Chapter Eighteen: Hoisted by One's Own Petard

“Is this what you meant by ‘capital,’ brother?” Su Xue asked, gazing at the intricate tattoo on Wang Zheng’s back as she helped him put his shirt back on.

“Yes,” Wang Zheng replied, buttoning up before taking a seat. “I got it half a year ago. Without it, I wouldn’t have dared to defy my old man’s orders.”

“Brother!” Su Xue suddenly gripped his hand tightly, looking at him earnestly. “Promise me you won’t take any more risks. We’ve lost so many brothers and sisters—I don’t want to lose you too!”

“Don’t worry,” Wang Zheng said softly, his eyes filled with infinite tenderness. “I’ve faced death so many times, but I’ve always lived with strength and never given up. I’m like a wild blade of grass clinging to life in a crack in the wall—I cherish my life more than anyone.”

His words brimmed with a deep appreciation for life and living. Harsh realities often teach people to value what they have; some squander their blessings, only realizing their worth when they’re gone.

Su Xue, moved by his response, nodded and then turned to Bai Bing, who was sitting stiffly nearby. “You’d better give up. I’m not handing my brother over to you!”

Outnumbered, Bai Bing chose to remain silent. She was wise enough to know that any argument here was pointless—she could never outtalk a professional announcer. So she simply sipped her green tea, as if she hadn’t heard Su Xue’s words at all.

For those irrelevant to her mission, total disregard was her policy.

Witnessing this, Su Xue clenched her teeth and scratched at the table in frustration, tempted to mar Bai Bing’s beautiful face. Yet her angry pout only made her look more adorable. Suddenly, she grabbed the hundred-carat diamond, waved it smugly before Bai Bing, then tucked it into her pocket with a triumphant glance.

Women understand each other best. Earlier, Su Xue had caught the jealous flash in Bai Bing’s eyes, so she seized the chance to show off, as if to say: I have it, and you don’t!

Feigning indifference was Bai Bing’s forte, but beneath her calm exterior, she was seething; her tightly clenched fists under the table betrayed her true feelings.

Just then, the door to the private room swung open and the waiter began serving the dishes—six courses and a soup, all beautifully arranged.

“By the way, brother, what are your plans?” Su Xue asked as she served Wang Zheng some food. “Will you be content as a wealthy bachelor, spending your days in idle pleasure, or will you become your own boss?”

“I’ve spent the last six months in Africa indulging myself—honestly, I’m sick of it. As for being a boss, it’s exhausting—worrying about everything, pretending to pay employees who only pretend to work. I can’t stand the sly, double-dealing, and insincere flattery. It’s all too much,” Wang Zheng said with visible weariness, rubbing his chin in thought. It was indeed a matter worth considering.

“So what do you want to do? You can’t exactly become an ordinary office worker. Is there a single company in Jinghua City that could afford you?” Su Xue teased.

“I never went to school. I’d always wanted to experience campus life, but at my age, it would be pointless. So... I think I’ll find a job soon, really immerse myself in life, and maybe find someone to share it with,” Wang Zheng mused.

“If you haven’t decided, come back with me,” Bai Bing interjected, leaning in. “I promise your life will be anything but dull.”

“A fulfilling life doesn’t mean a fulfilled body,” Wang Zheng retorted, shoving the plate of Dongpo pork in front of her. “Just eat your meat and stop talking.”

“I don’t eat meat,” Bai Bing replied, eyeing the fatty dish—she had to watch her figure.

“Children who are picky eaters aren’t just at risk of digestive problems—they might just be a little dim,” Wang Zheng said seriously, gazing at her. “You’re hopeless!”

Su Xue and Chu Jun burst into laughter at Wang Zheng’s teasing. Su Xue even flashed a mocking gesture at Bai Bing, utterly delighted.

“Hmph!” Bai Bing snorted, fixing Wang Zheng with a cold stare. “Life is far more complicated than you think, and you’re not nearly as clever as you imagine. One day you’ll see that following me is your best path. Let me be your partner, and you’ll have made the right choice.”

“Don’t test my patience with your attitude, Bai Bing. You’ll only make things worse for yourself,” Wang Zheng said with disdain. “And don’t think too highly of yourself. I told you, you’re not getting through to me. For a woman like you, being allowed to follow me is the greatest favor I could grant you. Take my courtesy as a blessing—don’t push your luck. There’s an invisible thread governing the delicate balance between people. Step over the line, and that thread will tilt, even snap. Though we’ve only known each other a few days, your arrogance tells me: you have no real friends. How pitiful. How sad. Some melodies touch the soul, some fragrances intoxicate the wanderer. But you—you’ve wasted your life.”

Bai Bing sat in silence, expressionless, but her eyes betrayed her inner struggle as she fought to hide the wounds his words had exposed. No one knew what she was thinking, but one thing was clear—she was in pain.

Su Xue gently tugged at Wang Zheng’s sleeve, her eyes pleading: “Wasn’t that a bit harsh? She’s still a girl, after all.”

“I alone control my fate,” Wang Zheng replied. “No one else can sway me now. Bai Bing, sometimes knowing when to give up isn’t a bad thing.”

“It’s pointless,” Bai Bing suddenly said, her gaze never wavering, a mysterious light flickering in her eyes. “Since I’ve chosen this path, I’ll see it through. Even if I’m battered and bruised at the end, I won’t regret it. And now, it’s not just about bringing you back to the organization—it’s about my perseverance, my principles, my faith. If a few words from you could turn me back, you’d only laugh at me inside, wouldn’t you, Wang Zheng?”

Wang Zheng frowned, raking a hand through his hair. This woman was proving far more difficult than he’d imagined. Not only had his words failed to deter her, they’d only strengthened her resolve. Was this what people meant by shooting themselves in the foot?

Unable to sit still any longer, Wang Zheng suddenly stood up and, raising his hand, swept it toward Bai Bing’s confident, unwavering face.

“Smack!”

But instead of striking her, Wang Zheng simply pulled the plate of Dongpo pork back to himself, picked up his chopsticks, and began wolfing it down, ignoring the women beside him, venting his frustration through eating.

Fine, you win. We’ll see how this plays out.

Su Xue, thinking Wang Zheng might actually hit Bai Bing, was startled, but relaxed when she saw he’d only taken the meat and was now devouring it. The tense atmosphere gradually eased thanks to Wang Zheng’s hearty eating.

The meal ended without further incident. After their earlier quarrel, Su Xue managed to lighten the mood. She kept asking Wang Zheng about his adventures and narrow escapes in Africa. Su Xue and Chu Jun listened with rapt attention, even forgetting to eat, and even Bai Bing, who had clashed with Wang Zheng, was drawn in. Whenever he described a dangerous moment, the three women would tense, fists clenched, barely daring to breathe. When he made it through, they’d all heave a sigh of relief, eager for the next tale.

It wasn’t until Su Xue and Chu Jun were nearly late for work that Wang Zheng stopped, both women reluctant to go. Even Bai Bing, though trying to appear indifferent, secretly wished to hear more.

“Brother, give me your number. We’ll continue tonight!” Su Xue said as they left the restaurant. Wang Zheng gave her both his current mobile number and the landline at home.

“When do you have time?” Wang Zheng asked.

“Hm?”

“I’d like to pay my respects.”

“Tomorrow, I’ll take the day off and go with you.”