Chapter Eighty-Two: An Eccentric Pair

It wasn’t until I received another urgent call from Zhang Chuang that I finally left the building, walking side by side with Zhao Kewen, who was already dressed and ready. We quickly hailed a taxi and rushed to the restaurant he’d mentioned on the phone.

Sitting in the car, Zhao Kewen couldn’t keep still. She glanced around, her alluring eyes frequently falling on me, making me feel awkward and uneasy.

“Sis, you’ve got some energy today…” I yawned, feeling drowsy, while she seemed to be looking forward to this meal with anticipation.

“What’s there to be afraid of? We can sleep during the day anyway.” Zhao Kewen leaned closer, her voice sultry against my ear, her breath fragrant. “Besides, I’ve been holding back for too long. If I don’t let off some steam, I’ll get all pent up. Don’t you feel the same, little brother?”

Her words made my heart tighten as I stared, dumbfounded, at Zhao Kewen, who was practically leaning on me. That was far too blatant! Let off some steam… What the hell!

“Um, sis, we’re almost there. Stop messing around…” I gently nudged her soft body, not daring to use any force.

She straightened up with a peal of laughter and sat back in her seat. Glancing at my embarrassed face, she said, smiling, “I haven’t had a drink in ages. Now that I finally have the time and company, what’s wrong with having a few drinks to vent some frustration?”

Damn! I cursed under my breath. With words so laden with innuendo, how could I not misinterpret her? Any guy would!

“Little pervert…” Zhao Kewen muttered, then gazed nonchalantly out the window as if nothing had happened.

I covered my face, feeling as though a herd of wild horses were stampeding through my mind. A vixen—what kind of enchantress was this!

Finally, after my awkward torment, we arrived at our destination—a restaurant called Fragrant Home Cooking.

As soon as we entered, I saw two empty beer bottles on the table and Zhang Chuang, who, upon seeing Zhao Kewen and me, first froze in shock, then looked puzzled.

“Let me introduce you—this is Zhao Kewen…”

“You’re something else, man, bullying a single guy like me?” Zhang Chuang cut me off angrily before I could finish.

I looked at him in surprise. This wasn’t like Zhang Chuang at all. Normally, though a bit unruly, he was courteous enough. Such rudeness was out of character. Had he really been pushed that far this time?

“So what if we’re bullying you, the lone single guy?” Zhao Kewen didn’t care if Zhang Chuang was my friend, her tone displeased. “If you have the guts, bring a girl along yourself! My Yang Chen is up at this hour just to keep you company, and you act like a dog biting the hand that feeds it. What, not satisfied?”

I quickly tugged at Zhao Kewen’s sleeve before she could say more and smiled awkwardly at Zhang Chuang, whose face was flushed with suppressed anger, though he couldn’t retort a single word.

“Have a seat. It was my fault—too rude just now. Beautiful lady, please forgive me,” Zhang Chuang forced a self-deprecating smile, picked up a half-finished beer, and downed it in one go.

“Sis, he had a fight with his girlfriend. Looks pretty serious. Don’t provoke him anymore…” I whispered into Zhao Kewen’s ear. She blinked at me, signaling she understood.

“Brother, drinking won’t solve anything. Tell us what’s going on—see if your buddies can help,” I said, opening a bottle of beer for Zhao Kewen, then another for myself.

“Don’t ask. It’s all tears. Let’s just drink,” Zhang Chuang refused to talk. I had no choice but to follow his lead, raising my bottle and taking a swig. Zhao Kewen, seeing me drink, sipped hers as well.

So we all sat in silence, drinking cold beer. I gestured for Zhao Kewen to eat more and drink less, but she shot me a glare and retorted, “Girls get fat eating late. You wouldn’t want me if that happened!”

After a few rounds and several dishes, Zhang Chuang seemed to have reached his limit. His words grew slurred and plentiful.

“Yang Chen, do you know how long I’ve been with her?” he asked, his breath heavy with alcohol.

I shook my head. He smiled bitterly. “Over four years. Met her sophomore year and started pursuing her. We went through college together, then interned and became official at the police station here. Over four years!”

I nodded, waiting for him to go on. Zhao Kewen, meanwhile, seemed uninterested in his story, quietly picking at the vegetable-rich dishes.

