Chapter 66: Human Shield

“Uh, Third Brother, this car really was a gift from him.” Yang Meng finished filling out the form and handed it back to Zhang San. “You actually know Zheng Cannon?”

Zhang San nodded. “Yeah, the motorcycle circle is big and small at the same time. How could I not know him? Sometimes I even need to get parts from him. Actually, there’s another guy called Qian Scab, whose connections are even wilder. Our club works with him for bike detailing.”

Yang Meng blinked. “Uh, my ‘Six-Eyed Demon’ was a gift from him.”

Zhang San stared blankly for a moment before muttering, “I sold this ‘Six-Eyed’ to him, but he changed the color scheme—I didn’t recognize it right away!”

Yang Meng laughed. “Well, I guess the circle really is that small.”

“But why would they give you a bike? Don’t tell me it’s because they think you’re fast at delivering food,” Qiao Yu asked curiously.

Yang Meng gave a bitter smile. “Alright, beauty, I’ll admit it. I’m actually a sudden rich guy, not a food delivery man. Now you believe me, right? These bikes are all mine, okay?”

Qiao Yu looked Yang Meng up and down. “Rich guy, huh? That actually makes sense. How much did you make to buy so many bikes? Life must be good.”

Yang Meng blinked. “Not that much, really. Recently, I partnered up to open a barbecue restaurant. Once it’s open, I’ll invite you all to come support us.”

“Barbecue?” Qiao Yu pursed her lips. “Will you even earn enough to cover your gas money?”

Chong Feng laughed. “So you’re going into the food business? We might be competitors in the future.”

Yang Meng shrugged. “I just put up the money; I don’t manage it.”

Qiao Yu said, “Business partnerships aren’t easy. You’re just a hands-off investor? Be careful.”

Chen Jiao chimed in, “Do you even need a partner to open a barbecue joint? Where is it?”

Yang Meng replied, “Just found the venue, right at the entrance on the first floor of Dragon Melody Fitness Club.”

Quan Yajing frowned. “Dragon Melody? Why would Dragon Soar let you open a barbecue place there? Are you kidding us?”

Yang Meng was noncommittal. “It’s being renovated now, will open before the New Year. See for yourselves then. Hmm? You know Dragon Soar?”

Quan Yajing waved her hand. “He’s the real diamond bachelor—how could anyone in this city not know him? Why do so many girls work out at Dragon Melody? You think it’s really for lifting weights? They all want to meet Dragon Soar. Among the top young men in our city, he’s the easiest to meet.”

Qiao Yu said, “Hey, Quan Yajing, I work out there to stay in shape, okay? Who wants to meet him? Men with money end up flirting everywhere. He acts all virtuous, but who knows how many girls he’s hit on?”

Quan Yajing nodded. “True enough. Men with money can’t resist temptation. That’s just how you guys are!”

Yang Meng cleared his throat. “Beauty, don’t judge all men with the same stick! Sure, some rich men can’t resist women, but… you women don’t exactly go tempting poor men, do you?”

Qiao Yu snorted. “No matter how rich a man is, I’m not interested. I can earn my own money. Rely on a man’s cash? Please, I’d rather laugh.”

Yang Meng shrugged. “That’s because you’re not short of money yourself. What you value is different from what poor people value. You don’t worry about food and clothing, so you can pursue other things. But not everyone can reach your level, okay?”

Qiao Yu rolled her eyes at him. “You make it sound like we’re all heartless rich folks. Aren’t you a rich guy yourself?”

Yang Meng nodded. “Rich guy? Out of everyone here, I’m the poorest. I really was a food delivery man. Then, because of certain things, I made over a million. Now I’m partnering to open a barbecue place. If you think I’m too low-class to hang out with you all, I’ll leave, okay?”

Zhang San quickly said, “We’re all bikers—why say that? We make friends through bikes, not status. Xiao Yang, those words are hurtful. Come on, why so much heat on a cold day? Drinks are on me.”

Of course, despite Zhang San’s words, everyone was quietly sizing up Yang Meng.

They didn’t believe his claim that the bikes were gifts. The total value was at least six hundred thousand. They figured Yang Meng bought them himself and was just bragging.

Who would give someone such expensive bikes for nothing? Are you their godfather, owed their filial piety?

Made over a million and spent sixty thousand on bikes—classic nouveau riche behavior. The rest invested in a barbecue place, claiming not to manage it? Might as well throw money in the river.

All these bikers’ families were well-off, some were second-generation rich, others had climbed to senior positions through their own efforts, but they all had a distaste for ‘nouveau riche.’ This biker salon was for sharing riding experiences and mutual business help. Someone opening a barbecue shop, whose business prospects were unknown, could hardly be taken seriously.

