Inside the parking lot, there were plenty of luxury cars, ranging from Mercedes-Benz and BMWs to top-tier RVs, each gleaming with high-end sophistication. Many of these cars clearly had a personal touch, adorned with eye-catching decorations, indicating that they were likely owned by the company's staff.
This, in turn, subtly hinted at the impressive salaries of the employees at Pengzhan Group. Given this, it seemed that my own monthly salary of thirty thousand wasn't as high as I had initially thought.
Under Uncle Fu's guidance, I approached a deep blue Bentley Continental GT 728, model year 2006, its condition impeccable. Whether recently purchased or carefully maintained, it looked brand new.
"Mr. Lin, please get in," Uncle Fu said, pulling open the passenger-side door and gesturing with an inviting smile.
"I'm sitting in the passenger seat? What about the young lady...?" I hesitated and asked.
"Miss always sits in the back seat," Uncle Fu replied, "She carries a school bag, and it's inconvenient in the front."
I nodded and climbed into the car. As Uncle Fu expertly drove, we slowly exited the underground parking garage. Passing the security checkpoint at the exit, the guards immediately stood at attention, their faces serious as they watched us leave.
Uncle Fu's driving skills were flawless, though it was evident he adhered to a more conventional driving style, unlike the racing techniques I had learned. My grandfather's famous saying had always been, "It's not your fault if you can't beat them, but if you can't escape, then that's just your bad luck."
So, I had learned many evasive maneuvers, though, in truth, I'd only ever used them to escape my grandfather's grasp. When it came to others, I was more often the one running.
"Mr. Lin, do you drive?" Uncle Fu asked, glancing at me while waiting at a red light.
Having been an experienced driver for years, Uncle Fu could tell a lot from subtle details. Since I hadn't shown any reaction, he asked.
"A little," I replied, thinking it best to remain modest as a newcomer.
"Do you have a driver's license?" Uncle Fu asked, not particularly concerned with the extent of my driving abilities, knowing his employer trusted me.
"Not yet," I shook my head. While I could drive, even racing abroad at one point, I had yet to get my license. "I just turned eighteen, and I haven't gotten around to it."
"Alright, give me your ID, and I'll help you get a license. That way, if Mr. Chu or I ever have urgent matters, you'll be able to drive Miss to and from school," Uncle Fu said.
The car stopped near a lavish-looking school, though it didn't drive right up to the entrance. It was likely to avoid drawing attention, as the vehicle was just too eye-catching, and it wouldn't look good for the other students to see.
From the information I had read, I knew that although Pine Mountain First High was a private school, it wasn't an elitist institution. It was a prestigious provincial-level high school that accepted students from across the province through exams. While there were certainly some children of the wealthy and powerful who got in through connections, most students were there based on merit.
Thanks to the support of three major corporations, Pine Mountain First High excelled in both hardware and faculty, which explained its consistent 100% graduation rate.
I knew, however, that this 100% rate was likely inflated. Some spoiled rich kids didn't study at all, yet they still ended up at university, all thanks to their family's influence.
The familiar sound of the school bell rang, causing me to momentarily lose focus. How long had it been since I last heard that sound? After a brief lapse, I quickly regained my composure and looked calmly at the school's sports field.
Before long, students began streaming out of the classrooms. Some were in uniform, while others wore casual clothes. Typically, unless there was a special event, the school didn't impose strict dress codes on students.
"That's Miss," Uncle Fu suddenly pointed, gesturing to a group of students walking towards us.
I followed his gaze and saw a tall, strikingly beautiful girl among the crowd. Though there were other girls around her, I could tell immediately that she must be the one — she was the school's "belle," as my grandfather had mentioned. Unless my taste in beauty was off, she had to be the one.
Though another girl beside her was also quite attractive, her petite figure didn't match the height listed in the information. She was certainly a potential candidate for "school beauty" in the making — if she matured, she'd be the kind who could bring the world to its knees.
Chong Mengyao and the other girl walked briskly towards the car, but a few wealthy-looking young men were following them persistently.
"Mengyao, wait up..." One of the young men blocked her path. "Mengyao, I'm serious about you. Just give me one chance!"
Chong Mengyao frowned and glanced at him impatiently. "Zhong Pinliang, how many times do I have to tell you? I don't like you. Stop bothering me."
"But..." Zhong Pinliang wanted to say more but was shoved aside by her.
Chong Mengyao quickly walked over to the car and got in, with the other girl following her. I couldn't help but feel a little surprised.
"This Zhong Pinliang is so annoying. He pesters me every day. Doesn't he ever get tired?" Once inside, Chong Mengyao continued to complain, then suddenly noticed me in the passenger seat. She raised an eyebrow and asked, "Who are you?"
"Hello, my name is Lin Yi," I said, trying to appear as charming as possible. She didn't seem to have the best temperament.
"Lin Yi? Fu, what's he here for?" Chong Mengyao asked, looking confused.
"Miss, this is the companion Mr. Chu hired for you," Uncle Fu explained.
"Companion? Who needs a companion? Didn't I ask for a human shield? What can he shield me from looking like that?" Chong Mengyao immediately became upset, sizing me up. What kind of outfit was this? A big vest and torn pants, looking like a construction worker from the countryside, even worse than a migrant worker. Did he think he was auditioning for a two-man show?
Uncle Fu, sweating profusely, glanced at me helplessly. Seeing I didn't react, he sighed in relief. As Mr. Chu's most trusted confidant, he understood the effort it had taken to bring me in — even Mr. Chu's father had stepped in to make this happen.