Chapter 32: A Friend’s Visit

Chapter 32: A Visit from Friends

Liu Ximing was a local second-generation rich kid, with family assets worth over a billion yuan, spanning industries such as heating, real estate, and investment.

Currently, he worked as a manager at the largest heating company in Hushi, which was owned by his father. His monthly salary was six thousand yuan, with no other sources of income.

Because of this, Gao Yun and his other friends jokingly called him the most pitiful second-generation rich kid ever. This was also why, after Gao Yun’s credit card debt, he never asked Liu Ximing to lend him money.

On the other hand, unless there was absolutely no other way, Gao Yun didn’t want to borrow money from friends; it would make future interactions awkward.

Liu Ximing asked, “Which residential complex is this? You bought a model unit straight up? That’s great, saves a lot of trouble. My unfinished place will take over a year before it’s fully renovated.”

Gao Yun replied, “Yeah, I couldn’t wait that long, so I bought a model unit at Shoushan Fuhai directly. Shall we get together? I’ve also invited Brother Wang and Ah Hua.”

Diao Jun agreed, “Sounds good.”

Liu Ximing nodded, “Sounds good.”

The three of them were not at all surprised by Zhou Tian’s absence.

Among the four friends, Zhou Tian was the youngest at 25. He worked at a leisurely state-owned enterprise, came from a good family, owned a house and a car, and had little pressure. He was quite laid-back, spending his days either working out or staying up all night playing online games.

The three chatted casually for a while, deciding on food and drinks. Gao Yun also casually chatted with Wang Xiaole and Ah Hua in their unruly band group chat. The general consensus was that none of them had plans today and could come for the gathering.

After finalizing the ingredients, alcohol, and other barbecue supplies, Gao Yun made a list and gave it to Wang Lina to go shopping. They agreed to meet at 2:30 in the afternoon, punctual.

Everything was ready when Zhou Tian finally surfaced: “(Yawn) Just woke up. I’m coming too. Need me to buy anything?”

Gao Yun replied, “You just come; no need to buy meat. We’ve got over two hundred jin, more than enough.”

Diao Jun added, “Bring it on. The water’s already boiling. When you get here, just start plucking the hair.”

Liu Ximing said confidently, “I’ll handle the knife. I know how to slaughter a pig—I’ve done it before!”

Though Zhou Tian worked out, his irregular lifestyle and uncontrolled diet had left him with high body fat. At 175 cm tall and weighing 200 jin, combined with his frequent late nights and long sleep hours, the friends often teased him by comparing him to some cute animal.

Zhou Tian joked, “(Dog head) How dare the monster eat people? Great celestial dragon, venerable Kṣitigarbha, all the Buddhas of Prajñā!”

Diao Jun shot back, “Pig demon, don’t pretend to be Fa Hai.”

Liu Ximing chimed in, “Pigsy, you’re mixing up the channels.”

…

An hour later, Wang Lina returned from her big shopping trip. She had bought so many things—various ingredients, alcohol, and a large bag of barbecue charcoal—that the small cart was packed to the brim, parked right outside the villa.

Seeing this, Gao Yun pulled out fifty yuan and asked the taxi driver to get out and help carry everything to the villa's living room terrace.

“No problem,” the driver said happily, panting as he single-handedly moved everything in a few minutes.

“Boss, you’re planning a barbecue?”

“Yes, just some friends coming over to hang out.”

Gao Yun answered casually, waved off the driver, then saw Wang Lina busy and sweating profusely in the kitchen, still cutting meat on the chopping board.

He said, “Alright, Sister Wang, take a break. No need to cut the meat now. When my friends arrive, I’ll cut it with them. You just help me boil the lamb ribs—cook them to about sixty percent doneness. They’ll be grilled later.”

“Ah?” Wang Lina stood there holding the cleaver, a bit stunned. She thought, this boss was really strange. Even with a housekeeper, he still insisted on doing things himself with his friends.

For Gao Yun, though, chatting and cutting meat with close friends, shooting the breeze—that was one of life’s rare pleasures.

“By the way, it’s been a while since I filmed a video. Today’s perfect for a vlog.”

Inspired, Gao Yun brought out two cameras, set them up on tripods in chosen spots, planning to make a video of today’s gathering.

As the agreed time approached, the friends gradually arrived at Gao Yun’s home. Though the food and drinks were already purchased, none of them came empty-handed. After all, when friends move into a new place, even if the notice is short, bringing some fruit is a thoughtful gesture.

Diao Jun and Liu Ximing arrived earliest, an hour ahead. The residential complex was gated, so Gao Yun called the security to let them in.

Through the window, Gao Yun saw Liu Ximing’s Porsche Cayenne parked at his door. Busy in the kitchen, he immediately went to the gate to welcome them.

Diao Jun stepped out of the passenger seat carrying a potted plant, grinning broadly, showing eight white teeth. “Boss Gao! Congratulations on your new home! Here’s a little something for you.”

“Old Diao! Same to you!” Gao Yun greeted them, opened the villa door, took the plant, and couldn’t help but smile. He was happy to have made money; even happier to have friends who were genuinely pleased for him.

Diao Jun was just over 1.7 meters tall, with bronzed skin and a compact frame. Though not tall, he was strikingly handsome, his features and face shape almost identical to the famous actor Yin Zheng. His smile was infectious.

Liu Ximing then got out of the car. At 1.83 meters tall, slightly darker-skinned than Diao Jun, with a somewhat simple expression, he resembled Cha Tae-hyun from “My Sassy Girl,” only with deeper-set eyes.

Liu Ximing opened the rear door and took out a large wooden box with delicate patterns, handing it to Gao Yun with an embarrassed smile. “These are some Chinese dining utensils. I originally planned to use them when I moved, but since you moved first and in a rush, I didn’t prepare much. Just take this.”

Gao Yun, seeing the fine craftsmanship on the box, knew the set was not cheap. He accepted it without hesitation, holding the plant in one hand and the wooden box in the other. “Why talk about this? Come on, I’ll show you around.”

The three of them first toured the front garden, admiring the grass and trees, before entering the villa.

Gao Yun placed the gifts on the coffee table and led them through every room on all three floors.

Liu Ximing, being a top-tier local rich kid living in a sprawling villa with his father, wasn’t surprised but praised the surrounding environment, saying it was really nice. He even regretted buying his place earlier; it would have been better to buy here and be neighbors with Gao Yun.

Diao Jun was visibly impressed, clicking his tongue and looking around repeatedly. Finally, he grinned mischievously at Gao Yun: “Boss Gao, you can kidnap me anytime. Old Liu here is a useless rich second-generation. Whether he’s really his parents’ son is questionable. If he gets kidnapped, they might not even get any ransom. Kidnapping you would be perfect—there’s definitely money to get!”

Among the four friends, there were always four jokes to tease each other: Zhou Tian’s weight, kidnapping the rich Liu Ximing, Gao Yun’s misdeeds as a scoundrel, and whether Diao Jun’s hair loss was caused by kidney deficiency.

All were just playful banter among brothers, nothing taken seriously.

(End of Chapter)