Some people placed emphasis on relationships, some on profits and gains and some weighed pros and cons. Which type did Qin Sheng belong to? How should we put it? Qin Sheng belonged to the former, more or less. In today’s so-called welcome dinner, everyone knew that it was a feast to ridicule Qin Sheng. The little scums at school are now powerful, they have started to show off their status. This was a bad attribute that many people would have. Weren’t they just after vanity and ‘face’?
One after another, Zhao Xuan and Wu Hao continued to challenge Qin Sheng’s bottom line. At the start, Qin Sheng was not angry at all, at least he understood their dark side. At the same time, he was also letting it go because of the relationships they used to have. After all, during high school, they were just a bunch of carefree kids. Hence, he did not leave the dinner right at the beginning.
You guys are living a good life, I admit it. I’m neither full of admiration or jealousy. I can also understand why you guys want to show off to me. But no matter who it is, I cannot allow them to challenge my bottom line. If by now Qin Sheng still had no temper, then he was really a good-for-nothing.
Just one sentence: You don’t appreciate my effort to save you from embarrassment, do you?
This meant that both parties have completely fallen out. They were once the closest friends, but now they have arrived at this stage. What a pity…what was the point?
Upon hearing this, Wu Hao and Zhao Xuan’s faces fell immediately. They did not expect that Qin Sheng to really confront them. Meng Zhe started to get nervous. He wanted to soften the atmosphere but did not know where to start. Only Hao Lei knew that they have really triggered Qin Sheng.
“Big Boss, we’re just kidding.” Zhao Xuan was still mindful and said with smiling eyes.
On the other hand, Wu Hao’s face was sullen. Without holding back, he said, “Qin Sheng, I dare you to say that again.”
“What? Didn’t you hear it clearly? Let me repeat it for you then. You don’t appreciate my effort to save you from embarrassment, do you?” Qin Sheng stood up slowly. He bent forward slightly and stared at Wu Hao as he spoke.
Wu Hao snorted, “Qin Sheng, do you really that you are still your old self? We call you Big Boss because we want to give you ‘face’. Otherwise, who do you think you are? You think you’re a big shot?”
“Big Boss, you can eat anything, but you can’t just say anything. Do you know what are the consequences of what you just said? Quickly apologize and we can let just let it slide.” Zhao Xuan spoke politely. However, he still did not treat Qin Sheng seriously.
Qin Sheng lifted up his glass of wine and gulped it down all at once. “Wu Hao ah, Wu Hao. Zhao Xuan ah, Zhao Xuan. You guys are quite outstanding. But you guys’ character is still the same. Standing in front of someone more powerful than you, you don’t even dare to fart. But when standing in front of someone not as accomplished as you, you trample upon them for sure. But when something happens, you two surely hides all the way to the back. When it comes to fights, it is always me, Hao Lei and Meng Zhe running to the front. In simple words, you two bully the weak, is scared of power and messy situations. You’re just a weak man intoxicated by success.”
Wu Hao and Zhao Xuan both had a bad expression on their face. Who did not understand them? Could Qin Sheng still not figure them out?
“Qin Sheng, the past is in the past. We are all adults now, isn’t it too childish to bring up matters from the past?” Wu Hao scoffed.
Qin Sheng laughed. “Childish? You guys know it better than I do. You put on a show to ridicule me and you even brought up Su Qin. Are you trying to disgust me?”
“Qin Sheng, don’t think too highly of yourself. You were very outstanding in high school, we admited that. But now, look at you, you’re just a salesperson, what’s there to boast?” Zhao Xuan argued.
Meng Zhe butted in, “Can’t you two stop talking about it? Is it really necessary for us to cause a scene?”
“Lao Meng, who’s causing the scene? Have you heard what Qin Sheng said?” Zhao Xuan scoffed.
Hao Lei said eccentrically, “Wu Hao, Zhao Xuan, we never admired or felt jealous because of you guys’ success. Initially, the better you guys become, the happier we are for you. But the show that you guys put on today really disgusted me. In the past, you dared not lift up your head in front of Qin Sheng. Now that you have your own reputation, you think you can ridicule whoever you want. Wu Hao, we know that you like Su Qin. But to be honest, she did not lay her eyes on you back then, and it’s still the same now. I think it’s already meaningless for us to continue this dinner. From today onwards, after I step out of this door, we are no longer acquaintances. You guys walk your broad road, we’ll walk on our plank of wood.”
“Hao Lei, what has this got to do with you?” Wu Hao had no respect for Hao Lei at all.
Hao Lei got up slowly and walked towards him. He asked in a plain voice, “Oh really?”
Wu Hao was a little scared. After all, he knew that Qin Sheng and Hao Lei were good at fights. If they were to break out into one, the two of them would definitely be on the losing end.
As expected, after Hao Lei finished his sentence, he kicked Wu Hao onto the floor with one swift move and yelled, “I’ve held myself back for the whole night, do you believe that I can kill you?”
“Hao Lei, what are you doing?” Zhao Xuan quickly pulled him back.
Hao Lei pushed Zhao Xuan aside and shouted, “Scram! And you too, is this fun?”
