Chapter 055: Do You Like Older Women?

“Well then, since we’re all friends, why don’t we find a place to sit and chat?” Zhang Qiming suggested, his gaze fixed on Su Dieyi. “I heard you’re busy with the CPA exams lately, Dieyi. I just bought a few books, intended to give them to you. Now’s the perfect opportunity!”

His words, coupled with his gentle and refined demeanor, made it hard not to feel some goodwill toward him.

Li Huan frowned. Though he liked making friends, he cared about their character—and, more importantly, his impression of them. Zhang Qiming seemed polite, but he wasn’t Li Huan’s preferred type; moreover, his earlier posturing had been distasteful.

“No need, we should get going,” Su Dieyi closed her book, glanced at Li Huan, and signaled him to leave.

“Dieyi, don’t always keep people at arm’s length. You should know how I feel about you,” Zhang Qiming said, unable to hide his embarrassment as Su Dieyi prepared to leave. He was someone of status, after all; being rejected by a girl, especially with another unimpressive man present, was humiliating.

“Sorry, we’re leaving,” Su Dieyi stood, skirted the table, and walked out with Li Huan.

“He’s chasing after you,” Li Huan remarked as they stepped out of Hualian Book City, glancing back to see Zhang Qiming still unwilling to give up, trailing after them.

Su Dieyi paused, shot Li Huan an annoyed look, and said, “No, I barely know him.”

“I mean he’s literally following you,” Li Huan repeated, pointing behind them.

Su Dieyi finally understood, blushed, and turned away, heading toward the nearby bus stop without looking back.

Zhang Qiming caught up, hastily calling, “Dieyi, let me give you a ride!” He deliberately glanced at Li Huan, gesturing toward a Porsche parked nearby, his smile tinged with showmanship.

Li Huan noticed the gesture, eyed the sports car, and grumbled inwardly: a two-seater—who’s he planning to take? No way would he ride with another man in a sports car!

Su Dieyi, apparently familiar with Zhang Qiming’s car, glanced at him and shook her head. “No thanks, your car isn’t big enough.”

Zhang Qiming was stunned, wishing he could slap himself—he’d forgotten he was driving a sports car. He should have brought his Land Rover instead.

Seeing Su Dieyi walk away, Zhang Qiming waved the books he held but didn’t pursue further. Instead, he stepped up to Li Huan, reaching out to pat his shoulder, only for Li Huan to sidestep away.

Zhang Qiming’s face twitched, his gaze turning cold and sinister as he said, “Listen, I don’t care what your relationship with Su Dieyi is now, nor does it matter to me. Just know she’s the woman I, Zhang Qiming, want. You’d best stay away from her, or I’ll make sure you can’t stay in Zhonghai.”

Finally, his true nature showed. Li Huan actually preferred this unmasked ugliness; at least it didn’t make him want to vomit as before.

“Do as you like, but do you think I’m a pushover? If you’ve got guts, bite me now!” Li Huan wouldn’t normally speak so crudely, but he wanted to disgust this man. Zhang Qiming was pathetic—unable to win the girl, he resorted to warning Li Huan. What a weakling!

“You… Just you wait!” Zhang Qiming was so angry he nearly lashed out, but he restrained himself. If he started a fight now, Su Dieyi’s impression of him would only worsen, and then he’d truly have no hope.

Watching Zhang Qiming slam his car door and drive off in anger, Li Huan cheerfully trotted after Su Dieyi, humming a tune. He suddenly realized why rich young men loved putting on airs—it was unexpectedly satisfying!

Back at the apartment complex, the two went grocery shopping together. That evening, Su Dieyi cooked dinner. After eating, they watched some TV; the atmosphere wasn’t tense, but it was a bit awkward.

Li Huan, of course, was distracted by thoughts common to men, given that such a beautiful, delicate woman was sitting beside him. Half his attention was nowhere near the television.

Su Dieyi felt embarrassed for a different reason. She’d had a slight affection for Li Huan since long ago—not because he was handsome or academically talented, but due to a chance event. Li Huan himself likely didn’t remember it, but Su Dieyi recalled it vividly.

After sitting for half an hour, Li Huan glanced at the time; it was time to head to work. He stood and told Su Dieyi, “I’m going to the bar.”

Su Dieyi nodded, sensing something was off. Normally, this guy never said goodbye when leaving, so why was he so formal today? She wasn’t his girlfriend, so was there any need to inform her?

