Chapter 22: Blind to One's Own Good Fortune

Xiang Yongyang snatched the skewer from Chen Fan’s hand, casting him a resentful look.

"Stop eating and help me figure out what to do."

"What else is there to do? She’s already married. You can’t exactly crash the wedding, can you?"

Xiang Yongyang’s eyes lit up.

"Don't even think about doing something stupid. I was just joking." Seeing that Xiang Yongyang seemed moved by the idea, Chen Fan quickly put a stop to it. "Seriously, you’re the son of a real estate tycoon. You can have any woman you want. Why must you hang yourself on that one tree?"

"You’re one to talk, like you’re any better."

Xiang Yongyang didn't mind that Chen Fan had already bitten into the lamb skewer; he started eating it, one bite after another.

"But I’m married."

"So what if you’re married? You still don't have... wait, what did you just say?"

The skewer dropped from his hand, splattering chili powder and red oil all over his "wife"—a figure printed on his shirt. Xiang Yongyang, however, didn't seem to notice. His mouth hung open, trembling, as he pointed a finger at Chen Fan.

"You... you traitor!!!"

"What happened to our pact to stay single for the rest of our lives?"

"I don't recall ever agreeing to be single for the rest of my life."

Xiang Yongyang slammed his hand on the table.

"Damn it! Why can you get married when I can't even find a girlfriend?"

In truth, Chen Fan was curious about that himself. Xiang Yongyang was the second young master of the Xiang Group; even if he was a bit of an otaku, he shouldn't be so unpopular. But curiosity didn't stop Chen Fan from twisting the knife.

"Make sure you come to my wedding when I hold it."

After a long pause, Xiang Yongyang spoke gloomily.

"I’m sitting at the head table."

"Screw you. Also, your wife is dirty."

"What?!"

Xiang Yongyang immediately jumped up and ran to the restroom. His reaction was far more intense than when he’d been told about his goddess’s marriage. In the end, unable to clean the stain, he had to ask Chen Fan to fetch him a new shirt from his car.

"The keys are on the table, the clothes are in the trunk. Make sure you grab the one where Emilia is smiling!"

"...Fine."

Chen Fan took the keys and went outside. The sports car was parked right by the door, just a few steps away. He had barely sat down to figure out how to open the trunk when someone tapped on his window. He rolled it down to find an attractive woman smiling at him.

"Hey, handsome, want to exchange contacts?"

"Sorry, this is my friend's car."

"Alright, sorry to bother you."

"No worries."

He opened a video site to search for how to open the trunk of that specific sports car. Just as he finished typing, another woman approached. She was also quite pretty and looked young—likely a student from a nearby university. Chen Fan couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation.

"Sorry, this isn't my car."

"Sure?"

"Uh, I’m just here to get some clothes for the owner. If you want his contact info, you can find him in that barbecue shop."

"Are you sure? Sure?"

"...I’m married."

"Sure?"

"......"

Chen Fan didn't want to deal with "Miss Sure" anymore and rolled up the window. Seeing this, she didn't linger and eventually walked away. Chen Fan finally found the tutorial, popped the trunk, and grabbed the shirt—not caring whether the Emilia on it was crying or laughing—before hurrying back.

"Was it really worth getting out of breath for just a few steps?"

"...That’s not important. Xiang Yongyang, I remember you mentioned pursuing a few girls before. Did you ever catch any of them?"

Xiang Yongyang put on the shirt and said speechlessly, "What, you want to twist the knife again?"

"No, I was just wondering, did you ever take them for a ride in this car?"

"Haha, do you think I’m stupid? If they saw my car looking like this, I’d never have a chance."

"Then how did you...?"

"I took a taxi," Xiang Yongyang said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"......"

Chen Fan finally understood why this guy had remained single until now.

"You could just drive one of your family’s other cars." He tried to pull the guy out of the abyss.

Xiang Yongyang’s expression turned dead serious. He said, word for word:

"I would never betray Little Red."

"......"

Chen Fan sighed and rubbed his forehead. *I did my best.*

Xiang Yongyang looked confused, not understanding what Chen Fan meant.

"By the way, let me see what this goddess you’ve been chasing for so long looks like."

"Why do you want to see her?"

"I’m about to meet my sister-in-law, don't I need to recognize her face?"

"It’s 'sister-in-law', and who told you my wife is her?"

"Hm? Didn't you say you were married?"

"I am, but it was an arranged marriage. I gave up on that other woman a long time ago."

"Hiss... Brother Chen, you’re ruthless."

To give up on a woman he’d chased for seven or eight years just like that—Xiang Yongyang was impressed by that level of resolve!

"Then let me see what your wife looks like."

"Well... I haven't taken any pictures of her yet, but you can search for the president of the Xinghai Company..."

Before Chen Fan could finish, the door to the barbecue shop was kicked open with a loud bang.

Both of them looked over. A tall, red-haired beauty with a somewhat flat chest marched in aggressively. Seeing her, Xiang Yongyang realized something and turned to look at Chen Fan.

"You sold me out?!"

Chen Fan shrugged. "Drinking in the morning really isn't good for you."

"???"

"Ning Lu, over here."

Hearing his voice, the red-haired beauty, Ning Lu, turned her head. She marched up to them, her eyes full of fire as she stared at Xiang Yongyang. Xiang Yongyang shrank back, lowered his head, and fell silent.

Ning Lu composed herself and turned to Chen Fan.

"Sorry, he’s been bothering you again."

"It's fine. We were just about finished anyway. You can just take him home."

Ning Lu glanced at the mostly untouched barbecue on the table and nodded. "Alright, I’ll treat you to a meal next time."

"Sure."

With that, Ning Lu dragged Xiang Yongyang away. Xiang Yongyang’s resentful gaze remained fixed on Chen Fan until he was out of the shop; one could only imagine the depth of his grudge.

"Boss, pack this up for me."

"Chen Fan, who was that 'heroine'?" The boss shooed the waiters away and came over to pack the food himself, eager for some gossip.

"You mean Ning Lu?"

"Yeah."

"She’s Xiang Yongyang’s childhood friend."

Speaking of this, Chen Fan felt speechless. Everyone who knew Ning Lu knew she liked Xiang Yongyang, but the guy was completely oblivious. Not only did he fail to appreciate his good fortune, but he also spent every day shouting about his "goddess" in front of her, trying to be a "simp" just like Chen Fan used to be. It had made the poor lady’s temper increasingly volatile.

"Oh~" No wonder she was the only one who could keep him in check.

"By the way, Boss, how much for the door?"

The boss waved his hand with a smile. "Don't worry about it. Young Master Xiang still has credit left from last time."

"Alright then, I’m heading out."

"Remember to come back and visit often!"

"You got it!"

Chen Fan carried the large bag of barbecue home.