C34 I Am a Scumbag

Ethan was over the moon.

Just how lucky do you reckon I am?

Man, I am lucky!

But as Ethan was gearing up to declare his victory, his body seized up.

Westley released his grip and flashed Sienna a cheeky grin.

"Ugh, you're so annoying," Sienna thought, itching to punch him.

But she refrained.

In a taunting voice, Westley asked Ethan, "Hey Morris, were you hoping I'd get plastered?"

His grin was all too sober.

He was clearly faking it!

It dawned on Ethan that he'd been thoroughly duped.

"Not at all."

Ethan flatly denied it, his face flushing to the color of liver.

Anyone called out on their intentions would react with similar fury.

"Well, now I've downed a bowl of white wine, and look, I'm not even tipsy," Westley said with a wink.

Ethan's face darkened once more.

This guy's mood swings were lightning fast.

Westley cleared his throat, glanced around, and posed the question, "You're all witnesses here. So, who won the bet?"

"It's definitely you."

"Totally, you're the Wine Immortal."

"No, he's the Wine God! A whole level above the Wine Immortal."

The crowd buzzed with chatter, clearly convinced of Westley's victory.

Pleased with the reaction, Westley nodded in appreciation.

Then, turning to Ethan, he said, "Your turn to keep your word."

Ethan tensed up, his breath quickening.

That was supposed to be his line!

He was meant to be the cool one!

"I concede," Ethan said, steeling himself.

With all eyes on him, there was no backing out now.

"Good on you! I respect your boldness," Westley applauded.

"What do you expect me to do?" Ethan asked, a crease forming on his brow.

He was resolute; if the demand was too extreme, he'd refuse outright.

After all, what could Westley really do to him?

"Simple," Westley began. "Just run a few laps around this place shouting, 'I'm a lousy guy, I deserve to die!' A hundred times, not one shout less." Westley laid out his terms.

Upon hearing the request, Ethan's face contorted with displeasure.

He hadn't demanded money, nor had he fully insulted Ethan's character, and the request wasn't overly harsh.

It was much softer than what Ethan had initially braced himself for.

Yet, it was crafted with clever subtlety.

If you refused, they'd think you were scared.

If you accepted, it would be a blow to your pride.

He had no choice but to accept!

Westley excelled at these sorts of tactics.

Sienna, watching from the side, was visibly moved.

He was doing all this for her.

How impressive it was for a man to go to such lengths!

"Morris, are you trying to back out of the deal?" Westley asked with a slight smile.

"Fine, I'll do it!" Ethan said through clenched teeth.

He wasn't scared, after all.

Juliana picked herself up off the floor, nearly passing out with rage upon hearing Ethan's declaration.

She rushed forward, blocking his path, "You can't do this!"

"What would you women understand? Step aside!" Ethan snapped impatiently.

"Fine! Ethan, if you go through with this today, we're done," she declared.

With that, Juliana stormed out of the shop, fuming.

Ethan's face twisted in conflict, but he made no move to follow her.

He figured a little sweet-talking later would smooth things over.

He shot Westley a venomous look and hissed, "I'm a jerk, I deserve to die!"

"Mhm," Westley nodded in agreement.

Throwing all caution to the wind, Ethan ran through the shop, shouting at the top of his lungs, "I'm a jerk, I deserve to die!"

The customers whipped out their phones, capturing the ridiculous spectacle.

Onlookers outside the shop pointed and chuckled behind their hands.

Nobody had sympathy for a jerk.

A smile crept onto Sienna's face.

A burden she'd carried for years was finally lifted.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"Why thank me? He brought it on himself," Westley shrugged.

"But are you really okay? You've had a lot to drink," Sienna asked, concern lacing her voice.

"It's no big deal. I've got a natural resistance to alcohol—it's pretty much like drinking water for me. I just need to take a leak," Westley said with a chuckle.

Sienna rolled her eyes at him.

She was gradually getting accustomed to Westley's unique way of talking.

At last, Ethan completed his ten laps and his hundred shouts.

Out of breath, he approached Westley and announced, "I'm done shouting."

"You're a real man, I'll give you that," Westley said, raising his thumb in a mock salute.

Ethan was not oblivious to the mockery laced in Westley's words.

With a cold tone, he replied, "We'll cross paths again."

With that, he turned on his heel and left in pursuit of Juliana.

"Goodbye, jerk," Westley called out to his retreating figure.

The whole place erupted in laughter.

Ethan's steps faltered, but he clenched his jaw and kept walking, acting as if he hadn't heard, and marched out the door.

After the incident, the meal tasted even better to Westley and Sienna.

But when it came time to settle the bill, Westley's mood soured.

"What? I can understand covering the cost of the Huaijiang Liquor, but why should I foot the bill for that guy?" Westley fumed.

"Sir, I thought you two were friends, given the nature of your bet," the waiter said earnestly.

"Don't be ridiculous. With him looking like that and me looking like this, friends is out of the question," Westley retorted, feeling slighted.

Sienna couldn't help but laugh and offered kindly, "Shall I cover his part?"

"No need! I'm just annoyed, that's all," Westley said, pulling out his wallet.

He handed over the money with a scowl.

He wished he had been tougher on Ethan earlier.

Sienna, meanwhile, was in high spirits.

Maybe it was this side of Westley that made her feel more connected to the vibrancy of life.

As they stepped out of the restaurant, Sienna said, "Westley, I've had a really great time today."

"That's all that matters," Westley replied.

But internally, he grumbled about not being happy at all, having been swindled out of a good sum of money by Ethan.

"So, this is where we part ways," Sienna suggested tentatively.

Yet, deep down, she was hoping Westley would ask her to stay.

"Okay!" Westley nodded in agreement.

Hearing his response, Sienna's heart sank into a well of disappointment, tinged with a flicker of resentment.

Jerk, do you have any clue about what a woman is thinking?

My question wasn't an invitation to leave, you know.

Just then, a voice called out, growing louder as it approached.

"Hold on, don't go just yet."

It was none other than Ethan!