Flirt First, Run Later [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 17

After graduation, Jing Wenwu’s calls became more frequent and urgent. Yet, whenever he called, it was always about the same thing—Liang Chu’s job prospects. “Jing Ke, are you coming to the company or not? I’ve already picked a position for you, and I’ll even pay you! Don’t you want to experience the satisfaction of earning your own money and spending it as you please?”

 

“No,” Liang Chu replied without hesitation. After all, he’d get the money even if he didn’t go.

 

Jing Wenwu was so frustrated he could barely contain himself. Through gritted teeth, he said, “What’s wrong with you? Why are you so stubborn? Jobs are hard to come by these days. I’m practically begging you on my knees, and you still refuse. Are you asking for a beating?”

 

Liang Chu thought for a moment, unsure of what to say. Silently, he mouthed the words “I’m sorry” into the phone and ended the call.

 

Jing Wenwu had started working at the company during his junior year of college, graduating a year earlier than Liang Chu. Now, he was a promising young man with a flourishing career. Day after day, he tried to pull Liang Chu up, hoping to mold this unmotivated lump of clay into something worthwhile.

 

But the lump of clay simply refused to cooperate. During his student days, Liang Chu would say, “I’m busy studying and don’t have time. Can you please stop bothering me?” Now that he had graduated, he couldn’t even be bothered to come up with an excuse.

 

Liang Chu wasn’t unaware of Jing Wenwu’s good intentions. He appreciated the concern but couldn’t follow his advice. Xie Shenxing’s task progress had reached 83 out of 100. Once it hit the maximum, his mission would be complete, and he could leave this world.

 

There was no need to meet more people or bid farewell to more friends. He was already intentionally distancing himself from Jing Wenwu. If possible, he wouldn’t have even bothered attending university.

 

But he couldn’t just sit around doing nothing and freeloading either. Bucktooth Bear chimed in, “So what if you freeload? Aren’t you a rich second generation? Wanting to work would actually break your character. How about this—I’ll arrange a ‘good job’ for you. Go pick up girls.”

 

Liang Chu stammered for a while before replying, “What kind of job is that? Unless you’re suggesting I become a gigolo.”

 

Bucktooth Bear grumbled, “At least do something a rich second generation is supposed to do! Back in school, we flaunted our wealth. But now? Look at you these past few days, you’re just an upstanding citizen! An upstanding citizen!”

 

Liang Chu said, “Just wait until I figure something out. I’ll go back to flaunting my wealth, alright?”

 

“Not alright…” Bucktooth Bear sighed. “You should either like men or women. How is it that someone your age has never been in a relationship? Is that what a rich second generation should be doing?”

 

Liang Chu sighed. “Being a rich second generation isn’t easy with all these rules.”

 

So, Liang Chu took on another “task,” but he had no intention of finding a partner. There was no telling when his mission progress would max out, and he’d have to leave. What would happen to his partner then? Wouldn’t that just be toying with someone’s feelings?

 

After thinking it over seriously for a few days, Liang Chu told Bucktooth Bear, “I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we open a shop? Working for someone else isn’t as free as being your own boss, right?”

 

Bucktooth Bear asked, “And then?”

 

Liang Chu knew what it was implying. “And then I’ll pick up girls on the side. But making it a profession is definitely out of the question!”

 

Bucktooth Bear said, “Alright then, let’s open a shop. I’ll be the mascot. What kind of shop should we open?”

 

Liang Chu replied earnestly, “Actually, I was thinking of opening a zoo.”

 

“…” Bucktooth Bear said expressionlessly, “Please come up with something more realistic.”

 

Liang Chu thought for a moment and made a decision, saying, “Then let’s settle for the next best thing—open a pet store! Sell dog food, cat food, and the like. Pets these days are treated like royalty. Their owners might scrimp on themselves, but they’ll spare no expense for their pets. Selling this stuff is bound to make money!”

 

Banya Bear asked, “Can I eat it? Is it tasty?”

 

Liang Chu laughed, “You can eat it, but we’ll be selling it. How much could you possibly eat?”

 

Banya Bear raised all four paws in support and handed his milk bottle to Liang Chu. “Then I agree! I’m investing!”

 

The hardest part of life is having no goal. Now that they’d decided what to do, the rest would fall into place step by step: first find a storefront, then secure a supply chain.

