Chapter 88

It was noon.

It was not yet twelve o'clock.

Zhang Ye looked at the number Zhao Guozhou had sent him and dialed Tian Bin's mobile phone. As soon as the call connected, he said, "Teacher Tian, it's me."

But a female voice replied, "Who are you?"

Zhang Ye hesitated for a moment and recognized her, "Sister-in-law, it's Zhang Ye."

"Which Zhang Ye?" Tian Bin's wife asked knowingly, and said, "Old Tian isn't here!"

It seemed she was about to hang up, but Tian Bin's voice came through, "What's up? Give me the phone."

Tian Bin definitely had Zhang Ye's phone number. His wife must have seen Zhang Ye's name and answered the call first. Now, she said, "Why are you taking the call? Zhang is definitely calling to mock you. How long have you two been at odds? You're still taking his call? Yes, you both resigned, but you were forced out, and Zhang Ye, though it seemed he was forced, actually resigned voluntarily. He left in glory, and now 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' is a hit, about to be published. Hmph, what good intentions could he have calling you now? He must want to kick you while you're down! Why are you still taking his call?"

"I told you to give it to me!" Tian Bin was angry.

"Fine, fine, fine! I won't interfere anymore!" Tian Bin's wife was also in a bad mood.

Their conversation was clearly heard by Zhang Ye, making him feel a bit uncomfortable. He knew his call was poorly timed. It was clear that Tian Bin was having a tough time, having lost his job and unable to find a new one. As the saying goes, a harmonious family leads to success in all things, and the opposite is also true. The couple had probably argued a lot over these issues in recent days.

"Hello," Tian Bin's voice came through the phone, a bit cold, "What's up?"

Zhang Ye thought for a moment and said, "Old Tian, thanks for what happened that day."

Tian Bin pretended not to know, "What day?"

"The publisher's phone call," Zhang Ye reminded him.

Tian Bin frowned, "That Xiao Fang, I repeatedly told her not to say it was me who told you. Forget it, you don't need to thank me, it wasn't a big deal."

"Have you eaten?"

"Not yet."

"Want to come out for a meal?"

"No need, I'll hang up if there's nothing else."

"Don't, Old Tian, come out for a meal. We've been at odds for so long, I stole your show, you stole mine, we even had a fight, and we both resigned around the same time. Isn't that a kind of fate? Come on, let's go to that place near the office, the one we had for the celebration last time. I'll be there in half an hour. Bring your wife, we'll meet there!"

"No need!"

"I have something to talk to you about, we must have a meal!"

Without waiting for a response, Zhang Ye hung up, tidied up, and headed out on the subway.

When he arrived near the restaurant, he wasn't sure if Tian Bin would come. It was a bit early, so Zhang Ye went to a copy shop, logged into his email on their computer, found the copyright authorization form from his old job, downloaded it, made a few changes, and had it photocopied. He borrowed a pen from the shop, signed it, and put the documents in his bag. Then he went to the restaurant, booked a private room, and told the waiter to wait for Tian Bin.

After about ten minutes,

Tian Bin and his wife finally arrived, led by the waiter into Zhang Ye's private room.

Zhang Ye was taken aback when he saw Tian Bin, as if he didn't recognize him. The change was really significant. Once a very handsome man, Tian Bin now had a scruffy beard, clearly not shaved for days. His hair was washed but messy, and his appearance was clearly downcast, all written on his forehead. Tian Bin's wife, however, still looked fresh and well-dressed.

"Would you like to order some dishes?" the waiter asked.

"Have you ordered yet? I'll do it," Tian Bin's wife said, sitting down and picking out a few expensive dishes, "Shark fin soup, Dongpo pork, three abalones..."

Tian Bin glared at her, "What are you doing?"

Tian Bin's wife replied, "Someone's treating us."

"I didn't say I was treating you, Sister-in-law," Zhang Ye quickly said.

Tian Bin's wife's eyes widened even more than Tian Bin's, "Not treating us? Why did you invite us to eat? How stingy can you be! Your book is about to be published! If the first edition sells less than 500,000 copies, I'll cut off my head. With so much money, you're still counting a meal?"

Zhang Ye wiped his sweat, "Sister, I haven't received the money yet, the publisher hasn't paid me."

"Even so, you should treat us," Tian Bin's wife told the waiter, "Did you write down the orders? Add steamed sea bass and a roasted duck, the best and most expensive one, not the leftovers. That's it for now."

Zhang Ye added, "Bring a bottle of Wuliangye!"

"Sure," the waiter went to get the dishes.

It was past lunchtime, so there weren't many people, and the dishes came quickly.

"Come, Old Tian, Sister-in-law, eat up," Zhang Ye urged.

