Outside, the sun was bright and the sky was clear, but inside Dongxi Wholesale KTV, the lighting was dim.
It was probably because they did not open to the public during the daytime. The lights were off, and the thing Qin Junlan saw most often along the way were upside-down chair legs.
Qin Junlan and Bai Lansheng were following behind a staff member who was leading them to the private room where Brother Su was waiting.
Noticing that Bai Lansheng had slowed down, Qin Junlan said, “Short legs, hurry up. Don’t get left behind.”
Short legs? Bai Lansheng puffed up angrily.
When Qin Junlan spoke, the guide turned around and glanced at them. His eyes lingered awkwardly on Bai Lansheng’s face for a moment, filled with a strange curiosity and hesitation.
When Bai Lansheng met his gaze, he quickly looked away.
She remembered then that the shameless woman had smeared some makeup on her face earlier as a disguise.
Qin Junlan discreetly handed the guide a red envelope and said with a smile, “Let’s have a meal sometime, brother.”
The guide quietly tucked the Sokka card into his pocket and gave her a small nod, though he did not say anything.
Bai Lansheng pursed her lips and looked away, clearly disapproving of this kind of bribery.
The guide brought them to a room labeled “Lucky Hall” and gave Qin Junlan a meaningful look before knocking on the door.
While they waited, Qin Junlan gently rubbed Bai Lansheng’s head and whispered, “Don’t be afraid. I’ll protect you.”
Before Bai Lansheng could respond, the door opened from the inside. The guide spoke up, “Sister Qiangwei, Brother Su asked me to bring Qin Sisi. She’s here. This one next to her is a friend. Should I bring them both in or have the friend wait outside?”
The name “Sister Qiangwei” was spoken very clearly.
Qin Junlan caught on and respectfully greeted her as well.
Sister Qiangwei lived up to her name. She wore a bright red spaghetti-strap dress and looked very seductive. She gave Qin Junlan a once-over, then paused when her gaze landed on Bai Lansheng.
“Let them both in,” she said, stepping aside to let them through.
She walked over to Brother Su, wrapping an arm around his neck while continuing to glance curiously at the two newcomers.
Brother Su said nothing and did not invite them to sit. He just sipped his drink and kept flirting with Sister Qiangwei.
Qin Junlan guessed that she had never dealt with Brother Su before. From the way he was acting, it was clear he wanted to show her who was in charge.
She must have done something to offend him. But just standing there would not solve anything.
Out of habit, whenever she encountered a difficult situation, she would find a way to handle it. Since she didn’t understand the full picture yet, it was better to test the waters.
Qin Junlan turned on her professional charm. Wearing a flawless smile, she took a step forward, closed the distance, and greeted him warmly.
“Brother Su, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I had the honor of witnessing your powerful presence just yesterday, and now I’m lucky enough to see you up close. What a privilege.”
No one punches a smiling face. Her good looks only made the smile more effective.
Sister Qiangwei playfully lifted Brother Su’s chin, and he kissed her fingers before his expression finally softened.
“You always go easy on the pretty ones,” he said. “No need to stand around. Find a seat. Qiangwei, pour them a drink.”
Qin Junlan quickly replied, “Being pretty is nothing compared to being talented. What Sister Qiangwei admires about you is your brilliance. Someone like me is not worthy of a drink poured by her. I’ll do it myself.”
After speaking, she poured herself a glass, drank it all in one go, and held the empty glass up to show him.
Brother Su was pleased with her boldness and nodded.
Then he finally explained why he had been giving her a hard time.
The problem, as it turned out, was her.
In order to find Bai Lansheng, she had barged into the Dongxi Central Hotel. The incident upset the upper management, and Brother Su ended up being blamed for it.
Whether or not the blame was as serious as he made it sound, the fact that she had annoyed him was real. That was why she was reassigned to a different area.
Now Qin Junlan understood the real reason why she and Green Hair had been suddenly transferred to Zone X-19.
Brother Su said, “But I can tell you’re clever and capable. I have always valued talent. I hate to see it wasted. So, I’m thinking of giving you a promotion.”
