Chapter Sixty: A Sudden Change of Heart

While Tan Xue was deep in discussion with Wang Dongliang, Chu Dong was anything but idle. In fact, the moment the appetizers arrived, Chu Dong swept them clean, and when the main courses followed, his knife and fork danced with relentless energy. His approach to dining resembled a battlefield skirmish: he paid little attention to whose dish was whose. As soon as a plate landed on the table, his chopsticks were first to strike; if that didn’t satisfy him, he’d simply dump the contents onto his own plate, never mind the growing mountain of food in front of him.

Of all the dishes, he disturbed Tan Xue’s the least. As a result, Wang Dongliang barely had a chance to eat. By the meal’s end, he was still famished. He lifted his wineglass, only to realize that, out of two bottles of red wine, he’d managed to pour himself barely half a glass before both were emptied. Watching Tan Xue quietly enjoy her meal, Wang Dongliang had no choice but to dab his mouth with a napkin and stare awkwardly at Chu Dong, who was still devouring food with gusto.

Unable to outdo Chu Dong at the dining table, Wang Dongliang decided to best him in another way. Setting down his chopsticks, he pretended to ask casually how Chu Dong had come to humble himself as a secretary at Silver Dragon.

“Oh, it’s simple. My father-in-law was worried about Xue being here alone, afraid she might run into trouble she couldn’t handle. He called and nagged me a dozen times before I left, insisting I come to Silver Dragon and help her out. But I’m only here temporarily; it wasn’t easy to arrange an official position. They considered putting me elsewhere, but Xue was worried my stunning looks would distract all the young ladies at Silver Dragon, so they stuck me in her own office to limit the damage. There’s really no way to explain my role to others, so secretary it is. But, Mr. Wang, don’t think I’m here by pulling strings. If you need anything, just let me know. As long as my supervisor approves, I’m always at your service.” Chu Dong boasted shamelessly, oblivious to Tan Xue’s hand twisting around his thigh under the table.

His reply left Wang Dongliang at a loss, his attempt at a trap deftly sidestepped. Tan Xue was never much of a talker during meals, so silence soon fell again, with Chu Dong the only one busily tucking in. Wang Dongliang had hoped to stick Chu Dong with the bill, but to his surprise, Chu Dong ate heartily while he himself left the table unsatisfied. Still, the thought of watching Chu Dong’s face when the check arrived cheered him up.

“Are you full? If not, let’s order more. Foreigners are so stingy with food—just one dish at a time. Mr. Wang, you’re too polite, barely ordered anything. It’s as if you’re afraid I won’t pay.” Chu Dong, always attentive to Tan Xue, managed to toss in a jab at Wang Dongliang, all without missing a beat as he continued to eat.

“I’ve had enough,” Tan Xue replied, her cheeks tinged pink. She was usually a light eater, but seeing Chu Dong eat with such relish had spurred her appetite.

“Oh, that’s good. Mr. Wang?” Chu Dong turned to Wang Dongliang.

“Uh, yes, I’m done too,” Wang Dongliang quickly replied, impatient for the moment when Chu Dong would be forced to settle the bill, barely able to contain his anticipation.

“Alright then, check please!” Chu Dong called out loudly for the waiter.

“Your total comes to 198,600 yuan,” the young waiter replied respectfully.

“Oh, not cheap,” Chu Dong muttered, pulling out his wallet. He flipped through it several times, finally producing thirty yuan in small bills and a handful of coins—his hundred from the morning gone to a fine, and another five hundred spent on tips, leaving him with only loose change.

“Sir, your total is 198,600 yuan,” the waiter repeated, eyes fixed on Wang Dongliang, perhaps emboldened by Chu Dong’s earlier tip, or simply recognizing the reservation was under Wang Dongliang’s name.

Wang Dongliang couldn’t just let Chu Dong fumble endlessly through his wallet. If he let things go too far, Tan Xue would notice, but he was loath to spend that much money himself—not because he couldn’t afford it, but because it simply wasn’t worth it.

“Brother Chu, why don’t I get this one today?” Wang Dongliang said at last, tone half teasing, half resigned, watching Chu Dong continue his charade with the wallet.

“You’re a true friend! Alright, I really didn’t expect it to be so expensive. Next time, it’s on me.” Chu Dong immediately pocketed his wallet, looking completely at ease, not the slightest hint of embarrassment.

Wang Dongliang nearly fainted at Chu Dong’s response. This guy didn’t even pretend to decline, slipping out of the trap with ridiculous ease. But having said it out loud, there was no way to backtrack and say he hadn’t brought enough cash. With no choice, he pulled out his wallet and handed a gold card to the waiting server.

Nearly two hundred thousand for a meal—if it were just with Tan Xue, he could chalk it up as an investment. But with Chu Dong there, buzzing around like a fly on a frosted cake, droning on and on, he found it impossible to vent his frustration. After all, he’d only himself to blame for opening his mouth.

When the waiter returned with the bill and the card, Wang Dongliang signed with a heavy heart, so vexed he didn’t even leave a tip. He stood up first, gesturing with a flourish to Chu Dong and Tan Xue. “After you.”

Tan Xue smiled sweetly at Chu Dong, who at least had the sense to stand and pull out her chair as she rose.

The three left the restaurant together, Chu Dong belching contentedly as he threw his arm around Wang Dongliang’s shoulder. “When it comes to food, nothing beats China. Our culinary culture is vast and profound—if it walks, crawls, or flies, we’ve got a dozen ways to cook it.” Before Wang Dongliang could shake him off, he tightened his grip. “You treated me to French food today. Not the best, but it shows our friendship. Next time, my treat—tomorrow, in fact! There’s a noodle shop around the corner with the best noodles in town. I promise, after you try it once, you’ll be craving it every time…”

Chu Dong’s chatter went in one ear and out the other. Noodles? For nearly two hundred thousand, he could buy out the entire shop.

Whatever Wang Dongliang’s feelings, Chu Dong was in high spirits, oblivious even to Tan Xue’s warning glances, humming folk tunes all the way back to the office.

After returning to the company, Wang Dongliang composed himself and brought over the sales plan Tan Xue had requested for the second half of the year. He had just set it down and was about to leave when Chu Dong called out to him.

“Is this a sales plan or an elementary school math exercise? Is this how you do your job as marketing VP? With skills like this, you dare talk about sharing wealth? Honestly, this job’s so easy, even a dog could do it for a biscuit—what are you even here for?” Without waiting for Tan Xue to look, Chu Dong snatched up the document and began to criticize it mercilessly after barely glancing at it.

Caught completely off guard, Wang Dongliang’s face flushed beet red and then pale with anger. Just moments before, Chu Dong had been calling him “big brother”—what was he, a chameleon? The speed at which he turned on someone was astonishing.