Seeing the mouth movements I made, Han Jinlun immediately understood and said, "Sorry, brother, I can't tonight!"
"Brother Xiang said he's going to splurge tonight to get us new outfits, and then he's treating us to a big meal."
"Let's do it another day. I'll ask you out then! It'll just be the two of us, and we'll have a good drink!"
This was Han Jinlun's reply, following my mouth movements. It was basically identical to the original version I had in mind.
If I wasn't mistaken, Zhang Chengxiang must have suffered a crushing defeat in last night's "pig-hugging" game, otherwise he wouldn't have called Han Jinlun during mealtime.
Even though the situation was dire, he was still putting on airs?
Trying to invite me to dinner and drinks was clearly an attempt to create the impression of an accidental confession after drinking, so that I would feel it wasn't deliberate.
Once the atmosphere was right, Han Jinlun would definitely speak up first to ask for my help without me having to say anything.
Zhang Chengxiang, Zhang Chengxiang, you've truly taken the act of wanting it both ways to the extreme!
Alas! But I neither accept nor refuse, just string you along! Let's see how uncomfortable you get?!
After hearing that Han Jinlun had plans for the evening, Zhang Chengxiang didn't continue speaking. Instead, he followed up on Han Jinlun's words and said, "Alright, you eat first, Jinlun. I'll wait for you to treat me to a drink later!"
With that, Zhang Chengxiang hung up the phone.
After ending the call, I instructed Han Jinlun to be careful when Zhang Chengxiang called again later. He shouldn't answer directly but wait for my notification.
This was far from the "three visits to the thatched cottage" scenario.
Unless you, Zhang Chengxiang, personally mention my name, don't expect that finding Han Jinlun means finding me!
...
Snapping back to attention, I saw Han Jinlun staring blankly, his driving speed slowing down. I asked, "What's wrong? Is something on your mind?"
"No, nothing, hehe~"
As he replied, a look of guilt flashed across Han Jinlun's face.
Although this fleeting expression of guilt was gone in an instant, I still captured it without reservation.
I knew what Han Jinlun was thinking.
He probably felt that it wasn't right for me to string Zhang Chengxiang along like this, but he didn't dare to say it to my face, fearing that I might get angry with him because of it.
He was truly a loyal person who valued friendship, but unfortunately, he was too naive.
However, I couldn't point it out directly, because everyone has pride.
The best way to get Han Jinlun to fully acknowledge his shortcomings wasn't to blurt out all the unpleasant truths.
Instead, it was to start with the people around him and expose those who had ulterior motives! Although Zhang Chengxiang's actions didn't quite amount to exploitation, still...
Getting to the root of the problem was the correct approach.
After the first tentative call failed, Zhang Chengxiang called a second time around 4:30 PM.
This time, I didn't let Han Jinlun wait before answering. Instead, I signaled him to skip it.
I believed that after the midday phone call, Zhang Chengxiang was likely in a state of conflict.
In this state, he was unsure if what Han Jinlun said was true, and at the same time, a sliver of curiosity had arisen, making him eager to know the truth.
The best way to uncover the truth was for him to make another call.
Therefore, at this moment, I chose not to let Han Jinlun answer the phone.
After all, I could afford to wait, but Zhang Chengxiang couldn't.
He couldn't bring himself to ask me directly and wanted to use Han Jinlun as an intermediary to pass on a message. But you just wouldn't let him have his way!
If my deductions were correct, Zhang Chengxiang should be getting impatient soon...
As expected!
That evening.
Most likely because Han Jinlun had mentioned earlier that I was treating them to a big meal, Zhang Chengxiang's third call came at 9:37 PM.
Judging by the time, it was likely a calculated move.
This time was still early for nightlife to kick off, and it was around the time when drinking sessions usually dispersed. His phone would definitely be on him.
When Han Jinlun's phone rang, this time I didn't have him delay answering. Instead, I signaled him to pick it up directly.
He started with the answer button and the speakerphone button as usual.
As soon as the call was connected, before Han Jinlun could even speak, Zhang Chengxiang impatiently asked, "Jinlun, have you finished eating?"
"Just finished and preparing to go back. What's up, brother?" Han Jinlun blurted out.
"Don't go back yet! See if you can bring Chen Xiang over to my place. I need his help with something!"
"What is it? Is it urgent?"
"Extremely urgent!!!"
"I see. Then I'll ask him..."
With that, Han Jinlun turned off the speakerphone and cupped his hand over the phone's receiver, giving me a tentative look.
To be honest, I had originally intended to teach the self-proclaimed clever Zhang Chengxiang a lesson.
But seeing Han Jinlun's conflicted expression, I changed my mind.
Not for any other reason than because he is my brother!
I didn't want him to be caught between me and Zhang Chengxiang, feeling troubled and worried about balancing our relationship.
While maintaining face is important, it pales in comparison to the brotherhood forged through life and death...
Therefore, I nodded decisively.
Seeing this, a look of surprise flashed in Han Jinlun's eyes. He then released the receiver and said to Zhang Chengxiang on the other end of the line, "Okay, we'll be there shortly!"
"Brother, don't hang up yet! There's something I want to tell you. I won't feel right if I don't say it."
"Brother Xiang knows all your little tricks from start to finish, but he hasn't said anything!"
"Including agreeing to come and check things out just now, Brother Xiang didn't refuse even half a word!"
"So, please don't do this anymore. Okay?"
Based on what Han Jinlun just said, I was very glad that my sudden change of heart was not wrong.
This brother... is worth it!
After hanging up the phone, Han Jinlun drove the three of us, without any hesitation, at breakneck speed towards the Yongli Chess and Card Room.
Actually, Han Jinlun didn't need to be so rushed, because I knew that the "pig-hugging" game wouldn't disperse easily.
No matter where those three "pigs" came from, since they had targeted the Yongli Chess and Card Room, which had no hidden lights, it meant they had done their due diligence beforehand.
Putting on such an elaborate act of impersonating the boss was definitely not just for short-term gains.
I had reason to suspect that they might even want to treat Zhang Chengxiang's Yongli Chess and Card Room as an ATM they could access at will.
If that were the case, even as a card shark, I would sincerely give those three "pigs" a thumbs-up and say, "You guys are really bold!"