Chapter 81

Update time: April 6, 2013

"Huh, Dad, you're still talking. Look at what you've done to Zhang Yang. How is he going to get back?" Hong Yaqin walked over, hugged her father's neck, and pouted.

If Zhang Yang were awake and saw this scene, he would be greatly surprised. Hong Yaqin had always given him the impression of being a confident, independent, and slightly arrogant girl. Even when she needed something from him, she always kept their relationship on an equal footing. He had never seen her act like this.

In fact, people have many sides. For example, some people, no matter how old they are, still want to be children and act cute in front of their parents. Some people only get angry with their family. But for the vast majority of people, they only take off their masks when they face their closest loved ones. This was the case with Hong Yaqin now.

Think about it, a beautiful girl running a private restaurant in the capital city alone. If she didn't act confident, independent, and a bit arrogant, she would surely encounter countless lechers. Just dealing with these people would be overwhelming, let alone running the restaurant.

"Hehe, my daughter is already taking the side of outsiders. It seems you really have grown up," Hong's father said.

"Dad!" Hong Yaqin said, her face blushing.

"Alright, I won't say it anymore. But daughter, Zhang Yang is starting a business. Even if you don't support him, you shouldn't oppose him and discourage him. It's not worth arguing over this," Hong's father said.

Hong Yaqin thought the situation was getting more complicated. What business was he starting, and how could she control it?

She had no other choice but to go along with her father's words: "Dad, you can't blame me for being angry. The industry he chose is unreliable. Gambling on jade is a speculative game. No one can always be lucky and win. One failure could cost hundreds of thousands or even millions. Wang Li often tells me that some people have lost everything and even gone insane over gambling on jade. I'm just doing this for his own good."

"Zhang Yang isn't just gambling on jade. He wants to enter the jewelry industry and make it his career," Hong's father said.

Hong Yaqin shook her head: "That's even worse. He has no support in the capital. Even if he opens a store, it will barely survive. To succeed in the jewelry business, it's not just about good quality and innovative designs. More importantly, you need connections, channels, and people to introduce clients. He has nothing, it's too difficult."

"So what if it's difficult? If he retreats in the face of difficulties, I would look down on him. You shouldn't always discourage him. If he needs help, help him. It's just clients, once his store opens, I can introduce some people to him," Hong's father said.

Hong Yaqin's head ached. If her father got involved, things would get even bigger. One wrong move, and it could become real. She quickly said: "Dad, no need for you to get involved. I've already talked to Wang Li and Li Qianhui. I'll find an opportunity to introduce them to Zhang Yang. If he really wants to open a jewelry store, he can get supplies from Jin Yu Ge. Qianhui will give him a discount for my sake."

Hong's father shook his head: "See, you're telling the truth now. You're just stubborn. Fine, let it be. If he runs into trouble, have him call me. I still have some influence. When you have time, invite Zhang Yang to our home for dinner. Don't always wait for me to urge you. You should take the initiative to visit us."

Hong Yaqin said: "Dad, you've had so much to drink, why don't you rest a bit before leaving?"

"No need, this is just a work drink. I'll take a taxi home," Hong's father said.

After seeing her father off, Hong Yaqin returned to the restaurant. Looking at the sleeping Zhang Yang, she frowned. She had a vague feeling that something was wrong, but she couldn't quite figure out what.

Just as she was about to think deeper, He Linlin interrupted: "Hong, you're not going to let him sleep here, right? What if customers come?"

Interrupted, Hong Yaqin's inspiration vanished. She said irritably: "Where else can he sleep? In the guest room, of course!"

He Linlin shook her head vigorously: "No way, no way. My room can't be used by a smelly man."

"That's my guest room, okay!" Hong Yaqin's forehead was covered with black lines.

"I don't care. I'm sleeping in it now, so it's my room. If there's no place to put him, he can sleep in your room. Since you have a crush on him, take the opportunity to push him over and make a done deal," He Linlin said with a mischievous smile.

"You're getting more and more out of line. Forget it, I'll take him back," Hong Yaqin said.

He Linlin's mouth dropped open: "Hong, you know where he lives?"

"Yep, I've been there once. What are you waiting for? Come help me get him into the car," Hong Yaqin said.

He Linlin rolled her eyes. She couldn't resist Hong Yaqin, so she helped her support Zhang Yang into the back seat.

Letting go, He Linlin panted: "This guy is really heavy. Hong, are you really going to take him back?"

