Chapter 17: Liang Zheng
At the Liang residence, Liang Ye was also being interrogated.
His elder brother Liang Zheng gave him a cold look: "Weren't you supposed to be meeting the young lady from the Gu family today? How come you only spent two amounts? And both under a hundred?"
Liang Ye nodded happily: "That's because we went to eat malatang! One serving for twenty yuan is enough to fill you up!"
...
This hopeless fool!
Liang Zheng really wanted to crack open his head and see what was inside!
Was the family not giving him enough money, or was he, as the elder brother, mistreating him?
Liang Zheng asked him helplessly: "Do you have a problem with me?"
He truly didn't know what to do with this younger brother anymore.
Buying him a car? He didn't want it, said it was less cost-effective than taking a taxi.
Living in the family home? He refused, insisted on staying in a rundown old apartment in the city center, saying it was convenient and the property fees were cheap.
Now word outside was that he, the elder brother, was ruthless and couldn't tolerate his own brother.
He had nowhere to vent his grievances!
He seriously suspected that this younger brother was born by their parents just to torment him.
To his surprise, Liang Ye actually nodded: "Yeah, a little. Brother, you're too wasteful. You're the only one home, why do you need so many lights on? Isn't that wasting electricity?"
With that, he zipped around the house and turned off all the unnecessary lights.
Only the small desk lamp in front of his brother remained.
...
What a disaster!
The brother closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Forget it, forget it. It wasn't like this was the first day. He'd just kick him out later.
"Why did you take the girl to eat that stuff called malatang? Didn't I say all dating expenses should go on my card?"
At this, Liang Ye's face instantly turned red: "It was her idea to take me!"
He even twisted his body a little unconsciously.
His brother couldn't help closing his eyes again. No need to ask—this blind date was definitely a bust.
If the girl had any interest in him at all, would she take him to eat malatang?
Twenty yuan per person wasn't even enough to cover an hour of parking.
Oh, right, his brother didn't even own a car.
His brother waved him off in resignation: "Go on back. I'll find someone else to set you up with."
Given their family's standing, there would always be people willing to arrange introductions.
Unexpectedly, Liang Ye beamed and waved his hand: "Brother, no need to refuse. I've already found my soulmate!"
"Who?"
Liang Zheng couldn't help frowning. He didn't even dare imagine what kind of person his brother's soulmate might be.
"The true daughter of the Gu family, He Huanhuan!"
Speaking of He Huanhuan, a shy blush rose on his face: "Brother, you have no idea how interesting she is. She doesn't even take a taxi when she goes out—she hitches rides. She's so good at saving money..."
...
He might have known.
His brother raised a hand to stop his gushing: "Get along well with the girl. Once you're in a stable relationship, bring her home to meet us."
He knew the Gu family. Their eldest son was quite capable, and several projects he had initiated were developing very well.
As long as there was one child who could handle things, the family could be maintained.
The Gu family had Gu Jingchen. As for them...
He looked at his brother twisting like a pretzel and sighed again.
He had heard that the Xu family's kid had started a business this year, burning through one or two million of the family's money, and it went under in less than six months.
At least his brother had no bad habits. Supporting him for a lifetime would be easy enough.
His tone softened a bit: "There's a birthday banquet at the Han family the day after tomorrow. Remember to invite that girl to go with you."
Liang Ye beamed: "Mm-hmm! She'll definitely come with me!"
After having his brother's driver drop him off at his rundown apartment in the city center, the first thing he did when he got home was call He Huanhuan.
Beep beep beep, beep beep beep...
Beep beep, beep beep beep...
Beep, beep, beep...
She hung up faster each time. Liang Ye opened her contact photo and sent her a message: Want to go to Han family's birthday banquet together the day after tomorrow?
No reply.
He asked again. Still no answer.
Could it be that she hadn't seen it?
He thought for a moment and sent her a red envelope.
The red envelope was instantly accepted. Overjoyed, he said: He Huanhuan, come to the Han family's together the day after tomorrow!
A glaring exclamation mark suddenly appeared—he was dazed and confused. What happened?
At the Gu residence, He Huanhuan had just finished her shower when her phone rang.
She took one look. Liang Ye.
She immediately hung up. He called again, and she hung up again...
Until he sent a red envelope. Her hand betrayed her, and she tapped it open without thinking.
0.01 yuan.
...
Delete! She had to delete him right this instant!
She slept right through till morning. Half-awake, she went downstairs to eat.
Just as she stepped out of the elevator, she heard Old Mr. Gu's giddy laughter coming from the living room.
"Hehehe... you two get along so well... Oh my, that's wonderful!"
Fawning. Totally fawning.
Curious, she walked over and immediately spotted Liang Ye sitting on the sofa. Surrounding him were one, two, three, four, five people chatting with him...
Even Big Brother Gu Jingchen was there. Was this really necessary?
"Huanhuan, look who's here!"
When he saw her, Old Mr. Gu's face instantly bloomed into a doting smile: "Little Ye's been thinking about you. Calling about Lan's birthday banquet would've been enough, but he came in person to invite you to the Han family's! Look, he even brought you a gift!"
Him? Bringing a gift?
A 0.01-yuan gift?
As if reading her mind, Gu Chacha smiled sweetly: "Sister, Second Young Master Liang was very thoughtful—he gave you a very special handmade gift~"
That smile of hers clearly had ill intentions.
She stepped closer to take a look. Oh my, what a big heart!
And it was made from folded cardboard.
...
Even kindergarteners don't give out stuff like this anymore, do they?
"You folded this?"
Liang Ye nodded shyly: "Mm-hmm! For you!"
The big heart was forcefully shoved into her hands, and only then did she see the words printed on its tip.
"Lunar New Year's Gift? Community Committee Donation?"
Liang Ye grinned sheepishly: "That's right. I work at the community committee. Got in on my own merit through the exam!"
He edged closer to He Huanhuan: "So you care about my job? Does that mean you can add me back?"
...
He Huanhuan tossed the heart back at him: "We're not happening. Stop thinking about me, sis."
"Huanhuan!"
"Sister!"
Before Liang Ye could even say anything, Old Mr. Gu and Gu Chacha both cried out at the same time!
Old Mr. Gu's face turned pale: "Huanhuan! Aren't you fully awake yet? You and little Ye are such a perfect match!"
Gu Chacha nodded in agreement: "Exactly! Sister, Second Young Master Liang likes you so much! You can't let his true feelings go to waste!"
He Huanhuan let out a mocking laugh: "True feelings? What true feelings?"
She glanced at Gu Chacha: "Didn't you two go on a blind date the day before yesterday? Looked to me like he was pretty sincere with you too. Why don't you get together with him?"
"Sister!"
Gu Chacha shrieked. She wouldn't stoop to Liang Ye's level!
"Chacha."
Gu Jingchen suddenly called out to her, the displeasure in his eyes unmistakable: "Marriage is no trivial matter. This is Huanhuan's own business. Don't butt in."
After scolding Gu Chacha, he turned to He Huanhuan and said gently: "This family never raised you, so you owe us nothing. You are free."
He Huanhuan had been back in this house for less than a week, and she had no obligation to repay the family.
These words were spoken to He Huanhuan but were more a warning to Gu Chacha.
Don't try playing any little games—he wouldn't allow it.
"Big Brother..."
Gu Chacha was unwilling. She wanted to defend herself a little.
Then, out of the blue, He Huanhuan said, "I agreed to go with Han Mo to his dad's birthday banquet. He'll pick me up the day after tomorrow."
"What did you say???"