Chapter 81: Even If You Stand Me Up Ten More Times, It's All Right

The private room was brightly lit.

Song Kai and Xu Ling walked inside.

“Hey, Xu Ling, why’d you bring a waiter in here?” Sun Fan laughed.

“Yeah, get out, we didn’t order any service,” another chimed in.

Chang Qingyou glanced at Xu Ling, expecting her to be angry, but she only stood there smiling.

Of course Xu Ling wasn’t upset; she wasn’t the type to be petty. More importantly, she knew Song Kai was thick-skinned and had a good attitude.

Song Kai coughed loudly and proclaimed, “Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce myself. My name is Song Kai—I'm not a waiter, I'm Xu Ling’s boyfriend.”

“Impossible! Your looks aren’t even close to Chang Qingyou’s!” someone joked.

Another added, “Song Kai? Aren’t you Song Shuisheng’s son? I heard your family went bankrupt, your house got repossessed. How’d you manage to win Xu Ling over?”

Song Kai could tell none of these people meant well, but it didn’t matter. He had the upper hand; no matter how they mocked him, he wouldn’t get angry.

Let them fume, these mongrels!

He nodded, “Yes, we went bankrupt. But at least I have a good wife. My plan is, once I graduate high school, I’ll help out at Xu Ling’s company and become a live-in son-in-law. Xu Ling’s family is wealthy, right? Isn’t that so, Xu Ling?”

He flashed a wicked, shameless smile.

The men in the room were speechless—what a scoundrel!

How could Xu Ling be so blind, sticking to some old promise?

Xu Ling rolled her eyes and said to the others, “Alright, stop picking on Song Kai. It’s pointless—his skin is as thick as a city gate’s corner. Anyway, I have something to do tonight, so I’ll head home. I’ll cover tonight’s bill; let’s get together again next time.”

Song Kai nodded, “Yes, next time. I’ll take my wife home first.”

“I challenge you to a duel!”

Chang Qingyou suddenly stood up, drunkenly staggering over to Song Kai.

“Uh, not interested,” Song Kai replied.

“What, are you even a man? Haven’t heard the terms and you’re already chickening out!” Chang Qingyou grabbed Song Kai’s collar, emboldened by alcohol, though he was always timid.

Song Kai responded quickly, “I’m not chickening out—it just doesn’t make sense. Xu Ling is my fiancée. If I win, she’s mine; if I lose, she’s still mine. What’s the point of a duel?”

Hearing this, Chang Qingyou’s bravado crumbled into sobs. He dropped to his knees, crying nonstop, cursing himself between tears: “I’m such a coward! I regret it! Why was I so timid back then?!”

Song Kai patted Chang Qingyou’s shoulder. “Brother, don’t regret it. Even if you’d confessed, Xu Ling wouldn’t have chosen you. Honestly, you’re not a match for her.”

“Oh, and you are?” Sun Fan stared at Song Kai. “You’re just a pure loser—how could you be good enough for Xu Ling? Chang Qingyou at least is handsome, from a prestigious university, and a department manager. What about you?”

Song Kai thought for a moment. “Maybe I just have good luck. I was betrothed early on, after all.”

He turned to Xu Ling, “Let’s go, darling. When I graduate, I’ll be your driver. Any time you attend a gathering like this, I’ll be there.”

Xu Ling was speechless. Sensing the awkward atmosphere in the room, she was eager to leave.

She said, “Song Kai, act normal. Everyone, I’m engaged to Song Kai. We’re not dating yet, but we’ll probably end up together, so please don’t target him—or me. There are plenty of beautiful girls in our class; look, Zhao Xiaozhi and the others are all single, right?”

Sun Fan sighed, “Xu Ling, we’re not targeting him, nor you. Honestly, you coming to this reunion is an honor for us. It’s just… we hate to see such a beautiful flower planted in… sigh.”

“Planted in my cow dung, haha. That’s fate—you wouldn’t understand,” Song Kai grinned shamelessly.

Just then, the phone rang.

Song Kai saw it was Zhang Hongjun, slapped his forehead, and said, “Damn, I forgot about that couple.”

He hurriedly answered, “President Zhang! Sorry, I ran into Xu Ling as I came out of the restroom and had a drink with her. We’re coming right up now, truly, right now.”

Zhang Hongjun sounded exasperated. “You’re ruthless—left me and my wife hanging. Which private room are you in? Might as well, my wife and I will join you. I have some business to discuss with President Xu.”

“Ah? No, the dishes here are almost gone.” Song Kai glanced at the table. “And nothing good left to eat.”

Sun Fan, overhearing, was annoyed. What’s this guy showing off for?

Zhang Hongjun knew Song Kai’s temperament and laughed, “Not everyone is like you, coming to eat just to eat—you always eat more than a cow! Business matters most. Which room?”

“1803,” Song Kai replied. “Wait, let me ask Xu Ling if it’s okay for you to come.”

