Mr. Li chuckled, "It's nothing really, just a small misunderstanding. It's in the past, and I didn't dwell on it."
"Since Miss Jian has said her polite words and we've had our drinks, let's consider this matter closed. Miss Jian, do you agree?"
Emotionally, Jian Fei certainly did not agree. She wanted nothing more than to beat them to a pulp for bullying her. But rationally, she knew this outcome was already quite good. As she lowered her gaze and was about to say yes, Ke Teng spoke first.
"No. I still don't know what exactly happened."
"Even if she's my ex-girlfriend, she was still my woman. For her to apologize to another man and drink with him without a clear explanation, how can I, Ke, save face?"
"Jian Fei, tell me properly, what happened?"
Jian Fei found herself acting strangely. Ke Teng was much more powerful than them; in fact, they weren't even on the same level, and his temper was notoriously volatile. Yet, she wasn't afraid of him. In Ke Teng's presence, she could say whatever she wanted and do whatever she pleased, never worrying about the consequences. But facing these two scumbags…
"Can we not talk about it? It's all in the past."
Ke Teng glared at her lack of spirit, feeling as if he might bleed internally.
"Fine, if you won't tell me, I'll find out myself. There's nothing I, Ke Teng, want to know that I can't uncover."
Seeing how he spoke, the director, fearing that any escalation would jeopardize his project, quickly used his superior status to pressure Jian Fei.
"What's going on? Everyone says they don't mind, and it's only you who's being secretive. If you have something to say, just say it! Don't act as if Mr. Zhang and Mr. Li have bullied you and create a misunderstanding for everyone."
With the director's "comforting" pressure, and recalling the injuries on her face and the humiliation of being beaten that day, Jian Fei's temper flared. She sat down on the sofa and recounted the entire incident from beginning to end.
Ke Teng's expression shifted from amusement and impatience to a clear, somber gloom. So, these two men were the ones who had beaten her, causing the injuries on her face! And after beating her to this state, they expected her to apologize and drink with them? It was too much!
"I don't know what to say about you. If I knew you'd end up like this after leaving me, I should have kept you locked up in Shangcheng and forbidden you from returning."
Ke Teng admonished her playfully for a moment, then turned his gaze to the man whose face had turned pale.
"Did you hear that? My ex-girlfriend's father broke his leg and is still in the hospital. Settling this with ten thousand yuan doesn't sound like something a proper man would do. What do you think should be done?"
Although the two men were somewhat wary of Ke Teng's identity, they hadn't truly understood who he was. What if he was just a minor employee flaunting the Ke Corporation's name? Conceding so easily would be a huge loss of face if it got out. Soon, one of them regained his composure.
"I'd like to know what Mr. Ke does in Shangcheng to have such a big mouth?"
"You've already broken up, yet you're still meddling in your ex's affairs. Isn't that overstepping your bounds a bit?"
Ke Teng knew these cowardly bullies would question his identity. He didn't want to stoop to their level by discussing it further. However, dealing with such scum, only overwhelming force worked best. He took out three business cards and tossed them to the three men.
"If you entertain me well this time, I might invest in projects in Tongcheng in the future, supporting your local economic development. Perhaps we'll even cooperate. Do you think I'm overstepping my bounds?"
The three men picked up the cards and looked at them, their eyes widening in shock. He was the executive president of the renowned Ke Corporation in Shangcheng, the son of Ke Jingyu, Ke Teng! The two insignificant figures truly panicked now and quickly offered smiles.
"It's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding, President Ke…"
Ke Teng raised his hand to interrupt.
"Don't tell me anything more. You know what needs to be done. We're all men; actions speak louder than words."
With that, he stood up and extended his hand to Jian Fei. Jian Fei was already tipsy, her head feeling heavy and her body unsteady. She instinctively reached out her hand to him and linked her arm with his as they left the private room. Ke Teng led her directly into the elevator. Seeing her flushed face and how she leaned against the elevator wall, unable to stand steadily, he snorted.
"Drunk to this extent, you're really something. Where do you live?"
Jian Fei, woozy, replied, "Not going home. I haven't clocked out yet. If they mark me absent, all my hard work today will be in vain."
Ha, still wanting to clock out in this state? Ke Teng let out another cold laugh. Jian Fei slowly looked up, her eyes filled with a resentful gaze.
"Are you mocking me?"
"...You're always so sharp-tongued in front of me, so why are you so timid when it comes to others?"
Jian Fei was momentarily speechless by his retort, then sighed softly, her eyes gazing at some unseen point above.
"I am timid. Poor, timid, and useless. I've troubled you. It must be embarrassing for you to have someone like me as an ex-girlfriend, probably becoming a laughingstock behind your back."
This was true, Ke Teng nodded in agreement.
"Don't go back to work. I doubt your boss would dare do anything to you. I'll drive you back."
Jian Fei knew she didn't hold much weight with her boss. If she were truly marked absent, it was such a minor issue that she wouldn't bother confronting her boss, so she insisted on returning to the hospital.
"No need, you have your own things to do. I can go back myself."
"You're not only timid and poor, but you're also stubborn."
Ke Teng said this in exasperation, while also glancing at her attire.
"Let me call your boss for you. Where's your phone?"
"Left in the office, didn't bring it."
"Then go back directly. If they deduct your pay tomorrow, I'll cover it."
Jian Fei was indeed feeling very dizzy. It was already past four in the afternoon when they left, and after all this fuss to return just to clock out… Forget it.
An assistant drove them, taking them directly to her building. Ke Teng followed them down. "Let me see your place."
They had shared a living space before, so even though they were no longer a couple, such a statement didn't feel awkward. Similar to that run-down rental in Shangcheng, they went up a narrow flight of stairs. Upon opening the door, they found another small room, about twenty to thirty square meters. Ke Teng stood at the doorway, surveying the room, and chuckled.
"Your aesthetic is quite consistent."
"Just mock me for being poor, then. I've always been consistently poor."
Jian Fei entered and kicked off her shoes. "If I had endless money like you, I could show you my 108 different tastes."
This was more like her. Hearing her sharp retorts, Ke Teng felt much better. One of the main reasons he had refused his father's offer to work in Shangcheng was that the people he interacted with were too dull. They were all successful middle-aged men who presented themselves respectably during work hours, discussing economics and company plans. After work, some indulged in debauchery, others kept mistresses, and all were hypocritical. It was hard to find even one person he could connect with, let alone two who truly understood him.