 

Liang Chu spent his days reading comics and watching movies. During opening credits, he’d glance at rental websites; during closing credits, he’d skim the newspaper. His search wasn’t particularly diligent—after all, he figured his shop wouldn’t last long anyway, just like a dilapidated house on the verge of collapse.

 

After procrastinating for a few days, he finally decided to go check out some properties. He headed out in the morning but hadn’t even walked two blocks when his phone rang. The caller asked if he was Mr. Jing Ke.

 

Liang Chu checked the caller ID—it was an unfamiliar number. “Yes, that’s me. Who is this?”

 

A middle-aged man’s voice replied, “We heard you’re interested in opening a pet store. We happen to have a shop for transfer and were wondering if you’d like to come take a look.”

 

Liang Chu was taken aback. He had mentioned his plans to a few landlords when discussing rental properties, so he didn’t suspect anything. He assumed one of them had spread the word, and now someone looking to sell had reached out.

 

Liang Chu said, “I’m busy right now. I’ve already made plans with someone else. How about we schedule for another day?”

 

“It won’t take much of your time.”

 

This time, the voice was much closer.

 

Liang Chu sensed something odd and turned around to find a middle-aged man standing behind him. The man was dressed in a suit, with an ordinary appearance, but he carried a pleasant and refined demeanor.

 

The man smiled and said, “You must be Jing Ke. The shop is nearby, just a short walk away. What do you think?”

 

Liang Chu thought to himself, Is this shop really that hard to transfer? It feels like you were waiting here just for me. Are you some kind of criminal? He glanced around cautiously.

 

Noticing his hesitation, the man smiled gently and said, “The most troublesome part of opening a shop is sourcing supplies. We have a supply chain ready, so you’ll have less to worry about and fewer errands to run. Don’t worry! It’s broad daylight, what could I possibly do to you? Why not take a look?”

 

Feeling a bit embarrassed at having his concerns read so easily, Liang Chu thought refusing now would make him seem cowardly. Reluctantly, he agreed, “Alright.”

 

The man led the way, and true to his word, they arrived in just two minutes.

 

Liang Chu had expected the shop to be run-down. After all, if it were easy to transfer, why would someone resort to intercepting him on the street? To his surprise, the store was impressive: clean, tidy glass windows with six neatly arranged shelves inside, stocked full of pet food. The products were categorized by brand and price, including natural and commercial pet foods, canned dog and cat food, both imported and domestic—everything was well-organized and comprehensive. Behind the main area was a warehouse with a large window, offering excellent natural light and a dry atmosphere.

 

Liang Chu stepped out of the storeroom and saw a cream-colored counter. Behind it were two comfortable rattan chairs perfect for lounging. On the counter sat a desktop computer connected to broadband, along with a few potted plants and a soft leather business notebook. He casually flipped through the notebook, which contained details about the sources of goods. Orders could be placed with just a phone call. The handwriting felt strangely familiar, bold and forceful, as if carved into the paper. Judging by the script, the owner was likely a strong-willed, unyielding man.

 

How thoughtful—it’s ready to operate right away.

 

Liang Chu was captivated. This shop seemed tailor-made for him. It was close to home, making the commute convenient—he could simply walk to work without traveling long distances. With numerous residential complexes nearby, the foot traffic was decent too.

 

The middle-aged man observed his expression carefully and knew the deal was sealed. While Liang Chu wasn’t paying attention, the man discreetly wiped the fine beads of sweat from his forehead. Who would have thought that the head of the Xie family, a man so busy that countless people couldn’t even secure a meeting with him—would personally oversee the setup of this shop? Every piece of equipment was of the highest quality, and the investment was substantial. Whether it would turn a profit, or even break even, was still uncertain.

 

But compared to the ledger in the young man’s hands, all of this seemed trivial. That ledger had been meticulously transcribed by Xie Shenxing himself—not a single punctuation mark was entrusted to anyone else. The sheer amount of time and effort spent on it far exceeded the value of ten pet shops.

 

The middle-aged man produced a contract and said, “If you find it acceptable, please sign here.”

 

Liang Chu took the contract. The terms were concise, and he read through each one carefully. There were no issues, and the transfer fee was surprisingly affordable—almost too good to be true. Without much hesitation, Liang Chu signed and asked when the payment should be made.

