Chapter 121: Circle

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

The next morning, Zhou Chao’s handsome face emerged from beneath the covers. Me stretched lazily before getting out of bed. Looking at himself in the mirror with a messy hairdo resembling a bird’s nest, he stepped into the bathroom. Half an hour later, he emerged from the bathroom with a completely different hairstyle, once again exuding his handsome appearance.

Zhou Chao had booked a first-class flight ticket to Jingdu for 11:30 AM. Checking the time, which had already passed 10 o’clock, he grabbed the key to his Lamborghini and left his room.

Upon his arrival at the airport, boarding had already begun at 11 o’clock. Zhou Chao didn’t waste any time and swiftly entered the fast lane. Just before boarding the plane, he messaged Xiao Wu, sending him his flight details.

“Sir, would you like lunch?” Zhou Chao, who had been resting his eyes, heard the voice of a flight attendant and opened his eyes to see her standing beside him.

“What options are available?”

“Today, we have curry beef and stir-fried pork.”

“I’ll have the curry beef, and please bring me a glass of plain water as well, thank you!” The flight attendant nodded and left to retrieve Zhou Chao’s meal. Soon, she returned pushing a cart.

Zhou Chao received his lunch and water from the flight attendant and began eating. After all, he hadn’t had breakfast, and by the time he reached Jingdu, it was probably already past 2 o’clock.

After finishing his lunch, Zhou Chao took a short nap. When he woke up again, the plane was already beginning to descend.

“Boss!” Xiao Wu was already waiting at the exit, and when he saw Zhou Chao, he quickly approached.

“Okay, let’s go back!” Xiao Wu led the way as they walked out together.

“How’s the Shoufu’s health recently?” Zhou Chao, sitting in the back seat, asked with his eyes closed.

“He’s doing fine. He eats and sleeps every day, and he’s gained quite a bit of weight compared to before.” Xiao Wu sneakily observed Zhou Chao’s expression through the rearview mirror.

“Alright, thanks for your hard work, Xiao Wu. I’m planning to assign you to Jingdu. You’ll be in charge of managing security for some of our industries there. When the time comes, you can recruit a group of retired veterans. The number of people will depend on the actual situation.”

“Boss, I’m not cut out for that! If you ask me to manage, 1 won’t know how!” Xiao Wu, who was driving, wore a troubled expression.

“If you don’t know, you can learn! Lin Wu, Wang Feng, and the others didn’t start out knowing either, but they’re all doing well now. 1’11 arrange for someone to train you when the time comes.”

“Yes, Boss!” Xiao Wu knew that his older brothers had taken on significant responsibilities and he couldn’t fall behind either.

During their conversation, the car had already arrived at the courtyard by the canal. As soon as Zhou Chao entered, he felt a large orange object pounce towards him. He quickly caught it in his arms.

“Hey, Shoufu, you’ve gotten so chubby. If you don’t lose weight soon, I won’t be able to see your legs anymore!” Seemingly understanding Zhou Chao’s complaint, Shoufu meowed a few times and turned its head away but didn’t leave Zhou Chao’s embrace.

Zhou Chao played with Shoufu on the ground floor for nearly half an hour before heading upstairs. He took out his phone and called Wang Lan from the Lake Guang Theater and the representatives of the other five theaters. He asked them to come to the courtyard for a meeting.

Zhou Chao intended to merge these six theaters into a single theater company. This way, it would be easier to manage and there wouldn’t be separate operations as it is now.

At around 4:30 PM, everyone had gathered. Since Wang Lan and the others arrived at the courtyard, they felt inexplicably nervous, unsure whether today’s news would be good or bad.

“Now that everyone is here, I’ll get straight to the point. 1 won’t waste your time. I’m planning to merge your six theaters into one company. The names of each theater will remain unchanged, and the company will be called ‘Dragonfly Grand Theater’. Wang Lan will be the General Manager, and the positions of the other five will stay the same. From now on, Wang Lan will be in charge, and you can supervise each other. If there are any major issues, you can directly contact me.”

“Boss, rest assured, 1’11 definitely manage it well.” Wang Lan stood up first, expressing her attitude, and the other five also stood up one after another.

“Alright, everyone, please take a seat! Xiao Wu, come here!” Xiao Wu quickly approached Zhou Chao’s side from the side.

“He will be in charge of security for several theaters in the future. In the beginning, Wang Lan, please guide him. Xiao Wu, if you have any questions, feel free to ask Wang Lan.”

“Understood, Boss.” Wang Lan and Xiao Wu responded in unison.

“Sis Lan, 1’11 trouble you more from now on.” Xiao Wu understood social norms very well, and he didn’t forget to greet Wang Lan.

“Let’s support each other in the future.” Wang Lan stood up promptly and shook hands with Xiao Wu.

“That’s settled. You can all disperse now.” Wang Lan and the others, hearing this, stood up, greeted Zhou Chao, and left the courtyard. Before Wang Lan left, she exchanged some words with Xiao Wu and exchanged phone numbers.

“Xiao Wu, make sure you do your best. Don’t disappoint me.” After saying that, Zhou Chao turned and headed upstairs. Just as he reached the middle of the staircase, his phone in his bag began to ring.

“Hello, Master Yu.” Zhou Chao was puzzled about why Master Yu was calling him at this moment.

“Hey, buddy, you’re back in Jingdu and didn’t tell me!”

“How did you know I’m back in Jingdu?” Zhou Chao had a hunch that it was probably one of the six people who had just spoken.

“I was actually on the phone with the Sanlitun Theater manager, discussing plans for scheduling additional shows before the New Year. During our conversation, he inadvertently revealed your return to Jingdu. 1 gathered the information from that context.” Zhou Chao comprehended Master Yu’s intentions and harbored no resentment towards the Sanlitun Theater manager for the slip.

“Is there something you need, Master Yu?”

“Well, a few of us buddies are planning to have a drink tonight. Since 1 heard you’re back, I thought I’d ask if you’re free to join us.” Zhou Chao fell silent for a moment upon hearing this.

“Master Yu, who will be there?”

“You mostly know them—Dawei Ma, Jing Wu, Yue Sun, Shan Qiao, and Entai Yu. They’re all old friends. 1 wanted to see if you had time to join us.”

“Alright, where are you drinking? Let me tidy up a bit, and 1’11 come find you.”

“We’ll be at my racetrack. You know where it is. Hurry over.”

“Alright, 1’11 tidy up and come over,” Zhou Chao said as he descended from upstairs once more.

“Xiao Wu, you wait in the car. We’re going to Yu Qian’s racetrack.” After saying that, Zhou Chao entered the wine cellar. Glancing at the nearly depleted collection of wines he had previously checked in, he found that there was only one bottle of 30-year-old Lai Mao and four bottles of 45-year-old Domaine Romanee Conti left. Zhou Chao grabbed a bottle of red wine at random and left the wine cellar.

Walking out of the wine cellar, Zhou Chao looked at the Shoufu lying on the sofa. He put the Shoufu back in his cage, fearing that it might escape when no one was home.

Zhou Chao then carried the bottle of red wine and left the house. Xiao Wu had been waiting for a while and Zhou Chao entered the back seat. Xiao Wu started the car and drove towards Yu Qian’s racetrack..