If it's just a casual fling, I will absolutely not back down!
But the situation is different now!
Do I want Fang Nan? To be honest, yes! No man wouldn't be tempted!
But what happens after you get her?
It's too complicated, too troublesome...
This kind of woman is definitely not someone you can just sleep with, have a one-night stand, and then forget about!
After hearing my instinctive question, Fang Nan looked a little embarrassed. After a moment of silence, she murmured softly, "You really didn't do it?"
At that moment, I suddenly felt a pang of self-loathing. A sense of guilt welled up within me. I felt that what I had done tonight was truly despicable.
But I still forced myself to say, "No."
Fang Nan breathed a sigh of relief, glanced at the brooch casually, and then tossed it back into the box: "I don't want anything from that guy surnamed Zhou."
I smiled and said, "Why not? It's free, so why not take it? I think you would look beautiful, elegant, and noble wearing this brooch."
Fang Nan chuckled, her tear tracks still fresh on her face. This sudden, bright smile, like a pear blossom in the rain, possessed a breathtaking charm. I was so captivated that I almost drove the car onto the traffic island…
The car has already driven onto the Binjiang Avenue in the north of the city.
Our city is located on the banks of the Yangtze River. This riverside boulevard is an international standard road that was just built last year. On the left are rows of beautiful buildings with flashing streetlights, and on the right is the winding Yangtze River embankment, with the mighty river flowing slowly below.
The atmosphere in the car was somewhat awkward in the silence. Fang Nan opened the other box, and inside were indeed exquisite jewelry boxes. Upon opening one, there was the beautiful ring!
"Hmph." Fang Nan scoffed, "Why did that guy surnamed Zhou send me this?"
I suppressed my excitement and laughed, "He spent five million to buy this! That guy's got some big spending skills!"
"Tch! I don't care." Fang Nan curled her lip and casually tossed it aside.
I gave a wry smile.
Please, it's five million after all!
However, I later learned that Fang Nan's reaction was quite normal.
With her beauty, astonishing background, and immense wealth, countless powerful men are constantly at her beck and call, and wealthy men shower her with gifts in an effort to curry favor with her.
Let alone a ring.
Even garden villas, luxury cars, and yachts are commonplace!
“I think this ring looks pretty good, but it’s a pity it’s a men’s ring… Sigh, Chen Yang, how about I give it to you?” Fang Nan said casually, “I’ll wire the money to that guy surnamed Zhou tomorrow, and you can just consider it as if I bought it.”
My heart was pounding, but reason made me shake my head and refuse: "I wouldn't dare accept something so valuable as a gift. Besides, only that Zhou guy would be foolish enough to spend millions to buy it. You'd be losing out big time spending so much money!"
Fang Nan thought for a moment and said, "Then tomorrow you can make a trip for me and return the ring to him."
I smiled and agreed. But a smug smile crept onto my lips.
Looking at the road ahead, I asked, "Miss Fang... the Yangtze River Bridge is just ahead. Are we going to have to cross the river?"
Fang Nan sighed: "Let's turn around and go back to the city."
I responded, and then I heard Fang Nan whisper behind me, "Chen Yang... from now on, when we're alone together, you... just call me by my name..."
I sighed.
If I still don't understand Fang Nan's feelings for me... then I might as well go find a place to crash into and die!
Even though I knew it perfectly well, I still felt I should refuse.
Even disregarding the difference in our social status, and despite Fang Nan's captivating appearance, she is still nearly ten years older than me!
And most importantly: her feelings for me are clearly only because I look like someone! She's just using me as a substitute.
I tried my best to concentrate on driving, and although I noticed Fang Nan watching me from behind, I tried my best to control myself from looking in the rearview mirror.
The car drove back into the city, and I turned around and headed towards Fang Nan's house. Fang Nan looked somewhat sullen, and suddenly said in a low voice, "I don't want to go home right now..."
"Well?"
"I...I'm hungry, I want to eat something."
