Chapter 77: Frugal and Doting

Su Wanwan took a sip of sake, her pupils dark and still."Since when did Young Master Zuo become so extravagant?"

Zuo Qingyan twirled a strand of her dark hair around his finger, spinning it lazily."Listen to yourself—are you implying I'm stingy?"

Su Wanwan snatched her hair back, raising a delicate brow."Isn't that the truth? You're a miser to the bone, not willing to part with a single coin!"

Zuo Qingyan protested immediately, "Nonsense! That's called being prudent and managing household affairs responsibly!"

"You heartless little thing," he added, "have you forgotten how good I've been to you all these years?""Remember that birthday party when you turned six? I ran over ten kilometers just to buy you that dress!"

Su Wanwan shot him a sidelong glance, unimpressed by his righteous tone."Let me remind you, that was only because you cut the ribbon and diamonds off my original dress to give them to the girl next door."

Zuo Qingyan coughed awkwardly, his eyes shifting evasively. He downed a shot of strong liquor."When you turned nine... I queued for two hours to buy you the newest cake from your favorite bakery! That's got to count for something!"

Su Wanwan poured him another glass."True. But just as I took a bite, my eldest brother came to fetch me for a feast. I didn't even get to go.""Later, I heard you rushed ahead because you were afraid you wouldn't get your share if I joined you."

Zuo Qingyan: "…"

He took another drink, forcing a sheepish grin."Let bygones be bygones, shall we? People must look ahead in life."

Su Wanwan nodded with feigned solemnity."Indeed. So let's talk about something more recent.""Last year, for my birthday, you sent me a massive box—so large it took dozens of delivery men to carry it in.""It took me over an hour just to unwrap it. And what was inside? A stuffed bear nearly twenty meters tall.""Zuo Qingyan, were you expecting me to place that five-story-tall beast in the living room and worship it daily?"

At that, Zuo Qingyan grew indignant."Aren't all girls fond of fluffy things? Besides, that bear wasn't just any toy—it was the largest plush bear in the country. It cost me a fortune!""If you don't like it, return it to me!"

Su Wanwan paused, then said slowly, "No wonder you're still single."

So many years without a girlfriend—it all made sense now.

While the two were locked in animated banter, a chill hung on the other side of the room.

Within a three-meter radius around Fu Liangmu, no one dared to approach."Liangmu, try to see the brighter side," someone offered."If you want to get through life, sometimes you've got to wear a little green on your head."

Fu Liangmu's gaze turned sharp, his lips tightly pressed."Shut up."

Xie Cheng covered his mouth, not daring to speak further. Fu Liangmu closed his eyes and took several deep breaths to calm himself.Don't be rash. Maybe it's just a misunderstanding. Better ask before jumping to conclusions.

He picked up his phone and sent a message.

Just as Su Wanwan was about to check her screen, Zuo Qingyan pressed down gently on her shoulder and placed his phone beside hers.Their phones were identical models—both gifts from her eldest brother.

"We came here to relax, didn't we?""Deal with personal matters when we're back.""Come on, let's drink."

He poured her another cup, clinking glasses before they downed them.Zuo Qingyan slyly nudged her phone with a fingertip.

After a while, Su Wanwan excused herself to the restroom.She picked up her phone, unaware Zuo Qingyan had already switched its position with his.

"I'll be right back.""Alright."

As soon as she was out of sight, Zuo Qingyan grabbed her phone.Sure enough, the password hadn't changed—he unlocked it with ease.

A message from someone labeled "Mr. Fu" had just come in:[Where are you?]

Zuo Qingyan clicked his tongue."Trying to chase after my sister with that face? Toad lusting after a swan."

He quickly typed back four words:[None of your business.]

After sending the reply, he deleted both messages.

Fu Liangmu, upon receiving the curt response, was so furious he nearly exploded.Xie Cheng trembled with suppressed laughter beside him.

"Two-two-three small!""You lost, you lost! Drink!"

Boisterous laughter rang out, even louder than the pounding music, erupting from a corner of the venue.

Zuo Qingyan set down his glass and strode over.A crowd of twenty or so people were gathered, playing dice.

The rules were simple: each player rolled three dice. The one with the higher total won. The loser drank.

Zuo Qingyan, a frequent patron of bars and a dice game enthusiast, couldn't resist joining such a profitable pastime.He pushed his way to the front just as a round ended.

"What the hell kind of luck is this? I've lost so many rounds in a row!"

The reigning victor leaned back with smug arrogance, eyes sweeping challengingly around the room."Anyone else?"

Zuo Qingyan grinned as he sat down across from him."Let me give it a try."

Once both sides were ready, the arbiter shouted, "Roll!"

The two men raised their covered cups.Zuo Qingyan's wrist flicked with practiced grace, his movements smooth and confident.

Sure enough—

"Four-five-five versus one-two-five. Mr. Zuo wins!"

Unwilling to admit defeat, his opponent played two more rounds—both losses.

"You're still green, kid. Keep practicing," Zuo Qingyan said like a seasoned pro, watching him down his drink.

Little did he know, a pair of icy eyes was locked onto him from the shadows.

Xie Cheng folded his arms, thoroughly enjoying the show."If you want to get even, I can help you."

"No need." Fu Liangmu's voice was cool as he took a seat across from Zuo Qingyan.

The smile on Zuo Qingyan's face faded slightly.The man before him was tall and poised, his demeanor refined.

With elegant ease, he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt.Every movement was graceful, his slender fingers gleaming faintly with a porcelain hue.

Half his face was hidden by a mask, but his sculpted jaw and the cold arc of his lips were visible.

And those dark, fathomless eyes—fixed on him with a gaze as icy as a blade.

Zuo Qingyan frowned.What's going on?Did I cross someone?Impossible—he always kept good relations, only teased his own people. Who would bear him a grudge?

"Shall we begin?" Fu Liangmu's deep, husky voice echoed, laced with an undertone of retribution.

"Ready!" the arbiter replied.

Fu Liangmu glanced at the empty bottles on the table."You haven't bought any drinks, have you?" His lips curled faintly."If I recall, the loser foots the bill."

Zuo Qingyan leaned back lazily, exuding confidence. He instinctively pushed at the bridge of his nose—only to meet the cold surface of the mask.

"That's fine," he drawled."Because I don't lose."

Fu Liangmu let out a soft, derisive snort, his eyes brimming with mockery."Let's not be too sure of that."