 

The man breathed a sigh of relief, tucked the documents into his briefcase, and replied, “No need to worry about that. The fee has already been covered. Just focus on running the shop.”

 

With that, he turned to leave, leaving Liang Chu bewildered. Instinctively, Liang Chu hurried after him and asked, “Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that. Who paid for it?”

 

The middle-aged man quickened his pace, his hurried steps at odds with his refined demeanor, as if afraid Liang Chu would press for more details. Without revealing a single clue, he hurried away as if fleeing for his life.

 

Liang Chu chased after him for about ten meters before giving up. The shop door was still wide open. Scratching his head in confusion, Liang Chu walked back inside, muttering to himself, “How strange. What kind of person does something like this?”

 

He stepped back into the shop and dialed Jing Wenwu’s number, wondering if his friend had pulled some strings to send him such a generous gift. There was no answer—probably busy—so he decided to try again later.

 

Sitting behind the counter, Liang Chu still felt a bit dazed. He debated whether to leave or stay and took a moment to survey the unfamiliar space. Looking around, he noticed a small bookshelf behind the counter with at least a hundred books, likely left behind by the previous owner. Squatting in front of the shelf, he flipped through a few and was surprised to find that most were storybooks and comics he enjoyed. There were also a handful of foreign-language original editions.

 

Aside from his native language, Liang Chu was only proficient in English and had a superficial understanding of others. Though he couldn’t comprehend the content, he could roughly identify the languages. Among the dozen or so books, two were in German, three in French, one in Japanese, and the rest in English. It seems the previous owner was quite well-read—able to tackle obscure literary classics while still appreciating lighthearted, fun comics.

 

Just then, a crisp and pleasant sound of wind chimes rang out, interrupting his daze. A customer had arrived. After greeting him, the customer browsed around the shop, picked out a bag of kitten food, and just like that, the business was off to an auspicious start with its first sale.

 

The customer was a young girl who placed the cat food on the counter and slapped the money onto the table. “Boss, I’m leaving the money here,” she said.

 

After the customer left, Liang Chu stared blankly at the few banknotes on the table, not daring to touch them. When he had left home earlier, he had thought he was just going out to look at a place and grab a meal. Who would have guessed that an hour later, he would have leveled up and become Boss Liang Chu?

 

Banya Xiong, sitting on the table, called out to him, “Liang Min, snap out of it! What about Liang Min’s side job?”

 

Liang Chu snapped back to reality and said very seriously, “Boss, call me Boss.”

 

Banya Xiong trotted over cheerfully and said, “Boss Liang Min, Liang Min Boss.”

 

Liang Chu knew what it was reminding him of. He picked up his phone and called the flower shop to order a bouquet of roses.

 

Throughout the morning, he made several more sales. Most of the customers were girls. Every time a female customer graced the shop, Boss Liang Chu would, as if performing a magic trick, pull out a single rose from under the counter when it was time to check out.

 

Life was fast-paced and stressful. The girls, dressed in pretty clothes but looking weary, would be taken aback upon receiving the flower, then purse their lips into a smile, their eyes sparkling. “Boss, do you give flowers with cat food purchases?”

 

Boss Liang Chu chuckled and said, “Of course! Flowers are for the fair ladies.”

 

Thus, every girl who came to buy something whether she arrived in a good mood, a bad mood, or somewhere in between left happily. Seeing everyone smile, Liang Chu felt his own mood lifted, becoming light and cheerful. He stopped thinking about whether to stay or leave and focused on being the boss.

 

Only Banya Xiong felt conflicted. “Is this the side job you were talking about? Why always giving flowers? Couldn’t you try something new?” Back when Liang Chu was studying, he had given flowers for a few days but later found it too troublesome and switched to flaunting his wealth instead.

 

Liang Chu counted the money like a miser, going over it several times. Not satisfied, he counted it again and said, “That’s right. I’m just a fickle-hearted playboy, a central air conditioner, casting a wide net but never catching any fish. Have you ever seen a richer, more heartless second-generation heir than me? Giving flowers to every girl I see—how lecherous am I?”

