Zheng Wei would curse him out, but after enough cursing, he would drop even his most important work to find an authentic Sichuan restaurant and drink with Ye Zhengchen until they were wasted.
Today was no different.
Zheng Wei sat down and immediately downed three shots of baijiu with Ye Zhengchen, feeling great.
“Why are you free today to gather everyone?” Zheng Wei asked.
“It’s not me treating,” Ye Zhengchen said boldly. “Wu Ge didn’t notify me about his wedding, so I’m giving him a chance to make up for the banquet.”
“You’ve got some nerve saying that!” Wu Ge slammed down his wine glass. “I called you half a year in advance, and you never turned on your phone! I haven’t slept a wink in the past six months, just hoping you’d turn on your phone and make up for the gift money!”
“Gift money?” Ye Zhengchen understood immediately. “Tell me, what of mine have you been thinking about so much that you can’t sleep?”
Wu Ge’s eyes lit up. “Do I need to ask? Your license plate!”
Everyone gasped: Damn, he really knew how to ask for something. That license plate couldn’t be bought at any price.
Just driving around China meant no traffic cop would dare to stop him!
“Fine!” Ye Zhengchen was generous. “Just take my car and save the paperwork!”
“Then I won’t be polite.”
This reminded Zheng Wei to say, “To prevent me from not finding you when I get married, pay the gift money first, so I won’t keep thinking about it.”
Ye Zhengchen glared at him. “If you can’t find me, don’t get married! Get married only when you find me!”
Zheng Wei was speechless. How could there be such a difference between bros?
In less than an hour, several bottles of special baijiu were emptied. Everyone was slightly drunk and sharing anecdotes. Ye Zhengchen listened absent-mindedly, occasionally glancing at his watch.
“Are you in a hurry?” Zheng Wei asked, moving closer.
“No,” he said, lowering his wrist. He ordered dan dan noodles but pushed the bowl aside after one bite, seemingly unimpressed.
Zheng Wei studied his unusual friend and noticed the half-exposed wallet in his trouser pocket. It was old, with worn edges and discoloration.