But Tian Bin didn't touch his chopsticks. When the wine arrived, he opened it, poured himself a full glass, and threw the bottle to Zhang Ye, "Pour your own."

"Sure, let's have a drink," Zhang Ye poured himself a glass.

Tian Bin's wife glanced at them, "This is good wine, I'll have a glass too."

"What are you drinking for?" Tian Bin was unhappy.

Tian Bin's wife, who had been sarcastic since they arrived, said, "You can drink, but I can't? I'm in a bad mood, can't I have a drink?"

"Drink, drink, drink, who's stopping you," Tian Bin drank first.

There wasn't much to talk about, as they were former enemies, and the atmosphere was awkward. They just ate and drank, with no one saying much else.

After a few rounds of drinks,

Tian Bin suddenly spoke, looking at Zhang Ye and laughing, "What have we been fighting for these days? What for? Look at us now, you're gone, I'm gone, and we've just made room for Jia Yan. Aren't we both crazy?"

Zhang Ye laughed, "We are crazy."

Tian Bin, perhaps a bit tipsy, talked more, "Forget it, let's not talk about the past. If I did anything wrong, I apologize. Here, let's drink to it."

Zhang Ye stopped him, "Wait, let's talk about this. I should be the one to apologize. I'm young, impulsive, and don't think before I speak..."

Tian Bin interrupted, "Stop, let's drink!"

Zhang Ye said cheerfully, "Alright, let's drink, cheers!"

Zhang Ye didn't have much tolerance for alcohol, and a few sips were enough. He didn't dare to drink too much and turned to the main topic, "Old Tian, you still haven't found a job?"

Tian Bin sighed, "No, the radio stations are fully staffed, even overstaffed. They're laying people off, not hiring. I'm not like you; I've worked for years but never achieved anything. I'm stuck at home, thinking of changing careers."

Tian Bin's wife shouted, "Don't talk nonsense, change careers?"

"What else can I do? I don't even have a job!" Tian Bin said, troubled, "I love broadcasting, but it doesn't love me!"

Tian Bin's wife softened, "There will be opportunities, try again."

"How many places have I tried? I even asked in other cities, but there's no suitable position. They just don't want me, they look down on me!" Tian Bin lamented.

"With your years of experience, I can't believe no one will hire you," Tian Bin's wife said.

Zhang Ye thought for a moment, took out his bag, and pulled out a few documents, laying them flat on the table and pushing them to Tian Bin, "Old Tian, take a look at this."

"What is it?"

"Take a look."

Tian Bin took it, and his wife glanced at it. They were both shocked, "This... This is the audio copyright authorization contract for 'Ghost Blows Out the Light'?"

Zhang Ye nodded, "Yes."

"What does this mean?" Tian Bin was confused.

Zhang Ye explained, "The contract is standard, with no special clauses. Radio stations use this type of contract for purchasing copyrights. I modified it from another contract. The title is 'Ghost Blows Out the Light,' and I've signed it. I've left the 'Party A' section blank. Take this contract to apply for jobs, and you'll be the one choosing, not the other way around. Old Tian, I'm giving you the radio broadcasting rights for 'Ghost Blows Out the Light.' It's like my child; don't let it down."

Tian Bin was stunned, "You..."

Tian Bin's wife opened her mouth wide, "Can this work? Will they fight for Old Tian with this copyright?"

"Why not!" Tian Bin was excited, "Do you know how many radio stations are fighting for the 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' copyright? They're all vying for it!"

Zhang Ye said, "Yes, I got about eight or nine calls today, but I didn't sell it."

"Why didn't you sell it?" Tian Bin asked.

Zhang Ye shrugged, "I don't really know why. Maybe I just wanted to help an old colleague. We've been at odds for so long, but I don't want you to be down. Old Tian, you need to be strong. We'll still have our battles in the future. Don't let a little setback bring you down. Ha, who else will I argue with in the future?"

Tian Bin's eyes were a bit red. He knew the weight of the contract in his hands. The few sheets of paper felt heavy. He didn't say much in thanks or refusal, just looked deeply at Zhang Ye and nodded, "Don't worry, I won't be down."

Tian Bin's wife was excited, "Zhang, how can we thank you? You've done so much for Old Tian. Oh, I was so rude to you earlier, don't take it to heart."

Zhang Ye waved it off, "Sister-in-law, don't mention it. The first day I started, I met you and Old Tian at the office entrance, and you were already giving me a hard time. Ha, I'd feel strange if you didn't."

Tian Bin's wife blushed, "Did I give you a hard time that day?"

"Yes," Tian Bin answered, then laughed.

"Alright, I'll punish myself with a drink!" Tian Bin's wife's mood improved.

Enemies can become friends, and some relationships in the world are just that strange!