From my angle, I could see that Yang Wei's face was already flushed red, and her eyes were wide open. But soon, she seemed to let out a snort and actually... fainted from anger.
Qiaoqiao couldn't carry Yang Wei by herself, so she let go. Yang Wei, still half-conscious, staggered back to her feet. Qiaoqiao looked at Yang Wei with "infinite affection," a smug smile on her face: "Oh, baby, your lips are so sweet, even more alluring than flower petals..." She paused, then laughed like a sly little fox, deliberately adding maliciously, "Hmm, if I'm not mistaken, hmm, your reaction to that kiss... was that your first kiss? Hahahaha... I got your first kiss... your first kiss!!"
Holy crap!!
Part Two: The Road to Success, Chapter Seventy-Six: Women
Even though Yang Wei was usually the type to remain calm even in the face of a collapsing mountain, her expression changed several times in this situation. Suddenly, she let out a soft moan, staggered, and her face went from pale to flushed red. Her eyes, which were usually calm and composed, were now filled with panic and helplessness. She didn't even dare to look at Qiao Qiao again. She suddenly turned and ran, stumbling a few steps along the way, and fled out of the side door of the banquet hall as if she were running away.
Li Wenjing looked shocked. I saw him try twice before finally managing to speak with difficulty: "Chen Yang... Did I see that right? Oh my god, I must have seen that right... Qiao Qiao really kissed Yang Wei just now?"
"Excuse me." I hurriedly greeted him, put down my wine glass, and ran quickly towards Qiaoqiao. Amidst the surprised gazes of the people around us, I grabbed Qiaoqiao's wrist and pulled her out like a whirlwind. We ran through a side door that led to the restroom, and only stopped in the hallway outside. I gripped Qiaoqiao's wrist, exclaiming in shock and anger, "What...what are you doing! Qiaoqiao, are you crazy?"
Just then, two couples of guests passed by. I quickly stepped aside to clear the aisle and stood close to Qiaoqiao against the wall. Qiaoqiao's face was slightly drunk, and her cheeks were flushed from the alcohol. When I questioned her, she just giggled and laughed uncontrollably.
The two groups of guests passing by glanced at us with rather surprised looks, then waited until they were far away before pulling Qiaoqiao a few more steps inside. We ended up in a corner, and I cornered her against the wall, suppressing my anger as I said, "You went a bit too far… you…"
The drunkenness on Qiaoqiao's face vanished instantly. A strange glint flashed in her eyes, then she raised her face, glared at me, and hissed in a low voice, "Xiao Wu, why are you so angry?"
I was stunned for a moment, but Qiaoqiao suddenly shook off my hand and stared at me: "Is it because I kissed Yang Wei? Or because she's the woman you like? Humph, when we used to hang out together, you never got angry about something like this..."
"I..." I took a breath and lowered my voice. I said slowly, "I'm here to talk business. No matter what, we agreed in the room... and you promised you wouldn't target Yang Wei anymore. She's my friend. And she's been helping me with all her might this time... You shouldn't treat her like this."
Qiao Qiao smiled faintly, her eyes filled with mockery as she looked at me: "Oh? Is that so? Is it just because of this? Or are you angry because I took away Yang Wei's first kiss, which should have been yours? Humph..."
I was speechless for a moment. A strange sense of absurdity welled up inside me. Seeing that I didn't speak, a spark of anger suddenly flashed in Qiaoqiao's eyes. She abruptly reached out and shoved me hard in the chest. Then she angrily said, "Fine! Since you value her kiss so much, fine! I'll give it back to you!"
After saying that, she pounced on me, wrapped her arms around my neck, and without a word, pressed her lips firmly against mine… I was stunned, completely stunned for a moment…
I felt no tenderness in that kiss; it was filled with anger and fury! Then I felt a sharp pain on my lips. Qiaoqiao bit me, then pulled away, her face flushed, her chest heaving, her breath coming in short gasps, her eyes glaring at me with anger.
"Are you satisfied now?" Qiao Qiao snorted, then gritted her teeth and said, "Xiao Wu, you actually got angry at me! You actually got angry at me for another woman!"
Looking at Qiaoqiao's angry eyes, my heart softened for no reason...
She...she's Qiaoqiao! She's my Qiaoqiao!
Before I could speak, Qiaoqiao suddenly squinted and said, "Why don't you go ask your precious Yang Wei why I kissed her?!"
