I am not just a tycoon

After the five people sat down in the reserved private dining room, Shen Yuan noticed that there was another beautiful girl present.

This girl, dressed in a long skirt, stood gracefully with a tender fair skin that seemed almost breakable. However, her skirt was a bit loose, concealing the fine view underneath.

Not like Coach Liew — whenever she was out, her wardrobe highlighted her substantial assets.

Yet, this girl seemed rarely to attend such gatherings, sitting there demurely without looking around.

Meanwhile, Liew Menglu also noted the addition of a girl who was no less attractive than herself. Although her figure was not clearly discernible, her face and poise were undeniable, which instilled a sense of crisis in her.

Wan Renmin first asked Shen Yuan and Liew Menglu about any food allergies they had, then ordered the food and wine. After doing this, he timely introduced,

"Mr. Shen, I forgot to introduce her to you; this is our company's design assistant, Su Xuewei."

"Hello, Mr. Shen."

Su Xuewei stood up stiffly, extending her hand to Shen Yuan a bit awkwardly.

"Hello."

Shen Yuan gently shook Su Xuewei's hand.

Her skin was soft and tender.

Liew Menglu felt a tinge of jealousy, but she and Shen Yuan had no particular relationship, so she had no right to interfere.

But with Wan Renmin bringing such a beautiful design assistant to dinner, especially based on the questions he had asked earlier, Liew Menglu sensed some ulterior motive.

This old guy is really up to no good!

Wan Renmin sat beside Shen Yuan, the two making casual conversation about everything from national affairs to people's livelihoods, with Shen Yuan able to keep up.

It wasn't until the first dish was served that Wan Renmin signaled the waiter to open the wine.

Wan Renmin ordered two bottles of wine, filled Shen Yuan's cup, and said, "Mr. Shen, let's not talk business today and focus on friendship. I'll start with a toast to you!"

"Sure, Mr. Wan."

Shen Yuan raised his glass and took a small sip.

Then, Foo Zhengmei approached to propose a toast to Shen Yuan, and hesitantly following behind her, Su Xuewei came up slightly unpracticed with her toast: "Mr. Shen, I, I toast to you."

"Alright."

Shen Yuan responded to each cheer, thinking to himself that his drinking capacity, honed from nights spent at nightclubs, was still intact.

Seeing Shen Yuan energetically clinking glasses with others, Liew Menglu suggested, "Mr. Shen, let's have a drink too?"

Shen Yuan shook his head, "Maybe not for you, otherwise who will drive later?"

Liew Menglu tilted her head mischievously, "It's okay, we can call a cab later."

"It's up to you."

As everyone ate, with toasts being exchanged, some were flushed from alcohol. Shen Yuan and Wan Renmin, experienced at social drinking, were not affected much except for slight flushing, but Su Xuewei looked pale and slightly uncomfortable.

Initially, Shen Yuan was unsure why Wan Renmin had invited an intern like Su Xuewei to this kind of event, but now he had a fair idea.

When Su Xuewei came over to toast again, Shen Yuan pointed to a teacup, "Drink tea, it's alright."

"Um…"

Su Xuewei hesitated and could not help but look towards Wan Renmin for guidance.

Wan Renmin chuckled, "Follow Mr. Shen's suggestion; he's concerned you can't handle your liquor."

"Thank you, Mr. Shen,"

Su Xuewei said softly, her cheeks tinged with red.

"You're welcome."

"Mr. Shen, Xuewei is from Nanzhong University, she's still in her senior year, not yet graduated, and about your age. You young people have similar interests and could engage more,"

Wan Renmin chuckled as he finished speaking and then looked at Su Xuewei, "Add Mr. Shen on WeChat. It never hurts to make connections with a promising young man like him."

Liew Menglu couldn't help but roll her eyes. The old fox was finally showing his tail. He said no business talk but was continuously laying the groundwork for it.

How is this different from pimping?

Shen Yuan sighed silently. It seemed workplace maneuvers were unavoidable everywhere. Old Wan was a piece of work, roping in a naïve girl into these dealings.

"Thankfully, she ran into a straightforward guy like me today, so it won't turn out too bad."

Thinking this, Shen Yuan pulled out his phone, opened his WeChat QR code, and let Su Xuewei scan it.

Nanzhong University, the best in Xiangnan Province and ranked much above international campuses, always attracted top students.

Although Shen Xuan had ambitions for Tsinghua University and Peking University, Shen Yuan thought it would be excellent if his sister got into Nanzhong.

"Uncle Wan!"

Just then, the door of the private dining room was pushed open, accompanied by a familiar voice.

Lin Guangyao, bustling and flushed, entered: "Uncle Wan, it's been a long time since we drank together. Tonight, I took the liberty of coming over to toast you a few rounds."

It was common in restaurants to bump into acquaintances and exchange drinks through door-to-door visits.

Of course, mainly, Lin Guangyao wanted to curry favor with his prospective father-in-law, hoping he'd put a good word in front of his doctor daughter.

"Good, Young Lin, I appreciate the gesture."

Wan Renmin stood up to clink glasses with him, responding warmly. He then introduced him to the others, "This is my young nephew, Lin Guangyao."

"Here we have two of my colleagues and two clients."

