Chapter 465: Chance Encounter by the Sea

"Brother Ma, is there any difficulty with this request?" 

Xia Yu instructed Ma Qianjun in detail and then looked at him with a hint of anticipation.

Ma Qianjun nodded expressionlessly and replied, "There's no difficulty; we can start in a few days."

Upon hearing this, Xia Yu smiled faintly and said, "Alright!"

"Looking forward to your good news!"

After watching Ma Qianjun leave, Xia Yu exhaled slowly and revealed an expectant smile.

...

"Let's go, Qian Qian. We're going for a seaside barbecue."

"Okay, I'm ready. Let's go," Li Qian said cheerfully.

Xia Yu then took Li Qian out of the building, picked up He Chaoxiang at the agreed location, and after picking up the food ingredients from the store, drove towards the designated spot.

Before long, they arrived at the blue coastline. After parking the car, He Chaoxiang and Li Qian ran excitedly towards the beach while Xia Yu followed with a smile.

As for the various ingredients and grilling equipment, Xia Yu didn't need to handle them personally; his bodyguards were responsible for bringing them over.

Setting up the frames and lighting the charcoal, it didn't take long before the barbecue grills were ready. Beach chairs, picnic blankets, and sun umbrellas were all set up.

With everything prepared, the seaside barbecue officially began!

"Xia Yu, what would you like to eat? I'll grill it for you!" 

He Chaoxiang opened several boxes containing fresh seafood, looking eager, and said to Xia Yu with anticipation.

"With Chaoxiang's skills, everything you grill will be delicious!"

Xia Yu's sudden compliment caused He Chaoxiang to blush instantly, though she was delighted inside.

"Then I'll grill oysters for you. I heard oysters are very nutritious."

He Chaoxiang said happily, picking up a few oysters and placing them on the grill.

"Qian Qian, aren't you going to grill something for me too? I'd like to taste your skills as well!" 

Seeing a trace of disappointment in Li Qian's eyes, Xia Yu said gently, his tone warm.

"Okay, I'll grill something for you. How about big lobsters?"

Li Qian, whose mood brightened instantly, smiled sweetly and asked.

"Big lobsters? Wow, I'm already drooling!"

Xia Yu's eyes widened in exaggerated amazement, making Li Qian giggle with laughter.

Watching He Chaoxiang and Li Qian put their heart into grilling, Xia Yu's eyes were full of smiles.

Noticing the precious seafood moving in the water tanks, Xia Yu's hands itched, and he rolled up his sleeves, grabbing a three-pound grouper and getting to work.

As the three of them enthusiastically grilled, Li Wuming and the other bodyguards at the nearby barbecue grill also began their work with high spirits.

After all, apart from Li Wuming, they rarely had the chance to eat such precious seafood. They had refrained from eating it before, but now that they were with their boss, they certainly wanted to enjoy it.

As time passed, the rich aroma began to waft through the air, making everyone's appetite grow.

"The food is ready, Xia Yu. Please try it and see if it's good."

He Chaoxiang took out a small plate, picked up an oyster, blew away the steam, and presented it to Xia Yu with both hands, saying happily.

"Let me try."

"Mm, it's delicious, much better than five-star hotel food."

"Chaoxiang, your cooking is amazing. I think you could open a Michelin restaurant!"

"I'd visit it every day!"

Xia Yu took a bite of the oyster, his expression showing enjoyment. As he opened his eyes, he praised.

"Really? I don't believe it. I think you're just flattering me. I need to try it myself!"

He Chaoxiang said, feeling doubtful, and took an oyster, blowing away the heat before eating it. After chewing a few times, she frowned slightly, looking a bit disappointed.

"Xia Yu, this is actually quite bad. It doesn't even taste salty."

He Chaoxiang pouted and said, feeling a bit disheartened.

"Chaoxiang, seafood shouldn't be covered with condiments. It's all about the freshness. I grew up by the sea, so I'm sure of this!"

"And there's a taste here that you don't find in hotels."

Xia Yu said seriously, his expression earnest.

"What taste?"

He Chaoxiang asked eagerly, her curiosity piqued, and even Li Qian looked at him with interest.

"It's the taste of care."

Xia Yu smiled and said.

This unexpected comment made He Chaoxiang's heart swell with joy, immersing her in a sea of happiness.

"Come, let me try Qian Qian's cooking... Hmm, I can feel it..."

"Come, try the grouper I grilled..."

...

The seaside barbecue was lively and vibrant. Xia Yu felt very relaxed, as if a nerve in his brain had suddenly loosened, and various thoughts kept flowing out. The smiles on Li Qian and He Chaoxiang's faces never faded.

After eating, the three of them lay on the beach, listening to the sound of the waves, sharing their thoughts.

"Xia Yu, my dad wants to send me to the U.S. for college, but I don't want to go."

He Chaoxiang glanced at Xia Yu and then at the distant horizon, pouting and saying softly.

She didn't state her reason, but Xia Yu understood.

"Then don't go. You can attend college in Hong Kong. As long as you work hard, it's the same anywhere."

Xia Yu said firmly, looking at He Chaoxiang with determination.

"But I want to help you like Qian Qian. It will take a few more years of studying before I graduate."

"Little sister, I haven't helped Xia Yu much either. You should listen to Xia Yu. Only by studying hard can you do more in the future!"

Li Qian looked at He Chaoxiang with gentle advice.

"Yes, Qian Qian is right. Don't follow my example. After all, I'm an exception in Hong Kong. You need to study hard."

Xia Yu also spoke earnestly.

"Alright, I'll definitely study hard and join your company after graduation."

He Chaoxiang said, pursing her lips and nodding with determination.

"Let's walk along the coastline since we've been lying down for so long."

Xia Yu suggested, and the three of them got up, brushed the sand off their bodies, and walked side by side on the soft beach.

"Hey? There are people over there!"

As they rounded a small sand dune, the three saw four men having a barbecue not far away, drinking beer. He Chaoxiang said in surprise.

"Don't mind them. Let's keep walking."

Xia Yu casually glanced at them and then turned his attention back, not worried at all since he had bodyguards with him.

The sudden appearance of Xia Yu and his companions caught the attention of the four men drinking.

Especially when they saw the bodyguards following Xia Yu, they realized that Xia Yu was an important figure. The men started to observe and discuss quietly.

As Xia Yu got closer, one of the young men with a square face suddenly changed his expression and said suspiciously, "Look, isn't the man in the middle very similar to the stock god?"

"Stock god? Let me see!"

The square-faced young man's words caused the other three to tremble in surprise, and they immediately focused on Xia Yu.

"It really looks like him!"

"Tsk tsk tsk, so relaxed, with bodyguards following. It fits the image of a big shot. It could really be the stock god."

"Not just 'could be,' that's definitely our chairman. I'm sure of it!"

One of the handsome young men who had his back to Xia Yu turned around and, upon seeing him, changed his expression and affirmed.

"Rong Zai, really?"

"Ah Fa, can I make a mistake? If it weren't for the chairman, I wouldn't be where I am now. The chairman has done me a great favor!"

The handsome young man named Rong Zai confirmed.

"Since Rong Zai says so, it can't be wrong. Looks like we've struck it lucky today!"