Chapter 21 Men, each with their own misfortunes

Tan Xiaolei drove the bmw x5 out of the Financial Center.

Along the way, Chen Zhuo in the passenger seat was still in a daze. He had once been a "rich second generation" too, and it wasn't as if he hadn't seen the world.

But life had eventually forced him to bow his head and change his nature.

When he felt as though everything from the past was about to return, his heart was filled with a mixture of trepidation, excitement, and a sliver of disbelief.

Tan Xiaolei seemed to notice his distraction. While waiting for a red light, he tossed a cigarette over. "Xiao Zhuo, what are you spacing out for? Just do as your brother tells you. When the time comes, drag your branch manager out and teach him a lesson on how to behave."

After speaking, he lit his own cigarette, exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, and cursed under his breath, "Those who judge people by their status..."

Chen Zhuo took the cigarette, sniffed it, and chuckled. "Brother Lei, you're the only one who understands me. Some people really do need to be taught how to behave."

He lowered his head to flick his lighter. The orange flame scorched the tip of the cigarette, blue smoke curled upward, and two tiny flames were reflected in Chen Zhuo's eyes.

Tan Xiaolei observed his state, a smirk playing on his lips as he shifted gears and drove off.

He had spent many years in his hometown, so he naturally knew that Chen Zhuo hadn't had an easy time over the past few years, but there was only so much he could do to help.

At this moment, Chen Zhuo's mind was entirely consumed with plotting his revenge. After tomorrow, he would be a supervisor at Company.

And the entire Company belonged to his brother.

Everyone who once looked down on me will have to kneel.

Tan Xiaolei caught a glimpse of the cold glint in his eyes but didn't pay it much mind; anyone in his position would want to vent their anger.

Moreover, this younger brother had spent the last few years being servile and enduring quite a bit of malicious humiliation.

Once a person falls on hard times and sinks into the mud, few people will pull you out, but many will kick you while you're down. That is human nature.

On the way, they took a detour to pick up Chen Ang, and the bmw x5 headed toward the Qilin Garden private restaurant.

Chen Ang had invited Shen Pianran to dinner, but she had declined.

Shen Pianran was very sensible; she knew it was a gathering for the brothers, and as a woman, she shouldn't intrude.

This made Chen Ang hold her in even higher regard.

Around 5:30, the bmw x5 arrived at Qilin Garden. Just as the three of them got out and reached the entrance, a Cadillac CT6 pulled up, and Yu Liang arrived right on time.

He had taken off his police jacket and was wearing a dark grey cashmere sweater. The moment he stepped out of the car, Tan Xiaolei locked him in a headlock.

"Ah Liang, you're finally here. If you didn't come, I would've been irritated to death by this bastard." Tan Xiaolei pointed at Chen Ang with an expression of heartbreaking grief.

Yu Liang laughed and pulled away, asking, "What did Ang-zi do this time?"

Chen Ang smiled without a word, pulled out a pack of 1916 cigarettes, and offered them around. "Let's go inside to talk."

Accepting a cigarette, Yu Liang looked at Chen Zhuo. "Xiao Zhuo, how do you have time to come over?"

Chen Zhuo smiled and greeted him as Brother Liang, saying he had nothing to do at home and came to hang out.

He was three or four years younger than Chen Ang and the others, and had followed behind them calling them "brother" since childhood.

The four of them walked into the private room one after another, and a waiter thoughtfully served them freshly brewed hot tea.

They chatted while waiting for the dishes to be served.

"Ang-zi bought a bmw x5. You must know that, right?" Tan Xiaolei pointed at Chen Ang again and said to Yu Liang.

Yu Liang looked at Chen Ang, and Chen Ang nodded.

"How is that matter going?" Yu Liang was referring to the matter of gathering evidence; he naturally knew why Chen Ang had bought the BMW.

"Still in progress."

"Let me know if you need any help."

"I will."

The four men gathered together, and the atmosphere slowly warmed up. Chen Zhuo spoke the least, while Tan Xiaolei spoke the most.

After the food and drinks were served, Tan Xiaolei drank half a glass and started complaining.

"Let me tell you guys, I'm never going on a blind date again, damn it." He slammed his glass on the table. "I was seeing someone last month, acted like a total simp for a month, and made zero progress. Only yesterday did I find out she was talking to three other guys at the same time."

