Chapter 543

At the newspaper office, in Hearing Guan Shengjie's office, he looked at the phone in his hand: "This brat, he actually hung up on me."

Du Youwei bit her lip, trying hard not to laugh out loud: "Didn't you say your relationship with him was rock solid?"

"I don't believe it." Hearing Guan Shengjie dialed again, and it took a good while before Zhou Andong answered.

"Say it: Zhou Andong is wise and mighty."

Hearing Guan Shengjie opened his mouth wide, and it took a while before he said: "Can we not be so shameless?"

Zhou Andong said: "Not going to say it? If you don't say it, I'm hanging up."

"Fine, fine, fine!" Hearing Guan Shengjie compromised, "Zhou Andong is wise and mighty."

Zhou Andong let out a *heh* laugh: "Thanks for the compliment."

"Can you have some shame?" Hearing Guan Shengjie really couldn't hold it back anymore, "I've never seen someone as thick-skinned as you."

"Is it that hard to admit I'm excellent?" Zhou Andong hummed and said, "Speak, what do you want with me?"

Hearing Guan Shengjie said: "Come out for a drink. I'll introduce you to a friend, and while you're at it, tell me about what happened at Beijing Normal University yesterday."

Zhou Andong said readily: "Where?"

Hearing Guan Shengjie said: "A new bar just opened at Houhai; let's go there."

A bar opened at Houhai—this left Zhou Andong a bit stunned. As far as he knew, the first bar in Houhai appeared around the year 2000, though he didn't know the specific name.

He only knew that the emergence of SARS in 2003 had a subversive impact on people's concepts of health. Trapped in the city and yearning for fresh air, people sought ideal leisure spots around this body of water.

Thus, Shichahai was dramatically pushed by fate from the city's self-amused background into the spotlight of public attention, its popularity soaring at an incomprehensible speed.

From a number of bars that could be counted on one hand, in just half a year, it reached dozens. Various bars connected in a stretch from the south bank of Houhai to the north bank of Qianhai, with a density so great it was almost suffocating.

"What's the bar called?"

Hearing Guan Shengjie said: "The First Bar, right next to Yinding Bridge."

Zhou Andong was taken aback. That large area of courtyards next to Yinding Bridge was all under the name of the company you mentioned; could it be that Tang Lin rented it out?

"See you in a bit."

Zhou Andong put down the phone. Lao Si blinked her eyes and looked at him expectantly: "Big Brother, where are you going?"

"Got some business." Zhou Andong stepped out.

"Big Brother!" Lao Si called out from behind.

Zhou Andong looked back and saw Lao Si looking at him with eager eyes. That pitiful little look made him feel helpless. "Let's go!"

"Ha!" Lao Si laughed, scurrying over with her short legs and taking Zhou Andong's hand.

Zhou Andong drove to Houhai. There was actually a line of twenty or thirty small cars parked next to Yinding Bridge.

He parked the car to the side. Lao Si wiggled her little bottom as she climbed out of the car, then, holding Zhou Andong's hand, began to look around curiously.

Zhou Andong led Lao Si to the front of the bar. It was four courtyards connected together, renovated and looking brand new, with a row of lanterns hanging outside and a large sign at the entrance reading "The First Bar."

Inside the bar, a row of windows had been opened in the back. Outside in the courtyard was a large pond with rockeries and fountains. Once the weather warmed up, planting some greenery and keeping some fish and lotus flowers in the pond should be quite nice.

Zhou Andong led Lao Si to a seat by the window in the back. Looking outside, the main rooms opposite also had their windows open, and the door in the center had been widened significantly, with a stage built inside. At that moment, a girl was holding a guitar and singing.

"Sir, what would you like to drink?"

A waiter walked over, bowed slightly, and asked in a low voice.

Zhou Andong didn't turn his head; he looked at the girl singing opposite and said: "Two glasses of fruit juice!"

The waiter was stunned, then nodded: "Very well, please wait a moment."

The waiter walked away quickly and soon returned with two glasses of juice, placing them in front of Zhou Andong and Lao Si.

Lao Si didn't stand on ceremony; she picked up the glass, took a sip, and smacked her lips: "A bit sour, not as good as iced black tea."

Zhou Andong smiled, his eyes still fixed on the singing girl—not because she was particularly beautiful, but because that girl was named Zhou Yitiao, and in the near future, she would become incredibly famous.

"He's over there!" a voice came from the entrance.

Zhou Andong turned his head back and saw Hearing Guan Shengjie walking over with a very pretty girl with short hair. He raised his hand and waved.

Hearing Guan Shengjie said with a smile: "You got here pretty early."

"When Brother Jie summons me, how could I dare not come early?" Zhou Andong said, taking the initiative to reach out to Du Youwei, "Hello, beautiful lady, my name is Zhou Andong."

"My name is Du Youwei!" Du Youwei pursed her lips and smiled, shaking hands with Zhou Andong.

Hearing Guan Shengjie said helplessly: "I've noticed that you kid, the moment you see a woman, you can't take your eyes off her."

"Nonsense!" Zhou Andong said righteously: "If I don't look at a beautiful lady, should I look at a rough man like you?"

"Big Brother!" Lao Si pointed to her own nose, "And me, and me."

Zhou Andong was stunned for a moment, then realized, and said to Du Youwei: "Come, let me introduce you. This is my youngest sister, Zhou Anning."

Wiggling her little bottom, she climbed off the chair and reached out a small hand toward Du Youwei: "Hello, Sister Du."

Du Youwei was surprised and shook hands with Lao Si: "How did you know my surname was Du?"

She said: "You just said it, Du Youwei."

"Ha!" Du Youwei laughed happily, cupped Lao Si's chubby little face, and gave her a big kiss, "You are just too cute."

Lao Si tilted her little head and looked at Hearing Guan Shengjie again: "Hello!"

Hearing Guan Shengjie squatted down and picked Lao Si up: "Don't you recognize me? We met at the hospital."

The little girl shook her head very honestly: "I don't remember."

Hearing Guan Shengjie's face fell: "You're really not a good friend, forgetting me so quickly."

Lao Si blinked her big eyes, looked at Hearing Guan Shengjie for a good while, and still shook her head: "Sorry, I really don't remember."

"Alright then!" Hearing Guan Shengjie put Lao Si back on the chair, reached out his hand, and said: "Let's get to know each other again. My name is Hearing Guan Shengjie; you can call me Brother Jie."

Lao Si shook hands with Hearing Guan Shengjie, "Hello, Brother Jie!"

Watching Lao Si acting like a little adult, Zhou Andong shook his head with a smile: "What are you all drinking?"

Hearing Guan Shengjie saw the two glasses of juice on the table: "You're just drinking this?"

Zhou Andong sighed and said: "This stuff is cheap. If I ordered alcohol and you didn't show up, where would I get the money to pay the bill?"

Hearing Guan Shengjie had black lines on his face and snapped his fingers at the waiter not far away: "Bring a six-pack of Cass!"

Soon, the waiter brought over a six-pack of Cass beer.

Zhou Andong picked up a bottle and shook it in front of Hearing Guan Shengjie: "You're asking me to understand what happened at Beijing Normal University yesterday, yet you treat me to Cass? Are you doing this on purpose?"