Chapter 42 The Evolution of a Class Flower

Chapter 42 The Evolution of a Class Flower

The dinner with Xie Qingting was arranged by Pu Yu personally, and for this, he had to pull many strings.

Xie Qingting was also his favorite game designer. The game "Above the Moon" that he created was one of the reasons Pu Yu became addicted to gaming.

Xie Qingting lived up to his name; he was an extremely clear-minded middle-aged man. He was now a prominent figure in the gaming industry, with a very busy schedule. Pu Yu had communicated countless times with his assistant just to get a meeting with him.

In the evening, he and Ning Song went to the hotel to meet Xie Qingting. Xie Qingting's assistant came out to greet them and said to Pu Yu, "If you had mentioned earlier that you were Mr. Pu Mingke's grandson, it wouldn't have been so troublesome."

Pu Yu replied, "I still hope to meet Mr. Xie as a junior within the industry."

Ning Song understood Pu Yu's mentality well.

These second- and third-generation entrepreneurs always feared basking in their elders' glory, as if relying on their parents' fame would diminish their own achievements. This persistence might seem a bit ridiculous when they grow older, but at seventeen, it was a sign of youthful vigor.

Securing a dinner with Xie Qingting as a high school entrepreneur was something Pu Yu was clearly proud of.

And he was proud of Pu Yu too.

When they met Xie Qingting, Ning Song realized how exceptional Pu Yu truly was. Without exaggeration, Pu Yu could be considered his guide in high society, with behavior and manners that could serve as textbook examples.

Pu Yu had met many important figures before and showed no signs of nervousness. He was neither arrogant nor humble, always polite, and despite his usually quiet demeanor, he could engage in lively conversation with Xie Qingting, showing both respect and confidence. His handling of the situation was almost masterful.

It was Ning Song's first time dining with such an important person, especially someone he admired, so he felt a bit awkward. Although not overly nervous, he mostly answered questions when asked. Xie Qingting treated him more like a child, gently suggesting he eat more and asking about his grade level. Upon hearing that he was involved in game development, Xie Qingting praised him for being young and accomplished.

However, his treatment of Pu Yu was entirely different, and most of their conversation revolved around games. Perhaps some of this was due to the Pu family's influence, which Pu Yu was born into, but Pu Yu was genuinely capable, not just pretending to be knowledgeable.

Among their peers, there wasn't much difference visible, but when Pu Yu sat across from Xie Qingting and spoke confidently, Ning Song realized his true charm.

Ning Song felt that Pu Yu was like a massive iceberg, with only a fraction visible above the surface, while the rest lay hidden beneath the water, vast and unfathomable.

And then there was Xie Qingting.

Xie Qingting had not only talent but also a great personality. He was calm and composed, and his eloquence and intellect inspired admiration, teaching Ning Song that a man's charm did not solely come from his appearance.

He truly wanted to become such a person.

After dinner, they saw Xie Qingting off to his car. Ning Song straightened up in the night, watching the car drive away.

"Let's go," Pu Yu said to him.

Uncle Zhang had already parked the car in front of them.

Pu Yu opened the door, and Ning Song got in, leaning back against the seat.

"If you're tired, take a nap," Pu Yu said.

"I am a bit tired, but I'm also excited," Ning Song replied.

On the way back, he kept talking to Pu Yu about Xie Qingting.

Pu Yu said, "I can tell you admire him a lot."

"I admire you too," Ning Song looked at him and said.

The car was dimly lit, and light filtered through the windows, making Ning Song's eyes sparkle.

"Really," Ning Song said, "I've always thought you were amazing, but today, especially. Brother Yu, how can you be so excellent?"

Ning Song had praised Pu Yu before, but usually with a playful tone or even to tease him. Today, however, his words were sincere, and even Uncle Zhang chuckled at the front.

