Liu Nanfeng discovered that "Su Jinxiu" indeed had a bit of a silly attribute.
Seeing her expression of joy and celebration on his behalf, Liu Nanfeng truly had no desire to engage with her.
Just then, the phone placed beside him rang.
Liu Nanfeng glanced at it and answered directly.
"Big writer, your old book is finished, and the new one is delayed. What are you doing at home? Want to come out and hang out?"
"Are you insulting writers by calling me a big writer, or are you insulting me?"
"Insulting you." The voice on the other end was equally blunt, indicating the familiarity of their relationship.
Liu Nanfeng didn't get angry, but smiled and said, "If you're treating, I'll go."
"No problem, same old place tonight."
"Alright."
Liu Nanfeng hung up immediately after speaking.
"Is a friend inviting you? That's right, staying home all the time isn't good. It's good to meet up with friends, otherwise, you might get sick from being cooped up. Where are you guys eating tonight? Drink less tonight, especially baijiu and red wine. Drinking too much is bad for your health. If you really can't refuse, and you drink too much, have your friend call me, and I'll pick you up..."
"Su Jinxiu" babbled on at length. Liu Nanfeng didn't say anything, just watched her with a smile.
"Why are you looking at me?"
"Su Jinxiu" asked a little uncomfortably.
"Are you perhaps wondering who invited me? A man or a woman?" Liu Nanfeng asked with a smile.
"No way."
Hearing this, "Su Jinxiu"'s eyes darted around uncontrollably, which was particularly endearing.
Her words, her every sentence, didn't directly ask who it was or if they were male or female, yet every sentence was implicitly asking these questions.
She asked where they were eating. On a hot summer night like this, if it were men, they'd likely go for barbecue. If it were women, they'd usually go to a restaurant.
She advised drinking less, especially baijiu and red wine, and didn't mention beer. This was because if men were eating together on such a hot day, they'd mostly be drinking beer. Baijiu was possible, but definitely not in large quantities.
Of course, the main point was the red wine later; the baijiu was just an incidental remark. It seemed strange for two grown men to drink red wine together.
When she said to call her if he drank too much, the subtext was that her friend might not know him...
Liu Nanfeng didn't dislike her little stratagems; in fact, he found them quite cute.
He stopped teasing her and asked with a smile, "Do you remember Yan Huo, who used to write books like me?"
"Su Jinxiu" nodded upon hearing this.
She did know of Yan Huo. He was also from Jiangcheng and, like Liu Nanfeng, was an online author.
"Didn't he stop writing long ago?"
"Yes, he stopped writing, but we've always kept in touch. We even met up after Spring Festival, don't you remember?" Liu Nanfeng asked intentionally.
"Su Jinxiu"'s expression tensed. She glanced at Liu Nanfeng's face, then smiled and said, "Oh, was it that time? It's been almost half a year, I forgot."
Liu Nanfeng smiled, not exposing her.
"Then you go, but come back early. I'll be waiting for you at home."
"Su Jinxiu" clearly didn't want to continue the topic.
"I know, I'll be back early," Liu Nanfeng replied.
"Then you carry on."
Hearing this, "Su Jinxiu" got up and left as if nothing had happened.
Watching her retreating back, Liu Nanfeng smiled.
Then he lowered his head and continued working on his novel outline.
When the sun had completely set and the employees had all left, Liu Nanfeng directly asked "Su Jinxiu" to take his laptop back, while he himself headed straight to the agreed-upon meeting place.
Since becoming an online writer, Liu Nanfeng had fewer friends in real life.
However, by being in this profession, he had made many online friends and joined numerous groups.
There were groups for novel genres, provincial writers, city writers, and even groups for struggling writers...
Writing a book is a very lonely and empty endeavor, and these various groups served as outlets to vent that loneliness. The best venting often involved inappropriate content, which frequently led to groups being shut down.
Liu Nanfeng and Yan Huo had met in an "sp" group. Later, when they joined the Jiangcheng Writers' Group, they discovered they were from the same place, and through repeated interactions, they became friends.
However, Yan Huo had long since stopped writing and had returned home to help his father manage a clothing factory. He lived a carefree life without any pressure.
He spent his days either clubbing or getting foot massages, earning himself the nickname "Emperor of Bathhouses."
Their friendship was a pure one, with infrequent contact. When they did contact each other, it was usually to go out for food and drinks together.
Yan Huo's real name was Zhu Zhicheng, and he was two years younger than Liu Nanfeng, making him twenty-five.
The "old place" Zhu Zhicheng mentioned referred to Sister Dong's Barbecue in Tianhe Plaza.
The reason for choosing this place was naturally its excellent taste.
