1 a.m.
Chen Zhe, who was getting ready for bed, received a phone call and was somewhat surprised to see the number.
Because it was Xue Nan calling.
Why did you call me so late?
Click to answer.
Xue Nan's drunken voice came through the phone.
"Brother, am I bothering you?"
"It's nothing, Brother Xue. What's wrong? Why have you been drinking again?"
"Haha, if you're happy... then drink."
She said she was happy, but her voice was clearly sobbing. This puzzled Chen Zhe. Why did she start crying while drinking?
He instantly sensed the change in atmosphere; Xue Nan must be emotionally off.
"Brother Xue, where are you?"
"I...I'm by the river..."
"What??? Why did you go to the riverbank? It's so late at night, that's dangerous! Wait a minute, I'll be right there!"
...
20 minutes later.
Chen Zhe got out of the car on the bridge by the river.
In the night wind, by the bridge, Chen Zhe saw a middle-aged man in a disheveled suit, holding a wine bottle, sitting by the railing with his legs swinging precariously.
That person was none other than Xue Nan.
There were hardly any cars left at this point, and even when one occasionally drove by, it didn't stop.
Chen Zhe cautiously walked over, and when Xue Nan wasn't paying attention, he grabbed his clothes and pulled him down.
Xue Nan, who had fallen to the ground, simply lay there and did not get up.
Upon seeing that it was Chen Zhe, he forced a smile.
"Brother, I'm so sorry to have to ask you to come out at this hour."
Even when drunk, the refined Xue Nan still tried his best to maintain his gentle and elegant image.
"Brother Xue, what's wrong? Is something on your mind?"
These words seemed to touch a nerve with Xue Nan, and he couldn't hold back any longer. The middle-aged man lay on the ground and burst into tears.
Chen Zhe did not laugh, but sat quietly on the ground waiting for him to finish venting his emotions.
Five minutes later.
Xue Nan's emotions finally stabilized somewhat.
He sat up, staring blankly at the distant river.
"Brother, I'm sorry to have made you laugh at me, seeing me in such a sorry state."
"I once heard a saying: 'A man doesn't easily shed tears, unless he's truly heartbroken.' In my eyes, Brother Xue is a very successful person, and occasional outbursts won't affect your image in my heart."
Xue Nan paused for a moment, then turned around, her eyes red-rimmed, and looked at Chen Zhe.
A few dozen seconds later, he suddenly laughed again, as if mocking himself.
“Actually, I am a complete failure. I have a failed marriage and a failed life. I married such a woman who has never treated me like a human being for decades and has utterly humiliated me. I am very insecure deep down. In front of outsiders, I try my best to appear as a successful person, but have you seen the scars on my face?”
Chen Zhe nodded.
"I was beaten by that slut's lover, haha. I got home and saw them messing around, so I lost my temper and got a beating in return. To be honest, at that moment I really wanted to go to the kitchen, grab a knife, and stab them both to death, but I'm such a coward... I can't even kill a chicken, haha..."
Chen Zhe continued to listen without interrupting.
"Because I'm insecure and cowardly, I haven't had a single true friend all these years. I've thought about a lot tonight, but after thinking it over, all I can do is call you... Heh..."
"Thank you for treating me as a friend, Brother Xue. Similarly, I consider you a true friend, so I came out as soon as you called."
Xue Nan looked at Chen Zhe and nodded gratefully.
"Thank you! Thank you so much, brother. It's a bit much to ask you to come out with a cowardly middle-aged man like me.
Xue Nan's mood eased somewhat.
"Brother Xue, although we've only known each other for a few days and I don't know much about your situation, could you please allow me to say a word?"
Xue Nan nodded; "You want to persuade me to make up my mind to divorce her, right?"
"No, divorce won't solve everything. She has developed a habit of abusing and humiliating you. It might not be so easy for you to get a divorce."
"You're right, that's how it is...sigh..."
"Brother Xue, why don't you think about it from a different perspective? For example, how about taking over her company?"
Xue Nan was stunned, deeply shocked.
"This...this can't be done, can it?"
"Anything can be accomplished if you dare to dream it."
Xue Nan hesitated for a moment.
"Actually, I've thought about this issue, but it's too difficult to put into practice. Although I'm the company's vice president, she makes all the big decisions, and many people in the company listen to her. I'm more like a figurehead because everyone knows my status at home, so they secretly laugh at me."
"Brother Xue, she doesn't value you because she hasn't discovered you're a gem yet. Your status will only become important when she does."
"Me...am I?"
"Brother Xue, of course you are. I've heard your speech. You are an ambitious and very capable person. The reason you doubt yourself is because you have been suppressed by that woman for a long time. If you trust me, I can help you regain your confidence."
Chen Zhe spoke with great certainty, though his dejected gaze slowly began to brighten.
"Brother, are you telling the truth?"
Chen Zhe was telling the truth. He had read Xue Nan's information. Xue Nan was an early overseas student who attended a very prestigious university. When he returned to China, several large companies offered him jobs. However, he couldn't resist Feng Dongmei's financial advances and chose to marry her, which led to his current predicament.
"Of course, although my younger brother is not a big shot, he does have some assets."
"Brother, I trust you. I know you're the CEO of Zhe Shang Zhe. You're so young, yet you've achieved so much. You must have a very powerful force behind you. Brother, are you willing to help me?"
"Brother Xue, I wouldn't have come out if you weren't willing to help me."
These words moved Xue Nan to tears. He even thought that if he were a woman, he would definitely fall in love with Chen Zhe.
That's such a manly statement.
It was as if Chen Zhe had thrown him a lifeline when he was drowning.
"Thank you!! Thank you!!! Brother, if you're willing to help me, I'm willing to share her company with you once I successfully take it over!"
"Brother Xue, I don't care about the profits, I just can't stand it!"
"I know! I know!! Brother, you're so loyal!!"
...
Chen Zhe took Xue Nan to the hotel; in his current state, he definitely didn't want to go home.
After settling him in, Chen Zhe returned to his dormitory at 3 a.m.
He slept for less than three hours before getting up again.
Last night's conversation has accelerated his original progress.
He's in high spirits today, ready to get things done!
...
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