Chapter 361: The Prodigal Son Returns |
"Is there a problem in the establishment?" Bai Xue's face showed a puzzled expression.
Just as Yang Haoran was about to answer, a Night Watch member raised a glass at this moment.
"Everyone, let's toast to Boss!"
Faced with this situation, Yang Haoran had to swallow the words that were about to come out of his mouth.
Bai Xue didn't continue to inquire, but poured a glass of wine for Yang Haoran and filled her own glass.
"Let's drink first, and we'll talk later."
Bai Xue didn't doubt Yang Haoran's words. Since Yang Haoran said there was a problem with this bar, it must be true. However, judging from Yang Haoran's calm expression, the problem should not be significant.
After a round of drinks, Bai Xue became curious about Yang Haoran's previous words. She was about to ask when Guanhai returned.
She didn't ask Yang Haoran directly in front of Guanhai, so she kept quiet and gave Yang Haoran time to talk to Guanhai. She herself joined the other Night Watch members and started drinking.
In fact, she was well aware that the reason why the Night Watch had no objections to her was all because of Yang Haoran. If it weren't for Yang Haoran, the Night Watch members who were currently drinking with her might have looked at her with disdain, just like the others.
She felt a sense of admiration in her heart, but Bai Xue didn't pay too much attention to it. At least for now, the Night Watch treated her quite well.
Bai Xue enjoyed drinking with the Night Watch, while Guanhai and Yang Haoran resumed their conversation.
"I have good news for you. Do you want to hear it?" Guanhai downed a glass of wine and asked Yang Haoran.
"What good news?" Yang Haoran asked with a smile.
"I'm getting married," Guanhai said with a smile.
Yang Haoran's expression changed slightly, and he looked surprised.
"Getting married? When? Who are you marrying?"
Guanhai chuckled, gestured to Yang Haoran, and then looked at the counter.
"You mean... Xiao Mo?" Yang Haoran asked, not entirely sure.
Guanhai nodded and said, "Yes, it's Xiao Mo."
Upon receiving Guanhai's affirmation, Yang Haoran recalled a question. When they entered the bar earlier, he noticed that Xiao Mo's smile was different from before.
Previously, Xiao Mo's smile was mostly to please the customers and boost business at the bar. She had to put on a smiling face and wasn't genuinely happy. Yang Haoran could tell because he had been in a similar situation himself. Therefore, he could relate.
However, Xiao Mo's smile tonight seemed natural and genuinely joyful. At that moment, he didn't think much of it and assumed that something good had happened to Xiao Mo today, hence her good mood.
Now that he learned Xiao Mo was getting married to Guanhai, Yang Haoran understood what was going on. Xiao Mo must have been happy not only tonight but also recently, which explained the change in her smile.
"I thought you, the playboy, would continue playing around for a few more years. I didn't expect you to get married. It's truly surprising and intriguing," Yang Haoran said with a smile.
Guanhai chuckled and said, "The old me used to live for tomorrow, ignoring today and forgetting yesterday. Looking back now, it's somewhat laughable, regretful, and guilty."
At this point, Guanhai raised his glass and clinked it with Yang Haoran's, sighing, "I once foolishly took ignorant arrogance as a capital to show off, disregarding the wounds of others and only caring about my own happiness. Now, thinking back, sigh..."
Guanhai shook his head with a smile, choosing not to continue. Instead, he poured a glass of wine for Yang Haoran and himself.
"Come on, let's have a drink, us brothers!"
Guanhai raised his glass, and Yang Haoran didn't refuse. They toasted and downed their drinks.
After setting down their glasses, Guanhai continued, "There are regrets in life that can never be compensated. There is guilt that can never be relieved. Now, all I can do is change myself, cherish everything worth cherishing today, and minimize the regrets in my life."
"So, you've decided to marry Xiao Mo?" Yang Haoran asked.
"Yes, after being beaten up by Xiao Mo, I woke up. I don't want her to become my next regret," Guanhai said with a smile.
