Chapter 69: But I Am a Guest

Especially with Li Qingying here, nothing must happen; otherwise, Fang Yongsheng would twist his head off and kick it like a ball. And Fang Yongsheng’s own head would be twisted off and kicked by Mr. He. The waiter had already reported—those two beauties were drinking together, so why did you go and bother them? Did you think a few lousy coins made you remarkable? Li Qingying is the owner here. Some people don’t even know how they died, even at the end.

Quan Xiaojian, with tears streaming down his face, pleaded with the manager, “Manager, I’m a guest! How could you hit me? I’ll complain to your boss!” At this point, Quan Xiaojian felt a pang of guilt. The wine had made him dizzy and excited earlier, but being struck sobered him quickly. Both the supervisor and manager had hit him, and he’d done wrong—this was a serious problem.

The patrons in the bar watched, but none came over. People of status and position wouldn’t involve themselves in such matters.

Seeing several security guards approaching, the manager immediately ordered, “Take them out.” “Yes, sir,” the guards responded, not giving Quan Xiaojian any chance to protest as they carried him away. As for how to teach him a lesson, that was up to the security team.

Li Qingying finally relaxed as the two troublemakers were taken away. Bai Lu, recognizing the manager, asked curiously, “Qingying, is this person a friend of He Haoxuan? He seems pretty capable. Is he the head of security?”

The manager cursed silently: Head of security? Your whole family are heads of security! I’m a dignified manager, and you dare call me a security guard? But he didn’t dare say anything to Bai Lu, since she was Li Qingying’s friend. He bowed and nodded deferentially to Li Qingying. “Miss Li, are you alright?”

“I’m fine, manager. I’d like to return to Room A. Could you send a security guard to escort us?” Li Qingying said, a hint of worry in her voice.

Bai Lu protested, “Qingying, we just got here! Let’s have some fun before we leave.”

The manager was startled. If Li Qingying went to Room A and complained to Mr. He, he’d be finished.

“Miss Li, there’s nothing to worry about. Actually, as soon as you entered, our staff were already keeping an eye out. If anything happened, they’d step in right away. Whenever you want to return, I’ll personally take you and have security escort you.”

Bai Lu stared at the manager. “You’re pretty familiar with He Haoxuan, aren’t you? Always looking out for him. He’s lucky to have a friend like you.”

The manager started nodding, then shook his head vigorously. What a joke! How could he possibly be Mr. He’s friend? What qualifications did he have?

“Miss, I am not Mr. He’s friend,” the manager replied fearfully. If Mr. He heard such talk, he might not see tomorrow’s sunrise.

Bai Lu sneered. This man was quite the actor. First he admitted it, then, realizing he’d slipped, he denied it with all his might. Hmph, keep pretending.

With the threat gone, Bai Lu no longer cared. She ordered more cocktails and snacks, and continued chatting with Li Qingying.

With the manager’s assurances, Li Qingying relaxed, enjoying her wine and unwinding. The drinks were excellent, better than at other clubs, and the atmosphere was pleasant. The other guests were sophisticated—unlike the drunken Quan Xiaojian.

He Haoxuan sat leisurely on the rocking chair beside the villa, savoring the 1982 Lafite red wine Fang Yongsheng had sent yesterday. Scorpio—Huang Zhisheng—knew He Haoxuan favored 1982 Lafite and scoured the world for it. This was Tenglong Manor; while the security wasn’t top-notch, it was more than enough for ordinary people, so he didn’t worry about Li Qingying’s safety.

After half a bottle, Li Qingying and Bai Lu returned, swaying slightly. Behind them, the manager and security guards followed at a distance, retreating when they saw He Haoxuan.

Bai Lu seemed tipsy, shouting, “Qingying, did you see? People shouldn’t be gentle all the time—when it’s time to be fierce, be fierce! If I hadn’t stood up tonight, those guys would have bullied us.”

“And another thing, don’t think He Haoxuan is anything just because he knows a couple of security guards. If I hadn’t mentioned I study law, would they have been scared? Quan Xiaojian is chairman of Huajian Group, worth hundreds of millions—do you think he’d be intimidated by security guards?”

Bai Lu grew louder and louder, as if afraid He Haoxuan across the way wouldn’t hear.

He Haoxuan frowned slightly, looking up at Li Qingying. “What happened just now? Why didn’t you call me?”

If the manager had been there, he’d have collapsed from the terror of He Haoxuan’s piercing gaze. Those eyes could kill.

Li Qingying felt a sweetness in her heart seeing He Haoxuan so concerned. She smiled, “It’s nothing. The bar staff helped us out, everything worked out fine, so I didn’t call you.”

“As long as you’re alright,” He Haoxuan replied, relaxing from his earlier chill.

The manager had no idea he’d just brushed shoulders with the gates of hell.

“He Haoxuan, you coward. All you do is hide here and drink. You wouldn’t dare show your face in a high-class bar,” Bai Lu mocked, drunk and heedless of He Haoxuan’s dignity.

Li Qingying was displeased. “Bai Lu, you’ve had enough.”

Bai Lu’s clothes were dirty. There were new ones in the villa, but she insisted they’d dried, refusing to return and playing in the bar instead.

“Qingying, I’m not drunk. Don’t you know what kind of husband you married? If he’d been in the bar, he’d have been scared enough to crawl under the table!” Bai Lu shot He Haoxuan a contemptuous glance.

If only He Haoxuan had half the guts of that friend, Li Qingwan would never be bullied again.

While Li Qingwan was being bullied, He Haoxuan sat here, calmly drinking. It was infuriating.

Bai Lu glanced at the half bottle of red wine on the stone table and sneered, “He Haoxuan, a useless man like you is only fit to drink cheap wine in the corner. Tell me, what makes you worthy of my Qingying? If you’re a real man, you should divorce her tomorrow and let her find someone ten thousand times better!”

At first, He Haoxuan was annoyed, but hearing Bai Lu say “my Qingying” eased his anger. No matter what, Bai Lu cared deeply for Li Qingying. That alone made her a true friend.

Seeing He Haoxuan ignore her and continue drinking, Bai Lu stormed over, grabbed the half bottle, and gulped down several mouthfuls.

“Huh? What wine is this? Why is it so delicious?” Bai Lu exclaimed in surprise.