"Enough, stop talking nonsense. Come with me," Hong Yaqin said.

He Linlin reluctantly sat in the passenger seat, muttering a few words.

Hong Yaqin drove Zhang Yang's car to the neighborhood. She took the key card from his pocket, showed it to the security guard, and entered the underground garage. The two of them struggled to get Zhang Yang into the elevator. He Linlin leaned against the wall, leaving Hong Yaqin to support the wobbly Zhang Yang.

"Hong, don't call me for this next time. It's too tiring. When have I, the great He, ever served anyone? My first time serving someone is being wasted on this guy," He Linlin said dramatically.

Hong Yaqin was almost driven mad. She said: "Linlin, if you keep this up, I won't cook for you tonight."

"No, no, I won't say anything more," He Linlin said.

At Zhang Yang's door, Hong Yaqin knocked.

"Hong, doesn't he have a key? Why not just open it?" He Linlin said.

Hong Yaqin shook her head: "There's someone inside."

Just then, the door opened, and Pan Hui looked at the two of them in confusion. Then she saw the unconscious Zhang Yang. Seeing the drunk Zhang Yang, Pan Hui thought, "He was drunk last night, left early in the morning, and came back drunk again. Is this boss in the alcohol business?"

"Wow, keeping a beauty in a golden house. Hong, this guy is not honest. He said he came to the capital alone, clearly a liar," He Linlin said.

"You, don't say things you don't know. Help me get him inside, he's drunk," Hong Yaqin said to the stunned Pan Hui.

Pan Hui quickly supported Zhang Yang's arm and walked inside, explaining: "Miss, you misunderstood. I'm his maid."

"Finding such a young and beautiful maid, what does he want? Hong, it seems this guy has ulterior motives. You can't be fooled by his appearance," He Linlin said to Hong Yaqin.

Hong Yaqin didn't bother to argue. She knew He Linlin was the type who got more excited the more you argued with her. If you ignored her, she would eventually stop.

Hong Yaqin and Pan Hui put Zhang Yang to bed and wiped their sweat: "He drank a lot of white wine at noon. Make him some sobering soup later."

Pan Hui nodded, thinking, "Could this be the boss's girlfriend? She comes so often."

"Sit for a while, I'll make you some tea," Pan Hui said. Whether her guess was right or not, they were the boss's friends and should be treated well to avoid angering this unpredictable person.

"No need, just take good care of him. Have him call me when he sobers up," Hong Yaqin said.

On the way back, Hong Yaqin felt more and more uneasy. She had only wanted Zhang Yang to help her deal with her parents' pressure, to give herself some breathing room. But things seemed to be getting out of control. Her parents were really treating Zhang Yang as her boyfriend and even offering to help him. If this continued, it would become a problem. Thinking about her father introducing Zhang Yang to his old friends, Hong Yaqin broke out in a cold sweat.

No, she had to talk to Zhang Yang and figure out a way to prevent this from getting bigger.

Pan Hui said: "Okay, I'll let him know."

Hong Yaqin smiled and didn't say anything more. She didn't have any special thoughts about the young and beautiful maid. She and Zhang Yang were just pretending to be a couple, not really. What Zhang Yang did was none of her business.

Even if she developed feelings for him one day, she wouldn't care about Pan Hui. A maid was nothing to her. Even if Pan Hui was young and beautiful, her status meant she didn't even have the qualifications to be a rival.

Women only take seriously and become wary of other women who are equally beautiful and capable and pose a threat. In this sense, Pan Hui had no reason to make Hong Yaqin take her seriously.

"Linlin, stop looking, let's go," Hong Yaqin called to He Linlin in the living room.

"Wait, I'm looking for evidence!" He Linlin said.

Hong Yaqin asked curiously: "What evidence?"

"Of course, evidence of his infidelity. With our beautiful Hong caring for him, he dares to keep a beauty in a golden house. Once I find the evidence, I'll deal with him!" He Linlin said seriously.

"Enough, stop messing around," Hong Yaqin walked over and pulled He Linlin out.

When Pan Hui heard He Linlin say this, her face turned red with embarrassment, not knowing how to respond. After they left, her face was still red. She returned to Zhang Yang's bedroom, frowned at his alcohol-soaked body.

Sighing, Pan Hui went to the bathroom, plugged in the water heater, and prepared hot water for when Zhang Yang sobered up to take a shower. Then she brought a basin of water into the bedroom, soaked a towel, wrung it out, and placed it on Zhang Yang's forehead.

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