Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 1163: Partners

Chapter 1163: Chapter 1163: Partners

No need to go to work, no need to get up early, to sleep until naturally awake, to count cash until the hands cramp—this is the life many people dream about, but Gu Fan only experienced it for three days before suddenly feeling a bit bored.

Gu Ling went to school, Sister Su went to work, and the parents moved out, leaving Gu Fan all alone in the old house, which seemed particularly desolate.

Apart from continuing to research how to start a company, Gu Fan spent his days cooking for himself, watching TV, surfing the internet, or playing games. Living like this, he began to feel a sense of crisis that his best years were slipping away unfulfilled.

What to do, go out and party? Lin Xi wouldn’t agree. Go traveling? That would have to wait until Lin Xi was free.

Only when one has a lot of free time but can’t do the things they want to do, does one truly realize that being in a relationship means sacrificing a certain degree of freedom.

"Everyone is busy, everyone has things to do, what should I do?" Gu Fan boredly gazed at his phone, hoping that at this moment a kind-hearted person would ask him to hang out.

Just then, Li Shi sent him a message. She wanted to talk to Gu Fan and asked if he was at home.

Gu Fan’s first reaction was that a beautiful woman was coming to him—a stroke of incredible luck.

His second thought was, oh no, if Lin Xi finds out, he’d be in deep trouble.

His third thought was, strange, these were weekdays, and Li Shi seemed to know he wasn’t working but was at home instead.

After some thought, Gu Fan felt it wasn’t appropriate to meet at home, so he arranged to meet at a restaurant, inviting Li Shi to a meal.

But Li Shi said she wasn’t quite convenient at the moment and that it would be better to meet at Gu Fan’s home.

"Not quite convenient, what’s not convenient?" Gu Fan wondered at first, then had an epiphany—images from the last interview she gave had been broadcasted, and now that Li Shi was an internet celebrity, it made sense that she wouldn’t want to show her face in public.

Gu Fan agreed to meet at home, but just to clear his name, he installed a camera to prove that he was completely proper while receiving guests.

Gu Fan had no choice—with the marriage proposal to Lin Xi getting close, he didn’t want any complications.

Soon, there was a knock at the door, and as Gu Fan got up to answer it, he was astonished to see the door open and Li Shi walked right in.

"How did you get in?" Gu Fan asked in confusion, then noticed the key in Li Shi’s hand and her disappointed expression: "You see, it’s been years, and you haven’t changed the hiding spot for your key. Can you blame me for this?"

Gu Fan was displeased: "Breaking into a person’s home and acting so righteous about it."

"Alright, I’m both a guest and an old classmate, so you should at least offer some hospitality. Pour me a glass of water," Li Shi had just finished speaking when Gu Fan pointed to the electric kettle beside her: "Relax, I’ve already prepared boiled water for you, it just boiled and is very fresh."

On hearing this, Li Shi rolled her eyes at Gu Fan: "Okay, let’s not argue. I’ve been to Boss Ding’s company; they said you quit and sold your shares."

"I had no choice, having offended the company’s financial backer, I couldn’t stay on," Gu Fan forced a smile but couldn’t hide his dejection—it was embarrassing to be kicked out, especially in front of Li Shi.

Li Shi then said a word of comfort: "That company is not worth sticking around for. I sold my shares too, for about three million yuan."

Gu Fan was stunned, then quickly questioned: "What? You sold your shares, why?"

"First, I’m mainly focusing on that financial media company now, second, I’m not optimistic about Boss Ding’s company, and third, do I trust my own judgment?" After saying this, Li Shi gave Gu Fan a meaningful look, as if she was very interested in him, which made Gu Fan feel embarrassed.

Li Shi added: "Now that you have money, you can completely start your own company. I believe that you will, so I’m planning to invest."

"You want to partner with me to start a company?" Gu Fan was both surprised and delighted. It wasn’t just the financial help from Li Shi, but also her information and resources that would greatly aid in starting his own company.

But Gu Fan quickly regained his composure with an awkward smile: "You’re putting your money into my company, aren’t you afraid I’ll make it tank?"

"If it tanks, it tanks. Just consider it practice for you. I said it—I trust my judgment. You’re someone who can even beat X Fund; I believe you will definitely succeed." Li Shi expressed her confidence in Gu Fan, giving him even more resolve and determination to build his own company.

Gu Fan chuckled and nodded: "Alright, if an old classmate like you has such faith in me, then I will definitely give it my all."

"Then it’s settled." Li Shi stood up and then extended her hand with a polite smile: "Let me know when you have everything ready; I’ll invest promptly."

"Don’t worry, I definitely won’t forget your share," Gu Fan also extended his hand, his and Li Shi’s hands clasped together, feeling each other’s warmth and strength, and they both said in unison, "Pleased to cooperate!"

"Oh yes, since we’re cooperating, could you help me think of a name for the company? Remember, it has to sound good and impressive." Gu Fan wasn’t shy about giving Li Shi a task right there, nearly drawing her scorn.

"Alright, let’s call it Shi Fan Investment Company Limited," Li Shi suggested a name simply and directly by combining their names, which sounded decent, but Gu Fan gave it some thought and objected: "Hold on, I’m putting in more investment than you, I’m the bigger shareholder, so why should it be called Shi Fan? It should be Fan Shi instead."

"Fine, as long as you’re happy, the company could be called Fan Fan," Li Shi picked up her bag and sashayed out the door.

Gu Fan watched his old classmate leave, and just as Li Shi stepped out, she didn’t forget to turn around and flash a slight smile at Gu Fan.

His heartbeat suddenly sped up, thumping vigorously. That look, that smile—it was all too impactful. Gu Fan’s mind was filled with images of Li Shi,

"Hold on, I think I just shook hands with her." Gu Fan was somewhat exhilarated; after all, back in high school, although they joked and tussled, they had never really touched.

In high school, Gu Fan also mustered the courage several times to try and hold Li Shi’s hand, but in the end, he...

"Hold on, the video to prove my innocence." Gu Fan quickly grabbed his phone and saw that the video recorded everything clearly. When Gu Fan saw the part where he shook hands with Li Shi, he inwardly lamented that all his previous efforts were wasted.

Afterward, Gu Fan didn’t dwell on it; his main focus was on thinking about how to start the company. As for the name of the company, should it really be called Shi Fan? He feared that Lin Xi wouldn’t feel the joy of being a boss’s wife upon hearing this name—instead, she might have plans to stay at the company long-term.