Chapter 63: Lin Yimo's Sacrifice

“Nanxu, since you like Lin Yimo, why don’t you confess to her?” Lin Yang asked.

“She doesn’t like me. If I confess, wouldn’t I just be humiliating myself?” Zheng Nanxu replied.

“How do you know she won’t like you if you never say anything? Don’t you even have the guts?” Lin Yang teased.

“Some feelings are best kept in the heart; they don’t have to lead anywhere. If nothing’s said, we remain classmates. If it’s spoken, maybe even that is lost. I’ll wish Lin Yimo well, but seeing her date someone like Dou Jun really bothers me.”

“Dou Jun may be richer than me, but when it comes to character, he’s even less deserving of Lin Yimo than I am,” Zheng Nanxu said with a smile.

“Suit yourself. You’re not a child anymore. When it comes to matters of the heart, as long as you know what you want.”

The two stepped into the elevator and went straight to Phoenix Palace KTV.

Zheng Nanxu truly was a regular at this place. As soon as he entered, a madam with heavy makeup, swaying her snake-like waist in a high-slit cheongsam, greeted him warmly.

Having seen the refined elegance of Murong Yun’s cheongsam, Lin Yang felt that these outfits, steeped in the dust and glamour of the night, could never compare. He had that sense of "once you’ve seen the vast ocean, no other water will suffice; after Mount Wu, no other cloud will do."

Inside the private room, the madam quickly arranged for a line of young, beautiful women, dressed provocatively, tall and striking, to enter. They introduced themselves one by one, from left to right.

“Yang, you choose first.”

Lin Yang didn’t mind playing along in such settings.

His gaze swept over the girls, who immediately straightened their posture, eyes shining, eagerly watching him. Only one stood with her head bowed, hands behind her back, never looking at him.

Learning it was Lin Yang’s first time at a business entertainment venue, the madam whispered an explanation: “Yang, the ones with their hands in front are available and know how to have fun—obedient and attentive. The ones with their hands behind, they’re not available.”

“I see. Got it.” Lin Yang nodded slightly. The madam suddenly said, “Weiwei, why are you bowing your head? Lift it up.”

Weiwei still didn’t raise her head. Afraid of offending the customer, the madam barked, “Get out!”

“No need. I’ll take her.”

“Yang, this girl’s only been here a couple of days, she’s still a little shy. I’m afraid she might not serve you well. Why not pick someone else?” the madam said.

“I won’t change. I’ll choose her.”

The madam turned to Weiwei: “Didn’t you hear? Go sit with Yang. Serve him well. If you offend a customer again, you’ll regret it.”

Weiwei kept her head down, reluctant, a little out of sorts.

Normally, all the women at Phoenix Palace were trained; no matter how unattractive the client, if chosen, they had to serve enthusiastically—professional ethics.

“What are you dawdling for? I told you to come over. Are you deaf?”

The madam’s flirtatious glance turned sharp.

Weiwei finally walked over and sat beside Lin Yang.

“This girl’s obviously a newcomer. Yang, pick two more. Have a good time—no need to save money,” Zheng Nanxu said.

“Alright.”

Lin Yang chose another. The madam said, “Great taste, Yang. She’s Xinxin, one of Phoenix Palace’s top girls.”

“Two is enough for me. Nanxu, you pick.”

Zheng Nanxu chose two, one on each side, ready to entertain.

Xinxin was enthusiastic and alluring, pouring drinks, offering snacks and fruit, flirting with Lin Yang, her hands wandering, her gaze electric and seductive—a top girl indeed, flawless in her craft.

Lin Yang was no saint; at his first time in such a setting, he found it genuinely amusing.

Zheng Nanxu, a seasoned hand, played even more expertly—one hand already exploring inside a girl’s bra while singing into the microphone.

“Weiwei, pour Yang a drink. What are you staring at?” Xinxin urged.

“No need. Don’t force her. Let her just sit,” Lin Yang said.

Xinxin was puzzled. Money had been spent choosing Weiwei, yet Lin Yang let her sit without doing anything—it wasn’t typical customer behavior.

Guests at Phoenix Palace were usually wealthy and powerful, difficult to please, quick-tempered.

Weiwei’s behavior, with the wrong customer, might have earned her a slap.

They sang for a while, then moved on to steamy games, with only Weiwei sitting quietly on the sofa, not joining in. Lin Yang wasn’t angry, paying her no mind.

Even Zheng Nanxu couldn’t help asking Lin Yang if he wanted to switch girls.

But Lin Yang insisted on keeping her.

Upstairs at Phoenix Hotel, Lin Yimo stepped out of the elevator and hesitated in the corridor for a long time. Her phone buzzed with a message. She glanced at it, put her phone in her bag, then walked to a presidential suite, unlocking the door with her card.

“Why are you only just here? I’ve been waiting for ages,” Wei Dagang said, dressed in a bathrobe, a cigar in hand, with a bottle of red wine and a large, beautiful bouquet on the coffee table.

“I… ran into something on the way, got delayed,” Lin Yimo stammered, rubbing her hands together nervously.

“You’re here now, that’s what matters. Do you like the flowers I got for you?”

Wei Dagang stubbed out his cigar, picked up the bouquet, and walked over.

“Yes… I like them,” Lin Yimo replied, though her heart wasn’t in it.

“There’s a surprise in the flowers,” Wei Dagang said.

Lin Yimo found a box among the blooms. She opened it to reveal a diamond necklace, dazzling and clearly expensive.

“This blue diamond necklace cost me over two million. I think it’ll look beautiful on you—it suits you perfectly. Here, let me help you put it on.”

Wei Dagang took out the necklace, its diamonds sparkling with brilliant blue light—the kind of thing no woman could resist.

It was indeed worth over two million, but Wei Dagang hadn’t bought it specifically for Lin Yimo; it was a gift he gave to each of his personal secretaries.

When he’d had enough, he’d give them some money to leave, reclaiming the necklace.

Lin Yimo was neither its first nor would she be its last owner.