From up here, the performance was laid out for all these powerful people to enjoy.
Stage lights flickered as the scantily clad dancers wiggled their hips. Zhuang Qiting’s expression didn’t change; he exhaled a puff of smoke.
Soon, the stage cleared, and a young girl stepped out with a crisp gait. Black stockings hugged her shapely legs, the fabric soft and resilient.
Her hair was styled in the latest big waves, her skirt short and sexy, but not revealing.
Calling her a “girl” wasn’t quite right—her look was mature and refined, but calling her a “woman” would be pushing it; she was still far from that.
Zhuang Qiting looked twice.
Li Yaru was so nervous she could die. The moment she stepped on stage, she regretted it, seeing the sea of people below, all staring at her, and regretted it even more.
If she embarrassed herself, she’d never set foot in Emperor Haocheng again. No, she’d never even go to Nathan Road!
If only she hadn’t been so vain and insisted on having the tailor make this Chanel dress— no, no, how was that vanity?
It was the tailor’s fault for not following the pattern and insisting on making double sleeves.
Whatever, in this moment she decided she’d go study abroad…
Li Yaru steadied herself, imagining all the men and women below as roast pork, her sweaty hand gripping the microphone.
The drumbeat started, the disco ball spun in sync, and the familiar intro got the crowd excited, also helping Li Yaru shed most of her nerves. It was Lin Xiang’s “Dare to Love, Dare to Act,” a powerful love song. She’d sung it at her school’s New Year’s party.
Li Yaru’s voice wasn’t soft and gentle; it was mature, with a lazy undertone, like an overripe cherry about to burst— sweet, but with a hint of fermented wine.
When she sang this kind of tough-yet-tender song, it had a unique allure.
Romantic golden light illuminated her radiant, jade-like cheeks, neck, and arms.
As she moved, her eyes sparkled, her skirt flared. The stage lights washed out her makeup, leaving only the lipstick she’d reapplied backstage— exceptionally bold and bright.
“Holding you tight at the traffic light, hearing your breath race to the point of death.”
“Cold rain pelts me, drop by drop, a thousand tons of heat surging from you.”
Many guests in the audience were swept up by the rhythm, unconsciously swaying along.
Once Li Yaru started dancing, she let go of all her worries, spinning in circles as if playing by herself, her eyes glowing fiercely, even daring to sweep her gaze across the crowd.
Everyone her eyes passed over felt their hearts tighten for no reason.
She had striking, vivid features— her brows and eyes noble and eye-catching, like a red rose saturated with dew, blooming wantonly, just like the strong melody of the song.
Waiters brought flower baskets to the stage, stacking them around.
The girls watched in confusion as the baskets piled higher and higher, both delighted and scared. Guests all around were wondering which new star Emperor Haocheng was promoting on stage.
Zhuang Qikai hadn’t seen his big brother for a while and came out to look for him.
The tall, imposing man stood hidden in the shadows, staring fixedly at the dancing girl on stage.
He barely smoked his cigar, the burning tip glowing slowly, a silent current flowing from his fingertips.
“Big Brother, Big Brother!” Zhuang Qikai called twice. Zhuang Qiting didn’t look away, just raised his hand slightly to show he’d heard.
Zhuang Qikai walked over, “What are you staring at so intently? Oh, hiding here to admire a beauty? Is she Emperor Haocheng’s new star? Her style is really something—fiery and bold.”
Zhuang Qiting’s eyes glimmered darkly, not moving an inch from the stage.
The blood in his veins seemed to be boiling. He’d never felt this before— wild, primal, bestial— as if he’d finally found the perfect gift from fate, desperate to tear off the wrapping and claim it for himself.
The girl sang, “If we love so much, we should kiss to death,” her alluring gaze and rosy lips still innocent but already full, dressed in red like a blooming rose.
A wild thought suddenly crashed through his mind— he wanted to lock her away, so from now on, only he could admire her.
.
When the song ended, thunderous applause erupted. Sweat beaded on Li Yaru’s brow, her cheeks flushed, completely radiant.
She shot Jasmine a provocative eyebrow raise from the corner, flashing a five-finger gesture.
Fifty thousand! Not a cent less! If it’s short, she’d rip her bald!
Jasmine fumed, grinding her teeth, and stormed off in a huff.
Li Yaru won the absolute admiration of all the girls, who followed her like little chicks, treating her as a goddess.
No one was happier than Chen Ge— Li Yaru had only sung one song, but guests had thrown more than two hundred thousand!
When they left, Chen Ge handed Li Yaru all the commission from the flower baskets, including Jasmine’s share— ninety thousand in total.
For any family, that was a huge sum! Not to mention, it was all hers! Li Yaru stared at the thick stack of Hong Kong dollars, her heart thumping wildly, as if she were dreaming.
