The heavy rain lasted all day and showed no sign of stopping.

Chu Fang and his sister-in-law left the tennis court together when he suddenly received a call from Rong Shunji: "Hello? What's wrong? I know, I'm coming right away."

Chu Fang hung up the phone and turned to his sister-in-law, saying, "Rou Rou, I have something urgent to attend to. You'll have to take a taxi home by yourself."

After saying that, he ran to his car in the heavy rain and then drove away.

Braving the heavy rain, Chu Fang soon arrived downstairs at Wen Xiangbing's company. As soon as he got out of the car, he saw Wen Xiangbing sitting in the rain, looking dazed and lost.

Rong Shunji held an umbrella beside him, his clothes getting soaked by the heavy rain.

Ignoring the heavy rain, Chu Fang went over and asked, "What's wrong?"

“It’s over, it’s over…” Wen Xiangbing’s voice was low. “My company is gone.”

Chu Fang's heart skipped a beat.

The company was the thing Wen Xiangbing valued most, even more than his life. Now that the company was gone, it was a huge blow to him.

Chu Fang calmed himself down, exchanged glances with Rong Shunji, and then helped Wen Xiangbing up together, heading to the nearby bathhouse to shower and change into clean clothes.

Chu Fang ordered a few dishes and bought a few bottles of liquor, and the three of them drank at the bathhouse.

Wen Xiangbing murmured, "Foolish, I'm so foolish. I always thought I was very smart, but in reality I was extremely stupid, like a clown, no, I really am a clown."

Rong Shunji comforted his close friend: "Hey, it's normal to have ups and downs in the business world. You're still young, you have plenty of time to fight those bastards, there's no need to care about temporary gains and losses."

Chu Fang picked up his wine glass: "Don't say so much, drink up."

He didn't ask Wen Xiangbing why he didn't want to ask for help himself. Wen Xiangbing was an adult and had his own thoughts and understanding.

In Wen Xiangbing's view, not seeking help from Chu might be a better choice.

Alcohol has a magical effect; it can make people forget all their troubles when they get drunk.

Chu Fang and Rong Shunji drank with Wen Xiangbing until late at night.

They had originally planned to sleep at the bathhouse, but they didn't expect that staying overnight required an ID card registration. Since Wen Xiangbing didn't have an ID card, Chu Fang and Rong Shunji had no choice but to help Wen Xiangbing leave.

"Go home," Chu Fang said to Rong Shunji.

Rong Shunji has a job and a wife and children at home, so he doesn't have much time to take care of Wen Xiangbing.

"You're all alone."

"It's alright," Chu Fang shook his head. "I can handle it."

Rong Shunji thought for a moment and said, "Okay, just call me if you need anything."

The rain had stopped by then, and Chu Fang called a designated driver to take them back to the Tanhua residential area.

Back in the Tanhua residential area, Wen Xiangbing seemed particularly excited, singing: "The great river flows eastward, the stars in the sky point to the Big Dipper, hehehehe, point to the Big Dipper..."

Wen Xiangbing's voice echoed throughout the neighborhood.

Chu Fang helped Wen Xiangbing back home, and Zhong Rou came out of the bedroom: "Hey? Brother-in-law, what happened?"

He said, "Go find a hot towel and put it on his forehead, then go to sleep."

"oh."

Chu Fang cooked a hangover soup and fed it to Wen Xiangbing, who was still drunk and muttering to himself. Chu Fang then took a blanket and draped it over him before turning off the light.

Chu Fang returned to his bedroom, took a quick shower, lay on the bed, and stared out the window, unable to sleep.

[Solo player in a dating game: Is Ms. Zhong asleep yet?]

[Wang Shu: Working.]

[Solo player in a dating game: I'm in a bad mood.]

[Wang Shu: What's wrong?]

Chu Fang told his fiancée about what had happened to Wen Xiangbing.

[Wang Shu: That's how the business world is; you cheat me, I cheat you.]

[Solo player in a dating game: That's not how you comfort someone. I'm not happy at all.]

[Wang Shu: What can I do to comfort you?]

[A solo player specializing in dating: The best way to comfort someone is to meet their emotional needs.]

[Wang Shu: So what?]

[Solo player in a dating game: Post a cool selfie.]

[Wang Shu: ???]

[Solo player in a dating game: Seeing your photo makes me so happy; you provide maximum emotional value.]

[Wang Shu: ... ...I won't give it to you.]

The two chatted until 2 a.m. before falling asleep, and woke up at 9 a.m.

Stepping out of the bedroom, Chu Fang asked his sister-in-law, "Where's your brother Wen?"

"I don't know," the sister-in-law shook her head. "I didn't see him when I got up."

Chu Fang ate a simple breakfast, changed into clean clothes, and then went to the residential area where Wen Xiangbing lived.

Upon arriving outside the residential area, the security guard saluted and said, "Excuse me, sir, parking is not allowed here."

Chu Fang casually picked up the red bill in front of the steering wheel and handed it to the security guard: "This is the parking fee."

After saying that, he went straight inside.

The security guard spat twice, then counted the banknotes: "Damn, 1,300 yuan."

"Rich people are so generous; a casual tip could be ten days' wages for me."

Chu Fang arrived at Wen Xiangbing's house and knocked for a long time before someone opened the door. It was Wen Xiangbing's roommate who answered.

He smiled apologetically and said, "Sorry, I'm Wen Xiangbing's friend. I'm sorry to bother you."

“It’s okay, I know you,” my roommate said.

Chu Fang arrived at Wen Xiangbing's room. The door was unlocked, so he pushed it open and went in. He immediately saw Wen Xiangbing lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling, his eyes vacant and motionless.

He exuded a lost and dejected air, like a lost child.

Chu Fang glanced around the room, poured a glass of water, and handed it to Wen Xiangbing. The latter shook his head. Chu Fang drank the water while saying, "Things have come to this point, and there's no changing them. You need to look forward; there are more beautiful views ahead. There's no need to be too discouraged by temporary gains and losses..."