Pu Yu didn't know how to react to the praise. He felt that love was torturous; yesterday, he felt like he was falling into an icy abyss when he heard Ning Song encouraging Jin Yang to pursue him. Now, with Ning Song's praise, he felt rejuvenated.

But just as he started feeling better, he heard Ning Song answer a call from Sheng Yan.

Ning Song and Sheng Yan must have exchanged messages before. Sheng Yan asked if the god had left and where they were now.

"On our way back."

"Are you tired?" Sheng Yan asked.

"Tired," Ning Song said, "I've been running around all day."

"How long until you get home?"

"About half an hour."

"You can take a nap in the car," Sheng Yan's voice was gentle, and Pu Yu could hear it faintly.

He couldn't escape, floating between joy and sorrow, letting the waves carry him wherever they may.

Back at the Pu residence, Pu Yu took a shower and afterward went to Ning Song's room to find him. Ning Song was working hard, reciting the day's vocabulary after his shower.

Later, Pu Yu read aloud while Ning Song wrote, reviewing all the words they needed to learn over the past few days. Ning Song yawned throughout the process, and once they finished, Pu Yu said, "Go to sleep, your eyes are drooping."

His own eyes were also dry and sore from lack of sleep last night.

As he prepared to sleep in his bedroom, he suddenly heard a door close outside. After a while, he saw Ning Song, wearing a hoodie, running across the courtyard through the window.

He checked the time; it was already midnight.

Ning Song ran outside and saw Sheng Yan sitting on a small electric scooter, legs spread wide, smiling at him. The streetlight cast a golden glow on his head.

"Did you finish work early today?" Ning Song asked.

"A little earlier," Sheng Yan handed him a paper bag hanging from the handlebar.

"What is it?"

"Good stuff." Sheng Yan said, "Let's look at it when we get back."

Ning Song still took a glance into the bag, but it was covered with a heap of raffia, so he couldn't see what was inside.

"Let's go." Sheng Yan drove off on his electric scooter, and Ning Song returned carrying the paper bag, quickly crossing the courtyard. He tiptoed up the stairs and reached the second floor, only to find Pu Yu standing in his doorway, watching him.

"Haven't gone to bed yet?" Ning Song asked.

"Who sent it?" Pu Yu asked.

Actually, he had already guessed.

It was a self-torturing question!

Ning Song replied, "Brother Yan, I don't know what it is. Good night, Brother Yu."

Ning Song entered his room with the paper bag.

Pu Yu stood alone in the corridor until the motion-sensor lights turned off.

Back in his room, Ning Song took out the items from the paper bag and saw two Elope albums.

They were even autographed.

He immediately called Sheng Yan, and as soon as the call connected, he heard Sheng Yan laughing,

"Where did you get them?!"

Sheng Yan's laughter came through, laced with a hint of smugness: "Do you like them?"

"Like them? Yes, where did you get them?"

"As I've said, your brother is in the music industry; getting signed albums is no big deal." Sheng Yan said, "They're having a concert during the summer break, did you know?"

"I did."

"It's just not in Shangdong Province; the nearest one is in North Island. We can go together then."

"Sure," Ning Song said, "Thank you so much, it's such a surprise, this gift."

Sheng Yan said, "Just don't get so excited that you can't sleep."

Ning Song was too excited, his voice a bit loud, and his joy could be felt in the corridor.

After hanging up, he put the albums in his bag and heard a faint door closing sound outside.

Ning Song checked Sheng Yan's birthday on FB.

Coincidentally, it was in the next week.

He planned to return a gift to Sheng Yan then. Since he had some time the next morning, he could check things out early to avoid being too busy later.

Suddenly, Qiao Qiao sent him a message, saying, "I actually found you on a short video!"

Ning Song was surprised; he could understand being on the Upper East School forum, but how did he end up on a short video?

Qiao Qiao sent a link over. Before opening the video, he saw himself and Pu Yu on the cover, apparently at Xie Qingting's art exhibition, standing in the crowd.