“Miss, you’re welcome to come perform here anytime. The Chief Manager approved you to take forty percent commission.”
As soon as Li Yaru heard that, she pulled her hand back and pouted, “Forget it, I don’t want the money. I can’t do this kind of work.”
Chen Ge laughed. The girl was extremely cautious. He stuffed the money into her bag. “This money is yours anyway. Whether you come back or not is up to you, alright?”
Li Yaru accepted her winnings with a clear conscience, gave Chen Ge ten thousand, and generously split five thousand each with her girlfriends.
The girls had eaten, drunk, and even made money— it all felt like a dream.
On their way out, several men tried to stop Li Yaru— some offered flowers, some invited her to supper, some hinted at dates— all of whom she turned down.
Li Yaru was beautiful and knew it well. Her confidence bordered on arrogance, and in her heart she cursed these toads for dreaming of a swan.
Still, she kept a smile on her lips, her mood especially bright. Even the chilly midnight wind couldn’t dampen her spirits.
Since it was late and not safe, Chen Ge arranged a car for the girls.
Li Yaru stood on the steps, looking back at the glowing sign of Emperor Haocheng.
Her softly flushed cheeks were painted in bold neon gold and purple, and the night stretched out, deep and boundless.
“Miss Li.”
Suddenly, someone called her from the side. She paused, turned her head, and saw a middle-aged man dressed like a gentleman, holding a lush bouquet of red roses, smiling at her warmly and respectfully.
“These are from my young master— he really admired your performance tonight and hopes you’ll accept them.” The man handed her the flowers.
One look and she could tell these roses were expensive— bigger and more vibrant than ordinary ones. Li Yaru knew there was a variety called Carola Rose, grown far away in Florida.
“Who?” Li Yaru’s tone was light and soft, the tail rising playfully. The night was ethereal, and the girl was proud. “I don’t even know your young master.”
The man smiled, gestured to the street, “That’s my young master’s car. If Miss Li doesn’t mind, we can take you home.”
Li Yaru thought it was amusing— so confident she’d accept the flowers and get in the car that he didn’t even bother to point out which one.
She replied bluntly, “Tell your young master, I appreciate the thought, but I don’t accept flowers from strangers, and I definitely won’t get in a stranger’s car in the middle of the night. I’m not stupid.”
If she got in, would she ever get out again? Men like that, with a bit of money, always thought they could make a move on her— she’d seen plenty since she was a kid.
Nightclubs were great— glamorous and lavish, which she loved— just too many sleazy, overconfident men.
The man’s face changed slightly.
This was the first time the young master had ever sent flowers to a girl… Surely he wouldn’t fail to give them away?
“Yaru! The car’s here, hurry up!”
Hearing her cousin call, Li Yaru didn’t look back.
She lifted her chin and strode away, opened the back door of the Santana, and hopped in, leaving the man holding the bouquet, watching the Santana drive off in embarrassment.
The Santana pulled up behind a luxury car, then slowly moved out to line up beside it.
Lu Junqiu pointed excitedly out the window, “Look, isn’t that the Zhuang Family young master’s car!”
“Let me see!”
Li Yaru poked her head out like a little hamster, childishly leaning on the window sill, peering at the rare Rolls-Royce Silver Spur just a foot away. The black body was elegant and spotless, as if coated in moonlight.
So posh, she thought to herself. When she made big money, she’d ride in one too, just for fun.
Everything tonight left her savoring the memories. The city’s most dazzling side had slowly unfolded for her eighteenth birthday, leaving her slightly tipsy.
She loved this glamorous world— loved the sparkle and applause, loved all sorts of expensive, beautiful things. Only the best suited her— she was this pretty!
Li Yaru felt shy about her own thoughts, then broke into a smile, her moist, charming eyes narrowing as she dreamed, her curls blown by the wind against her cheek.
She didn’t know that, just a few feet away, behind the dark car window, a man was watching her from the shadows.
They’d had a brief moment of eye contact. He’d seen her clearly, but she hadn’t seen him. An invisible whirlpool stirred in the night.
“Young Master, the flowers…” Li Guanjia hesitated.
“She refused.”
Zhuang Qiting watched the Santana vanish into the neon lights.
Li Guanjia lowered his head, trying to make excuses: “It’s understandable not to accept flowers from strangers. After all, she’s a young lady, probably well protected by her parents.”
A well-protected girl who could come to a nightclub, sing, dance, and argue with people? Zhuang Qiting touched the Snake Ring on his finger, the serpent pattern mysterious and hungry.
A giant snake’s hunt is always silent— slowly creeping up, from the toes to the throat, until it completely controls its prey.
“It’s fine.” Zhuang Qiting smiled faintly, speaking softly, “It’s her choice not to accept. Throw them away.”