At the drinking table, friends you've just met can become familiar after a few toasts.
The five of them chatted about everything under the sun, all local anecdotes.
For instance, Yang Gang, Liu He, and Sun Ming had seen the most.
After all, their professions were what they were—they ran into bizarre things every day.
Even Li Xipeng had amusing stories to tell.
Only Li Xihai, having just returned, could only listen.
They drank until midnight. During that time, Li Xihai, Liu He, Sun Ming, and the others all added each other as friends.
"Comrade Xihai, call me if anything comes up."
"Haha, same here. Call me if there's anything, and even if there isn't, we can come out and shoot the breeze."
Both men were happily drunk, and both were men of feeling.
After all, with differing personalities, they wouldn't have gotten along with Yang Gang.
"Brother Xihai."
Yang Gang draped an arm over Li Xihai's shoulder, drunkenly slurring, "I still have work tomorrow, so I won't join you for the next round."
"When President Guan and Luozi get back, it'll just be Friday. We'll drink again then."
Li Xihai nodded. "Sure."
"Take it slow on the road."
None of them had driven—the County Town was only so big, and a taxi would get them home.
After watching the three leave, Li Xipeng, that unemployed loafer, said, "Bro, let's go get a foot massage."
The two arrived at Tianyi Club.
It was clear Li Xipeng was a regular—he directly called for numbers.
"Bro, pick a technician. Whichever's prettier."
The technician he picked was quite good. Li Xihai hiccuped from the alcohol and swept his gaze back and forth among the technicians before finally choosing one.
"Bro, happy to serve you. I'm technician number 888."
The technician bowed while carrying a case. Hearing this, Li Xipeng asked, "You're new here?"
"I remember number 888 wasn't you."
"Bro, I'm new."
Li Xihai lay on the bed without speaking. The alcohol was kicking in, and he felt a bit dizzy.
"Bro, try the water temperature."
Li Xihai lowered his feet to test it. "It's fine."
"Bro, soak your feet first, and I'll give you a massage."
"Mm."
The technician came up and helped Li Xihai up, then sat behind him. Li Xihai leaned back against the technician.
A fragrance and softness wafted over.
Li Xihai felt a stirring. He wasn't exactly a gentleman, but he wasn't one to fool around either.
He was just here to spend money—the services he was due, he'd enjoy.
Just then.
A commotion of playful noise came from the other side.
Li Xihai glanced over. That bastard Li Xipeng had pulled up the blanket to block this side off, tangled up with his technician.
He even heard Li Xipeng saying, "Just one touch, just one touch."
Was this supposed to be a foot massage to relax?
"Is your club like this too?"
Li Xihai withdrew his gaze and asked.
The technician behind his head also glanced over there.
"No, we're a legitimate foot bath club. It's just that that brother is familiar with the technician."
That made sense.
The club was legitimate, but if a customer and a technician hit it off, the club couldn't control that.
Of course, it was impossible for them to go too far and really go at it here.
There were glass windows on the room doors.
Hooking up with a technician was only something done outside—the club couldn't control that.
"Mm."
Li Xihai responded with his eyes closed. "You're new here?"
"New. Just finished training."
The technician said, "Bro, if I'm using too much strength, just tell me and I'll ease up."
"Okay."
Li Xihai drowsily went along with the technician's massage. He didn't know how long had passed before he couldn't hold on and fell asleep.
When he woke up, there was a blanket over him, and on the other bed, Li Xipeng was snoring away.
He checked the time—just past seven.
His mom had sent a message, two minutes ago.
It seemed the notification sound was what had woken him.
"Coming home to eat?"
"Yes."
He changed into his own clothes, didn't wake Li Xipeng, and went out to pay the bill himself.
"Bro."
The receptionist took Li Xihai's hand tag and went to fetch his shoes.
"How much?"
"796 total."
The front desk said, "Bro, do you have a membership? Members get a discount."
"No."
"You can open one. The remaining money can go toward your next visit."
"Open it."
Li Xihai didn't top up much—just a thousand.
He was short on liquid funds right now; his money was all in the stock market.
After settling the bill.
Li Xihai took a taxi home. As soon as he walked in, he saw his dad reading the newspaper.
This was a habit his dad had formed every morning—if he didn't finish reading, he'd read it at the office.
"You come back and stay out all night without a word. Who were you out with?" Li's Mother asked.
"Xipeng and the others. Had some drinks, went for a foot massage."
"Xipeng, huh. He's idle all day now—either eating and drinking somewhere or drinking with friends."
Li's Mother said, "His mom has told me many times—idle and good-for-nothing, no sense of decency."
Li Xihai said, "His family isn't short on anything. Let him have his fun."
"Don't you butt in."
"They're mother and son."
Li's Mother said, "I know. Don't I know him well enough..."
After breakfast.
His parents left one after the other.
Li Xihai lay on the bed, drowsy, ready to catch up on sleep.
9:25.
The bidding ended.
Ji'an Medical opened at limit-up.
Li Xihai glanced at his returns and instantly lost all sleepiness. He just stared at the board until at some point his eyelids grew heavy, and he tossed his phone aside and fell asleep.
The phone still displayed the Ji'an Medical screen.
...
Tianyi Club.
Li Xipeng finally woke up.
He turned over and saw no one on the adjacent bed.
He checked his phone—quite a few messages.
Li Xihai: "Bill's settled. I left first."
"Damn, awake before seven?"
"Leaving this early."
Li Xipeng replied to the message, then started washing up, changed his clothes, and went out.
"Brother Xipeng."
The reception boy said warmly.
"Brother Xipeng."
The front desk girl also called out.
"Mm."
Li Xipeng nodded, and while putting on his shoes said, "My brother settled the bill. Next time I come, just deduct it from my account."
"Understood."
Li Xipeng had topped up a lot of money at Tianyi Club—he was a VIP Client.
Quite a few of the club's staff knew him.
...
Administration for Industry and Commerce.
After his meeting, Li's Father returned to his office, handled a few documents, took a sip of tea, and unhurriedly picked up his phone, opening the downloaded Tonghuashun.
Though he said he wouldn't meddle or ask, he still couldn't help but care.
After all, an investment of over a million was no small sum for the family.
"Ji'an Medical."
"Wonder if Dawa sold today."
Li's Father muttered. A hundred thousand in returns—that was no small number.
But when he opened the app and saw Ji'an Medical's quotes.
He was instantly shocked.
"Limit-up?"
"Two consecutive limit-up sessions?"
Yesterday's hundred thousand in returns meant the capital was 1.1 million.
Another ten percent.
That would be 1.21 million.
If Dawa hadn't sold today.
Wouldn't that be a hundred and ten thousand in returns?
Li's Father had the urge to message his son and ask, but after thinking it over, he let it go.
If sold, a hundred thousand safely in pocket.
If not sold, a hundred and ten thousand in returns on the books.