The heavens set sail from the courtyard

Wang Gang's blunt remark caused Lu Tao's expression to change, and even Hua Zi, who was standing next to him, became nervous.

“Gao Qiang, you don’t know, Mi Lai and I were never a good match from the start.” Lu Tao said hesitantly, “Mi Lai and I dated for a long time, but I never had the same feeling as when I was with Xia Lin.”

"Feelings?" Wang Gang scoffed, "Don't make excuses for your irresponsibility."

Lu Tao shouted excitedly, "I really didn't make an excuse. You're not me, so you wouldn't understand at all."

Wang Gang sneered, "Lu Tao, do you know how much harm you've caused Mi Lai? Why did you have to turn to Mi Lai's friend of all people?"

Lu Tao and Wang Gang started arguing, and their voices were quite loud, reaching the ears of Xiang Nan and Xia Lin, who were playing billiards over there.

The two of them, forgetting about playing, put down their clubs and came over.

"Gao Qiang, Lu Tao, why are you two arguing?" Xiang Nan asked, puzzled.

Wang Gang and Lu Tao were at loggerheads, leaving Hua Zi caught in the middle and feeling extremely uncomfortable.

"Don't do this," Hua Zi said to Wang Gang. "Qiangzi, this is Lu Tao and Mi Lai's private matter after all, and it's not appropriate for us outsiders to interfere."

Wang Gang said seriously, "I am Mi Lai's friend, and I cannot face the person who betrayed her."

Upon hearing this, Charlene's face turned pale instantly, looking quite unpleasant.

"Gao Qiang, that's enough." Lu Tao became agitated when he saw his "woman" being wronged.

"Xia Lin didn't betray Mi Lai, I seduced her, why are you targeting Xia Lin?" Lu Tao shouted at Wang Gang.

"It takes two to tango. You're no good either, and neither is Xia Lin," Wang Gang said disdainfully.

Lu Tao could no longer hold back and grabbed Wang Gang by the collar, saying, "Apologize! I want you to apologize to Xia Lin right now."

Hua Zi and Xiang Nan quickly came over to mediate the fight.

"Lu Tao, don't be like this, we're brothers!"

"Gao Qiang, you should say less."

Wang Gang grabbed Lu Tao's hand, and the next moment Lu Tao's face showed a pained expression as he let go of Wang Gang's collar.

Xiang Nan and Hua Zi became even more nervous, fearing that Wang Gang would attack Lu Tao at any moment, and they didn't know who to help.
Fortunately, Wang Gang quickly released Lu Tao's wrist and pushed him aside.

Xia Lin ran to Lu Tao's side and, seeing his swollen wrist, asked with concern, "Lu Tao, are you alright?"

Lu Tao clutched his wrist, staring at Wang Gang in disbelief, and shouted, "Gao Qiang, you attacked me for a woman?!"

Wang Gang sneered, "Lu Tao, you started it! You're quite the one to accuse others first!"

Xiang Nan quickly stood in front of Lu Tao, while Hua Zi blocked Wang Gang.

"Don't be like this, it's not a big deal! There's really no need to make things so tense."

"We've been brothers for years, please don't fight."

Lu Tao said coldly, "I don't have a brother like him."

Wang Gang scoffed, "I don't want to be friends with scumbags either."

After saying that, Wang Gang turned around and left, not wanting to stay a moment longer.

"Gao Qiang, Gao Qiang, come back," Hua Zi pleaded.

Wang Gang left the billiards room, not wanting to see Lu Tao at all. He and Lu Tao were not on the same wavelength and could not get along.

Lu Tao injured his wrist, and Xia Lin carefully treated it for him, while Xiang Nan and Hua Zi stood by, feeling quite embarrassed.

"Lu Tao, is your wrist alright? Should we go to the hospital?" Xia Lin said gently.

"I'm fine, it doesn't hurt as much anymore," Lu Tao sighed. "I didn't expect Gao Qiang to actually do it."

Xia Lin said aggrievedly, "Lu Tao, I'm sorry, it's all because of me that you fell out with your brother." Lu Tao frowned and said, "How can I blame you? It was Gao Qiang who went too far."

