Chapter 36 Disciple, Aren’t You Going to Serve Tea to Your Master?

Chapter 36: Disciple, Where's My Tea?

Jiang Ruotang sensed that Lawyer Dai was a logical thinker—without solid logic, he likely wouldn’t support him or put full effort into negotiating on his behalf.

He could only base his investment pitch on the outcomes from ten years later, hoping to convince Lawyer Dai.

"Since you were someone my grandfather trusted and raised almost as his own son, I might as well call you Uncle Dai." Jiang Ruotang spread out a map of Sheng City and laid it before Lawyer Dai. "Look, these are the eight districts of Sheng City. The central area is the old town, already nearly maxed out in development. The provincial government is located here, and business activity is centered in this area."

"Hmm." Lawyer Dai nodded. "So? If economic expansion is needed, the focus could shift to the surrounding areas like East Sheng, West Sheng, and Hongnan District. There’s no need to go as far as Chengtan!"

"Lawyer Dai, do you know where the busiest shopping district is recently?"

"Golden Commerce Twin Mall," Lawyer Dai answered.

"And this Golden Commerce Twin Mall is right across the river from Chengtan. For the past two years, there have been rumors that the provincial government wants to relocate and establish a new economic development zone. The major hospitals in the old town are looking for space to open branches, various departments want more spacious locations, and we’re still heavily reliant on real estate. So where else can they find such a large area?" Jiang Ruotang tapped his finger on Chengtan. "Nowhere but here."

Lawyer Dai’s tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly. He accepted Jiang Ruotang’s analysis, but making such a big decision based solely on the ideas of an 18-year-old high school student with no real-world experience still felt reckless.

"Alright, Ruotang. I haven’t paid attention to news about Chengtan before. Since you’re calling me Uncle and saying you want to trust me like your grandfather did, let me check it out. If there really are such developments, I’ll do my best to secure the locations you’re eyeing. But if there’s no sign of what you’re saying, I’d still advise you to be cautious. Okay?"

Truthfully, Jiang Ruotang also had doubts about the future. Would the events of his past life necessarily repeat in this one?

Lawyer Dai offering to investigate was exactly what Jiang Ruotang wanted.

"Thank you, Uncle Dai. I’m counting on you!" After a pause, Jiang Ruotang added, "Could I trouble you with one more thing?"

"What is it?" Dai Ming’s intuition told him Jiang Ruotang’s idea was anything but ordinary.

"It’s about a domestic smartphone brand—Xiaolan. I want to know how much debt they’re in and how much investment they need to survive the impact of their M5 launch."

"Domestic smartphones? That’s not something your few million can handle!" Dai Ming looked even more alarmed than when he heard Jiang Ruotang wanted to invest in Chengtan.

Jiang Ruotang smiled and explained slowly, "I don’t need to build it up. I just need to use limited funds to keep Xiaolan afloat long enough for deep-pocketed investors to step in. Any forward-thinking investors understand the value of domestic smartphones, and Xiaolan is the most technologically mature brand among them. As early-stage investors, we’ll secure a seat at the table."

That "we" naturally included Dai Ming in his investment venture. Even though this was their first real conversation, why did this kid act like they’d known each other for ages?

"I’ll look into it in detail. Don’t act impulsively."

"Thank you, Uncle Dai. I’m counting on you. Both matters are very important to me." Jiang Ruotang bowed his head sincerely.

After Jiang Ruotang left, Dai Ming sank into his chair with a sigh. Logically, this kid had nothing to do with him, but when he called him "Uncle" and asked for help, he just couldn’t refuse.

Dai Ming glanced at the picture frame on his desk—a picture of him and He Daochen at his university graduation.

"Should I really be humoring him?"

But the things this kid said, the ideas he had, were undeniably visionary.

Especially that focused look on Jiang Ruotang’s face—it was so much like He Daochen’s that Dai Ming couldn’t help but believe him.

