Urban Powerhouse: Chaos Supreme

”I’m wondering why you wouldn’t let me pick you up; turns out you had someone arranged to meet you already,” Tong Ling approached, giving Lin Mo an appraising look before revealing a teasing expression.

The woman was beautiful, embodying that untouchable goddess type, probably not someone many could witness in a more amiable light.

However, after scrutinizing Lin Mo, a hint of suspicion rose in Tong Ling’s eyes.

Lin Mo was quite ordinary, not particularly handsome, merely a bit delicate with a scholarly air. She knew her best friend had very high standards; an average-looking guy wouldn’t receive a second glance, let alone her affection. Could there be some sparkle about this fellow that made Zhang Mengmeng like him?

”Tong Ling, stop teasing me. He’s just a college classmate of mine, and he came back to school because…” Zhang Mengmeng’s face blushed as she explained.

”Hello, I’m Tong Ling, Mengmeng’s best friend. If you bully her, I won’t let you off easily,” Tong Ling said to Lin Mo with humor in her smile.

”Lin Mo.”

Lin Mo replied indifferently, his expression unchanged.

Even when facing New Russia’s fighter jets, or the entirety of Han Country, he remained composed; how could a few words from a young girl cause him any embarrassment?

”Xiao Meng, I went out of my way to buy these flowers for you,” said the man as he joined them, holding a large bouquet of brightly colored roses.

A look of awkwardness appeared on Zhang Mengmeng’s face, and Tong Ling’s expression stiffened as well.

”Young Master Fu, thank you, but... I don’t need it,” Zhang Mengmeng shook her head.

Lin Mo’s lips curled into a smile; usual TV dramas and novels featured this type of scene. An average rich second-generation would be glowering with threats by now.

However, Young Master Fu seemed to be in good spirits, smiling and saying, ”I apologize for being too forward. I’ll give the roses to someone else then.”

As he spoke, Young Master Fu approached the hostess, handing her the bouquet, causing her eyes to sparkle like stars, nearly fainting in bliss.

”He’s a friend of my best friend, a rich young man from Jiangbei. I’m not that close with him,” Zhang Mengmeng whispered to Lin Mo.

Fu Shengjie had just turned his head to see Zhang Mengmeng intimately whispering to Lin Mo’s ear, and his face tightened slightly, forcing a stiff smile. It seemed someone dared to compete with him, Young Master Fu, for a girlfriend.

Soon, the group arrived at the private dining room of the restaurant.

Lin Mo and Zhang Mengmeng weren’t all that close, not to mention her friends Tong Ling and Fu Shengjie. Typically, the others chatted while Lin Mo quietly sat aside, eating and responding casually whenever Tong Ling spoke to him.

Nevertheless, he learned a bit about their backgrounds: Zhang Mengmeng’s mother was a notable person in Jiangbei, which was why Zhang Mengmeng and Tong Ling often played together as children. This time, Tong Ling had come to visit Zhang Mengmeng at university.

Tong Ling’s family also seemed to be fairly well-off, and Fu Shengjie’s family was one of the top five families in Jiangbei, with deep foundations. Both were considered second-generation rich, so naturally, they talked about famous brands, finance, or policy issues.

”Recently, a policy came out, saying that they’re going to drastically reform the chemical plants, and our family was fined tens of millions,” Tong Ling said, suddenly turning to Lin Mo to ask, ”Lin Mo, what do you think of this policy?”

”I don’t know,” Lin Mo shook his head.

A trace of contempt flickered in the depths of Tong Ling’s eyes. She had asked him about art, music, finance, economics, and the stock market, and he didn’t know about any of them. Moreover, Lin Mo dressed very plainly, he wasn’t wearing any famous brands, and she had seen him arrive in a taxi when they were in the car. By now, she was sure he was a poor boy.

Her best friend, although not the daughter of a great family, still came from a well-off home and was quite good-looking. If she got her heart swindled by a poor boy with just a few words, she would surely regret it in the future.

It seemed she needed to give her best friend a heads up.

”The policy indeed had a significant impact on the economy and workers when it was first introduced, especially the shock to the manufacturing industry. But as time passes, I think it’s a good thing,” he talked at length, ”On one hand, it can improve the environment, and on the other hand, it’s survival of the fittest. Those with strength will continue to survive, while those without strength will leave the market. Overall, it’s a good thing.”

Fu Shengjie spoke with confidence.

These young scions and missies might be young, but after all, they were born into great families and absorbed much simply by being in that environment—they knew much more than the average student.

”Fu Shengjie is impressive indeed. The position of Family Head at the Fu Family is bound to be yours in the future,” Tong Ling said cheerfully.

Fu Shengjie sighed, ”Forget it, my elder brother is so close to the Mu Family, the position of the next Family Head is already in his pocket.”

Hearing the words ”Mu Family,” Tong Ling’s complexion also changed slightly. The Mu Family was the number one family in Jiangbei, a presence that their smaller families couldn’t even begin to compare with.

After the meal, Lin Mo naturally took his leave.

Zhang Mengmeng’s face couldn’t help but show a hint of disappointment, but she didn’t have a good reason to keep staying with Lin Mo. However, the fact that Lin Mo agreed to have a meal with her had already satisfied her.

”Silly girl, are you still thinking about that person?” Tong Ling, who had just come out of the restroom, saw her best friend standing disconsolately on the sidewalk and couldn’t help squinting her eyes, watching Lin Mo leaving in a taxi.

”He and I are really just classmates,” Zhang Mengmeng argued, biting her clear lower lip.

”Alright, I know. Besides, I don’t think he’s good enough for you,” Tong Ling said with a hint of scorn in her eyes, ”I don’t know what you see in him. He has neither talent nor money. How could he be good enough for you?”

”Actually, he...” Zhang Mengmeng sighed inwardly. She was the one who wasn’t good enough for Lin Mo. In fact, Lin Mo was doing quite well in Imperial City, but she couldn’t quite explain this to her best friend now. Even if she did, Tong Ling would probably think she had been deceived.

”Just think it over carefully for yourself and don’t get fooled by that kind of man. Love isn’t everlasting, nor can it fill the belly. Don’t be foolish for a moment,” Tong Ling advised, then added, ”Actually, I think Fu Shengjie is quite interested in you, and he’s a decent person too.” Lin Mo, who had just left, got out of the taxi and prepared to find a hotel to sleep for the night before heading to Shanghai the next day. But just as he got out of the car, he felt a sharp whoosh of wind coming from behind.

”Whoosh.”

The sound of the wind whistled sharply, suddenly ringing beside his ear.

Had it been anyone else, their first reaction would probably have been a reflex to dodge. But Lin Mo remained still, standing in his place without any movement.