Chandler's Apartnt.
"Barney Stinson?"
Joey frowned the mont he heard the na. "How do you guys know him?"
"We t at the tailor's shop..."
Adam gave a brief explanation and then, with a hint of gossip, asked, "How long have you known him? Why haven't you ntioned him before?"
"That guy's just a punk!"
Joey scoffed. "I ran into him a few tis while picking up won. He's arrogant and has zero respect for his seniors. So, I taught him a few lessons—stole a couple of his dates—just to show him that Joey Tribbiani is the real king of New York!"
"No wonder he had that look on his face," Chandler said, suddenly understanding.
"You taught him a lesson?"
Adam looked skeptical. "I can't speak to who's better looking, but his tactics seem way more advanced than yours. Plus, he clearly has money. How exactly did you steal his dates?"
"…"
Joey was at a loss for words.
The reason he never ntioned Barney Stinson to Adam and the others was that, while Barney might have been a newcor, his ga was on another level. He had no problem spending big money to support his strategies. Joey had the upper hand at first, but after that, Barney completely dominated him.
And there was no way Joey was going to bring up sothing that embarrassing.
"Of course!"
Joey stubbornly insisted, "He may have money and tactics, but I'm a star!"
"A soap opera star," Adam reminded him.
Over the past few years, Joey's career had followed a similar trajectory to what it was in the original tiline—appearing in several soap operas, sowhat famous but not exactly a big na. Still, at least his inco had improved, making all those years of struggling worth it.
"So what if I'm a soap opera star?"
Joey objected. "Housewives love soap opera stars, you know?"
As he spoke, he started winking suggestively.
"So, you specialize in housewives and soap opera fans," Adam teased. "While Barney goes after… everyone?"
"Don't get
started!"
Joey huffed. "That bastard loves a challenge. Age, type, style—he has to try them all. And then he brags about it like he's the king of New York's dating scene."
"He didn't actually go and make himself a 'King of New York Pickup Artists' crown, did he?" Adam asked, amused.
"How did you know?"
Joey's eyes widened in shock. "Whether we acknowledge him or not, he really did that. Strutting around, smug as hell."
"…"
Chandler's mouth twitched. He looked at Adam and said seriously, "Barney is not coming to my bachelor party."
"Don't worry," Adam reassured him with a grin. "As long as I'm there, he won't ruin your party."
"And the wedding!"
Chandler shuddered at the thought. "The wedding is way more important!"
"I got this," Adam promised.
"What?!"
Joey's eyes went wide. "That guy is coming to Chandler's bachelor party and the wedding?!"
"He wasn't originally invited," Adam admitted. "But considering your complicated history and his personality, he'll probably show up to stir up trouble."
"There's nothing between us," Joey said firmly. "I don't want anything to do with him! The guy's insane!"
"Really?"
Adam smirked. "I always thought you two would beco great friends. No, wait—legendary wingn."
"Co on!"
Joey rolled his eyes dramatically. "Would you be friends with soone who constantly steals your dates?"
"Uh…"
Adam hesitated.
The whole "wingman" concept worked best when one was clearly the leader and the other the backup.
For example:
Lü Xiaobu liked bringing Zhang Wei as his wingman. Barney liked bringing Marshall and Ted as his.
Attractive won were a limited resource. When both guys were into the sa woman, soone had to step aside.
If one was clearly the alpha and the other the wingman, the wingman would naturally back off and support the main player—sotis even sacrificing himself for the mission.
Plus, having a less attractive wingman made the main guy look even better.
Sa reason why gorgeous won often have plainer-looking best friends—it's all part of the strategy.
Joey and Barney had similar personalities and should have been great friends.
But they were both apex predators in the dating ga. Instead of teaming up, they ended up clashing—each marking their own territory, and whenever they crossed paths, it turned into a battle.
Not to ntion, Joey was already in his 30s, while Barney looked around 24 or 25. A five- or six-year age gap was enough to create a generational divide.
Not everyone could be like Adam—able to relate to people in their 30s and 40s, connect with peers in their 20s, and even get along with teenagers.
Understanding all this, Adam just shrugged—it made perfect sense now.
"It's getting late. I should head out."
Adam glanced at his watch and stood up.
"You're about to graduate. You must be really busy these days," Chandler said apologetically.
"Not really."
Adam smiled. "The two most important exams in dical school—the USMLE licensing exams—are already out of the way. I passed Step 1 back in my second year and scored high on Step 2 last year as a junior.
As for residency, I'm already set to train at the dical center. So compared to others, I actually have plenty of free ti. Being your best man won't be a problem—don't worry about it."
"That's a relief."
Chandler exhaled.
Ever since Adam started d school, Chandler had learned a lot about the insane workload of dical students.
He knew how demanding it was, and if he could, he would have scheduled the wedding at a more convenient ti to avoid interfering with Adam's studies.
But Adam assured him that this was actually the best ti.
Once he graduated and started his residency, he'd be really busy. And worse—his schedule wouldn't be up to him anymore.
In d school, you could at least control your study ti—even if it ant pulling all-nighters.
But in the hospital, you had to follow strict work hours.
During the first year of residency, interns were basically at the bottom of the food chain—not even considered full-fledged doctors yet.
Being on call for 36 hours straight was not a joke.
So this window, right before he started residency, was actually perfect.
If they had waited any longer, forget Chandler's wedding—Adam might not even have ti for his own future wedding.
Near the dical Center.
A luxury high-rise apartnt.
After leaving Chandler's place, Adam drove here.
That's right.
He had moved.
This new place was much closer to the hospital, which was essential for a ti-strapped intern.
With Chandler and Monica getting married soon, they'd be moving out of their apartnt anyway, so there was no reason for Adam to keep living there.
After stepping into his sleek, modern apartnt, he showered and lay down on his king-sized bed.
He thought for a mont, then picked up his phone and dialed a number.
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