“Do you know what I went through just to be with her? Begged my family for help, called in every favor! Hell, I even almost fell out with my family over her!” He pounded the table, making Zhao Kewen frown and shoot me an unhappy glance. I shook my head at her.

“You fought with Li Huixin? I know her a little. She’s got a temper, sure, but if you usually go easy on her, things should be fine, right?” I said, thinking about Li Huixin’s straightforwardness and stubbornness. Their quarrel probably stemmed from that.

“Heh… temper?” Zhao Kewen said, chewing her vegetables. “I’ve never met a woman with a worse temper than your Miss Luo.”

I scratched my head awkwardly, gesturing for Zhang Chuang to continue.

“Girls are meant to be cherished. But why doesn’t Huixin understand? I love her. Everything I do is to marry her, to make her happy. How could she…” He slowly pulled a small, exquisite box from his pocket. I knew—it was an engagement ring, holding all a man’s intentions.

“Maybe she thinks it’s too soon for marriage. These days, everyone wants to enjoy their youth a bit longer—especially women. Once you settle down, there are so many restrictions and hard choices. Life can become exhausting,” I tried to comfort him, seeing his dejection, so reminiscent of my own past.

“Enjoy? Is love a game? What are we waiting to lose before we turn back?” Zhang Chuang erupted. “Women—if you give them everything, they take it for granted. Then, when nothing’s left, they look back with regret!”

Before I could respond, Zhao Kewen tossed her chopsticks down, stood, and pointed at him, her voice cold. “And what does that prove? Only that you haven’t won her heart completely. It means you’re not good enough yet to truly win her over!”

Stunned, I watched as Zhao Kewen angrily shook off my hand, approaching the equally surprised Zhang Chuang.

“Your actions now only show immaturity and weakness. While you’re here drowning your sorrows, do you know if she’s crying her heart out somewhere, worrying about you? You say she doesn’t understand—but do you? Do you understand women at all?”

Her words seemed to pierce Zhang Chuang to the core. He looked at Zhao Kewen, shocked and a little awed, then raised his flushed face and retorted loudly, “How do I not understand! In body and soul, I understand everything!”

Zhao Kewen suddenly smiled, reached out to pinch his drunken chin, and said, “If you truly understand, are you giving up on her then? After all, she’s just an ungrateful woman, isn’t she?”

“Don’t you dare insult her! You have no right!” Zhang Chuang shoved her hand away, glaring. “Even if I break up with her, I won’t let anyone else insult her!”

Seeing things escalate, I worried they’d start fighting. I stood, ready to intervene, when Zhao Kewen shot me a quick wink. I was confused—had she been provoking Zhang Chuang on purpose?

“Fine, I won’t insult her. If you’re so set on breaking up, then let me help. Got your ID? Let’s find a hotel for the night. When she hears, she’ll definitely cut you off for good. That way, you’ll have your revenge. So, do you dare?”

Zhao Kewen’s eyes sparkled with challenge, as if she was looking at a spineless fool.

“Hell, why not! I’m not afraid!” Zhang Chuang, blinded by anger, agreed without a second thought.

“Good. It’s been a while since I’ve had some fresh fun. Don’t disappoint me!” Zhao Kewen flirted, licking her crimson lips seductively.

“Just hope you can handle it!” Zhang Chuang shouted, face red, and got up to leave.

“Settle the bill first!” Zhao Kewen knocked on the table. “Or are you expecting my husband to pay?”

“Cut the crap. Let’s pay and get a room!” Zhang Chuang shoved the door open.

Before Zhao Kewen could follow, I rushed over and grabbed her hand. “Kewen, are you crazy? He’s furious right now. If you’re not careful, you might ruin him!”

I knew her tricks too well—playing with men was second nature to her. I wasn’t worried she’d really sleep with Zhang Chuang, but I had no idea what might happen to him. If she went too far, it wouldn’t just be his love that was destroyed—his future could be lost in a drunken mistake!

“Relax, little brother. I know what I’m doing—I won’t ruin him,” she said, patting my shoulder gently. “Trust me. Go home and get some sleep—you’re exhausted. Leave his mess to me. If I can’t straighten him out, I’m not Zhao Kewen.”