He Jitang finished giving his orders and went to meet the elders of the He family.
Just as he arrived at the courtyard gate, he happened to bump into Sun Jingan.
Sun Jingan seemed to have been waiting for him quite a while and said upon seeing him, "Jitang, let’s have a drink together!"
He Jitang constrained himself with reserve: "Mr. Sun, what brings you such a refined pleasure?"
Sun Jingan came over, slung an arm around his shoulder, full of tender warmth: "Why so distant with me? You keep calling me ’Mr. Sun’! Do you still remember when you used to follow me around, before your hair had even fully grown?"
He Jitang smiled faintly: "Mr. Sun is so sentimental today, it seems I must drink whether I want to or not!"
"Pretentious!" Sun Jingan dragged him into the car.
One held a high position, the other was born into notable prestige; the place for their drinks was also beyond what ordinary people frequented.
The Zui Jin Zhao cleared out a whole floor to accommodate these two big shots.
In the sunlit private room, several young girls danced, creating a lively atmosphere.
They were drinking clear liquor.
Sun Jingan was unreserved, having taken off his outerwear and wearing only a white shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
He Jitang, however, was in a light blue robe, quite detached.
Sun Jingan poured the drinks himself.
With a beaming smile, he said, "Jitang, how many years has it been since we last drank like this?"
He Jitang held his glass, smiling slightly.
He said: "Probably since Mr. Sun held substantial power!"
"Pretentious again!" Sun Jingan half-jokingly responded: "I have always respected my teacher, and regarded you as my own younger brother, where does this talk of power and influence come from? Jitang, I need to fill your glass to the brim for speaking improperly."
He Jitang looked directly at Sun Jingan.
With a slight smile, he said: "What if I refuse to drink? Would Mr. Sun say I am the type to refuse toasts and require penalties?"
Suddenly, he became confrontational.
Sun Jingan was surprised, but managed to catch the curveball.
He stood up and gently pressed down on He Jitang’s shoulder, chuckling: "Then this penalty drink, I’ll drink it for you!"
Down went a glass of clear liquor.
Sun Jingan didn’t even frown.
He Jitang, however, looked down: "Sun Jingan, what is this? Playing the savior? Your tricks won’t work on me!"
Sun Jingan’s expression grew cold.
He simply gave up pretense, setting down his glass with a cold laugh: "Quite the personality! You must feel great, but what about the teacher and his wife? If they were to lose a son in their old age, to whom would they tally this account?"
He Jitang’s gaze was piercing: "Sun Jingan, are you so sure of yourself?"
"I am not!" Sun Jingan candidly replied: "You’re quite formidable! I admit defeat! Can we stop the sarcasm and just have a good drink?"
He Jitang said nothing more.
He picked up his glass and drank it down in one gulp.
Sun Jingan’s eyes were intense.
He drank more fiercely than He Jitang, and after a few cups, Sun Jingan was drunkenly sprawled on the table.
He Jitang held his cup, speaking softly: "Take Mr. Sun home!"
Instantly, two men in black emerged, escorting Sun Jingan out, one on each side.
Sun Jingan was drunk, muttering, "Jitang, I thought of you as a brother, yet you keep your distance from me!"
He Jitang gripped the cup in his hand, tight!
He laughed coldly: What a brother!
Back then, he was wholeheartedly devoted to Sun Jingan, admired and followed him.
Sun Jingan was a ray of light in his life!
That night, he mustered the courage to call him for help, but the man said: "Jitang, if it’s urgent, wait until I return from my business trip!"
The call ended.
That year, the young Jitang watched as several tall figures approached him, and once again he was beaten until he bled profusely...
From that day on, he realized he could rely on no one.
In this world, it was he, He Jitang, who would rewrite the rules.