Wan Renmin briefly introduced everyone and looked towards Shen Yuan, extending his hand, "This is Mr. Shen. You two are about the same age; you should go and toast him to make his acquaintance."

"Sure."

To Lin Guangyao, such an introduction by an elder to a distinguished guest meant that Wan Renmin held him in high regard. And having Wan Renmin personally introduce a guest who was waiting at the entrance indicated the person must be of high significance.

Considering this, Lin Guangyao thought it was a good opportunity to connect, although not necessarily immediately useful, it would add to his stories in social bragging.

As Lin Guangyao was about to approach with his glass, he recognized the face of the person, and his expression suddenly froze.

Shen Yuan, this damn guy is here too?

Shen Yuan hadn't expected to bump into Lin Guangyao here, and certainly not in such a dramatic scene, as he beckoned with a sly smile, "Come on, how about a drink?"

Lin Guangyao's mouth twitched, suddenly recalling that the last time he was at this restaurant, Shen Yuan had splashed his face with drink.

Damn unlucky!

Lin Guangyao couldn't figure out why Shen Yuan had become one of Wan Renmin's honored guests, but to toast him, wasn't that pretty much the same as licking Shen Yuan's smelly feet?

No way! Absolutely not!

"You two know each other?"

Wan Renmin sensed something was off.

Shen Yuan nodded with a smile, "Sort of."

"Haha, that's quite a coincidence then."

Wan Renmin said with a laugh, "Young Lin, you might not know, but your friend here has bought a villa at Greentown Green Bamboo Lake and is even spending 20 million on renovations."

"?"

A big question mark popped up in Lin Guangyao's mind.

What the hell?

Shen Yuan that scoundrel bought a villa and is spending 20 million on renovations?

He last saw Shen Yuan invest 700,000 in opening a speakeasy for Li Yuhang, which was still within his acceptance range since Shen's family had been wealthy before, and he likely still had some resources.

But now buying a villa and spending 20 million on renovations? What the hell is that?

The last time they had a meal was just a week ago, right? How does he suddenly have so much money?

Did his family start mining diamonds in Africa or what?

Lin Guangyao's first reaction was disbelief, but with Mr. Wan, the boss of Guanting Renovation, personally joining him for drinks, could it be false?

The Uncle Wan he had been trying so hard to please was, in turn, trying to please him?

Damn it, here he was on the first floor, and Shen Yuan on the third!

Lin Guangyao couldn't help but swallow his saliva. In such a short time, had the disparity between him and Shen grown this vast?

"Shen Yuan, what a coincidence, congratulations!"

Lin Guangyao hesitated for a few seconds and then decided to lower his proud head and toast Shen Yuan.

Lick it be it!

If Mr. Wan needs to lick that man, following suit surely won't be wrong!

Last time he had offended him, maybe this could turn around that impression, not to rekindle their friendship, but at least to prevent Shen from holding a grudge.

"It is quite the coincidence, Young Master Lin."

Shen Yuan said with a smile, pleased with Lin Guangyao's knack for assessing the situation.

Poeple like him really do turn faces faster than flipping a book, but Shen still preferred his earlier haughty and defiant demeanor.

Lin Guangyao's eyelid twitched. Normally, people called him that, but when Shen Yuan said it, it was particularly grating.

"Joking, Shen Yuan, ah no, I should say Mr. Shen now."

Lin Guangyao said, plastering a smile all over his face.

"It's fine."

Shen Yuan waved it off nonchalantly.

"Will you have a housewarming party? Please invite us to visit the grand villa then."

Lin Guangyao continued, trying to see if there was any chance to regain their previous rapport.

After all, they had once been close enough to drink together shoulder to shoulder.

Wealth should not lead to forgetting old friends!

"It's still early for that, we'll see."

Shen Yuan casually responded, thinking that he had just given Lin Guangyao a little face, and now he was pushing his luck.

"Okay, okay."

Realizing he was making a fool of himself, Lin Guangyao touched glasses with Wan Renmin once more before finally leaving the private dining room.

After three rounds of drinks, Wan Renmin suggested continuing the fun elsewhere, feeling the night had the right vibe to secure the deal with an after-party.

"Mr. Shen, do you prefer going to bars or singing karaoke?"

Shen Yuan glanced at Liew Menglu, "Coach Liew, are you coming?"

"I...."

Liew Menglu hesitated, not used to staying up late or drinking, planning to head home after dinner. As a seasoned fitness coach, regular schedules were fundamental to maintaining her figure.

Seeing Liew Menglu a bit tangled, Shen Yuan straightforwardly said, "You better not go, early to bed and early to rise makes a body healthy."

Liew Menglu looked at Shen Yuan, then at Su Xuewei, thinking if she didn't go, Shen Yuan might end up being seduced away by some other enchantress.

Despite her confidence in herself, Shen was now a walking Tang Sanzang; more enchantresses meant less meat for her.

That wouldn't do!Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"I'll go!"

Liew Menglu said resolutely, planning to just have fun without drinking.

"Ah..."

Shen Yuan sighed helplessly, then turned to Wan Renmin, "Mr. Wan, let's do karaoke. I'm not fond of bars, you decide."

"Great!"

"....."