When Ye Chen pushed open the door to Chen Xin's office, the latter was sitting at his desk, feeding the plump koi fish in the tank.
Ye Chen immediately exploded with anger. He walked over, pulled out a chair, and sat down, cigarette in mouth. "Chen Xin, you've got some nerve! So this is what you mean by being too busy at work to pick up your good buddy at the airport? Turns out these stupid fish are more important than the guy who's been your bro since childhood!"
Chen Xin chuckled and explained, "I really just freed up a bit. I finished a video meeting five minutes ago. I've been working non-stop since morning, and I haven't even had lunch yet. And it's not over—I have a call with the CEO from our head office later."
Ye Chen snorted. "Fine, whatever. I'll let it go. I know you're a workaholic anyway."
"Thanks for understanding," Chen Xin replied. "Are things wrapped up at your L City branch? Will you need to go back?"
Ye Chen shook his head. "Probably not. My sister's handling things over there now."
"That's great news. We'll finally get to hang out more." Chen Xin smiled. "When I was back in China, you and the other guys were all in the U.S. It was always hard to get together."
"True. So how long are you planning to stay here this time?" Ye Chen finished his cigarette and looked for an ashtray, but since Chen Xin didn't smoke, there wasn't one. He moved to flick the ash into the fish tank, only for Chen Xin to stop him immediately. "Don't you dare mess with my fish!"
Ye Chen rolled his eyes. "It's just a few fish, man. If they die, I'll buy you new ones."
"No way. Someone really likes these fish."
"Oh, so you're keeping them for someone else?" Ye Chen narrowed his eyes, as if catching on to something. "Are you keeping them for that girl you picked up off the street?"
Chen Xin dodged the question and instead said, "To answer your earlier question, I don't know how long I'll be here. It depends on the company. If they don't need me, I'll head back."
"Don't try to change the subject! Spill it—what's the deal with that gold digger!" Ye Chen slammed his hand on the desk.
Chen Xin's expression darkened slightly. "Looks like Harold told you about her on the way here."
"What do you think?" Ye Chen snapped. "Man, you're unbelievable, Chen Xin. Of all the women out there, you had to go for a gold digger? If you wanted to mess around, you could've just told me—I've got tons of connections! The one you picked, though? She's clearly a pro at this, practically a master. Do you really think you can handle her? Just give her some money and send her packing. I'll find you someone better."
Chen Xin's face remained impassive. "I don't know what Harold told you, but please trust me—his opinion of Xiao Wan is very one-sided. She's not that kind of person. Ye Chen, I know what I'm doing. I appreciate you looking out for me, but I don't need your help."
"Fine, fine! I'll cut to the chase. Just bring her out and let me meet her, okay?" Ye Chen lit another cigarette. "You know I have a good eye for women. If I think she's fine, I won't say another word—even if you want to spend seventy million on her."
"Xiao Wan isn't an object. She's the girl I like, and she doesn't need your judgment." Chen Xin said firmly. "Ye Chen, we haven't seen each other in a long time. Do you really want to start a fight the moment we meet?"
Looking at his friend's resolute expression, Ye Chen sighed. Harold had been right—Chen Xin was head over heels for this girl. With no other choice, he dropped the subject for now. "Fine. Let's talk about something else. You free tonight? It's been ages since the gang got together; let's have dinner."
Chen Xin hesitated. "I'm afraid I can't tonight. Tomorrow night—I'll treat."
Ye Chen was furious. "Damn it! That's low, Chen Xin. I just got off the plane and came straight here to see you, thinking we could have dinner, and now you're telling me no? Do you even consider me a friend anymore?"
"Of course I do," Chen Xin said with a wry smile. "But I already promised Xiao Wan I'd have dinner with her tonight, so—"
"Unbelievable! You're ditching your friends for a girl! This is textbook betrayal!" Ye Chen accused angrily.
Chen Xin laughed helplessly. "Didn't you used to blow us off all the time when you were playing around with your girls? Did I ever complain about it?"
"That's different! Those were just flings to kill time. You, on the other hand, are clearly under some kind of spell from this Lin Xiao Wan!"
Chen Xin glanced at the time and waved dismissively. "I'm not listening to your nonsense. The head office is about to call."
"Oh, I see how it is!" Ye Chen stood up, pointing at him. "You're kicking me out now, huh? Fine! Just you wait. Tomorrow night, I'll make sure you pay big time!"
With that, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Outside, Harold immediately approached. "How'd it go? Did he listen to you?"
"Listen? Not a chance! That idiot's been single for so long his brain's gone soft!" Ye Chen cursed. ""Leaving already? Where are you heading to?"
"Since Chen Xin doesn't treat me as a brother, I'll go find someone who does!"
After leaving Chen Xin's company, Ye Chen called his driver to bring his car over and headed to a popular nightclub in N City.
It was still afternoon, and the club hadn't opened yet. Despite that, people eager to secure good spots had already lined up outside.
Two burly Black bouncers stood expressionless at the entrance. Once the club opened, they would start handpicking attractive men and women from the long line to let them in.
Ye Chen stepped out of the car, cigarette in his mouth, and walked up to one of the bouncers. "Is your boss here?"