Yang Haoran nodded, choosing not to comment on the matter. But he was genuinely happy that Guanhai had come to this realization.
"Have you set a date for the wedding?" Yang Haoran asked.
"Yes, we've decided to get married after the Lunar New Year," Guanhai replied with a smile.
"Why after the Lunar New Year? Isn't it more lively during the New Year?" Yang Haoran asked, puzzled.
Guanhai chuckled and explained, "You don't understand. It's precisely because it's lively during the New Year that Xiao Mo and I decided to have the wedding after the festivities."
Seeing Yang Haoran still wearing a puzzled expression, Guanhai continued, "You know, I don't have much savings, and weddings require a considerable amount of money. So, Xiao Mo and I decided not to close the bar during the New Year and make more money while it's bustling. After all, the profit from selling alcohol is substantial during the New Year, and the income will be considerable. We'll figure out a way to borrow some money later. It should be enough for the wedding."
Guanhai then awkwardly added, "Xiao Mo has saved some money by being more frugal, but I don't want to use a single penny of hers anymore. Besides, it's my responsibility to pay for the wedding. If I take Xiao Mo's money, it would be inappropriate. So, at that time, I'm afraid I'll... I'll have to ask you for a loan to tide over the situation."
Looking at Guanhai's embarrassed expression, Yang Haoran smiled and patted his shoulder. Without hesitation, he said, "Don't worry, there won't be any problem. Just let me know how much you need when the time comes."
Guanhai knew that Yang Haoran wouldn't refuse him. Upon hearing Yang Haoran's assurance, he didn't show any surprise on his face, only gratitude.
After three rounds of drinking, the atmosphere at Yang Haoran's table reached its peak. Watching everyone's fierce drinking, Guanhai couldn't help but show a face of admiration.
"Brother Yang, your friends are extraordinary. Even the girls can handle their alcohol so well."
Yang Haoran shook his head and explained, "They are like me, not ordinary people. They have a way to force the alcohol out of their bodies. Right now, they may not look sober because they haven't completely expelled the alcohol. Instead, they maintain a balance that keeps them in a tipsy state, enjoying the process."
"No wonder. I was surprised that a young girl in her twenties could handle alcohol so well. I thought she was an experienced drinker," Guanhai said with a smile.
Yang Haoran smiled and then looked at another table, asking, "Are those people at that table your friends?"
Following Yang Haoran's gaze, they saw a group of men and women having a joyous time drinking, completely oblivious to their gaze.
At that table, the men varied in age, from young to old. Some were in their forties, while others looked to be in their teens.
The girls, on the other hand, were all relatively young, still quite small. The oldest among them was no more than twenty. Although they were young, they exuded a strong martial world aura.
At that moment, Yang Haoran's gaze locked onto a middle-aged chubby man. He was the oldest among them, and judging from how the others treated him, he seemed to be their big brother or something similar.
"They are... not exactly friends, but you could say they are friends. Calling them friends might be a bit excessive," Guanhai explained.
Guanhai's words were vague, but Yang Haoran understood what he meant.
"Why did you suddenly ask about them? Do you have some grudge against them?" Guanhai asked.
Yang Haoran shook his head, smiling as he responded, "No grudge at all. It's just that something on him caught my interest."
As he spoke, Yang Haoran pointed at the middle-aged chubby man.
"Do you see the pendant hanging around his neck?" Yang Haoran asked.
The men at that table were all shirtless, revealing their tattoos. It was rare to see people drinking shirtless in this weather, but it wasn't unheard of.
It was precisely because all the men were shirtless that the pendant on the middle-aged chubby man's chest stood out.
"What about the pendant?" Guanhai asked, looking puzzled.
"There's something inside that pendant," Yang Haoran said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Guanhai was momentarily stunned. Then, as if he suddenly realized something, his face changed.
He recalled the scenes from the Wu Family villa and asked in a low voice, his expression filled with fear, "Brother Yang, are you suggesting that there... there's something supernatural inside that pendant?"
[Heartfelt thankyou for the support! SlaySaga]