Dinner Together

"All good?"

"Could anything go wrong? It was a breeze."

William laughed carelessly, his mood exceptionally high. He settled onto the couch and started digging into his dumplings.

"The dumpling guy was about to close up, so I had him cook everything he had left. The taste is actually pretty good. You should try some."

Brian was left speechless. William had just completed a mission and casually picked up a late-night snack on the way home. His nerves were as thick as a telephone pole.

He didn't mention anything about the mission. It was as if he'd just stepped out for a bit, bought some food, and now it was time to eat and sleep.

Well, if he didn't have nerves of steel, how could he complete all those challenging tasks? To him, they were just tasks. Once completed, they left no trace and there was no need to dwell on them.

In contrast, Brian had been pacing anxiously.

That was the difference between a professional and an amateur.

Watching William exclaim over the dumplings, adding some chili, and telling him not to eat spicy food because of his stomach, Brian couldn't help but smile. No matter what the mission was, as long as he came back safe, that was all that mattered.

Theodore had secured the contract, and his gratitude towards Brian was like a surging river. He insisted on treating Brian to a meal and drinks.

William was extremely disgusted by him.

"Look at you, brown-nosing like there's no tomorrow. Those who know would think you've secured a contract. Those who don't would think you're trying to steal my hubby."

"William, you don't get it. My family didn't want me to take on this company because they said the profits were small and the risks were high. Do you know how much I can earn from this contract Brian gave me? Let's say I get a freight charge of twenty per ton. A truck can carry fifty tons, and each truck can make three trips. With two hundred trucks operating like this every day, after deducting fuel costs, wear and tear, and all other expenses, I can earn at least a hundred thousand a day. What about a month? A year? My dear brother William, your hubby is my God of Wealth. I'm thinking of setting up a shrine for him."

William cursed. That much? He thought he was just doing a simple favor for a friend. He hadn't realized there was so much money involved. No wonder Brian had been so hesitant. This was a huge favor.

"William, you've done me a huge favor. Really, I must treat your hubby properly."

Theodore's face was all smiles.

"I've got it all covered today. Full service. I haven't even had a chance to welcome you back properly. Let's have a good time today."

"We should definitely splurge. make you shell out."

A simple favor could earn this kid so much. He definitely deserved a good fleecing.

"Alright, today at six, we'll meet at the restaurant I've booked. Then we'll paint the town red. You go pick up your hubby."

William was mulling over what to order that would make Theo splurge a bit. Maybe a couple of turtle soups to nourish Brian. His slender, twig-like frame could certainly use some fortifying.

Oh, and something for the brain. Brian was always overworking his mind. As he was thinking about this, driving to pick up his hubby, Director Gu called again.

"Director Gu, you're such a nuisance. I'm having dinner with my hubby and you're calling. What, you don't have any food at home? You're not thinking of mooching off us, are you? We don't have time for you. At your age, you shouldn't be dining with us youngsters. You're like a third wheel."

"Stop your nonsense. Come over, there's a situation."

William was turning the steering wheel.

"Director Gu, have you ever met anyone more dedicated to their job than me? I'm doing missions even during my vacation. I don't even have time for romance. Ah, I'm thinking of retiring."

"Stop talking and come over. I know you're dedicated. I'll give you a big award later."

"No need. Can you ask the tech department to design a set of dentures for me? The kind that can spray poison. I want to arm my hubby to the teeth."

"If people knew, they'd think you're protecting him. If they didn't, they'd think he's a snake in disguise. Are you planning to make him a suit of golden armor? Stop messing around. The tech department is going to cry. You're always coming up with these crazy ideas and forcing them to design them. Are you here yet? We're all waiting for you."

"I'm on my way. I'll call my hubby and tell him to wait for me after work."

He hung up on Director Gu and called Brian.

Brian was now receiving more calls in a day than he used to get in three years, and most of them were from William. He didn't know why William had so much to talk about. What he was eating, when he was getting off work, what he was doing, even when he was taking out the trash, William would call to tell him.

If things had been like this before, would they have even thought about getting a divorce?