Chapter 549 - 358: Born to Be a Kept Man

Xue Rui wasn’t worried that Guo Wei would reject the proposal. If he did, Xue Rui would just find one of his colleagues to pass it to, and that in itself was a valuable favor.

"It’s quite comprehensive, but have you considered how the tourists are supposed to return them?"

After reading the proposal carefully from top to bottom, Guo Wei had found a few holes in the plan.

Xue Rui’s shared power bank initiative would have a significant positive impact on both improving public services for tourism and enhancing the city’s image.

Especially now in the age of the internet, where young people dominated the online discourse, his department was paying more and more attention to its online presence, constantly searching for any mentions of themselves.

If he took charge of it, it could be a major accomplishment on his record.

But if it were botched, the blowback would be significant. That’s why he posed a question to Xue Rui:

"Tourists stay for two days on average. If there’s nowhere to return the power bank before they leave, won’t they be forced to buy it?"

Xue Rui paused to think. He said slowly, "Uncle Guo has a point. What about setting up temporary return stations in high-traffic areas?"

’Of course, Xue Rui had left these holes in the plan on purpose.’

’If he tried to do it all himself, not only would it consume massive resources and manpower, but he’d also risk being shut down for illegal operation.’

’But with official backing, it would be much easier to execute.’

’To be precise, as long as he could get the government on board, this whole promotion would become much, much easier.’

"Alright then. I actually have to head back to the office now, so I’ll look for the relevant documents for you." Guo Wei smiled and nodded. ’Xue Rui really is a sharp kid.’

Xue Rui quickly stood up. "Uncle Guo, let me walk you out."

Guo Wei clapped Xue Rui on the shoulder. "I drove. Besides, Uncle Gu specifically asked for your company, so you should stay and relax. You’re a big boss now, are you really worried there’s no one else to do the work?"

’His son had come home early yesterday. When he’d asked what had been arranged for him and his friends, his son said they hadn’t even gone.’

’He knew without even having to think about it that Xue Rui must have sent them away. After all, Guo Ziyang had been caught staring at the man’s secretary yesterday.’

’But today, Xue Rui was acting as if nothing had happened and had even slipped Guo Ziyang a pack of cigarettes while he was working.’

’He was magnanimous and knew how to separate business from personal matters. That was a rare quality in someone so young...’

"Uncle Guo, a man’s career is what’s most important," Xue Rui said, stating the obvious.

"At your age, shouldn’t that be your studies?" Guo Wei teased.

...

In the end, Xue Rui didn’t actually see Guo Wei off. They had already been talking until almost eleven, and a round trip would make him miss lunch. Besides, Guo Wei had also hinted that he could get a small subsidy.

This was actually what Xue Rui had been aiming for. First, to achieve a win-win partnership with the government, and second, to get some subsidies to recoup his initial investment.

Xue Rui called Li Ruihao and put him in charge of the project. He then bought some drinks and waited by the scenic area’s exit for Lin Ruoxi and Gu Muxue to come out.

He didn’t have to wait long at the exit before he saw Gu Muxue and her group emerge. In the crowd, Lin Ruoxi was craning her neck, searching for something. The moment her eyes met Xue Rui’s, she broke into a sweet smile and waved at him.

Gu Muxue followed Lin Ruoxi’s gaze and shot Xue Rui a venomous glare. She grabbed Lin Ruoxi’s arm and said, "Ruoxi, let’s go get some ice cream. See? He didn’t get any."

And so, the two of them turned and headed off to buy ice cream.

Xue Rui was baffled, but since he saw Gu Muxue greet Gu Qingshan, he didn’t think too much of it. ’The girl’s still pouting,’ he thought.

’Gu Muxue has depression, something she hasn’t even told her own parents. He understood her reasons...’

’He hadn’t slept well last night after confirming her diagnosis. A mix of pity and guilt churned inside him, and he’d been wondering how he should face her from now on.’

’In the end, he came to one conclusion—he had to pretend he didn’t know.’

’Gu Muxue liked it when he doted on her, but that was only when they were on equal footing. If he started overcompensating out of guilt because of this, would she be happy?’

’The answer was no. In fact, it would just make her uncomfortable.’

’That was why, when he saw Gu Muxue today, he didn’t mention her depression at all, acting just as he always did.’

’It was like interacting with someone with a disability—the greatest respect you could show them was to treat them like a normal person.’

...

Xue Rui walked over to Gu Qingshan and the others.

Guo Ziyang had just gotten off the phone. It was his dad, who had specifically warned him not to be difficult and told him to spend more time with Xue Rui.

Yesterday, Guo Ziyang had been shot down by Lin Ruoxi and then coldly ordered around by Gu Muxue. He was still fuming about it, convinced Xue Rui had been pulling the strings behind the scenes.

But after seeing Gu Muxue’s family arrive in a Maybach today, he finally understood the gap between him and her.

’Of course, he was also jealous of Xue Rui’s incredible luck.’

’To be able to start a business while still in college, he must have backers. And with Gu Muxue’s family being so rich, it must be her money he was spending, right?’

Guo Ziyang walked up to Xue Rui. He didn’t mention what had happened yesterday, instead offering him a cigarette. "Those two aren’t here now. We can smoke, right?"

Xue Rui waved it away. ’He had genuinely quit, but that was something a guy this age would find hard to understand.’ He said, "Uncle Gu’s here."

Guo Ziyang paused for a moment, then turned and offered a cigarette to Gu Qingshan, cupping his hand around the flame as he lit it for him.

Gu Qingshan took a drag from the cigarette and said nonchalantly, "Xiaorui, if you want to smoke, go ahead. I smoked when I was your age, too."

"See?" Guo Ziyang grinned at Xue Rui. ’Gu Qingshan was pretty open-minded,’ he thought.