After saying that, she lowered her head and tried to walk away from me. I instinctively opened my arms to stop her, and she bumped headfirst into my chest, her nose hitting my chest hard. Qiaoqiao groaned in pain and covered her nose. I quickly caught her. Just as we were struggling, a door less than three steps away from me suddenly opened…
"Hmph." A cold snort came from the side. I looked up and saw Yang Wei, dressed in a black evening gown, standing in the doorway. She was also looking angry, glaring at the two of us: "You..."
I froze, and reflexively looked up. I saw a sign hanging above the door where Yang Wei was, with an English sign for a woman...
It turns out that the corner I dragged Qiaoqiao to in our haste was located at the entrance to the women's restroom!
Yang Wei gritted her teeth, her face filled with anger. She quickly glanced left and right, then suddenly walked over, grabbed me with one hand and Qiao Qiao with the other, and swiftly dragged us both into the doorway…
"Wait... this is the women's restroom..." I didn't even have time to speak, let alone have a chance to explain, before Yang Wei pulled me into the women's restroom.
Yang Wei slammed the door shut, then casually locked it from the inside. She then looked up at me and said, "Don't worry, there's no one else here."
After hastily finishing their sentence, the two women stared at each other, their eyes meeting like fighting cocks.
"You...you..." Yang Wei's chest heaved with anger. To be honest, I had never seen Yang Wei lose her composure like this since I met her. However, beneath her anger, there was clearly an undisguised panic and confusion.
"What about me?" Qiao Qiao raised her chin, smiling instead of getting angry: "Baby, was that kiss unforgettable for you?"
Yang Weiqiao blushed as she said, "You! You actually dared to kiss me! You actually dared to kiss me in public!" After saying that, she rushed to the pool next to her again, wiped her mouth hard, and then turned on the tap to get water and frantically washed her lips.
Qiao Qiao smiled slyly, but she walked over to Yang Wei and casually pulled a tissue from a box on the wall, handing it to Yang Wei: "Okay, why are you so angry? It's just a kiss, right? Besides, I'm not a man... Unless, I'm really right? That really was your first kiss?"
Although Yang Wei was angry, she did not refuse the tissue Qiao Qiao offered. She carefully wiped the water from her mouth, threw the tissue into the trash can, and then turned back to glare at Qiao Qiao. Her tone was more of a mixture of anger and shame than anger: "You went too far!"
Qiao Qiao shrugged: "You asked me to do it."
"What?!" Now it was my turn to be surprised. In my haste, I even stammered as I spoke, pointing at Yang Wei and Qiao Qiao: "You...you two, what are you saying? Yang Wei, you...you're asking Qiao Qiao...?"
My God? Could it be that Yang Wei is also... also...?
Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
Thinking back to how Qiaoqiao seduced the flight attendant on the plane, and how she told me, "I can tell at a glance which girls in a crowd are lesbians!"
Could it be... Yang Wei is one of them?
Impossible! Absolutely impossible!!
Yang Wei blushed again under my surprised gaze, and lowered her head angrily, "What are you looking at... I... I..." Her face was so red it looked like it was about to bleed: "Of course not!"
“But what Qiaoqiao just said… was what you asked her to…” I swallowed hard.
“That’s right, she asked me to.” Qiao Qiao chuckled.
"But I didn't ask you to kiss me! I just asked you..." When had Yang Wei ever shown such an out-of-control expression!
"But you asked me to help you. In that situation, don't you think this is the most effective way... Heh, now his parents definitely won't like you anymore."
"Stop!!" I yelled, stopping the two women from glaring at each other. "What are you talking about? What demands? What do you mean by 'whose parents like you'? What do you mean by that?!"
This time, Yang Wei panicked. She suddenly ran over and covered my mouth, whispering anxiously, "Why are you shouting like that! This is the women's restroom! Do you want people outside to hear a man's voice in here?!"
"Okay, let me explain." Qiao Qiao sighed, but when her gaze fell on me, she still glared at me angrily. "You know Li Wenjing outside. Yeah, that guy was originally my father's arranged fiancé for me, you know that, right? But actually, Li Wenjing himself didn't want to marry me at all. We were both forced into this relationship by family pressure, so we secretly agreed that it was just for show. I don't like him, and he doesn't like me. Yeah, he doesn't like me because that guy Li Wenjing has someone else in his heart!" Qiao Qiao chuckled, then her eyes flickered towards Yang Wei: "Look, this is Li Wenjing's dream girl."
Ignoring the changes in my expression, Qiaoqiao quickly said, "After my family broke off the engagement with Li Wenjing, Li Wenjing is now free. Now, he has publicly expressed his love for Yang Wei... Moreover, he has even brought his parents to propose to Yang Wei's family in the name of his family. Do you understand?"
