"Manager Fang?"
Upon hearing this, everyone present, except for Han Song and others who knew Chen Yang's job situation, including Liu Xinyao, all turned to look at Chen Yang with surprised expressions.
"Clear that table and put it next to this one!" Chen Yang pointed to the table next to him. "Also, bring five cases of Budweiser, uh... and a bottle of red wine, a 2004 Chateauubey Chevelle! Put it on my tab, I'll settle with finance later!"
"Okay! Manager Fang, please wait a moment!" Xiao Guo replied respectfully, turning to clear the table.
Second Brother, I've really gone all out, you have to live up to my expectations!
Chen Yang thought to himself. That bottle of red wine alone costs over two thousand yuan at the bar. Even if Chen Yang, as an employee, pays at cost price, it'll still be over fourteen hundred yuan. Adding other expenses, Chen Yang will spend at least three or four thousand yuan tonight.
Chen Yang rubbed his nose and looked at Liu Xinyao and the others, asking:
"Classmates, you don't have any objections, do you? I just wanted more people to make it more lively, to celebrate my birthday!"
"Wait! Wait!" Yang Xiaoxian ignored Chen Yang's question, staring at his face and asking, "What did that waiter call you? Manager Fang?"
Chen Yang shrugged and said casually:
"Yeah! Didn't I just tell you? I come here every day because I work here!"
Han Song chimed in:
"Yang, Chen Yang has been working part-time at this bar, earning his own tuition and living expenses! Not long ago, because of his excellent work, the boss promoted him to manager, overseeing all the waiters."
After Han Song's explanation, the girls all looked enlightened. No wonder Chen Yang seemed so familiar with this place and so close to the bartender; so he worked here! Liu Xinyao's dislike for Chen Yang lessened slightly, but she still despised his character. Even if Chen Yang was talented and independent, these qualities couldn't erase the negative impression of him being two-timing.
At this moment, Xiao Guo had already pushed the tables together and diligently brought over several chairs.
Seeing that the girls didn't object, Chen Yang invited Han Song and the others to sit down. Han Song and Cao Xiao had come with their families, so they naturally sat with their girlfriends. Chen Yang arranged for Chi Yunfei to sit at the very edge of their group, making him next to Yang Xiaoxian.
After sitting down, Chi Yunfei was so nervous that he didn't know where to put his hands. His eyes were fixed straight ahead, his neck stiff, and he looked very unnatural.
Apart from Chi Yunfei and the aloof Liu Xinyao, the others chatted quite amicably, after all, they were all classmates from the same school. Chen Yang was generous today, and unlike last time, he didn't argue with Yang Xiaoxian. Plus, it was her birthday, so Yang Xiaoxian didn't give him a hard time.
Chen Yang opened a bottle of red wine, then several bottles of Budweiser, and said with a smile,
"Boys, drink beer. Girls who don't want beer can have red wine. Help yourselves!"
After saying that, Chen Yang picked up a bottle of Budweiser himself and said,
"Everyone, today is Yang Xiaoxian's birthday. Let's have a toast to wish her a happy birthday! Girls, feel free to drink as you like, but boys must chug a bottle!"
Everyone then took what they needed. Han Song and Cao Xiao were the first to grab a bottle of beer. Chi Yunfei, who never drank, hesitated for a moment before also picking up a bottle. Most of the girls chose red wine, while Yang Xiaoxian boldly chose beer. Liu Xinyao didn't say anything, just picked up her drink glass. Everyone knew her personality, so no one forced her.
After clinking glasses, most of the girls opted for a small sip, except for the tomboy Yang Xiaoxian. Like Chen Yang and the others, she tilted her head back and chugged the bottle, finishing it even faster than Chi Yunfei.
The small bottle of Budweiser wasn't much, but Chi Yunfei took two or three sips to finish it. He choked on the last sip, putting down the bottle and coughing incessantly, his face turning bright red.
Chen Yang couldn't help but shake his head inwardly. His second brother, aside from being good at studying, was really lacking in other areas; even drinking beer was a mess for a grown man.
Yang Xiaoxian, sitting next to Chi Yunfei, quickly patted him gently on the back and handed him some tissues from the table, making Cao Xiao, Chen Yang, and the others' eyes light up.
"It really is true that fools have their luck!" Chi Yunfei didn't even dare to look at Yang Xiaoxian. After taking the tissue, he mumbled "Thank you" and hastily wiped his mouth.
"If you can't drink, then drink less!" Yang Xiaoxian glanced at Chen Yang and said, "It's all your Manager Fang's bad idea. Why do guys have to chug bottles? It's my birthday today, I'll set the rules. Everyone can drink as they please, no pressure!"
"Okay, okay! The birthday boy is the boss!" Chen Yang replied with a smile in his eyes.
Cao Xiao nudged Chen Yang, leaned closer, and whispered with a smile, "Third Brother, things are looking good..."
Seeing Yang Xiaoxian's hearty drinking, Liu Xinyao couldn't help but remind her, "Xiaoxian...a girl should be more ladylike. You're always so carefree, you might never get married!"
Yang Xiaoxian reached for another bottle of beer, nonchalantly saying, "It's better if I don't get married! These days, men all like the 'little vixen' type, so tasteless..."
After saying that, Yang Xiaoxian's gaze intentionally or unintentionally glanced at Ning Qiaoqian, who was mixing drinks at the bar. Seeing that she was actually targeting Sister Qian, Chen Yang couldn't stand it anymore and couldn't help but half-jokingly... He jokingly remarked:
"Only the pretty ones have a chance to be called fairies! Some people, even if they cultivate for thousands of years, are at best just monsters..."
