Chapter 11: An Unchanging Taste Through the Ages

After giving the messages a quick glance, Fu Juxing exited the information screen, put his phone away, and twisted open a bottle of mineral water for a sip. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed several cars speeding past—police cars, three in a row, not the sort just passing by. They were driving so fast they must have been dispatched on a mission.

He remained composed, continuing to drink his water, when his phone vibrated in his pocket. He screwed the cap back on, pulled out his phone, and saw an unfamiliar number. He answered, holding it to his ear.

“Mr. Fu, is there an issue with your transfer? Your assistant just rambled on and on, I didn’t catch a word, but it seems you might have left off a zero by mistake?”

Fu Juxing stepped out of the convenience store and replied coolly, “You’re overthinking it.”

…

Lin Wanbai was surrounded by a group of men—a treatment reserved for only the most exclusive VVIPs. She was led to the queen’s throne, and then the men began to dance. Each was well-built and handsome, their waists surprisingly supple. With the deafening music, dazzling lights, and the boisterous crowd, the atmosphere was electrifying.

Lin Wanbai was probably the plainest one in the room, barely adorned, yet everyone in the audience, men and women alike, was mad with envy.

Suddenly, the spotlight shifted and the music changed. A man in a suit and tie stepped onto the stage. The lights were so bright that, for a moment, Lin Wanbai thought it was Fu Juxing.

Her heart skipped a beat.

But as the man drew closer, she realized it wasn’t him. Still, there was a faint resemblance. The man stopped before her, bracing his hands on the arms of her chair, bringing them suddenly close, the atmosphere tinged with ambiguity.

Yet his gaze was clear, without desire or flattery, as if he were merely completing a task.

Lin Wanbai arched her lips in a smile, raised a finger, and tapped him lightly on the forehead.

Liang Zhixia, standing offstage, clicked her tongue quietly. “Some tastes never change,” she thought.

Afterward, Lin Wanbai left the stage.

Liang Zhixia immediately went to her. “So, how was it? Satisfied?”

“It was alright. Some of those muscle-bound guys were a bit much—didn’t look good,” she critiqued.

“And the last one on stage?”

“Oh, I bought him.”

Liang Zhixia had expected as much. She slung an arm around Lin Wanbai’s shoulders. “See? No one knows you better. I saved the best for last—this one’s genuinely pure-hearted.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s only here because he’s short on money. He sells his skills, not his body, you get it? Old Qin told me he’s a student at S University, has a proper girlfriend. But his family’s factory went bankrupt, debts piling up, and his parents ran off, leaving him to shoulder it all. The creditors chased him all the way here—almost to his school. He only ended up working here because he had no other choice.”

Lin Wanbai didn’t pay much attention to this, responding perfunctorily before excusing herself to the restroom. She’d had enough fun and was ready to leave.

Just as she was about to go out, a man burst in, shouting, “The police are here—”

Instantly, chaos erupted as everyone scrambled to escape. The raid had come without warning, and no one had time to react.

Liang Zhixia was quick, grabbing Lin Wanbai’s hand and heading for the back door, but they were caught by two auxiliary officers waiting outside—no chance to hide.

Many notable figures were present, and as they were led out, all chose to cover their heads with black cloth. Lin Wanbai did the same.

Fu Juxing arrived just as the police were rounding everyone up, escorting them out one by one. He recognized Lin Wanbai immediately—she was wearing the clothes he’d chosen for her—and she was first in line, her head concealed by a black cloth sack, her steps unsteady.

Her hands no longer hurt; she clung tightly to the policeman’s clothes in front of her, refusing to let go even as they boarded the vehicle.