Hearing Li Yue’s sigh, Xu Ze chuckled: “Heh… Everyone has a different personality, so don’t compare yourself to me… Just go ahead and have your fun…”
“Fine… Since you’re not playing, big brother here is going to relax today… I haven’t been out to unwind for so long…” Li Yue shook his head with a smile, then walked out. He said to Manager Lin, who was waiting nearby, “Manager Lin, please see Young Master Xu off for me.”
“Certainly…” Manager Lin nodded respectfully, then turned to Xu Ze with a warm smile. “Young Master Xu, please follow me…”
“I’m heading back tomorrow. Come visit when you have time…” Xu Ze waved his hand and followed Manager Lin.
Even though Li Yue wasn’t around, Manager Lin didn’t dare show the slightest disrespect. He guided Xu Ze forward with utmost courtesy.
The waters in the capital run deep. Having worked at the club for several years, Manager Lin had long become a shrewd character. Although he had never met this young man before, judging by his demeanor and his close relationship with Young Master Yue, he was surely no ordinary person.
Though the young man in front of him always carried a lazy smile that made him seem very approachable, Manager Lin still accompanied him carefully, chatting softly to keep Xu Ze company, but never daring to pry into Xu Ze’s identity, for fear of causing even a hint of displeasure.
However, soon enough, Manager Lin began to place even greater importance on this young man’s identity…
“Xu Ze?” As three young men appeared ahead, the one in front looked at Xu Ze and raised an eyebrow slightly, his eyes full of unruly pride.
Hearing someone call his name here, Xu Ze was a bit curious. He glanced at the newcomer and a faint smile appeared on his face. “So it’s Young Master Bao… Long time no see…”
Zhang Libao looked at the faint smile on Xu Ze’s face, frowned slightly, then let out a soft snort. “Xu Ze… Young Master Xu… Tell me, should I hate you or be grateful to you?”
Hearing Zhang Libao utter the words “Young Master Xu,” Xu Ze knew that although Zhang Libao owed him a big favor back then, ever since he killed Gu Xiaobing and saved Zhang Jingming’s life, thereby ruining a major plan of the Zhang family, that favor was probably gone…
“You flatter me, Young Master Bao. How could I dare ask for your gratitude? I’d already consider myself fortunate if you don’t blame me for my rashness…” Even though his powerful ally Li Yue wasn’t by his side here in Yanjing, Xu Ze remained calm in front of Zhang Libao, speaking with a faint smile.
“Young Master Xu is indeed extraordinary. After ruining my family’s major plan, here you are in Yanjing, facing me, Zhang Libao, alone, and still so composed. I have to admire that…”
“I heard that Gu Xiaobing, who was nearly invincible under our family’s banner, was casually taken out by you. When I heard that news, I truly admired you!” Zhang Libao chuckled softly, then shook his head and sighed as he looked at Xu Ze. “It’s a pity that you’re now known as the Second Young Master of the Tang family. Otherwise, I’d really want to befriend you…”
“I’m just a country kid, what status do I have? You flatter me, Young Master Bao!” Xu Ze shook his head with a light laugh. “As for Gu Xiaobing, I just happened to be there at the right time, so I had no choice but to act. I hope you won’t hold it against me, Young Master Bao…”
Hearing Xu Ze’s soft apology, with not a trace of retreat in his tone, Zhang Libao raised an eyebrow and sighed softly. “You are who you are, Young Master Xu. And now you’re an officer in the General Staff Department. How could I, Zhang Libao, deserve your ‘hope you won’t hold it against me’?”
With that, Zhang Libao fixed his gaze on Xu Ze and said in a deep voice, “As for this matter… I truly won’t hold it against you, Young Master Xu. But the favor I owed you back then can no longer be repaid. I hope you’ll understand, Young Master Xu. From now on, we’re strangers. Take care of yourself…”
Seeing Zhang Libao speak these words so solemnly, Xu Ze was a bit surprised. Although Zhang Libao was rumored to be overbearing and tyrannical, he unexpectedly valued loyalty and grudges clearly. Xu Ze gained a bit more appreciation for Zhang Libao’s way of separating kindness from resentment.
So he said with a faint smile, “With your words, Young Master Bao, I can finally set my mind at ease. But I owe Old Master Tang great favor and kindness, and I must repay it. I hope you’ll also take good care of yourself, Young Master Bao…”
“I’ll take my leave first, Young Master Bao. If fate allows, I’d be honored to share a few drinks with you another day…” With that, Xu Ze nodded with a smile and walked away.
Behind him, Manager Lin, who had been tense because the notoriously fierce Young Master Bao in the capital was speaking to Xu Ze with such an unfriendly tone, finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that, although Young Master Bao clearly disliked Xu Ze, he didn’t display his usual overbearing attitude in front of him.
Seeing Xu Ze leave, Manager Lin quickly nodded respectfully to Zhang Libao, then followed behind Xu Ze…
Watching the young man’s still calm and composed steps, Manager Lin felt even more awe in his heart. In Yanjing, there weren’t many people who could speak to Young Master Bao like that. And yet, this Young Master Xu had apparently messed with one of Bao’s people, and today, the notoriously protective Young Master Bao was still so courteous—that was even rarer. This made Manager Lin all the more respectful…
Carefully escorting Xu Ze to the entrance, a club Mercedes had already pulled up to the door. Manager Lin stepped forward, carefully opened the car door for Xu Ze, and only let out a long sigh of relief after seeing him off.
