"What is it?" Feeling a debt of gratitude from the past, Lu Qingyue was willing to help with Wang Yan's request.
"It's a small thing. My boyfriend's bar is celebrating its anniversary today, and he wants you to come over to help liven up the atmosphere. You don't have to do anything—just show up, sit for a while, and have a drink. Of course, you won't lose out, I'll treat you to food and drinks and make sure you have a good time. You and your boyfriend can drop by for a bit tonight."
Lu Qingyue asked again, "Just sitting for a bit? Is there anything else I need to do?"
"Of course not. Do you expect me to spend money or book the whole place? Do you even have that kind of money? Well? We were classmates, so I'm doing you a favor. You and your boyfriend can come, sit for a while, and drink. You don't have to worry about anything else."
"Honestly, I'm only doing this because of our friendship, otherwise, I could call plenty of people to come. This is a high-end club, after all—who wouldn't want free food and drinks? I helped you a lot back then, think about how much of your living expenses I covered. Now that I'm asking you for this small favor, you won't refuse, right?"
"Sure."
"At least you have a conscience." Wang Yan slipped a business card into Lu Qingyue's hand.
"You've heard of Wild Rose, haven't you? Call me when you get there. Don't flake out tonight. Okay, I won't chat anymore. See you tonight, Little Shrimp."
"See you, Wang Yan."
...
"Is she your friend?" Shen Xiao asked.
"A classmate from high school... she's quite annoying."
"Did she bully you?"
"No! No."
For some reason, Lu Qingyue brought up the past.
"Wang Yan was my deskmate. She actually helped me a lot back then. Her family owned a restaurant, and knowing I was short on cash, she let me work part-time there, doing odd jobs and washing dishes in the kitchen after school every day. The pay was 10 yuan a day, it wasn't much, but it helped immensely. I could make 300 yuan a month, which not only covered my tuition but also helped support my family. I only worked three hours at night, so it didn't interfere with my studies. I'm very grateful to her for that."
"That sounds like a total scam! You could find a job like that anywhere."
Lu Qingyue shook her head.
"No, it was voluntary. To be honest, she really did help me back then. Because of that, I was able to significantly lighten my family's burden."
"So if you're grateful to her, why do you dislike her?"
"Even if she did me a favor, a favor is still a favor, but I really don't like her character. You have no idea, when we sat next to each other, she bragged to me every single day. One day she'd talk about her designer shoes, the next she'd say she went to Starbucks for bubble tea. She told me these things every day, so I grew to dislike it."
Shen Xiao looked thoughtful, she did sound quite irritating.
Back then, Lu Qingyue was struggling financially, yet she had to listen to Wang Yan's daily displays of wealth, and because of Wang Yan's help, she couldn't even talk back.
"Then go there tonight and teach her a lesson."
"No! No, I don't like her, but there's no need for physical punishment. That's just her personality, she likes to show off in front of everyone. She probably wants me to go tonight just to flaunt her wealth again. That's why I'm a bit annoyed with her. If I hit her, I'd be in the wrong."
Shen Xiao waved his hand. "Don't misunderstand, it's not that kind of lesson. It's about returning the favor. Didn't she ask you to come and add to the crowd tonight? Since you're going, you should spend money. It's her boyfriend's bar holding an anniversary sale, right? Go there and spend even more money, think of it as repaying her for finding me work. Also, show off in front of her, let her know she's not the only wealthy person."
"How do I show off?"
"I'll teach you when we get there."
Hearing that Shen Xiao was going too, Lu Qingyue felt happy, especially since she had never been to places like this before, and the atmosphere was intimidating, she was a bit scared.
"Shen Xiao, you're coming too? I can just sit there by myself for a bit."
Shen Xiao waved his hand and declined. "We're just having fun, it's all the same wherever we go. I'll go with you for a while. Otherwise, what's the point of you going alone? Just to listen to her brag about her wealth and go home feeling upset?"
"Then I'm troubling you, Shen Xiao."
Ding!
[Gained Lu Qingyue's support, Fate Ticket +100!]
Of course he had to go. What else could he do besides stay home and pet his cat? He wouldn't get many lottery tickets even after working hard all night. Besides, how could he let Lu Qingyue go to a place like that alone? If something happened, there would be no turning back.
"It's settled then. I'll go with you tonight. To teach her a lesson… no, to boost her sales."
Lu Qingyue lowered her head and thought that it was indeed worth doing.
She had already repaid her for finding work for three years of high school, running errands for her.
She had acted that way earlier just out of habit.
She would spend more at her shop today, paying her back with interest. If she showed off, let her. It would be a good way to vent her frustrations.
As long as she could make her angry, she'd be satisfied.
But then a problem arose… the money she borrowed was all gone.
Looking at the promissory note book now in front of her, she laughed through her tears.
"Just so you know, this time it's really going to take a very, very long time before I pay it back."
Ding!
[Gained Lu Qingyue's support, Fate Ticket +100!]
"It's fine!"
After a short break after dinner, the two set off.
...
The bar Wang Yan mentioned was the largest and most luxurious in Ku County.
Linear lights glided along the edges of the building, neon lights flashing blindingly.
The bar not only occupied a massive area, but its decoration was also incredibly trendy, with large glass doors radiating luxury and majesty. The three characters for "Wild Rose" were very striking, overshadowing all the surrounding shop signs.
This was Lu Qingyue's first time in such a place, and just walking in made her feel a bit dizzy.
At the entrance, two beautiful women in uniforms and stockings bowed and greeted her. Still a bit dazed, she returned the bow.
Turning her head, she saw Shen Xiao was already far ahead.
She quickly ran a few steps and grabbed onto his arm, not daring to let go for a second.
She was genuinely afraid. She had heard there were many suspicious characters around here, and some thugs would drug and kidnap any pretty girl they saw.
"Why the rush?" Her arm was gripped tightly by Lu Qingyue.
Although it felt nice wrapped in the soft fabric, her grip was a bit too tight.
You see.
Lu Qingyue had never acted like this before, not even at Lao Jiang's villa when she was afraid of ghosts.
"I don't really like places like this. I've heard that girls who come here risk being drugged and kidnapped."
"Oh." Shen Xiao nodded.
It was understandable since it was her first time here, and Lu Qingyue was known to be timid.
"It's fine, stay close to me, I'll protect you. Any demon or monster that dares to approach you, I'll beat them all up."
"Yes, you really must not disappear from my sight."
"Don't just nod, you have to promise."
Shen Xiao raised his hand to promise.
"Okay, Miss Lu, tonight I will be your bodyguard, and I will make sure you get home safely."
Ding!
[Gained Lu Qingyue's support, Fate Ticket +100!]
This is my chance!
This time I'll teach that Wang Yan a lesson, and another wave of lottery tickets will come to me.
Getting over 3,000 tickets today definitely won't be a problem-!