It certainly wasn't for the proprietress, as Sister Dong was stout and had a thick neck, resembling a cement pillar.
And it was definitely not for the boss's daughter, who was a divorced woman...
Well, when Liu Nanfeng arrived, he immediately saw Zhu Zhicheng charming the divorced woman.
The summer weather was hot. She wore a white tank top and denim shorts. Although her looks were average, her generous bosom was her most prominent feature, which she skillfully utilized.
"Tone it down, wipe your drool." Liu Nanfeng walked over and sat down opposite him.
Zhu Zhicheng instinctively reached to wipe his mouth, then reacted and angrily said, "You're slandering me."
"I just told you to wipe your drool, what am I slandering you about?" Liu Nanfeng asked with a smile.
Zhu Zhicheng: ...
Seeing that he couldn't out-argue Liu Nanfeng, he quickly changed the subject, muttering strange things like "the well-fed don't know the hunger of the starving."
"You're saying that because you've never been hungry and are too picky. Go get a few fewer foot massages and sincerely find a good girl..."
"I am looking right now, but I'm shopping around, and haven't found a suitable one yet."
"You have too many horses, changing them daily. Even riding horses requires mutual adaptation; find a steady one."
"It's just that I haven't found a good horse yet."
"You go to the horse stable every day; what good horses do you expect to find? Anyone with money can ride those horses."
"Heh heh..." Zhu Zhicheng chuckled.
"Lsp."
They pointed at each other and then both burst into laughter.
"Boss, a case of beer," Zhu Zhicheng loudly called out.
"Your old book has been finished for a while, and the new one is still delayed. What have you been busy with lately?"
"Delivering food."
"I'm serious with you."
"I'm not joking either."
"Damn, have you fallen that low?"
"Yeah, I can't even afford to eat. I'm planning to start a new book. How about you sponsor me with a Silver Alliance, no, a Golden Alliance?"
"You can dream on. Sponsoring you an Alliance Leader is already showing you respect."
As they were talking, the barbecue started to come out one after another.
They were old friends, so there was no need to wait for everyone to arrive to order. They basically knew what each other liked to eat and any dietary restrictions.
They drank beer, ate barbecue, and chatted. As time passed, the initially quiet barbecue stall gradually filled up. Even sitting across from each other, they had to shout to be heard.
Their friendship was based on compatible personalities and conversations.
So, the more they chatted, the more animated they became, discussing everything from internal organs to outer space.
"You're really delivering food?"
"Yeah, I've been sitting for too long, and I feel quite weak. Delivering food is a way to change my environment and exercise."
"You're not doing well. Look at me, I'm in great health and have a good appetite for everything," Zhu Zhicheng boasted, giving a thumbs-up with his left hand, his bragging reaching the heavens.
"When you say that, can you first put down the grilled kidneys in your right hand?"
"You don't understand..."
The guy was stubborn, thin as a twig, and not even as fit as Liu Nanfeng.
"After we finish eating, I'll take you to 'happ,'" Zhu Zhicheng said slyly, wiping his mouth.
"Huh? There are other plans tonight?" Liu Nanfeng asked, surprised.
"Yeah, a while ago, my childhood friend and I opened a bar. I'll take you there tonight to hang out."
"No, I promised my wife I'd come home after dinner."
Zhu Zhicheng: →_→
"What's with that look?"
"You're her husband, not her son, so why are you so strict? We're just drinking and chatting, not doing anything else. Do you have to be like this? Don't spoil the fun..."
Zhu Zhicheng rambled on, like reciting a mantra.
"Alright, alright, I'll let my sister-in-law know."
Liu Nanfeng, annoyed by his persistent nagging, sent "Su Jinxiu" a message and quickly received an "OK" reply.
"What did she say? What did she say?" Zhu Zhicheng leaned in excitedly.
"Your sister-in-law agreed."
"I knew it, Sister-in-law is so sensible and wouldn't be someone who spoils the fun," Zhu Zhicheng said excitedly, waving for the owner to come and settle the bill.
Since he said he was treating, he paid. Liu Nanfeng never argued about paying, especially since Zhu Zhicheng was a second-generation rich kid, evident from the new green water ghost watch on his wrist, indicating he wasn't short on money.
His family originally did OEM for clothing but later, his father wasn't content with manufacturing for others. He created several brands, including clothing, shoes, and bags.
Although none of them were top-tier brands, they were still incredibly profitable.
After settling the bill and getting into Zhu Zhicheng's car, despite his wealth, he wasn't ostentatious. It was just a regular Audi, not a sports car.
Zhu Zhicheng drove them directly to a bar called [Zi Guang].
