Chapter 124 "Xia, did your hand hurt?"

Xu Ning loves to have fun, and his birthday party was designed to be fashionable and trendy, with entertainment activities unlike the boring and old-fashioned ones at other parties. He had invited a DJ from abroad to spin records live, and there was also a group of male models dressed in somewhat "simple" outfits performing a fashion show, which drew cheers and screams from the audience.

In the evening, when the cake was cut, the atmosphere reached its peak.

Xia Mian was a party animal by nature and was adept at handling such occasions. He stood in the dining area, raised his glass to Xu Ning on the stage, mouthed "Happy Birthday" to him, and ate his food.

Slightly tipsy, Xu Ning received his best friend's blessings, laughed heartily, popped open a bottle of champagne, and, holding the microphone, said while drinking, "Besides my birthday, I have another good thing to share with everyone here. Not long ago, I became single again—I finally became single again! I'm incredibly happy and fulfilled now, and I'm living a fantastic life on my own!"

The people below laughed along: "That's right, being single is the best solution, happy breakup!"

Happy Single Life!

"Darling, keep going! You'll definitely be happy!"

Amidst the jeers and cheers, Xia Mian discerned a hint of sincerity in Liu Er's voice—Liu Er was notorious for his womanizing. Back then, when Xu Ning and Liu Er publicly confirmed their relationship, everyone secretly sympathized with Xu Ning, thinking she'd probably spend her life catching him cheating and going to catch him cheating.

Now that they've broken up, everyone is happily wishing them well, hoping they stay away from scumbags and live happily ever after.

There were only two people.

"Brother Tan, you're amazing!" A boy who looked rather weak and unassuming said with envy. "By breaking them up, Young Master Liu will definitely come back to you. Maybe after all the twists and turns, he'll still think you're the best and arrange a home for you."

This guy was the friend who got Tan Jingcheng into the birthday party. He was an unknown model who worked at the same company as Tan Jingcheng, and Tan Jingcheng had helped him out a few times.

Tan Jingcheng denied it: "I didn't interfere. I was just having normal interactions with Young Master Liu."

Friend: "The fact that you can date someone surnamed Xu while still being able to continue dating you also shows how charming you are."

Tan Jingcheng looked impatient. He was over thirty years old and knew that what he was doing was all shady stuff.

If it weren't for the need for resources, and if he hadn't yet become famous, how could he be willing to be a mistress? He also wants... he also wants to be like Xia Mian, being photographed by the media, treated as an honored guest by the son of a restaurant tycoon, and envied by wealthy young men and women!

He was about to continue denying it, but then he thought of Xia Mian, and then of Xu Ning being Xia Mian's good friend, and a surge of arrogance rose within him. He sneered, "Young Master Liu only cares about his family background, not him as a person. I often advise Young Master Liu to find a good relationship and settle down as soon as possible. Who knew he would insist on clinging to me like that? I've wanted to break up with him for a long time..."

Before he could finish speaking, a dove-gray shadow suddenly entered his field of vision.

Just as Tan Jingcheng was about to look to the left, a powerful punch landed on his face with a loud "bang," causing his face to turn to the right again.

"Then why don't you break one and show us?"

Xia Mian shook her sore fist: "One of you is a jerk, and the other has a foul mouth. The two of you together are just jerks on top of each other. You two are a match made in heaven, cheapmen!"

***

The punch happened so suddenly that the DJ, unaware of what was happening, was still trying to change the sound effects to create atmosphere, while the naked men were still tearing off their jackets and putting on a passionate performance.

But with Xia Mian and Tan Jingcheng at the center, all eyes shifted from the stage to the dining area.

Damn, is the young man who just got married to the Third Master of the Zhou family so sharp-tongued?

"A pair of cheapmen made in heaven," that was so satisfying to say, it felt like my skull was about to explode!

Tan Jingcheng has been in the industry for a long time and has acted in many popular works. Although he has never become a huge star, almost everyone present could recognize him. For a moment, the flashing of mobile phone lights and whispers rose and fell.

To protect privacy, the media could take photos outside the hotel and in the lobby on the first floor, but were not allowed into the banquet hall. One paparazzi sneaked in, but his camera noise wasn't set properly, and with a "click," it shattered Tan Jingcheng's fragile nerves.

This finally brought that quiet and unassuming friend back to his senses.

This friend was meeting Xia Mian for the first time and didn't recognize him. Because of traffic, he was late and hadn't seen how Xu Ning welcomed Xia Mian in. He quickly stepped in front of Tan Jingcheng and said, "Who are you? Why did you hit someone? Your mouth is filthy. Apologize to Brother Tan right now!"

Xia Mian remained silent, her expression indifferent.

Tan Jingcheng really wanted to fight back, but because people were taking pictures with their phones and paparazzi had sneaked in, he could only cover his face, lower his head, and look extremely aggrieved in order to protect his image.

As expected of a professionally trained actor, he evoked immediate pity in the viewer.

Seeing that Xia Mian didn't respond, the boy turned to the onlookers. He was good at socializing and had often slept with big shots to get resources. At least three or four people at banquets had been his patrons.

He found those familiar faces and said in a coquettish tone, "President Du, Brother Wang, Young Master Li, please be the judge. We were having a good time when he suddenly came over and started hitting people. Isn't that ruining the atmosphere?"

To everyone's surprise, the three people whose names were called all raised their eyebrows in the same way. Especially Young Master Li, who said impatiently, "Take your friend and leave. Don't stay here. Aren't you ashamed?"

The boy froze instantly, a little confused. His first instinct was to continue looking for help. He stared wide-eyed, searching the area, and when he saw the doorway, his eyes lit up with surprise.

Young Master Liu!

Young Master Liu has really arrived!

In fact, Liu Er had been there for a long time, waiting for an opportunity. His purpose in coming this time was very simple: to apologize to Xu Ning.

The Liu family appears prosperous, but due to flawed decisions at the top, the company's losses have been mounting in recent years. Nearly 10 billion yuan in loans are due next year, necessitating a large influx of funds to revitalize the cash flow. Otherwise, if even one bank withdraws its loan, the Liu family will inevitably face bankruptcy.

Partners need to consider profitability, and investment companies need to assess risks. At times like these, only close relatives by marriage can step in without hesitation.

Lady Liu then placed her hopes on Liu Er, issuing a strict order that he must marry Xu Ning within the year. It was for this reason that Liu Er used the method of bringing Xu Ning onto a variety show to demonstrate his loyalty.

Unfortunately, a leopard can't change its spots. He couldn't control his lust and ended up in bed with Tan Jingcheng, which led to his current predicament of having to shamelessly apologize.

A savior had arrived! The friend happily led Tan Jingcheng toward the banquet hall entrance, having thought of a long list of things to say to Liu Er about his grievances.

Tan Jingcheng first glanced smugly at Xia Mian, then looked pitifully and aggrievedly at Liu Er. Liu Er and Xu Ning had fallen out, so Liu Er would definitely side with him now. Besides, Liu Er's manners were always very low; he might even fight back for him.

Before his friends could even speak, Liu Er turned to Xia Mian with a grin, without even looking at the two of them, and said, "Xia, did your hand hurt? I've asked the waiter to get you some ointment, it'll be here soon."

My friend paused for a moment.

Tan Jingcheng clenched his fists, feeling the wounds on his face become even hotter and more painful.