Chapter 22 Strike Out

Yi Duanfang folded his arms around his chest and lifted his gaze towards the docile-looking Chen Kexin. A mixture of feelings betrayed his eyes.

　　Wang Weixi walked over and patted Chen Kexin on her head. In a loving tone, he said, "Did we wake you? Is your hand still hurting?"

　　Yi Duanfang bit his lips as he wondered in his mind if Chen Kexin had really fallen asleep in such a short time span. She would be a pig if she did. Wang Weixi was overly protective of his wife! Standing there feeling annoyed, Yi Duanfang could not understand why a strange sense of jealousy had arisen in him.

　　Chen Kexin stuck out her tongue and said, "It's nothing. I just couldn't fall asleep and I felt bored." See, even a pig would have occasions when it could not fall asleep.

　　Wang Weixi chuckled as he brushed the bridge of her nose and gently said, "Then you may go play some computer games while Duanfang and I discuss some work matters."

　　Chen Kexin complied after she took a glance at Yi Duanfang and gave him a naughty smile. In response, Yi Duanfang shuddered as if she had seen through him and he returned Chen Kexin with a glare. Chen Kexin then cast a longing look at Wang Weixi before she retreated into the room.

　　Wang Weixi's eyes continued to be glued to the door of the room after it had been shut. Yi Duanfang sat down and began playing on his mobile phone. "It didn't know your wife is a fag hag."

　　Wang Weixi turned to face Yi Duanfang. Wearing a curious look, he said, "What? A fag hag? Stop spouting nonsense, my Kexin is very innocent!"

　　"Aren't you shameless by making such a statement? Fag hags can be innocent too!" Yi Duanfang said with annoyance in his voice.

　　Wang Weixi chuckled, walked to the sofa and tossed the bolster that he picked up from the floor to Yi Duanfang and said, "Alright, let's discuss the serious matters."

　　Yi Duanfang put away his mobile phone and curiously asked, "What kind of serious matter?"

　　Wang Weixi rolled his eyes and said, "What do you think? Of course, we are talking about my sudden promotion!"

　　Yi Duanfang made a disinterested face and said, "Aren't we done talking about it? Why are we still on this subject?"

　　...

　　Wang Weixi was at a loss of what to do. This guy truly understood him, the situation he was in and his worries, but not once was he willing to discuss matters with him. It seemed that nothing really bothered him.

　　"How could you still call yourself a brother?!" Wang Weixi blurted out, not sure if it was because he languished over the matter or that he was feeling angry. He leaned on the sofa and sulked.

　　Upon hearing Wang Weixi's words, Yi Duanfang was enraged. "What do you mean, Wang Weixi? Do you mean to say I am not your brother?" The Yi Duanfang at this moment was different from his usual self, at least he was not lifting up his pinky.

　　Choosing not to reply, Wang Weixi took out a cigarette and started to smoke in silence.

　　"Ahem, the smoke's choking me!" Yi Duanfang complained, fanning away the smoke.

　　Wang Weixi simply rolled his eyes and kept quiet.

　　Yi Duanfang put down his hand which was fanning away the smoke, looked at Wang Weixi and said with a sigh, "I have organized a celebration dinner at Fengman Restaurant. I have invited Big Sister Jiang and the rest, as well as Xiaolang and the other brothers, on your behalf, to attend the dinner."

　　Wang Weixi looked up in surprise, "What?"

　　Wang Weixi's reaction was what Yi Duanfang wanted. He crossed his leg and rested one hand on his thigh, touched his chin with the other hand and said with a triumphant tone, "Do you really think I don't know what you are thinking? Isn't it your greatest fear that those close to you may distance themselves from you because of your promotion and start to despise you?"

　　Wang Weixi remained silent. Yi Duanfang had hit the bullseye.

　　"What's more, they had always stood up for you. They will rejoice with you over your promotion. If you invite them to dinner for a chatting session before you start your new job, they would think that you are not the kind of person to forget their kindnesses." Wang Weixi frowned upon hearing Yi Duanfang's words.

　　Once again, Yi Duanfang sighed and said, "Stop frowning. I know you are not comfortable with this arrangement, but after partaking this meal, they will stay loyal to you. They will speak up for you if there happen to be any rumors in future!"

　　Wang Weixi shook his head. Only after a stretch of long silence did he finally said, "It's a fact that I get this position through my father-in-law. I have nothing to say in to other people's comments. Moreover, you are aware that I don't like to suck up to people. If these people distance themselves from me because of my promotion, it only goes to show their lack of confidence in me, and then they are not worth my friendship!" Wang Weixi put of a stern expression on his face.

　　Despite the fact that he was used to being unassertive and self-effacing in the company, Wang Weixi would nevertheless not allow someone to cross his baseline. Although he was not an obsequious person, he made friends with sincerity and would not tolerate distrust from friends.

　　Outwardly, Wang Weixi may appear gentle and unassuming, but his was rather strubborn. This was why Yi Duanfang had chosen this time when Wang Weixi was feeling miserable, to say these words. It was human nature to do things against his will in desperate situations. Moreover, Yi Duanfang was much more of a shrewd and canny person than Wang Weixi.

