DVC is an extremely precious perfume produced from the S3 star Peking University land Bary area. Its annual yield is incredibly low, making it impossible for anyone who isn't extremely wealthy or in a high status to access this luxury product. Over the years, Shi Qinghai has wandered aimlessly, interacting with lonely and bored married women who work as store employees, appearing indifferent on the surface but actually capable. He attempts to lift the curtain on their hidden desires. A man who has reached Shi Qinghai's level is not unfamiliar with women's matters, having been in common-law marriages with a few high-class females. Even in his current intoxicated state, he still utters the name "DVC" and expresses dissatisfaction towards the numerous women dressed in red.
Women who can afford luxury goods are not ordinary. To them, their physical appearance represents their socioeconomic status, and style is of utmost importance. The brand of the perfume, DVC, is secondary; it is the act of using it that matters. Spraying DVC on oneself is akin to lighting a cigarette with a hundred-dollar bill. In the eyes of women at this level, being accused of lacking style is unacceptable. Thus, a sudden fire ignites in the charming yet icy-cold eyes of one woman.
As Shi Qinghai, in his drunken state, rests on Xu Le's shoulder, the latter notices a group of people approaching, particularly the leading man wearing a malicious smile. Xu Le's heart skips a beat. He recognizes the faces from a previous encounter at the nightclub's back entrance—a group of people he knows are not to be underestimated. Fearful of provoking them, Xu Le plans to quickly brush past them, but it seems there's trouble brewing. Xu Le doesn't understand the significance of DVC or the value of the black sedans parked at the nightclub entrance, but he can sense the discontent and power emanating from this group. A forced smile appears on his face as he glances at Shi Qinghai, wondering if the situation is intentional.
Seemingly, Shi Qinghai is not intentionally causing trouble as he sweetly rests on Xu Le's shoulder, unconscious from the alcohol. Xu Le inwardly sighs, apologizing sincerely to the approaching group, "I'm truly sorry. My friend is drunk and saying nonsensical things."
Xu Le has an ordinary appearance, except for his characteristic sharp eyebrows. What's remarkable is his ability to convey trust through his narrowed eyes, making it easy for others to develop a favorable impression of him. It's this quality that made the young lady from the prestigious Zhonghao family trust him, despite his seemingly unfamiliar sincerity. Xu Le wonders if his sincerity will prove effective in this situation.
The group's leading man, wearing an azure formal dress, narrows his eyes and gazes at Xu Le for a while before breaking into a smile. In the dim nightclub lighting, his formal dress resembles a sharp blade against a winter willow leaf. The man in the azure formal dress doesn't say anything but pats the shoulder of the woman in red, signaling her to enter the nightclub. The two young people accompanying them, dressed as students, look at Xu Le with an odd expression, closely observing the man supporting the intoxicated Shi Qinghai.
Xu Le realizes that the student is familiar. It turns out he's the Pear Flower University student who caused a minor conflict with Xu Le at the back entrance two months ago. Although Xu Le spent a few months in school, working as a gatekeeper and auditor, he didn't interact much with these branded students. However, he knows the boy's father is a congressman from the Hai State, a member of a powerful and influential family. Xu Le wonders about the meaning behind the student's gaze—perhaps a warning or a reminder?
Xu Le doesn't dwell on the student's gaze but instead considers the congressman's son, who happens to be the personal servant of the man and woman. These are influential people whom one shouldn't provoke. As Xu Le watches the azure formal dress man and the woman in the red windproof coat walk into the nightclub, he feels relieved, thinking that he has finally avoided any trouble.
Having grown up as an orphan on Bell Tower Street, Xu Le believes in the principle of treating others with respect and receiving the same in return. He thinks that Shi Qinghai's improper words, spoken while he was drunk, offended the group. Xu Le humbled himself, offering a sincere apology, hoping that they would calm down and not escalate the situation. However, he realizes now that he was naive to believe that these people would easily let the matter go.
"Take that drunkard to the restroom and make him sober up. Feed him a couple of lumps of excrement to freshen his mouth. His breath smells worse than a toilet," the woman in the red windproof coat says coldly as she walks toward the nightclub. Her windproof coat flutters in the nightclub entrance's wind, revealing her slender and attractive legs. Despite the enjoyment her appearance brings, her words are callous.
Upon hearing her words, Xu Le freezes, realizing he has misunderstood something. He thought it was just a few words and that he had already apologized. Most importantly, he couldn't fathom the coldness in the woman's words, which didn't seem like a joke. Xu Le's heart sinks as he comprehends that social classes treat each other differently. Although he should be angered by the group's arrogance, his predominant feeling is one of helplessness and sorrow. He watches the woman in the red windproof coat walk away, still clinging to a glimmer of hope, saying, "I apologized on his behalf."
"In this world, some people never accept apologies. Transients, even if they know a few bottles of perfume, remain transients. Drunkards who speak out of turn must pay the price. Young friend, if you want to leave safely, say no more," the woman in the red windproof coat replies, with her slender thigh occasionally visible beneath the coat's hem. She doesn't turn around but walks deeper into the nightclub. By "transients," she refers to the young master's companions, but her words imply that this enigmatic woman holds no ill will toward Xu Le.
These words seem to point out the obvious. The man in the azure formal dress pats her without any concern and doesn't consider the matter further. It seems that such incidents happen frequently among these people. Only the congressman's son glances sympathetically at Xu Le, thinking that Zijie's recent mood must be melancholic. However, he lacks the courage to intervene on his behalf, as he knows these siblings always keep their promises.
At the end of the corridor, the secret bosses of the nightclub gather with a group of people, respectfully awaiting their arrival. The azure formal dress man's expression changes slightly as he notices the anxiousness in the nightclub bosses. Suspicious, he asks calmly, "Are your two subordinates the ones causing concern outside?"
Frowning, the azure formal dress man realizes that the nightclub bosses are referring to the clasp, who was instructed by his younger sister to handle a minor issue outside the venue. The clasp, a childhood friend turned nominal personal bodyguard for the siblings, has been serving them wholeheartedly for three years, possessing astonishing strength. He never expected the clasp to encounter any problems while dealing with such a trivial matter.
As the group turns to face the nightclub, the siblings' expressions momentarily stiffen before returning to normal. The elder brother's eyes subtly contract, revealing a hint of surprise. In a place like the nightclub, it's unexpected for the clasp to encounter someone capable.
In the open space, Xu Le cautiously holds the unconscious Shi Qinghai, keeping a vigilant eye on the towering figure in front of him. Blood trickles from the corner of Xu Le's lips, while the giant himself isn't faring any better, coughing as a deep footprint marks his chest.