Chapter 8: Encountering Li Manli Again

“Liang, why did you open the Ace of Spades without waiting for me?”

Zhang Qian received the message and hurried over, her smile radiant and enchanting. Behind her trailed seven or eight girls, each with distinct styles but all undeniably beautiful.

At this moment, the high-end nature of the Wanli Palace was evident—they bore almost no tattoos.

Anyone who frequents nightlife spots knows that being pretty and well-shaped alone doesn’t reveal the quality of a club. To gauge a club’s caliber, one key criterion is whether the atmosphere girls have extensive tattoos.

If they all sport full-sleeve tattoos or cover their backs in ink, then no matter how upscale the venue claims to be, it won’t be truly high-end.

That’s because girls with heavy tattoos usually attract guys of similar rough tastes, who tend to be poor.

Those with some money prefer girls who appear clean and tidy—even if only superficially—because it’s simply more pleasing to the eye.

“Opening a bottle of Ace of Spades comes with a special show?”

Lu Liang glanced over the group of girls, selecting two with average looks but pleasant personalities.

Both were around twenty, greeting him with sweet smiles—a clear sign of hardworking good girls.

Men come out to have fun, but some, relying on their looks, always wear sour expressions.

Lu Liang wouldn’t even spare a glance at such girls, no matter how beautiful, not even if they were goddesses.

“What special show do you want, Liang?” Zhang Qian asked with a sweet smile, holding Lu Liang’s arm tightly, her chest pressed and slightly deformed by the embrace.

Shanghai is a city of young people and the wealthy; she was no longer young and knew that to stay here meant paying a higher price.

If Lu Liang was willing to open another bottle of Ace of Spades and help her meet tonight’s sales target, she wouldn’t mind giving a little more in return.

“I think you’d look great dancing.”

Without hesitation, Lu Liang ordered another bottle.

“Then Qianqian will dance for Liang, but please don’t be upset if I’m not good,” Zhang Qian said, her smile broadening as she waved away the girls who hadn’t been chosen.

“Qingqing, please play a song for me.” She slipped off her heavy jacket, revealing a delicate camisole beneath.

Moving to the rhythm, she swayed her entire body and suddenly pulled Lu Liang from his seat.

The two danced closely, bodies pressed together, whispering intimately...

When the song ended, Zhang Qian sensed something unusual stirring in Lu Liang. She giggled softly, pulling him back to the seat, crossing her legs to shield him.

Clinging to his arm and pressing her cheek to his face, her ruby lips inviting, she breathed, “Liang, was my dancing okay?”

“It was really good.” Lu Liang’s hand brushed lightly over her silky stocking, feeling the soft texture and smoothness.

“Of course, I’ve practiced,” Zhang Qian responded with a soft hum, trembling slightly as she matched his touch.

The two other girls poured drinks and handed out snacks, while Lu Liang enjoyed the company, one arm around each.

Suddenly, the private room door opened. Liu Mingxuan had already picked up two girls outside.

He was smooth-talking and charming, always popular with women since school.

“Liangzi, Xuanxuan and the others want to come in for a photo,” Liu Mingxuan said, swaying his hips lightly, hands stretched out as if mimicking a childhood train game.

Nightclubs often foster childish games, but under the influence of alcohol and music, strangers quickly find intimacy.

Behind Liu Mingxuan were two girls, one resting her hand on the other’s shoulder, as he led them into the room like a train.

“More people, more fun,” Lu Liang said, gently pushing Zhang Qian’s legs apart, having noticed someone familiar behind Liu Mingxuan.

Not the two girls he had just flirted with, but a “Black Spade” girl pushing a champagne tower.

Li Manli arrived with the champagne trolley but suddenly froze, her smile stiffening.

She hadn’t expected that the “loser” she thought Lu Liang to be would come to Wanli Palace and splurge on two bottles of Ace of Spades totaling 8,800 yuan.

Glancing at Liu Mingxuan and then Zhang Qian—the marketing manager—Li Manli understood that the girl accompanying Lu Liang was probably the main customer.

Lost in thought, Li Manli accidentally knocked over the champagne tower. Dozens of glasses shattered on the floor.

All eyes turned to her. She panicked, nearly in tears, bowing repeatedly and apologizing, “I’m so sorry...”

Zhang Qian and Liu Mingxuan all looked to Lu Liang—the boss here—no one else had the authority to forgive her.

Even if Zhang Qian wanted to plead for Li Manli, she first had to see Lu Liang’s reaction.

If he refused, angering him and dragging herself into trouble would be a costly mistake.

“It’s okay, better safe than sorry. Stop cleaning up, be careful not to cut yourself,” Lu Liang said, pulling Li Manli gently and dismissing her apologies. He kicked the broken glass aside.

Li Manli wore a deep blue and white striped sailor suit, a white beret perched atop her head, and white stockings over her knees.

Especially now, with tears brimming in her eyes and a pitiful expression, she stirred a protective instinct deep within.

Liu Mingxuan raised an eyebrow, then suddenly shouted angrily, “What kind of management is this? Call your leader! One bottle of Ace of Spades wasted like this? Do you think money grows on trees?”

He and Lu Liang had been close friends for over a decade, classmates and roommates, even sharing a cigarette. He knew Lu Liang’s character well.

Though easygoing, Lu Liang was not without temper. His sudden leniency surely had some hidden purpose.

Coincidentally, Li Manli was very pretty, seemingly the type Lu Liang liked, so as an old friend, Liu Mingxuan naturally egged him on.

Even if we step back, a champagne tower worth 8,800 yuan can’t just be wasted without consequence.

“Calm down. We’re here to have fun, and everyone makes mistakes sometimes.”

Lu Liang glanced at Liu Mingxuan. Their eyes met, lips curling into knowing smiles—they understood each other’s intentions immediately.

Of course, he did not object.

Since hearing rumors about Lu Liang’s divorce, Liu Mingxuan had encountered Li Manli several times in hallways and elevators.

Her aloof demeanor and cold distance seemed designed to avoid any entanglement with Lu Liang.

Though Lu Liang was indifferent, he couldn’t help feeling a bit annoyed.

Did she think he was some fresh, disposable toy?

If fate hadn’t brought them together, he would have let it be.

But now that he was her financial benefactor, he wasn’t about to be so easily dismissed.

“Brother Xuan, don’t be angry. I’ll toast you.” Zhang Qian quickly filled a glass, apologizing profusely. She also poured one for Li Manli. “Thanks to Liang, otherwise you’d have to pay.”

“Thank you, Liang,” Li Manli said gratefully, aware that if Lu Liang pressed further, her bonus this month would be gone.

Similar incidents had happened before; bosses could be relentless, leaving the general manager to apologize and waive charges.

After all, the bosses who buy Ace of Spades bottles usually aren’t short of money. They come to unwind and feel good.

As service staff in nightlife, mistakes aren’t simply settled by monetary compensation.

“Two bottles already ordered. Just open a new one; forget about this one,” Lu Liang said, giving Li Manli a look but then turning back to drink and sing with the girls as if the incident were a minor blip, insignificant and unworthy of further attention.

Li Manli exhaled in relief but felt somewhat let down.

After all, they were neighbors. Though they hadn’t interacted recently, she hadn’t expected such coldness.

She was also curious how Lu Liang, divorced for months and seemingly unemployed, could afford to spend so much at Wanli Palace.

Two bottles of Ace of Spades in a private room—tonight’s expenditure was at least thirty thousand yuan.