapping his fingertips on the surface and thinking of something. 

After the report was done, he only nodded and said calmly, “I understand.”

Only then did Wei Duzhou close the document. The important work came to an end. He felt much more relaxed and said with some expectation: “When the news is officially announced, the whole company will be surprised.”

Wei Duzhou finally closed the document. Now that the important task was over and done, he felt more relaxed. With a hint of anticipation, he said, “When the news is officially announced, the whole company will surely be in shock.”

Bai Juanqiu scoffed, “Perhaps.” 

Who would have thought that this company that was registered under Wei Duzhou’s name, was actually under Bai Juanqiu’s control, from the very beginning.

In recent years, Shengjing Technology had been developing in a low-key manner, showing no mountains and rivers, as its true goal was to avoid unnecessary troubles.

Now that the company had secured the future city project and was preparing to attract investment from Fenghan Capital, it was finally time to reveal its sharp tip.

Wei Duzhou was stirred up from the thought. “Bro, this day is finally coming.” 

He wasn’t unhappy that his shares would be transferred to Bai Juanqiu. On the contrary, he knew very well that they wouldn’t have its current value without Bai Juanqiu.

Lingde Middle School is full of scumbags and gangsters. Except for a few families whose own conditions are pretty good, many of their former classmates are now struggling to make ends meet.

Lingde Secondary School was filled with school scums and thugs. Except for a few students with relatively well-off families, many of their former classmates were now bitterly rushing about for their lives.

Originally, with Wei Duzhou’s family background and ability, there was a high probability that he could only follow this path. But because of the good fortune to get to know Bai Juanqiu, who was transferred to Lingde by the Bai family due to some combination of circumstances, they became brothers because they were loyal enough. 

Originally, with Wei Duzhou’s family background and his own abilities, it was highly likely that he would have walked the same path as them. He was fortunate to meet Bai Juanqiu, who was transferred to Lingde by his family through a series of strange combinations of circumstances. Through the code of brotherhood, they became good friends.

Only because of that, he was led by Bai Juanqiu and embarked on his current path.

Although he was not the true boss of Shengjing Technology, Bai Juanqiu gave him a fixed amount of shares and dividends, which were already something he would only dream of having.

This was why Wei Duzhou had always been grateful to Bai Juanqiu. 

For Shengjing to grow to its current state, Wei Duzhou was even happier than Bai Juanqiu.

On the other hand, Bai Juanqiu’s mood was pretty calm as he said, “It’s just a matter of time.”

He was always restrained, and Wei Duzhou was not surprised. He just sighed: “No matter what, you don’t have to be afraid of the Bai family anymore, and you don’t have to be angry with them anymore.”

His friend was always calm and collected, so that kind of reaction was like a monster he was used to seeing. He sighed and said, “Whatever the case, at least you don’t have to worry about the Bai Family anymore or need to take their anger.” 

At the mention of the Bai Family, Bai Juanqiu’s face turned colder. He smirked slightly and even spoke with a hint of irony, “Very true.”

“Unfortunately, Bai Guanghai is still going to benefit.” Wei Duzhou huffed, “I heard that the cooperation between the Bai Family and the Ren Family is already being pushed along. It’s expected to be finalized soon…”

As he spoke, something suddenly came to his mind and he exclaimed, “Since you and Ren Xingliu are in a relationship now. Why don’t you give him a heads up, maybe have him stop them, that’s even better.”

Previously, he thought that Ren Xingliu was just playing around with Bai Juanqiu, so he didn’t hold any expectations for this young master. 

But after their last meeting, he felt that Ren Xingliu wasn’t that bad to Bai Juanqiu, and no matter what happened in the future, at least the young master wouldn’t be indifferent to what Bai Juanqiu had to say.

The more Wei Duzhou thought about it, the more realistic he found this idea to be, so he actively encouraged it.

Bai Juanqiu’s brain wasn’t that dead and had always been devoted to his work. In short, Bai Juanqiu would definitely agree with this approach.

But the unexpected thing was, Bai Juanqiu vetoed it without hesitation, “I don’t want to do that.”

Wei Duzhou was caught off guard. “Why?”

Bai Juanqiu only sneered in an unclear manner, not going into details.

Or rather, even he himself couldn’t discern his own thoughts at this moment.

He knew well that what Wei Duzhou was suggesting was the simplest action. Get Ren Xingliu to help out, even if they didn’t get the desired outcome, it would still make things very difficult for the Bai Family. 

Ren Xingliu probably wouldn’t refuse either.

But Bai Juanqiu didn’t want to do that.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t, but he wouldn’t.

It would feel like he was using Ren Xingliu. 

Wei Duzhou thought his reaction was a bit strange, but Bai Juanqiu had always been thoughtful. Even though he had been a brother for many years, he often couldn’t figure out what he was thinking, so he couldn’t say anything more.

Wei Duzhou found that reaction was somewhat strange, however, with how complex Bai Juanqiu’s thought process was, even as friends for many years, there were still many moments when he couldn’t read what Bai Juanqiu was thinking. Thus, he couldn’t say much.

That was the end of the conversation. As Wei Duzhou got up to leave, out of the corner of his vision, he caught a glimpse of yellow next to Bai Juanqiu’s notebook.

“What’s this?” Wei Duzhou picked it up to have a closer look and found that it was a toy duck the size of a ping-pong ball. He squeezed it and heard it squeak. 45hRMV

“Did someone accidentally leave this?” He tugged the corner of his lips. “What a dumb thing…”

Before he could finish, Bai Juanqiu’s firm voice came from beside him, “Put it down.”

Wei Duzhou: “?”

He turned his head and saw Bai Juanqiu’s chilling gaze, before hearing, “Ren Xingliu gave me that.” 

Wei Duzhou: “…”

During his moment of daze, Wei Duzhou unconsciously squeezed the duck again.

Quack—The plastic duck let out a piercing scream, similar to his inner cry.

Wei Duzhou came to his senses and quickly put the duck to its original spot. While maintaining his face, he said, “I still have things I need to do. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be off.” 

After saying that, without waiting for Bai Juanqiu’s response, Wei Duzhou applied oil to the soles of his feet and quickly fled out of the office.

As I walked, I angrily cursed in my heart: What happened to this young master? If you’re in love, instead of giving a fancy car or watch, give a plastic duck! His brother was also confused, a broken toy looked like a treasure!

While walking, he angrily murmured inside. What’s up with that young master? Instead of giving a luxury car or watch in this relationship, he gave a plastic duck! Bai Juanqiu must be blinded by love. How come he is treating a cheap toy like a kind of treasure!

More importantly, can they please label those kinds of things? Don’t want to step on any more landmines in the future.  

Bai Juanqiu’s glare just now was so piercing, it was like it was enough to make two holes in him!

Even Bai Juanqiu himself found his unconscious reaction quite funny. Once Wei Duzhou left, he reached out and picked up the bright-colored toy, gently squeezing it a few times.

The sound of quacking echoed in the office.

He laughed soundlessly, while squeezing the little duck, he leisurely walked to the window. 

His office was located on a high-rise building, and through the window, he could overlook the full view of Ling City.

Skyscrapers and bustling scenes of traffic, all being taken in by a certain someone.

But it was cloudy outside of the window. At some point, the sky turned gray.

It shrouded the vigorous world of living with a sense of uncertainty. 

Before the rain began to pour down.