Drunken Mistake

DM 22

Friday Evening, Y-Properties Headquarters

The office was winding down, the hum of computers fading as employees packed up for the weekend. Xue Yang leaned against the doorframe of Xiao Xingchen's cubicle, a playful grin on his face.

"Hey, wanna grab drinks later?" Xue Yang asked, his voice light, but his eyes focused, watching Xiao Xingchen's reaction. "Just to unwind after a long week."

Xiao Xingchen didn't even look up from his screen. "No, thanks. I've got plans."

"Oh, come on!" Xue Yang insisted, his tone almost sing-song. "It's Friday, live a little! There's a new cocktail menu at Dafan Bar, right across from Jiangs'. Perfect place to chill."

Xiao Xingchen's fingers paused over his keyboard. "Dafan Bar? Isn't that—"

"Yep," Xue Yang cut in, his grin widening. "Right where Wei Wuxian's planning to be tonight. I invited him too."

Xiao Xingchen hesitated, his stoic demeanor cracking slightly. "Wei Wuxian is going?"

"Absolutely. And Nie Huaisang, celebrating their big land deal. I hear even Wen Ning is mixing drinks." Xue Yang tilted his head, eyes glinting with mischief. "So, how about it?"

After a moment of consideration, Xiao Xingchen nodded. "Fine. I'll come."

Later, Outside Dafan Bar

Xiao Xingchen and Xue Yang strolled towards the glowing entrance of the bar, when they ran into Jiang Cheng, emerging from a nearby restaurant. His expression darkened as he spotted Xiao Xingchen.

"Xiao Xingchen," Jiang Cheng snapped, stepping forward. "What are you doing here? I thought you quit."

Xiao Xingchen met his glare, unfazed. "I did. My contract allowed me to leave at the end of the month as long as I paid one month's salary in recompense. I followed the rules."

"That doesn't mean you can just—"

"I owe you nothing, Jiang Cheng," Xiao Xingchen said firmly, cutting him off. "My contract was clear."

Jiang Cheng's lips curled into a sneer, but he didn't have a retort. He muttered something under his breath before storming off, leaving Xiao Xingchen and Xue Yang to continue toward the bar.

Inside Dafan Bar

The bar was lively, music thrumming and lights casting a warm glow over the polished wood and bustling crowd. At a corner table, Wei Wuxian was laughing, his head thrown back, while Nie Huaisang clinked his glass, looking utterly pleased with himself. Lan Wangji sat beside Wei Wuxian, subtly angled, his presence shielding his husband from the bustle around them. Wen Ning was behind the counter, expertly shaking a cocktail.

As they approached the table, Xue Yang led Xiao Xingchen forward. "Look who I brought along!" he announced, catching everyone's attention.

Wen Ning glanced up, raising a brow. "Xiao Xingchen?" he said, surprise evident. "Didn't expect to see you here."

"Xue Yang convinced me," Xiao Xingchen said with a small smile. "And it seems I'm just in time to join the celebration."

Wei Wuxian beamed, lifting his drink. "Perfect timing! We were just toasting to our little victory. Didn't expect to beat the Jins and Wens so easily, did you?"

"You're still fighting the Jiangs in court though," Xue Yang reminded, smirking.

"Oh, we've got that covered," Wei Wuxian said, waving a hand. "Right, Ji ge?" He nudged Lan Wangji, who simply nodded, his expression calm but resolute.

"The next hearing is on Wednesday when the judge is supposed to give the ruling. From the tone of the first hearing things seem to be in Wei Wuxian's favour. The most they can do at this point is bribe the judge," Nie Huissang surmised.

"That's difficult to do. Nie Mingjue has influence in court and with Hanguangjun as counsel Judge Helan has to be extremely careful about dotting his i's and crossing his t's," Xue Yang explained.

"Nie Mingjue from the Nie Legal Works, where Song Lan works?" Xiao Xingchen asked recofnizing the name.

"You know Song Lan?" Xue Yang asked in surprised.

"We were classmates during my bachelors. I shifted to computers later on," Xiao Xingchen explained.

"Why did you?" Nie Huissang asked.

"I hadn't received the degree and I needed a job. I joined Jiang Industries as a legal aid intern. Then Jiang Software was founded and most interns were offered a position their. I went thinking it will be something to do with legal. When I found out that it wasn't not I had already made friends and didn't want to leave. Wei Wuxian suggested that I take night classes to learn more, develop my already existing skills with the computer. I did as he said and became his assistant," Xiao Xingchen recalled.

"I assist Hanguangjun in his legal works too. I took evening classes for law. It seems like we complement each other perfectly, " Xue Yang joked.

Xiao Xingchen decided to ignore the comment when Wen Ning poured out the next round of drinks.

As the night went on, Xiao Xingchen found himself relaxing, talking with Wen Ning about the land deal and the ongoing case. Conversations flowed easily, and he even shared a laugh or two with Nie Huaisang, who seemed keen to keep the atmosphere light.

Later That Night

As the crowd thinned and the drinks kept flowing, a woman entered the bar, her eyes immediately zeroing in on Xue Yang. She sauntered over and draped herself around him, her lips brushing his ear as she whispered something. Xiao Xingchen's gaze flicked over, his brow creasing as he watched the scene unfold.

Xue Yang noticed the change in Xiao Xingchen's expression and subtly eased himself out of the woman's grip. "I need to take care of something," he murmured to her, guiding her gently towards the exit.

"What's going on?" Wen Qing asked, her voice edged with suspicion.

Xue Yang hesitated, his playful demeanor faltering. "Wen Qing, I think... we should stop this. It's not working out."

Her eyes flashed, anger flaring up. "You're breaking it off, just like that? We are good together and we both understand each others needs"

"I'm sorry," Xue Yang said, his voice low. "I found someone that made me realize that I need more. It's for the best. We don't even have any emotions involved."

Wen Qing scoffed, shaking her head as she turned and left, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. Xue Yang stood there for a moment, watching her disappear into the night, a rare look of regret passing over his features.

When he turned back, he spotted Xiao Xingchen heading for the door, his posture rigid, eyes averted. "Wait," Xue Yang called, quickly crossing the room to grab Xiao Xingchen's wrist. "Where are you going?"

Xiao Xingchen pulled his hand away, his expression cool and distant. "It's late. I should go."

"Don't leave," Xue Yang said, almost pleading, his fingers lingering in the air where Xiao Xingchen's hand had been.

Xiao Xingchen glanced at him, his eyes briefly meeting Xue Yang's before looking away. "Goodnight, Xue Yang."

Xue Yang's hand fell to his side, and he watched, helpless, as Xiao Xingchen walked out.

At the table, Nie Huaisang sipped his drink, his lips curling into a knowing smile. "Well, that was interesting."

Wen Ning, who had been watching quietly from behind the bar, sighed and shook his head. "Some things never change, do they?"

"Or maybe they just did," Nie Huissang murmured to no one in particular.