Chapter 46: The Cannon Fodder in a Dogblood Novel (46)
On the other side, as soon as Qin Yizhou got into the car, he quickly sent a message to his assistant.
It contained only eight simple words: “Investigate Jing University’s Shen Tangqing’s background.”
After sending it successfully, his fingers paused for a moment, and he tapped open Shen Tangqing’s WeChat Moments.
Unfortunately, his Moments were set to be visible for only three days, so there was nothing there.
Qin Yizhou stared at Shen Tangqing’s WeChat avatar for a while.
It was a white Ragdoll cat.
Shen Tangqing likes cats?
Qin Yizhou raised an eyebrow.
I’ll go buy a cat tomorrow, and then ask Shen Tangqing to come over to my house to watch the cat do backflips.
Shen Tangqing was woken up by Zhou Shuli’s phone call!
His bizarre and motley dream was instantly shattered.
He frowned, groggily groping for his phone on the nightstand beside him.
“Hello…” Shen Tangqing’s voice was thick with sleep.
Zhou Shuli paused for a second before speaking apologetically, “Sorry, did I disturb your sleep?”
Shen Tangqing yawned. “It’s fine, Brother Zhou. Is something the matter?”
“You left your clothes at my house last time. Is it convenient for you later? I’ll bring them over to you.”
Shen Tangqing’s clothes had been taken by the Zhou family servants to be washed last time. He had originally asked Zhou Geng to bring them to school for him, but Zhou Geng had forgotten.
After that came the National Day holiday, and Zhou Geng went abroad to play. Once school started, Zhou Geng’s basketball team had intensive training every day. In the blink of an eye, he hadn’t seen Zhou Geng for almost a month.
But he never expected Zhou Shuli to personally deliver the clothes to him.
“Thank you, Brother Zhou, but you don’t need to make a special trip. Just let Brother Geng bring them to school whenever he has time. I can’t wear them in this weather anyway.”
Zhou Shuli was silent for two seconds before replying.
“It’s no trouble. I happen to have business near Jing University today. I heard from Little Geng that you’re staying at Liuli Waterfront this weekend, so I put the clothes in the car to drop them off on my way.”
“Is that so…” Shen Tangqing hesitated for a second before agreeing.
“Alright, what time will you be coming over, Brother Zhou? I have something to do in the afternoon, but I’m free at noon. Come over and let me treat you to a meal. I haven’t thanked you for driving me last time…”
“Last time was just on the way, no need to be polite.” Zhou Shuli’s voice carried just the right amount of gentleness.
“Let me treat you instead. You’re still a student; save your money for yourself. Besides, since you’ve called me ‘Brother,’ it’s only right for a brother to treat you to a meal.”
These words were spoken appropriately—too appropriately.
Shen Tangqing felt that Zhou Shuli was truly a person worth getting along with.
“Thank you, Brother Zhou. Then I’ll be thick-skinned and accept.” After Shen Tangqing finished speaking, he asked another question, “Is Brother Geng coming along?”
Zhou Shuli: “…”
“I’ll call him in a bit to see if he has time.”
Zhou Shuli paused for a second after speaking. “I’ll arrive at Liuli Waterfront around eleven o’clock. Is that okay?”
Shen Tangqing glanced at the time. It was a few minutes past ten. There was plenty of time; he could just combine breakfast and lunch.
“That works. See you later then, Brother Zhou.”
…
Zhou Shuli listened to the busy tone on the phone, waiting a few seconds before putting it down.
He made a call to Butler Wang.
The phone rang and was picked up immediately. “Eldest Young Master, do you have any instructions?”
Zhou Shuli pressed his fingers against his brow bone, his voice suppressed and steady, betraying no abnormality.
“Butler Wang, contact Zhou Geng’s basketball coach right now. Tell him to add a set of physical fitness tests after training ends. He must watch him finish; he cannot leave early.”
On the other end of the phone, the corner of Butler Wang’s mouth hooked up imperceptibly. “Understood, Eldest Young Master. I guarantee Second Young Master won’t be able to get away.”
