11 Luxury Cars

Before Zhou Zhuofei could respond, Ye Ru waved at her and said, "Go ahead, I’m busy."

Only after Ye Ru left the office did Zhou Zhuofei realize that Ye Ru’s way of working was just like the dynamic between herself and Zhan Zilang.

It truly is said that the kind of subordinate mirrors the kind of superior.

Although Zhou Zhuofei had never organized such events before, she had often attended business dinners. She made a mental note of several restaurants with good food and ambiance, and after consulting a few familiar colleagues, quickly settled the matter.

The next morning, Ye Ru posted the announcement about the evening gathering in the work group chat.

Colleagues had mixed reactions—some were eager to join, others found it troublesome or a distraction. But since the department rarely organized activities, and this was officially to welcome new staff, it was a legitimate occasion.

So despite grumbling, when it was time to leave work, everyone naturally began pairing up for rides.

Though Zhou Zhuofei had a driver’s license, she didn’t own a car, so she usually hitched rides and took whichever seat was available.

She had planned to ask Zhan Zilang to ride with Luo Jing, but he flashed his car keys at her.

“Zhou, want to take my car?”

Zhou Zhuofei didn’t know much about cars, but she recognized the large emblem on the key and promptly agreed.

Luo Jing, standing nearby, saw the keys and exclaimed, “Wow, that’s a nice car!”

Zhou Zhuofei beckoned him, “Come on, let’s go see the world together.”

Luo Jing had been planning to drive himself, but hearing Zhou’s words tempted him—his car was always ready, but chances like this didn’t come often.

Zhan Zilang generously invited Luo Jing, “Brother Luo, let’s go together. I’ll give you a ride back later.”

“That’d be great, thanks.”

“No problem, it’s nothing.”

Meanwhile, the other colleagues found their travel partners, and the three set off for the underground garage.

On the way, Luo Jing and Zhan Zilang chatted about cars, while Zhou Zhuofei, feeling bored, took out her phone to chat with Du Yu.

Coincidentally, Du Yu was arranging to meet her over the weekend to introduce her new boyfriend.

Compared to car talk, Zhou Zhuofei found this much more interesting.

She and Du Yu chatted daily; as soon as she arrived at work, she habitually opened the chat app to say hello.

Though their conversations were few and far between, like messages in a digital bottle, replied to only by chance, she had long since formed the habit.

Unfamiliar with the garage and the route, she just followed the two men, glancing up only when they stopped.

Zhan Zilang was driving a silvery-gray coupe with sleek, futuristic lines that caught Zhou Zhuofei’s eye, prompting a compliment.

“This car is so cool!”

“Of course, it’s one of their classic models,” Luo Jing said, staring at it as if glued.

Though Zhou Zhuofei knew little about car models, she had her own sense of aesthetics. She told Zhan Zilang, “Your car reminds me of the one the protagonist drives in ‘Black Cos,’ really beautiful!”

Zhan Zilang replied enthusiastically, “Exactly. That’s why I bought it. That car’s design was inspired by this model.”

“If only the front end were a bit longer, it would look even more like it!” Zhou Zhuofei said, gesturing as she looked on.

“I was going to modify it, but my friend advised against it, so I left it as is.”

Luo Jing didn’t understand their references, but knowing Zhou Zhuofei, he guessed they were talking about anime or games.

He teased, “Finally, someone here who shares your love for otaku culture, huh?”

“Sort of,” Zhou Zhuofei answered seriously. “There’s a big difference between a wealthy otaku and one who isn’t.”

“Here she goes again!”

Zhan Zilang muttered as he pressed the key fob, and the car’s streamlined lights lit up. Against the dim garage lighting, the scene looked like a cinematic cutscene from a game.

At that moment, Zhou Zhuofei had only one thought—being rich is wonderful; you can even buy the same car as in the games.

Inside, the interior was luxurious, but she felt less impressed than before.

She sat alone in the back seat, listening to Luo Jing and Zhan Zilang chat and occasionally joining in.

Young people’s conversations were naturally more casual; with few young and single employees in the administrative department, they formed a close-knit group with good relations.

As long as work topics were avoided, conflicts were almost impossible.

At the restaurant, everyone enjoyed a lively meal. Apart from the usual polite words from Ye Ru at the start, none of the old, tedious drinking culture was present.

After the meal, everyone dispersed.

As Zhou Zhuofei was considering how to head home, Ye Ru suddenly said to her, “Since it’s Friday, just have fun. The others have families and need to look after kids. You young ones don’t have those worries.”

A married colleague passing by heard this and nodded in agreement, saying, “That’s right, Xiao Zhou. Enjoy your youth; later you might want to but won’t have the energy.”

Jokingly, Zhou Zhuofei said, “That’s easy—don’t get married and you won’t have any troubles.”

“I’m serious,” Ye Ru tapped her arm. “Everyone’s gathered together; you should arrange something.”

“Will you be coming, Ye?”

“I won’t. Got a lot going on at home.” She said the same to another single colleague nearby.

Zhou Zhuofei understood clearly now—she was expected to make the arrangements.

“How about karaoke?” Usually, that’s the default after-dinner plan.

“Whatever you decide, the task’s yours.” Ye Ru waved off and left.

Soon, most people had left the private room, leaving six young people from the department.

Zhou Zhuofei asked for suggestions, “Any ideas? If not, I’ll book a karaoke room.”

“No objections here.”

“I’m fine with anything, just follow your lead.”

“As long as I don’t have to go home, I’m good.”

Seeing everyone’s approval, Zhan Zilang raised a hand slowly.

“I have an idea,” he said.

All eyes turned to him.

“I have some wine stored at New World. They’re having a show Friday night—we could go check it out.”

The suggestion was met with unanimous approval.

“New World? I went once before; it’s a nice place.”

“Wow, I haven’t been to such a fancy place yet.”

“Then let’s go. What do you think, Xiao Zhou?”

After thinking it over, Zhou Zhuofei realized there was little difference for her between karaoke or a bar—just a place to snack and relax.

“Sounds good. Let’s go to New World.”

Everyone dispersed to make plans, agreeing to meet at the bar’s entrance.

Zhou Zhuofei still rode with Luo Jing in Zhan Zilang’s car.

She seldom went to bars—she and Du Yu had gone a few times on holidays, but she disliked loud places, so Du Yu stopped inviting her.

If she could choose, she preferred staying home at night playing games.

Zhan Zilang expertly drove to New World, dropped off Luo Jing and Zhou Zhuofei, and went to park.

The others hadn’t arrived yet. Zhou Zhuofei noticed a job posting at the entrance and glanced at it, then gasped when she saw the salary.

“No way! The pay here is so high!”

Luo Jing looked over and said, “Makes sense. Night shift work isn’t for everyone—upside down schedules are tough on people.”

Zhou Zhuofei thought about it—it was true. She no longer had the energy she used to; staying up all night gaming was fine before, but now losing even an hour’s sleep left her dizzy the next day.

“Money’s really hard to earn.”

“And they have pretty high standards for the waitstaff’s looks,” Luo Jing added knowingly.