Chapter 104: The Woman Buying Drunkenness

Mo Fei sat up, crossing her legs, her gaze turning icy cold.

“There were mosquitoes at home. I got bitten on the hand,” Hong Chen met her eyes for a moment, offered an awkward smile, and waved his hand as he made a casual excuse.

Mo Fei was amused, the corner of her mouth curving into a sneer, her tone openly mocking. Mosquitoes at the turn of winter and spring? That was a sorry excuse.

“Eat first, I’ll tidy up,” Hong Chen placed the snacks on the coffee table. Broom, dustpan, and mop came into play in succession. As soon as he finished, Mo Fei issued another command: “Get me something else to eat, this isn’t enough.”

She was really treating him like a servant.

Hong Chen silently recited to himself: A real man doesn’t quarrel with a woman. He turned to the fridge, found some ingredients, and went back to the kitchen. Fifteen minutes later, he emerged with a plate of steak and a dish of stir-fried vegetables.

Mo Fei glanced at the well-presented steak and vegetables, sniffed, and looked at Hong Chen with newfound curiosity, “You can cook?”

“Did you think I was like you, waited on hand and foot 24/7?” Hong Chen rolled his eyes, rummaged through the wine cabinet, produced a bottle of '96 Lafite, poured a glass for Mo Fei, and another for himself before settling into a single-seater beside her.

Mo Fei didn’t eat slowly, but her every movement was elegant, captivating even in its casualness. Hong Chen sipped his wine, quietly admiring her until she shot him a frown and a sidelong glance. He chuckled awkwardly and diverted his gaze, raising a new topic, “What brings you here so late at night?”

“Peace and quiet.”

“How did you get past security at the gate?”

“None of your business.”

“Are you staying tonight?”

“We’ll see.”

During the meal, Hong Chen asked more than a dozen questions. Mo Fei answered every time, but never with more than three words, leaving him both amused and exasperated.

At last, cutting a small piece of steak and putting it in her mouth, Mo Fei set down her knife and fork and was about to pour herself more wine when her phone rang with a melodic chime.

She reluctantly took out her phone, glanced at the caller ID, and answered. On the other end came a woman’s voice, “My dear lady, you finally deign to answer your phone.”

Mo Fei laughed. “Heh.”

“You disappeared halfway through the reception without a word, didn’t answer your phone. I was worried sick about you…” The woman’s complaints poured forth, but Mo Fei cut her off, “What’s the matter? If you don’t say it, I’m hanging up.”

The woman’s tone changed, turning grave, “Young Master Qi tried calling you several times today but couldn’t reach you. I suppose you blocked his number. He just contacted me directly—said he’ll come see you in person next week.”

Mo Fei’s willow-shaped brows knitted, a hint of disgust flickered in her eyes. After a moment’s silence, she sighed, “His legs are his own. If he wants to come, let him.”

There was a long pause before the woman spoke again, this time hesitantly, “Miss, let me remind you—our filming in Qing City will only last about a month. Don’t get too close to any men, or if your family or Young Master Qi finds out, the consequences…”

Mo Fei’s face turned cold. “I know what I’m doing. I won’t be back tonight, and don’t send anyone to look for me. I’ll be at the set directly tomorrow morning.”

With that, she hung up decisively, filled her wine glass two-thirds full, curled into the sofa, eyes fixed on the TV, though her thoughts were clearly elsewhere.

Mo Fei hadn’t avoided Hong Chen while on the phone, but after hearing a few lines, he tactfully withdrew to the kitchen. By the time he returned, the bottle of Lafite was nearly finished.

“Any more?” Mo Fei pointed at the empty bottle. Her cheeks were flushed, alluring. Hong Chen felt a ripple of emotion but managed a wry smile, “Are you planning to get blackout drunk like last time?”

Mo Fei replied, “Stop talking. Bring another bottle and drink with me.”

Without protest, Hong Chen fetched another bottle of red from the cabinet.

“Last time at the racetrack, you definitely cheated. Fess up.”

“Don’t accuse me—I was just in top form.”

“Hmph, as if. You know the truth. Oh, by the way, in the first round of the Medical Sage Tournament, a dark horse appeared—a guy surnamed Hong, same as you, twenty-five years old, about your age. Do you know anything about him?”

“How would I know?”

“Really?”

“Please, I’m not a doctor. I just drive for my boss. I only heard about the Medical Sage Tournament from you.”

“Oh? But I have a hunch you’re keeping secrets on purpose.”

“Since when do you believe in gut feelings?”

The two of them drank glass after glass. With the wine, Mo Fei loosened up, talking more, and before they knew it, the fourth bottle was empty. Mo Fei, now thoroughly drunk, tipped back the last half glass and flopped onto the couch, mumbling, “Another bottle…”

Hong Chen could only shake his head and laugh. He hadn’t intended to get her drunk for any ulterior motive—he simply saw that she was troubled and wanted to lose herself in drink. They weren’t close enough to talk deeply, and she wouldn’t listen to advice, so he let her be.

