There were also some things he realized later, like the counselor being very polite to Guo Nansheng, and even the department head had come to the dormitory for a friendly chat with Guo Nansheng. Later, Li Cheng mentioned that it turned out Guo Nansheng’s family had donated a sum of money to the school...
It wasn’t until a few years later when Zhou Wang was also standing there that he suddenly realized that the donation from Guo Nansheng’s family back then was probably not a small amount.
In any case, as the widely recognized super-rich second generation from Magic City, and as Zhou Wang’s first friend from a different social class, Guo Nansheng had given Zhou Wang many shocks.
But now, here he was, setting up a stall on the street, selling roasted chestnuts.
Zhou Wang had a huge question in his mind, but it was not convenient to express it at this moment.
Around the time of graduation, Guo Nansheng was the first in their class to leave school. He left in such a hurry that he didn’t even have time to have a meal with the other three. After graduation, Zhou Wang tried to get in touch with him, but there was little response. Later, after getting involved with the system, Zhou Wang became busy himself and had even less time to follow up.
Later, Li Cheng mentioned casually that Old Guo was probably busy inheriting the family business. He called a few times but couldn’t get through, and none of their classmates in Magic City had seen him.
Now, seeing Guo Nansheng again and his current situation, Zhou Wang vaguely understood that things might not be that simple.
Observing for a moment, the only valuable item on Guo Nansheng right now was probably the LV monogrammed cap on his head, but even its brim showed signs of wear and looked like a knockoff...
"Brother Dog, long time no see..."
Guo Nansheng looked at Zhou Wang with a somewhat complex expression. The surprise wasn’t strong, but Zhou Wang couldn’t discern much else.
This old chap, though a rich second generation, had quite a depth. Of course, in the eyes of those fangirl students at the time, a male god should be "cool and aloof" like this. Now, looking back, Zhou Wang had to admit that because of his perspective and family upbringing, Old Guo was actually more mature than the rest of them.
"Why are you here setting up a stall? Are you experiencing life, or planning to start a business from scratch?"
Seeing that Guo Nansheng’s attitude towards him hadn’t changed and was still the same calm demeanor, Zhou Wang couldn’t help but joke inquisitively.
"Neither."
Guo Nansheng just smiled. At this moment, a passerby happened to come by to buy chestnuts, and Zhou Wang could only stand aside and watch Guo Nansheng get busy.
"We can’t do honey ones anymore, will butter do? I’ll throw in a sweet potato for you?"
Watching Guo Nansheng clumsily roast chestnuts while also grilling sweet potatoes, Zhou Wang pursed his lips, feeling quite sentimental.
He wondered if Guo Nansheng had ever eaten something like a sweet potato before...
Ring ring ring!
The phone started ringing. Zhou Wang took it out to see that it was Xu Wenqian calling from near the car.
"Boss, are you ready? Mr. He from the property management said we’re about to miss the auspicious time for taking over the house..."
"Auspicious time?"
Zhou Wang initially wanted to say he didn’t believe in such things, but after thinking for a moment, he changed his mind, "Qianqian, you all go in first. You handle the handover for me; I might take a while."
"Uh, but..."
"There’s no ’but,’ it’s not a big deal, you can fully represent me. That’s it."
After finishing his words, Zhou Wang hung up the phone. Xu Wenqian and the others at the car helplessly got in and drove towards the estate entrance, leaving Gao Xing and Xiao Wang still standing far away on the roadside, always keeping an eye on Zhou Wang’s situation.
While Zhou Wang was on the phone, Guo Nansheng had also finished attending to his customers. He glanced at Zhou Wang, "In a hurry? Go deal with it first. We can catch up later..."
"Oh, what hurry could I be in? I don’t even have a proper job, just a free spirit... Come on, let me help you."
Zhou Wang waved his hand to cut off Guo Nansheng, seeing two girls coming to the stall, he immediately walked behind the stall, discreetly removed the 18 million "smile" from his wrist, rolled up his sleeves, and started helping out.
One must say, Zhou Wang, having come from a humble background, was quicker at these things than Guo Nansheng, and soon sent off two reluctant junior school girls.
"These two bosses are both so handsome..."
"Yeah, one so cool, the other with such great style."
Overhearing the two young girls’ chatter, Zhou Wang couldn’t help but smile, reaching over to pat Guo Nansheng’s shoulder.