“Also,” Zhou Shuli added as his gaze swept over the gift box on the passenger seat, “have a servant take the game console accessories he said he wanted to replace yesterday to the shop for maintenance now. Just say there’s a system issue and they can’t be picked up today.”
“Yes, Eldest Young Master. I’ll arrange it right away.”
After hanging up, he picked up his phone and opened the chat box with Zhou Geng, editing a message.
“I originally planned to ask you out for lunch, but your coach said you have to make up a set of physical fitness tests after training. Train hard.”
Throughout the message, there was no mention of eating with Shen Tangqing.
After sending it, he booked a private room at “Hexia Yan” before putting his phone away.
Then, putting on his gloves, he drove toward Liuli Waterfront.
Zhou Shuli arrived at ten-forty, twenty minutes earlier than the agreed time.
He didn’t call. He sat in the car and waited until eleven o’clock before calling Shen Tangqing.
The phone rang twice before it was picked up.
“Brother Zhou, have you arrived?”
“En, I’m here. Tell the guard, and I’ll drive in to pick you up.”
“No need to trouble yourself, Brother Zhou. I’ll just drive over myself.”
“Parking is difficult around Hexia Yan at noon. Just take my car. I’ll send you back after we eat; it won’t delay your affairs.”
Shen Tangqing hesitated for a second before agreeing.
Not having to drive himself meant saving on parking fees. Wonderful!
Although Shen Tangqing didn’t lack that dozen or so yuan for parking now, as the saying goes: save where you can, spend where you must.
…
As soon as Shen Tangqing went downstairs, he saw the black Aston Martin parked at the entrance.
Zhou Shuli was leaning against the car door waiting for him.
Unlike his usual formal wear, he was rarely dressed in a beige knit sweater today. His entire demeanor seemed softened, transforming from a cold, high-status CEO into a gentle and refined boy next door.
Seeing Shen Tangqing, he straightened up.
His brows and eyes softened.
Just as he was about to say hello, Shen Tangqing smiled and spoke first, “Brother Zhou, did you get a new car?”
“Not a new car. That other one is restricted from driving today due to license plate regulations, so I drove this one.”
Shen Tangqing let out an “Oh.” Sure enough, domineering CEOs never lack cars!
Zhou Shuli opened the passenger door for him. “Get in.”
“Thank you, Brother Zhou. You’re so punctual…”
Zhou Shuli didn’t mention he had been waiting for a while, only giving a soft “En.”
Shen Tangqing was stunned for a moment when he saw the gift box on the passenger seat. “Brother Zhou, are you giving a gift to someone? Should I put it in the back? Or should I sit in the back?”
“It’s for you.”
“For me?” Shen Tangqing was somewhat surprised. He felt that he and Zhou Shuli were merely nodding acquaintances. Why was he giving him a gift?
“I went on a business trip to S City last week and bought some local specialty trinkets.”
He finished speaking and glanced at Shen Tangqing. “It’s nothing valuable. Since I was dropping off your clothes today, I brought one for you.”
Shen Tangqing held the box in his hand and smiled brightly at Zhou Shuli. “Thank you, Brother Zhou. Sorry to make you spend money.”
Zhou Shuli’s gaze landed on Shen Tangqing’s face. His gloved fingertips curled slightly, and after a second, he spoke slowly, “You’re welcome.”
After getting in the car, Shen Tangqing looked at Zhou Shuli. “Brother Zhou, can I open it to see what’s inside?”
The box was the size of a palm and had some weight to it. Shen Tangqing was genuinely curious about what kind of specialty trinket it was.
“Of course.”
With permission, Shen Tangqing carefully unwrapped the packaging. Inside was a wooden carved box.
Carved on the box was a vivid and lifelike phoenix. The texture of the feathers was clearly visible, and it faintly emitted an indescribable fragrance.
“This box is so beautiful,” Shen Tangqing couldn’t help but exclaim.
Zhou Shuli glanced at him, a trace of imperceptible tenderness flashing in his eyes. “Open it and take a look.”
Shen Tangqing opened the box—
Recommended Reads
![[Esports] I Started an Online Romance with a Big Shot After Retiring](https://beereads.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/esports.jpg)
