I downed the beer in my glass and, setting it down, said to Xiang Chen, "Circle and Yan Yan have made such a big fuss this time, and you didn't even try to mediate while you were in Suzhou!"

"You're really wronging me here. Circle just called me and mentioned he had a falling out with Yan Yan."

I nodded, raised my glass to Xiang Chen, and drank down another gulp of beer as an apology.

Xiang Chen also finished his drink in response, and then we both fell into silence, with nothing more to say.

Xiang Chen seemed embarrassed by the lack of conversation and pulled out a cigarette, tossing one to me. I caught it and lit up, the distinctive aroma of Zhongnanhai cigarettes filling the barbecue restaurant. This familiar scent was the only remnant from our college days, as amidst the ravages of time and changing circumstances, our habit of smoking Zhongnanhai remained unshakably intact.

After finishing the cigarette and a few more beers, Circle's silver Audi A4 finally came into view. As soon as the car stopped, he hurried out.@@novelbin@@

Circle sat down next to Xiang Chen, and I poured him a beer. He took it and drank it in one gulp, then said to me, "I just had to send the deputy manager of the planning department to an emergency meeting at headquarters, so I'm a bit late."

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