He found a thin blanket and gently covered her, set the air-conditioning to sleep mode, turned out the lights, and quietly retreated to his study.

Online gaming kept him up until past four in the morning, when he finally collapsed on his desk. He didn’t know how long he’d slept before the sound of a door woke him.

Rubbing his eyes, he glanced outside at the bright morning sky, then turned to see Mo Fei standing at the doorway, already dressed and ready to leave. She stifled a yawn and said nonchalantly, “Just letting you know—I’m heading out.”

Without waiting for his response, she waved and walked away, leaving behind a figure both languid and graceful.

Hong Chen stood there in a daze for a moment before blurting out, as if possessed, “Come by again when you have time.”

Mo Fei didn’t look back but nodded and walked straight out of the villa.

...

The next day, Friday.

At ten in the morning, Hong Chen, still groggy, received a call from Xu Le.

“Zhong Ma, are you free this weekend?” Xu Le’s voice was excited, “Don’t just sit in front of your computer all day. Let’s go to Nan City for a bit—call it a trip.”

Hong Chen responded with mild sarcasm, “That’s rich, coming from you. When you were unemployed, you spent more time online than I did. Seriously, what’s in Nan City?”

Xu Le chuckled, “The biggest bar in Nan City is holding its annual carnival tonight. I hear a lot of talent scouts will be there. Zi Lin and some of her classmates signed up, so we’re going to join the fun.”

Hong Chen grunted, “Fatty, are you serious about her or just having fun? If a scout spots her and she becomes an actress, your chances together will be slim.”

Xu Le was silent for a moment before replying slowly, “It’s too soon to say. Our relationship is somewhere between friends and lovers. I can’t expect her to give up her dreams.”

Hong Chen laughed openly, “Alright, I have nothing better to do anyway. A trip to Nan City sounds fine. When and where do we meet?”

“They’re leaving with her classmates this afternoon by car. I get off work at five—pick me up downstairs at Hongcheng Group?”

“Sure.”

After hanging up, Hong Chen was getting ready when another call came in. Seeing that it was Qi Gang, he answered.

“Brother Chen, let’s have lunch. I have something urgent to discuss.”

“Alright.”

...

At eleven, Qi Gang hurried into a Chinese restaurant three blocks from Health Hall’s flagship store. He booked a private room on the second floor, ordered seven or eight dishes in one go, and told the waiter to bring them all at once.

Fifteen minutes later, Hong Chen arrived, and the aroma of the food set his appetite alight.

“Chen, in the past couple of days, six different families have contacted me and my grandfather. The best offer is an investment of thirty million for a thirty percent share in Health Hall…” Qi Gang waited patiently while Hong Chen enjoyed the meal, then quickly reported. The aftermath of the first round of the Medical Sage Tournament was greater than expected. In just two days, pharmacy sales at several branches had jumped seventy percent. Next Thursday’s forty appointments were secured by Qing City’s First Hospital through his grandfather, and Health Hall’s valuation had soared to one hundred million.

Hong Chen listened and nodded occasionally. When Qi Gang finished, he said, “Try to stall those families wanting to buy in until after the second round. As for daily operations, you decide.”

Seeing Hong Chen’s casual attitude, Qi Gang gave a wry smile. Most big bosses keep a tight grip on their business, afraid of missing a single yuan, but Hong Chen seemed utterly unconcerned—either totally carefree or possessed of nerves of steel.

Suddenly, Hong Chen remembered something. “Didn’t you say you had something urgent?”

Qi Gang nodded gravely. “Chen, there’s a patient from out of town who wants you to make a house call. They’re offering a million just for travel expenses, and said if you can cure the patient, you can name your price.”

An amused glint flickered in Hong Chen’s eyes. “Who are they to talk so big?”

“The patient is the patriarch of the Luo family. They say he has only days left. They didn’t specify the illness,” Qi Gang explained. “The Luo family is top-tier in Nan City. If you refuse, it’ll be seen as heartless, and Health Hall will have a hard time expanding to Nan City or other cities in the province.”

Hong Chen nodded slowly—he understood. A pharmacy relies on good relations; if you turn away sincere clients, anyone would take offense.

He considered for a moment, then said, “Nan City—I just happen to be going there today. Tell the Luo family I’ll be there by noon tomorrow. Send me the contact and address.”

Qi Gang let out a sigh of relief. He’d been worried Hong Chen would casually refuse and offend the Luo family for no reason.

After lunch, Qi Gang returned to the shop, and Hong Chen went back to the villa. By four in the afternoon, he drove his SUV for the first time. After forty-five minutes, he arrived downstairs at Hongcheng Group. Xu Le hadn’t arrived yet, but he ran into a familiar woman instead.