The title on the cover had nothing to do with him; it read, "Pu Family's Third Generation Enters the Gaming Industry."

The video was posted by a major news media account. When he opened it, it indeed showed them being filmed while viewing Xie Qingting's works. The video was edited, showing their entry and later parts of the speech they attended.

Undeniably, Pu Yu looked very photogenic; the video made him appear even more aristocratic than in person, embodying the image of a young tycoon.

He then read the content, which mainly discussed how the Pu family's third generation was entering the gaming industry, along with an introduction about Sharky Entertainment. He was always present in the video since he was always with Pu Yu, though the focus was clearly on Pu Yu, and he was merely included incidentally. The text mentioned him as "the classmate of the third-generation heir of the Pu family" and "leaving the venue satisfactorily with his classmate."

Indeed, the positioning was clear.

Pu Yu and his unnamed classmate.

He saved the final frame of the video as a screenshot.

In the photo, everyone else was blurred, but Pu Yu stood tall and elegant, resembling a young nobleman at an upper-class evening banquet. And he, standing beside Pu Yu, wasn't blurred because he was close, leaving a faint profile, standing slenderly beside him.

Highlighting Pu Yu's fair and handsome appearance even more.

The protagonist and his sidekick friend.

He stared at the photo for a while, then went to bed.

The next morning, Ning Song was surprised to find Pu Yu still there, wearing shorts and a long shirt, carrying a sports bag, ready to leave.

His gaze lingered on Pu Yu's long legs, and he called out, "When will you be back?"

Pu Yu said, "I might be training until noon today."

Pu Yu asked, "Anything you need?"

"Not really, I was thinking of going shopping with you. Brother Yan's birthday is coming up, and I wanted to pick out a gift for him. I'll ask Qiao Qiao instead."

Pu Yu: "..."

What a depressing start to the day!

He walked over, reached out, and pinched Ning Song's nape.

Pinching hard, Ning Song let out an "Ah."

Pu Yu released his hand and asked, "Does it hurt?"

“Hehe.” Ning Song chuckled. “I was just kidding.”

Pu Yu had no choice but to head downstairs with his bag. When he reached the bottom, he turned back and asked, “What did Sheng Yan give you?”

Ning Song, standing on the stairs, replied, “An autographed album from ELOPE!”

Pu Yu’s mouth opened and closed a few times, but in the end, he said nothing and walked out after opening the door.

Forget it; it’s just a matter of reciprocity. Even if it were Zhang Yan, Li Yan, or Wang Yan, Ning Song would still send something for their birthdays.

But Sheng Yan, coming over late at night to deliver a gift and knowing to bring an ELOPE album—now that’s considerate.

He had also given Ning Song an ELOPE album when Ning Song stayed at his dorm.

Why didn’t he think of getting it signed?

Seems like he still fell short.

Even if they could only be friends, he would strive to be the best, most considerate, and closest friend. Sheng Yan could dream about taking his place.

Just as he entered the sports park, he spotted Sheng Yan.

That signature white hair was too conspicuous.

Thinking about how Sheng Yan came all the way to deliver a gift late at night, Pu Yu felt very annoyed and even found Sheng Yan’s showy appearance irritating.

Sheng Yan saw him too, walking with Niu Niu as Pu Yu passed by.

A poker face on a tight-lipped guy; he wondered what Ning Song saw in him. But don’t underestimate this quiet one—he knew how to be clingy and had plenty of thoughts.

The handsome young man, leading a large dog, slowly dialed Ning Song’s number.

Whether Pu Yu was secretly in love or just a friend, he needed to step aside; the tall figure was too obstructive.

“Are you up yet?” Sheng Yan asked with a smile. “Not coming to the park for a run today?”

Pu Yu quickened his pace, not bothering to listen.

“Author's Note”

Good men always think: I haven’t done enough!

Friendship is also a competition!