Back at school, with about twenty minutes left before class, Jiang Ruotang found the seafood fried rice he’d ordered for lunch waiting on his desk.

Lin Lu, who had been napping, sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Ruo Tang, where’ve you been? I didn’t see you all lunch break."

"Just out. Go back to sleep." Jiang Ruotang grabbed his lunchbox and headed to the end of the hallway, where the school had set up a microwave for students to heat their meals.

Lin Lu hesitated, wanting to say more. In the past, Jiang Ruotang would’ve told him everything in detail, never just brushing him off with a "just out." Not to mention, his takeout had been delivered by Zhao Zhangfeng. The threads connecting Lin Lu and Jiang Ruotang’s lives were slowly unraveling.

At the end of the hallway, Jiang Ruotang was surprised to find the microwave room locked. Just as he tried the handle, he faintly heard voices inside.

He normally wouldn’t care about others’ private conversations, but as he turned to leave, he caught the words, "Lu Guifan wouldn’t even thank you for this."

Instantly, Jiang Ruotang’s attention sharpened. He pressed his ear against the door, straining to hear.

"Say something, you snitch! You love tattling so much—got me hauled in by one old geezer after another!"

That voice—wasn’t it Meng Yang? He’d broken Lu Guifan’s glasses, and later, Jiang Ruotang had accompanied Lu Guifan to submit the receipts for new glasses and contacts to Meng Yang’s homeroom teacher. Though reluctant, Meng Yang had eventually coughed up the money.

By all accounts, the matter should’ve been settled. So why was Meng Yang being called in again, and over Lu Guifan?

"You… you were the one who did it… helping Ye Jiaming plot against our class president… What if next time you pull something even worse?"

That voice sounded familiar—who was it?

Probably a classmate, but Jiang Ruotang didn’t interact much with others. The only people in class he’d pay attention to were Zhao Zhangfeng and Lu Guifan, plus Jian Sha, his badminton partner across the aisle.

"You damn Cai Cai! This isn’t over! You really think you’re some hero exposing evil deeds? Just wait till I see your brother at the internet café tonight—I’ll make sure he skins you alive!"

Cai Cai? That had to be Cai Ji.

Cai Ji never picked fights. Though he excelled in STEM, his language arts grades dragged him down, leaving him consistently ranked around 30th in our class. Why would he cross paths with Meng Yang?

As Jiang Ruotang pondered, a loud *thud* came from inside the room, followed by Cai Ji’s muffled grunt. Jiang Ruotang’s mind raced—had Meng Yang just slammed the quiet kid into the door?

The thought of Cai Ji—gentle, unassuming, and grateful for the slightest kindness—made Jiang Ruotang’s chest tighten.

"Hey! Who’s in there? I need to heat my food!" Jiang Ruotang shouted.

"Go heat it downstairs!" Meng Yang snapped.

"Then carry it down for me! Why should I run around for you?" Jiang Ruotang adopted his bratty rich kid voice, punctuating it with a few aggressive kicks to the door, as if ready to make enough noise to rouse the whole building if they didn’t open up.

"Shit—Jiang Ruotang?" Meng Yang yanked the door open, glaring at him.

Jiang Ruotang wasn’t the least bit intimidated. If Meng Yang so much as laid a finger on him, he’d scream bloody murder.

"Yeah, it’s me! Did you rent this microwave or something? Not letting people heat their food now?"

Meng Yang glanced down at the lunchbox in Jiang Ruotang’s hand, his expression easing slightly, as if deciding Jiang Ruotang wasn’t here to meddle. With a dismissive snort, he moved to grab Cai Ji again, but Jiang Ruotang shouldered between them, blocking Meng Yang’s path.

"What’s so secretive you gotta lock the door? You two dating or something?"

Jiang Ruotang said mockingly as he placed his lunchbox in the microwave.

"Me? Like this damn Cai Cai? You think everyone’s as brain-dead as you, drooling over pretty boys?" Meng Yang suddenly lashed out.

