Chapter 7: The Attention Seeker

Over here, Pei Yi had already walked to a booth not far from the dance floor, ordered a drink, and was waiting for the right moment. He was feeling quite pleased: As expected, a goddess is always a goddess—she is flawless, whether seen from afar or up close.

Two minutes later, another rock song ended. Wen Jiu, taking advantage of the musical prelude, patted Shen Mengxia on the shoulder and gestured for her to step down from the stage. Shen Mengxia understood and responded with an “OK” sign, then continued immersing herself in the fast-paced music.

Wen Jiu returned to the booth, ordered two more drinks, and watched Shen Mengxia reveling in rock music on stage. She was so absorbed in watching that she didn’t notice someone approaching from the side. Even as the man moved directly in front of her, keeping a safe distance, he raised his glass to her. Wen Jiu immediately realized he was trying to strike up a conversation.

Seeing that he kept his distance, Wen Jiu raised her glass as well and took a sip. Pei Yi finally spoke, “Hello, my name is Pei Yi. I wonder if I might have the honor of making your acquaintance?”

Though clearly a pickup attempt, his tone and manner were so composed and courteous that Wen Jiu felt no urge to reject him. She nodded politely and replied, “My name is Wen Jiu.”

No sooner had she spoken than she noticed Shen Mengxia coming down from the dance floor, moving swiftly toward her. Shen Mengxia had spotted a man approaching Wen Jiu while she was on stage and immediately left the floor, worried that such a beautiful Wen Jiu might be led astray by some dubious guy.

She ran up to Wen Jiu, turned, and hooked her arm around Wen Jiu’s, then finally looked up at Pei Yi. As soon as Shen Mengxia and Pei Yi locked eyes, they both exclaimed in surprise.

“It’s you?!”

“It’s you!?”

Moments earlier, when Wen Jiu and Shen Mengxia had been dancing face-to-face, Pei Yi could see Wen Jiu from upstairs, while Shen Mengxia had her back to him. From their tones, Wen Jiu realized they actually knew each other.

Shen Mengxia loosened her grip on Wen Jiu’s arm a little. After all, although Pei Yi seemed a bit mischievous, his character was beyond reproach.

Pei Yi came to his senses and asked, “Shen Mengxia, is this your friend? How come I’ve never seen her before?”

Shen Mengxia replied, “She’s my best friend. Jiu Jiu just returned to the country recently. You and I haven’t known each other that long, so isn’t it normal you haven’t met her?”

Pei Yi snorted, “What do you mean we haven’t known each other long? We’ve been friends for over three years!”

When Shen Mengxia ignored him, Pei Yi theatrically clutched his chest and complained, “Xia Xia, you’re breaking your brother’s heart saying that. Our friendship has been as solid as a rock these past three years!”

Shen Mengxia rolled her eyes and feigned annoyance, “Yes, yes, rock-solid.”

Wen Jiu couldn’t help but laugh at their childish banter.

Shen Mengxia finally came to herself and said to Wen Jiu, “Jiu Jiu, shall we head home?”

Wen Jiu had no objections and was about to nod.

Pei Yi chimed in, “Hey, girls, it’s still early. Why go home now? It’s no fun at home. Why not join me in the private room for a bit longer?”

Shen Mengxia checked the time on her phone—it was indeed early. She turned to ask Wen Jiu’s opinion.

Wen Jiu thought it was a good chance to relax tonight, so she nodded.

Seeing both of them agree, Pei Yi happily took the lead, still teasing Shen Mengxia, “Come on, Xia Xia, your brother will take you upstairs.”

Shen Mengxia exploded, “Don’t call yourself my brother! You’re only a day older than me!”

“A minute older counts too, little sister,” Pei Yi grinned, showing none of the humility he’d had in front of Wen Jiu earlier.

Wen Jiu shook her head and smiled helplessly—their dynamic was quite something.

After a few jokes, the three of them arrived at the door of the private room upstairs.

Pei Yi explained, “There are two of my close friends inside. Don’t worry, they’re both easygoing.”

He pushed open the door.

Pei Yi entered first, and Shen Mengxia, still holding Wen Jiu’s hand, followed.

Inside, in the corner on the sofa, sat two men in suits.

Wen Jiu took a closer look and recognized one of them as Gu Zehuai. Upon reflection, it wasn’t surprising. The Pei and Gu families were both prominent in City A, and rumor had it they were old family friends.

Pei Yi introduced everyone, and soon the five of them were seated.

Pei Yi was secretly delighted—his goddess was sitting right across from him.

Gu Zehuai, after Pei Yi’s introduction, nodded to Wen Jiu and Shen Mengxia. Lin Youqi did the same.

By nature, Gu Zehuai was not talkative, and Lin Youqi was likewise reserved.

Shen Mengxia wondered to herself: Is this what Pei Yi calls “easygoing”?

The room fell quiet.

But with Pei Yi, there was no chance of awkward silence.

Pei Yi suggested, “Let’s play an interesting game, shall we? ‘I Have, You Haven’t.’ You name something you’ve done and see if anyone else has done it. If someone hasn’t done it, they put down a finger. If everyone has done it but the questioner hasn’t, the questioner puts down a finger. What do you think?”

Everyone agreed.

Just then, Pei Yi’s phone rang. He glanced at the caller—it was Lin Youqi’s sister, Lin Lehan.

He answered, and her clear voice came through, “Yi, are you guys at Golan Bar? Is my brother there too? I’m nearby, I’ll be right over.”

After replying, Pei Yi hung up.

Pei Yi then childishly flaunted to Lin Youqi that Lin Lehan had called him instead of her brother. Lin Youqi rubbed his forehead, wishing he could pretend not to know this clown.

The classic fool from next door.

Everyone was amused by Pei Yi.

The game officially began.

In the first round, Pei Yi posed the question.

The five raised their hands.

Pei Yi thought for a moment, then offered, “I have black hair.”

At once, everyone looked at Wen Jiu, who silently put down a finger.

Lin Youqi did the same.

Wen Jiu and Shen Mengxia were puzzled—wasn’t his hair black?

Pei Yi noticed their confusion and explained, “Qi’s hair is naturally brown. It’s not obvious indoors, but we all know, haha.”

The game continued. Next was Shen Mengxia’s turn.

“I skipped class in high school.”

At this, Wen Jiu and Gu Zehuai put down a finger.

Pei Yi saw Wen Jiu do so and thought to himself, a goddess indeed—her grades must be excellent.

Gu Zehuai and Wen Jiu exchanged a look.

Third round, Wen Jiu’s turn.

She considered for a moment, then said, “I have long hair.”

All three men in the room put down a finger.

Next, Lin Youqi’s turn.

“I’ve been in a relationship.”

Gu Zehuai and Wen Jiu silently put down a finger.

Pei Yi laughed at Gu Zehuai, “Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha—Huai has been single since birth for twenty-seven years!” Then, turning, “Hey, Wen Jiu too.”

Pei Yi stopped himself—he couldn’t mock Gu Zehuai and his goddess at the same time.

At that moment, the door to the room opened.

Lin Lehan walked in, her eyes lighting up when she saw two girls inside.

Pei Yi introduced Wen Jiu and Shen Mengxia to Lin Lehan, and vice versa.

Lin Lehan’s lively and outgoing nature quickly made her familiar with Wen Jiu and Shen Mengxia.

She sweetly praised Wen Jiu, “Sister, you’re so beautiful—I really like you!”

Then she turned to Shen Mengxia, “Xia Xia, you’re gorgeous too. Wow, two stunning beauties—I love you both!”

Lin Lehan sat between Wen Jiu and Shen Mengxia, beaming with joy.