　　In response to Wang Weixi, Yi Duanfang kept his cool and said with a smile, "Do you think we are still living in our unsophisticated, simple hometown village? Haven't you opened you mind? The heart of man is so unpredictable. Moreover, your promotion is a good thing. Regardless of whether you desire to build a closer relationship with them, it is only right to invite them to dinner because of your promotion!"

　　"In that case, is it a good idea to just invite these few people to dinner?" Wang Weixi continued, as he wore a frown on his face.

　　Yi Duanfang regarded Wang Weixi with a slight feeling of disdain. "This group of us is already friends who hang out often. It's not necessary to invite other irrelevant people. You don't need to befriend everyone, especially those who are insincere."

　　After all, the diplomatic Yi Duanfang still had his own set of principles and boundaries.

　　Wang Weixi extinguished the cigarette and said, "I know what to do, Duanfang. Thank you."

　　A triumphant smile appeared on Yi Duanfang's face as he said, "Why thank me? Anyways you will claim that I am "not a good brother" if I didn't help."

　　"That's not true. Common, don't get angry with your brother," Wang Weixi siad, sounding a little embarrassed.

　　Yi Duanfang snorted then held his peace.

　　"Let me go tell Kexin," Wang Weixi got up to leave.

　　"Wait," Yi Duanfang said quickly.

　　Wang Weixi turned around and with a puzzled expression, he said, "Is anything wrong?"

　　"Are you bringing Kexin along?"

　　Wang Weixi nodded.

　　Yi Duanfang gave him a look and said, "Don't! This is a gathering for the few us. If she comes along, wouldn't we will have to abstain from discussing many things?"

　　Wang Weixi pondered for a moment and sat down, looking troubled. "Then what should I do? Should I leave her alone at home?"

　　Yi Duanfang began to tremble with rage. "Kexin is not a little kid, why can't she be home alone? Fine, if you bring her along and if someone blurts out something unbecoming regarding your father-in-law, what will you do?"

　　"What will they say if Kexin is present?" Wang Weixi frowned.

　　Yi Duanfang snorted and said, "You know how Xiaolang and his gang are like. While they are chauvinistic, Big Sister Jiang and her companions blabber too much. They are used to casual talking. What do you say? What if someone blurts out something when he is drunk?"

　　Wang Weixi was obviously torn and remained silent.

　　Yi Duanfang laughed secretly continued, "What about we ask Chen Keren to come over to keep her company? It appears that she rather enjoyed coming over."

　　Wang Weixi looked at Yi Duanfang, surprised. While Yi Duanfang just responded with an awkward smile.

　　Without further consideration, Wang Weixi nodded. There were no other options for now.

　　Back in the room, Wang Weixi put his arms around Chen Kexin, who was watching a movie. Resting his head on her shoulder, Wang Weixi said with a loving voice, "Dear, I need to tell you something."

　　Chen Kexin turned around and asked in curiosity, "What is it?"

　　Wang Weixi explained to her the plan for the night and added that he could not bring Chen Kexin along. A look of disappointment flashed across her face, but she still nodded in obedience and said, "Alright, I will ask Keren to come and keep me company..."

　　Although this was the plan, Chen Kexin was aware that Chen Keren was not the kind to agree to any request. For this reason, after Wang Weixi left the room, Chen Kexin was still feeling perturbed when she dialed Chen Keren's number on the phone. The relationship between the two sisters seemed to have grown closer compared to time past. However, in reality, Chen Keren had always put on a dispassionate front and it was difficult to read her mind.

　　What surprised Chen Kexin was that Chen Keren agreed to her invitation right away. She even offered to bring Chen Kexin out for nice food. Chen Kexin was thrilled and started getting herself ready. This was the first time ever that Chen Kexin had extended an "invitation" to her.

　　In the living room, as Yi Duanfang read his message on his mobile phone, a creepy smile appeared on his lips.

　　"Oh yes, there is another person who is joining us tonight. It's your secretary. I think you need to get acquainted with her first, so I invited her too," Yi Duanfang said to Wang Weixi, who was cleaning up the place.

　　Wang Weixi continued mopping the floor and responded with an "oh" without looking up.

　　Seeing how oblivious Wang Wenxi was, Yi Duanfang thought Wang Weixi was truly clueless. "That secretary was personally handpicked by the director. She just graduated from school and is apparently very pretty."

　　Wang Weixi continued cleaning and with a dispassionate tone, said, "Really? Then you should visit my office more often so you can see her every day." Wang Weixi chuckled to himself as he was aware of Yi Duanfang's intentions.

　　Defeated, Yi Duanfang said, "Why are you so old fashioned? I was just kidding. However, even if you have any naughty intention, I will keep it from Kexin. So rest assured hee hee..." Actually Wang Weixi was unaware of his real intention.

　　Wang Weixi lifted his gaze to Yi Duanfang and said, laughing, "Dude, when did you become so naughty?"

　　To his amazement, Yi Duanfang combed his hair and said coquettishly, "Your sister here has never really been serious..."

　　Wang Weixi could not take his nonsense.