"Mr. Gu." The bouncer nodded respectfully and opened a side gate for him. "Yes, he is. Please, go ahead."
Ye Chen nodded back, slipped a couple of $100 bills into the hands of both bouncers, and walked straight in.
The nightclub belonged to a friend he had made during his time in the U.S. Ye Chen had often visited when he lived there. Familiar with the place, he made his way to the boss's office. Just as he was about to knock, he heard an argument inside.
A middle-aged man's urgent voice said, "Nathan, I know how you feel about her, and I get that you want to protect her. But think about it—how many times have you cleaned up after her? She's not improving; she's getting worse! Today, she burns someone's car. What's next—murder? Would you clean up for her then, too?"
Nathan's gruff voice retorted, "I've already told you—she only did it to protect her friend! She's not some psycho, and she's definitely not capable of murder!"
The middle-aged man sighed. "Nathan, I've been your family's attorney for years. I've practically watched you grow up. Your father has always had high hopes for you, and I'm certain he wouldn't want you to ruin your life over a woman like her. I'm begging you—"
"Hey!" Nathan interrupted, voice stern. "You said it yourself—you're my family's attorney. I pay you to handle things for me, not lecture me! If you can't handle this, I can find someone else. My father values me enough that switching attorneys won't be an issue. Do you understand?"
A long silence followed before the middle-aged man finally replied, "Fine, I understand. I'll take care of it."
Ye Chen was startled. He hesitated, thinking about stepping aside, but the door suddenly opened, and he came face to face with the lawyer, as well as Nathan, who still looked angry.
Scratching his nose awkwardly, Ye Chen stepped into the office. "Sorry about that, man. Didn't mean to eavesdrop."
Seeing his friend, Nathan Brown—a tall, muscular man with cropped brown-black hair, piercing blue eyes, and features as striking as a marble statue—forced a smile and set his anger aside.
The two hugged briefly before Nathan said, "It's fine. Long time no see, Gu."
"Yeah, I'm finally back," Ye Chen replied with a grin. "Got time tonight? Let's round up some pretty ladies and party like old times—go wild all night, just like we used to!"
To his surprise, Nathan didn't laugh and agree like he usually did. Instead, he slumped into the chair behind his desk and rubbed his temples. "Sorry, Gu, I can't these days. My dad just opened a new restaurant branch, and he's put me in charge. I've been swamped. But how about this—I'll cover everything tonight. I'll call the best girls for you. Just have fun without me, okay?"
Ye Chen felt like he should've checked his horoscope before leaving home. What was going on today? First Chen Xin, now Nathan—neither of them wanted to hang out?
"This isn't like you, man," Ye Chen said, puzzled. "I remember when I first met you. No matter how busy you were, you'd drop everything if there were pretty girls involved! Remember that time we rented a yacht and partied with ten girls for five days straight? That was legendary! Don't you want to cut loose?"
Nathan forced a chuckle, though a hint of exhaustion flickered in his eyes. "Yeah, those were the days… But I'm really too busy now. Sorry."
Just as Nathan massaged his temples again, Ye Chen noticed something on his friend's hand. His eyes widened.
"Wait! Don't move!"
Nathan froze. "What?"
Ye Chen pointed at the plain ring on Nathan's middle finger, as if he'd seen a ghost. "What's with that ring? Don't tell me you're engaged! Damn it, weren't you the one who swore you'd never settle down? I haven't seen you in, what, four or five months, and you're already—what the hell happened to you, man?"
Nathan glanced at the ring, sighed, and took it off. "It's nothing. Just wearing it for fun."
Ye Chen knew how seriously these Westerners took the symbolic meaning of rings, so he didn't believe Nathan's casual explanation. But since Nathan clearly didn't want to talk about it, he decided not to push further.
"Fine, whatever. But it's no fun without you. Call me when you're ready to party like old times."
"Will do," Nathan said, walking him out. After Ye Chen left, Nathan took the ring from his pocket again, gazed at it tenderly for a moment, and slipped it back onto his finger.
By evening, Chen Xin had just wrapped up work when Lin Xiaowan called, pouting over the phone, "Chen Little Cutie, I'm starving! Aren't you done yet?"
"Just finished," Chen Xin replied, rushing into the elevator. "Wait for me at home; I'll be right there."
"I'm actually outside your office!" she giggled.
Chen Xin froze. When the elevator doors opened in the lobby, he looked around for her. A cheerful voice called out from outside the glass doors, "Hey! Sweet Sugar Daddy! Over here!"
He looked up to see Lin Xiaowan standing on top of a brand-new blue Ferrari, dressed in her signature leopard-print dress, waving excitedly.
Chen Xin hurried out and scolded, "What are you doing? Get down from there! And stop calling me that!"
She pouted, "But I like calling you that! Sugar Daddy! Sugar Daddy! Sugar Daddy! I'm jumping now—catch me!"
"Wait—"
Before he could stop her, she leaped into his arms. Startled, he instinctively caught her. She wrapped her long legs around his waist and whispered playfully in his ear, "Hey, what do you think about me helping you lose your virginity like this?"
Chen Xin's face darkened. "You better behave, or I'll throw you into the middle of the road!"I'm leaving!"