 

Banya Xiong felt he had a point but also sensed something wasn’t quite right. “You’re… skating on thin ice here.” Although he was flirting, no one would actually develop feelings for him. The girls were smart; receiving a flower might make them feel good, but it would never reach the point of liking or love. They knew a man like him was only to be admired from afar. Being with him would easily lead to anger and jealousy because he treated everyone equally well.

 

Liang Chu cheerfully put away the money. “All I know is they’ll definitely become repeat customers.”

 

The bouquet had sixty-six roses. As the sky gradually darkened, not a single rose remained. Boss Liang Chu counted the money one last time, feeling delighted, then closed up the shop and headed home.

 

On his way back, he bought two freshly steamed baskets of xiaolongbao. Passing through the neighborhood square, he saw groups of elderly people enjoying their family time, gathered together playing chess and chatting. Boss Liang Chu wove through the noisy crowd, humming the tune of the national anthem as he waited for the elevator.

 

Two more people entered behind him, choosing to take the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator. Liang Chu’s apartment was on the sixth floor—not too low, not too high. If one had the time, climbing the stairs for exercise was actually quite nice. Banya Xiong had once remarked, “Look, people on lower floors walk up. Why don’t we do the same?”

 

But Liang Chu never took the stairs, not even once. He’d say, “Even if I lived on the second floor, I’d still take the elevator.”

 

With two households per floor, Liang Chu stepped out of the elevator holding a bag of steamed buns just as his phone rang. Shifting the bag to one hand, he pulled out his phone and saw it was Jing Wenwu calling. He tapped to answer without a second thought.

 

“Jing Ke?” Jing Wenwu’s voice came through from the other end. “Are you coming back to your hometown today?”

 

Liang Chu had reached his doorstep. “Why the sudden request for me to come back? It’s so late now! There’s no way I can make it.”

 

“I’ll come pick you up.”

 

Afraid that Jing Wenwu might actually follow through on his impulsive offer, Liang Chu quickly replied, “Tell me what’s going on first. Is everything okay at home? It’s not some major holiday today, is it… Did you get a girlfriend?”

 

“If I had, you’d be the first to know,” Jing Wenwu’s tone lightened slightly. “Just come back, okay?”

 

Liang Chu couldn’t free his hands to get his keys. “What’s with all the secrecy? Hold on a moment, let me open the door first.”

 

On the other end, Jing Wenwu suddenly raised his voice, almost frantic: “Jing Ke! Listen to me first!”

 

Liang Chu pushed the door open. The sky had darkened, and the living room was dim, illuminated only by the faint light from the hallway. Startled by Jing Wenwu’s outburst, Liang Chu shivered and brought the phone back to his ear, irritation clear in his voice. “What’s wrong with you? Jumping at shadows like that—you scared me! What’s going on? If you don’t tell me, I’m hanging up.”

 

He had answered the call before turning on the lights. There was a pause on the other end, and all Liang Chu could hear was Jing Wenwu’s breathing. Then Jing Wenwu spoke: “It’s like this… Xie Shenxing is back. Do you want to come see him? He mentioned you. Will you come over now?”

 

Liang Chu froze in the doorway, unmoving. After a long moment, he finally said, “No… I don’t think so.”

 

Jing Wenwu sounded anxious. “Why not? Come back now! I’ll pick you up, okay? It won’t take long.”

 

Liang Chu lowered his voice. “If he’s there, I’m even less inclined to come back. He’s that pervert who stole people’s underwear. I haven’t forgotten.”

 

His voice was too soft for Jing Wenwu to catch. “What did you say?”

 

Liang Chu cleared his throat. “I said I’m not coming back. Why would I want to see him? It’s too far, and it’s inconvenient anyway. What’s he doing back at the Jing family? He’s not up to no good, is he?”

 

Jing Wenwu spoke with difficulty. “Keke, don’t say that. Xie Shenxing has been good to the Jing family. He’s brought us several big deals.”

 

Liang Chu sensed something off about Jing Wenwu’s tone. “Is Xie Shenxing with you right now?”

 

Jing Wenwu said, “No.”

 

That was strange. Jing Wenwu had always firmly taken his side.

 

Jing Wenwu continued, “You’ve heard about the Xie family’s situation. He hasn’t had it easy these years. The Xie family’s affairs are messy and complicated. With great wealth comes great trouble, and there are plenty of shady characters around. One wrong move could cost him his life. That’s why he didn’t come back, he didn’t want to drag us into it. Don’t hold it against him.”

