In the past few days, I have been working in a state of complete absorption, so much so that I no longer felt tired until Wang Lei found me, bringing me back to the real world.
The promotional events and shows required some girls, mostly young and vibrant beauties. In this regard, we didn't need much creativity because there was none to be had. You couldn't expect an artistic performance to attract more attention because, in the language format we like to use in games, "beauties are the way." If creativity were needed, it would only be in the way the beauties were presented. Just look around; various beauty pageants and so-called non-beauty pageant activities are springing up all over our vast land. If you were to count the number of beauty contests each year, you'd be astounded by the result. This abundance shows that our expansive and resource-rich land also has a substantial reserve of beauties. So here, I'd also like to encourage all the single bachelors like me that we don't need to despair because there is hope.
Wang Lei's purpose in finding me was precisely to seek out these vibrant beauties. Let me briefly introduce Wang Lei; his biggest trait (not sure if it's a strength or a weakness) is his super thick skin and unrivaled persistence. He can quickly become acquainted and familiar with people he doesn't know at all, though sometimes not sincerely. So after overcoming a brief period of loneliness upon arriving in Shanghai, this trait of his began to shine. Since he often came to see me, he got quite familiar with the guys in my department, and naturally, they were the ones who informed him of this opportunity.
"Lu Fei, it's a sweet gig, right? Starting to pick people? Take me to have a look," Wang Lei said with his usual slightly wicked grin.
"Don't you already have a target? Can't you be a bit more focused?"
"Don't bring that up; that's in the past, not worth remembering."
"This task is handled by others; I don't need to go. Can't take you," I said truthfully. This kind of minor task within the whole project didn't require someone as high-ranking as the "project director" to get involved.
"It's okay if you don't go. Just tell the person in charge to take me along," Wang Lei, who would stop at nothing for the sake of beauties, continued. He had endured countless hardships with women but always came back for more. I had to admire that spirit.
"How can I ask for that? Besides, you don't know the person in charge," I still hoped to dissuade him.
"What does it matter if I don't know them? Introduce us, and we'll know each other," I should have believed in his ability. Wang Lei continued, "I'm an art major, after all. I've got a good eye for this. Just say I'm here to help out, and I won't charge anything." Though Wang Lei was an art major, I wasn't confident in his artistic skills, but I had to admit he had a good eye for spotting beauties.
I knew I couldn't convince this guy otherwise, so considering how he once fought for me back in school, I needed to help him out this time.
"Lu Fei, it was amazing, beauties everywhere," was the first thing Wang Lei said when he returned.
I didn't give him any expression or response because I knew he had a lot more to say when he was this excited.
"I saw a girl I liked, really beautiful. I got her number and arranged to have dinner with her tomorrow night."
I still didn't speak, but I had a bad feeling. I signaled him to continue with my eyes.
Wang Lei smirked, "But now there's a little problem that needs your help." Borrowing money, right? I calculated that so far, he had borrowed 7,300 yuan from me.
"Don't underestimate me; who said anything about borrowing money?"
"Not borrowing money? Then I misunderstood you. What is it?"
"That girl doesn't want to come alone. She insists on bringing her friend."
"You want me to help you by distracting the other girl, giving you a chance?" I often did this back in school and was quite good at it. My most famous feat was when a guy invited a dorm of nine girls out, and he asked me and another guy to help. But the other guy ended up fancying one of the girls too, so I had to take on the task of distracting the remaining seven girls by myself, which drained half a month's living expenses.
"You got it. There's just one more thing."
"What is it?"
"Help me choose a place and... cover the meal expenses."
"I pay, and you chase the girl? Why should I pay?"
"Just consider it a loan."
"Hey, after all that, you're back to borrowing money again. I'm really embodying the spirit of Lei Feng here, contributing money and effort."
"Come on, we're like brothers; no need to be so formal. When have I ever treated you like an outsider?"
What else could I say? This guy truly didn't treat me like an outsider, more like family, where borrowed money didn't need to be repaid.
In an elegantly styled Western restaurant, Wang Lei and I sat across from two beautiful girls. The one in red, with long eyes and an oval face, had a sweet smile and was Wang Lei's target. The other girl, dressed in white, had an ethereal aura, no less attractive than Wang Lei's target.
This place was also chosen by Wang Lei for its ambiance. If it were up to me, I'd have picked a food stall because I can't get used to Western food and know little about its etiquette. Rather than pretending, I'd prefer eating something I like, though this setting made me uncomfortable. "Let me introduce you formally, this is the project director for the event you're participating in, and also your temporary boss, my good brother, Lu Fei." I really wanted to punch Wang Lei for this kind of self-aggrandizing introduction that made my skin crawl. "Really? Then please take good care of us, boss," the girl in red joked, but it felt like sarcasm to me. I awkwardly smiled.
"This is He Dandan, and this is her friend Lu Qian, your namesake," Wang Lei continued to introduce us, acting like he was already very familiar with them. I exchanged a smile with Lu Qian as a greeting.
After that, Wang Lei and He Dandan chatted away, seemingly very compatible. I could only engage in small talk with Lu Qian. As time passed, I knew it was time for me to act.
"It's a bit stuffy here. If you don't mind, let's go out for a walk. We don't seem to be able to join their conversation."
"Okay." Lu Qian nodded in agreement. I always thought that a girl bringing a friend to a date was a form of self-protection. However, this method of self-protection was not very effective. If you were willing to go on a date with the guy, your companion was practically useless, especially when Wang Lei brought me, the problem solver.
"Are you good friends with Wang Lei?" we walked casually on the street.
"Yes, very good friends."
"You two don't seem to have much in common."
"What do you mean?"
"He talks a lot, and you don't seem to like talking."
"It's not that I don't like talking, but today's setting wasn't suitable for me to talk. I'm so humorous and witty; if I started talking, Wang Lei wouldn't have a chance to shine." I didn't know where my sudden interest came from, maybe a slight liking for the beautiful girl in front of me. But ever since meeting Ran Jing, my immunity to beauties had significantly increased, specifically to those not as beautiful as Ran Jing.
"This sounds a bit like Wang Lei's style."
"What are you talking about? Wang Lei's style? When I started, Wang Lei would shiver at the sight of beauties. Remember, this is the Lu style. You can ask Wang Lei who his senior is when you get the chance."
"Are you really the project director?"
"A project director isn't some high-ranking official; no need to fake it. It's just managing a project. What about you? What do you do?"
"I'm a student, in my fourth year, not much coursework, just working part-time."
"Working is good, but girls should be more vigilant, especially pretty ones." Having seen many dark sides of society, I sincerely hoped girls could have better self-awareness and self-protection.
"Vigilant of what?"
"Bad guys, this society is full of them."
"What do bad guys generally do?"
"Take advantage of you, use their position to get close to you, and then find opportunities to take advantage..." As I spoke, I saw Lu Qian's face showing a faint smile, very pretty, but her eyes had a certain meaning.
I realized I had led myself into a trap. Wasn't Wang Lei and I also using our positions to date them? Although I was just an accomplice, this big hat indeed fit Lu Qian perfectly.