Chapter 113: Self-Emotion

From Zhang Yang’s perspective, if he had the time, he’d rather help out at his parents’ small restaurant.

A bunch of classmates he barely had any connection with wasn’t worth making a fuss over.

“But…” Meng Baihan started to type, wanting to say more.

“Here’s the deal: you pick the place first,” Zhang Yang said, seeing her insistence. “I’ll try to make it. If I really can’t, I’ll let you know in advance.”

Her repeated invitations were too much to refuse outright, so he left it at that for now.

“I’ll take it as you’re definitely coming,” Meng Baihan responded happily.

Zhang Yang put down his phone, shaking his head with a wry smile.

As the sun set, he checked out of the hotel and drove to Haiqin Snack.

These days, he usually ate at his own place unless something unexpected happened, and today was no exception.

In the evening, he slowly arrived at his restaurant. Through the car window, Haiqin Snack was brightly lit, buzzing with another busy night.

He smiled, finding a spot to park.

Just as he stepped out, he saw his aunt’s eldest brother Li Kaiguang and a few colleagues approaching.

“Brother, coming to eat? I’ll take care of it,” Zhang Yang greeted cheerfully.

“Zhang Yang!” Li Kaiguang walked up, laughing, and introduced him to his colleagues. “This is my brother. Everyone, make sure to support him whenever you can.”

“Li Kaiguang, your brother’s a total hunk!”

“If he worked at our company, those high-and-mighty women wouldn’t stand a chance,” some male colleagues joked, greeting Zhang Yang warmly.

Zhang Yang smiled, lit a few cigarettes, and invited them inside.

“Aunt, business is booming,” Li Kaiguang said immediately to Song Wenqin as he entered.

“Oh, Kaiguang, come in, have a seat,” Song Wenqin said warmly, seeing her nephew coming to support the business. She led them into a small private room.

Though called a private room, it was really just a modest partitioned space.

Li Kaiguang and his three colleagues sat at a small table, and Zhang Yang held the menu, helping them choose dishes.

“Do you want some wine? Shall I get a bottle?” Zhang Yang asked with a smile.

“Of course,” Li Kaiguang said in high spirits, apparently picking up the tab tonight.

“Alright, you sit tight. I’ll get the wine,” Zhang Yang said, putting the menu aside and heading out.

With the menu sent to the kitchen, Zhang Zhaohai started cooking. Zhang Yang grabbed a bottle of white liquor and brought it to the table.

“Zhang Yang, stop working. Come on, sit, have something to eat and drink. You just got here, haven’t eaten yet, right?” Li Kaiguang pulled him down.

“Well… alright, let’s eat together,” Zhang Yang agreed, adding a pair of chopsticks and a bowl for himself.

Night fell, and Haiqin Snack was lively and noisy.

Inside the private room, Zhang Yang and Li Kaiguang clinked small cups of wine, eating and chatting, the mood relaxed.

“Our aunt’s business is getting better and better,” Li Kaiguang said with a sense of pride.

“Not really, it’s just a small operation,” Zhang Yang replied casually, sipping a bit of wine.

“It’s not small at all. With uncle’s skills, it’s bound to grow big,” Li Kaiguang shook his head.

Zhang Yang smiled but said nothing. Of course, expansion was on the agenda, but none of the relatives knew yet.

After finishing their meal, everyone commented on the generous portions.

“Zhang Yang, don’t tell me Auntie purposely gave us so much?” Li Kaiguang looked at the leftovers that would definitely be packed, glancing at Zhang Yang.

“No, all dishes are treated equally. Our food has always been affordable, tasty, and generous,” Zhang Yang said confidently.

Li Kaiguang’s colleagues nodded in agreement.

“Next time, any small get-together at our company, we’ll just come here,” one said.

“Exactly, it’s affordable, tastes good, and close to the office. Why go anywhere else? Li Kaiguang, this place can be summed up in three words,” another said.

“What three words?” Li Kaiguang asked.

“A hidden gem!” they all said in unison.

Zhang Yang casually picked up a few peanuts, smiling as he listened to their chatter. Whether it was politeness or sincerity, he could tell. Seeing his parents’ hard work appreciated by more and more customers brought him genuine happiness.

Li Kaiguang’s phone suddenly lit up on the table. He picked it up immediately, and the satisfied look from the meal vanished.

“What’s wrong?” Zhang Yang asked casually.

“Nothing… nothing,” Li Kaiguang stammered, pale and unable to hold his phone steadily.

The colleagues exchanged knowing looks, clearly suspecting something.

“Li Kaiguang, is this about that girl you’ve been chatting with recently?”

“Seems like you’ve been glued to your phone these past few days. What happened now?”

“We are friends; if you have trouble or something happened, just say it. We can give you some advice.”

“Really, it’s nothing,” Li Kaiguang insisted.

Some things, even among colleagues, couldn’t be fully shared.

Zhang Yang noticed but didn’t press.

The lively dinner ended with the mood dampened by this sudden incident.

“I’ll pay the bill,” Li Kaiguang stood up.

“Let me,” a colleague said.

“No, I got this,” Li Kaiguang insisted, pushing them aside.

At night, outside Haiqin Snack, the colleagues left politely.

Li Kaiguang didn’t leave immediately; he walked with Zhang Yang to talk.

Under the streetlights, the two brothers strolled slowly, feeling as if they had returned to years ago.

“What’s up? You have something to say?” Zhang Yang asked with a smile.

“Don’t laugh, but I got roasted, left completely speechless,” Li Kaiguang said with effort.

“What happened?” Zhang Yang stopped.

Li Kaiguang sighed, took out his phone, and showed Zhang Yang the chat history without worry.