 

Liang Chu chuckled. “Alright, why are you suddenly singing his praises so much? Did he buy you off?”

 

Jing Wenwu replied, “I’m just telling the truth. You’re not still holding a grudge, are you?”

 

“What grudge?” I am holding a grudge, but it’s not the same as what you think.

 

Liang Chu said, “You all catch up with him first. I won’t be coming back today. If there’s a chance another time, we can meet then.”

 

Jing Wenwu let out a long sigh and spoke in a tone of finality, “Coco, you take care. I can only help you this far.”

 

After saying this, he inexplicably hung up.

 

Liang Chu stood frozen in place for a moment before switching on the light and closing the door.

 

Xie Shenxing was back. Since he could return to the Jing family, it meant the matters with the Xie family had been settled. But Jing Wenwu had mentioned meeting up. Liang Chu lowered his gaze to the floor—how could they meet? The awkwardness from back then still lingered. Ah, just thinking of Xie Shenxing made him think of underwear, and thinking of underwear made him think of Xie Shenxing. It felt as if Xie Shenxing had become permanently linked to underwear in his mind.

 

Liang Chu snorted softly and muttered to himself, “I wonder if he’s changed by now. It wouldn’t do if he’s still stealing people’s underwear.”

 

But maybe he had already reformed and wanted to apologize for what happened back then. Liang Chu pondered this as he carried the steamed buns to the kitchen to get some vinegar. If Xie Shenxing returned to the Jing family, turned over a new leaf, and apologized, then he would forgive him.

 

After mixing the dipping sauce, he walked into the living room and was startled to see what looked like someone sitting on the sofa.

 

Liang Chu jumped in fright, splashing a couple of drops of vinegar in his shock. He glanced from the door to the kitchen, unsure whether to run or grab a knife, and shouted, “Who are you? How did you get into my house?”

 

Was this a thief? If so, this thief was way too bold! He had been standing by the door talking for a while—didn’t the intruder know to hide when the homeowner showed up? Was this their first day on the job?

 

The person remained remarkably calm, tilting his head slightly. Liang Chu froze instantly. The profile that came into view was all too familiar: a straight nose, thin lips, and sharp, chiseled features. The man spoke in a low voice, “Coco, it’s me.”

 

Liang Chu’s eyelids twitched, and his mind went blank with a roaring buzz.

 

Xi-Xie Shenxing! In that instant, only one thought flashed through Liang Chu’s mind: Why? Why couldn’t it have been a thief? A thief would have been so much better!

 

Xie Shenxing slowly stood up and turned to face him. The man was dressed in a light-colored shirt and dark suit pants, toweringly tall. Through the soft fabric of his shirt, one could see the firm, well-defined curves of his muscles, hinting at immense strength.

 

Xie Shenxing narrowed his eyes, studying him as he stepped around the sofa and approached step by step—slowly, deliberately, like a drawn-out execution. Liang Chu forgot to breathe. Though he had grown to 176 cm, he was still much shorter than Xie Shenxing. The man was too tall, his presence overwhelming, as if every one of the past seven years had left its mark on him. He was like a finely honed, razor-sharp sword, radiating an unsettling pressure.

 

Liang Chu felt both nervous and guilty. He had just been bad-mouthing the man behind his back. Logically, he was in the right, yet he couldn’t bring himself to say, “How dare you trespass? This is illegal!” As Xie Shenxing drew closer, Liang Chu tightened his grip on the bowl and shuffled sideways.

 

Noticing his movement, Xie Shenxing’s eyes darkened. He stopped, raised his hands in a harmless gesture, and said softly, “Don’t be afraid. I just wanted to help you with the bowl.”

 

Ah, the bowl. Liang Chu instinctively looked down and realized he was indeed holding it. “N-no, it’s fine. I can manage,” he stammered.

 

Xie Shenxing replied, “Alright.”

 

Liang Chu still felt tense. Xie Shenxing’s aura was too aggressive, making it hard to feel at ease. Stuttering, he asked, “A-aren’t you at the J-Jing family’s?”

 

Xie Shenxing chuckled lowly. “I lied to you, silly.”