Xiang Nan and Hua Zi looked at each other, wanting to complain about Lu Tao, since he was the one who started it.

"That Gao Qiang seems to care a lot about Mi Lai?" Xia Lin said timidly.

"Yeah! I dumped Mi Lai, why is Gao Qiang so excited?" Lu Tao reacted and exclaimed, "Gao Qiang isn't still secretly in love with Mi Lai, is he?!"

"Ah!" Hua Zi and Xiang Nan were taken aback.

“Lu Tao, don’t make wild guesses. Gao Qiang isn’t that kind of person,” Hua Zi explained.

"Hmph! Then why is he so agitated?" Lu Tao said with a grim face, "Well! I treat him like a brother, and he's actually eyeing my woman."

Hua Zi and Xiang Nan's expressions became even stranger. Xiang Nan reminded them, "You and Mi Lai have already broken up, and your current girlfriend is Xia Lin."

Lu Tao was taken aback, then noticed Xia Lin's unpleasant expression and quickly explained, "Gao Qiang must have liked Mi Lai a long time ago. I treated him like a brother, but he tried to steal her away from me. He's a real scoundrel."

Hua Zi said cautiously, "Lu Tao, I don't think Gao Qiang is that kind of person. He's probably just standing up for Mi Lai."

Lu Tao scoffed, "Mi Lai and I broke up, and she didn't say anything. Why should he stand up for her?"

Xiang Nan interrupted, saying, "Alright! Lu Tao, you injured your wrist and can't play billiards, so let's call it a day! You should go home and rest."

Lu Tao rubbed his aching wrist, realizing he had no interest in playing billiards. He said goodbye to Xiang Nan and Hua Zi and took Xia Lin home.

Lu Tao's family rented an apartment for him, which has now become his and Xia Lin's love nest.

After going public with their relationship, the two had no more reservations and were already in a semi-cohabiting state.

Xiang Nan and Hua Zi stayed in the billiard room mainly because they had already paid the rental fee for the billiard tables, and it would be a waste not to play.

"How did things turn out like this between brothers?" Xiang Nan said to Hua Zi, watching Lu Tao and Xia Lin's departing figures.

"What Lu Tao did this time was indeed a bit too much. We all saw how Mi Lai treated him. She's such a good girl, how could Lu Tao not cherish her?" Hua Zi sighed.

"Hua Zi, you wouldn't also want to stand up for Mi Lai, would you?" Xiang Nan asked in surprise, "It's their private matter, what business is it of ours as outsiders?"

Hua Zi sighed, "I just have to say, you saw Xia Lin yourself, her conditions are nowhere near as good as Mi Lai's, how did Lu Tao get so caught up in her? He even turned against his brothers for a woman."

Xiang Nan rolled his eyes at Hua Zi and said, "A hero can be driven to rage for a beautiful woman, and even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman. Don't you understand?"

Hua Zi shook his head. He really couldn't understand Lu Tao, so he said nothing more.

On the other side, after leaving the billiards room, Wang Gang checked the time on his phone and took a taxi directly to the bar.

When Wang Gang arrived at the bar, he indeed saw Mi Lai drinking alone, with a large pile of empty beer bottles in front of her.

When the bar owner, Manny, saw Wang Gang arrive, she walked over and asked, "What's wrong with Mi Lai? I've never seen her like this before?"

Wang Gang asked curiously, "Didn't she say?"

Manny shook her head and said, "She drank a lot of alcohol as soon as she arrived, but she wouldn't tell me when I asked her."

Wang Gang sighed and said, "I'm heartbroken."

Manny wasn't surprised; for girls like Miley, the reason for their disappointment was most likely a breakup.

"I still have to entertain the guests, so could you keep an eye on Mi Lai for me? I'm worried something might happen if she keeps drinking like this," Manny asked Wang Gang.

"Don't worry! I will." Wang Gang nodded, and then told Manny to get on with her work.

Wang Gang walked straight over and sat down in the chair opposite Mi Lai.

Mi Lai glanced at Wang Gang through her blurry, drunken eyes, then grinned foolishly, "You're here! Drink with me!"

Wang Gang said, "If you want to drink, I'll drink with you." (End of Chapter)