Qin Junlan replied, “You’re overestimating me. I’m just an ordinary person. I don’t deserve such praise.”
Since she refused to accept the compliment, Brother Su simply turned on a screen and played a video of her fighting in Zone X-19.
The video had clearly been shot by hand. It started with a wide view of two groups fighting, but soon the camera focused entirely on Qin Junlan.
The woman known as “Qin Sisi” fought with fierce precision. Every move targeted a weak spot. Her attacks were sharp and clean. Not only was she fast, but she moved with incredible style.
The final frame froze on Qin Junlan, arms crossed, looking straight into the camera.
Her tall figure, straight legs, and even her simple clothes gave her the aura of a model.
Though her face was hidden behind a helmet and sunglasses, the confidence and power in her body language filled the screen. It was overwhelming.
Bai Lansheng lowered her head the moment the video paused.
Even without looking, the pressure of that presence lingered. It was like a heavy ink stain spreading across the paper, slow and lasting.
She realized she really did not understand this woman beside her at all.
The shameless woman had never once mentioned anything about her life outside. And now it turned out this was who she really was.
Qin Junlan frowned slightly, clearly annoyed. She had no idea anyone had been filming. That final moment of her looking toward the camera had been pure coincidence.
But Brother Su had shown the video on purpose.
He was forcing her to admit the truth.
Her lashes fluttered as her thoughts raced. There was no point in hiding anymore.
She raised her glass.
“It’s an honor to work for you, Brother Su. This drink is for you.”
She finished it in one go.
Brother Su laughed.
“That’s more like it. Qiangwei, give the girl next to her a gift.”
Qin Junlan quickly added, “Her name is Xiaobai.”
Brother Su did not care what her name was. He only asked to appear polite.
“Right. Give this Xiaobai a present.”
Sister Qiangwei stood up slowly and reached for Bai Lansheng’s hand, but Bai Lansheng dodged her touch.
Brother Su’s expression turned cold.
Qin Junlan gave Bai Lansheng a light smack on the backside and nudged her toward Sister Qiangwei.
“Move faster. Go pick something you like. Opportunities like this do not come twice. Do you really think it is that easy to get a gift from Sister Qiangwei? Next time, you might not even be considered. Don’t be shy. Go on.”
Brother Su’s expression softened a bit. So, she was just shy.
Bai Lansheng turned and glared at Qin Junlan, her eyes wide and fierce like an angry kitten.
“What are you looking at? Are you that attached to me? Can’t even stand to be apart for a moment?”
Qin Junlan sighed and shook her head.
“Brother Su, look at this little troublemaker of mine. She is really not as thoughtful as Sister Qiangwei. Sorry to trouble you.”
Sister Qiangwei laughed sweetly and dragged Bai Lansheng away with her.
To be honest, Qin Junlan was a little worried. If Bai Lansheng got stubborn and caused trouble, it would be a mess to clean up. She did not expect her to go quietly.
Of course Bai Lansheng was angry. That shameless woman had flirted with her in public again.
But just then, a thought crossed her mind. Maybe this was a good opportunity. There were things in this place that could not be found elsewhere.
When giving a gift, timing and taste mattered. Sister Qiangwei and Bai Lansheng were not close, so giving something too expensive would be inappropriate. But since Brother Su seemed interested in promoting Qin Junlan, the gift also could not be too simple. Something like clothes or accessories would be just right.
She glanced at her reflection. Jewelry required a mirror.
Bai Lansheng lowered her head and forced herself to act shy, pushing down her discomfort.
“Sister Qiangwei, could you give me some medicine?”
“Medicine?” Sister Qiangwei paused for a moment and then smiled knowingly.
“You mean the kind that makes someone feel like they are dying and then coming back to life?”
Bai Lansheng had originally wanted something that would make someone weak and unable to move. But hearing Sister Qiangwei’s words made her eyes light up. This one was even better. Let that shameless woman suffer.
She held back her joy and kept up the embarrassed expression.
“Yes, that one.”
Bai Lansheng came out with a smile still on her lips.
To Brother Su, that smile looked a little eerie.
A proper dish should have color, aroma, and taste, but this one looked unsettling.