I felt a bitter taste in my mouth and gave Yang Wei a complicated look, only to find that her eyes were equally complicated.
"Originally, Li Wenjing's parents seemed reluctant to arrange a marriage with Yang Wei's family, as they didn't seem to want to be associated with gambling syndicates. However, Li Wenjing was determined to do it. Especially recently, it seems the two families have had business opportunities... Oh, right, the newly opened casino downstairs is a joint venture between the two families. With business dealings, the relationship between the two families is much better than before, so Li Wenjing's parents have agreed to his feelings for Yang Wei. This time, his parents came here, firstly to attend the casino's opening ceremony, and secondly to see Yang Wei, and incidentally to propose to Yang Wei's uncle."
"Is that so?" I couldn't help but ask Yang Wei. Yang Wei didn't make eye contact with me, but just sighed and nodded.
Qiao Qiao deliberately sighed, walked closer to Yang Wei, and chuckled, "Yang Wei, sigh, such a smart and beautiful girl, how could Li Wenjing's parents not like her at first sight? They're probably going to propose to Yang Wei's uncle tonight. This kind of family marriage... well, of course, I can understand, Yang Wei definitely doesn't want to marry Li Wenjing. But you know, in these kinds of family marriages, you have no say... When my parents forced me to marry Li Wenjing, I didn't have any say in the decision, I could only make a huge fuss behind the scenes and ask you guys to help me sort it out... Remember?"
"Remember……"
"So, Yang Wei found out tonight that I was the ex-fiancée who broke off the engagement with Li Wenjing. That's why, when we were talking just now, she asked me if there was any way to make Li Wenjing's parents disapprove of her." Qiao Qiao sighed, "You and Li Wenjing were chatting so amiably over there, you didn't know... Li Wenjing's parents were here too, and they were nearby. They saw Yang Wei and were about to come over to say hello."
At this point, Qiao Qiao glanced at Yang Wei: "You're really cunning... You deliberately pulled me aside to talk to avoid Li Wenjing's parents... right? Yeah, because I'm the one who dumped Li Wenjing and broke off our engagement. His parents saw me next to you, and out of embarrassment, they won't come over to talk to you, since I'm here too. Wouldn't that be awkward? Right? Hey, I knew it! We don't really have any connection. You were pulling me aside and talking so intimately because you were afraid that if you left me, Li Wenjing's parents would come to you for a heart-to-heart talk, right?"
Yang Wei glanced at Qiao Qiao but didn't say anything, which was obviously an admission.
Qiao Qiao raised an eyebrow: "I saw Li Wenjing's parents standing there a long time ago, and their eyes kept drifting in my direction, so I asked Yang Wei what was going on. She didn't hide anything from me and told me, and then she asked me how I managed to escape my arranged marriage back then... Hmph."
"And then?" I smiled wryly.
"Then, I said I certainly have my own way. She asked if I could help her. I told her my way might not be suitable for her... But, well, since she asked me for help..." Qiao Qiao smiled, her eyes narrowed.
"But I didn't ask you to kiss me!" Yang Wei said angrily.
"Oh, darling, don't you think this method is very effective?" Qiao Qiao smiled like a typical little fox: "Now I guarantee that even if Li Wenjing loves you to death, his parents will absolutely not agree to their son marrying you... No parents would agree to their son marrying a woman who kisses another woman in public. Haha..."
Yang Wei was both ashamed and angry, gritting her teeth: "You...you didn't explain beforehand that it would be this method!"
"You're the one who asked me to help you."
"But I didn't ask you to kiss me!"
"You're the one who asked me to help you."
"I didn't ask you to kiss me!"
"You asked me to help you..." Qiao Qiao suddenly looked at Yang Wei, her eyes unwavering, staring directly at her. Then, Qiao Qiao suddenly shouted, "Yang Wei, let's be frank! You're beautiful, smart, and from a good family! Humph, I don't care how much others like you, or how outstanding you are... For me..." She pointed at me, making no attempt to hide her intentions, "With him around, you're my rival in love! Understand? Rival in love! You asked me to help you, so I helped you! But, while helping you, shouldn't I also give you a little blow, suppress you a bit?"
My face turned slightly embarrassed, and I was about to say something when Qiao Qiao countered Yang Wei's question: "Let me ask you, we're all women. If you were me, and I were your rival in love, and you had the chance to give me a little blow, would you do it?"
Yang Wei hesitated for a moment, glanced at Qiao Qiao, and finally nodded: "Yes, I will do it."
