Back at the office, Alex organized his files. Besides helping Gwen with the land deal, he had a few other projects to manage. He wasn't the type to neglect his own responsibilities, even if he enjoyed playing the occasional hero.
He tucked the client files into his briefcase, wondering if he'd even have time to look at them tonight. It was mostly for show, anyway, a way to maintain his image as a hardworking employee.
"Grace," Alex said, looking at the two women, briefcase in hand, "I have a… business dinner tonight, so I won't be joining you for dinner."
"A business dinner? Another all-nighter?" Emma Winter asked, raising an eyebrow.
"None of your business," Alex retorted, glaring at her. This woman had barged into his apartment, manipulated him into letting her stay, and played him like a fiddle. He hadn't even begun to settle the score with her, and now she was questioning his plans?
"Okay, then *I'll* ask. A business dinner? And you won't be home tonight?" Grace asked, looking at Alex.
"I'm not sure. It's with an old friend I haven't seen in months," Alex replied, turning to Grace with a smile. He didn't know why he felt the need to explain himself to her.
"Really?" Grace looked at him skeptically, clearly not buying it.
"Believe what you want. I'm not asking for your permission, I'm just informing you. But don't worry, I won't be pretending to be… cultured at a concert like *someone* I know," Alex said with a smirk.
"Just get out of here, Stone. And take your sarcasm with you," Grace retorted, glaring at him. The memory of last night's concert was still a sore spot.
"Gladly," Alex said, heading for the door. With his track record, no one would question him leaving a little early. As Alex often said, time wasn't important; it was just a number. What mattered was efficiency. Efficiency was everything.
It was still early, and Alex was in a good mood. Since the bar wasn't far from the office, he decided to walk.
Thinking about Jing, Alex felt a strange sense of… closeness. It seemed their relationship had taken a significant leap forward. After all, what was done was done. He was her first, and perhaps, her only. This was different from… taking advantage of her. He hadn't forced her. She'd made the choice herself. It was a transaction, pure and simple. But still…
*A woman might submit physically, but her heart… that's a different matter entirely,* he mused. *You have to conquer her mind, her spirit. And that requires… finesse.* Besides verbal persuasion – a few well-placed insults, a touch of playful dominance – the key was to… well, let's just say a man needed to know how to… ignite a woman's passion. *After all,* Alex thought smugly, *which cat doesn't steal a little cream? Which woman doesn't dream of… a little excitement?* He'd honed his skills over the years, and he was confident in his ability to… persuade.
And with his recent acts of… generosity and chivalry, her defenses were bound to crumble. His relentless pursuit, his shameless flirting, had caught her attention. Now, all he had to do was maintain the charade, continue to be the… charming rogue she couldn't resist, and offer his assistance whenever possible, fostering a sense of dependence. Then… well, let's just say he was confident in his ability to… seal the deal.
"Alex! Over here!" A voice called out as Alex entered the bar. He looked up and saw a man in a suit and tie, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, waving at him from the second floor.
Alex smiled and headed upstairs.
"Leon! Long time no see! You look more like a corporate executive than a government official in that getup," Alex said with a grin as he approached. This was his old friend, Chen Mingliang, also known as Leon, and the other owner of Mix.
"Not as carefree as you, my friend," Leon replied with a smile, standing up to greet him. They embraced, a firm, masculine hug.
"I'm slumming it these days, blending in with the common folk. You, on the other hand, are climbing the ladder, entering the halls of power. My life is basically over, while yours is just getting started," Alex said, settling into a seat beside Leon.
"The words and actions of every Communist Party member must conform to the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people and be supported by them. In all the practical work of our Party, all correct leadership is necessarily 'from the masses, to the masses.' The power of the masses is great. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it…!"
"Cut the crap, Leon. Don't think you can impress me with your political rhetoric just because you graduated from China University of Political Science and Law and spent a few years in government. You're still the same old Leon," Alex said, rolling his eyes.
"We should adhere to…!"
"Are you here to give me a report? And where did you get those glasses? Trying to look all intellectual, are we?" Alex snatched the glasses from Leon's face and examined them closely. "Wow, pure gold frames? Aren't they heavy? You've really gone up in the world, haven't you?"
"Lots of people wear these kinds of glasses. Some even have crystal lenses. It's a status symbol, you know. No one dares to touch them," Leon said with a smile.
"The perks of being rich, I suppose," Alex chuckled, handing the glasses back.
"Speaking of rich, who can compare to you, Mr. Stone?" Leon retorted, amused by Alex's feigned poverty.
"That's true. The perks of being… connected," Alex replied with a grin.
"Connected? Your future brother-in-law's father is quite connected, too," Leon said with a knowing smile.
"Don't tell me you're all part of the same… clique," Alex said, narrowing his eyes.
"The Party has a rule: no cliques, no factions. What people call 'two lines' or 'two teams' is just a matter of political alignment. There's no formal alliance, no open factions. As for the behind-the-scenes connections and communications…"
"Stop right there, Leon. Don't tell me any state secrets. The next thing I know, I'll have some secret agent knocking on my door. Domestic agents are one thing, but international spies… I'm not as strong as you think. Money and women are my weaknesses. If they send a dozen blonde, blue-eyed beauties my way… those curves, those techniques… I wouldn't be able to resist!" Alex said, looking at Leon. "By the way, is it true what they say about foreign women? That they're like… bottomless pits, always wanting more? That every man needs a… golden cudgel to satisfy them?"
"How the hell would I know? It's not like I've… experienced it firsthand," Leon retorted, his composure slipping slightly. Even he couldn't keep up with Alex's shamelessness.
"You haven't? Who are you kidding? You think I'm stupid? Those women in this bar…"
"Shut up, Alex! You're one of the owners here. Are you saying you've…?" Leon glared at him.
"Maintain your composure, Leon. You're a government official now," Alex chuckled, patting Leon's shoulder. He leaned back against the sofa, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I'm not a fan of… exotic flavors. I prefer the local cuisine. But if there's something truly… exceptional, I might be tempted to… expand my palate. Let them know what a Chinese man is capable of."
"Yeah, show them what we're made of!" Grant chimed in, a lascivious grin spreading across his face as he approached their table.
"Get lost, Grant. And bring us some food. I can't drink on an empty stomach," Alex said, waving him away.
"Right away, bosses!" Grant said with a servile bow, then scurried off.
"He's starting to act like a… pimp. He's losing his edge," Alex commented, watching Grant leave.
"If people knew you said that about him, the entire underworld would tremble! But he's good at running this place. It's a waste of his talents, really. He could be managing a legitimate business," Leon said, shaking his head.
"If anyone heard you say that, Leon, they'd drown you in spit. He's a natural-born gangster. This bar is beneath him," Alex retorted.
"Black and white, yin and yang. The ultimate expression of darkness is light, and the ultimate expression of light…"
"Whack!" Alex punched Leon playfully on the arm. "I hereby sentence you to… a lifetime of government service!"
Leon, momentarily stunned by the unexpected blow, chuckled.
"I deserve it, I deserve it! Hahahaha!"
"Good. Admitting your mistakes is the first step to redemption, young grasshopper. You have a bright future ahead of you."
"And you, my friend… a limitless… horizon of… possibilities," Leon replied with a wink.