Chapter 152 Nostalgia

The administrative manager shuddered suddenly, stammering, "Mr. Chu, this is just the way the live-streaming industry rules work! Not long ago, a big internet celebrity sold sugar water as bird's nest soup and made tens of millions just like that! Some consumers are just born gullible; they don't think. People actually believe that a phone originally worth six thousand is sold for eight hundred? Where can you reason with that? But there are indeed people who believe it! If we don't exploit them, someone else will..."

"Mind your own business first!" Chu Yuxuan said irritably, "You're the administrative manager. Don't you know that Qingya has always marketed itself as patriotic? Can't you learn from others and do some live-streaming to support farmers or promote domestic products?"

The administrative manager looked troubled. "Mr. Chu, there's also an unspoken rule in this industry: as long as it's domestic products, especially food items, they're easily labeled as 'cancer-causing.' The unit profit isn't high to begin with, and sales aren't high either. These high-earning streamers won't be happy about it."

Chu Yuxuan had heard about this topic before. For example, the rumor that "MSG causes cancer," though maliciously spread, is still rooted in real issues of food safety today, which has led to a loss of credibility. Even baby formula isn't trustworthy!

"Let it be difficult. Someone has to do it," Chu Yuxuan said. "I didn't start the base to make money, especially not to earn this kind of shameless money! I can see that you have some ability. Help Qingya build a good reputation. Don't ruin Qingya's brand for short-term gains. Think long-term. Look at those internet celebrities; which one has lasted long?"

"Yes, yes, I was shortsighted," the administrative manager admitted while flattering Chu Yuxuan. "Mr. Chu, you have great foresight and are truly..."

"Alright, enough," Chu Yuxuan interrupted impatiently. "One more thing: when you distribute money to the internet celebrities, pay the taxes for them directly. Don't let a bad apple spoil the whole pot."

After living abroad for eight years, Chu Yuxuan was quite proactive about paying taxes. No one could imagine what kind of hellish experience it was to be pursued relentlessly by the tax bureau as an arms dealer.

Fuming from the visit to the base, Chu Yuxuan, driving Old Five's navy blue GTR, headed to the car dealership previously contacted by Old Three. His own car had been totaled, and he needed a new one quickly. Chu Yuxuan had high standards for cars. After discussing his modification requirements with the dealership owner and reviewing the budget, he signed the contract and paid the deposit without even furrowing his brow.

After nine o'clock in the evening, Old Four and Old Five, having finished their tasks, met Chu Yuxuan at the dealership.

"Big Brother, the job was done cleanly," Old Five said in a low voice. "Isn't the company planning to put her in jail? I've disguised her as a fugitive from justice."

With Old Four handling these matters professionally, Chu Yuxuan didn't bother asking further. "Let's go."

"Are we going back to the Emerald Lake?" Old Five asked.

Chu Yuxuan smiled lightly. "No, we're going for a drive, to make a scene."

Since the mastermind from ten years ago also had murderous intentions towards him, he might as well be the bait himself.

"You two stick with me. Don't stay too far behind or too close. Keep your guns loaded and be ready to adapt."

The three set off in turn. Fearing that his two brothers might fall behind, Chu Yuxuan drove at a steady pace, aimlessly wandering around.

Jiangcheng wasn't too big or too small. As Chu Yuxuan drove past Binhai Road, he saw Li Bin's group of "big boys" causing a ruckus by the sea. They seemed to have had a conflict with another group, bristling with hostility, but were hilariously chased away by the arriving patrol officers, running around in a panic.

Passing by Chen Qiang's snack bar, he noticed Chen Ting and Chen Hong bustling about, with business significantly improved compared to before. If Chen Qiang were still around, Chen Ting wouldn't be so isolated.

Unintentionally, he also passed by the mental hospital. Chu Yuxuan parked the car by the roadside, looked at the red sign on the roof of the mental hospital, and his gaze gradually darkened. He habitually pulled out a cigarette, placing one in his mouth.

The heir who usually hated evil and showed no mercy had never really resented his former mother-in-law. That woman was harsh, had a sharp tongue, and was greedy. But if he were to put himself in her shoes, would any mother agree for her daughter to marry a worthless ride-hailing driver if she had become a big star?

Love and ideals are always parallel lines. Mixing ideals with love is a fantasy. The story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl is just a tale.

Chu Yuxuan understood everything. He just couldn't reveal his identity at the time, and behind the insincere words, he was reluctant to miss out on Xia Zhu.

He wished he could have exposed the enemy and lived happily with Xia Zhu just a few days after seeking revenge. No one knew how much pain he felt when he learned of Xia Zhu's death.

The world is unpredictable. If he had known it would end like this, he definitely wouldn't have sought out Xia Zhu after returning to the country.

After finishing a cigarette, Chu Yuxuan took a deep breath, turned his direction, and drove to the bustling city center. After searching for a while, he finally found a flower shop still open. Seeing him enter, Old Four behind him was puzzled, "Is he going out to pick up girls tonight?"

Old Five lifted his eyelids, recalling that Chu Yuxuan had stopped by the mental hospital earlier, muttering, "He's probably going to meet an old friend."

Soon, Chu Yuxuan emerged from the flower shop with a large bouquet of white roses and drove straight to the Hualin Mountain Cemetery.

The cemetery's caretaker was drinking and snacking on peanuts in the gatehouse. He vaguely saw someone approaching with a bouquet of flowers.

The caretaker glanced at the time—past eleven o'clock—and said grumpily, "Hey! What are you doing here in the middle of the night? Go back!"

Chu Yuxuan remained expressionless. "Open the gate."

Older people are often superstitious. The caretaker, frowning, said, "We have a rule: no memorials at night! Aren't you afraid of attracting something dirty? Hurry up and leave! Don't try to persuade me with sentimental talk. I won't break the rules. This is for your own good. Some things you may not believe, but you should respect!"

Is there anything dirtier than people in this world?

Chu Yuxuan didn't waste time arguing. He took out several hundred-yuan bills from his pocket and threw them through the window of the gatehouse.

The caretaker was dumbfounded, looking at the money on the table. Without hesitation, he took down a set of keys from the wall, went out, and unlocked the gate. "Take it easy. It's dark, and the road is bad... I have a blessed amulet here. Do you want it?"

Chu Yuxuan replied coldly, "No need."

The souls that others fear are the ones he longs to see again.