Everyone knew exactly what He Youjun meant.
Jiang Cheng and Wang Congcong were both only sons in their families.
Whether they excelled or not, their status at home and their future right to inherit were set in stone.
Zheng Zhigang, too, was a legitimate heir.
In contrast, only He Youjun's family background was complicated and fiercely competitive.
If he wanted to rise above that environment,
he really had no choice but to make himself exceptional.
To showcase his ability and edge.
If he fooled around like Jiang Cheng and Wang Congcong, he'd still be Second-generation rich, but the odds of eventually inheriting the family fortune would be slim.
Jiang Cheng smiled. "Actually, a car like this isn't all that rare. Your families probably own something similar. As long as you're willing to pay, you can custom-order a maybach or a rolls-royce."
Wang Congcong couldn't help jumping in. "Come on, Jiang Cheng, enough false modesty. Let me tell you—this thing isn't like a maybach or Rolls you can order with money. If I wanted one, I'd have to ask my granddad to handle the paperwork and approvals, and even then it might not go through."
The moment Wang Congcong finished, shock flashed across He Youjun's and Zheng Zhigang's faces.
It wasn't the difficulty of buying the car that stunned them,
but the approval process Wang Congcong had hinted at.
Right then, staring at the Kyoto plate on the front, both men seemed to guess something.
He Youjun's gaze toward Jiang Cheng unconsciously carried a hint of awe.
His own father's plate had cost a fortune to secure at auction.
If it were put on the market now,
it would fetch at least another hundred million.
Still, he knew the situation in the mainland differed from Hong Kong Island and Casino City.
A plate like Jiang Cheng's couldn't be bought with money alone.
Such numbers never even appeared at auction.
No wonder Wang Congcong treated Jiang Cheng like an honored guest.
Although Wang Congcong hadn't spelled out the car's special purpose,
Jiang Churan and Shen Shuang, standing nearby, began speculating about Jiang Cheng's background.
What kind of vehicle needs that level of approval to purchase?
Could this thing in front of them be something other than an ordinary civilian car?
Seeing He Youjun and Zheng Zhigang's curiosity,
Jiang Cheng generously opened the door and gave them a tour.
Years later, when the country used this model on state visits, even the big shots in Pretty Country praised it.
Maybe not wholeheartedly,
but as citizens, seeing their nation build something that could rival the best filled them with pride.
A few minutes later Jiang Churan and Shen Shuang climbed into the red flag car.
Both sat a bit stiffly, taking in the interior.
Finally Shen Shuang spoke up. "Jiang Cheng, is this the legendary kind of car that could send me flying if we crash? I heard even if poison gas is released outside, the people inside stay safe."
Jiang Cheng chuckled. "Sounds right. This is only my second ride—haven't tested that feature."
"Knock on wood. Don't joke; our country's one of the safest on earth. Kyoto's security is top-notch, way better than those messy foreign cities. Nothing like that could ever happen," Shen Shuang said solemnly.
Jiang Cheng nodded. "I couldn't agree more."
Those who think foreign air smells sweet learn the hard way: after ten at night you stay indoors
or risk eating a bullet.
But here, ten p.m. is when nightlife starts.
Jiang Churan ran her hand over the seat. "Jiang Cheng, what does your family do?"
In the past he'd have said his father ran a construction company.
But now he knew the old man couldn't be that simple.
Judging by what he'd seen, his dad probably held some hidden post.
"Complicated question—hard to answer."
That reply set Shen Shuang and Jiang Churan's imaginations spinning.
"Which school do you two go to?"
"We're at the Dance Academy," Jiang Churan said.
Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow. "No wonder—dance-school beauties."
Shen Shuang grinned. "So you're saying every girl at our academy is gorgeous?"
She shot a playful glance at Jiang Churan.
Jiang Cheng looked her over, then Jiang Churan, and smiled. "Judging by you two, I guess not all of you."
The usually blunt Shen Shuang choked on the jab.
"Wow, that's a hard line to follow. My chest suddenly hurts—so only Chu Ran counts as pretty?"
She pouted at Jiang Cheng.
"Isn't she?"
Seeing him tease her without mercy, Shen Shuang gave a mock-defeated shake. "Fine, fine—Chu Ran's the top beauty in our choreography department."
Jiang Cheng glanced at Shen Shuang, then Jiang Churan, and smiled faintly. "I can tell."
"Alas, guess I've got no charm…"
Jiang Cheng found her antics amusing.
Good thing he'd already seen enough of the world's prosperity
to stay immune to Shen Shuang's pout.
Compared with Jiang Churan, her 80-point looks were a notch below.
Besides, his open banter with Shen Shuang was a social cue,
showing Jiang Churan she was special while giving her security.
"Don't sell yourself short—my standards are just high."
"Hmph! That's not comfort, that's a slap!"
Shen Shuang rolled her eyes, turned to Jiang Churan, and whined, "Chu Ran, what should I do?"
Seeing Shen Shuang clutch her chest, Jiang Churan laughed.
In a cool tone she said, "Sister Shuang, surrender. You can't out-talk him."