Chapter 30: 0030 Flourishing Youth_1
Wang Tong’s face flushed red, and he shook his head repeatedly, “No need, I don’t need one.”
“Didn’t you say you really wanted to find a girlfriend? Now that there are so many here, let me introduce you to one.”
Ye Xiong was determined to play matchmaker for Wang Tong and Xiao Mei, so he decided to tease to the end; otherwise, with this guy’s slow pace, who knew when he would actually make a move on Xiao Mei.
“Brother Xiong, I really don’t need one,” Wang Tong hurriedly said.
“Denying the obvious!” Ye Xiong shouted to a young and pretty girl in the crowd, “Xiao Hong, come here a second.”
Xiao Hong was the receptionist at the hotel, blossoming at eighteen, recently out of high school and not long into her working life, with a very innocent appearance.
When Ye Xiong had nothing to do at work, he liked to chat and shoot the breeze with her. Over time, they became very familiar. If it weren’t for the fact that ‘a rabbit does not eat the grass around its burrow,’ Ye Xiong would have already made his move.
Thus, understanding the look Ye Xiong threw her way, she quickly got the message.
Dressed to the nines, Xiao Hong emerged from the crowd and stood next to Wang Tong, grabbing his hand.
Wang Tong jumped in surprise, quickly pulling away, his flustered manner prompting a wave of laughter from the whole room.
“How about being Xiao Hong’s boyfriend, Manager Wang?” Xiao Hong tugged at his arm, rubbing against him, a move that sent another wave of uproar throughout the room.
Wang Tong was caught between a rock and a hard place. A man like him had never been the center of attention like he was now in his whole life.
Just as he was at a loss, Xiao Mei suddenly stood up from the crowd and stepped to Wang Tong’s side, pulling him behind her and shouting, “Ye Xiong, you’ve crossed the line—that’s enough! Don’t lead Wang Tong astray, or I’ll never let you off the hook.”
“I’m not leading him astray. I just wanted to introduce him to a girlfriend,” Ye Xiong said with a smile.
“No need, he already has a girlfriend.”
“If he had a girlfriend, I would have known long ago.” Ye Xiong feigned disbelief and turned to Wang Tong, “You don’t have a girlfriend, do you?”
“That…” Wang Tong didn’t know how to answer.
“Who says I don’t? I am her girlfriend,” Xiao Mei said.
“Who would believe that?” Ye Xiong waved his hand, completely doubting her. “You have to prove it.”
“How should I prove it?”
“Kiss Wang Tong,” Ye Xiong chuckled.
Wang Tong was about to argue when suddenly he felt a coolness on his face, as Xiao Mei planted a firm kiss on his cheek.
“Nothing to say now, right?” Xiao Mei, protective as a mother hen, pulled Wang Tong behind her. With the help of the alcohol, she shouted, “Everyone listen up! Wang Tong is my boyfriend, and if anyone dares to try and steal him, don’t blame me for not being polite.”
The venue erupted in cheers, and amid the teasing from the crowd, Xiao Mei pulled Wang Tong back to a corner where their relationship seemed much closer than before.
“Thanks!” Ye Xiong whispered into Xiao Hong’s ear.
Xiao Hong wrapped her arms around his neck, her face flushed as she said, “You owe me for this. How will you thank me?”
“How do you want to be thanked?” Ye Xiong grinned.
“Stay with me tonight,” Xiao Hong said, her breath smelling of alcohol.
“Sorry, I have plans tonight,” Ye Xiong patted her leg as he spoke.
Xiao Hong looked disappointed as Ye Xiong walked away.
“All the girls are smitten with you and don’t know which way is up. Feeling proud of yourself?” Du Yuehua gave him a cold look, somewhat displeased, as soon as Ye Xiong sat down.
“Those innocent girls are nothing compared to a thousandth of Sister Hua.”
Taking advantage of the alcohol, Ye Xiong moved closer to Du Yuehua, inhaling her unique fragrance.
“What could a woman past her prime like me compare to those young girls?” Du Yuehua sighed.
“Sister Hua, you’re only twenty-five or twenty-six, at the peak of your bloom. How could you compare to those inexperienced girls?
Du Yuehua was dressed in a sleeveless short grey dress that night, her arms flawless, her nails beautifully manicured with a silver-grey polish. Her makeup was subtle, creating a look that was neither flashy nor conservative, but that of a powerful woman.
On her, there was the weight of her years,
an allure of a mature woman that young, innocent girls could never match.
“You men just know how to speak sweet nothings,” Du Yuehua said coolly but felt incredibly sweet inside.
No woman doesn’t want to be admired by a man, especially one she has her eye on.
It wasn’t until one in the morning that they dispersed, everyone having had their fair share to drink before finally calling it a night.
Before leaving, Ye Xiong pulled Wang Tong aside and whispered something in his ear, turning Wang Tong’s face even redder as he shook his head repeatedly.
“Sister Hua, let me drive you home,” Ye Xiong offered.
Having had quite a bit to drink, Du Yuehua felt that she should refuse, fearing something inappropriate might happen if the two of them went back alone, but after thinking it through, she couldn’t find a better person to take her home, so she agreed.
Once in the car, Du Yuehua couldn’t help but ask, “What did you say to Wang Tong just now?”
“Told him to be careful and take care,” Ye replied.
“Don’t think I don’t know,” Du Yuehua glared at him, resentful. “You must be teaching him some bad tricks, otherwise Wang Tong wouldn’t have looked like that.”
“Sister Hua is really as sharp as a tack; you guessed it in one go,” Ye Xiong couldn’t help laughing.
“What exactly did you say to him?” Du Yuehua asked curiously.
“I’ll tell you when we get back.”
All the way, Du Yuehua’s heart was racing, not daring to look at Ye Xiong. Subconsciously, she felt as though something might happen tonight, and while fearful, there was also a part of her that was longing for it, her emotions in turmoil.
Shortly, the car stopped in front of her house, and Du Yuehua’s heart was pounding as if it would leap from her chest.