Chapter 204: I Am No Gentleman
Fan looked up at Zheng Sisi in confusion, not understanding what she meant.
"I wanted to get close to you because I feel you're a good person. You're kind, sincere, and you have a strong sense of justice. You're also very principled and have never used your status to do anything malicious."
Zheng Sisi spoke slowly, her beautiful eyes fixed on Fan. "But I also don't dare get too close. It's because you're too weak. So weak that even though you clearly like me, you don't even have the courage to confess. You're also too soft. You're ruthless with your enemies, but when you think an enemy isn't a threat, you go easy on them. You have to understand—they *are* your enemies. They're no threat to you now only because they don't have the power to be."
"You know my family background and status. If we were together, do you think you could help me? One day, I'll have to return to the Zheng Family in Capital City. When my family forces me to give up everything, will you be able to do anything?"
When she finished, Zheng Sisi said no more. She simply stood before Fan, her gaze locked on him.
After a long moment, Fan let out a deep sigh. He said nothing. Instead, for the first time when they were alone, he took the initiative and held Zheng Sisi's hand, leading her out of the bar.
Outside the bar, Chu Wen first comforted Xiaolu, who was still a little shaken from the earlier scene. Then, he hurried over to Zhou Fan, gesturing excitedly. "Brother-in-law, do you think I have the potential to become a master like you?"
To Chu Wen, Zhou Fan had been unbelievably cool just now. 'If I were that skilled,' he thought, 'wouldn't I be able to have any woman I want with just a crook of my finger?'
"Take your little girlfriend home and call it a night," Zhou Fan said, giving Chu Wen a light kick. He was both annoyed and amused by his brother-in-law. The kid really didn't know the meaning of fear, and their mindsets were also surprisingly similar; they really clicked.
It was just as Chu Yan had said: he was interested in everything except managing the company and doing business.
"Come on, Brother-in-law! Are you guys going somewhere else? Take me with you!" Chu Wen didn't get angry at the kick and just grinned. For him, hanging out with those other rich kids was boring. Being with Zhou Fan was exciting and gave him a sense of accomplishment.
"What do you think of this bar?" Zhou Fan couldn't be bothered to continue the conversation and changed the subject, gesturing toward the bar.
"It's decent. The location isn't great, but it's made a name for itself. A lot of rich young masters still come here to hang out." Although Chu Wen didn't know what Zhou Fan was getting at, he nodded.
"If I handed it over to you, do you think you could manage it? You wouldn't run it into the ground, would you?" Zhou Fan asked.
"Brother-in-law, are you trying to insult me? Who do you think I am? I, Chu Wen, might not be good at other things, but when it comes to bars, it's no problem at all. No one in all of Nanjiang City is more of an expert than me!" Chu Wen boasted. Then he froze, a sycophantic look on his face. "Brother-in-law, you're not actually thinking of letting me manage this bar, are you? Because that would be awesome!"
Chu Wen had wanted to open his own bar for a long time, but Chu Yan would never agree.
"Go here tomorrow. Find the person on this card and tell him what I said. He'll know what to do." Zhou Fan took out a business card and handed it to Chu Wen.
"You got it, Brother-in-law! I'll let you get back to it. And don't worry about my sister. If she asks, you can tell her you were with me. I'll cover for you, I guarantee it!" Chu Wen said with a sycophantic grin. He pocketed the card and quickly scurried away with Xiaolu.
"That kid... he's got a big mouth. Don't mind him," Zhou Fan whispered to Chen Yao, so angry he wanted to go kick Chu Wen a couple more times.
"Player," Chen Yao muttered, glancing at Zhou Fan.
Just then, Fan emerged, holding Zheng Sisi's hand.
"Where to next?" Fan was back to his old self, but Zhou Fan noticed a subtle change in his bearing—an air he hadn't possessed before.
"Somewhere with fewer people, of course. Let's go hiking. If we head out now, we can catch the sunrise tomorrow morning," Zhou Fan said with a smirk, his eyes pointedly landing on Fan and Zheng Sisi's clasped hands.
"Holy shit, can you wipe that pervy smirk off your face? I'm going hiking with you this late at night—that's me putting my life on the line to keep you company!" Fan was flustered by Zhou Fan's look and quickly tried to change the subject. 'Things are just starting to go well with Zheng Sisi; I can't let him mess it up!'
"Don't say that. I'm no gentleman, and you're not exactly risking your life," Zhou Fan said, rolling his eyes at Fan. He then looked at Zheng Sisi. "This kid just needs a beautiful woman like you to keep him in line."
The four of them settled on Yazi Mountain, the closest peak to West City, and drove off.
Yazi Mountain wasn't particularly high, but it was a difficult climb. The path was full of twists and turns and was a bit rougher than your average mountain trail, but it was still one of the better scenic spots in the area.