229: Chapter 229 The Terrifying Text Message

At the mention of his girlfriend, the smile on Zhou Chong's face didn't change in the slightest. His tone was natural and casual, as if he were discussing a trivial matter.

"She has some urgent business at home and can't get away. Next time there's an opportunity, I'll bring her to get together with you guys. We'll have a good drink then."

In truth, he had no intention of bringing his girlfriend at all.

In his eyes, Wang Lei and Zhao Qiang were just ordinary former roommates with average social status. Bringing his wealthy socialite girlfriend would only lower his own status; there was absolutely no need.

The reason he had come today...

...was entirely to show off and flaunt his superiority in front of a few old classmates.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have come himself.

Zhao Qiang picked up the conversation, looking at Zhou Chong with a face full of admiration. "Brother Chong, your company is doing so well now. Are you usually extremely busy? You must be negotiating big projects and meeting important people every day, right?"

"It's alright. I have a team under me to manage things, so I don't have to do everything personally," Zhou Chong said in an understated tone, though his words were full of boasting.

"I just occasionally go out to negotiate a few collaborations worth tens of millions, attend some high-end business banquets, and interact with big shots in the business world. My daily life is actually quite relaxed."

Wang Lei and Zhao Qiang's eyes lit up as they listened, nodding repeatedly with faces full of admiration and envy.

After graduation, they were both ordinary office workers, working nine-to-five every day, earning a fixed monthly salary, and struggling for a living.

Seeing Zhou Chong achieve such success and luxury at such a young age, the envy in their hearts was palpable.

As the group drank and chatted, Zhou Chong would occasionally mention his business experiences.

He spoke of the big shots he knew, the luxury mansions he lived in, and the luxury cars he drove, his words radiating prestige and pride.

Wang Lei and Zhao Qiang marveled repeatedly, constantly toasting Zhou Chong with words of flattery. The atmosphere was very lively.

Zhang Haonan sat to the side, silently accompanying them in drinking and rarely speaking.

He simply watched Zhou Chong talk grandiosely and brag. In his heart, he found the man increasingly hypocritical and only wanted to end this social obligation quickly to return to Julie's side.

The wedding soon drew to a close. Guests began to stand and leave one after another. Wang Lei and Zhao Qiang also packed their things, preparing to head back.

Right then, Zhou Chong immediately spoke up to stop the two, saying in a generous tone.

"Don't be in such a hurry to leave. We brothers haven't gathered in so long. Today is on me. I'll take you guys out to have some fun and relax. Don't be polite."

Upon hearing this, Wang Lei and Zhao Qiang's eyes instantly lit up. Their faces were full of pleasant surprise as they hurriedly nodded in agreement. "Great, great! Then we'll take advantage of Brother Chong's kindness and follow you to broaden our horizons!"

Zhang Haonan had to accompany Julie to entertain the remaining guests and couldn't go with them. He could only say politely, "You guys have fun. I won't be joining you. Let's get together again next time we have the chance."

Zhou Chong nodded and said no more, leading Wang Lei and Zhao Qiang out of the hotel and straight to the parking lot.

He pressed his key fob, and a black luxury sedan immediately lit up, its doors opening automatically.

Wang Lei and Zhao Qiang sat inside the car, looking at the luxurious leather seats, the exquisite interior, and the massive center console screen. They couldn't help but click their tongues in wonder, constantly exclaiming.

"Brother Chong, this car is too magnificent! It must have cost a lot of money, right? We've never sat in such a nice car in our lives!"

"It's alright, just for daily commuting. It's nothing much."

Zhou Chong smiled faintly, a hint of pride appearing on his face. He started the car and drove straight toward the most famous golf course in the city.

Arriving at the golf course, Zhou Chong walked to the front desk with practiced ease to handle the VIP procedures. He then took out a set of professional golf clubs for Wang Lei and Zhao Qiang each and led them onto the course.