Zhao Xuan did not dare to make a sound. Meng Zhe was already at a loss, he did not know what to do. Reluctantly, he cast a pleading gaze towards Qin Sheng. Only he can stop Hao Lei.
Qin Sheng said casually, “Hao Lei, don’t act rashly. Besides, we were friends in the past, weren’t we? As for the future, nobody knows.”
Wu Hao stared deadly into Hao Lei’s eyes. At this moment, he was a little disheveled. In the past, he could not lift up his head in front of Qin Sheng and the rest. Today, he initially wanted to prove himself, but did not expect it to be the same ending.
Qin Sheng shook his head and sighed. “You guys disappoint me. In life, we really get further away from each other as time pass by. Since that’s the case, then let’s leave all these in our memories. From today onwards, we don’t know each other, so that we don’t have to keep all these bad feelings in our hearts. As for today, I will pretend as if nothing happened. It is up to you guys to think however you like. If you don’t feel satisfied, if you still want to challenge Hao Lei and I, feel free to come. You guys only have so much to show anyways. However, taking your revenge on us is not going to be that easy. Sometimes, wealth and power may not solve all problems. Eventually, I hope that we don’t have to reach that stage.”
After saying these words, their friendship for many years had come to an end. There was no need for Qin Sheng and Hao Lei to stay. Left with no choice, Qin Sheng said, “Let’s go.”
The two men walked out of the box side by side. Meng Zhe was in a dilemma, he did not know what to do. Eventually, he felt that it was pointless to stay behind, so he left with Qin Sheng and Hao Lei, leaving behind the disheveled Wu Hao and Zhao Xuan, as well as an untouched abundant feast and delicious wine.
After Qin Sheng and the rest left, Wu Hao slammed his glass of wine out of anger. He was not convinced. In the past, he was not as good as Qin Sheng, so Su Qin paid no attention to him. Now that he became powerful, why was Su Qin still not looking at him? This was why he acted like this today. But eventually, he smashed his own feet with the rock he carried himself.
“You’re letting it go just like that?” Zhao Xuan had a complicated look on his face.
Wu Hao gritted his teeth and said, “Letting it go? For what? Since they want to confront us directly, then don’t blame us! Judging from the life that Qin Sheng is leading, I don’t believe how great he can become. We are not our old selves anymore.”
Zhao Xuan sighed with a tint of sentiment. More or less, he regretted doing what he did.
After coming out of the restaurant, Hao Lei tried to patch things up. “Qin Sheng, Hao Lei, don’t be mad at them. After all, they come from rich people’s families. They had it way too easy these past two years. Their rank is much higher than those of the same age are. They are proud and arrogant and look down on everyone else. It’s understandable.”
“Lao Meng, stop trying to say good things for them. We can understand you. After all, you’re going to stay in Xi’an and have to live with their judgments. You’re different from us. We’re not in Xi’an anyway, so what if we come clean with each other? So don’t get involved in this and just stay neutral.” Hao Lei said realistically.
Qin Sheng smiled and said, “Lao Meng, they were targeting me tonight, not you and Hao Lei. I can understand them, there’s too many people like this in the society.”
“Do you guys think that they will find trouble for me because of how we pissed them off? Besides, I did get rough with them.” Hao Lei asked cautiously. No matter what, being careful was not something bad. These two have wealth and background in Xi’an, it would be expected if they try to find trouble for him.
Qin Sheng said thoughtfully, “Wu Hao and Zhao Xuan, based on their character, they would definitely be unwilling to be on the disadvantaged end. But at the same time, they are also scared of causing trouble. Take a knife, put it beside their throats and say harsh words, they will eventually let it go. Otherwise, why not call Lao Chang and borrow some of his people? After all, his boss in Xi’an is the real tiger. Get someone to keep their eyes on the two. If they really want to take revenge on you, then teach them a lesson. If they are benevolent, then don’t blame us for being unjust.”
“Okay, I’ll call Lao Chang later.” Hao Lei also felt that it was a more reliable method.
Meng Zhe still had a lingering fear. “Would they do that?”
“Not for sure.”Qin Sheng shook his head and said.
Since they did not get to eat their dinner, Qin Sheng could only find another place. He first called Han Bing. Not long after, she found the trio. She asked in confusion, “You guys are done?”
“Haiz, a feast of confrontation, it’s okay even if we don’t eat it.” Qin Sheng sighed.
Meng Zhe saw a beautiful woman coming towards them and asked Big Boss with his eyes wide opened. “Who is this beautiful lady?”
“This is me and Hao Lei’s friend. She’s here to explore Shanghai with us for a few days. Han Bing.” Qin Sheng introduced between smiles, “This is our bestie, Meng Zhe. You can just call him Lao Meng.”
Both parties nodded their head to acknowledge each other. This was considered their ‘hello’.
After discussion, they eventually chose to go under the city’s wall and bring Han Bing to a restaurant that sold self-curated Shaanxi cuisine. Their food was really good.
After walking out of Da Tang Xi Shi, Qin Sheng turned around and glanced at where they just ate. He somewhat felt a little obstruction in his heart. No wonder the majority of the people said that sometimes, those who hurt you tend to be those around you. Tonight, if it was someone else, Qin Sheng could fight back. But it had to be those whom he was once friends with. This caused him to feel very uncomfortable.