It was a conversation with the girl.

You’ve been staying up too late these past days. Remember to rest early, don’t stay up late-it’s bad for your health.

Remember to eat breakfast. Since your period is coming, avoid spicy, stimulating, or cold food.

Oh, and cook for yourself, don’t order takeout.

She had replied sharply:

Haha, you’ve done nothing, yet you act like you care so much.

Don’t tell me you’re moved to tears?

Zhang Yang looked at the chat and then at the embarrassed Li Kaiguang, falling silent.

It was awkward. Caring a little didn’t make you a “simp,” but if you don’t act, a girl with a little charm would naturally expect some care. Love doesn’t need material things, but proof of affection still matters.

Clearly, Li Kaiguang wasn’t the type she liked much. Saying nothing while doing nothing only disgusted her.

“Zhang Yang, do you think I did wrong?” Li Kaiguang seemed to ask Zhang Yang but was really asking himself.

Zhang Yang shrugged. If it were him, a few small gestures of care would make her ecstatic.

“Occasionally, you have to put in some effort. I mean mutual effort,” Zhang Yang said vaguely.

“Got it! I’ll order her takeout, make her brown sugar tea, have her put her phone on her stomach, and video call to help massage with vibration,” Li Kaiguang said, finally understanding.

Zhang Yang clicked his tongue, amused at Li Kaiguang’s over-the-top pampering.

But expecting him to lecture as a love guru? Impossible. These days, simplicity was key.

Zhang Yang didn’t bother with any strategy-straightforward, free, and direct still worked.

“So, Zhang Yang, you don’t think this is appropriate?” Li Kaiguang asked tentatively.

“I think…” Zhang Yang thought a moment. “If you were on the other side, facing someone suddenly going overboard to please you, how would you feel?”

Li Kaiguang imagined it, and immediately felt a wave of nausea.

Yes, he felt completely nauseated with himself.

“So, it’s hopeless?” he muttered, sinking into confusion.

He looked at the tall, handsome Zhang Yang in front of him and suddenly saw a lifeline. Grabbing Zhang Yang tightly, he pleaded, “Good little brother, save your brother.”

“I don’t know what to do either,” Zhang Yang said with a laugh. “My methods don’t really suit you. How about you show me her social media?”

Fortunately, her posts weren’t limited to three days’ visibility.

Li Kaiguang could still see them if he wanted.

They stopped on the street, and Zhang Yang casually scrolled through her profile.

She looked decent with makeup. Her posts were mostly daily life, work, and food, but her life seemed overly routine.

She gave the impression of someone who loved trying new things, liked showing off, yet felt her life was a bit bland.

Li Kaiguang watched anxiously, hoping Zhang Yang could give some advice.

“Uh… maybe you should ask her out tonight?”

“Tonight? How would I even get her out? A movie? A walk?” Li Kaiguang shrugged, feeling it was impossible.

“I don’t mean a movie. Just do something different, like take her to a bar for drinks,” Zhang Yang suggested.

He didn’t say everything he was thinking. He could tell this girl hated boring routines deep down and liked a little excitement-despite seeming proper, she was secretly playful.

“That won’t work. She’s on her period. If I ask her for drinks, won’t she think worse of me?” Li Kaiguang shook his head constantly.

“Who cares? You’re almost out of chances anyway. Does her period really matter?” Zhang Yang said casually.

Even if she couldn’t be asked out, fine. But if a period couldn’t stop someone from going for drinks, then that was a different story.

Seeing Zhang Yang’s nonchalant attitude and reflecting on his own blocked path, Li Kaiguang thought, maybe he was right.

He decided to take a desperate gamble and nervously sent:

“Do you want to go out for drinks tonight?”

He didn’t expect a reply so soon.

“Now? Where?”

“Whoa, I’ve never seen her reply this fast,” Li Kaiguang exclaimed, slapping his thigh, feeling elated.

Zhang Yang relaxed inside; this was the type of girl he expected.

In reality, girls who are ethereal and otherworldly were rare; most were more like this one.

“Wait for me a sec, I’ll ask,” Zhang Yang said. He hadn’t been to nightclubs in Yinghai before, but a friend from his social circle now worked marketing at the biggest club in town.

He messaged his friend privately, asking if a VIP booth could be arranged.

“No problem, bro. When are you coming?” came the eager reply.

Zhang Yang gestured to Li Kaiguang to reply to the girl.

Moments later, Li Kaiguang’s phone buzzed with a reply:

“It’s late. I’m not going alone. My best friend’s coming too. You should bring another guy, and make sure he’s decent, or I’ll lose face.”

“Perfect!” Li Kaiguang raised his phone toward Zhang Yang.

“Little brother, lend me your handsome photo. I’m counting on you,” he said.

Zhang Yang hadn’t reacted yet.

The photo had already been taken. He glanced at it casually.

Not bad. Under the streetlights, it had the aura of a divine girl in the night, only this time, male-a godlike charm radiated.

He was pleased, and on the other side…

Zhang Yang watched the chat explode with messages.

Since he was close, he could see everything.

“Now, immediately.”

First text, then a rapid series of voice messages, as if she were running while sending them.

“Is it just you two? No other girls?”

“What if my best friend suddenly doesn’t come, and it’s just me? That wouldn’t be weird, right?”

“By the way, this handsome guy, what’s his relation to you?”

“What? My brother? Forget it, my best friend will come as planned.”

Li Kaiguang muttered while listening.

“What does that even mean? Sometimes her best friend comes, sometimes not?”

“You’re my brother. Why should her best friend coming or not matter?”

Zhang Yang listened from the side, slightly embarrassed.

This girl spoke so directly; he wasn’t even sure if he should go.