Chapter 3The Ex-Files: Drunk Dialing Destiny

Charles and his secretary were already waiting downstairs.

I got in the car, instinctively wanted to say hello, didn't see anyone.

Secretary Lee glanced at me.

"Looking for Mr. Chen? We're picking him up now."

"Oh, okay." I paused, "Secretary Lee, do you accompany Mr. Chen to these dinners?"

"Mr. Chen doesn't drink much, no need for company. I wait in the car."

"Then do you know who Mr. Chen is meeting this time?"

"Not clear on this one."

He slowed down, stopping by the roadside.

Charles just walked out of a tea shop.

The packaging bag in his hand looked very familiar.

My back sweated, looking down at the gift box beside me.

No way, such a coincidence?

Charles opened the door, putting the stuff beside him casually.

I peeked through the rearview mirror.

Headache worsening.

Identical gift, how to give?

Eyes met.

Charles reported a location, then asked me.

"Autumn, brought the gift?"

I turned back, slowly lifting the gift box for him to see.

He almost choked laughing.

"Young people drink this tea?"

"But you bought it too."

"I'm taking this to give to his dad casually! You're a bit tactless, only focused on picking expensive ones right?"

"...Mr. Chen, men's gifts, get too personal and it crosses the line."

Cufflinks, ties, belts, watches, all intimate items.

Truly versatile are tobacco, alcohol, tea.

Turning the intersection, the car stopped by a Chinese courtyard.

I carried the gift following Charles.

In the restaurant private room, several people were chatting.

Turned to glimpse us, greeting and pulling chairs.

I locked eyes with one person, both stunned for seconds.

Zack, seeing me enter with Charles one after another, eyes wide.

I nodded at him, heart skipped a beat.

Running into a high school alum here?

I wasn't close with Zack.

Met a few times, all because of Ethan.

Noise all around.

"Early, Prince Chen, not late this time?"

"Hm? Brought a sister too?"

"Changed taste? Remember the last one wasn't this style."

"We gather once, only you bring a girl."

"Seriously, restrain your playing. If we had your scandals, our legs would be broken."

Charles scoffed.

"Sick? Go treat it. This is my employee. Autumn, put your gift on that table."

Gifts on the table were open.

Jade raw stones, jewelry, riding crops, watches.

Two identical tea cakes placed there, incredibly abrupt.

Teasing that just calmed down returned.

"Why give the same thing?"

"Wearing couple outfits, giving couple gifts?"

"Zack, usually you talk the most, why silent now?"

Zack looked indescribable, squeezed out words after a while.

"This... I dare not say."

I sat in the corner smiling bitterly.

This kind of occasion, can't pass without a few teases.

Footsteps approached steadily from the corridor.

People around suddenly started touching things quickly.

The second the door opened, confetti exploded.

"Congrats Prince Sterling on getting another year older!"

I applauded with everyone, suddenly sitting up straight.

Who?

Named Sterling?

Confetti fell.

The person at the door dusted confetti off his shoulder, half helpless half silent.

"How many times you gonna play this trick?"

Across years, voice no longer familiar.

Shedding some clarity, adding steadiness.

My back stiffened, face steaming.

Ethan stood by the door hands in pockets, face slowly cooling.

Silence for a moment.

People at the table confused, looking at each other.

"Prince Sterling come sit."

Waiter waited aside, waiting to take his coat.

I lowered my head, actively avoiding gaze.

Zack coughed a few times, smoothing things over.

"Sit first Ethan, talk later."

After a while, he pulled a chair and sat.

Drank a glass of warm water, eyelids lowered looking at Charles.

"Not introducing?"

Charles patted my chair back.

"Autumn, my company's most capable streamer, whatever she pushes goes viral. Brought her to meet people, you guys look after her if there's business."

I stood up and smiled at the right time, bowing slightly.

"Whoa, who's worth you bringing personally for face?"

"Should we call her sister-in-law?"

Zack held back, "Stop asking, stop asking."

Charles cleared his throat.

"Just have fun with me, don't drag innocent people in, is this really my girlfriend?"

"So she's here." Ethan didn't lift his head, "Thought I'd be drinking Prince Chen's wedding wine soon."

I stared at the cup in front of me, playing background.

Two or three at the table responded.

"Sorry girl, I'll punish myself a cup."

"Charles Chen you too, not discussing business, why bring an employee?"

"Right, haven't toasted the birthday boy yet. Come come come drink one."

"Fortune as wide as the East Sea, life as long as the South Mountain ha."

"Stealing my lines?"

Ethan refused no one, drinking toasts one by one.

I listened to laughter, feeling unreal.

Brain buzzing, dizziness like just waking up.

His birthday, isn't it in New Year?

Everyone toasted, only I was silent.

Charles kicked my chair leg lightly.

I snapped back from silence, holding wine glass standing up.

"I'm clumsy with words, wish President Sterling success in career, good health."

