C44 So Soft!

Zhang Chen felt a sudden tightness in his chest.

Before he could even process the feeling, Su Mang's laughter rang out.

Then, he felt a weight press down on him.

Caught off guard, Zhang Chen instinctively reached out to steady Su Mang.

"What are you up to?" he asked with a touch of exasperation.

His patience was wearing thin.

With a triumphant grin, Su Mang replied, "Nothing much. Just carry me to the door, will you?"

Zhang Chen glanced upward, his mind racing.

This could turn embarrassing if he let his emotions get the better of him.

Before he could conjure up an excuse to decline, Su Mang whispered in his ear, "Little brother, everyone's eyes are on me. I'm dressed so simply; you wouldn't want them taking advantage of me, right?"

Absolutely not!

Zhang Chen stood up straighter, resolve firming his stance.

Without a second thought, he strode toward the door.

The other men in the pool had been ogling Su Mang, but Zhang Chen's presence shielded her from their view, leaving them with nothing to see.

The once bustling pool fell eerily silent, the noise replaced by a tense quiet.

Countless glares of anger and envy were directed at Zhang Chen.

Yee Qingchen's brow creased slightly, a flash of annoyance in his eyes, but it quickly dissipated.

"They're siblings. It's perfectly normal," he murmured to himself.

After setting Su Mang down, Zhang Chen retreated to his fitting room.

A cold smirk played at the corner of Yee Qingchen's mouth as he too rose and departed.

Zhang Chen was quick to change and soon stepped out of the changing room.

But right outside, he spotted Yee Qingchen standing a short distance away, a smile gracing his lips.

Zhang Chen's frown deepened, but he chose to ignore him and kept walking.

He hadn't gone far when Yee Qingchen called out, "Brother, hold up a second."

Zhang Chen paused.

He had a feeling this would happen.

Still, he wondered, what did Yee Qingchen want with him?

Yee Qingchen approached, his smile unwavering. "Hello, I'm Yee Qingchen."

Zhang Chen responded with a grin, "The Yee family."

Yee Qingchen gave Zhang Chen a surprised look, then continued with a smile, "Brother, what's your last name?"

"Zhang."

Yee Qingchen's frown returned.

Anyone who could be here was certainly wealthy or influential, yet he had never heard of a Zhang family in Ningzhou.

Zhang Chen offered a friendly smile as he explained, "We're from out of town, so it's understandable that you haven't heard of us."

Yee Qingchen's face lit up with recognition, and he chuckled, "Brother, it feels like we're old friends already. Might I have the honor of treating you to dinner later?"

Zhang Chen inwardly scoffed, but outwardly he maintained his cheerful demeanor as he declined, "No need, I've got some things to take care of. Let's plan for another day when I can treat you."

Yee Qingchen's brow creased briefly before smoothing out again. He persisted, "Alright then, what's on your agenda later?"

"I've got to accompany my sister; she's heading out to have some fun," Zhang Chen replied, still beaming.

"And where might you two be heading?" Yee Qingchen probed further.

Shaking his head, Zhang Chen said, "I'm not sure yet. We'll play it by ear, depending on what my sister feels like doing. She's waiting for me outside, so I better get going. Take care, goodbye."

Yee Qingchen returned the smile and nodded, "Goodbye."

With that, Zhang Chen turned on his heel and departed.

As he turned, a sly smirk crept across his face.

Yee Qingchen was sure to tail him.

Zhang Chen quickly made his way outside.

Su Mang had changed into fresh clothes, though her hair remained damp.

Upon seeing Zhang Chen, her face broke into a radiant smile.

Stepping outside, Zhang Chen noticed Loong San reappear, casually leaning against a door, waiting silently by the roadside.

With a resigned shake of his head, Zhang Chen joined Su Mang in the car.

Without a word, Loong San fired up the engine and set off.

Zhang Chen asked with a grin, "So, where are we off to?"

After a brief pause, Su Mang suggested, "How about the bar? I've never been, and I've heard it's quite the experience."

Zhang Chen shook his head in mild exasperation.

Loong San steered the car directly toward the bar.

Zhang Chen kept a vigilant eye on the rear-view mirror and soon noticed a car trailing them.

He had been right.

With a mischievous smile, Zhang Chen remarked, "Looks like we've picked up a tail. Seems we're in for another interruption soon."

Su Mang looked confused, "Who is it?"

Before Zhang Chen could respond, Loong San's deep voice cut in from the front, "Yee Qingchen."

Zhang Chen's eyes widened in shock as he stared at Loong San, unable to believe what he was seeing.

How could he possibly know that?

The guy was an absolute oddball.

Zhang Chen was at a loss for words, utterly baffled by Loong San's character.

Su Mang simply nodded, seemingly unfazed.

She was no stranger to such situations.

Soon, they arrived at the front of a bustling bar. As Zhang Chen stepped out of the car, night had fallen, and the bar was thriving with activity.

Before going in, Zhang Chen glanced back and saw the car had indeed pulled up slowly to the bar's entrance.

A cold smirk played on his lips.

Amidst the waiter's eager stares, Zhang Chen and Su Mang made their way inside the bar.

As the door swung open, a wave of heavy music enveloped them.

The dance floor was alive with people, their bodies moving wildly to the beat.

"Wow, so this is what a bar is like," Su Mang exclaimed with a thrill in her voice, leaning in to shout over the music to Zhang Chen.

Zhang Chen chuckled.

Places like this were meant for release.

People came here for two reasons: to let off steam or to indulge in their desires.

With everyone lost in the rhythm and the dim, flickering lights, few took notice of Su Mang, a beauty without equal, making her entrance.

Zhang Chen led Su Mang straight to the bar counter.

"Third Sister, what'll you have?" he asked cheerfully.

They were here, after all; it was only right to order a drink.

"What's there to drink?" Su Mang inquired, her curiosity piqued.

That question stumped Zhang Chen; he genuinely didn't know.

"What's there to drink?" he repeated with a grin to the bartenders.

A flicker of disdain crossed the bartenders' eyes, but they couldn't help being struck by Su Mang's stunning looks.