 

“I know you wouldn’t see me,” Xie Shenxing stood upright, his voice hoarse. “So, I came to see you.”

 

Liang Chu glared at him. Couldn’t you have taken the normal route? He had just been standing at the door, speaking ill of him, and Xie Shenxing must have heard it. What kind of person digs a pit for someone the moment they arrive? And Jing Wenwu, too—how could he switch sides so easily? He actually lied to him, that traitor!

 

As if not wanting to add more pressure, Xie Shenxing slowly stepped back, considerately returning to the sofa. His retreat allowed Liang Chu to breathe a sigh of relief, his cells coming back to life, his mind beginning to function again. He thought, why am I so timid? This is my home. Xie Shenxing is trespassing. He should be the one who’s afraid.

 

Thinking this, Liang Chu felt more confident. He walked to the other end of the sofa, holding the steamed buns and small plate, his eyes wide with astonishment.

 

On the table were over a dozen porcelain plates, and Xie Shenxing was leisurely opening the lids one by one.

 

Dongpo pork, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, sweet and sour mandarin fish, mapo tofu, sweet and sour spare ribs… Each dish was a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate, their rich aromas wafting through the air. Satisfied, Liang Chu sat down. Xie Shenxing was quite considerate, he even knew to bring gifts.

 

Entranced by the fragrant dishes, Liang Chu lost interest in the steamed buns. He pushed them aside on the table, not even sparing them a glance, and instead gazed eagerly yet reservedly at the hot dishes, waiting for Xie Shenxing to give the signal to eat. After all, it wouldn’t be polite to unwrap a gift before the giver said it was for you.

 

A hint of a smile flickered in Xie Shenxing’s eyes, softening his usually aloof expression. He raised a hand and said, “Try them and see if you like them.”

 

Only then did Liang Chu pick up his chopsticks. He pushed the steamed buns toward Xie Shenxing, using his eyes to convey, I’m not someone who freeloads, we’re trading.

 

Xie Shenxing neither agreed nor disagreed, resting his elbows on his knees as he unabashedly studied Liang Chu. Liang Chu kept his distance, like a small wild animal foraging for food, eating warily and glancing up at him from time to time.

 

Seeing him so guarded, Xie Shenxing knew it would be a while before he could get close.

 

There were many dishes, and after sampling a few bites of each, Liang Chu was nearly full. He slowed down, wondering what to do after the meal. What could he say to Xie Shenxing to avoid awkwardness? After so many years apart, did they still have anything in common? Just then, a sharp ringtone cut through the silence. Liang Chu turned to look—it wasn’t his phone. Xie Shenxing’s phone was on the coffee table, closer to Liang Chu but not far from Xie Shenxing either, given the living room was only about 60 square meters.

 

Something flickered in Xie Shenxing’s eyes as he asked softly, “Could you pass me the phone?”

 

Liang Chu thought, I’ve just been promoted to boss today. Can’t you get it yourself? It’s not far. But then he reconsidered: after all, he’d accepted the food, and it felt awkward to refuse. The phone rang again and again, yet Xie Shenxing remained perfectly calm, showing no urgency, his eyes fixed on Liang Chu.

 

Feeling the weight of the favor, Liang Chu glanced at the phone, then at its owner, and finally gave in. He stood up, picked up the phone, and walked over to hand it to Xie Shenxing. They were still over a meter apart. Xie Shenxing narrowed his eyes dangerously and made no move to take it. Liang Chu hesitated for a few seconds, thinking, What are you playing at, acting so high and mighty? Maybe I should just put it on the sofa then you can reach it easily.

 

As he leaned forward slightly, Xie Shenxing suddenly surged toward him like a predator that had been lying in wait, swiftly seizing his wrist. Caught off guard, Liang Chu’s hand trembled, and the phone clattered to the floor. Xie Shenxing paid it no mind, tightening his grip on Liang Chu’s wrist and pulling him forward effortlessly. Liang Chu stumbled, losing his balance, and tumbled into Xie Shenxing’s embrace.

 

Finally holding him close, Xie Shenxing wrapped his arms tightly around Liang Chu’s waist, pressing their bodies together. The man’s face was now inches away, his gaze piercing deep into Liang Chu’s eyes as he let out a contented sigh.

 

“My poor little thing, where did you think you could run to?”