Chapter 87: This Is Enough (Second Update)

“With that ten thousand you just got, you’ll blow it all in one night. Better save some for yourself!” Huo Xinqi said.

“We’ll just split the bill!” Yang Fan replied with a grin.

“You, a big boss, president of Fanmei Group, splitting the bill with us? Don’t you find that embarrassing?”

“Then what do you suggest?” Yang Fan asked.

“Let’s just find a small karaoke bar, a couple hundred yuan will get us two hours!” Huo Xinqi proposed.

“No way, that’s too low-end.”

“Suit yourself! If you don’t want to go, then come home with me and fulfill your conjugal duties! Your choice!”

“Fine, let’s go then,” Yang Fan muttered gloomily.

The two girls in the backseat didn’t make a sound. Couldn’t they be a bit less blunt? There were still people sitting in the back!

“But, sis, I have to go home tonight,” Yang Fan said.

“You can still go home after you’re done with your ‘duties.’ I’m not stopping you.”

Suddenly, she stopped the car, grabbed Yang Fan’s phone, and sent a group message.

“What are you doing, sis?” Yang Fan asked.

“Telling your wives that we’re on official business!” Huo Xinqi tossed the phone back at him.

“But, conjugal duties aren’t exactly official business. I really need to go home,” Yang Fan protested.

“Why can’t they be official business?” Huo Xinqi retorted.

Yang Fan was speechless, unable to argue.

He followed the group to the small karaoke bar, feeling utterly miserable and unwilling to even move.

Was he really going to have to fulfill his “duties” tonight?

“Hey, hey, what are you doing? Can’t you see the girls are drunk? What do you want to drag them into a private room for?”

“Who are you? Mind your own business!” one of the thugs cursed, but Xiao Liu was quicker, landing a kick and twisting an arm behind one’s back.

“Police! Don’t move!” Xiao Liu flashed his badge with his other hand, and the two thugs immediately begged for mercy.

Yang Fan only felt more wretched.

“Honestly, with your sense of justice, always standing up for others, you’re really not cut out for places like this.”

“We’re just doing a bit of undercover surveillance, that’s why it’s official business!” Huo Xinqi said with a smile.

Yang Fan sat in the private room in misery until after nine. When they finally returned to Huo Xinqi’s home, it was already ten.

“Sis, do I really have to?” he asked.

“This is an assignment from your superior. You must carry it out to the letter. Do you understand?” Huo Xinqi said sternly.

“But I can’t give you happiness…” Yang Fan replied dejectedly.

“I’m asking you to fulfill your ‘duties,’ not to make me happy!” she said, sitting down on the sofa and taking off her coat.

Yang Fan slapped his forehead and sighed.

“Come here,” Huo Xinqi beckoned with her finger. When he approached, she immediately reached for his pants.

“Sis, can’t I just take them off myself?” Yang Fan was on the verge of tears.

At that, Huo Xinqi slapped him.

“What are you thinking? I’m not asking you to undress. I want you to hand over your money and any vouchers you have. That’s what I mean by your duty!”

“That’s what you call ‘duties’?” Yang Fan was at a loss for words.

“What did you think? Didn’t people used to spend ration coupons like money? So ‘grain’ means money. If you’re keeping me, you have to pay up, don’t you?” Huo Xinqi fished through his pockets.

“But I’m not keeping you, we haven’t done anything!”

“Then do it, I’m not stopping you! It’s you who refuses!” she said as she took all his belongings.

This was all the pitiful savings he had left—would he be left eating dirt from now on?

“At least leave me a few bills!” Yang Fan pleaded.

“Here’s one!” Huo Xinqi stuffed a hundred-yuan note back into his pocket.

“This is forced sugar-babying!”

“Exactly. What can you do about it? If you want to do something, I won’t stop you!” She counted the money with an air of triumph.

“You’re spending more and more on me. If you don’t do anything soon, you’ll be at a real loss. Don’t worry, I’ll never marry, I’ll just rely on you to support me. Even if you never touch me, it’s fine. I have my own ways to satisfy myself.”

“Have some self-respect!” Yang Fan said, utterly disheartened.

“That’s none of your business. Just give me the money every month and everything will be fine!” She stuffed the money and vouchers into her bag and stood up.

“All right, I’m going to shower. If you want anything, just say so—I’ll cooperate. If not, you can go home.”

With that, Huo Xinqi began undressing, with not a hint of shyness.

“Oh, and before you leave, make sure to lock the door!”

“You’re not seeing me out?” Yang Fan said, feeling even gloomier.

“Just call a cab. Didn’t I give you a hundred?” She waved him off and disappeared into the bathroom.

Yang Fan collapsed on the sofa, completely devastated by all that had happened.

He turned off the lights, told Huo Xinqi he was leaving, and slipped out. How could he possibly take advantage of his boss?

Meanwhile, in the bathroom, Huo Xinqi showered with regal indifference.

Out on the road, the night wind was chilly, but Yang Fan’s heart felt even colder. He hailed a cab and went straight home.

At the entrance to the garden complex, he ran into a group heading out to enjoy themselves at the club—plus two dogs.

“Ai Xiaomei, will you ever stop?” he called out.

“None of your business. Oh, by the way, the dog peed on your bed. You’ll be sleeping on the sofa tonight,” she replied.

Yang Fan glared, but Ai Xiaomei wasn’t afraid of him. In fact, she never had been.

“Why not take me along for some fun?” he suggested.

“No way. You stay here and watch the house. We’re all staying out tonight, bye!” she shot back.

Yang Fan was almost in tears. Lin Ruo didn’t bother to look at him. Lin Xi seemed willing to take him along, and Xu Zihan offered too, but Ai Xiaomei dragged them away.

“Lin Ruo, take me with you!” he pleaded.

“Just stay home and watch the house. If I come back and you’re not here, don’t bother coming back ever again!” Lin Ruo warned.

Zhang Chen and the others sympathized with Yang Fan, but none dared take him along—Lin Ruo held the card, and they wanted their own fun.

“There’s wine in my room, and some fresh groceries. Help yourself and cheer up!” Zhang Chen handed him the keys and patted him hard on the shoulder.

“Uncle, we’re off!” they called.

Yang Fan stood there, stunned. This time, he’d truly been abandoned.

Watching them leave for their night of fun, he returned home, thought about calling Wu Qian, Xia Yufei, and Zhao Jing, but barely got a word in before he heard Lin Ruo’s voice—she’d taken them all out as well.

He tried Wang Yun next, only to get a scolding that left him even more despondent.

He hadn’t planned to drink, but ended up grabbing a few bottles from downstairs, brought up the groceries, and poured himself glass after glass, the very picture of a man’s tragic life.

As the saying goes, even red wine can get you drunk, and with the fatigue it brings, Yang Fan soon fell asleep on the sofa.

At some point, Lin Ruo came home, and quietly helped Yang Fan onto her bed.

Perhaps when it was just the two of them, they truly seemed like a married couple, able to be together without any barriers. For Lin Ruo, that was enough.