Chapter 22: Playboy? Trash.

Chapter 22: A Playboy? Or a Loser?

Mai Cong was chatting with Su Lichen the entire ride.

"So, what do you think of my car? Pretty good, right?"

Su Lichen had been busy helping Xu Moxing into the car and stowing the wheelchair earlier, so he hadn’t had a chance to chat with Mai Cong or respond to his showing off.

"It's really nice, comfortable ride too. Thanks to our old friend for giving us the chance to ride in a luxury car."

Su Lichen meant half of that sincerely; after all, he honestly wouldn't spend two or three million yuan on a car.

His family was well-off, so he wasn't short of money, but it wasn't like dropping a million yuan on a car was as casual as spending ten or twenty grand.

"Eh, this car's just okay, not all that great."

Xu Moxing had no interest in any of this conversation and couldn't get a word in, so he leaned on Su Lichen's shoulder, drowsy.

Su Lichen held him while chatting with Mai Cong.

From the rearview mirror, Mai Cong saw how close they were and felt a little jealous.

The late-night snack Mai Cong had reserved was at an old house converted into a restaurant on the edge of Yangcheng's old town. The courtyard had bamboo planted in it, along with a small pond where a few koi fish swam around.

Even though it was late at night, you could tell the decor here was quite unique.

Su Lichen got out of the car, first took the wheelchair from the trunk, and then lifted Xu Moxing out.

The car was really tall, so Xu Moxing put his arms around Su Lichen's neck to make it easier for Su Lichen to carry him.

Watching from the side, Mai Cong felt a pang of envy. "You two really... how are you still so lovey-dovey after all these years?"

"Not really, we argue behind closed doors too. All relationships are pretty much the same."

Xu Moxing wasn't fond of showing off their relationship, nor did he like talking about how great their love was in front of others.

It wasn't that he believed showing off leads to a quick breakup; he just thought bragging could easily cause trouble—what if someone set their sights on Su Lichen?

It wasn't that he didn't trust Su Lichen's morals or character; he just figured why borrow trouble and didn't want to invite any problems for himself and Su Lichen by showing off.

Mai Cong felt a bit better after hearing that.

They went into the private room, and Mai Cong sat across from Su Lichen, handing him the menu. "See what you want to eat; it's my treat today."

Su Lichen took the menu and handed it to Xu Moxing.

Xu Moxing took it, flipped through a few pages, and handed it back. "You pick; I don't know what's good."

Su Lichen took the menu again.

The waitress came in to pour tea. Mai Cong looked up at her and asked with a smile, "You look unfamiliar, hon. New here?"

The waitress was a young girl; she nodded.

Mai Cong looked up at her and asked with a smile, "What are your specialties here?"

The waitress listed three or four dishes and described them earnestly.

Mai Cong listened, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth, occasionally stealing glances at the girl.

After she finished, he chuckled and said, "The ones you mentioned aren't any good. Pick another one."

That smile was light, like the kind you'd use when teasing a kid.

The waitress was caught off guard for a moment but still nodded and asked again, "Then what kind of flavor are you in the mood for? I can recommend some others..."

"Kidding. Recommend a few more, and bring all the ones you just mentioned too."

Mai Cong handed the menu to the waitress, his hand accidentally brushing hers.

The waitress shared a look with Mai Cong and said nothing.

Su Lichen and Xu Moxing were sitting close together, looking at the menu and also overhearing Mai Cong's chat with the waitress.

Su Lichen ended up ordering two dishes that Xu Moxing liked and handed the menu back to the waitress.

"Are you our server tonight, hon?"

Mai Cong looked playfully at the young waitress who was about to leave for the front desk to place the order.

"Yes, I'm taking care of this room."

"Alright, go on then."

The waitress spotted the car keys Mai Cong had casually tossed on the table, flashed him a sweet smile, and left.

They ordered about seven or eight dishes. As the waitress left, Mai Cong started talking about cars.

He'd just gotten a new Porsche, with over two hundred grand in options, and he sounded pretty excited when talking about it.

Xu Moxing sipped his tea quietly, checking out the room's decor, occasionally looking up to listen.

Mid-sentence, Mai Cong turned to him suddenly. "Do you drive?"

Xu Moxing shook his head. "Never bothered to learn."

"You can't drive?" Mai Cong chuckled. "Then how do you get around usually?"

Su Lichen said from the side, "Subway, taxis. Boss Mai, we're just working stiffs; saving money's tough."

Mai Cong glanced at him, then at Xu Moxing, nodded, and didn't ask further.

After talking about cars, Mai Cong moved on to fun places in Yangcheng. He mentioned a new bar on some street, a nice night view somewhere, and a good hot spring.

As he spoke, he suddenly looked at Xu Moxing:

"Are you sure you won't stay a few more days this time? How about I make some arrangements and show you around?"

Xu Moxing shook his head. "No need, Mai Cong. We're heading back to Shencheng tomorrow."

"So soon?" Mai Cong looked at Su Lichen. "You came all this way; why not stay for a couple more days?"

Su Lichen smiled. "Mo still needs to recover from his injury; he shouldn't push himself. Besides, I have work on Monday."

Mai Cong thought about it and had to agree; not everyone was like him, with no need to work.

Then he casually asked Xu Moxing, "What are house prices like over there now? A friend of mine wants to buy a place and keeps asking me about it."

Xu Moxing shook his head. "I don't really know. Prices are too high; I've never thought about buying in Shencheng, so I haven't paid attention. A Li, do you know?"

Su Lichen had actually looked into it a bit and started telling Mai Cong about it.

The food came quickly. The same young waitress, now wearing lipstick, came out with the dishes.

Neither Su Lichen nor Xu Moxing noticed, only Mai Cong did.

"This shade suits you."

Xu Moxing glanced up but didn't show any reaction.

Su Lichen heard it too, didn't even bat an eye, and served Xu Moxing some food.

"This one's good, Mo, try it."

Halfway through the meal, Mai Cong's phone rang.

He just glanced down, didn't answer, and declined the call.

A moment later, it rang again.

He frowned, answered: "What's up?"

Whatever was said on the other end, he listened with a dismissive tone: "Mm, okay, talk later."

After hanging up, he set his phone down on the table and casually said, "Ex, keeps pestering me. So annoying."

Su Lichen didn't respond.

Mai Cong let the topic drop, poured himself a drink, and asked Xu Moxing again: "You sure you won't have any? Just a little won't hurt."

Xu Moxing replied, "No."

Mai Cong didn't press further, raised his glass, clinked it with Su Lichen's, and took a sip himself.

After the meal, Mai Cong went to settle the bill.

When he came back, he was holding two boxes and placed them on the table.

"Local specialties—take some back to try."

Xu Moxing was surprised and looked at Su Lichen.

Su Lichen said, "You shouldn't have."

Mai Cong waved his hand: "You don't come often, it's the least I could do."

Since both of them had been drinking (and they were the only ones who could drive), Mai Cong called a designated driver. The Hummer dropped them off at their hotel first.

Mai Cong also got out, gave Su Lichen a pat on the shoulder: "Come again when you have time, I know Yangcheng well."

Su Lichen nodded.

Mai Cong then looked at Xu Moxing and said with a smile, "Look after your leg, next time I'll take you guys to the track."

Xu Moxing replied, "Okay."

Back at the hotel, Xu Moxing didn't say a word.

Su Lichen, who hadn't drunk much, sat down on a chair to rest.