But, they clearly weren't in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. Why should she care what he thought?
"What's wrong?" Seeing the girl lost in thought, Jiang Chao couldn't help but ask. "Inconvenient?"
"No. Let's go. Didn't you want to go to a bar? I'll take you." Janelle took Jiang Chao to "Nightfall," Graham City's largest nightclub – the same place they'd been before.
Once there, Jiang Chao ordered a lot of drinks and handed her one. "Help yourself." He genuinely loved drinking; even alone, he enjoyed bars. Janelle wasn't one for pretenses; she clinked glasses with him directly.
Soon, Sara arrived. Janelle introduced them. Sara greeted Jiang Chao.
"Where's Erik? Why isn't he with you? Haven't you two been practically inseparable lately?" Sara found it odd Erik wasn't present, given his constant presence recently.
"Sara, Erik and I aren't what you think. He doesn't have to be by my side." Why did everyone mention Erik when he wasn't even here?
Sara nodded. "I know. Janelle, haven't you thought about having a... normal relationship?" What she had with Erik felt a bit pathological. "I truly think he's a good man. At the very least, when trouble hits, he genuinely shields you." She'd learned about the explosion later and felt it wasn't simple. Janelle was alone in Graham City against Westin and Amber, who'd been entrenched for years. They wouldn't just let her reclaim everything. Sara was deeply worried.
"Sara, you know what I've been through. I won't fall in love with anyone in this lifetime. I think I'm fine alone." Though Erik was an excellent bed partner. She didn't mind continuing that arrangement while in Graham City. Of course, if Erik wanted more, she couldn't give it. Or if he rejected this pathological dynamic, they could end it. She didn't need a man.
Seeing her like this, Sara felt a pang of heartache but didn't know how to comfort her.
Just then, Erik called. Janelle got up to answer.
"Not off work yet?"
"I am." Janelle was never one for overtime. She prioritized efficiency, getting things done in the shortest time possible.
"You're at a club? Been drinking?" Hearing the background noise, Erik instantly pinpointed her location.
"Yes."
"Where? I'll come pick you up." He'd been simmering – he'd had dinner prepared, only for her to sneak off clubbing. Yet, hearing her voice now, a strange calm washed over him. The girl didn't care for him much; he couldn't lose his temper. That would only destroy whatever they had.
"No need. I can get back myself. And you don't need to wait for me." She had other things to do.
"Janelle, let me pick you up. Okay?" Erik shifted tactics. His voice held a plaintive, almost pitiful note. It was hard to describe. A grown man whining, sounding so wronged. "Okay?" This time, it was coaxing.
Finally, Janelle relented and gave him the location.
Erik arrived swiftly. Spotting Janelle in the club was easy. She was always distinctive, the most captivating presence in any setting.
"Hey!" Erik greeted Sara. Seeing him, Sara smiled knowingly. Wherever Janelle was, this man would appear. He truly adored her.
"Hey." Sara linked her arm with Janelle's. "He really does like you, you know."
Janelle didn't respond. Like? Wasn't it just hormones? Relationships weren't solely about love.
"Janelle, you haven't introduced me to this gentleman yet?" Erik looked pointedly at Jiang Chao.
"Jiang Chao. My senior brother." Janelle was succinct.
"Senior Brother, nice to meet you. I'm Erik." Jiang Chao felt a bizarre sensation. The ruler of the border, Mr. Lorenz, calling him 'Senior Brother'! However you sliced it, it carried a hint of the surreal. Especially paired with the distinctly unfriendly look Erik was giving him.
"Senior Brother, here, let me toast you." Knowing Janelle's stomach issues, he dared bring her here to drink? Fine. If he wants to drink, I'll keep him company tonight. Jiang Chao recognized the challenge and raised his glass to meet Erik's. Erik downed his in one go. Naturally, Jiang Chao followed suit.
"Senior Brother, thank you for looking after Janelle before." Erik raised another glass.
Jiang Chao couldn't help but find it amusing. "Janelle is my junior sister. An older brother looking out for his younger sister – that's only natural. And what identity are you using to thank me?" Erik might be the untouchable king of the border, but winning over their junior sister wouldn't be easy.
They clinked glasses and drained them again. Erik didn't answer verbally. Instead, his hand captured Janelle's, fingers interlacing tightly. This was his answer.
Janelle tried to pull away, but Erik stubbornly held on, his eyes locking onto hers, filled with a silent plea.
"..." If Erik had pushed, she'd have pushed back. But that look... she let it slide.
However, facing Jiang Chao was a different story. Drink after drink, Erik matched him without hesitation. The table full of empties was quickly replaced. Erik ordered two more expensive bottles and filled every glass anew.
"..." Jiang Chao was momentarily speechless. Back down? Never.
"Senior Brother, this is our first time drinking together. I'll definitely keep you company properly." Erik handed Jiang Chao another full glass.
Jiang Chao took it. He was already eighty percent drunk, but a man, especially at the drinking table, never admits defeat. And his tolerance was legendary; who would emerge victorious was still anyone's guess.
"Come on. Bottoms up!" Jiang Chao downed it in one gulp. Trying to outdo him in bravado? Jiang Chao had never lost that game.