The doormen at the entrance probably recognized Zhu Zhicheng's car. Before he even stopped, several people rushed over.
"Mr. Zhu, you're here. Is it the usual private room..."
"This is my friend, Mr. Liu. From now on, charge anything he orders to my account."
"That's great! Do you offer lunch here?"
"Why?"
"I plan to eat all three meals here from now on."
"Three meals a day? I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it."
Liu Nanfeng was taken aback for a moment before understanding.
"You Lsp."
"You can call me an SP, but don't call me L, I'm only twenty-five, still young."
As they spoke, they entered the bar.
"Nice, isn't it?" Zhu Zhicheng took Liu Nanfeng on a tour and then said proudly.
"It's alright," Liu Nanfeng nodded.
Just as Zhu Zhicheng was about to be pleased, he heard Liu Nanfeng add, "Because I haven't seen anything better."
Zhu Zhicheng: ...
"Can't you let me be happy for a moment?"
"I'm just stating a fact."
Liu Nanfeng shrugged. He had gotten married right after graduating from university and had only been to such places a handful of times.
They didn't go to a private room but found a spot in the main hall.
It wasn't crowded yet. Soft music played in the hall, and a few couples were leaning close to each other, talking in low voices.
Zhu Zhicheng waved, and a young woman immediately approached.
"Bring me the wine I stored last time."
"No... just drink something casual, don't waste your good wine," Liu Nanfeng quickly stopped him.
Wine that was worth saving after not being finished was definitely good wine.
Liu Nanfeng wasn't much of a drinker and didn't particularly care about the quality of the wine.
"We're drinking precisely because you're here. It's okay if you can't tell the difference; it's more about the company."
Zhu Zhicheng insisted, and Liu Nanfeng didn't stop him anymore.
Watching the young woman leave, Zhu Zhicheng immediately reverted to his usual self and asked Liu Nanfeng smugly, "Aren't the girls here great?"
As he said this, he gestured towards the stage in front, where several warming-up girls stood. They were dressed scantily, and naturally, their figures were all excellent.
It hadn't started yet, and they were just swaying to the music, but even so, there was a strong attraction.
"Yes, indeed. Do they all have dance training?"
One could easily tell the difference between those who had studied dance and those who hadn't.
"Yes, some are even current students from dance academies."
"You managed to recruit them?"
"As long as the money is right, why wouldn't you be able to recruit them?"
Well, Liu Nanfeng was speechless.
They drank their wine, chatting leisurely. Eventually, their conversation turned to Liu Nanfeng's new novel.
Zhu Zhicheng, having written novels himself, even though he no longer did, offered Liu Nanfeng many insightful suggestions from a detached perspective.
Time slipped by unnoticed. The bar became increasingly crowded, the music grew more upbeat, the girls on stage moved more dynamically, and the DJ began to warm up the atmosphere.
"Want to call a few girls over?" Zhu Zhicheng's excitement seemed to be building, and he excitedly asked Liu Nanfeng.
Liu Nanfeng shook his head directly.
"Alas, look at you, so uninspired," Zhu Zhicheng said, shaking his head with a look of regret. Then his gaze swept across the surrounding guests.
If he spotted someone attractive, he would go over and strike up a conversation.
Suddenly, he noticed a girl with twin ponytails looking in their direction, or rather, looking at Liu Nanfeng.
"Hey, there's a beauty looking at you over there. Want to go chat her up?" Zhu Zhicheng said excitedly.
"What?" Liu Nanfeng looked in the direction he pointed and froze.
"Holy hell, this girl is so beautiful! You've struck gold! Why? Just because you're a bit handsomer than me? How superficial!" Zhu Zhicheng said with great jealousy.
This girl had twin ponytails, wore a floral dress, was tall, and possessed both purity and allure.
"She's coming over, she's coming over..." Zhu Zhicheng said excitedly.
However, Liu Nanfeng's expression appeared quite calm, even somewhat speechless.
"You can't be impotent, can you? Such a beautiful woman, and you're not even happy?" Zhu Zhicheng said with dissatisfaction.
"I have a wife."
Liu Nanfeng put on a show of unwavering devotion.
He had no choice but to be steadfast, as his peripheral vision caught sight of the twin-tailed girl's head.
Name: Su Huamei
Race: Huapi (Painted Skin)
Cultivation: Three hundred and eighty-two years
Identity: Wife's younger sister
Antecedent: Not triggered
At this moment, she had transformed again, showing no trace of Su Jinxiu or Su Huamei. She was a completely unfamiliar woman, and also a great beauty.
It seemed she had changed her appearance again.
Liu Nanfeng suddenly thought of Mystique from the movies. For some reason, he felt a slight thrill.
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