It was the first time Wang Lei and Zhao Qiang had played golf. They didn't even know how to hold the clubs. Their movements were clumsy and comical; when they swung, they either missed completely or hit the ball crookedly, causing quite a few laughs.

Zhou Chong, however, played smoothly. His posture was standard and handsome. With one swing, the white golf ball flew far and straight, landing precisely in the target area.

He would also give the two of them pointers from time to time, fully displaying his elite style.

Watching Zhou Chong's skillful display, Wang Lei and Zhao Qiang admired him even more, constantly praising him. "Brother Chong is truly amazing. He's so good at everything he does. He truly is a big boss!"

After playing for the whole afternoon, the sky gradually darkened, and the sunset dyed half the sky red.

Zhou Chong checked the time and led the two away from the golf course, driving to the city's top seafood restaurant.

Entering the restaurant's luxury private room, the table was already covered with a sumptuous feast.

Massive Boston lobsters, fresh abalone, thick sea cucumbers, and precious king crabs—it was all expensive seafood rarely seen in daily life.

Beside them stood several bottles of high-end red wine, which were clearly quite pricey.

Looking at the table full of delicacies, Wang Lei and Zhao Qiang were instantly dumbstruck, their mouths hanging open. These were things they wouldn't even dare to dream of normally, yet today they could enjoy them to their hearts' content.

"Brother Chong, this is too much of an expense! This whole table of food must have cost a fortune!"

Wang Lei picked up a piece of lobster meat and put it in his mouth, speaking politely while eating, though his face was full of satisfaction and excitement.

"It's a small matter. We brothers haven't seen each other in a long time; this bit of money is nothing. Eat up, don't be polite. Order more if it's not enough."

Zhou Chong waved his hand grandly, acting as if he didn't care at all, fully displaying his financial power and generosity before the two.

Wang Lei and Zhao Qiang were no longer polite. They ate and drank heartily, constantly toasting Zhou Chong with words of flattery and gratitude.

Listening to their flattery, Zhou Chong felt very satisfied. The pride on his face was impossible to hide, and he became more animated as they chatted.

After dinner, Zhou Chong took the two to the city's most luxurious five-star hotel and directly booked two top-tier luxury suites.

The suites were exquisitely and luxuriously decorated. The floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the entire city's night view. The bedding was soft and comfortable, and all sorts of facilities were available.

Entering the suite, Wang Lei and Zhao Qiang couldn't help but look around, constantly exclaiming, "Brother Chong, this is too luxurious! We've never stayed in such a nice hotel in our lives!"

"Don't go back tonight. Stay here for a night and have a good relaxation," Zhou Chong said with a smile. "I've already called for masseuses. They'll be over in a bit to give you a massage. You must be tired after playing golf all afternoon."

Wang Lei and Zhao Qiang were overwhelmed by the favor, thanking him repeatedly. "Brother Chong, you're really too good to us! Knowing you in this life is truly our blessing! Following you is such a luxury!"

Not long after, the masseuses arrived. The three lay in the comfortable suite, enjoying professional massage services and chatting. The atmosphere was very pleasant.

Wang Lei and Zhao Qiang kept remarking on Zhou Chong's current achievements, saying he was their role model and that they must learn from him and keep in touch more in the future.

Listening to their flattery, Zhou Chong felt increasingly proud, a smile of immense self-satisfaction hanging on his face.

Just as he was about to brag a bit more about the big business deal he had recently closed, the phone on the coffee table suddenly went 'ding,' receiving a new text message.

He casually picked up the phone, nonchalantly unlocked the screen, and looked down at the content of the message.

In just a single second, the smile on Zhou Chong's face instantly froze. His originally ruddy complexion turned deathly pale at a speed visible to the naked eye, completely devoid of color.

A flash of extreme panic and terror, along with a barely perceptible hint of ruthlessness, crossed his eyes. His entire body instantly froze in place.

The blood in his body seemed to freeze instantly, and even his breathing stopped. The originally relaxed and pleasant atmosphere suddenly became heavy.

...