Chapter 9

After leaving the Armani store, Zhou Chao headed straight to the underground parking lot. With his clothes already purchased, he now needed to find a hairstylist named Tony. He searched online and decided to go to C-House near Fengxian Road in the Jing’an District.

According to word-of-mouth, numerous celebrities frequented the place for their styling needs. Intrigued by this information, Zhou Chao desired to find a hairstylist who would be a perfect match for him.

By the time Zhou Chao arrived at C-House, it was already approaching two o’clock in the afternoon. He walked in and noticed many people getting their hair done. A young receptionist approached him.

“Good day, sir. Are you here to get your hair styled?”

“Yes, can it be done now?” Zhou Chao inquired.

“Yes, our director Tony is available now.”

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“Great, please arrange it,” Zhou Chao requested.

“Sure, please have a seat over here.”

Zhou Chao hadn’t been seated for long when a middle-aged man approached him. “Hello, I’m Director Tony. What kind of hairstyle are you looking for?”

Zhou Chao contemplated for a moment and responded, “Please give me a hairstyle based on my face shape.”

“Alright.”

Tony’s movements were swift. In less than thirty minutes, Zhou Chao felt like a completely different person. The hairstyle perfectly highlighted his facial features, complemented by his unparalleled charisma. He looked incredibly handsome.

Upon seeing his masterpiece, Tony nodded in satisfaction. “Handsome, it’s done.”

Zhou Chao examined his new hairstyle and felt extremely pleased. The place he found online turned out to be excellent. He silently gave himself a thumbs up.

After settling the bill, Zhou Chao checked the time. It was around three o’clock. He took out his phone and dialed Big Bro Li’s number.

The phone rang for a while, but nobody answered. Assuming that Li Yang was busy, Zhou Chao hung up and decided to go for a stroll on the Bund.

Having lived in Modu for four years, Zhou Chao had never been to the Bund. He had always been confined to the school and never had the chance to explore. Since it was still early, he decided to finally experience the famous Bund.

Zhou Chao drove to the Bund and found a place to park. The Bund, formerly known as the “Parade Ground”, showcased various architectural styles from the colonial era, including British Renaissance, Baroque, Gothic, and French Classical.

These buildings had once been foreign companies, renowned hotels, shops, and entertainment venues. Now, they housed banks like Pufa and Huaxia, as well as some foreign consulates, the Customs House, and Peace Hotel. It was a place worth visiting.

Walking along the Bund, Zhou Chao marveled at the historic architectural ensemble known as the “Ten-Mile Gallery”. These buildings reflected the elegance and charm of a bygone era. From the Renaissance-era structures to the Baroque and Gothic styles, they formed a picturesque scene.

These architectural marvels had witnessed the passage of time, bearing witness to the era of foreign concessions, renowned dining establishments, and vibrant entertainment venues. Today, they stood proudly, housing the offices of banks and foreign consulates. The allure of this place was undeniable, captivating visitors with its rich history and cultural significance.

Standing by the Huangpu River and gazing at the Oriental Pearl Tower on the opposite bank, Zhou Chao felt a wave of emotions release within him. At that moment, he felt a weight lifted off his shoulders and a sense of relaxation.

Strolling in the direction of Huangpu Park along the Huangpu River, Zhou Chao leisurely enjoyed the scenery on both banks. He felt a sense of tranquility.

Inside Huangpu Park, Zhou Chao admired the park that had withstood over a hundred years of history. He used his phone to capture the traces of that history. Standing before the Monument to the People’s Heroes, he bowed his head silently. The monument was erected to commemorate the heroes who sacrificed their lives during the Opium War, May Fourth Movement, and the Liberation War. History should never be forgotten, and we must always remember.

Enthralled by the beauty of the Bund, Zhou Chao explored several attractions such as Chen Yi Square, Waibaidu Bridge, the Bund Art Museum, and the Bund Sky Gallery. Unbeknownst to him, the sky had gradually turned dark.

Buzzing vibrations came from his bag, and Zhou Chao took out his phone. His finger swiped across the screen as he answered, “Hello, Big Bro. Are you done with your work?”

“I just finished a meeting. Where are you now?” Li Yang’s voice came from the other end.

“I’m currently at the Bund,” Zhou Chao replied.

“I’ll send you the address. Come over. I’ve reserved a spot for us.”

“Alright.”

Zhou Chao looked at the address Li Yang sent him—Tianping Road in the Xuhui District—and without overthinking, he drove towards the destination.

Half an hour later, Zhou Chao arrived at the location that Big Bro Li had sent him to. He was taken aback when he saw “Young Master Huang”, a restaurant nestled in a two-story old Western-style building in the city center.

Just as Zhou Chao was about to call Li Yang, someone shouted “Second Bro” from behind. He turned around and saw a man, slightly taller than him at 183 centimeters, dressed in a suit with an air of charm.

“Big Bro, can you stop calling me ‘Second Brother’?” Zhou Chao said, staring at Li Yang with a resentful gaze.

Li Yang shivered at the chilling tone. “Uh… Let’s not make it a habit. Come on, let’s go in. I’ve reserved a table.”

As Li Yang led the way, he introduced, “Don’t let the name fool you. Although the restaurant is called ‘Young Master Huang’, the owner is actually a beautiful woman. She’s a friend of mine. I’ve been here a few times before, and the dishes are quite good. Later, I’ll recommend some signature dishes for you to try.”

Following Li Yang, Zhou Chao ascended to the second floor. He gazed at the retro-style European chandeliers, ceramic vases exuding a sense of history, Renaissance-themed cutlery, and crystal-carved wine glasses. Every detail showcased the restaurant owner’s elegant and unique taste.

As soon as they were seated, Li Yang clapped his hands, and the dishes started arriving. First came the fruit platter, followed by the appetizer: Royal Stewed Egg with King Crab Meat and Fish Roe, then the salad: Pan-Fried Goose Liver with Pomegranate Oil and Vinegar, the soup: Dendrobium and Seahorse Stewed Chicken, the sashimi: Hokkaido Scallop Slices with Fresh Truffle, and the main course: Fragrant Braised Shark’s Fin and Secret Recipe Braised Abalone and Pork with Black Truffle.

Zhou Chao calmly looked at the dishes on the table. If it had been in the past, he would have been unable to contain his excitement at the sight of these delicacies.