Chapter 151: The Drunkard

At that moment, my secretary knocked and came in to remind me that General Manager Wang from Qingdao Mermaid Company and his party had arrived and were waiting in my office for a meeting. I responded with a nod and informed Xu Shu that I was about to meet them. To my surprise, Xu Shu, taking pride in being the company chairman, insisted on coming along. The moment we met, the group from Shandong was so overwhelmed that they could hardly speak coherently, completely forgetting the purpose of their visit.

I could only smile wryly. Having a big star as chairman certainly brought fame, but it made normal business operations nearly impossible!

Before long, four or five reporters arrived, apparently tipped off by someone. The company's office soon turned into a press conference for Xu Shu, the star, with even more journalists arriving one after another.

Xu Shu first answered many questions from the reporters, then seized the opportunity to vigorously promote the company and its products. As the spokesperson for Ye Jianxiang tea drinks, everyone on Earth now knew that Xu Shu, the big star, was actually the behind-the-scenes boss of Ye Jianxiang Company.

The result was clear: it had become impossible for the company not to be famous!

That afternoon, after returning from the city government, I went to the Purple Light Pavilion to attend a banquet hosted by General Manager Sun of Jianghan Company. Xu Shu truly enjoyed her day acting as chairman, even attending the banquet as the company president.

At the banquet, the Jianghan representatives were excited and surprised, as expected. After a long day, Xu Shu remarked before leaving, “This is fun. I have a lot of free time these days; I’ll come to work often!”

I thought to myself, isn’t this just making things more complicated?

But since she was the company’s largest shareholder, there was nothing I could do.

When parting, I drove Qian Xiaolei home since it was on the way. Halfway through the drive, Qian Xiaolei suddenly received a phone call. “Hello? Oh… okay, I’ll be there right away.”

She hung up and looked at me. “Vice President Tang, I need to meet someone. Can you take me there?”

“No problem. Where?”

“Huai’an Road, Mingdian Café.”

I turned the steering wheel and headed toward Huai’an Road.

When the car stopped at the café, Qian Xiaolei didn’t rush out. She rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought. Curious, I asked, “We’re here. Don’t you want to go in?”

She turned to me suddenly and said, “Tang Qian, it’s still early. Why don’t you come have a cup of coffee with me?”

I glanced at my watch. “No need. You’re meeting a friend. What am I doing here? Besides, it’s past nine, and I have to get up early tomorrow.”

Qian Xiaolei grabbed my hand firmly. “No way. It’s a rare chance. We’re old classmates; shouldn’t we find a place to chat? Stop putting on that arrogant vice president act!” She tugged hard, trying to pull me out of the car.

“Hey… alright! I’ll get out myself. Why are you pulling me?”

“Fine! I’ll let go, but don’t run away!”

I frowned, wondering why Qian Xiaolei was acting so strangely. Why did she want me to accompany her for coffee now? I got out and followed her into Mingdian. Suddenly, a thought struck me. Could it be…

I stopped and asked, “Jie Qin… upstairs?”

Qian Xiaolei didn’t answer but took my hand again. “You’ll see when you go up. Act like a man. Don’t chicken out now!” She pulled me upstairs.

Seeing her like this, I was certain Qiu Jieqin was upstairs. My heart churned wildly with mixed emotions—joy, guilt, confusion. It had been over half a year since we last met. Was she alright?

I was involuntarily dragged up to the second floor. At a private booth, I saw Qiu Jieqin sitting there, with another woman opposite her. The tall figure was none other than our long-lost classmate, Sun Li.

Qian Xiaolei called out first: “Jie Qin, Sun Li, guess who I brought?”

Both women looked up simultaneously. When Qiu Jieqin saw me, her face turned pale, and the small coffee spoon she held slipped into her cup.

My feelings were complicated—joy mixed with guilt. Looking at my former girlfriend, I forced a smile. “Jie Qin…”

Sun Li, ever fiery, stood up at once and shouted, “Tang Qian, you ungrateful scoundrel, how dare you show your face here?”

I was speechless, only able to look at Qiu Jieqin, who looked sorrowful and turned her head away to avoid my gaze. Qian Xiaolei pulled Sun Li’s arm. “Sun Li, don’t cause trouble. Let them talk. Come with me for a moment.”

Sun Li stepped outside, glaring fiercely at me. “Tang Qian, if you have any conscience, confess to Jie Qin now, or else…”

Before she finished, Qian Xiaolei dragged her away. “Enough with your nagging! Let them sort it out themselves. Why get so worked up?”

The two women quickly disappeared, leaving me silently sitting opposite Jieqin without a word, sighing inwardly. I had always owed her, and before her, I couldn’t hold my head high.

After a long silence, Qiu Jieqin forced a sad smile and turned to me. “Tang Qian, I heard you’ve been successful in your career. Congratulations.” I noticed tears glistening in her eyes. She had grown thinner in over half a year.

My heart ached. “Jie Qin… are you alright?”

She smiled faintly. “I’m… getting married, on the fifth of next month.”

A chill ran through me. “Is that so? Well… congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

The sudden distance between us plunged us back into silence. A waiter came by and asked for my order. I casually ordered something and looked at Qiu Jieqin, my heart stirred with emotion.

The coffee arrived, but I had no appetite. I thought it better to clarify some things with Jieqin and began, “Jie Qin, I’m sorry. There’s something I didn’t do right. I and…”

She interrupted me immediately. “I know. It’s all in the past. I don’t care anymore.”

“Really?” I lowered my head, unsure what to say. Suddenly, my phone rang. I apologized and took the call, stepping aside. Holding the phone to my ear, I heard Xu Shu’s angry voice.