Turning to Xu Ling, he asked, “Zhang Hongjun wants to come over. Is that alright?”

Xu Ling was speechless; she tapped Song Kai’s forehead. “Are you brain-dead? Invite him in, quickly!”

Song Kai told Zhang Hongjun, “Alright, President Zhang, come on over.”

He hung up.

Xu Ling stared at Song Kai, incredulous. “You left President Zhang alone in his room just to come with me? Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

“I have to protect my wife first!” Song Kai muttered.

Sun Fan slapped the table. “What President Zhang? Which President Zhang? Xu Ling, this is a class reunion—don’t invite every random small boss. Let Song Kai go keep his friend company. He ordered better food, right?”

Everyone laughed.

Xu Ling hesitated, “He’s not from a small company—he’s an executive at a corporate group. If it’s inconvenient, Song Kai and I can get another private room to host him.”

“Penguin Group?” Sun Fan was stunned. “An employee at Penguin Group? Which department manager?”

“Our own Chang Qingyou is a manager, too.”

“Haha, exactly. Since this President Zhang wants to come, it’s just a matter of adding another pair of chopsticks.”

“Yes, let’s see what kind of friend President Song has.”

As they spoke, the door opened and Zhang Hongjun and Xiumin walked in.

Zhang Hongjun used to avoid such gatherings, but now, with nothing to do before his evening flight—and since his wife had become beautiful—he found himself enjoying taking Xiumin to lively events.

He entered, clasped his hands, and said, “Ah, hello kids—and a gentleman as well. Nice to meet you all. You’re friends of President Xu and Song Kai, right? Sorry for dropping in uninvited.”

Everyone in the room was stunned, staring at Zhang Hongjun.

He carried a commanding presence that made it impossible for anyone to look down on him.

The homeroom teacher, Tang Shan, stood up, looked at Zhang Hongjun, and asked, “Are you… Zhang Hongjun?”

“Ah, honored indeed, my old face still recognized! Yes, I’m Zhang Hongjun.” He shook hands with the teacher.

“Zhang Hongjun? Which Zhang Hongjun?”

“The one from Penguin Group—the deputy under Ma Huating.”

“My god, it really is Zhang Hongjun! What’s going on!”

Though young, everyone at the table was seasoned in the business world. The deputy of the top internet company—they certainly knew who he was.

Sun Fan was stunned, then scrambled to shake hands. “President Zhang, what an honor! I’m Sun Fan, CEO of Paradise Film Company. We’ve worked with Penguin Group before.”

“Nice to meet you.” Zhang Hongjun smiled, though he had never heard of such small companies.

After polite greetings, Zhang Hongjun walked to Song Kai, pointed at him, and teased, “You brat, really ruthless—left me and my wife in a private room for nineteen minutes, I thought you’d fallen into the toilet!”

“Sorry, sorry, I was… pursuing Xu Ling.” Song Kai grinned, “Hope you’ll forgive me.”

“You’ve got good taste!” Zhang Hongjun said immediately. “I approve! President Xu, don’t accept him too quickly—make him work for it.”

Xu Ling was speechless, raising her glass to Zhang Hongjun. “Alright, I’ll heed your advice. Sorry for what Song Kai did earlier.”

“No worries! If he’d stood me up for any other reason, I’d be angry. But chasing a girlfriend—especially one like you, President Xu—I wouldn’t mind being stood up ten times!”

He laughed, then said, “Oh, let me introduce my wife, Xiumin. Xiumin, this is President Xu—the one I mentioned, who signed the latest image recognition algorithm deal with us. Talented, truly. In a few years, President Xu’s net worth will surpass mine.”

“You’re too kind,” Xu Ling smiled.

Zhang Hongjun waved a hand. “It’s true. I’m just an employee in the end. You’ll take a thousandth of the project’s profits—soon you’ll be richer than me. So, I’ve decided to curry favor with you, President Xu. I have a few more projects looking for partners. I heard your family company deals in health products and cosmetics; are you interested?”

“Absolutely! Very interested!” Xu Ling was a little excited.

Song Kai coughed. “Maybe you two should discuss business somewhere else? Everyone’s watching, it’s awkward.”

“Yes, yes,” Xu Ling quickly addressed the others. “Sorry, I’ll excuse myself. Please enjoy the meal and have fun.”

“Ah? Stay and eat!”

“That’s right, you can discuss business here.”

“Xu Ling, that’s not right—you’re trying to take President Zhang away and monopolize the cooperation opportunity!”

A group quickly surrounded Song Kai and the others.

“Song Kai, Brother Song, persuade them! Business can be discussed anywhere. Stay, please.” Sun Fan clung to Song Kai, pleading.

Song Kai scratched his head. “Alright, but you’ll need to order another round of dishes. We’ll eat and talk.”

“Of course, absolutely! Tonight’s on me—anyone tries to grab the bill and I’ll fight them… Waiter, waiter!” Sun Fan dashed out, calling for service…