Jiang Ruotang smirked. "Yep, I like pretty ones—but you’re seriously not one of them, so do me a favor and scram. Thanks."

"You freak!"

Meng Yang clearly wanted to drag Cai Ji away, but with Jiang Ruotang’s taunts, who knew what rumors the infamous young master might spread? Glowering, he stormed off.

Cai Ji took a deep breath, about to head back to class, when Jiang Ruotang spoke again:

"What did you tell the teachers about the class president that got Meng Yang so worked up?"

Cai Ji froze. He’d thought Jiang Ruotang was really just here to heat his food—not that he’d stepped in to save him.

"Does… does it matter?" "If it’s about the class president, then yes, it matters to me. You’re my classmate, and someone from another class is bullying you—that also matters to me." Jiang Ruotang said it like a true class tyrant.

Cai Ji gulped before he finally spoke.

"The day before yesterday in the bathroom near the field, I heard Meng Yang asking Ye Jiaming for money to cover the glasses, saying he wouldn’t have had to pay if it weren’t for helping Ye Jiaming. Ye Jiaming said he’d give him the money in a few days... That’s all..."

"Ding—" The seafood fried rice in the microwave was ready. Jiang Ruotang casually pulled out the container.

He turned around, leaned against the table, and slowly started eating the fried rice.

"Next time Meng Yang tries to drag you away, don’t worry about saving face—just shout. He’s guilty enough that he’ll probably back off."

"Oh, okay..."

Jiang Ruotang took a few more bites. Since he hadn’t said Cai Ji could leave, Cai Ji just stood there foolishly, head bowed, waiting.

"If he bothers you again, don’t you have a phone? Turn on the recording function. You didn’t record anything in the bathroom near the field last time, did you? So even if you told the teacher, they could only reprimand Ye Jiaming and Meng Yang a bit—nothing serious, since there’s no evidence." Seeing Cai Ji’s dejected look, Jiang Ruotang couldn’t help but remind him again, though he doubted Cai Ji would absorb it.

A long while passed, and Jiang Ruotang had already eaten most of his fried rice when Cai Ji, still standing there, suddenly asked, "Why did you say... anything about the class monitor matters to you? Clearly... you guys hardly talked at all in the past two years."

Jiang Ruotang chuckled and countered, "Is my answer important to you?"

"...Just curious." He shrugged. "You don’t have to say if you don’t want to."

"Friends come in two types. The first kind gives you emotional support, makes you happy, but isn’t actually useful—might even take advantage of you or betray you when the chance comes. The worse you’re doing, the more satisfied they feel."

"Looks like Cai Ji, despite being unnoticeable, had been observing everything in class.

"The second type is like our class monitor. He’s not the buddy type, but just seeing him shows you right from wrong. When you’re doing well, he won’t give you extra attention, but if you hit rock bottom, he’ll help you up. He’s not the most charming speaker, but what he says is always the most useful." Jiang Ruotang said.

"So... you unilaterally consider the class monitor your friend?"

Jiang Ruotang smirked. "Yeah, so what? Got a problem with that?"

"Fine..." Cai Ji muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

"What about you? You okay?" Jiang Ruotang tilted his chin up.

"Huh? What about me?" Cai Ji countered.

"Just now... when you hit the door?"

Jiang Ruotang finished the last bites of his fried rice and tossed the box into the trash, thinking that if Cai Ji was actually hurt, he’d be the one to report it and escalate it to the grade office.

"No... I was the one who pushed Meng Yang into the door."

"Wow! You’re amazing!" Jiang Ruotang’s eyes widened, genuinely surprised. "Meng Yang’s the core player of the school basketball team—he’s got great balance. You look so skinny, how’d you manage to push him? With that strength, why fear him?"

"Just luck..." Cai Ji said, rubbing his wrist.

Cai Ji instinctively tugged at his sleeve.