“Tang Qian! I can’t be away from you for two minutes! We just parted, and you’re already meeting with another woman? Do you still have any feelings for Jingjing? You’re breaking my heart!”

I looked around quickly, seeing nothing unusual, and snapped back, “Xu Shu, didn’t I tell you to stop sending people to follow me? How can you do such unethical things?”

“This is for your protection. Jingjing ordered it!”

“I don’t need it. Please respect my privacy. If you keep this up, I’ll be forced to cut ties.”

“You… you’re so mean… I’m just worried about you…” Xu Shu’s voice quivered with hurt.

I sighed and softened my tone. “Xu Shu, I’m an adult. I know what I’m doing. I won’t do anything to hurt Jingjing. Please call off your people. I appreciate your good intentions, really.”

“Tang Qian… I…”

I interrupted, “The woman you saw me with is my ex-girlfriend, the owner of that scarf. She’s getting married soon, and there are things I need to clear up with her so she can move on and find her own happiness. Your surveillance makes me uncomfortable. Please call them back, alright?”

“Fine… but that scarf owner! Now I really know what kind of person you are. Take care of yourself!” The call ended abruptly.

I smiled bitterly and returned to my seat. Jieqin smiled and said, “Your girlfriend.”

I shook my head. “No. My girlfriend is still in the United States.”

“Is that so? I heard about your situation. Hua Jingjing has suffered a lot for you.”

I was stunned. “You… really know everything?”

“Yes, I care about you.”

I sighed deeply. “I… I’m sorry.”

Qiu Jieqin laughed softly. “It was my own fault. I don’t blame you. Enough about that. Tang Qian, it seems we’re no longer fated to be together. When we were in love, it felt like you never truly spent time with me. While we’re still single, why don’t you spend tonight with me—to fulfill one of my wishes?”

My heart tightened with sorrow. I really hadn’t treated her well before. Out of guilt, I said, “Alright. Where shall we go?”

Qiu Jieqin stood up immediately. “To the dance hall! Let’s go crazy!”

That night, I truly went wild with her. After leaving the dance hall, we went to bars—one after another—three in total. Qiu Jieqin was very happy, laughing nonstop. I was cautious and drank little, but she quickly became drunk.

Completely and utterly drunk!

I knew she was hurting inside but didn’t stop her. After tonight, we wouldn’t have such moments again. She was about to become someone else’s bride.

I called Qian Xiaolei. “Sorry, Qian Xiaolei, Qiu Jieqin is drunk. I can’t take her home. Can you come pick her up? I’m still at the bar.”

“You guys… alright, wait for me, I’m coming!”

After Qian Xiaolei agreed, I looked at Qiu Jieqin, her head resting on the table, and felt a deep pain. I knew she still loved me, but I had hurt her deeply. I wasn’t sure if she would ever be happy again.

I’m prone to melancholy. While waiting for Qian Xiaolei, I drank heavily in silence…

Finally, Qian Xiaolei arrived. Slurring, I said, “Xiaolei, you drive my car and take her home. I’ll stay here alone for a while.”

Qian Xiaolei scolded, “What kind of man are you to be so spineless? I don’t understand why Jieqin likes you. There’s no one else in her family. Why don’t you take her home yourself?”

I was stunned. “She said… she’s getting married next month. I’m afraid it would cause misunderstandings.”

“Marriage my foot! Where’s the husband? How come I didn’t know? She’s just trying to help you move on by lying!”

My heart skipped a beat, and I was speechless. Qian Xiaolei helped Qiu Jieqin up and scolded me harshly, “Tang Qian, ask yourself honestly. Jieqin loves you so much that she’s willing to set you free. But when you’re cozying up to another woman, do you ever think of her for even a moment?”

I couldn’t help but feel my nose sting. Bitterly, I said, “I’ve wronged her.”

“Give me the car keys!”

I took out the keys and tossed them to her. Qian Xiaolei supported Qiu Jieqin and left. An inexplicable pain gnawed at me. I called for the waiter again, “Bring me three more bottles of wine. I need to keep drinking!”

That night, I truly got drunk, vomiting everywhere, and was thrown out of the bar.

I curled up in a corner, silently weeping.

Someone came beside me, sighed softly, helped me up, and whispered, “If only you’d known then what you know now. What’s the use of crying? If you’re a man, you must take responsibility! Show some courage!”

My vision blurred, and through my drunken haze, I clearly saw Jingjing by my side. Surprised and delighted, I trembled, “Jingjing, you’re back?”

Overjoyed, I wrapped my arms around her tightly, murmuring, “Jingjing, I’ve missed you so much. It’s so good that you’re back.”

Jingjing struggled in my arms, shouting, “I’m not Jingjing! Let me go!”

I ignored her protests and kept saying, “Wife Jingjing, don’t leave me again. Life without you is so hard. Promise me you’ll never ever leave.”

Jingjing sighed deeply and called me a “drunkard,” then helped me up forcefully and shoved me into a car. I clung to her unwillingly. After so long apart, my longing surged back. How could I let her go? I pulled her into the car and sat her down. She looked down at me angrily. “Tang Qian, what are you doing?”

Suddenly, I kissed her lips fiercely, pouring all my heart into that kiss…

The woman beneath me struggled, grabbed my hair, and bit my lip until it bled. I froze and looked up, only to realize it wasn’t Jingjing under me but the petite and delicate Qian Xiaolei. She glared at me furiously, shouting, “Tang Qian, you’re insane!”

I was about to explain when the alcohol surged through me, my head swayed, and everything went black.