29: Chapter 29 Childhood Friend

Actually, Zhao Xiaoshuai didn't have high standards for mobile phones; he used an iPhone entirely because the one Chu Ziqing had handed down was an iPhone.

However, after years of use, all the games he played were on the Apple platform.

And as everyone knows, before a certain game called "Dark Descent," most Apple and Android platforms were not cross-compatible.

Because of issues with payment models, Android servers often offered greater discounts than Apple servers, so there was almost no possibility of cross-compatibility for pay-to-win PK games.

Consequently, the many games he had developed an emotional attachment to were like ropes that bound him, just as they bound many other users.

Changing phones didn't just mean changing the device; it also meant you had to give up the games you had been playing for years.

And people who carried two or even three phones every day, along with power banks and multiple charging cables, just for the sake of games, were, after all, in the minority.

However, receiving a gift for the first time still made him very happy.

This was an experience he had never had in the eight years he had spent with Chu Ziqing.

At this moment, they were sitting in a drink shop, and Meng Yawen was enthusiastically changing the phone for him personally.

"OK. Next, just put them together and wait for the data transfer to finish, then it'll be ready to use!"

As if she had accomplished some great feat, she appeared exceptionally happy.

"Xiao Shuai, do you have nothing to do this afternoon? There's a movie I've wanted to watch for a long time, but my classmates are all looking for jobs, and it's no fun watching it by myself."

Ever since Zhao Xiaoshuai had booked her for a month of lessons, Meng Yawen could be said to be very free every day, only needing to think about how to kill time all day long.

However, to say that she couldn't find any of her classmates or best friends wasn't entirely true.

She was simply in the rising phase of a relationship right now, and having waited in vain for an invitation from Zhao Xiaoshuai, she couldn't help but take the initiative for once.

However, this was precisely what Zhao Xiaoshuai wanted to avoid.

He remembered that it seemed to be mentioned in the trashy advice that when the other party attempts to occupy more of your time, or even all of your time, you must find a way to refuse.

This was not conducive to time management.

"Do you think everyone is as free as you? I need to make money too; I'm actually very busy. Next time, okay? Next time I'll specifically clear out some time to go with you."

In order not to let the refusal make her too downcast, he reached out and pinched her little nose.

Meng Yawen dodged symbolically, letting that large hand pinch it.

She smiled sheepishly, secretly blaming herself for not being thoughtful enough.

Although she couldn't judge Zhao Xiaoshuai's approximate financial strength, the expenses he had incurred for her just in these past few days were already far beyond her understanding.

Therefore, it was perfectly reasonable for such a rich person to have a very busy career.

The two chatted for a while longer, finally returned to iSport, and said their goodbyes.

He checked Meng Yawen's affection level: 337 (Like).

Meng Yawen's affection level had been rising very quickly; it had only been three days since they met.

This showed that she was a very emotional person; her feelings came on fiercely and passionately, but they might also fade in an instant.

Finally, after waving, Zhao Xiaoshuai stopped dawdling and rode his e-bike away into the distance.

Actually, he wasn't lying.

How could unlocking the collection not count as making money? He was running deliveries and food orders; he was very busy, okay!

Speaking of food delivery, he suddenly remembered that he had been banned again by that lunatic Ling Rui.

He had filled out the reason and submitted an appeal in the morning, but now, taking out his new phone to check, it was still in a banned state.

This delivery station had 38 people in total including the station master, and the delivery station was affected by algorithm evaluations even more severely than the courier service.

So, after a brief explanation, he directly transferred 76,000 to the station master as compensation for everyone.

[Current Cashback Rate: 135%, Final Cashback Amount: 101,000 Yuan]

Although he still didn't really care, he was ultimately a bit annoyed.

Flipping through his contacts, he made a call.

"Hey, Ming, are you using that toyota corolla of yours today?"

"No, it's almost the end of the year, so it's all drinking parties."

"Alright then, lend it to me for two days."

"Where are you? I'm at home and leaving in about twenty minutes; can you make it in time to get the keys?"

"I'll be there in ten minutes."

Hanging up the phone, Zhao Xiaoshuai headed toward the familiar address.

Liu Ming was his childhood friend, a good buddy he had known since elementary school when they were still wearing open-crotch pants.

The vast majority of feelings and relationships need to be maintained; if you don't see each other for years and have no interaction for years, you will gradually drift apart.

But there is just that one kind of bond that is hard to explain or define.

Even though you haven't seen each other for ten or twenty years, and haven't been in frequent contact for so many years.

But as long as one phone call can get you together, and as soon as you sit down and order a few bottles of beer, both sides are just as familiar as they were when they were little.

Between them, there's no need for scheming, no need to consider social niceties, and no need to think about what can be said and what cannot.

They can vent, reminisce, laugh, scold, and share happiness.

Liu Ming was just that kind of friend.

Ding-dong.

It was Liu Ming who opened the door.

Since he was little, he had been broad-shouldered and sturdy, a big guy at 185cm, but in recent years he had become increasingly bloated.

"How come the diligent worker isn't at work today? What's up? Did the company fire you?"

"I actually quit. I haven't wanted to stay in that crappy place for a long time; now I'm finally liberated."

[Ding! Collection Unlocked: Liu Ming (Character Rating 6.55)]

[Wealth: 7]

[Achievement: 7]

[Background: 7]

[Congratulations to the host for luckily obtaining a multiplier copper card (Permanent)]

[Affection/Relationship Value: 500 (Faith), you can claim the current level affection treasure chest]

Liu Ming was just speaking casually, a bit of banter between friends, not expecting that he had actually guessed right.

"It's good that you quit; why not take some time to rest and spend time with your girlfriend, so you don't end up like me. Ah, I haven't told you yet, have I? I just got divorced a while ago."

"Isn't that a coincidence? I also just broke up two days ago, haha. I won't take up any more of your time; let's go out for a drink when you're free, and we can talk in detail then."

Having poked at his childhood friend's "pain point" twice, Liu Ming was also a bit embarrassed, but they wouldn't dwell on it too much between themselves.

"Alright, I'll find you for a drink when I'm free."

Zhao Xiaoshuai had gotten his driver's license very early; he had finished it back when he was in college.

At that time, he had fantasized about his future vehicle, maybe a Volkswagen, maybe a Toyota, or even possibly an Audi.

But the reality was, he could only ride a Yadea.

He had often done ride-hailing before, so he opened the app and started accepting orders with ease.

...

...

At Zhao Xiaoshuai's former company, everyone was working busily at this moment.

But there were still people casually making phone calls and chatting about family matters.

"Ruirui, have you had enough fun yet? If you're done playing, in a few days, Dad will take you to meet a few young elites so you can pick one and start dating?"

"Oh Dad, stop worrying about nothing. I'll find someone for myself; if there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."

"You child. By the way, don't forget the Xing Family heiress's birthday party tonight; you young people should get to know each other more, and it's a good chance to meet some outstanding young men."

"Got it, got it, hanging up now."

Ling Rui hung up her father's call without further ado because another call she was more interested in was already waiting on the line.

"Hello."

"Miss Ling, the matter you entrusted me with has results! The user with ID number XXX just turned on the ride-hailing app; do you need me to help you transfer an order internally?"