Chapter 39: What? You’re Starting a Business with the Campus Belle?

Looking at the gaunt, skeletal old man sitting in the wheelchair before her, Zhang Yanran fell to her knees, sobbing.

She gripped the old man’s hand, unable to reconcile the image of this frail figure with the grandfather who had once held her in his arms throughout her childhood. The old man’s mouth was twisted to one side, but his eyes were bloodshot.

"That is the situation," Chu Feng explained from the side. "After you were sent to the nursing home, Aunt Sun passed away, and the Sun Group was absorbed into what is now the Zhang family’s Dingsheng Group."

"That Zhang Fuqiang! I knew that guy was untrustworthy. When Yanran’s mother was so headstrong about being with him, I never imagined she was walking into a tiger’s den... My poor daughter!" Sun Guangming whimpered.

In the corner of the garage, Xuanxuan tossed several discarded blue uniforms into a brazier. The flames consumed the vestments, and the thick smoke was whisked away by the exhaust fan.

"Grandpa, we have gathered quite a bit of evidence. What if we hand it over to the authorities?" Zhang Yanran asked, clutching his hand.

Sun Guangming shook his head. "It’s difficult. I’ve reviewed the files; there is nothing lethal there. Furthermore, Zhang Fuqiang has the best legal team in Jiangcheng. They could make the dead speak. The best way now is through... inheritance rights."

"Inheritance rights?" Ma Long walked over. "Are you planning to have Yanran step forward, sir?"

"Exactly. She is a member of the Sun family and also Zhang Fuqiang’s daughter. She has an absolute claim to the inheritance. Besides, even though Zhang Fuqiang is vicious, he wouldn't go so far as to devour his own flesh and blood, would he?" Sun Guangming mused for a moment.

He noticed Chu Feng smoking nearby and coughed. "Kid, do you have any more cigarettes?"

"Haha! I do! But all I have is Hongtashan." Chu Feng handed him a cigarette.

Zhang Yanran grew anxious. "But Grandpa, his health—"

"Bah!" Sun Guangming raised a hand. "I played the fool in that nursing home for five years—oh, wait, six! Can’t I even have a smoke now?"

"Don't worry, the old man is in good health," Chu Feng said, handing him the cigarette and lighting it for him.

Sun Guangming took a deep drag. "Now that’s a satisfying smoke!"

His impression of this young man improved significantly. In just over a month, Chu Feng had assembled an entire team, and their interests were perfectly aligned with his: reclaiming everything that had been stolen by Dingsheng Group. Looking at Chu Feng and then at his granddaughter, he realized why the boy was helping them. Seeing how close they had become, he understood. The bold and decisive Chu Feng was clearly far more reliable than the deceptive Zhang Fuqiang had ever been. Zhang Fuqiang would never have dared to make an enemy of such a powerful force.

The old man pondered for a moment. Given Chu Feng's family background, he shouldn't have had any prior grievances with Zhang Fuqiang. If there were any, it was likely that Chu Feng was simply standing up for his granddaughter.

"Jin couldn't judge people well, but her daughter has a much sharper eye," the old man chuckled, shaking his head.

Zhang Yanran looked on, bewildered. "Grandpa, what are you talking about?"

"Nothing. Just remember to add an extra dish tonight. The nursing home served nothing but bland food; my mouth has been so bored I could scream."

"Do you want me to bring you a bottle of wine, too?" Zhang Yanran asked, placing her hands on her hips.

The old man’s eyes lit up instantly. "Now that would be wonderful!"

"In your dreams!"

***

A few days later, Chu Feng’s roommates returned. He envied them; during the summer break, they had spent their time playing games or traveling with their parents, free from the pressures of academics.

There were six of them in the dorm, and Chu Feng was the eldest. They bought lunch at the canteen and ate near the small grove by the sports field, chatting as they ate. Many other students were also returning to campus.

"Boss, I heard you were working in Jiangcheng. How is it going? What about you and Zhang Yanran?" asked the chubby one, who was the second-eldest in the room.

The bespectacled one, eating a bowl of noodles, chimed in, "How could it be going? Her father is Zhang Fuqiang. I told you, Boss, she isn't right for you. You should set your sights elsewhere. Our class monitor seems pretty good."

Chu Feng ate his wontons in silence, then changed the subject. "Guys, the freshmen are here and doing military training on the field. Don't you want to go take a look?"

"Oh, damn, I almost forgot! I heard there are a few stunners in the Finance Department." The chubby one grew excited at the mention of women.

In truth, Chu Feng had become immune to such distractions. He had spent his days with Li Xueli—working when necessary, and exploring the mysteries of life when they had free time.

Just then, Zhang Yanran walked over with Yu Xiaoyu. The chubby one nudged Chu Feng with his elbow, signaling that she had arrived.

Chu Feng didn't stand up to greet her with his usual enthusiasm.

"Here, milk tea." Zhang Yanran walked up and placed a cup by his side. "I know you like milk, so I got you taro ball milk tea."

Silence. Dead silence. His roommates stared at him, dumbfounded.

The one in glasses was stunned. "Boss... don't tell me... you found a girlfriend over the summer?"

"What do you think?" Chu Feng replied with an enigmatic smile.

Yu Xiaoyu sat down next to the chubby one, making him nervous. She said, "You guys should learn from Chu Feng. He accomplished so much during the break, while you lot just played games at home!"

"Xiaoyu, could it be... are Chu Feng and Yanran actually...?" The chubby one couldn't believe it, his already narrow eyes widening in shock.

Zhang Yanran looked at Chu Feng, waiting for him to say it himself.

In reality, the old man had been moved to a safe location. Chu Feng had hired caregivers and installed security cameras in the house, so there was no need to worry about him being mistreated. Moreover, the old man no longer needed to pretend to be a fool; he was mostly self-sufficient, save for his inability to walk.

Zhang Yanran looked at Chu Feng, her mind filled with her grandfather's words: "That boy is much more reliable than your father was at his age. If your father had dared to stand up to powerful people for your mother, I would have agreed to their relationship long ago."

The implication was clear: her grandfather wanted them to be together. He had great respect for Chu Feng's intellect and foresight.

"We are starting a business together," Chu Feng said, looking up with a smile.

"Oh... you scared me! We thought you were officially together!" the chubby one exclaimed.

The bespectacled one glared at him. "Starting a business with the school beauty isn't shocking enough for you?"

Chu Feng looked at Zhang Yanran and noticed she was biting her lip, on the verge of tears.