She only mused about it inwardly, but felt pleased nonetheless. Otherwise, all the cooking and laundry she’d done for him lately would have been for nothing!

At the bar, Sun Feifei was absent. Li Huan changed clothes, then saw Emerald sitting alone in a booth, drinking moodily. He was curious; the strength Emerald had shown yesterday in the private room made it clear she wasn’t an ordinary woman. From her conversation with Dog Lord, it was obvious she had close ties to the underworld—and irreconcilable conflict with Dog Lord himself.

“Emerald, good evening,” Li Huan greeted her, with no intention to chat further.

“Who told you to call me sister? Do I look old to you?” Emerald wasn’t having any of it, playing with a lock of hair as she sized Li Huan up thoughtfully.

“Uh… I didn’t mean anything by it!” Li Huan rolled his eyes inwardly. Emerald wasn’t old, but she was several years his senior; calling her aunt would be worse!

Such thoughts remained private. In Dancing with Wolves, there was never an ‘aunt’—even women in their fifties were called ‘sister’. Once, Li Huan overheard Xiao Yu flirting with an older woman, calling her ‘dear’.

“No such intention, yet you still call me sister? Do you like women older than you, like Sun Feifei?” Emerald’s sharp gaze lingered on him, her smile laced with teasing and amusement.

“You’re not much younger than them yourself,” Li Huan replied, caught off guard. Thankfully, the dim lighting hid his expression.

“… Emerald paused, drank from her cocktail, and said, “Them? So there’s more than one? You mean I’m the kind of big sister you like?”

“Emerald, you’re overthinking!” Li Huan turned, fleeing the scene. He hadn’t realized Emerald could be so nosy—today was an eye-opener.

Dancing with Wolves combined nightclub and bar vibes, featuring a huge, lavish bar counter. Li Huan served a few customers, picked up two bottles of red wine at the bar, and saw Li Gang approach, visibly furious. Li Gang ordered a strong vodka and downed it in one gulp.

Seeing this, Li Huan grew concerned and went over to ask. Li Gang only shook his head, saying nothing. Li Huan watched him for a moment, then delivered the wine to the customers before returning to sit beside Li Gang, patting his shoulder.

“What’s going on?” Li Huan knew this guy couldn’t keep things bottled up; whatever happened, you could tell from his face.

Li Gang drank two more cups, his face flushing bright red. Li Huan saw this couldn’t go on—he’d soon collapse. He signaled the bartender, who nodded, refusing to mix Li Gang any more drinks.

Li Gang stared at his empty glass, shaking his head, too dizzy to lift it. He pointed at the bartender and said, “Xiao Li, give me one more. Just one last glass…”

“Brother Gang, what are you doing? If there’s something on your mind, just say it—keeping it bottled up will only make it worse!” Li Huan pressed his hand down. Li Gang could handle his liquor, but three strong vodkas would knock him out soon enough.

“Damn it, I got played!” Li Gang smashed his fist on the bar. Fortunately, the place wasn’t crowded; only two women in their thirties were chatting nearby. Startled, they glanced over before returning to their conversation.

Li Huan apologized with a smile, then helped Li Gang over to a booth and poured him a glass of soda water. Li Gang drank a few sips, finally relaxing. Just then, Xiao Yu noticed them and hurried over.

In Dancing with Wolves, only these three had a bond strong enough to share a pair of crotchless pants. Xiao Yu sat down, glanced at Li Gang, and sighed; he seemed to know something.

“Xiao Yu, what happened? Tell me!” Li Huan pulled him over, worried about Li Gang slumped on the sofa. Normally, he was a resilient guy—how had he ended up like this?

“Ah…” Xiao Yu was good at setting the mood, sighing deeply before saying, with a sorrowful face, “Brother Gang’s heartbroken—dumped by a woman.”

“That’s normal! Brother Gang’s handsome, but it’s not like he’s the one dumping girls,” Li Huan flattered Li Gang, knowing full well how much effort it took to say that.

“The main thing is, that woman was just playing him. She maxed out his credit card and left him deep in debt!” Xiao Yu clenched his fists in anger, grinding his teeth.

Li Huan was stunned by this revelation. He’d never heard of Li Gang having a girlfriend—where did this woman suddenly come from? It didn’t sound right.

“It happened like this: Brother Gang met a girl online. She’s quite pretty, with an especially big chest…”