Chapter 136: This Isn't Just a Watch

Hey?

The sun's coming out from the west!

I actually have one too?

Wang Zhen, as if he'd never seen it before, suddenly grabbed the box.

Apart from the details, the two watches are basically the same.

Wang Zhen didn't care whether there was an old watch on his hand.

He just ripped it off and tossed it aside.

Then he put on the new watch Wang Yingna gave him, looked at it under the light, and kept sighing.

Ah, my little sister, she grew up in the blink of an eye!

Before, she only knew to ask me for money to spend; now she's learned to save money to buy me gifts!

Brother, this heart of mine...

He hadn't even finished his sigh yet.

Wang Yingna suddenly interjected: 'You're welcome—I paid the bill with your money!'

Brother, this heart of mine...

You've made me so angry I'm shattered!

You're using my money to buy gifts for other men?

Did your brain get blown apart by a fart?

Wang Zhen reached out and poked her forehead.

He was so angry he was choking up.

Don't you also have a new one?

Wang Yingna, fixing her hair, said in an annoyed tone.

Is that the point?

Don't give it to me; it's perfect for Brother Jiaci to take turns wearing!

Get your claws off!

So do you want it or not?

I've got one on my left hand and one on my right—what's it to you?

You're sick!

Wang Yingna gave him a look.

Wang Zhen clenched his back teeth, his eye twitching.

But it was only a moment, then he immediately spoke up for his sister: 'This girl finally understands things once in a while—just put up with wearing it!'

Li Jiaci touched his own watch, smiled, and didn't reply.

The watch on the table just lay there.

Everyone stared at each other.

Li Jiaci closed the box and put it in his pocket.

He still didn't put it on.

Wang Yingna felt a bit embarrassed.

She shoved Li Jiaci in a huff.

What do you mean?

You took my watch and won't wear it!

If you don't like it, just say so!

Worst case, I'll return it!

Just then, the awkward situation...

Li Yihu scratched his head, put on a smile, and walked over.

He grabbed Li Jiaci's wrist, pointed at the rusty old watch, and asked the brothers: 'Do you still remember this watch?'

Zhao Chen immediately chimed in: 'Remember? Back then we brothers were down on our luck, couldn't even afford a full meal, seeing that Boss Zhang's birthday was coming up, everyone wanted to give him a gift but couldn't scrape together the money!'

Afterwards, Wang Lan put down her chopsticks, shook her head with a smile.

'What can we do when we're broke? We can only sneak off to take on dangerous but high-paying side jobs behind Boss Zhang's back!'

Zhang Chuqiang continued Wang Lan's words: 'Back then we gritted our teeth and carved a bloody path out from under the blades and clubs.'

Zhang Chuqiang continued Wang Lan's words, saying: "During that time we were gritting our teeth, fighting our way out from under the knives and clubs, carving a bloody path."

Zhao Chen waved his hand, correcting his statement.

The brothers exchanged glances and burst out laughing.

Wang Lan added: 'If we're talking about misery, our eldest brother suffers the most—his flesh never heals, each time he returns he adds new wounds; those bastards who know he's injured deliberately stab him in the wounded spots, so the knife slides in effortlessly.'

Wang Lan again said: "If we talk about misery, it's our eldest brother who's the most miserable; the flesh on his body never gets good, each time he comes back he adds several new wounds; that bunch of sons of bitches, knowing he has wounds, deliberately stab him in his injured spots, that way stabbing the knife in takes no effort!"

Li Jiaci spoke solemnly.

'Brother, we ought to say it, otherwise Miss Wang will blame you for not giving her face, and Brother Zhen will misunderstand you!'

Li Yihu stood behind him and patted his shoulder.

Actually, by the time the brothers had said that much, Wang Yingna had already guessed it.

The rusty old watch on Li Jiaci's hand belonged to Boss Zhang.

During this period, her food, lodging, and travel were all at the factory.

During this period, her food, drink, lodging, and travel were all at the factory.

She had also heard quite a bit of Old Brother Zhang's stories.

But she didn't know that Li Jiaci and the others had suffered so much in the past.

Their bond was so deep.

Wang Zhen, as an outstanding fighter who carved his way out of a barrage of blades and clubs, could deeply empathize with this.

He raised a cup of wine with a complex expression and downed it in one gulp.

Then he put down the cup and said: "Little sis, Brother Jiaci's cup is empty; fill it up for him!"

"Got it, brother!"

Wang Yingna changed her previous petulant demeanor and obediently poured wine for Li Jiaci.

This matter passed amid Li Yihu's foolish laugh.

After the meal.

Wang Zhen walked out of Spring Happiness Restaurant and asked Wang Yingna: "You've also quit the powder; are you planning to go back to the dance hall with me, or return to the factory with them?"

"Brother, I don't want to go back for now!"

Wang Yingna glanced at the few people getting into the car and replied softly.

Hearing that, Wang Zhen sighed.

"Little sis, I know what you're thinking!"

"During this time living with them, you've become much more cheerful than before!"

"But you've quit the powder; there's no reason to stay there!"

"Li Jiaci clearly said we don't owe him anything!"

"If you keep bothering him, that's just being unreasonable!"

Wang Zhen had never explicitly mentioned this matter.

Now the time has come.

Some things cannot go unsaid.

Wang Yingna opened her mouth, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Without waiting for her to speak, Wang Zhen directly said: "Come back with me first and watch the place for two days!"

"Brother, but my luggage is still at the factory!"

"The luggage won't be damaged."

"……"

Taking advantage of Wang Yingna not reacting yet.

Wang Zhen walked up to Li Jiaci's car, smiling and said: "Brother, I'm taking my sister back first; I can't manage those girls at the place!"

"Understood, then her luggage…"

"Just leave it with you for now!"

"Okay!"

Li Jiaci nodded.

After greeting Wang Zhen, he then took his brothers and drove away.

Wang Yingna felt downcast, got into Wang Zhen's car and remained silent all the way, unwilling to speak.

Wang Zhen drove for a stretch, then suddenly pulled over to the side of the road.

He lit a cigarette and asked: "Tell me the truth, little sis, have you really fallen for him?"

"Can't you tell?"

Wang Yingna stared out the window and replied in a muffled tone.

"Elder sister doesn't stay, hehe…"

Wang Zhen exhaled a puff of smoke.

The car suddenly fell silent.

Wang Yingna turned her head and stared at Wang Zhen's reaction.

"Brother, does that mean you agree?"

Wang Zhen flicked ash and said: "I can't decide this matter!"

"That's right, after all I'm older now, I can decide for myself…"

"What I mean is, I can't make decisions for Li Jiaci!"

"Oh."

Wang Yingna felt a bit embarrassed.

They say a woman pursuing a man is like a gauze barrier.

She felt that between her and Li Jiaci lay a vast ocean.

Wang Zhen narrowed his eyes, took the last puff, crushed the cigarette butt with his hand, and threw it on the ground.

"Little sis, I don't hope you two will succeed."

"Why?"

"It's snowing outside; hurry and close the window!"

"Brother, why?"

"Go home!"

Wang Zhen seemed not to have heard.

He just stepped on the accelerator and drove the car into the heavy snow.

Meanwhile.

A car headlight beam shone toward the old‑style apartment building ahead.

Zhang Chuqiang sat in the passenger seat, poked his head out to take in the surrounding night scenery, and curiously asked, "Brother, why did you bring us here?"