Old Sichuan, a small private dining room.
Wang Xiaoliang and Huang Xueli sat facing each other, with a bottle of high-proof liquor, two cold dishes, and two hot dishes between them.
"Bro, take this money. It's a little something from Zijin and me." Wang Xiaoliang pushed a thick envelope toward Huang Xueli.
Inside was fifty thousand yuan, an amount he and Wei Zijin had settled on after a long discussion.
New Year's gifts had become a difficult problem.
But gifts for his parents and Huang Xueli had been decided on early.
The original plan was to give his parents two hundred thousand yuan, in cash, to surprise them.
The amount for Huang Xueli had taken them a long time to decide.
They dared not give too much, partly for fear he would refuse, and partly for fear it would hurt their relationship.
"I can't accept this. Don't you think of me as your big brother anymore?"
"What are you talking about? This is an invitation to keep advising us on our work, and a thank-you for all your help. I know it's tacky, but you can't keep making the woman pay for everything in that secret relationship of yours!"
"Those excuses of yours-apart from the first one, they're all pretty much bullshit."
"All right. Thanks, brother." Huang Xueli put the money into his coat's inside pocket.
"Oh, and I ordered you two cases of liquor, too. I used your address. Bought them from Boss Xiao's livestream. I've tried it. It's pretty good."
"Thoughtful of you. Old Zhou sends me liquor every Spring Festival, too. Two cases as well."
At the mention of Zhou Qiang, they raised their glasses and clinked them without either having to suggest it.
"Bro, you really won't come with us? Just me and those three women-it'll