Chapter Seventeen: Darling, Come Home Early

Previously, Chu Dong had always given people the impression of muddling through life aimlessly. Now that he had money, of course he wanted to live it up a bit—this had always been his principle. He called up Qiangzi and Haozi, inviting them to celebrate his booming business. They agreed to meet at Barana.

Haozi’s car still wasn’t fixed—it was a big job, almost as expensive as buying a new one. Chu Dong took a cab. When he arrived at the entrance, he saw Haozi’s and Qiangzi’s cars already parked there, so he went straight in.

Inside, the deafening heavy metal music pounded at everyone’s eardrums. With a glance, he spotted the two of them occupying a table, whispering about something. The table was completely bare.

“Oh, come on, you two cheapskates—couldn’t you at least order something first? Were you just waiting for me to come pay the bill?” Chu Dong walked over and gave each of them a playful flick on the forehead.

“You said you were treating us, and that your business was booming? Business is booming just because the two of us didn’t show up for a couple of days?” Qiangzi rubbed his forehead.

“I told you already, didn’t I? When we were drinking last time.” Chu Dong sat down and signaled to a nearby waiter.

“What did you say? Haozi, do you remember?” Qiangzi asked, utterly confused, turning to Haozi, who was grinning mischievously.

“Don’t ask me, I was drunk. My head was still pounding the next morning,” Haozi quickly waved his hand.

“Sir, may I take your order?” the server asked politely.

“No alcohol. Not a drop. Giving these two any booze is a complete waste,” Chu Dong said through gritted teeth.

“Come on, we handle our liquor well and never cause trouble. To deprive such fine drinkers as us is simply an outrage!” Haozi banged the table, protesting dramatically.

“Don’t embarrass yourselves. Fine, I’ll give you some face.” Chu Dong smiled at the waiter. “Two dozen Coronas, and a fruit platter. Thank you!”

“I want Louis...” Qiangzi moaned.

“Shut up. If you want that, pay for it yourself.” Chu Dong kicked him under the table. “I need to save up for my wife. Don’t make trouble for me.”

“You’re really going all in for that girl? What kind of rare beauty is she, to make our Ice Prince willing to melt?” Haozi lay across the table, staring at Chu Dong as if he’d turned into someone else.

“You know nothing. She’s my first love. I decided on her when I was six. All these years, I thought she’d flown away. Who would have thought, after all this time, she’d come back? Forget making a bet—if I had to capture Bin Laden, I’d head straight to Jerusalem for the sake of world peace.” Chu Dong took a sip of beer and set his glass down with ceremony.

“Wow, such determination? Alright, I support you in spirit. Come, for your girl, we must drink ourselves under the table tonight! Waiter, bring us a bottle of whiskey!” Qiangzi shouted.

“Don’t listen to him. If someone else is buying, I don’t mind. If not...” Chu Dong quickly waved the waiter away, who smiled and retreated.

Qiangzi poured himself a beer, drained it, and refilled his glass. “Even if it’s just beer, I’m not letting myself lose out. Two dozen clearly isn’t enough.”

The three of them drank like it was a competition, each afraid of missing out. It was perfect—no need for courtesy.

As they were drinking and bantering, two more people entered—a man and a woman. The man was a stranger, but strikingly handsome. The woman needed no introduction: in a shimmering silver-grey gown, her long hair cascading down like a waterfall, she looked like a beauty stepped out of a painting and into the neon-lit club. It was, incredibly, the cold and elegant Tan Xue.

Qiangzi noticed first, nudging Chu Dong and Haozi and gesturing subtly.

“Wow, she’s gorgeous! Dongzi, if you hadn’t brought us here, we’d have missed a real treat,” Haozi said, smacking his lips, practically drooling.

Chu Dong was surprised too, but when he saw Tan Xue smiling radiantly at the devastatingly handsome man beside her, jealousy surged through him, fierce and overwhelming. His eyes flashed with a sharp, intimidating light.

“You two stay put. I have something to take care of.” Chu Dong drained his glass and stood up.

“What, are you going to steal her away? Aren’t you supposed to be above chasing women? First you want to marry, now you’re going to snatch someone else’s love? Are you really Chu Dong, or have you been possessed by aliens?” Haozi grabbed Chu Dong, feeling his forehead, only to be shaken off.

The handsome man pulled out a chair for Tan Xue, waited for her to sit, then took his seat across from her. He called the waiter over, leaned forward, and asked Tan Xue what she’d like to drink, every move polished and gentlemanly.

“Orange juice,” Tan Xue replied, as elegant as a princess.

“Alright, two orange juices,” the man said, taking out his wallet and paying with two bills.

At that moment, Chu Dong walked over, placed his hands on their table, and smiled at the pair. “Xiao Xue, what a coincidence. Who’s this? Introduce us.”

“You’re here too?” Tan Xue was surprised, but couldn’t very well maintain a sour face in public, so she introduced them.

“This is my senior from Cambridge, Wang Dongliang. He’s currently our company’s marketing director.” Then she introduced Chu Dong to Wang Dongliang. “This is my uncle’s son, Chu Dong.”

“Pleasure to meet you! Come, sit with us,” Wang Dongliang greeted warmly.

“No need, I have friends over there. Just came by to say hello. Have fun.” Chu Dong released Wang Dongliang’s hand, turned to leave, but after two steps, looked back at Tan Xue.

“Wife, come home early. We have work tomorrow.”

With that, he strode back to his own table, raised his glass in a toast toward Tan Xue and Wang Dongliang.

Tan Xue’s eyes widened, but she said nothing. After all, she and Chu Dong still had a wager between them. To say she was free wasn’t wrong, but to say she was Chu Dong’s wife wasn’t out of the question either—in her father’s eyes, it was a done deal. So she couldn’t think of anything to refute Chu Dong’s words.

Precisely because she didn’t object, Wang Dongliang’s expression changed dramatically. Whether it was embarrassment or something else was unclear, but his handsome face darkened, as if struggling to keep his composure.

“Dongzi, you know that girl?” Haozi wiped his mouth and asked when Chu Dong returned.

“Of course, she’s my wife. How could I not know her?” Chu Dong was pleased, since Tan Xue hadn’t denied it.

“Damn, that’s worth fighting for! I’ll back you with real action—let Qiangzi foot the bill tonight, help you save up for the wedding!” Haozi declared with brotherly loyalty.