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiaoxian showed signs of anger again, so Chen Yang quickly changed the subject:
"Ah! Right, you were just talking about ladies. I've heard of a shortcut to becoming a lady..."
The girls' eyes were immediately drawn to him. Even Yang Xiaoxian temporarily forgot Chen Yang's earlier sarcasm and couldn't help but ask curiously:
"What shortcut?"
"It's when you say 'I', say 'I am' instead, and you'll be a lady!" Chen Yang replied with a grin.
"Pfft..." The girls had thought Chen Yang would have some profound insight, but after hearing this, they were all greatly disappointed. Yang Xiaoxian glanced at Chen Yang and said,
"Go to hell with your legs!"
"Hahaha…"
Upon hearing Yang Xiaoxian's words, everyone burst into loud laughter. Cao Xiao, who rarely saw Chen Yang get the short end of the stick, laughed so hard she pounded her chest and stomped her feet, whispering in Chen Yang's ear,
"Third Brother, our future Second Sister-in-law is quite fierce! She's a perfect complement to Second Brother, hahaha!"
Chen Yang smiled helplessly and scratched his head, saying,
"Looks like it's impossible to mold Yang Xiaoxian into a lady!"
At this moment, Chi Yunfei, who had been sullen, suddenly looked up and said,
"Third Brother, some things can't be achieved just by trying. It's like a fifty-yuan note; no matter how beautifully designed, it's not as appealing as a hundred-yuan note! Besides, not every man likes the ladylike type. I think Yang…" "Xiaoxian is straightforward and outspoken, which is great!"
The lively scene, which had just become noisy because of Yang Xiaoxian's comment, "Go to hell with your grandma's legs," suddenly fell silent. Everyone looked at Chi Yunfei with strange eyes. The academic genius was usually a taciturn man, barely speaking since entering, but unexpectedly, he uttered something surprising, and the implication seemed to be that he had a crush on Yang Xiaoxian…
Chen Yang looked at Chi Yunfei and murmured:
"Second brother, after knowing you for so long, this is the most philosophical thing you've ever said! A genius is a genius, I admire you!"
Yang Xiaoxian, however, patted Chi Yunfei's shoulder without a care in the world, beaming with joy, and said:
"Brother! I like what you said!"
"Chen Yang, is it your classmate's birthday?" Just as everyone was chatting happily, a lazy and sexy voice came from behind. Everyone turned to look, and there stood Ning Qiaoqian, carrying a tray with over a dozen brightly colored cocktails. The gently swirling liquor shimmered beautifully under the bar lights. Ning Qiaoqian placed the tray on the table, smiling broadly, and said,
"These are cocktails I made myself, it's on me!"
As she spoke, Ning Qiaoqian's hand casually rested on Chen Yang's shoulder, her gaze intentionally or unintentionally lingering on Liu Xinyao's face.
Yang Xiaoxian had wanted to try the cocktails since entering the bar, and now, seeing the vibrantly colored glasses before her, she said happily,
"Thank you, sister..."
"Hmph..."
Just then, Liu Xinyao snorted coldly, stood up, and said to Yang Xiaoxian,
"Xiaoxian, I'm not feeling well, I'm going back to school! You guys have fun!"
With that, Liu Xinyao turned to leave. "Hey classmate, why don't you try my cocktail first?" Ning Qiaoqian's voice rang out, her eyes fixed on Chen Yang, her gaze full of mockery.
"Yeah, Xinyao, sit a little longer!"
"Everyone's here, it'll be no fun going back alone!"
The girls chimed in, trying to persuade her. Liu Xinyao gave Ning Qiaoqian a cold look; the hand on Chen Yang's shoulder seemed incredibly irritating to her. Liu Xinyao said disdainfully,
"I have no interest in your cocktail!"
With that, Liu Xinyao turned and left the bar without a word.
"Xinyao..." Yang Xiaoxian immediately stood up, wanting to chase after her, but Chen Yang quickly stopped her, saying,
"Hey! You're the birthday girl, you can't leave. I'll go, I promise I'll get Liu Xinyao back to school safely..."
He was joking! If Yang Xiaoxian left, his buddies, especially Chi Yunfei, would have made a wasted trip. Yang Xiaoxian glanced at Chen Yang suspiciously, then asked with a pout,
"You're protecting Xinyao's safety? You're not going to steal from her, are you?"
"You..." Chen Yang pointed at Yang Xiaoxian, feeling a surge of anger, "You don't believe me, huh? Fine, I'm too lazy to run away!"
"Fine, fine! You can take her then! Hurry up and get out of there, you'll be far away soon!" Yang Xiaoxian thought for a moment; with so many classmates celebrating her birthday, it wouldn't be appropriate to just run away like that. Since Chen Yang was willing to take her, she'd let him.
If Chen Yang really dared to lay a hand on Liu Xinyao, that would be perfect. She wouldn't even have to lift a finger; someone would take care of him! Thinking of Liu Xinyao's powerful background, especially her fierce brother, Yang Xiaoxian couldn't help but mischievously imagine Chen Yang being beaten to a pulp, and a faint smile naturally appeared on her lips. Chen Yang had no idea what Yang Xiaoxian was thinking. He glared at Ning Qiaoqian, the instigator, and jogged out of the bar.