Hong Tao was infuriated and ashamed. Seeing Shen Fanyun steal the spotlight that should have been his, becoming the sole focus of the room, he couldn't help but clench his fists. Let's see how long you can show off. Once Han Feng finds out you're back... heh, that'll be the day you die.
Houhai Bar was quite well-known in Hangcheng City, especially popular with the younger crowd. However, it was a boisterous place, which made Shen Fanyun curious. This didn't seem like Li Ruoshui's kind of scene; shouldn't she be uncomfortable? Besides, the bar was a chaotic mix, drawing in people from all walks of life. A beautiful girl showing up would inevitably stand out and attract unnecessary danger.
As it turned out, Shen Fanyun's prediction was very accurate. The moment Li Ruoshui walked into Houhai Bar, several sharp, playful gazes swept over her.
"I've booked a booth. This way," Hong Tao led the way.
Most of the classmates had never been to a place like this and looked around with curiosity. As for Shen Fanyun, he was a regular on the bar scene and knew his way around.
When they reached their spot, Hong Tao tried to get Li Ruoshui to sit next to him, but to his surprise, she simply smiled and, without any hesitation, sat down to Shen Fanyun's left. Hong Tao secretly gritted his teeth, but there was nothing he could do.
Li Ruoshui didn't drink alcohol, ordering only a glass of juice. She propped her chin on her fair arm, her entire body leaning toward Shen Fanyun.
"Fanyun, where have you been all these years?" a classmate asked.
Shen Fanyun looked over. The speaker was Zhao Jian, a local from Hangcheng City whom he used to be very close with.
"I went away to gain some experience," Shen Fanyun said. "It's a long story. We can talk about it in detail when we have the chance."
Zhao Jian nodded. Li Ruoshui aimlessly stirred her straw, a faint, woody scent of sandalwood perfume wafting from her.
"Ruoshui, Hong Tao is hosting tonight. Aren't you going to have a drink with him?" a young woman, Liu Bing, chimed in.
Called out so suddenly, Li Ruoshui's eyes flickered, but she revealed a serene, beautiful smile. "Sure, sure."
Hong Tao was overjoyed. He had secretly admired the goddess of his youth for years; any sliver of warmth from her was enough to make him ecstatic.
"Ruoshui, I heard you've run into some trouble lately," Hong Tao boasted with a grand wave of his hand. "Don't worry. With me here, I won't let anything happen to you!"
Li Ruoshui's eyelashes trembled, but she didn't reply.
"What happened?" Shen Fanyun asked instinctively.
Li Ruoshui gave him a meaningful look, seeming to want to speak but hesitating. Finally, she just pursed her lips and shook her small head.
Just then, Liu Bing spoke with a sarcastic edge, "Since Hong Tao has promised to handle it, you should stay out of it."
"If even Hong Tao can't solve this, you'd be useless anyway," she continued. "I know you mean well, but you should know your own limits."
"What's that supposed to mean? Fanyun was just trying to be nice!" Zhao Jian said, displeased. They were old classmates, and he couldn't stand hearing such harsh words.
Liu Bing rolled her eyes. "I've always been blunt; I don't beat around the bush. I'm just worried some people bite off more than they can chew. What if he just makes things worse and ends up harming Ruoshui?"
Seizing the opportunity, Hong Tao chimed in, "Alright, that's enough. Ruoshui's business is my business. Since I've given my word, I'll make sure nothing goes wrong!"
Shen Fanyun mulled it over. Li Ruoshui must be in significant trouble. Her suddenly attending the reunion and coming to this bar she dislikes was likely a last resort, hoping Hong Tao might lend a hand. If she'd had any other choice, she probably wouldn't want to get entangled with him. However, with my appearance, she seems to have abandoned her original plan. That's why she's been so quiet and has been inching closer and closer to me.
"If you're so against getting involved with that Hong fellow, then draw a clear line," Shen Fanyun whispered in Li Ruoshui's ear, his voice so low that no one else could hear. "If you're in trouble, just come to me directly."
Li Ruoshui's eyes visibly brightened. She nodded vigorously and gave Shen Fanyun a soft, beautiful smile, followed by a soft giggle.
Hong Tao and Liu Bing exchanged dissatisfied glances. The way Li Ruoshui treated Shen Fanyun compared to the rest of them was like night and day, and she didn't even bother to hide it.
"Drink up, drink up," Hong Tao could only say with a forced smile, trying to keep the party going.
Midway through, Liu Bing went to the restroom. Li Ruoshui took the opportunity to chat with Shen Fanyun, her face breaking into smiles from time to time. With her snow-white skin and stunning beauty, she was the most eye-catching sight in the entire bar. Many young men tried to send drinks over, including high-end liquors like Rémy Martin and Louis XIV, but Li Ruoshui, being a non-drinker, refused them all without hesitation.
Suddenly, Liu Bing hurried back to the table with a panicked expression. After a moment's hesitation, she sat next to Hong Tao and whispered something in his ear. Before anyone could react, a group of bald thugs followed her over.
"Goddammit, you bitch! You still dare to run?" the leader of the group cursed, his breath reeking of alcohol. "Believe it or not, I'll make sure you don't walk out of here tonight!"
Liu Bing shrank back but still managed to retort through gritted teeth, "You're the ones who harassed me first!"
Harassment? After finding out what happened, everyone understood. Liu Bing had run into a burly man on her way to the restroom. An argument had started, and in a fit of anger, Liu Bing had slapped him. Now, it seemed, they were here for revenge.
CRASH!
The leader smashed a bottle on a nearby table. His vicious gaze swept over Liu Bing and all the other classmates before finally landing on Li Ruoshui.
"Well, well, look what we have here. A rare beauty, heh heh," Yuan Ye said with a lecherous grin, his attention shifting completely from Liu Bing to Li Ruoshui. "Miss, what's your name? How about I buy you a drink? Of course, if you have nowhere to sleep tonight, you're welcome to stay with me!" he said with a smirk.
Li Ruoshui ignored him, but having never been in a situation like this, she instinctively leaned closer to Shen Fanyun.
Yuan Ye's smile vanished, his tone turning serious. "One of your people slapped my subordinate. Tell me, how are we going to settle this?"
Liu Bing, still defiant, began to protest that he had harassed her first and that she had only been defending herself.
SLAP!
Without a second thought, Yuan Ye struck her across the face. The entire room fell instantly silent.
Even Hong Tao froze, stunned. He glanced over and saw five bright red finger marks appearing on Liu Bing's face, her cheek already swelling and bruising. These guys didn't hold back.
"I don't like being interrupted when I'm speaking," Yuan Ye's cold voice echoed in the silence.
Liu Bing clutched her face, tears streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks.