AT THE BAR (2)

"How foolish." Wu Xiang, Kang Sola's male friend, side-commented.

Xue Guangxi pretended not to hear.

"So, did she run over you?"

"Did her bike bump on you?"

"Were you okay?"

The crowd seemed interested enough.

"I tried not to bump on him and I did not, but my bike's wheel crashed on the gutter. I was thrown into the bushes and incurred some scrapes."

"Ooohhh. Not good for a first meeting, huh?" Said the man Tang Yong good-naturedly. He did not echo the same rude attitude of his friend, Wu Xiang.

Wu Xiang slouched in his seat, as he tapped the tabletop with his index finger leisurely. He took a big gulp from his scotch while watching Xue Guangxi's every move from the corner of his eyes.

"Knowing Kang Sola, she would have erupted like a volcano." Tsai Yaiwen giggled.

"You bet." Xue Guangxi faced her directly for the first time. He stared at her face directly, a huge, charming smile adorning his striking face. She felt her heart race, and could not find any more words to retort.

But Xue Guangxi's gaze did not stay on her face. As soon as he replied, he moved on.

"And then, he made some joke about his namesake and made me believe as truth, which apparently isn't. It certainly gave out a very bad impression of him – rotten, even." Kang Sola chipped into the story, mirth was evident in her voice.

Funny how a person could laugh at the events that made him or her lose temper before.

Kang Sola drank and partied like there was no tomorrow. Xue Guangxi stayed by her side all the time whether be it on the dance floor or the bar counter or back in their booth.

Their booth was located at the farther, quieter end so her group could still hear themselves talk once in a while. They played classic drinking games – nothing new, really, but everyone was ecstatic about it.

Occasionally, Kang Sola was put on a tight spot, and in each case, she so courageously escaped unscathed by drinking her due. At that specific moment, it looked like she's unscathed but surely, all those vodka and tequila she downed came back and haunted her for the rest of the night.

During the latter parts of the evening, Kang Sola had had enough of her fill of drinks. She did not notice it herself, but two dark knights emerged and offered unsought help on her behalf. While she had gone oblivious to them both, and her surroundings, the two men stared and glowered at each other as if they're going to eat the other alive. Tension grew in the air until everyone came into a diplomatic consensus that it's time to call it a night and go home.

Even when going home, the two men fought for their rights non-verbally. Xue Guangxi, with a face now scrunched into a threateningly dark scowl, supported his lady friend, Kang Sola with a hand on her elbow. Likewise, on her other side, Wu Xiang did the same.

The two stared at each other in battle, waiting for the loser to release her. However, none wavered and stood firm. The other members of Team Sola could not go home because of this small commotion. Nobody knew how to resolve it. At the end of their party, Wu Xiang had always, always taken Kang Sola home, regardless if she's conscious or oblivious of it. However, in this present case, she came together with this guy friend of hers, the newcomer. Some of them thought it's logical that they still go home together.

One annoyed and tired friend, Ye Chang, thoughtlessly blabbered. "Why not both of you take her home? Problem solved."

And so, they did.

After a night of merriment and celebration of friendship, Wu Xiang and Xue Guangxi both took the drunk Kang Sola home.

Neither of the two guys liked the setup, but that's the only way to resolve the matter. No one ever backed down from the challenge.

Both offered their car to drive home, but neither accepted. Still oblivious, Kang Sola halted a passing taxi and listlessly got in. The two men ran after her and joined her.

When they reached her residence, Kang Sola ordered the taxi to drop them off a few more paces from the house.

She staggered on her way while she chuckled and snickered and snorted and laughed once in a while as if mocking the two men.

"Hehehehe!!! I can walk!!! I can do it!!!" She claimed, contrary to her actual performance. The two concerned guy friends remained on high alert in case she went diving onto the ground face-first.

In the aspect of taking Sola home, Xue Guangxi thought that he had a glaring advantage because he has access to the house.

Or so he believed.

Apparently, Wu Xiang was let into the house before. Apparently, Wu Xiang taking Kang Sola home after a night of partying was not a foreign idea in the Chen household.

In her nightgown, Jiang Biyu opened the door for them. She couldn't peacefully succumb to her beauty rest until Kang Sola has gotten home safe and sound. During these drinking escapades of the young lady, she stayed up late on the couch until her arrival.

She knew too well that either Kang Sola would reach home on her own, or Wu Xiang would usher her unconscious body in. It wasn't the first time, and she's gotten used to it.

Over the years, she had assessed Wu Xiang's character, and the latter had proven to be trustworthy enough. She didn't only meet him at night whenever her daughter had been beaten slightly unconscious or overly tipsy by alcohol. He frequently visited during the day as well and treated her and Kang Sola's foster dad with utmost respect and benevolence.

This time, Xue Guangxi went home with the usual two. "Oh, Guangxi you're home. She drank too much again, huh, Wu Xiang?"

Wu Xiang rubbed the side and back of his neck as he answered, "Yes, Ma'am. She doesn't listen to anyone. Sorry."

"No worries. Guangxi and I will deliver her to her room." The matron of the house declared.

Yet, Wu Xiang tagged along until the young lady was warmly tucked into her bed.

"You may leave." Xue Guangxi kept his eyes glued to the unconscious young lady on the bed.

"And you?" Wu Xiang retorted, not willing to leave the lady with a man he only met today, regardless of how old their friendship they claim it to be, even if the Chen Madame was there to look after her.

Jiang Biyu shooed the two men out of Sola's room, and Wu Xiang out of the house kindly while tapping him on the arms. "You go get some rest yourself, young man. Off you go."

Xue Guangxi threw a matter-of-factly look at Wu Xiang with the underlying of, 'See, what did I tell you?'

"How about him? Shouldn't he leave, too?" Wu Xiang gingerly pointed at the other man.

Madame Chen waved off one hand at him in dismissal, "Oh, he used to live here, too. He can stay here anytime he wants."

The grin on Xue Guangxi's face boasted of success. He realized it irked Wu Xiang as he caught him clench his fists.

Wu Xiang turned and left, but Xue Guangxi followed him outside.

"Hey, Wu Xiang." He extended his hand. "I'm pretty much grateful for taking Kang Sola safely home tonight, and for looking after her during all those times that I wasn't here. But--"

"I'm not going to stop our lifestyle and habits and routine just because someone so conceited arrived to rock the boat."

Xue Guangxi exhaled sharply. "Listen. I don't want to have any qualms whatsoever with any of Sola's friends."

"But I am the closest person to Kang Sola regardless if I'm physically away or not, and now, I'm back. For. Good."

"Are you?" He sneered.

"I'm not here to pick a fight with anyone. I'm cool with any of her friends." Xue Guangxi shrugged his shoulders. "I hope we can find a middle ground in the future."

'He acts as if he's Kang Sola's guardian.' Wu Xiang narrowed his eyes even more. 'But he's not, and I'm not either. Unfortunately. Sadly.'

Wu Xiang reconsidered. He certainly did not want to get in the rough with Kang Sola's other friends. The lady would be far from loving the idea. He took Xue Guangxi's extended hand in a firm handshake, eyes squinted warily. "I hope so, too."