CHAPTER 202: CHAPTER 202: LIVING BY THE SEA, WHY CARE SO MUCH?

For a moment, Han Mengyu was rendered speechless.

Truthfully, she rarely came to bars, much preferring quiet lounges. It was only because she was in a bad mood today. Her manager had hinted more than once that if she wanted a promotion, she should obediently become his lover. She had always feigned ignorance, but today, he had laid it all out. Either she could get lost, or she could do as he said.

In a third-tier city like Shangluo, a monthly salary of twenty thousand was a high-paying job, and she was reluctant to give it up. However, she didn’t want to lose her virginity to a man like that. Coming to the bar was a decision to let loose for once, to find someone attractive for a one-night stand.

Eventually, her eyes landed on Xia Liang. She wasn’t drawn to him because he had ordered the Ace of Spades, but purely because of his looks. But when she approached and invited him for a drink, he claimed he gets dizzy from alcohol? It was the first time she had ever invited someone out, only to have something like this happen. She was utterly shocked.

Her shock was exactly the reaction Xia Liang wanted. It meant his mission was complete.

Looking at the modern city beauty before him, Xia Liang spoke coolly, "Why did you come to me instead of going to drink with him? Didn’t you know he just ordered three bottles of Ace of Spades?"

"Ace of Spades? Three bottles?"

A flicker of surprise passed through Han Mengyu’s eyes. Her attention had been so focused on Xia Liang that she hadn’t noticed the placards on the other table. They were left there after ordering the expensive champagne to show everyone that a fortune had been spent.

She glanced at Shi Qiang and shook her head. "I’m not interested in him. But I’m very interested in you."

With that, she passed one of the two drinks she had carried over to Xia Liang. "Do me the honor. Have a drink."

Han Mengyu looked at Xia Liang with hopeful eyes, certain that no man could refuse her twice. Clearly, she had never met Xia Liang before.

He merely glanced at the glass. "Sorry, I’m afraid it might be poisoned."

What the hell! If a girl like me isn’t afraid, what is there for you to be afraid of!

Han Mengyu felt like she was going mad. She had come here to find someone appealing to let loose with, not to be repeatedly insulted! Rebuffed twice in a row, her temper flared.

"Fine! You’re worried I’ll drug you, is that it?"

Han Mengyu shot to her feet, put one glass down, and then swung a leg over Xia Liang’s lap, sitting right down on him. The sudden move startled even Xia Liang.

"What are you doing?" he asked instinctively.

Without a word of explanation, Han Mengyu downed her glass of alcohol and leaned in, pressing her lips against his. Xia Liang felt a cool sensation on his mouth.

GULP.

A few seconds later, Han Mengyu smugly wiped a drop of alcohol that had dribbled down the corner of her mouth. "Hah, so you get dizzy from alcohol? You just had a whole glass. How come you’re not dizzy yet?"

Looking at this woman with a Harmonious Value of one hundred, Xia Liang was stunned.

Damn it!

An old internet saying came to mind: *The more prim they look with glasses, the wilder they are underneath.* The netizens were right!

A corner of his mouth twitched. "Miss, is this really appropriate for a first meeting?" he asked, shifting his legs to remind her that she was still sitting on his lap in a rather indecent position.

At his words, Han Mengyu’s face flushed red. She didn’t know what had gotten into her today to make her so bold. But when she thought about how she, a woman, was being so forward while this man was still acting so proper, she defiantly settled herself more firmly on his lap.

"What’s the matter? A girl like me isn’t afraid, so what are you scared of? Afraid your girlfriend will see?"

Looking at her, Xia Liang replied calmly, "I wouldn’t say I’m scared, but I do indeed have a girlfriend."

What? Is this kid for real? Can’t he tell that I want something to happen between us? Why come to a bar if you’re going to be so honest? He has the face of a player, but it’s all a waste.

For a moment, Han Mengyu was at a loss for words.

Xia Liang shifted his legs again, a playful look on his face. "What’s wrong? Now that you know I have a girlfriend, you’re still not getting off? Aren’t you afraid she’ll come looking for trouble?"

Xia Liang’s words snapped her back to her senses. She flicked her hair nonchalantly. "Well, you haven’t exactly pushed me away, have you?"

Looks like this girl is determined to stick with me tonight.

Just then, the screen of the phone on the nearby table lit up. A cheesy ringtone began to play.

*My love is hurt~*

*And the hurt is painful~*

...

Seeing the contact name "Xiang Qiao" on the screen, Han Mengyu’s lips curved into a playful smile. "Oh, is that the girlfriend checking in? Should I make myself scarce?"

Despite her words, she made no move to get up.

"That’s not my girlfriend." Xia Liang glanced over at Shi Qiang, who was still having a blast. "Stick around and I’ll show you a good time. Hand me the phone."

"Why should I?" Despite her protest, she twisted around to grab the phone. To keep her from falling, Xia Liang wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Here," she said, handing the phone to him.

Without hesitation, Xia Liang answered the call. "Hello."

On the other end, Zhou Xiangqiao was ecstatic to hear the call connect. But less than a minute in, she was hit by the deafening sound of club music, periodically punctuated by shouts of "OH~ OH~ OH~". She didn’t need to be told; she knew Shi Qiang was at a bar. It seemed Xia Liang had kept his word and taken him out to meet women.

Panic seized Zhou Xiangqiao. She knew how naive Shi Qiang was; after all, she had led him on for three months, and just letting him hold her hand was enough to make her unforgettable to him. If another woman... if that happened...

Zhou Xiangqiao had no doubt that no matter how much Shi Qiang loved her, he would ignore her completely and start a proper relationship with that other woman.

Absolutely not! How could I let someone else snatch my man away?

"Shi Qiang, where are you?" she asked urgently.

The bar was loud, but with his enhanced hearing, Xia Liang had no trouble making out her words. He feigned annoyance. "Hey, you’re pretty nosy, aren’t you? You’re not his girlfriend, so why do you care what we’re doing?"

Hearing Xia Liang’s arrogant tone, Zhou Xiangqiao knew it wasn’t Shi Qiang but the man from the car dealership that morning. She didn’t dare cross Xia Liang, so she pleaded with a hint of desperation, "You must be Xia Liang, right? The reason I said I wasn’t his girlfriend is that Shi Qiang and I had a little fight a few days ago. I was still mad today, so that’s why I said it."

Coming up with such a quick excuse, Zhou Xiangqiao mentally patted herself on the back. From her perspective, if she admitted it first, winning Shi Qiang back would be a piece of cake.

"Oh, okay then."

Xia Liang glanced at Shi Qiang, still busy playing dice, as the smile on his lips grew wider.

"Alright, we’re at Wendy Bar, in private room number three."