Chapter 7: Old Mansion

Chapter 7: Old Mansion

"Miss Chao Yue, the car arranged by the event organizer is stuck halfway. I don't know when it will arrive," Zhou Chao's assistant complained with a helpless expression, holding the luggage.

"Forget it, you silly. What's the use of talking about it now? Just book a private car online." Chao Yue glanced at her assistant, who was on the verge of tears, and shook her head.

Chao Yue stood by the roadside, watching a Maserati slowly approaching her and eventually stopping in front of her. The car window rolled down.

"Chao Yue, where are you going? Let me give you a ride. I saw you standing here for quite a while," Zhou Chao leaned out of the car and said.

"Oh, it's you. What a coincidence. The car sent by the event organizer got stuck on the highway, so we plan to take a taxi to the hotel," Chao Yue replied.

"Get in. I'll take you to the hotel."

The assistant looked at Chao Yue, and after a moment's thought, she opened the door to the back seat. "Thank you then!"

"What hotel did you book?"

"Bvlgari. By the way, what should I call you, handsome?" Chao Yue looked at Zhou Chao, who was driving, with a playful smile.

"Zhou Chao. Zhou means 'traveling the world,' and Chao means 'extraordinary'. I'm 24 years old this year, and I'm currently single."

Before Zhou Chao could finish, laughter erupted from the back seat. He looked up at the rearview mirror and saw Chao Yue and her assistant laughing together. He instantly felt embarrassed.

The assistant looked at Zhou Chao and said, "Hey, handsome, is this a blind date introduction? Have you taken a liking to my Chao Yue? She has never had a boyfriend before, and I think you're a good match." Chao Yue heard her assistant mentioning her and immediately reached out to cover her mouth.

"Don't listen to her nonsense!" Chao Yue hurriedly said.

Zhou Chao couldn't help but burst into laughter, watching the lively exchange between Chao Yue and her assistant. Amidst their laughter and playful banter, they reached their destination, the Bvlgari Hotel.

"Thanks for the ride, handsome. Can we be friends? Let's exchange contact information!" Chao Yue looked at Zhou Chao in front and said. Chao Yue had a carefree personality and dared to speak her mind. After their brief encounter today, she thought Zhou Chao was someone she could be friends with.

After parking the car, Zhou Chao turned and said, "Sure, I'm also your fan, so of course I'm willing." Zhou Chao happily took out his phone, and they added each other as friends and exchanged contact information.

The assistant opened the car door, took the luggage, and after Chao Yue got out of the car, she smiled and waved her phone, saying, "Let's keep in touch."

"Sure, I'll mostly be in Modu from now on. If there's anything you need, you can contact me, and I'll help if I can!"

"Okay," Chao Yue said, turning around with the assistant, and heading towards the hotel. Zhou Chao watched their figures as they walked into the hotel, and couldn't help but smile.

Observing Chao Yue and her assistant as they walked into the hotel, Zhou Chao started his car and embarked on the journey toward his opulent mansion.

Looking at the traffic outside the car window, his lips twitched unconsciously. He had been stuck in traffic for half an hour, and the excitement he felt at the beginning had been eroded by the congested roads of Modu.

At 8:10 PM, he finally arrived at his mansion. Zhou Chao carried a file bag, took out the key, and opened the grand gate of his old Western-style house.

The architectural style of the old mansion was Mediterranean, with three floors in total. It had a simple overall appearance, like a square shape. On the south side of the old mansion, there were symmetrical outdoor stairs decorated with floral iron railings and lights.

The exterior walls of the building were a light yellow color. The entrance had an arched design with decorative elements. The doors and windows were all rounded arches, and the window sills were shell-shaped. Between the windows were small columns adorned with Islamic-style twisted ropes, exuding a distinct Mediterranean charm.

Upon entering the house and illuminating the lights, Zhou Chao was greeted by a sight of pristine newness. Every appliance and piece of furniture exuded a fresh aura. He eagerly switched on the lights, embarking on a comprehensive tour of the entire building. The ground floor, spanning an impressive 200 square meters, featured a capacious hall, a well-appointed kitchen, and a cozy maid's room. The grandeur of it all left him utterly dazzled. Ascending to the second floor, he discovered three bedrooms, each offering comfort, and tranquility, accompanied by a spacious balcony that boasted captivating views. Finally, on the third floor, he was met with a sprawling entertainment room that housed a pool table, karaoke setup, chess and card room, and a computer room—a veritable haven for leisure and amusement.

Zhou Chao looked at the three bedrooms and finally chose one with a large balcony that overlooked the mansion's private garden. He lay on the bed, satisfied, but his stomach growled.

He took out his phone and called Big Bro Li's contact.

"Hey, Big Bro Li, are you in Modu? I'm back in Modu now. Let's grab a late-night snack."

"Second bro, you actually remembered to call me. I'm not in Modu, I'm in Jinling. I won't be able to come back until tomorrow. Let's meet up when I return from Jinling."

"Alright." Zhou Chao hung up the phone, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Big Bro Li was Zhou Chao's college roommate. Their dormitory housed a total of four individuals: Li Yang, also known as Big Bro Li, was the heir of the esteemed Li Corporation in Modu, boasting a market value surpassing 30 billion—a true scion of wealth; Zhou Chao himself, also referred to as Second Brother; Xu Wenzheng, known as Third Brother, hailed from the northeastern region and possessed a name only one letter away from a famous director, earning him the moniker Director Xu among their college peers. Coming from a family deeply involved in medicinal herbs, Xu Wenzheng was summoned back by his kin to pursue management studies even before completing his graduation. Lastly, there was Xiao Feng, the Fourth Brother, hailing from Jingdu, his family deeply entwined in the political realm. Presently, he served as an assistant to a mayor in a town located in Shudu.

Only Zhou Chao was a person without significant background or outstanding abilities, but during their four years in college, their relationship had become like brothers.

Staring at the phone that had already been disconnected, he returned to his senses and ordered takeout online.