Wang Qiang stared at the cut-off call; his eyes reddened with rage. For a moment he wanted to smash the phone in his hand, yet when he raised his arm he lost his nerve.
Could the situation really be worse than he'd thought?
If Wang Wei actually stopped giving him money, what was he supposed to do from now on?
With nowhere to turn, Wang Qiang started messaging the usual bunch of fair-weather friends on wechat.
After a round of texts he panicked even more; every one of them acted strange, claiming they were busy and brushing him off.
Overnight, Wang's Food Co. had been hit by a disaster.
Anyone with eyes could see the family had offended some big shot.
At a time like this, who would dare hang out with him? They all kept their distance.
After sitting by the roadside for a long while, Wang Qiang finally calmed down.
In just one day, the people who used to bow and scrape had flipped their attitudes a full one-eighty.
He knew perfectly well he'd made plenty of enemies.
If he lost that Second-generation rich status, his life from now on would be dark.
He wasn't a complete idiot; he'd already studied Wang's current crisis and knew that if this carried on, the company would fold sooner or later.
After thinking it over, Wang Qiang immediately called Zheng He and Guo Qian—after all, they'd treated him best that night.
Once the call connected, Wang Qiang asked them to reach Jiang Cheng for him and set up a line of contact.
He wanted to apologize to Jiang Cheng.
Zheng He and Guo Qian were already full of regret once they heard Wang Qiang was in trouble.
They knew they'd backed the wrong side that evening; now that Jiang Cheng was making an example of Wang Qiang, the two of them hadn't been hit yet, but the fear was eating at them.
Both wanted to stay far away and instantly cut ties with Wang Qiang.
Besides, they really didn't know a big shot like Jiang Cheng; they'd only met him once that night and were no more familiar with him than Wang Qiang was, so they both said they couldn't help.
In the end Wang Qiang had no choice but to call Chen Hao.
When Chen Hao saw the incoming call from Wang Qiang, he held up his phone to show Wang Zheng, who sat across from him sipping tea.
Chen Hao pressed speaker and answered, "Brother Qiang, what brings you to call me?"
"Chen Hao, I need to find Jiang Cheng—can you help me out?"
"Qiang, it's not that I won't help, but honestly we're not that close. Besides, you wrecked my party at dinner yesterday, and you know how tight I am with Brother Wang Zheng. Helping you wouldn't feel right—find someone else."
With that, Chen Hao hung up.
Wang Zheng gave a snort of laughter and shook his head. "The guy's got some self-awareness; I thought he'd stay tough."
"He deserves it. Always so arrogant. I heard last month he stole a high-schooler's girlfriend and even broke the kid's leg, sent him to hospital. In the end his dad stepped in and paid a six-figure medical fee."
Just as Chen Hao finished, Wang Zheng's phone rang too.
Seeing it was Wang Qiang, he picked up and hit the speaker.
"Hey, Brother Wang, it's me, Xiao Qiang." Wang Qiang's dejected voice came through.
Watching him cave, Chen Hao couldn't help covering his mouth to stifle a laugh.
"Brother Qiang?? Well, well, the proud one himself deigns to call me?"
"Brother Wang, I was wrong before. I realize my mistake now. Please help me—I'm out of options." Wang Qiang begged, voice cracking.
"No, no, it's my fault. Young Master Qiang fears no one, right?"
"Brother Wang, I know I was despicable. I'm at the end of my rope. For the sake of all those years we've known each other, help me, please?"
Wang Zheng stayed silent for a good while, then said, "I can ask for you, but I promise nothing else."
Hearing that, Wang Qiang blurted, "Thank you, Brother Wang, thank you!"
After Wang Zheng hung up, Chen Hao frowned, puzzled. "Old Wang, you're really going to help him?"
Wang Zheng chuckled. "Help him? Old Jiang's the one taking him down. Now the kid's delivered himself to our door—shouldn't we give him a chance to apologize in public?"
Chen Hao caught on. "Right, right. Even if Old Jiang lets him off, his family's already as good as bankrupt; the market's been snatched by the other two companies. Wang Qiang will never strut again."
"Wang Qiang's just too arrogant. He never learned there's always someone bigger."
With that, Wang Zheng texted Jiang Cheng to ask his opinion.
At that moment Jiang Cheng was busy sitting, lying, standing… every position imaginable.
Only when Wang Yuyan finally lay still did Jiang Cheng stop.
Lying on the bed, he read Wang Zheng's message, thought for a moment, and replied: "Then tonight at Taxx. Bring last night's crew for some fun—drinks are on me."
Wang Zheng got the hint and answered: "No problem, consider it done."
After sending that, Jiang Cheng messaged Zhou Ying on wechat.
"Free tonight? I'm treating at Taxx."
Zhou Ying's wechat came back quickly: "No shoot—going drinking again?"
"Don't worry, I'll order you a Wong Choi Milk."
"Ok, what time?"
Checking the time—after six—Jiang Cheng replied: "I'll come pick you up."
"I'll head over myself; I live pretty far. When should I be there?"
"No need, it's still early; I'll come get you."
A long while later Zhou Ying finally sent him a location pin.
Jiang Cheng looked at the pin—her place was out in the sticks.
Glancing at the CPU-exploded Wang Yuyan, Jiang Cheng stroked her flushed cheek.
The first time really had been a bit rough.
Giving her a tender kiss, Jiang Cheng got up and headed for the bathroom…