This instantly put Jiang Ruotang on alert. He stepped forward, rolled up Cai Ji’s sleeve, and saw circular scars from cigarette burns. He got goosebumps.

Because he’d been burned by a cigarette too.

It was an entertainment mogul. Back then, Jiang Ruotang and Lin Lu were trying to secure a role for Bai Yingchuan and had invited the man to dinner. The guy had eyes for Lin Lu and tried to take advantage, but Lin Lu made an excuse and slipped away, leaving Jiang Ruotang alone to handle things.

The man deliberately pressed his cigarette into Jiang Ruotang’s hand when he handed over the contract—a spiteful payback.

The pain nearly made Jiang Ruotang cry out, but for Bai Yingchuan’s sake, he endured it through gritted teeth. The guy looked taken aback, maybe even impressed, and afterward, he never gave Jiang Ruotang trouble again. In fact, if Jiang Ruotang was the one negotiating, the man agreed without hesitation.

Now, seeing the scars on Cai Ji’s wrist, Jiang Ruotang’s thoughts spun.

These scars had already healed—they weren’t recent. And Meng Yang, being an athlete, didn’t smoke. So this wasn’t his doing.

Cai Ji nervously pulled his sleeve back down, flinching, and whispered, "Class is about to start."

With that, he turned and left.

Jiang Ruotang followed him out, and the moment they stepped outside, both froze—because Lu Guifan was standing right there by the door.

"Cl-Class Monitor?"

Lu Guifan had one hand in his pocket and the other holding the mini thermos Jiang Ruotang had given him earlier, looking like he was about to get hot water.

"Yeah." Lu Guifan replied flatly, standing a short distance away.

Jiang Ruotang let out a quiet breath, his face burning, relieved that Lu Guifan hadn’t overheard his embarrassing "one-sided friendship" speech. That would’ve been humiliating.

But then Lu Guifan suddenly spoke. "Cai Ji, I’ll have a proper talk with Ye Jiaming. He and Meng Yang won’t bother you again."

Cai Ji paused, then nodded blankly. "Oh."

Jiang Ruotang’s stomach dropped!

If Lu Guifan had heard Cai Ji, then he’d definitely heard him too.

God, this is so embarrassing!

That "one-sided friendship" thing—wait, wasn’t that Cai Ji’s line? Why am *I* embarrassed?!

Just go back to class! As long as the class monitor doesn’t stop me, I’m fine!

"Jiang Ruotang." Lu Guifan’s voice rang out.

Talk about timing!

"Ah, Class Monitor... here for water?" Jiang Ruotang sidestepped, clearing the path to the hot water dispenser.

Lu Guifan raised an eyebrow. "Since when were we in a 'one-sided friendship'?"

Jiang Ruotang wished the ground would swallow him. It felt like proposing and getting rejected in front of a crowd.

"I thought I was your master?" Lu Guifan extended the mini thermos toward him.

The implication was clear: *Disciple, aren’t you going to serve your master tea?*

Jiang Ruotang sucked in a breath, immediately taking the thermos to fill it with water.

The thermos was shallow, and just as the hot water was about to overflow, Lu Guifan swiftly turned it off—saving Jiang Ruotang from burning his fingers.

"Such a careless disciple. Always causing trouble."

With that, Lu Guifan dumped some water out, twisted the cap on, and walked away, shoving his hands in his pockets.

Cai Ji whispered, amazed. "I’ve never heard the class monitor joke with someone!"

"Was that... a joke? Haha," Jiang Ruotang said, forcing a laugh.

Jiang Ruotang followed the other back to the classroom, his ears burning red, while Lu Guifan sat back in his seat with a blank face, as if nothing had happened.

It felt like Jiang Ruotang was the only one in the world who cared about what Lu Guifan had overheard at the microwave room doorway.

Lu Guifan’s directness exceeded Jiang Ruotang’s expectations. During the break after the second class that afternoon, he went to the neighboring Class 2, stood at the door, and calmly called out to Ye Jiaming.