At that moment, a motorcycle stopped at the salon’s entrance and the rider walked in. “Did I hear right? Someone’s offering drinks as soon as I arrive? What luck!”

Qiao Yu saw who it was and turned her head away.

Zhang San greeted, “Zhou Chun, what brings you here? You’re practically a rare guest now!”

Zhou Chun grinned. “I’ve been busy closing a big deal—almost done now, feeling great. This time I’ll make a few million. Made some money, so of course I want to see my little Yu. Third Brother, I saw a ‘Six-Eyed’ parked outside. What’s up? Another newcomer to lure in?”

Zhang San was speechless. “Lure them in? What are you talking about?”

Zhou Chun replied, “Your membership fees here are outrageously high and there’s barely any activities. Isn’t that just luring newcomers?”

He had a point. Most bike clubs charged a hundred or a hundred fifty a month; here, it was five hundred. But given Zhang San’s services, it was justified.

Quan Yajing snorted. “Hey, Spring, is that why you join every club and chase girls everywhere?”

Zhou Chun shrugged. “Xiao Jing, you’re misreading me. I’m just making friends, not chasing girls. Besides, it’s all for appearances. How could my heart hold anyone else? It’s all for my little Yu!”

Qiao Yu stood up to leave, but Quan Yajing pulled her back and turned to Zhou Chun. “I’ve seen plenty of scoundrels, but never one as shameless as you. Looking for newcomers? Here you go, let me introduce you—this is Yang Meng, Qiao Yu’s boyfriend.”

Yang Meng was stunned. He’d just been bickering with Qiao Yu, and suddenly he was her boyfriend?

Qiao Yu reacted faster than Yang Meng, linking her arm through his. “Yes, let me introduce my boyfriend. The newcomer you mentioned—it’s him. The ‘Six-Eyed’ parked outside is his.”

Zhou Chun waved his hand at Qiao Yu. “Little Yu, you wouldn’t fake a boyfriend just to fool me, would you?”

Qiao Yu gave him a disdainful look. “Are we that close? Fool you? Dream on. And stop calling me Little Yu—we’re not friends anymore.”

Zhou Chun looked Yang Meng up and down. “Alright, Qiao Yu, I see your taste dropped after we broke up.”

Despite their earlier friction, Yang Meng was annoyed by Zhou Chun’s words. He frowned. “Hey, buddy, what do you mean by that? There’s a mirror right here—take a look. Are you taller or better looking than me? Is your bike better, or your physique? Where do you get the confidence to say that?”

Zhou Chun was stumped; he wasn’t tall, barely one seventy, shorter than Qiao Yu. Yang Meng wanted to ask Qiao Yu if she was blind.

But Zhou Chun wasn’t fazed; he smiled at Yang Meng. “Buddy, I didn’t mean you specifically. You wouldn’t know—when Qiao Yu and I broke up, she swore she’d find someone with better riding skills than mine. But to be better, he’d have to be someone in the circle. Our circle isn’t that big—most faces are familiar. You seem new, must be an outsider. What do you do?”

Yang Meng replied, “I do nothing, eat and wait to die. With some spare cash, I play with bikes. Just a nouveau riche. Problems?”

Zhou Chun glanced at the ‘Six-Eyed Demon’ outside. “You’re refreshingly straightforward!”

Yang Meng shook his head. “Please don’t call me ‘buddy’—we just met, not that close, right?”

“I really believe you’re nouveau riche now,” Zhou Chun said. “That arrogant attitude is classic.”

Yang Meng said, “I’m just honest.”

Zhou Chun sighed, “Qiao Yu, even if we broke up, you don’t need to sink this low. Your taste in men… sigh.”

Qiao Yu replied, “My taste is bad, or I wouldn’t have chosen you. Makes me want to gouge out my own eyes. Let’s put it this way—even picking a dog would be better than picking you!”

Yang Meng blinked. “Uh, I think you just insulted me too!”

Qiao Yu leaned her head on his shoulder and sweetly said, “Darling, I slipped up just now. Tonight, you can punish me however you want!”

Yang Meng drew a sharp breath—Qiao Yu, with her short hair and dashing aura, turned out to be quite the actress!

Women are born performers.

Zhou Chun was infuriated by the display and finally gave Qiao Yu a thumbs-up. “Alright, you’re ruthless! I’ll wait for the day you cry!” With that, he stormed out.

As soon as he left, Qiao Yu let go of Yang Meng’s arm, her sweet expression gone. “You performed well—drinks are on me later!”

“Huh?”