Before Chen Jiang could speak, Jiang Yuning cut in, “His name is Chen Jiang.
He’s my boyfriend.”
As soon as she said this, the entire room fell deathly silent.
Zhou Shijie was stunned.
But on second thought, he’d never heard of Jiang Yuning having a boyfriend.
‘For one to suddenly show up tonight?’
He then observed Jiang Yuning and Chen Jiang closely.
The two of them lacked the chemistry of a real couple.
‘This kid must be a shield she found,’ he thought.
His suspicion was quickly confirmed.
Zhang Xiaozhi quickly chimed in, “Ningning, what are you talking about?
You just said he was the son of your mother’s best friend.
How could he be your boyfriend?”
“I didn’t know you had such a playful side, telling jokes to get a rise out of everyone.”
“Hahaha, Ningning, that’s a good one,” Zhou Shijie said with a loud laugh.
Everyone else present burst into laughter as well.
“When did I say I was joking?” Jiang Yuning said seriously.
“Believe it or not, I, Jiang Yuning, can only be Jiang’s girlfriend.
As for anyone else, you’d best drop any fanciful ideas.”
The corner of Zhou Shijie’s mouth twitched.
Everyone present knew that he, Zhou Shijie, was pursuing Jiang Yuning.
But Jiang Yuning’s words were, without a doubt, a vicious slap in the face in front of everyone.
Zhang Xiaozhi’s heart skipped a beat.
‘This Jiang Yuning is way too bold!
How can she say things like that?’
‘Doesn’t she know the consequences of offending Young Master Zhou?’
‘Young Master Zhou’s father is a famous big shot in this area!
And he’s backed by the legendary Jiulong Association!
Who can afford to cross them?’
“Ningning, all right, a joke can only go so far,” Zhang Xiaozhi said, trying to smooth things over.
“I think you and Young Master Zhou are the perfect couple.”
“An outstanding man like Young Master Zhou can have any woman he wants.”
“Listen to me, I’m only saying this for your own good.
Young Master Zhou is being so sincere with you; you should cherish this opportunity…”
“Xiaozhi, don’t say things like that anymore.” Jiang Yuning cut her off before she could finish, irritated by her constant advocacy for Zhou Shijie.
“Fine, fine!
If you don’t want to hear it, I won’t say another word.”
Reading the mood, Zhang Xiaozhi said, “Today is my birthday party.
Let’s put everything else aside.
The most important thing tonight is for everyone to have fun!”
“Tonight, no one goes home sober!”
“Yeah!” the others quickly chimed in, and the atmosphere livened up.
Zhou Shijie took a small sip of his red wine to mask his earlier embarrassment.
After swallowing the wine, he immediately turned his attention to Chen Jiang.
With a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, he said, “Brother Chen Jiang, what family do you come from?”
“Just an ordinary family.”
“Oh?” Zhou Shijie got the answer he wanted, and his smirk widened.
“Well, Jiang, to be so highly regarded by Ningning, you must be a man of great talent.
Where are you working these days?”
Chen Jiang answered truthfully, “I’m helping out at Mrs.
Xu’s clinic.”
Zhou Shijie’s smile widened.
“So, you’re just a lackey!”
At this, the others couldn’t help but break into sneers and mocking laughter.
‘And here we thought he was some incredible figure.
Is that all he is?’
‘How pathetic!’
‘A low-life from the bottom of society, daring to act so presumptuously in front of Young Master Zhou.
You don’t need a brain to guess what’s going to happen to him later.’
Zhou Shijie continued, “Jiang, I’ll offer you a path to a great future.”
Chen Jiang played along, asking, “And what might that be?”
“My gate guards have been around for quite a few years.
It’s time for them to retire.
I wonder if you’d be interested in taking their place.”
Zhou Shijie smirked.
“On account of you being Ningning’s friend, don’t say I’m not looking out for you.
If you take the job, I can give you a monthly salary of ten thousand.
All you have to do is fulfill your duty as a gatekeeper.”
“Wow!
Such an easy, high-paying job!
