The phone in Wang Xiaoliang's pocket vibrated twice.
He pulled it out and looked. Wei Zijin.
Damn, I forgot to let her know I was safe.
He glanced at Zhou Qiang. "It's Zijin. Can she know?"
Zhou Qiang shook his head.
Quick and decisive.
Wang Xiaoliang answered the call.
"Hello."
"Xiaoliang, have you arrived yet?"
"I'm still in Fucheng. Didn't manage to leave. I'm out helping Brother Huang with something."
"With what? Is it urgent?"
"I can't really talk about it over the phone. I'll tell you in person."
There were two seconds of silence on the other end.
"Everything's all right?"
"Yes."
"All right, then."
The call ended.
Wang Xiaoliang slipped his phone back into his pocket and looked up. Huang Xueli and Zhou Qiang were both watching him.
Huang Xueli chuckled. "One lie from Old Zhou, and how many more will it take to cover it up?"
Wang Xiaoliang said nothing.
Zhou Qiang stared at him for a long while.
"You've both changed."
His gaze swept over Wang Xiaoliang's face, shifted to Huang Xueli, then came back.
"Especially you, Xiaoliang. You used to look like a student. Now you're a grown man."
Huang Xueli picked up a bite of food. "More than that. Our Xiaoliang is a big boss now, and a big internet celebrity."
"Internet celebrity?" Zhou Qiang's interest was piqued.
"I watch Zijin's videos all the time. Never had one of yours come up in my feed, though."
Something occurred to him, and he gave a thumbs-up. "That thing with Zijin this time, tenfold compensation for fakes-she kept her word. Impressive. I even bought two cases of that liquor."
Huang Xueli's chopsticks paused. "Did you return it?"
"Why would I?" Zhou Qiang waved a hand. "I've got to support my buddy's wife's business. I drank it.