“Trying to win people over on campus?” Caesar raised an eyebrow. “Ridiculous! Lu Mingfei is a member of the Student Union, my guy. If he needs anything, he should come to me, and I will help him!” He laughed coldly, exuding dominance. “I will make sure that tonight, Lu Mingfei will dine at the best table in the best Italian restaurant he can reach, served by the best chefs and waiters—everything must be perfect!”
“Wise, boss!” Finger praised. “But Chu Zihang specified Aspasia, and there are no tables available.”
“The Michelin three-star restaurant?” Caesar frowned. “I’ve eaten at their Rome branch many times, and never needed a reservation.”
“They say it’s booked for a wedding.”
“China doesn’t lack good restaurants; let them get married somewhere else.” Caesar thought it was simple—something like this was trivial to him; he didn’t need to waste his precious mental capacity on the bride and groom.
“It’s more complicated. The people booking it are quite influential.”
Caesar frowned, “Influential? Are they government officials?”
“Not exactly, they’re a local listed group, and their son got someone pregnant…”
Caesar lost interest. “Just a businessman. I get it, someone will handle it—they’re professionals… I suppose you owe Lu Mingfei a lot?”
Finger hesitated a little, “I freeloaded off his midnight snacks a lot…”
“I’ll pay off that favor for you.” Caesar hung up the phone.
Caesar handed the phone to his butler beside him, “Call the Mint Club, arrange everything, then send a text to my classmate named Lu Mingfei.” He thought for a moment, “The message should read, ‘Happy birthday, from Caesar Gattuso.’”
“Using the Mint? That’s quite an expense. For a classmate, isn’t that a bit much?” the secretary gently advised.
“Do you know Zhou Enlai?” Caesar asked.
“Yes, I know—he was a famous diplomat.”
“I just read his biography. There were some interesting points. The Chinese pay great attention to detail. Mr. Zhou could clearly remember information about people he’d only met once, and when they met again, he’d greet them, making them feel deeply honored. He even bought shirts for cleaners whose clothes had been soiled by his car. That’s the philosophy of a leader—paying attention to the details concerning subordinates.” Caesar dried his wet golden hair, speaking with conviction. “This increases team cohesion. It’s an important insight I’ve had over the past few days.”
If Lu Mingfei were present, he might remind him that these so-called “important insights” were just material found in high school textbooks.
“But… all of this seems like a roundabout way to ask for your help.” The secretary smiled, “It feels like a small trick.”
Caesar raised an eyebrow, giving the secretary a deep look before smiling. “Yes, it’s Chu Zihang’s little trick. I can see that, but it’s a trick I have to fall for because,” he spoke slowly, “Chu Zihang involved himself. I don’t need Chu Zihang’s promise, but I don’t want anyone else to get that promise either—to make some strange request that makes the competition between Chu Zihang and me disgusting.”
“Understood, I’ll make the arrangements.” The secretary bowed slightly. “Young master, the meeting is about to start. Please prepare yourself. The school board members are on their way.”
“Main courses haven’t arrived yet—what’s the rush for a side dish like me? I’d rather go for a swim.”
“In your uncle’s mind, you are the main course of today’s meeting.”
Caesar looked at his young secretary with a subtle smile. “Parsi, don’t say things like that to me again. First of all, I am not a dish, not up to a chef’s whims. And even if I were, neither you nor my uncle should think of being my chef.”
“I’m sorry, young master. I will be more careful.” The secretary retreated humbly.
Both Chu Zihang’s and Lu Mingfei’s phones rang at the same time, signaling an incoming message. Chu Zihang glanced at his phone and silently turned it off, while Lu Mingfei was dumbfounded.
“Happy birthday, from Caesar Gattuso.”
The second birthday message for his nineteenth birthday—from Caesar Gattuso. Lu Mingfei felt dizzy. How could he deserve this—receiving birthday wishes from both the president of the Lionheart Society and the president of the Student Union? Zhou Yu and Cao Cao fought each other to the death on the Yangtze River, yet both wished the same person a happy birthday. Who could be that fortunate? Maybe… Jiang Gan?
The world was really strange—some people saw him as trash, while others saw him as a treasure.
“Where are we going now?” Lu Mingfei leaned against the seat, looking out the window.
“You’re the mission leader; it’s up to you.”
“Senior, please don’t mess with me… You decide where we’re going, and when we get there, you do your thing… I… I’ll help dust off the car or something,” Lu Mingfei said miserably.
“Then the train station ruins in the south. We don’t know who took the documents, so we’ll start with the scene.” Chu Zihang said.
Lu Mingfei looked ahead, spotting the collapsed turtle-shell-like aluminum dome of the southern train station. This highway exit led straight to the train station. It seemed like there was never a need for him, the nominal leader, to make any decisions—the car had been heading to the train station all along. Although thinking this way made him feel a bit useless… considering that it was true, he didn’t shy away from admitting it. Senior Chu certainly knew what he was doing.
“How long will it take? I’m worried I’ll be home too late… and won’t be able to replace the toilet seat.” Lu Mingfei said, a little anxious.
He imagined his aunt coming home drenched in sweat, rushing to the bathroom only to find no toilet seat and having to squat on the rim… Her fury would be like a sonic boom, shattering him.
“I’ve already arranged it. You’re the agent; just focus on completing the mission. I’m here to assist you, and I’ll make sure the toilet seat is sorted out.” Chu Zihang said calmly.