Brother Su muttered under his breath, “Should I pick a few new flavors for you? Honestly, this one is kind of hard to look at.”
Qin Junlan replied, “I like her just the way she is.”
Brother Su looked again at Bai Lansheng and curled his lips. What was there to like?
The more he looked at her, the more unsettling her face seemed. Still, if he wanted to win over Qin Sisi, he had to offer some benefits. If Qin Sisi liked the woman he had arranged, it would be easier to keep her under control.
With that in mind, Brother Su called for more people to enter.
A group of heavily perfumed women came in and surrounded the sofa. Qin Junlan felt like she was about to be pushed off completely. The overpowering smell of cheap perfume made her dizzy.
One of the women tried to feed her a drink, and Qin Junlan nearly lost her expression.
She had attended her fair share of dinners and social events, but this was the first time she had been placed so directly.
This kind of attention was not something she wanted.
Brother Su, on the other hand, looked like he was enjoying himself.
By now, Bai Lansheng had been squeezed into a corner with no space left to sit.
She stood quietly in the shadows, her blue eyes dull and lifeless.
The noise and flirtation surrounding Qin Junlan stood in stark contrast to Bai Lansheng’s silence.
Qin Junlan pushed away the arms clinging to her and pulled Bai Lansheng into her embrace, bringing her out of the dark corner and back under the light.
She picked up a glass of wine and lifted it to Bai Lansheng’s lips.
That was the same glass Qin Junlan had just used.
Of course Bai Lansheng refused. She turned her head away.
Just a few seconds later, her face was turned back. A pale but striking face came so close it filled her vision. The deep eyes sparkled clearly.
Then she felt something warm press against her lips.
Qin Junlan held the wine in her mouth and pressed her lips against Bai Lansheng’s, pretending to pass it to her.
She leaned forward and used her body to block the others from seeing what she was doing.
While Bai Lansheng struggled, Qin Junlan held her tightly. Once she had counted the time in her mind, she swallowed the wine herself and let her go.
Bai Lansheng immediately slapped her.
The crisp sound filled the room and made everyone freeze.
Qin Junlan’s face turned red quickly. Against her pale skin, the handprint was strikingly clear.
But she still smiled.
“Sorry, Brother Su. It’s a matter of taste. I just prefer this kind of push and pull.”
Brother Su was stunned. That had to hurt.
After a long pause, he finally said, “So you like the rough type. Alright then, no pressure…”
He really did not have that kind of girl in his circle. What kind of customer liked getting hit?
Qin Sisi’s preferences were truly unusual.
Sister Qiangwei was also surprised. She looked closely at Bai Lansheng’s face, then at her hand.
Was the skin tone… different?
Qin Junlan was also caught off guard. She had not expected Bai Lansheng to react so strongly. In the past, she usually just sulked. This was the first time she had actually struck back.
Qin Junlan looked down at her, only able to see a crown of silver hair. Bai Lansheng had gone back to pretending to behave.
Fine. She would deal with it later.
Ironically, the slap had an unexpected benefit. Brother Su stopped trying to push more women at her and changed the subject.
As they chatted, Qin Junlan’s first impression of him became more and more accurate.
He reminded her of a boss she had in her past life. That man was always making empty promises and thinking inappropriate thoughts. Brother Su was no better.
Still, she was a guest. So she played along with his stories.
Bai Lansheng listened to their crude conversation and bit down on her lower lip. She wanted to bite through the arm wrapped around her waist.
That scoundrel had taken so many liberties already.
She touched the item hidden in her pocket.
She had gotten what she came for.
Just endure it a little longer.
Brother Su kept talking about his younger days and his romantic adventures. His voice droned on. Both Qin Junlan and Bai Lansheng became distracted, each lost in their own thoughts.
Night fell quietly, and Dongxi Mart KTV became even livelier.
Everyone there had their own joys and sorrows.
Energetic young people screamed out their growing pains through karaoke. Tired middle-aged workers drank in silence. Lovers took advantage of the night, hoping something would happen.
Among them was Ke Nian, who had arranged to meet someone at the KTV.