Chapter 27: Chapter 27
YuZhi exhaled in an ‘argh’, loudly, expressing frustration and dislike and picked up a rubber stress ball from his desk and threw it at ZhengLi’s head. ZhengLi dodged expertly and laughed at the attempt to assault him.
“I spend every night with her, I don’t want to have her invade my hangouts before I’m even publicly dating her. I really do not want to be all cosy on threesome outings with her and Rhea.”
YuZhi wanted one night of normal, where he could forget everything to do with this situation, to do with work, wives, and just kick back with his friends. A couple of mergers were giving him headaches this month and he had been working like a dog.
“I’m taking a date, so don’t get all pissy with me for lack of one for you. Invite Rhea or be the sad single for the night. You know Cheng will have multiple women on his arm.”
“You know, I heard it on good authority you were a spoiled, rich boy, womaniser. Maybe you should consider a reform of your personality and leave women off the list for one night.” YuZhi drolled at him in pretend disdain.
ZhengLi clutched his heart in mock shock, looking dramatically offended. Opening his mouth in a gasp motion.
“Who would say such a thing?”
“The one person you keep trying to champion and warm me to. Maybe you should take note of that. She thinks you’re to be avoided at all costs and not all that nice.”
“Damn, our little TangShi is harsh. I wonder if I wronged her in another life. Little miss needs me to set her straight and win her over.” ZhengLi laughed at this proclamation and wasn’t really insulted at all. He was no stranger to the opinion that he was a wild womaniser who had yet to settle down.
“Good luck with that. She’s an impenetrable wall of hostility. She doesn’t appear to like men.” YuZhi sighed.
“No, baby cakes. She doesn’t like you. There’s a world of difference and I can fully empathise with her. She doesn’t have to work and play with you the way I do.” ZhengLi dodged another flying object that YuZhi aimed at his head and stuck his middle finger up in retaliation. The normal banter between them in full swing.
“I second my suggestion that we go to the ring tonight.” YuZhi raised his brows, his expression serious and tone heavy with intent.
“Admit you just want to get up close and personal with me and it’s nothing to do with boxing me to death.” ZhengLi winked saucily, blew him a kiss and then picked up the scotch bottle to top up his drink as he wandered past it.
“I suddenly have the urge to repeatedly roundhouse kick someone in the head, so maybe you do have a point.”
YuZhi and ZhengLi had been kick boxing buddies most of their life and were equally skilled, but this was an ongoing joke between them. They used it for exercise, stress relief, sometimes to settle disputes between them, and a way to spend time together outside of work and away from nightclubs. They had gone through their crazy young years together, done some wild things that should have made headlines and created so many scandals, but they had managed to avoid it somehow.
About three years ago they both settled down a little, trying to be more mindful of their images and the possibility they would create news if they didn’t behave. Thanks to becoming prominent in the Leng Group running’s. It didn’t kill all the urges in them though.
“You know, it really bothers me that my new sister-in-law is biased against me. I am so heartbroken and can only assume you have told her the worst about me.”
YuZhi gave him a flat look as if to say, ‘I don’t even talk to her so why would I?’
“Why don’t you romance her and become friends. That way you can keep her out of my hair.”
“I don’t want to make you jealous. As much as you deny it, I think a little part of you likes her being around. She comes up in conversation way too much for you to be indifferent.” ZhengLi cocked his eyebrow and gave YuZhi a knowing look.
“You’re the one who brings her up. Every single time.” YuZhi pointed out, cocking one brow in return and adding a wry smirk. ZhengLi stared back at him for a long thoughtful moment, thinking back to how this conversation started and shook his head.
“Whatever. I am still not convinced that you dislike her as much as you say. There’s that for one.” He motioned to a brown a4 envelope in the tray on the desk, knowing fine well what was inside. YuZhi glanced at it, picked it up and immediately slid it in his drawer out of sight with a shrug.
“Xiaosu gave it to me as a gift. I like Koi.” He stood up and hauled his suit jacket from his chair and began putting it on. Pretending that it was no big deal but ZhengLi could see through his deflection technique.
“You asked Xiaosu about TangShi’s painting and if she had done anymore, and two days later she gave you that print. I know you definitely asked her to get it for you, even if you deny it. Don’t think I don’t know you then searched up the website from the back and looked through the rest. I saw you. Pretty sure we are expecting a package of more.”
“I like art, especially watercolours, and fish. She’s talented, which I didn’t expect, and her paintings are peaceful and nice enough to hang.” He dodged the implication that it was because it was TangShi’s art, denying it had any relation.
He had been surprised to see her work a few days ago when he got back from Japan. He never knew she was an artist, and she had a nice style that made him want to see more. Not that he would ever tell her that or that he bought three pieces to be framed in large sizes for some business acquaintances. The website had the pieces listed as Author A.Lin, but he could tell right away they were all her.
“Fine. Let’s move, I’m tired of this infernal denial you’re in. Where to? Gym then Cheng’s place? I think we could pull an all nighter and work hungover tomorrow like the good old days. I am ready to take that beating if it puts you in a better mood.”
“How about no? My grandfather would kill me if I rocked into the stockholders annual meeting tomorrow like that. He almost disowned me that one time I went from the club to the press release for our fifth shopping mall a few years ago.”
Both of them grinned at the memories of that debacle and the fact grandfather almost skinned both of them alive right after.
“Good times, brother. Good times.” ZhengLi patted him on the back as they both walked out towards the reception area, leaving work behind and transitioning to boys at play. Casting off mature and shrewd wolves of the commercial world and regaining easy boyishness.
“Shouldn’t you call home and tell the wife you won’t be home till late?” ZhengLi poked fun at him with a finger prod in his shoulder. Knowing he was skating on thin ice if he kept pushing the topic like this.
“The wife is right here.” YuZhi grabbed ZhengLi’s hand and grasped it tight before picking it up to pretend to kiss the back of it with a cheeky smile. ZhengLi was quick to haul it out of his grip and lasso him around the neck with one arm instead. Casually leaning on him and matching his stride with his best friends. Being equal height and build meant it was a comfy way to walk.
“Babes, I didn’t realise we had finally gone public.” He laughed heartily as they made their way out to go kick back and cause mayhem.