Chapter 2442: Chapter 1544: A Man’s Intuition
"Has Wen Rong finished work yet?"
Fang Qing really ate a skewer of locusts. Ordinary girls definitely wouldn’t dare touch it, but then again, ordinary girls wouldn’t achieve such accomplishments.
The clock gradually approached eleven, yet the barbecue shop was still bustling with voices.
That’s how business is—some leave, some come. It’s now peak time for late-night snacks.
"Yeah, eleven-thirty."
"She’s getting married soon and still hasn’t taken a break?"
"They’re nurses, not civil servants. Wedding leave is just a few days."
"That’s quite tough. Is she on the middle shift today?"
"Yeah, the night shift means working nights."
"Your shop’s business is getting better. Have you two discussed having her be a housewife after the wedding?"
They’re on their third case of beer already, but with a 368ml bottle size, for four adults—all of whom can hold their liquor—it’s hardly worth mentioning, especially Fu Zili, whose face remained unflushed and breath steady.
Indeed.
Thinking of his past, he must have long soaked in pools of wine and forests of meat—a 1v3 in drinking was probably no big deal for him.
"I’ve considered it, but she disagrees."
There were some dishes left, but they couldn’t eat anymore. Fu Zili broke apart yet another plate of marinated peanuts and sighed once again, "She’s truly a virtuous wife and loving mother."
"I agree with Wen Rong’s point of view. What you do isn’t important; everyone needs something of their own. Otherwise, you feel empty and lonely and it leads to family conflicts."
Jiang Chen couldn’t help but chime in.
Objective and fair.
Also, it’s a lesson learned from experience.
If they hadn’t been childhood friends, he surely wouldn’t have spoken such heartfelt words.
Fu Zili was speechless, then smiled and nodded, "Jiang Chen is thorough indeed. Yes, women really shouldn’t be idle, or they’d focus all their energy on you and start finding problems where there aren’t any."
"Bless understanding."
The men exchanged smiles, raised their glasses for a toast, seemingly forgetting there was a female comrade among them.
Tie Jun was quick to react, realizing first, and quickly distanced himself under the principle of "better him than me."
"Qing Gege, Jiang Chen definitely didn’t mean to target women."
Jiang Chen laughed and scolded, "Back in the day, you’d definitely be doing the traitor’s work."
Fu Zili watched the show, immensely amused.
"What he said wasn’t wrong."
Fang Qing’s comment made Tie Jun, who had tried to be considerate, smile bitterly.
"Look at this. Treating Qing Gege like a Boxer?" Boss Jiang sarcastically said to Tie Jun, raising his eyebrows like the fearless young men of the past.
"Jun, you’ve had so many years, do you still not know they’re in cahoots?"
Fu Zili flipped a peanut with his fingers, gracefully catching it in his mouth, the whole process smooth as butter.
"I was foolish; I’ll penalize myself with a drink."
"Let’s wrap it up, don’t disturb them picking up the wife from work."
After a satisfying meal filled with drinking, Boss Jiang set down his chopsticks.
Nothing lasts forever.
After hours of eating, it’s time to wrap things up.
"Her hospital is just a few hundred meters away, no need to pick her up. She’ll come over later and can have some drinks with you."
"Jun, getting married should never mean forgetting your roots. If you didn’t pick her up before, you should now. If you did before, then pick her up even more often now."
Fu Zili added.
"Alright, alright, let’s clear up."
It’s not that Tie Jun didn’t care about his wife; he just hoped the joyful gathering would last as long as possible.
Fu Zili’s words were quite apt.
Being bros, there’s this life and no afterlife.
Feelings might not change, but as everyone gradually steps into new life phases, opportunities to gather will inevitably become fewer.
"There’s always another day."
Fu Zili patted his shoulder.
Tie Jun shook it off in disdain, "Ugh, you didn’t wash your hands."
Fu Zili deliberately rubbed his clothes a couple of times, then raised his hand, "Waiter, the bill!"
"Why are you paying?" Tie Jun immediately asked.
"I know. I’m calling on behalf of Jiang Chen."
It was agreed upon who would host, so no need to cover for others; it’s the unwritten rule of brotherhood.
"WC."
Jiang Chen got up, quickly spoke to Fang Qing, "Settle the bill, I’ll transfer to you."
Drinking lots of beer, going to the restroom is normal. Besides, given their relationship, neither Fu Zili nor Tie Jun found anything odd.
"No need to call a designated driver, I’ll have my people drive your cars back."
During a brief break, Fu Zili made a call, then turned to Fang Qing.
"Sis..."
The cashier girl walked over, and Boss Tie Jun was slightly uncomfortable.
"Why are you looking at me? Do it as usual."
"The total is six hundred eighty-one."
She didn’t hold back, clearly putting every penny on the table as she handed the receipt, unsure of whom to give it to.
"Give it to this lady."
Tie Jun gave a reminder, still playing it cool as a boss, "Six hundred eighty-one, let’s call it six hundred eighty."
Fu Zili gave a thumbs up, "Generous!"
Tie Jun chuckled indifferently.
"Your cash register system is outdated, still doing manual calculations? Haven’t people started using QR code payments for a smoother process?"
Fu Zili offered some unsolicited advice.
"While QR code payments are fast, many still like the feel of paying manually."
While the two buddies chatted idly, the cashier walked to Fang Qing and politely presented the receipt.
Fang Qing took it gracefully, "Just a moment."
Fu Zili and Tie Jun exchanged surprised, baffled glances.
What were they waiting for?
Before Jiang Chen went to the restroom, didn’t he already ask Fang Qing to pay on his behalf?
Fu Zili and Tie Jun certainly didn’t consider that someone had past offenses, nor did they imagine anyone was dodging the bill. Naturally, neither was foolish enough to remind Fang Qing.
So much so that when someone came back from the restroom, he saw the cashier still fixed by the table, offering him a formulaic, awkward smile.