“Ye Jiaming, can you come out for a moment? I need to talk to you.”

Ye Jiaming froze. His previously calm expression paled slightly in that instant, as if he had anticipated something.

But under the gaze of so many classmates in Class 2, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and step out of the classroom.

Lu Guifan silently walked toward the end of the corridor. Ye Jiaming wasn’t sure what he wanted to say—he even imagined Lu Guifan suddenly turning around and punching his front teeth out.

Only when they reached the microwave room doorway did Lu Guifan gesture toward the small room with his chin.

Ye Jiaming’s throat worked. Thinking Lu Guifan wanted him to go inside, he was about to speak when Lu Guifan’s chilly tone cut in.

“If you’re concerned about the recommended admission spot to Shengshi University, take it. I can get into Capital Science and Technology University on my own.”

Ye Jiaming was stunned. He hadn’t expected Lu Guifan to be so blunt.

“But… the tuition and living costs in the capital are expensive…”

This was why Ye Jiaming believed Lu Guifan had the ability to attend a better university but would still choose to stay in their city.

Lu Guifan’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. “Do you think I can’t get a scholarship?”

A stinging pain struck deep down in Ye Jiaming’s heart.

“I’m telling you this today because I want you to pass a message to Meng Yang—stop harassing my classmates. There's nothing wrong with kindness and justice. If they get hurt because of the competition between you and me, I won’t stay silent anymore.”

Ye Jiaming’s ears burned red. Though Lu Guifan hadn’t hit him, his face burned as if scalded, his clenched fingers digging into his palms.

“If you don’t say anything, I’ll take that as agreement.”

With that, Lu Guifan stepped past Ye Jiaming and walked away.

Only after Lu Guifan had gone did Ye Jiaming finally exhale deeply.

As soon as Lu Guifan returned, he saw Jiang Ruotang craning his neck to look at him from the back door of the classroom.

Sighing, Lu Guifan grabbed Jiang Ruotang by the head and shoved him back inside.

“What did you say to him?”

“Want to know?”

“Yes!”

“Then solve the last problem on tonight’s math worksheet by yourself, and I’ll tell you.”

“…That’s too cruel.”

The matter finally came to an end.

It had to be said, Dai Ming was remarkably efficient. Just three days later, he called Jiang Ruotang, saying he wanted to have a proper talk with him.

Considering Jiang Ruotang had classes in the afternoon, Dai Ming offered to meet him near his school.

But to be cautious, Jiang Ruotang didn’t want to attract attention from anyone at school, so he arranged to meet Dai Ming at a café about a ten-minute taxi ride away.

Dai Ming arrived a few minutes early and waited in a private booth.

When the booth door opened, Dai Ming turned his head and saw Jiang Ruotang peeking in, his round eyes giving off a mischievous glint.

“Come in. If you haven’t eaten lunch, order whatever you want—my treat.” Dai Ming unconsciously softened his tone.

“Great! I was hoping you'd say that!”

Jiang Ruotang didn’t hold back. After sitting down, he ordered a steak set meal with a soda.

Dai Ming cut to the chase. “From what I’ve gathered, the provincial government only began discussing the development of Chengtan during their meeting this month. But it’ll be a long time before any decision is made—they’ll require multiple evaluations, maybe even higher-level authorities for inspection and final approval. The industry is still taking a wait-and-see approach, and no one has made a move yet.”

This news aligned with Jiang Ruotang’s expectations.

But since Dai Ming could obtain this information, it meant most of the events in Jiang Ruotang’s memory were likely to play out as before.

“Uncle Dai, you know as well as I do—even if this news has a 50% certainty of being true, or even just thirty percent, we won't be able to get a foothold in Chengtan by then. There'll be no shortage of deep-pocketed real estate groups vying for a piece. The window of opportunity is now.” Jiang Ruotang drawled.