HLM – Chapter 218 The Party Saved His Life

By Friday, the cowboys suddenly decided to throw a party, saying they’d worked hard for five days and deserved to celebrate.

Wang Bo wasn’t interested. These guys threw parties every other day. They could celebrate anything: Monday for starting a new week, Tuesday for a new calf born on the ranch, Wednesday because Ian bought a new leather jacket, Thursday because more than half the week was over…

He explained he was going to attend a party organized by Eva’s school, and declared righteously, “I’m representing our town at this gathering. Can’t you see the bigger picture? I’m going there to welcome the school to our community!”

“You just want to flirt with girls!” Bowen exposed him with a single sentence.

Juan was always Wang Bo’s die-hard supporter. “At times like this, we should support the boss. He’s pursuing happiness. I wish him happiness!”

“But aren’t Chinese people supposed to value brotherhood the most?” Bowen asked Wang Bo, eyes sparkling. “I was learning Chinese the other day, and I read something about brothers being like arms and legs…”

“Brothers are like limbs; women are like clothes,” Little Hani said in Chinese. The tone was stiff, but every word was correct.

Bowen nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, yes, that’s it…”

It was easy to reply to that. Wang Bo said, “Listen, yes, brothers are like limbs, and women are like clothes—but have you ever seen a disabled person out in public? Or someone running around naked?”

Juan stood firmly on Wang Bo’s side again and nodded. “Makes sense!”

Commander flapped over, shouting, “Ah! Ah! Let’s go together! Let’s go together!”

The group looked at each other, and Wang Bo suddenly realized, “That’s right! Why don’t we all go? Eva would definitely welcome you all!”

He brought along the party gifts prepared for Eva and Dale, and told everyone to grab a plate. Bowen asked, “What are the plates for?”

Wang Bo was puzzled too. “Eva asked me to bring them. She told me to bring a plate to the party. Is this a custom in New Zealand?”

Bowen, Charlie, and Little Hani all broke into smiles. Just as Juan was about to say something, Bowen stopped him and explained, “Let me handle this. It’s a Maori tradition. You see, they’re not very hygienic, so infectious diseases are common. Bringing your own plate is a way to prevent cross-contamination.”

“Really?” Wang Bo was doubtful.

Charlie nodded seriously. “Yes, really.”

Juan: “Heh heh.”

The “Marauder” roared to life, and a bunch of people, two dogs, and one bird dashed off to town. Naturally, the Little Wang was not brought along—it stood at the door with tearful eyes again.

Wang Bo felt helpless. The cub looked too fierce and he tried to keep it out of public view.

They left around noon. The early departure was because Wang Bo wanted to tidy up his appearance—get a haircut and maybe a spa.

Now wealthy, Wang Bo decided to splurge and went to the largest salon in town.

“They charge at least two hundred bucks just for a makeover,” said Juan, who had lived in the town for a while.

Wang Bo waved it off. “Two hundred is nothing. If it improves my image, it’s actually saving money. Otherwise, just inviting Eva to a meal would cost more than that.”

The salon was called “The Knight’s Sword” and was said to be one of the biggest salon chains in New Zealand.

No debate needed—Wang Bo left everything to the stylist and just paid.

After more than an hour, Wang Bo stood in front of the mirror like a test subject. The stylist, assisted by an assistant, had used scissors, razors, and clippers in turn. The result? A choppy hairstyle that looked like a door gnawed by a hungry soldier—full of holes of all sizes.

The stylist seemed proud of his work and asked, “Buddy, how do you feel?”

Wang Bo was silent for a moment, then said, “Hang on, I’ll call a few of my friends over to your place!”

The stylist smiled. “Thank you! That’s the highest praise for me…”

“No, I mean you’d better call some of your own people too. Don’t say I’m bullying you with numbers!” Wang Bo threw down two hundred dollars and left, calling Charlie’s group right away.

Bowen and the others were chatting with pretty girls in a coffee shop when they saw him approaching from afar and immediately burst out laughing. Juan exclaimed, “Sh*t, boss, I almost didn’t recognize you! You look so… so… international!”

Wang Bo growled, “Come with me to demand justice!”

Charlie stopped him. “Are you crazy? If they call the police, we’ll be celebrating the party at the station. You want that?”

“Lucky bastard!” Wang Bo grumbled, and went to another barbershop to get it shaved all off. It was summer anyway, and shaved heads were common in New Zealand.

Two hundred and ten dollars later, he was bald. Bowen shook his head and said with feeling, “Would’ve been better if I did it. Free, and same bald head.”

“F**k—squid! Don’t say it! That bastard’s lucky the school’s party saved his life!”

Juan, always on Wang Bo’s side, said, “Don’t overthink it, boss. You look great now—very masculine and heroic! I’d bet that if Miss Eva has a good eye for men, she’ll fall for you!”

Wang Bo was pleased and patted his shoulder. Charlie finally understood. “Now I get why you had to recruit Juan into your crew.”

By evening, as per Eva’s invitation, Wang Bo brought his group to the school.

But the party wasn’t on campus. It was in a small nearby park called Victoria Garden. New Zealand, known as the Garden Country, had beautiful parks everywhere in the cities.

By the time they arrived, the garden was lit up with countless colorful lights and had a festive atmosphere.

Dozens of people were bustling about. More than ten tables, each covered with pristine white tablecloths, were set up on the grass, all loaded with plates of delicious food. Beer kegs were stacked to the side.

There was also a long table dedicated to hard liquor—brandy, vodka, rum, wine, champagne—you name it, and a bartender was mixing drinks.

Four towering speakers were placed at each corner of the lawn, blasting energetic music. When Eva spotted Wang Bo and the others, she smiled and walked over. Wang Bo quickly nudged his three companions to let them go off on their own.

Charlie said, “Let’s go, let’s go. Give Wang and Eva some privacy.”

Eva was dressed in a white, wrap-around long dress. The front was pleated with elegant lace ruffles along the edges and had perfectly tailored mid-length sleeves, giving her a gentle and ladylike look.

She had redone her hair after the court meeting. Her golden curls draped over her shoulders, and her pretty face had a touch of makeup—she was like a warm beam of sunshine on a winter day.

Little Dale trailed behind her like a little tail. Her pigtails were styled into a dainty ponytail today, and she wore a white puffy down dress and round-toed leather shoes. As she ran, she wobbled like a chubby little polar bear.