Chapter 3: Guan Jiujui

Joyful Sheep KTV was one of the most upscale entertainment venues in Lingyun City.

Yang Dong stepped out of the taxi, paused for a moment to take in the dazzling golden façade of the KTV, then pushed open the door and entered.

The moment he entered the first-floor lobby, he was greeted by deafening music and a surge of heat.

“Good evening, sir. Do you have a reservation?” a male attendant quickly approached.

“Private room 101,” Yang Dong replied.

“Please follow me,” the attendant gestured toward the corridor leading to the private rooms and walked ahead.

Yang Dong followed him down the corridor. The rooms on the outer end were numbered 109, while 101 lay furthest in—and was the largest of all.

The attendant stopped at the door of room 101, pushed it open, and signaled for Yang Dong to go in.

“Well, if it isn’t Team Leader Yang?” came a woman’s mocking voice from behind before Yang Dong could step inside.

He turned to see several colleagues from the Municipal Affairs Comprehensive Section approaching. The speaker was a rather plump, plain-looking woman in the center. Her name was Zhou Hui, a member of his team back when he was team leader.

Previously, after he criticized her for submitting subpar work, she nursed a grudge. He had only meant to address the issue, not her personally, and even apologized, but she was unforgiving.

“You’re here too, Yang Dong?”

“Heh, so it’s Yang Dong.”

At that moment, the other colleagues dispensed with the formality of “Team Leader Yang,” which they’d always used before—partly out of respect, partly to curry favor. Their change in attitude could be traced back to the fall of Yin Tiejun.

Those who played the officialdom game could be even more calculating than the most mercenary.

Yang Dong couldn’t be bothered to argue and simply turned away, entering room 101.

“Still putting on airs. Let’s see how long you can keep pretending,” Zhou Hui sneered, rolling her eyes, then waddled in after.

Inside, the room was already bustling—some from the municipal office, others colleagues of Han Wen from the hospital.

As Yang Dong stepped in, the municipal office staff stared in amazement. No one had expected him to show up on Han Wen and Lin Yaodong’s engagement night.

How could he still have the nerve to come? His girlfriend had been taken from him, yet he shamelessly attended their engagement?

The atmosphere in the room suddenly grew tense. Even the person who’d queued up a love song fell silent.

On the center sofa, Lin Yaodong had his arm around Han Wen, whispering intimately. Noticing the commotion, he looked up and grinned, rising to greet Yang Dong with feigned warmth.

“Haha, old Yang, you made it!”

He turned to the new arrivals.

“Hey, Zhou Hui, Zou Chen, take a seat, everyone. Tonight’s on me—order whatever you like, no need to be polite.”

His enthusiasm was flawless, leaving no room for criticism.

Soon the atmosphere relaxed; some munched on sunflower seeds, others sang, and a few exchanged gossip.

Yang Dong sat down, and no one came over to speak to him—in fact, everyone seemed to avoid him.

He didn’t mind the solitude. He grabbed a beer and sipped quietly.

He was here tonight as a witness to the engagement of those two—if only to make a clean break with his past. He had no intention of making a scene. It was just a woman, after all. He wasn’t that narrow-minded.

Hmm?

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a quiet girl sitting in the corner of the sofa. She sat silently, only nodding and smiling politely when spoken to.

Guan Jiujiu?

He was surprised, but not really. Guan Jiujiu was a nurse at the city hospital, Han Wen’s colleague. Her presence was understandable.

“Yang Dong…” someone called, interrupting his thoughts.

It was Han Wen, smiling and holding a wine glass as she approached.

“What is it?” Yang Dong looked at her, puzzled. Why wasn’t she with her fiancé?

“I’d like to propose a toast,” Han Wen said, taking a sip.

Yang Dong simply picked up his bottle and drank in response.

Han Wen then pulled out an ornate red jewelry box and placed it on the table.

“This is the diamond ring Yaodong got me. It cost thirty thousand yuan.”

Yang Dong frowned, wondering what she was getting at.

“Yang Dong, your monthly salary is two thousand, right?”

He nodded expressionlessly. Han Wen was well aware of his income—most of it went home to his parents, the rest he’d given to her, though she’d always complained it was too little, no matter how respectable his job appeared.

By now, most people in the room were watching, drinks in hand.

“With your two-thousand-a-month salary, this ring cost thirty thousand—it’s about a year and a half’s pay for you. If you count your living expenses and the money you send home, you might not save up for it even in three years.”

Han Wen went on, staring at him.

“So, what exactly are you trying to say? Be direct,” Yang Dong said impatiently.

Han Wen smiled, glanced around to make sure everyone was listening, and said slowly, “I hope you’ll stop having any illusions about me. Tonight is my and Yaodong’s engagement. We’ll probably marry by year’s end. I hope you’ll give us your sincere blessing—can you do that?”

With those words, her intent was finally revealed. This was why she’d invited Yang Dong tonight.

“Yang Dong, did you get that?” Zhou Hui chimed in, sneering. “She means stop dreaming—quit trying to punch above your weight.”

“Now, Zhou Hui, that’s not fair. Calling Team Leader Yang a toad?”

“Exactly! Isn’t he about to be promoted to deputy section chief?”

“What deputy chief? Yin Tiejun was arrested for corruption, the Discipline Commission’s involved, and there’s no hope for a promotion now.”

“What? You mean our Team Leader Yang is finished?”

The room erupted with laughter. Not long ago, everyone envied Yang Dong for being favored by Yin Tiejun, but now they couldn’t wait to trample him. With Yin Tiejun out of the picture, Yang Dong had become expendable.

None of these so-called colleagues had ever been close to Yang Dong; they’d always sided with Lin Yaodong. Why would they show Yang Dong any respect now? Lin Yaodong might only be a junior staffer, but his father was a rising star in the Organization Department—the very office that held the keys to officialdom. Everyone knew keeping Lin Yaodong happy could only bring benefits, whereas currying favor with the now powerless Yang Dong was pointless.

Yang Dong’s face was grim. He’d known coming here would be unpleasant, but he hadn’t expected such blatant shamelessness. Was there not even a trace of civil servant decency left among these people?

“All right, that’s enough. We’re all colleagues here—let’s not go too far,” Lin Yaodong said, raising his glass and playing the role of peacemaker.

The crowd quieted; further mockery might spoil the engagement party’s mood.

Yang Dong clenched his fists, his face cold and silent.

He glanced toward the sofa, but the quiet girl, Guan Jiujiu, was no longer there.

Had she left?

Suddenly, the door burst open and a girl rushed in, panic on her face.

“Han Wen, something’s wrong! Guan Jiujiu is being harassed by an old man outside the restroom!”

The room fell silent. Han Wen’s hospital colleagues immediately stood up, and Han Wen’s face turned pale—Guan Jiujiu was her close friend. If anything happened, she would be at a loss.

“Yaodong…” she called anxiously.

“Don’t worry, let’s go see what’s going on,” Lin Yaodong replied with a confident smile. He had no fear of trouble—after all, didn’t everyone know who his father was?

He took Han Wen’s hand and led her out, the municipal office colleagues close behind.

Yang Dong brought up the rear.