"Um, Fang Xiao... Fang Nan, you mean we should find a place to eat?"
Fang Nan smiled with satisfaction when she heard me finally call her by her name, then sighed softly, "I don't want to go home. I'm all alone at home, and it's so boring to be alone at night."
Her eyes no longer held the air of a strong woman; instead, they held a hint of vulnerability that evoked pity.
I sighed inwardly, but smiled outwardly: "I know a nightclub with really good food."
...
"Fun & Joy Barbecue" is a small shop located behind a commercial street in the city.
This barbecue restaurant is famous in Nanjing's various entertainment venues. Firstly, because it's open all night! Secondly, it's known for its affordable and delicious food. Basically, people from all sorts of entertainment venues, bars, nightclubs, and other nightlife spots in Nanjing like to grab a bite to eat after a late-night party.
The chicken wings here are grilled perfectly, with a unique flavor that is fragrant but not greasy, yet very affordable, making them very popular!
The business here is famously booming in Nanjing! Sometimes, even at two or three in the morning, there are long queues and people waiting to get a table!
Strangely, despite the booming business, the owner has no plans to expand. Over the years, he has remained in this tiny shop, which can only accommodate seven or eight tables.
I think if it were any other businessperson, seeing that business was doing well, they would probably have already expanded their operations or even planned to open a branch.
When we drove to this barbecue restaurant, it was already very busy. I parked the car on the side of the road and walked into the small restaurant with Fang Nan, which was undoubtedly eye-catching!
Fang Nan, dressed in a fiery red evening gown, possessed an exquisite beauty and captivating charm, resembling a delicate red rose. I, on the other hand, was impeccably dressed in a suit, tall and slender.
From any angle, our outfits looked like those for a formal banquet, and definitely not appropriate for a roadside shop like this.
However, Fang Nan seemed to rarely come to places like this. His expression was one of excitement and curiosity, completely ignoring the various gazes directed at him from all sides.
A stunning beauty like her has probably been used to being the center of attention since childhood.
It was a bit chilly that night, so I took off my suit jacket and draped it over Fang Nan's shoulders. She didn't refuse, but instead gave me a gentle look, the tenderness in her eyes softening my heart. However, I quickly reminded myself:
Chen Yang, don't do anything stupid! She doesn't like you... she likes that "brother" thing.
The stools and tables were simple in style, even bearing faint traces of grease and grime. However, Fang Nan showed no sign of distress over her designer European evening gown, and without hesitation, sat down. Then, with her soft, slender fingers, she picked up the greasy menu in front of her and began to examine it with great curiosity.
"The chicken wings here are famous." I smiled. "The grilled fish is also good."
Fang Nan looked at me gently and said, "You can order for me."
I ordered four pairs of chicken wings and two grilled fish. Just as I was about to order drinks, Fang Nan suddenly said to the waiter, "Two bottles of beer."
I frowned and said in a low voice, "You'd better not drink."
"No, I want to drink." Across the table, Fang Nan's eyes pleaded. This mature, beautiful, and radiant woman spoke with a childlike, coquettish tone.
I was somewhat stunned. By the time I came to my senses, the waiter had already left at Fang Nan's instruction.
This woman!
Fang Nan ate the cumin-sprinkled roasted chicken wings with a beaming smile, completely oblivious to the fact that her delicate lip gloss was now a mess. She held the greasy chicken wings with both hands, seemingly devoid of her usual ladylike demeanor.
Frankly speaking, in my eyes, Fang Nan like this is far more charming than the cold, rational, strong woman she is in the company during the day!
I suddenly couldn't help but laugh.
It seems to be a rule... just like those classic scenes in movies and novels: rich girls always seem to find these roadside shops novel and curious.
Fang Nan seemed to have a good appetite since she hadn't eaten much that evening. I, on the other hand, only drank a little beer and barely touched my chopsticks; Fang Nan finished almost all the food in front of me.