"How about it, Old Guo, why don’t you team up with me to set up stalls? We’ll make a ’Dashing Duo’ combo, grow big and strong..."
"Then I’ll choose ’dashing’."
"...Old Guo, that’s not fair. I’ll admit, you were a tad more handsome back then, but now, sorry, I think I have the edge."
As Zhou Wang teased Guo Nansheng, suddenly they heard shouting from the distance, and Zhou Wang turned to see a group of burly, neatly dressed security guards running towards them.
Zhou Wang hadn’t quite grasped the situation when Guo Nansheng had already swiftly packed up.
"Security from Tangchen Yipin... Go!"
Guo Nansheng whispered, grabbed the cart, and started running in the opposite direction.
Hearing it was security from Tangchen Yipin, Zhou Wang instinctively straightened his back... After all, as one of the four most distinguished owners of Tangchen Yipin, Zhou Wang was practically a half-owner here, and he wasn’t afraid at all.
But it wasn’t until those security guards pulled out rubber batons and charged over in a menacing manner that Zhou Wang remembered something...
That was, they didn’t know him yet.
"Damn, Old Guo, wait for me!"
While stopping the approaching Xiao Wang, Zhou Wang quickly ducked his head and followed Guo Nansheng, pushing the cart as they sprinted down the street.
They didn’t know how far they had run until they turned into a quiet alley, and both stopped, panting heavily.
Seeing that the security guards hadn’t followed, the two exchanged a glance and both broke into smiles, Zhou Wang laughed even more exaggeratedly, slapping Guo Nansheng on the shoulder as he laughed:
"You... you sly dog, I thought I was the only one who hadn’t slacked off in exercise, but... you’re not bad either!"
For a moment, Guo Nansheng couldn’t speak, just waved his hand, then he lowered his head to rummage around, pulling out a bottle of Niu Lanshan from the cart, and gestured to Zhou Wang.
"Want a drink?"
"Let’s have some."
Zhou Wang nodded.
...
With the sun setting in the west, at the park’s corner, Zhou Wang and Guo Nansheng sat on small benches, their shadows cast on the wall by the sunset, leaving only a ground full of cigarette butts.
This scene reminded Zhou Wang of the second and third year of college, when Guo Nansheng often asked him to go to the court for a one-on-one, and after playing around, they’d also sit like this by the field, but back then, Guo Nansheng didn’t drink the cheap supermarket liquor and always pulled out a bottle of Blue Ribbon to drink with him.
The two wouldn’t talk, just drank until they were tipsy and went back to the dormitory to sleep together.
This time was no different. After silently downing half a bottle of liquor, Guo Nansheng flicked away the cigarette butt and calmly began:
"My family... went bankrupt."
"I can see that, although it’s a bit dramatic. How did it end up so completely?"
Zhou Wang muttered, paused for a moment, then spoke up, "Old Guo, if..."
"What, want to help me?"
Glancing at Zhou Wang, Guo Nansheng interrupted him in time with a light smile, "Hermes custom fall outfit, JOHN LOBB handcrafted shoes, your outfit must be at least four hundred thousand, looks like Li Cheng wasn’t exaggerating, you’ve indeed turned the tables..."
"Damn, I thought you wouldn’t notice and was just thinking about how to smoothly humblebrag to you."
Zhou Wang laughed, "How about it, Old Guo, why don’t I invest a few million in you, at least get a shop for yourself, can’t keep getting chased on the streets like this."
"Not everything in this world can be solved with money."
Guo Nansheng said softly, suddenly standing up, "Brother Dog, I’ve got to go. I have another part-time job tonight... catch you later."
"Okay."
Zhou Wang opened his mouth, but didn’t urge him to stay, because he knew that when Guo Nansheng said "catch you later," he would probably really get in touch later.
Reattaching the cart, with slightly heavier steps, Guo Nansheng waved a hand at Zhou Wang and walked away without looking back.
Zhou Wang watched from where he was, until Xiao Wang approached, "Mr. Zhou, Miss Miao has already driven the car over..."
At this moment, Zhou Wang, who was frowning and lost in thought, finally snapped back to reality, he gave a sound of acknowledgment, and before getting into the car, thought for a moment and then said to Xiao Wang, "Xiao Wang, get in touch with Lin Feng for me and use your channels to investigate something for me."