C20 The 20th Chapter

Caught between a rock and a hard place, they were at a loss for words.

"Oh? What brings you here?" the stout man inquired.

Sunn Li, poised to introduce Yang Wei to the pair, chuckled. "Sunn Zhi, you two know each other?"

Upon hearing the name, Yang Wei was inwardly stunned. Sunn Zhi? Sunn Li's younger brother?

Sunn Zhi scoffed with a sneer. "Know him? He's just a waiter who serves drinks, right?"

With that, Sunn Zhi wrapped an arm around Zhang Lan and took a seat, addressing Yang Wei with a scowl. "What are you standing around for? You think you're here to dine? Go fetch us some wine, pronto!"

Yang Wei remained still, prompting Sunn Zhi to raise his voice. "What's the matter? Deaf, are you? Why are you still standing there? Get me some wine, or I'll have your manager hear about this!"

But Yang Wei stayed silent, regarding Sunn Zhi as if he were a mere jester, knowing well that someone would soon step in to set things straight.

"Sunn Zhi! How dare you speak to Mr. Yang in such a manner?!" Sure enough, Sunn Li rose from his seat, his face flushed with anger, and delivered a resounding slap to Sunn Zhi's cheek.

With a bright red handprint marking his face, Sunn Zhi turned to Sunn Li in confusion. "Bro... why did you hit me? Did I do something wrong? I don't see the issue with asking a waiter to pour some wine."

Sunn Li's face grew even redder, and he slapped Sunn Zhi once more, berating him furiously. "You're the damn waiter! Your whole family are damn waiters!"

Though Sunn Li's scolding seemed odd, he still nodded and offered a sheepish smile to Yang Wei. "Mr. Yang, my sincerest apologies. I've failed to properly discipline my younger brother, and he has disrespected you."

Yang Wei responded with a smile. "No harm done. Children will say the darndest things."

Sunn Li, relieved, echoed the sentiment with a grateful grin. "Indeed, Mr. Yang speaks the truth."

Throughout the exchange, only Ye Hua and Sunn Li had conversed, while Yang Wei focused on his meal. He had little interest in such gatherings and had only attended at Ye Hua's behest. Across the table, Sunn Zhi remained silent after the scolding, continuing to eat and occasionally pouring wine for his brother Sunn Li. As for Zhang Lan, she stayed quiet, not uttering a word even as her patron was chastised.

Late at night, the banquet came to a close.

Ye Hua was driven home by Yang Wei, and after giving Sunn Zhi a stern talking-to, Sunn Li also left in his car.

Inside the Ferrari.

"Smack!"

Sunn Zhi slapped Zhang Lan across the face. With a look of hurt in her eyes, Zhang Lan gazed at Sunn Zhi as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Sunn Zhi, fuming with anger, lashed out.

"Didn't you tell me that Yang Wei was just some damn poor kid? Then why is my brother treating him with such deference? And now I've been chewed out by my brother, caught between a rock and a hard place!"

As he spoke, Sunn Zhi raised his hand to strike Zhang Lan again. She instinctively flinched and pressed herself against the car door.

Seeing her reaction, Sunn Zhi lowered his hand and pulled Zhang Lan into an embrace, gently wiping away her tears with a tissue.

He whispered soothingly,

"I was wrong. It's my fault this time. I'm an idiot for hitting you; I was just upset in the moment."

Zhang Lan nodded silently within his embrace, not uttering a word.

"Alright, enough crying. Remember that bag you liked? Let's buy it!"

At this, Zhang Lan's face lit up with a smile as she asked,

"Really?"

"Of course! When have I ever lied to you?"

"Darling, you're the best."

Zhang Lan planted a kiss on his cheek.

Sunn Zhi couldn't help but smile.

Women, he thought, are so simple.

A slap followed by a sweet treat, and they don't hold a grudge.

At Yang Wei's house.

After dropping Ye Hua off at her place, Yang Wei drove back to his own home.

Having eaten for several hours, he felt quite full.

Sitting on the bed, Yang Wei had a glass of water.

Just as he was about to lie down, his phone began to buzz insistently.

He saw it was labeled "Mom" and answered immediately.

As soon as he connected, Yang Wei cheerfully greeted her,

"Mom, it's really late. What's up for calling at this hour?"

Before he could finish, his mother's voice came through, clearly displeased,

"What, I can't call if there's no problem? Is it so wrong to want to nag my son a little now that he's making money?"

Yang Wei responded with a wry smile,

"Of course not, Mom. What's on your mind?"

There was a pause before his mother replied in an uncharacteristically gentle voice.

"Hey Wei, here's the situation: Your cousin just graduated from college and is looking to find a job in Lengjiang City. She'll be at the train station tomorrow at eight in the morning. Could you lend her a hand?"

Yang Wei responded with a sense of resignation.

"Mom, why does she have to come to me? You know I'm really busy, right?"

On the other end of the phone, his mother's tone shifted to one of impatience.

"I've already told her mother that you've made good money in Lengjiang City. What's the big deal about helping your cousin out? Okay, that's that."

Before Yang Wei could get a word in, he was cut off.

"Look, this is how it's going to be. You're going to help her, no questions asked. It's settled. Make sure you're there to pick up Xixi at eight tomorrow morning."

With that, the call ended with a click.

Feeling helpless and a bit downhearted, Yang Wei collapsed onto his bed and quickly fell asleep.

The next morning, Yang Wei woke up extra early, having set his alarm the night before. After getting ready, he hopped into his black BMW and headed to the train station to pick up his cousin.

The train station was bustling with activity in the early dawn light. Numerous unofficial taxi drivers lingered outside the barriers, eagerly approaching each new arrival to offer their services.

After what felt like an eternity, a young girl with an innocent and sweet demeanor emerged from the crowd. Her eyes sparkled beneath crescent-shaped eyebrows, and her cherry lips were captivating. Her skin was fair with a rosy glow, and her long, black hair shone in the morning light.

Spotting Yang Wei, she shouldered her bag, flashed a bright smile, and waved enthusiastically.

"Cousin, over here!"

Yang Wei couldn't help but smile back at her.

Once they were out of the station, Yang Wei took her backpack, and they walked towards his car, chatting amiably.

"Xixi, you've grown into such a beautiful young woman since I last saw you!"

Yang Xixi blushed at the compliment, occasionally glancing around at the cityscape as they walked.

'It's so vast!'

'Is this what a big city is like?'

Yang Wei watched her, his smile reflecting a mix of amusement and nostalgia.

Indeed! He remembered his own awe when he first arrived in this bustling, grand city.

After years of hard work, he remained a Takeaway Man, hustling every day just to make ends meet.

In a hushed tone, Yang Wei said,

"I just hope you won't end up disappointed."

Yang Xixi looked at him with wide eyes, puzzled.

"Cousin, what are you talking about?"

Yang Wei chuckled.

"It's nothing. Let's get going."

Given that his cousin had traveled all this way to this city to stay with him, he felt it was his duty as her cousin to look after her properly.

Before they knew it, dawn had broken.

The first rays of the sun gently climbed above the horizon in the east, casting light upon the once dim world.