At these words, all three laughed. Chen Ang, however, gave a bitter smile; although he had let it go, it still felt a bit unsettling to think about.

Seeing them all laughing, Tan Xiaolei laughed as well, then continued, "I went on another blind date yesterday. She immediately asked to eat Western food, and I figured, why not? As a result, she ordered over a thousand yuan worth of food the moment she sat down."

He picked up his glass, took a sip, and wiped his mouth. "Then I asked her what her requirements were. Guess what she said?"

Tan Xiaolei built up some suspense before holding up three fingers. "388,000 yuan for the bride price. I finally realized that the 'Western' in Western food actually stood for 'Jiangxi'."

The three of them were stunned upon hearing this.

After a second of silence, they all burst out laughing.

Seeing his brothers mocking him, Tan Xiaolei grumbled, "I'm already this miserable, don't you have any sympathy? I haven't even mentioned the one before that who scammed me out of 30,000 yuan, claiming it was for a family emergency. When I asked for it back, she actually blocked me. It forced me to go all the way to her house."

Listening to Tan Xiaolei's bizarre stories, Chen Ang laughed until his jaw ached, and his own troubles had long since flown to the back of his mind.

Yu Liang and Chen Zhuo, sitting beside him, were also unable to hold back their laughter, almost slapping the table to release their amusement.

Tan Xiaolei raised his glass, and the others joined him for a drink. Holding his glass, he waved his hand and ranted, "So, I've had no enemies on this journey, just teachers, one lesson after another. They broke my innocence, killed my naivety, and tempered my spirit."

"I'm done with blind dates, damn it, and I'm not getting married either. I'm just a little worried because I earn over 20,000 a month, and I can't spend it all by myself."

After saying this, he couldn't help but roar with laughter.

The entire private room was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

After three rounds of drinks and the dishes were mostly eaten.

Tan Xiaolei sighed and offered his conclusion: "I think people should live in the moment. Who knows what will happen tomorrow?"

Yu Liang set down his chopsticks and smiled. "Just don't do anything illegal or criminal. Don't come crying to me if you get in trouble."

"What kind of talk is that, Bureau Chief Yu? Is your brother that kind of person?" Tan Xiaolei looked innocent, then lowered his voice and leaned toward Chen Zhuo and Chen Ang. "Let's hit a business karaoke club tonight. Ang-zi, you make the arrangements."

Chen Ang naturally wouldn't refuse him. It was just for fun, a way to relax.

Without constraints, Chen Ang was all about being clear-headed and spontaneous.

Yu Liang saw Tan Xiaolei's expression and knew what he was up to. He shook his head with a smile and didn't interfere.

Tan Xiaolei saw this and chuckled, "Chief Yu, you might as well go back and drink your tea. Your wife won't be able to sleep if she doesn't see you." After saying this, he winked at Chen Zhuo.

Then he hooked his arm around Chen Zhuo's shoulder and said, "It's not easy for us brothers to come to the provincial capital, how can we not go?"

Chen Zhuo saw that Chen Ang didn't object, and a light appeared in his eyes.

They left Qilin Garden just past eight o'clock.

Yu Liang's designated driver arrived first, and after seeing him off, the designated driver for Chen Ang and the others arrived.

The October night in Bin City was deep, and the city lights illuminated the roads brightly.

The three of them went to the Junting Club; Chen Ang had sent a message to Xiao Yue in advance to reserve a private room.

Xiao Yue replied very quickly, her words filled with excitement, saying she was waiting for her brother to grace them with his presence.

Over such a long time, the constant greetings would have warmed up even a stone.

The Junting Club was in the new district of Bin City. As soon as they got out of the car, Xiao Yue was waiting at the entrance.

In the cold wind, wearing a short skirt, she stood with her pretty, bare legs exposed, waving repeatedly at Chen Ang. Her face, full of collagen, was flushed red from the cold.

When the three of them walked over, she smiled brightly, hugged Chen Ang's arm, and sweetly called out, "Brother."

The emotional value she provided was so high that Chen Ang couldn't help but curse inwardly, wondering if he had been possessed by a ghost for the last seven years.