Ethan leaned back in the chair, raising hand for someone to pass the bottle.

Drank half glass in front of him, refilled.

He raised glass casually, toasting me, drinking it all.

Charles half joking.

"Cup after cup, haven't seen your capacity this big usually, don't drink too much."

He pressed his brow, tone indifferent.

"Can talk if you can speak."

Atmosphere weird, someone threw the topic to me.

"How many years has Miss Autumn done new media?"

"Two years."

"Results so good in just two years." That person slightly surprised, "Solid foundation?"

I smiled, "What foundation, back then I had a speech impediment. Later graduated and did sales for a year, forcing speech fluent."

Zack stunned, "Sales with your degree?"

People looked sideways.

"Zack, you know her?"

"Met a few times before." Zack explained, looking at me, "Why not find an easier job?"

I mocked myself.

"Who wants an employee who can't speak fluently?"

Every year prestigious graduates are countless, companies can choose the best.

Motivated, strong ability, energetic.

Willing to learn, self-reflecting, good image and temperament.

Introversion became a big flaw.

Poor communication skills, couldn't pass round one.

Used to circle a safe zone with Ethan.

Always felt he wouldn't ignore me.

With him, it would be fine.

Since someone covers the bottom, why work hard?

I escaped every day.

After all, doing one thing might encounter many difficulties.

But doing nothing, the only difficulty is making up your mind.

Until after breakup I started facing my own issues.

Can't speak fluently, waiting to starve without finding work.

Fall recruitment, spring recruitment, thesis, graduation destination confirmation, urging employment.

I practiced retelling news broadcasts every day, gave up fall recruitment.

Spring recruitment failed again.

Soon finished thesis and graduated.

Then became a member of the unemployed army.

At a dead end, I found the gift Ethan gave me on breakup day.

Wanted to sell it, exchange for some buffer living expenses.

Opened to find a rare leather bag in the box.

And a two million dollar check.

The one his mom gave was torn long ago.

In the gift box was a new one, signed in his name.

He still left me a way out.

I sat in the cramped rental, suddenly lost control of emotions.

Everything ended.

From the moment I decided to use this money, it was parting ways, never seeing again.

With that money, I didn't worry about livelihood.

So found a sales job.

Rejected in interview.

I stopped HR, said I didn't want base salary.

Just give me a platform to open my mouth.

Successfully stayed.

Every morning and evening, company required employees to read work goals aloud, excited like chicken blood.

Those looking not wild enough would be nitpicked for attitude.

I let go, called out and scolded many times.

After morning reading, back to desk making harassment calls.

Hung up directly when lucky.

Cursed parents when unlucky.

Every time cursed by clients on the other side, I sincerely said thank you.

Other side confused, I took opportunity to sell insurance.

Then cursed idiot again, hung up.

When lucky, could cover rent with sales.

No one mocked my stuttering anymore.

I switched jobs, started as assistant streamer.

Promoted to streamer on face, stricter work requirements, often scolded by audience and supervisor.

Secretly cried at first.

But when I earned 50k a month for the first time, didn't feel scolding anymore.

I love work.

I want money to fill the spent savings.

Like making up two million makes me owe Ethan nothing.

Work is busy.

Rarely have time to think of him.

I miss him very much.

Ethan focused on food.

I watched him secretly.

Picking key nodes, stating past few years truthfully.

Not far away, someone handed a business card.

"My friend's designer brand doing promotion recently. If Miss Autumn is interested, can contact her to discuss cooperation."

I quickly took the card.

New jewelry brand in the industry.

Invited promotion ambassadors usually famous rich wives and ladies.

Normally I couldn't take this private job.

Charles raised a brow, "Take it if they flatter you, doesn't count as private work."

I put palms together bowing, whispering.

"Thank you boss."

Turning face, met Ethan's gaze.

He lowered eyes looking at phone, stood up leaving table.

"I'll make a call, you continue."

Birthday boy left, atmosphere relaxed immediately.

I stopped participating, eating silently.

Charles turned to me.

"Open another table for you next door, call Secretary Lee to send you back after eating."

"No need, Mr. Chen eat slowly, I'll go back myself."

I took bag to leave.

Just out the door, uproar in the private room.

Zack jumped up pouncing on Charles.

Grabbing collar, exasperated.

"Good one Charles Chen, I kindly told you stories, you brought the protagonist to stir shit right?"

"Autumn can't forget him, isn't it good for them to meet? Maybe Ethan still likes her, just reunite."

"Does he look like he's still interested?"

Charles laughed loudly.

"Zack you haven't dated don't bark. I say they are guaranteed to get back together, believe it?"

Several unrecognizable voices mixed together.

"No... what are you saying?"

"What do you mean still like? That was Prince Sterling's ex?"

"Brain damage crashing ex bureau, bro stumbled onto guillotine. Whoever joked about her apologize quickly."

"I see no feelings left."

"That's best."

Conversations faded, turning to toasting.