Chapter Eighteen: Take Me Home

Wang Dongliang was actually Wang Yue’s elder brother. His family ran a building materials business, and nearly all the high-demand supplies needed by real estate developers in the three northeastern provinces—cement, steel bars, and the like—had to pass through their hands and lose a bit of their margins. To be precise, his family’s Sea Breeze Group was even larger than the Tan family’s Silver Dragon Group, yet instead of joining his own family’s enterprise, Wang Dongliang entered Silver Dragon Group for his own reasons. That reason was Tan Xue.

He had met her back in England, and upon first sight was stunned by her beauty. However, Tan Xue always stuck with Li Youlan and kept a respectful distance from him. He was shrewd enough to know that patience was key, and remained courteous and gentlemanly toward her. After Tan Xue returned to China, he joined Silver Dragon Group. Not only was he capable, but Silver Dragon, as a real estate company, required many materials from Sea Breeze. With Wang Dongliang mediating, Silver Dragon made considerable profits.

He rose quickly through the ranks and eventually became Silver Dragon Group’s Marketing Director.

Tan Xue had only recently returned to the country, and since they belonged to different departments, their paths rarely crossed. Tonight was the first time they met socially, and Wang Dongliang’s enthusiastic invitation was difficult to turn down. So after work, she came along. She hadn’t expected to run into Chu Dong here.

Ever since Chu Dong made his appearance, Wang Dongliang had been uneasy. He used to believe that, while Tan Xue was always icy toward men, she was at least amicable toward him, so perhaps he still had a chance. But suddenly, a brash fellow appeared, calling Tan Xue his wife, and what was more shocking, Tan Xue didn’t object to the term. That thought made Wang Dongliang feel as if he had swallowed something toxic. His glass of orange juice was quickly emptied, yet he kept sipping at it.

“It’s getting late; I should go,” Tan Xue said, seeing Wang Dongliang fall silent. She had no desire to linger in the noisy room, finding it dull, and felt awkward about refusing Wang Dongliang outright. After sitting a while, bored, she decided to leave.

Wang Dongliang was holding back his frustration, but when Tan Xue spoke, he replied instinctively.

Tan Xue stood up, not heading for the main exit but carrying her small bag toward Chu Dong.

Chu Dong had his back to Tan Xue and Wang Dongliang and didn’t notice her approach. He was chatting with Mouse and Qiangzi, saying, “Her socializing with colleagues is normal, I can’t object to that. A man must have dignity. But as I said earlier, I told her to come home early. See, it won’t be long before she obediently comes home. My authority...”

Mouse saw Tan Xue approaching and desperately signaled to Chu Dong, but the lighting was too dim for him to notice. It wasn’t until Qiangzi forcibly turned Chu Dong’s face toward the woman standing behind him that he stopped talking.

Without a hint of embarrassment, Chu Dong turned and pointed his thumb behind him at Mouse and Qiangzi, boasting, “See? I wasn’t bluffing. That’s what I call authority.”

“These are my two troublesome friends: Mouse and Qiangzi,” Chu Dong said, briefly introducing them.

“Hello, I’m Tan Xue.”

The music was loud, so Mouse and Qiangzi couldn’t quite catch her words, but their actions were perfectly synchronized. They stood up, bowed to Tan Xue, and shouted in booming voices, “Hello, sister-in-law!”

Everyone nearby turned to look, and Tan Xue’s face instantly flushed as red as a ripe persimmon. She pinched Chu Dong hard from behind.

Chu Dong endured it, and still managed to secretly give his friends a thumbs-up, praising their sense of occasion.

“Will you take me home? It’s getting late.” Seeing that Chu Dong hadn’t invited her to sit, Tan Xue, surprisingly gentle, leaned close to his ear and said.

The fragrance of beer in his glass could not compete with the delicate scent wafting from Tan Xue, and Chu Dong felt a little dizzy. Those who value beauty are true heroes. Pushing aside his glass, he waved to his two best friends.

“Have fun, I’ll catch up with you some other time. That’s it for tonight.” With that, he turned and offered his arm, waiting patiently until Tan Xue took the hint and slipped hers through his. Chu Dong, proud and satisfied, escorted her outside.

Wang Dongliang witnessed the scene and, in a fit of anger, slammed his fist on the table so hard that the juice pitcher jumped. A waiter rushed over.

“Sir...”

“Bring me alcohol, any kind will do.” Wang Dongliang pulled out a thick wad of cash from his wallet and slapped it into the waiter’s hand.

“You didn’t drive here? Where’s your Audi?” Outside, Tan Xue saw Chu Dong already standing by the curb and asked.

“That was borrowed, and I returned it,” Chu Dong replied gallantly, withholding the detail that it had been damaged because of Xiao Yuer.

“Oh, so you were just putting on a show? You really go to great lengths,” Tan Xue said, pursing her lips.

Chu Dong took a set of car keys from her, adorned with a little hamburger pendant, and paid no mind to her teasing. Instead, he asked,

“You have a car, so why do you need me to take you home? Don’t tell me you don’t have a license, or that you’re just creating a chance for us to be alone. Don’t lie—if you must, at least show some skill.” He waved the keys, grinning mischievously.

“Do I need to explain myself to you? If you don’t want to, leave. I can find my own way home.” Tan Xue would never admit she did it to make Wang Dongliang give up hope, since that might motivate Chu Dong to pursue her more aggressively, which would be counterproductive.

“Don’t be like that—I never said I didn’t want to. Besides, it’s so late and dark, I wouldn’t feel right letting you walk home alone. Such a lovely little wife—I wouldn’t want you to come to harm. Not only would your father never forgive me, I’d regret it for the rest of my life.” With slick words, Chu Dong circled the car and opened the passenger door, waiting for Tan Xue to get in.

“How is it you’re so annoying?” She shot him a glare, but despite her words, she got in the car.

Wang Dongliang could never hold his liquor. The waiter, eager to serve a paying customer, brought him a selection of strong spirits. Wang Dongliang drank quickly and became dizzy after just one glass. At least he retained some sense: realizing he was at his limit, he stopped and staggered out, supporting himself on the table.

Outside the nightclub, he happened to see Chu Dong open the car door for Tan Xue. A rush of drunkenness overwhelmed him, and he vomited right at the entrance. Someone kicked him from behind, sending him stumbling to the curb, but he didn’t have time to look back. Clinging to a tree, he retched again, nearly bringing up his bile. When he finally raised his head, the endless neon lights illuminated the ink-black night. He gazed at the direction where Tan Xue’s car had vanished and pounded angrily on the leafy sycamore tree.

“Damn it, you’ll pay for this.”

PS: I know you brothers are impatiently waiting, so I’m updating two chapters today. The second chapter is here! Also, thanks to those quietly sending flowers—just bookmark if you’re reading. This book is already signed, and after it goes online, expect 4000 words daily. Haha!