Qiaoqiao shrugged and looked at me: "Xiao Wu, do you understand? This is what women are like! This is what we women are like! We women are inherently selfish! Even if we love a man deeply, we will still be selfish!" She snorted: "Only that little girl Yan Di would be so silly as to ignore you, but she just keeps her pain inside."
Yang Wei gritted her teeth, looked at Qiao Qiao, and finally let out a long breath, her expression calming down: "Fine! Qiao Qiao, you have the upper hand today! But I, Yang Wei, will not be easily suppressed! Remember, I will definitely get my revenge."
Qiao Qiao chuckled and shrugged, "How did you find me? By kissing me? I won't mind, baby..."
Yang Wei trembled, her expression turning even stranger. Qiao Qiao laughed even more heartily: "Aha! Yang Wei, I've finally found your weakness! You seem so calm and intelligent, but you're actually so pure inside... Hmm, you appear to be an ice queen, but inside, you're a pure and gentle little girl yearning for love... Haha..."
I am completely unable to utter a single word.
All I can say is that I only realized today that I actually don't understand women at all!
Seeing me still standing there in a daze, Qiaoqiao glared at me: "Alright. What are you still standing here for? This is the women's restroom! Get out..." She paused, then narrowed her eyes and said to me irritably, "Hmph, you actually yelled at me just now. Xiao Wu, you'll remember this! Qiaoqiao's revenge is never too late!"
Indeed, it was somewhat inappropriate for me to stand in the women's restroom and chat with two women. So I left. Before I left, I saw Yang Wei and Qiao Qiao still talking, but they were still not getting along, and their words were somewhat awkward.
I also saw Qiaoqiao seem to pat Yang Wei's shoulder, which startled Yang Wei so much that she screamed "Ah!" and backed away, crying out, "Don't touch me..."
...
I left the women's restroom. After checking that no one was around, I quickly walked out into the corridor and tried to compose myself. Then I returned to the banquet hall outside.
I saw Li Wenjing standing in the distance, lost in thought. He held a wine glass in his hand, his brow furrowed. I hesitated for a moment, then decided not to go over and speak to him. I had just learned that Li Wenjing was actually in love with Yang Wei and had even tried to propose to her family. I don't know why, but I felt that going over to talk to him would be very awkward.
In addition, I saw a middle-aged Chinese couple standing next to Li Wenjing. The man looked very handsome, dignified and imposing, and was obviously Li Wenjing's parents.
Yang Wei and Qiao Qiao are still inside. I have no idea what the two women are saying or talking about. I wandered around the banquet hall for a while. My mind was still filled with a sense of absurdity and... well, a jumble of thoughts!
Some of the guests I met earlier chatted with me casually for a few minutes, but I seemed a bit distracted.
Later, the music stopped, and someone spoke into a microphone, attracting the attention of the guests present. I then saw Uncle Yang Weidi, a middle-aged Chinese man, walk forward, holding a wine glass, and give a brief speech, probably thanking all the guests who came to the venue that night, and also expressing his vision for the future prospects of the newly opened casino.
I wasn't listening carefully. Standing at the back of the crowd, I saw Li Wenjing standing not far from me. This time he saw me, nodded at me, but his smile was somewhat bitter.
I reckon he must be in a bad mood right now.
Hmm... His ex-fiancée dumped him, then kissed his current fiancée in front of his parents, and then broke off their engagement again... Anyone would be upset in that situation.
Yang Wei's uncle spoke briefly, then stepped down from the stage. I noticed he seemed to glance at me from a distance, then whispered something to one of his men, and left with his men, exiting through a side door.
Immediately, I saw his subordinate walk up to me and politely bow slightly: "Mr. Chen Yang?"
"Yes, that's me."
He smiled even more respectfully: "Mr. Chen Yang, our Mr. Yang would like to invite you to meet and talk in the back lounge. Is this a convenient time for you?"
“OK.” I immediately put down my glass, glanced around, and saw that Yang Wei and Qiao Qiao hadn’t come out yet. I didn’t have time to wait for them, so I followed this person to the back, through a corridor, pushed open a door, and entered a small room.
This is a "cigar bar" with heavy mahogany decor, giving it a strong oriental Chinese feel. Even the furniture inside is made of heavy mahogany, and the floor is covered with a thick plush carpet.
The two cabinets next to it contained many cigar boxes, as well as various cigar-enjoying utensils, such as silver cigar cutters...
A bottle of red wine was already on the table. Yang Wei's uncle was leaning back on the sofa with a friendly smile on his face. He had a cigar between his fingers. When he saw me come in, he smiled very calmly: "Oh, Mr. Chen Yang, hello. Please make yourself at home. There is wine and cigars here. Please enjoy."