She ate for a while before noticing that I hadn't eaten much, and a hint of shyness appeared on her face: "Chen Yang, why haven't you eaten anything... Is my eating manners terrible?"
Fang Nan's gaze pierced my eyes, her shy and timid expression, the blush on her cheeks, and the allure between her brows made me involuntarily breathe rapidly, almost forgetting to speak.
but……
Unfortunately, tonight is destined to be anything but peaceful for me.
Suddenly, a sharp voice rang in my ears, carrying a hint of malice, like a venomous snake.
"Hey! Isn't this Brother Wu?" A few people walked up behind me, one of them slamming a hand heavily on my shoulder, his tone tinged with resentment: "What a coincidence! Haha! Haha! Hahaha!!"
Looking back, I saw four or five burly men. Judging from their clothes, some were bald, some had tattoos, and some had menacing faces. They were clearly not good people!
It's almost as if the words "I'm a bad guy" are written all over his face.
The one in the lead, standing next to me with his hand on my shoulder and a malicious smile on his face, was an old acquaintance of mine!
Ah Qiang?
A gigolo?
Book 1, A Man in the Jianghu, Not in His Own Hands, Chapter 51: Into the Police Station
"Hey, Little Fifth Brother, why are you dressed so elegantly today? You're even wearing glasses?" The gigolo had a cunning smirk on his lips, his eyes were sinister, and he stared at me intently, like a venomous snake, making no attempt to hide the resentment and hatred in them!
His gaze then fell on Fang Nan, and he was taken aback.
Almost every man would be momentarily stunned by a stunning beauty like Fang Nan. Without exception, the burly men behind the gigolo stared at Fang Nan, their lewd and lustful gazes undisguised.
If looks could devour people, Fang Nan would probably have been swallowed whole, leaving not even bones behind.
"Hey! Brother Wu! Where did you find such high-class stuff? I heard you're not working there anymore, I wonder where you're making your fortune? With such good stuff, why don't you introduce it to your brothers?" The gigolo couldn't help but lick his lips, swallowed hard, and his eyes became even more unrestrained: "With our old relationship, I have to go and support her! Come on, how much is the price for this beauty? A few of our brothers are here, you'll keep us company all night tonight..."
Given Fang Nan's status, when had she ever heard anyone say such shameless things to her? Her expression changed drastically.
My face darkened, and I turned to stare coldly at the gigolo, saying with a sneer, "It's you... I heard you left the city. When did you come back? Is the South fun?" Ignoring the gigolo's embarrassed expression, I said calmly, "I heard you've recently returned to your old ways? Sigh, you're getting on in years, working hard, aren't you? I heard ducks are quite expensive in Guangzhou, you could retire there."
"Damn it!" The gigolo roared in fury, his face contorted with rage. He slammed his fist on the table, making the makeshift table shake violently, almost breaking it. The grilled fish skewers on the table jumped up. He yelled viciously, "Chen Yang! You think you still have the nerve to act tough with me! Don't think I don't know, you've already been kicked out by Ye Huan! That guy Ye Huan left Nanjing, sold the place, and who knows where he's hiding! You think you're still that Little Fifth Brother? You think you still have the right to be so arrogant? Damn it!"
In his rage, he reached out and grabbed my collar.
This guy was probably too excited and forgot how skilled I am. How dare he, a piece of trash, fight me!
I reached out and blocked his hand, sneering, "Qiang, are you trying to settle old scores?"
"Nonsense! You broke one of my arms! Today I'll cut off both of your claws!"
"Alright!" I shouted! With lightning speed, I grabbed the gigolo's wrist and twisted it forcefully. How could he possibly resist such a grappling move? Caught off guard, his body went limp, and I slammed his arm onto the table! Without a word, my other hand grabbed several chicken wing skewers from the table and plunged them viciously into the back of his hand…
"ah!!"
Ah Qiang let out a scream like a pig being slaughtered. His palm was immediately pierced by an iron skewer, the tip of which embedded itself in the table, pinning his entire hand firmly in place!