Chapter 41: Guest

This time even Xiao Ran was left speechless.

Bai Lengci’s observation was meticulous, her chain of logic clear, leaving no room for rebuttal.

Yan Junzhu gently tugged Xiao Ran’s arm and whispered.

“Ranran, let it go… it seems we really misunderstood Miss Aria. That girl is probably not simple at all.”

Seeing that the matter was already clear, Bai Lengci said no more, turned around, and prepared to leave the security room to return to work.

But Xiao Ran took a step forward and blocked Bai Lengci again, although her confidence was no longer as strong as before.

Yet, the arrogance of a young lady surged up.

Especially recalling how she had just been publicly accused of being a lesbian, even having her supposed confession turned into a farce, she could not swallow that humiliation!

“Even if… even if that woman has a problem! What about your nonsense just now about dating, watching movies, and spending the night? That isn’t over yet! Who—who wants to date you! Shameless!”

Bai Lengci stopped in her tracks, looking at Xiao Ran blocking her way.

Her opponent stood around 170 centimeters, slightly shorter than Bai Lengci.

At this moment, because of agitation and shame, her cheeks were still flushed, her beautiful eyes opened wide, burning with a kind of fire.

It was not the shame or unwillingness of realizing one’s mistake.

It was more like the tenacity of someone who, once offended, absolutely refused to bow her head.

Bai Lengci felt a slight headache.

She had not expected that Xiao Ran, who always maintained a queen-like aura at school, would actually be so difficult and unrelenting in private.

She gently drew in a breath.

“Let me put it this way. That gentleman is, with high probability, a mid-level or above manager in an investment bank or top consulting firm.”

“First, he is extremely sensitive to numbers. When I reported the total amount at checkout, he instantly calculated and confirmed the tip ratio in his head, paying quickly and without hesitation. That indicates both considerable income and familiarity with large expenditures.”

“Second, when he sat down, he habitually glanced at his phone. I caught sight of his screen—he had set at least five different international time zones. That is typical of someone who frequently conducts cross-border meetings or transactions.”

“Third, his skin was pale, the kind that comes from long-term indoor work with little sunlight, yet his physique was decently maintained. This matches the characteristics of a high-pressure, sedentary profession.”

“Finally, his clothing. A dark cashmere sweater and casual trousers, which seemed casual, but the cashmere’s quality and cut, and the discreet watch on his wrist, all fit the understated luxury dress code of the financial circle. Not too formal like an insurance salesman, yet showing identity and wealth through subtle details.”

“Such a shrewd, cautious, and image-conscious elite is highly unlikely to make a move in a public bar on someone clearly prepared, possibly carrying recording or transmitting devices. The greater probability is that he was the one being targeted.”

Bai Lengci finally looked at the dumbfounded Xiao Ran.

“I stopped you not because I wanted to help anyone, but because from the moment you threw down that three-thousand tip and sat before me to order a drink, you became my guest, temporarily under my responsibility. Based on the principle of taking money to do the job, I have the duty to stop my guest from, out of impulse, getting involved in muddy waters of unknown depth and causing unnecessary trouble. Nothing more.”

Xiao Ran was completely stunned by this series of Holmes-like deductions, and only after a long moment did she find her voice again, her tone complicated.

“Then… then should I thank you?”

Bai Lengci walked past her with an expressionless face, leaving only one sentence.

“No need. This is what I should do.”

......

When the group stepped out of the bar, they were met by the crisp, damp midnight air, and a faint yet ever-present decadent breath that belonged to the city’s nights.

This was Jiefang West Road.

Neon signs cast distorted, dazzling reflections on the asphalt—red, blue, purple—flowing endlessly.

Here, there was never a lack of beautiful faces and youthful bodies, passions stoked by alcohol, tentative glances exchanged, fingertips brushing with ambiguity.

The air carried a peculiar scent, born from the mix of alcohol, tobacco, and desire.

It was a kind of vanity bred when prosperity reached its extreme.

This shallow indulgence in debauchery numbed the nerves of urban men and women, and restless youths alike.

On this night, whether in cheap motels or expensive hotels, the beds were fully occupied.

By tomorrow, most of it would fade with their garments, becoming nothing more than impulses driven by hormones.

Such scenes were scattered across the city’s corners, awaiting the next night to reignite.

Xiao Ran stood rooted in place, her gaze unfocused as she stared at the stream of headlights ahead.

She felt like a fool—easily seen through, and even casually protected by the other party.

That feeling… left her stifled, yet strangely attracted.

Xiao Ran instinctively sensed that if she got closer, with the slightest misstep, she might not be the hunter, but instead become the other’s amusing… toy.

Yan Junzhu reached out and grabbed Xiao Ran, who was subconsciously drifting toward the traffic.

“Ranran! Careful! What are you going to the other side for? The car isn’t over there.”

Xiao Ran turned back with a silly smile at Yan Junzhu and said.

“Oh~ I forgot, my car’s in the parking lot...”

Yan Junzhu frowned, scrutinizing her best friend’s expression.

She knew her personality far too well.

“Were you shaken up by that bartender?”

Xiao Ran shook her head, trying to fling away the image of Bai Lengci’s cold face and her words, and said stubbornly.

“Who was shaken up by her! Just a bartender putting on an act… I was just a little tired, didn’t watch where I was going.”

At that moment, the bar door was pushed open again, and Bei Ningrui walked out.

He straightened his suit jacket, smiling, his gaze falling on Yan Junzhu and Xiao Ran.

“Junzhu, Ranran, you haven’t left yet? Do you want to head back together? I can drive you.”

Yan Junzhu gave him a polite but distant smile.

“No need, thank you, Mr. Bei. We have our own car.”

Bei Ningrui seemed unsurprised by this answer, his smile unchanged, nodding with good grace.

“Alright then. Once you’re home, send me a message to let me know you’re safe.”

He paused, his gaze briefly sweeping across the bar entrance.

“I still have a bit of socializing to do here, so I’ll excuse myself first.”

Yan Junzhu inclined her head slightly.

Only after watching Bei Ningrui walk to another waiting car did she withdraw her gaze, turning back to the still-distracted Xiao Ran, her tone a bit more serious.

“Ranran, listen to me—stay away from that bartender called Aria.”

“Why?”

Xiao Ran instinctively asked back, her voice carrying some defiance.

“Intuition.”

Yan Junzhu’s voice was soft.

“She’s unusual. That calmness… even coldness, it doesn’t seem human.The way she looks at people—it’s like she’s looking at an object. It makes me uncomfortable. She has a… very dangerous aura.”

She recalled how Bai Lengci had analyzed that stranger and the potential trap, her reasoning sharp and absolute.

That kind of total rationality itself was chilling.

Xiao Ran pouted, that bit of rebelliousness in her heart stirred again, but aloud she spoke coquettishly.

“Alright, alright, Miss Yan’s intuition is always right~ It’s so cold, let’s go back already! When we get home, will you take a bath with me? I want to use that new bubble bath bomb you bought!”

Yan Junzhu looked at Xiao Ran’s attempt to divert the topic with her playful tone, sighed helplessly, knowing her words had likely gone unheard, and looped her arm around Xiao Ran’s.

“Let’s go. The car’s over there.”

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.