Only then did she truly realize that this seemingly easygoing, handsome young man had actually put such immense pressure on her.
On the campus of Xingda University, the winter sunset slanted through the withered yellow branches, scattering faint golden light and radiating lingering warmth. Yawning and holding his books, Xu Ze walked out of the classroom. He checked the time and then strolled leisurely toward the school gate. Today, he had arranged to have hotpot with Luo Zi and the others.
The new semester had only just started a few days ago, but Luo Zi and the gang had already called several times. Xu Ze had gone to Yanjing two days ago, and after returning yesterday, he agreed today to treat them to a hotpot feast.
Although it was still early, Xu泽 decided to go over first and wait for them, to get everything set up. Recently, with several nearby universities starting their semesters, the Fatty Beef Hotpot City was incredibly busy. If you arrived late, there would definitely be no seats…
Today, Sun Lingfei had been dragged off by her club members for a dinner gathering, so she couldn’t come out with Xu Ze, which he found a bit regrettable…
The Fatty Beef Hotpot City wasn’t far from Xingda University. Xu Ze drove over and arrived in just five minutes. There weren’t many cars at the entrance yet. He parked the car and went inside to book a private room.
The hotpot business was really booming. It was only a little past five o’clock, and only one of the ten or so private rooms was left. Xu Ze considered himself lucky; if he had been even a few minutes later, it would have been gone.
He sat down in the private room, ordered the soup base and a large amount of various beef, lamb, and other meats, plus a little tofu and vegetables. Not long after, Luo Zi, Gang Zi, and the whole noisy crew barged in.
By their senior year, these few bachelors had finally escaped singlehood. Luo Zi, Gang Zi, and even Fatty had all brought their girlfriends along today…
Luo Zi’s girlfriend was quite pretty and delicate, standing next to the tall Luo Zi like a little bird resting on a branch. Xu Ze couldn’t for the life of him figure out how a big, dark guy like Luo Zi could attract such a quiet, gentle girl.
As for Gang Zi and Fatty, their girlfriends were also pretty good. Apart from Fatty’s girlfriend being a little plump like him, she had quite regular features…
Seeing them all paired up brought Xu Ze a great deal of comfort.
Everyone gathered around the table. Luo Zi looked at Xu Ze, who was alone, and asked with a puzzled smile, “A Ze… why are you by yourself today?”
Hearing Luo Zi’s words, Xu Ze smiled helplessly. “I’ve always been by myself. When have I ever been with someone?”
“Huh? Xu Ze, isn’t Sun Lingfei with you…” interrupted Fatty’s girlfriend, who was a bit chubby. It was her first time meeting Xu Ze, but she wasn’t shy at all. She acted like they’d known each other forever, opening her eyes wide and looking at Xu Ze with curiosity.
At the mention of Sun Lingfei, Xu Ze just smiled. By now, the two of them were keeping a very low profile. Apart from Luo Zi and a few others, most people who knew them thought they had broken up. But the majority of their classmates didn’t know and still assumed they were together…
“Sun Lingfei’s club has an event today too, so…” Xu Ze didn’t deny it. He just shook his head with a smile.
“Oh, I see… Then why didn’t you call Lin Yumeng? Isn’t she also your girlfriend?” This time it was Luo Zi’s girlfriend who spoke. Although she looked delicate, quiet, and gentle, her words were surprisingly bold. Her fairly large eyes held a hint of mischief as she looked at Xu Ze.
“Cough… cough, cough…” Hearing this, Xu Ze nearly spat out the mouthful of tea he had just drunk.
As the big brother, Luo Zi was very concerned about Xu Ze. Seeing him almost choke, he glared at his girlfriend and said, “Mind your own business! I never said Lin Yumeng was also his girlfriend!”
“Hmph… you said it yourself, and you still deny it…” Luo Zi’s girlfriend pouted her lips but snickered as she exposed his lie.
Luo Zi secretly glanced at Xu Ze and saw his depressed expression. He quickly tried to smooth things over with a laugh. “Ah… ha… I was just joking, just joking…”
“Come on, come on… A Ze, let me introduce you. This is your sister-in-law, my wife, Jiang Yun… that one next to Gang Zi is Wu Meimei… and next to Fatty is Lin Xiaoli…” Luo Zi stammered through the introductions. After changing the subject, he quickly fished a few pieces of greens from the pot and stuffed them into his girlfriend’s mouth to shut her up…
These sisters-in-law weren’t the shy type. In fact, each of them could even put away a few beers. Soon, the atmosphere in the private room became very lively.
The four brothers, who hadn’t seen each other for over a month, clinked glasses and drank freely… The meal went on until 9:30 at night.
By then, everyone had had quite a bit to drink. Apart from Xu Ze, Luo Zi and the others were all five or six parts drunk. Xu Ze saw that they were all full and satisfied, so he decided to call it a night.
Suddenly, his phone rang. He glanced at the number and couldn’t help but show a hint of surprise.
