"You're asking a bit too much all at once."
Honestly, I'd almost forgotten this person in front of me. But seeing an old friend, I couldn't possibly say anything gloomy.
I've always been sentimental.
"Then let's take it one by one. What job are you doing now?"
Lao Wang probably realized he'd overdone it, so he split his questions.
"Unemployed. A shut-in. A NEET. Call me whatever you like."
Boasting has never been my style. I prefer staying low-key.
"How can that be! Not working at all—I'm amazed you're alive. Look at me: this shirt's over 3,000, Deep Blue Sea brand; pants over 1,000, Nike; shoes, Samat, over 6,000. Your whole outfit doesn't cost as much as one of mine."
Lao Wang stood up, showing off his clothes, pants, and shoes.
"Hmm."
I nodded faintly. He wasn't wrong, but I don't care much about fashion. Ordinary is fine.
"What about a girlfriend? Found one yet?"
"No."
Only a fiancée.
"Exactly. With zero ambition like you, how could you get a girlfriend?"
Like a parent scolding a wayward child, Lao Wang sat down, fuming.
"What about that girl who brought you food daily? I'm curious. You swore you'd marry her—even made a grass ring as a token."
"Hmm."
We're more than in touch; we live together now. But that grass ring? She tossed it long ago. It clashes with her young lady status.
"Then you must work harder. That girl's clearly rich. With your current status, the gap's too wide—you'll never make it work."
"Hmm."
Wasn't this supposed to be catching up? Feels like my nosy aunts showed up, prying nonstop.
"Seriously, can't you have ambition? As your brother, I worry about you."
"Thanks. After all these years, you still remember me."
"Nonsense! We're brothers who stole bread, scavenged trash, and snuck into the girls' restroom. Even with different lives now, I'll never forget that."
I won't deny the first two. But the restroom? I was keeping watch while he barged in—and nearly got beaten half to death. Still, his personality's unexpectedly decent.
Dishes arrived one by one. The table overflowed with food—he'd really splurged today.
"See this? Only the rich enjoy places like this. Earn more money, get women, live easy."
"Hmm."
Actually, the food tasted amazing.
"Stop lazing at home. Join my company. Know Ouyang Group? That massive e-commerce giant. I manage over ten people there. You come—I'll give you 1,000 yuan first month, then regularize you at 3,000. Better than staying home, right?"
"Ouyang Group?"
"Yeah. Everyone dreams of working there. Without me, you'd never pass the interview."
Mouth stuffed, Lao Wang kept talking. "I make over 6,000 monthly now. Boss trusts me to check lower managers' work. My real salary? Thirty thousand. Know what that means? I could sleep with thirty college girls—one new daily. Eating here every day, I could—"
Ring ring ring—
Lao Wang's phone blared.
"Where are you?"
"Brother Sun, eating out."
"Get back now! The young master's holding a meeting here. You must personally oversee cleaning—I trust no one else."
"Yes, yes, Brother Sun. I'm coming."
"Hurry."
The call ended. Lao Wang slipped his phone back on his wrist.
"See? The company can't function without me. My day off, yet they called me back. Proof of my importance."
He sped up eating, mumbling through a full mouth. "Hmm, you're impressive. I envy you."
"Hahaha, envy what? Give me your number later. Others need exams for this job—but for you, one word from me. Eat up. Don't waste food. I must rush back after."
"Thanks."
Warmth unexpectedly filled my chest.
Together, we devoured every dish on the table.
"Burp— Waiter, check please."
"Sir, total is 4,600 yuan."
"Charge my credit card."
Lao Wang handed it over grandly, then leaned back, picking his teeth with a toothpick. "See this? The life of the rich."
"Hmm."
After paying, exchanging numbers earned more teasing. Yet I couldn't get angry—in fact, I almost laughed.
Lao Wang's real name is Wang Youcai. Like me, our names were scribbled on cardboard boxes when abandoned. Raising kids must've been tough back then.
Outside the restaurant, he hailed a taxi, claiming he hadn't driven for fun. Before leaving, he stuffed 3,000 yuan into my hand. "Call me if you need anything."
Staring at the cash, a bitter smile curled my lips. I dialed Ouyang Wang, Ouyang Xue's older brother.
Just this once, I'll swallow my pride.
The call connected. First words:
"Young Master Long! It's really you! So long without contact—I've missed you to death!"
"Piss off."
One of my shady friends. We met through Ouyang Xue. This guy's messed up—a total sister complex case.
"I will never give my sister to someone like you."
First meeting: he got beaten up.
"I absolutely, positively will never hand my adorable sister to an insignificant man like you!"
Second meeting: beaten again.
"...Don't hit me. A gentleman uses words, not fists."
Third meeting: beaten black and blue.
"Don't hit me—I'll do it myself!"
Fourth meeting: before I spoke, he punched himself and collapsed.
"Young Master Long! My special trait awakened—beat me, beat me now!"
Fifth meeting: I silently beat him. He spent three months hospitalized. After that, he behaved. Now he always calls me "Young Master Long."
"This time, I need a favor. No problem, right?"
My calm voice dripped with killing intent.
"Ah! Be colder! More disdainful! Scold me without holding back!"
"Speak human. Is. There. A. Problem."
"No! What Young Master Long says is truth!"
Company records showed Lao Wang's job: head of building cleaning, 3,800 yuan monthly salary.
I asked Ouyang Wang to look after him. Transfer him if a better position opens.
After hanging up, I watched the passing crowd. Bitterness coated my lips.
I'll head back upstairs. Suddenly, I didn't feel like going home.
