Chapter 23

Cheng Lang asked frankly, "Nothing much. I just wanted to ask if I need to prepare my own costume for the performance, or should I wear our White Jade Capital waiter's uniform and give the place some free advertising?"

Chen said at once, "Sixth Brother will take care of the costume. He'll give it to you before the birthday banquet."

As Chen spoke, it suddenly hit him: Cheng Lang had been White Jade Capital's star performer for so long, yet no one had ever had a costume made for him. He went around in his waiter's uniform every day, putting on airs, and somehow no one thought it strange.

Chen took a long, careful look at Cheng Lang.

Cheng Lang blinked innocently. "Who's Sixth Brother?"

Chen snapped out of it. "Wang. His full name is Wang Liu'an."

Understanding dawned on Cheng Lang. "That's very generous of the company."

Chen had wanted to give Cheng Lang a few more reminders, but the sight of him playing the good boy made him lose the urge. Weary, he waved a hand. "All right. That's all I called you in for."

Cheng Lang took the hint and grinned. "I'll let you get back to work, Chen. I'm heading downstairs."

By the time he left Chen's office, it was almost eleven thirty. His shift ended in half an hour, but after searching the dance floor, he still couldn't find Shen Huaiyu.

The system asked ominously in his head, "Did you forget to follow the plot?"

Cheng Lang froze. Without a word, the system sent him a passage from the original story. According to the plot, Cheng Lang was supposed to run into Lu Chengxuan tonight and seize the chance to seduce him. But Lu Chengxuan despised scheming, gloomy social climbers like Cheng Lang, so he rudely rejected his offer to sleep with him. Shen Huaiyu happened to witness the whole thing. Lu Chengxuan then pulled Shen Huaiyu close and got intimate with him right in front of Cheng Lang, humiliating them both. Cheng Lang flew into a rage and came to resent Shen Huaiyu, making life difficult for him at every turn from then on.

But Cheng Lang had gone straight onstage to perform comedy the moment he arrived at White Jade Capital. He had missed Lu Chengxuan entirely, along with that whole plot point.

Cheng Lang: "..."

"Why didn't you remind me?" Cheng Lang asked the system.

The system fell silent. It had been listening to Cheng Lang's comedy routine too. It hadn't been paying attention to the plot.

So Lu Chengxuan took Shen Huaiyu away?

Cheng Lang called Shen Huaiyu. The phone rang for a long time, but no one answered. He went to ask the shift supervisor.

The supervisor gave Cheng Lang a complicated look. "Stay out of whatever's going on between Mr. Lu and Shen Huaiyu. You know where you stand, don't you? You're an orphan with no parents or connections. How are you going to compete with Mr. Lu? If you make him angry, one word from him could make it impossible for you to get by in X City."

Cheng Lang looked at the supervisor strangely. Had the man made up an entire drama in his head?

"What are you looking at me for?" the supervisor asked earnestly. "I'm only telling you this for your own good. You're young. What's wrong with keeping your head down and making some money? Once you've saved enough, you can have your pick of beauties."

That confirmed it. The supervisor had misunderstood.

"Shen Huaiyu and I don't have the kind of relationship you're imagining." For some reason, saying it felt awkward. Cheng Lang didn't dwell on it and went on, "I'm the one who brought Shen Huaiyu to White Jade Capital. I have to take some responsibility for him, don't I?"

"That's good, then." The supervisor patted Cheng Lang's shoulder. "And don't feel guilty. Who's obligated to take responsibility for anyone else these days? You knew he needed money and helped him get a job at White Jade Capital. You meant well. But this is the sort of place White Jade Capital is. He should've known what he was getting into. Besides, with a face like his, if it hadn't been Mr. Lu, it would've been someone else. Catching Mr. Lu's eye is better than having someone else after him..."

"Cheng Lang!" Before the supervisor could finish, Wang came looking for him. "Chen just called me. Come to the changing room. I need to take your measurements."

Cheng Lang nodded and followed Wang into the break room. Wang folded his arms and studied him. "Well, well. So you have bad days too?"

Before Cheng Lang could answer, he asked with a mischievous grin, "Tell me what's bothering you. Give me something to smile about."

Cheng Lang looked at Wang. "Are you thinking of doing comedy too?"

"Not really." Wang snorted. "I just find talking like you pretty satisfying."

Wang looked at Cheng Lang. "Don't take it personally. I'm not having a dig at you. I'm just speaking from the heart."

"If it's completely sincere, it can't count as intentional harm, can it?"

Cheng Lang spread his arms for the measurements. "...You can still be convicted for causing injury by negligence."

Wang laughed. "We can settle out of court if it's only a minor injury, right?"

Cheng Lang stared at him in surprise. "You call this minor?"

"Isn't it?" Wang paused, then turned serious. "I don't know why Chen and the big boss are taking you to Old Master Qin's birthday banquet. But I want to warn you: the big boss's ties with that family are complicated. When you get there, watch what you say."

Chapter 23

By the time Cheng Lang left White Jade Capital, it was past one in the morning. The streets were packed, as if every night owl in the city had gathered there. He bought two roasted sweet potatoes from a street vendor and was about to hail a taxi when a red supercar pulled up beside him.

"Get in." General Manager Lü motioned to him with her eyes. "I'll take you back to school."

"It's not on your way, is it?" Hands in his pockets, Cheng Lang bent down to speak to her. "I wouldn't want to waste your gas."

"How do you know it's not on my way?" General Manager Lü asked with a faint smile.

That was a tricky one to answer. Taking it too seriously could turn awkward, while brushing it off seemed pointless. Cheng Lang raised an eyebrow, opened the door, and got in. "Sorry for the trouble, General Manager Lü."

General Manager Lü glanced at the roasted sweet potatoes in Cheng Lang's arms. Taking the hint, he asked, "Would you like one?"

General Manager Lü shook her head. "I'm driving. It's not convenient." Yet her eyes stayed fixed on the sweet potatoes.