Where else could you find an offer like that?” Zhang Xiaozhi exclaimed.
“Chen Jiang, what are you waiting for?
Thank Young Master Zhou!”
“Countless people would kill for a chance to get in his good graces, and you’re just handed one.
You’d better cherish this hard-won opportunity!”
The rest of the group roared with laughter.
“You’ve all gone too far!” Jiang Yuning was furious.
She grabbed Chen Jiang’s hand.
“Jiang, they don’t want us here.
Let’s go.”
Zhang Xiaozhi quickly said, “Ningning, what’s the matter?”
“Everyone was just joking around.
There’s no need to be so serious.”
Meanwhile, Zhou Shijie’s face had completely darkened.
‘Jiang Yuning cares so much about Chen Jiang’s feelings.
Does she even see me?’
His expression quickly returned to normal.
He smiled.
“Ningning, don’t be a spoilsport.
If you don’t like this joke, we can talk about something else.”
“Besides, it’s your best friend Xiaozhi’s birthday party.
We haven’t even cut the cake yet.
It wouldn’t be right for you to leave now.”
Seeing their cue, the others quickly agreed and brought out the cake they had prepared.
“Ningning, you’re my best friend.
Anyone else can be absent from my birthday party, but not you.”
Zhang Xiaozhi took the opportunity to clutch Jiang Yuning’s hand, a hurt expression on her face.
Jiang Yuning hesitated.
Chen Jiang, of course, saw right through their coordinated performance.
But instead of exposing them, he simply patted Jiang Yuning’s shoulder.
“It’s fine.
Since they’re so enthusiastic about us staying, we’ll stay a bit longer.”
He said this because he knew Jiang Yuning was pure-hearted and easily trapped by her so-called “best friend.”
After everything that had just transpired, Chen Jiang had already seen that these people’s target today was Jiang Yuning.
‘This was a perfect opportunity to let Jiang Yuning see their true colors, and in doing so, completely eliminate this potential danger.’
Jiang Yuning listened to Chen Jiang and chose to endure it for the time being.
After a few bites of cake, Zhou Shijie seized his moment, holding out a glass of red wine to Jiang Yuning.
“Ningning, a toast to you.”
Jiang Yuning politely refused.
“I’m not much of a drinker.
I’ll use tea instead of wine, if you don’t mind.”
“Ningning, Young Master Zhou is toasting you personally.
You should at least have a little,” Zhang Xiaozhi muttered.
“You know who Young Master Zhou is.
If you make him unhappy, there will be serious consequences.”
“No matter what, you have to give him a way to save face.”
“Besides, it’s just a little bit.
It won’t kill you.”
Jiang Yuning hesitated for a moment before finally taking the glass.
She knew that Zhou Shijie had powerful connections, and he really wasn’t someone she could afford to offend.
‘It’s better to avoid trouble than to create it,’ she thought.
‘And anyway, it’s just one glass of wine.’
Just as she was about to drink it, Chen Jiang suddenly took the glass from her.
“She can’t drink.
I’ll drink it for her.”
“Young Master Zhou, I’ll down this.
You can drink as you please.”
With that, Chen Jiang raised the glass of red wine and drained it in one gulp.
Zhou Shijie’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Who the hell do you think you are?
You think you’re worthy of drinking with Young Master Zhou?”
One of the cronies was about to continue scolding him but was stopped by a wave from Zhou Shijie.
“Since Jiang is so inclined and can hold his liquor so well, let’s have a few proper drinks.”
“As it happens, a few bottles of some good imported liquor just arrived.
Let’s try something new.”
Zhou Shijie’s cronies exchanged glances and instantly broke into knowing, gleeful smirks.
Chen Jiang gave a faint smile.
“Since Young Master Zhou is inviting me so enthusiastically, I see no reason to refuse.
Let’s drink!”
“Hahaha!
Excellent!
Someone, bring the liquor!”
Zhou Shijie laughed heartily.
‘The foolish kid has finally taken the bait.’
‘Once he’s drunk, won’t Jiang Yuning be his for the taking?’