"Come on, here's to all the times we didn't back down—cheers!"
Jack Young and Nick King were in high spirits. The first shot went down smooth, no hesitation.
"Jack, I totally get it. Grinding away in silence, trying to build up confidence—man, that's tough. Not everyone can do it. I can tell you've been through a lot to get where you are! Me too, buddy. So, for all the crap we've eaten—bottoms up!"
"Bottoms up!"
Second shot—down the hatch!
"They say after the bitterness comes the sweetness. We're gonna make it big, man! Gonna give my wife and kid the good life! To the future—cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Third shot—gone!
Bang! Nick King couldn't hold his liquor—his head hit the table, and he started mumbling nonsense. If you listened closely, it was all stuff like, "I'm taking the high road, if I'm doing this matchmaking thing, it's gotta be top-tier!"
Jack Young chuckled, got up, and helped Nick King out. Jack's own tolerance wasn't much better, usually, but ever since he got stronger, a few drinks were nothing to him.
At the bar, Jack settled the bill and dragged Nick King away, ignoring his loud protests about paying. Jack called a cab and got Nick home. Nick was a decent drunk, at least he didn’t throw punches. Not that Jack would mind—if Nick tried, he’d just knock him out and deliver him anyway.
Before handing Nick over to his wife, Nick poked Jack in the chest. "Dude, you’re, hic, built like a tank now? By the way, hic, your old company was great—why’d you switch to this dump?"
"Don’t worry about me," Jack said, knocking on the door and passing Nick to his wife. After a quick greeting, he turned to leave.
The city lights sparkled in the night, cars and people flowing past. By the riverside, the water was calm, gently lapping at the bank. Jack strolled along, but Nick’s question kept echoing in his mind.
Why did I switch jobs and come here?
Back when I first graduated from college, I was full of ambition. Landed a great job—future looked bright. Seriously, who would leave all that behind to jump into a company like this and take crap for no reason?
But, everything happens for a reason.
Jack Young’s mind drifted back to the good old days—three friends, one fool, one dummy, one scatterbrain. All fresh grads, joining the company together, stumbling from student life into the real world. Lost, anxious, lonely, disappointed; fired up, passionate, competitive, and full of dreams. We cheered each other on, picked each other up, and made a ton of great memories.
Shame those days that felt like they’d last forever vanished in the blink of an eye. No idea where everyone is now, or how they’re doing.
Thinking about it, Jack pulled out his phone and dialed a number. The ringtone buzzed—at least they hadn’t changed their number.
Guess they're nostalgic too!
A smile crept onto Jack’s face. Since graduation, she’s probably the only one he could still call a real friend.
The call connected.
"Hello?" A sweet female voice came through. "Is that Foolish Jack?"
"Oh, come on, Dummy Meng, you can't just start with that! Haven't called in ages and you open with Foolish Jack? Where are you now, how’s life treating you?"
"Haha, Foolish Jack will always be Foolish Jack! I’m soaking up the sun and beach in Qingdao. What about you, still at that dead-end job?"
"Qingdao? Weren’t you back in Harbin? A good Northeastern girl always running off to Shandong—your travel game’s making me jealous!"
"Quit whining! My grandparents are all from Shandong, so I’m half local too. Coming to Shandong is like coming home. Keep whining and I’ll smack you! And I’m not just traveling—I opened a gym here in Qingdao, teaching yoga every day and making good money. Loving it."
"See, I told you! You’ve got real skills passed down in your family—why bother with a corporate job? Now you know how sweet life can be!"
She laughed for ages, then hesitated before finally saying: "Hey, Foolish Jack, I’ve got something to tell you. Brace yourself, okay?"
"What’s up?" Jack chuckled. "Not much can shake me these days."
I’ve seen all kinds of crap—what could possibly throw me now?
"Yeah, Daisy Summers is engaged."
Jack froze, silent. The night wind tightened, the river surged, and the lights on the water blurred like shattered dreams.
Neither Jack nor his friend spoke. After a while, Jack calmly asked, "Oh, is it still with that guy?"
"Yep, that old pig. Time to let go, right?"
"Hey, listen to you," Jack started walking again, teasing. "Been over her for ages—you're too late for the pep talk. By the way, Meng, I seriously want to ask you something."
"What? You want that old pig’s address? No problem! If you want to go get his head, take me with you. If I can’t be your accomplice, I’ll be your witness. If I can’t join the fight, I’ll at least cheer you on. Totally support you!"
"Get outta here, quit bringing that up!" Jack’s tone relaxed. "So, you always say your family’s yoga is the real deal, can open Seven Chakras, Three Meridians—spill it, is it true or not?"
"Seven Chakras, Three Meridians, get it right, bro! What, you interested now?"
"Yeah, really interested." Jack thought about the Insight Technique and said, "I really need to learn this now, but there’s too many fakes out there. Everyone brags, but few are legit. So, can you really do Seven Chakras, Three Meridians? It’s important, sis—be straight with me!"
"Once again, it’s Seven Chakras, Three Meridians, bro!" She corrected him, then proudly said, "You wanna learn Spirit Flow? No problem, I really do know the real thing! But I’m in Qingdao now, you thinking of quitting and coming here?"
"Who knows, maybe I will quit and go learn it full time."
"No way, Jack!" She caught the seriousness beneath his teasing. "It’s just a fitness thing, really. Sure, opening all Seven Chakras and Three Meridians is cool, but no need to go that far. You’re still young, plenty of time. I’ll record a tutorial for you—learn at your own pace, ask me anything, but don’t quit your job!"
"Don’t worry about my job. You opened a gym with your real skills, and now I’ve got some real skills too. I won’t go hungry. As for time..." Jack glanced at the cameo on his left palm, hinting: "I just feel like time’s running out. I gotta get stronger, fast." (Feeling inspired today, might write three chapters.)