Under the Dusk - Chapter 19

At eight in the evening, Sang Wanning took her out to sing karaoke.

Ruan Shu actually had a selfish thought—she wanted to suggest going to Seasons KTV. But as it turned out, Seasons was the largest karaoke place in Lanyang, located in the city center and always bustling, attracting the trendiest young people in the bustling metropolis.

Next to it was a small bar.

The ambiance was lovely, with pink cherry blossoms decorating the entrance and lush greenery everywhere. Stepping inside felt like accidentally wandering into a fairyland. Even the signboard read ‘Blossoms.’

Ji Yan was sitting in the small courtyard, leaning by the window. The firefly-like lights cast a glow on his shoulders as a staff member spoke to him, saying, “Brother Yan…”

It seemed like they were discussing some new product.

The ground was paved with pebbles, so footsteps were naturally quiet, and she wasn’t particularly noticeable. Yet, Ji Yan’s gaze lifted at that moment and landed on her.

Ruan Shu’s back straightened slightly, feeling a bit tense.

Sang Wanning asked her what was wrong.

Ruan Shu shook her head and said, “It’s nothing. I just haven’t had much to drink.”

She was a little nervous.

Sang Wanning chuckled. “You? Haven’t had much to drink? No one would believe that.”

Her alcohol tolerance was so good. On the day of their college entrance exam results, Sang Wanning had been drunk to the point of throwing up, while Ruan Shu sat there clear-eyed, completely unfazed.

Ruan Shu sighed helplessly. “It’s been so long since I last drank…”

Only about a year, really.

After a year without drinking, her tolerance had regressed to that of a baby. Otherwise, how could she feel slightly tipsy just from Ji Yan’s glance?

After sitting down, Sang Wanning ordered a set menu that included about 6 liters of beer. Ruan Shu was a bit surprised but understood that Sang Wanning was determined to get drunk tonight. Someone, seeing that they were just two young women, offered to treat them.

Sang Wanning replied bluntly, “Do you even have the money to treat us?”

She came from wealth and had little patience for men who acted self-important.

Being looked down on like this, the man couldn’t sit still and raised his voice, ready to start an argument. “I’m offering to treat you as a favour. Who the hell do you think you are, acting so high and mighty?”

Sang Wanning slammed the table and stood up.

Ruan Shu couldn’t hold her back. It was Ji Yan who stepped in to defuse the situation. “Is there a problem here?”

As the owner of the place, he was familiar with the regular customer. The man said it was nothing, just that a young woman didn’t know how to appreciate a gesture—he offered to buy her a drink, and she refused. “Some people just don’t know how to take a compliment,” he added.

He even said, “What kind of people do you let in here? I’m not coming back.”

“Say that again, you b*stard!” Sang Wanning grabbed a bottle from the table.

“Ruan Shu, frightened, quickly grabbed her arm. “No, no, don’t!”

It wouldn’t be good if this escalated to the police station.

Ji Yan had just stepped next door and hadn’t noticed the situation. After calling over a server to get the details, he learned that the man had tried to buy Ruan Shu a drink. Seeing how innocent she looked, he assumed it was her first time there and ordered two fruit cocktails.

Though called fruit cocktails, they were actually quite strong.

The first sip might taste sweet and pleasant, but the alcohol would slowly kick in, leaving someone so drunk they couldn’t even stand. The alcohol content was unknown, but this kind of drink was typically used to deceive girls who were new to bars.

Sang Wanning, furious at the time, sneered and said, “Take this crap away.”

And that’s how the whole scene unfolded.

Ruan Shu looked at Ji Yan anxiously.

The gentle expression on the man’s face faded, and for some reason, his eyes turned cold. He called over a server and said, “Settle this gentleman’s tab and escort him out.” The man cursed, “What the hell, Ji Yan? You’re kicking me out?”

“Do you want me to “politely” escort you out instead?”

He was running a business here, not setting dogs on people.

His tone was calm, but his eyes were cold. The man wanted to curse a few more times, but he also knew that Ji Yan, who could run a place like this, wasn’t someone to be trifled with. So, he turned and shot Ruan Shu and Sang Wanning a fierce glare.

Ji Yan said, “Remember his face. Don’t let him come back.”

“Got it, Brother Yan.”

****

Her heart was still pounding.

Sang Wanning recognized Ji Yan as the man from last night and asked Ruan Shu if she had been drinking here then. Ruan Shu shook her head and said no.

She wasn’t close to Ji Yan and hadn’t even known he owned a bar next door.

Both businesses had the same owner.

Earlier, they wanted to sing, but the private rooms were fully booked. Now, however, one opened up.

Ji Yan had someone bring in a few bottles of juice and a bottle of milk. Sang Wanning, scrolling through the song selection on the screen, teased sarcastically, “Oh my, Brother Yan is so thoughtful. But Brother Yan, we’re not that close.”

Ruan Shu: “…”

Just shut up already.

Right then, Ji Yan walked in and apologized for the earlier incident. “I hope you weren’t too shaken.”

Ruan Shu said, “No, thank you, Brother Yan.”

“Mm.” He then glanced at her again. “Let me know if you want anything else. I’ll be outside.”

Ruan Shu nodded. “Okay.”

Sang Wanning stopped teasing her and picked a few songs before curling up in the booth. Ruan Shu, who didn’t sing, cheered her on, took a few photos, and even recorded a video.

Sang Wanning laughed. “Don’t send those to Qi Sizheng.”

Ruan Shu assured her, “Don’t worry. He doesn’t have that privilege.”

Sang Wanning sang beautifully. She had won first place at the freshman talent show in high school. Back then, Qi Sizheng didn’t know her yet, but sitting in the audience, Ruan Shu noticed his ears turning red.

After that, Qi Sizheng couldn’t avoid her.

Wherever Sang Wanning was, his gaze would follow. But some people’s connections are just like that—shallow yet deep. Love, even when held in hand, isn’t always cared for properly, often leaving people in tears at night.

While Ruan Shu was playing with her phone, Ji Yan sent her a message: ‘Come out for a moment.’

The KTV belonged to Ji Yan.

This was the best private room in the place, quiet and secure, with hardly anyone around. Leaving Sang Wanning there was fine.

Ruan Shu put her phone back in her pocket and stepped out, seeing Ji Yan leaning against the hallway.

He had been waiting there the whole time.

The flickering lights fell on him, reflecting in his eyes, and the way he looked at her seemed different somehow.

“Brother Yan,” Ruan Shu called out to him.

Ji Yan pulled her closer. His suit was sharp and handsome, the cufflinks gleaming—made of fine amber. She remembered Mai Jie saying he was the top attraction here, and Ruan Shu believed it.

No one could be more good-looking than him.

Ruan Shu whispered, “What did you need me for?”

His large hand circled her waist as Ji Yan asked in a low voice, “Are you going back tonight?”