She said bitterly, "Can you give me a bit more time? I'm afraid..."
Zhou Kuan understood Rong Shengsheng's predicament, struggling in Beijing with two children, dressed shabbily, neither her image nor appearance impressive, life was certainly hard for her.
However, he also knew that Li Hanxian was not one for charity; the issue concerned the Li family's ancestral bracelet, and pleading would be of no use.
All he could do was look at Rong Shengsheng with sympathy, "Do your best."
Rong Shengsheng walked out of the company with her head down, disheartened. She was restless and stumbled her way to the kindergarten.
"Mommy!"
"You're finally here!"
Miaomiao and Qinqin, like joyful little butterflies, immediately flew into her arms and hugged Rong Shengsheng tightly.
The two children, as adorable as angels, with their rolling big eyes and faces brimming with a brilliant and beautiful smile, healed Rong Shengsheng's heart in an instant.
All her worries and sorrows vanished; she tenderly picked up Miaomiao and took Qinqin by the hand, "Have you been good at kindergarten?"
"Today, my brother and I didn't cry or make a fuss. We seriously learned to sing with the teacher, and I'll sing it for Mommy when we get home."
"The song is called 'Little Bunny, Be Good'."
Listening to Miaomiao's milky voice, Rong Shengsheng felt even worse, her nose tingling and tears swirling in her eyes.
If she couldn't pay back the money within the month, would she end up in jail?
What would become of her children?
She had no one to rely on, no relatives to turn to, and couldn't find the man from that night five years ago; the children would probably be sent to an orphanage.
Anxious about money, Rong Shengsheng made dinner for the children and, while washing the dishes, said, "Qinqin, Mommy has to go out for a bit later. You need to take good care of your sister, okay?"
Qinqin asked with concern, "Mommy, did you find another night job?"
All this time, Rong Shengsheng juggled several jobs on her own, busy round the clock like a spinning top.
Miaomiao's eyes instantly turned red, her soft little hands wiping away tears, "Mommy, my brother and I don't waste money. You don't need to work so hard; you should get some rest at night."
Rong Shengsheng forced a smile and pinched Miaomiao's cheek, "Mommy still has to pay back that uncle's bracelet, so I must earn money. As long as you two behave, I'll take you out for some tasty treats this weekend."
Miaomiao and Qinqin immediately looked pitiful, nodding their heads.
As soon as Rong Shengsheng left, the two adorable treasures sat guiltily in their chairs, sighing, "Brother, if only we could make money too."
"I really hope I grow up fast so I can help share Mommy's burdens."
"Let's go apologize to that handsome brother, maybe he won't make us pay the money."
"But where can we find him?"
"Oh..."
In Beijing, where land was worth its weight in gold, the bustling streets shined with starlight at night.
Rong Shengsheng walked aimlessly through the streets, searching for part-time work.
As she wandered into the bustling city center, she saw a sign in front of a grand entrance urgently seeking a young and beautiful dancer for fifty thousand a night.
Seeing this, her eyes widened.
Fifty thousand a night, five hundred thousand in ten days, five million in a hundred days!!
She would be able to pay back Li Hanxian!
Rong Shengsheng's heart raced, and she looked up, her heart skipping a beat.
"Charm Nightclub..."
Five years ago, she had lost her innocence here and was captured by Rong Wanwan and thrown into the sea. She never expected to come back here after five years...
She clenched her fists, hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and mustered the courage to go in.
Even if this place was a hell that consumed people without spitting out bones, she had to brave it for the sake of money, grinding her teeth.
Hearing someone had come to apply for the dancer position, the nightclub manager Lu Ya rushed out impatiently, "Sorry to keep you waiting..."
The smile on Lu Ya's face slowly faded, replaced by disgust and impatience as she scrutinized Rong Shengsheng, "You don't meet our recruitment criteria, hurry up and leave."
"May I ask in what way I do not meet the requirements?" Rong Shengsheng had done all kinds of dirty and tiring work to make a living before, hauling bricks on construction sites, delivering takeout, cleaning sewers, selling drinks at nightclubs, dancing...
"What we want is young and beautiful, but you look..." Unbearable to behold.
Rong Shengsheng touched her own cheek, knowing she could wash away the freckles, but that would mean others might see her and realize she looked exactly like the superstar Rong Wanwan, which would definitely cause trouble.
But...
She wasn't willing to give up just like that, "I've danced in nightclubs before and have a background in dance. Let me give it a try."
"Manager! It's bad news, Yu Jinqing and Li Hanxian, they have already arrived!!" A garishly dressed woman hurried over, her face fraught with panic.
Hearing this, Lu Ya shivered, "Hasn't Yanyan arrived yet?"
"She said her flight was delayed, and she probably won't make it tonight."
This was precisely what troubled Lu Ya—Yanyan, the signature dancer of Charm Color Nightclub, renowned and able to charm an entire city with her dance, attracting the attention of many wealthy patrons.
Big bosses and rich young heirs from prominent families would have Yanyan dance and accompany them for drinks whenever they visited.
Yu had called a few days ago to reserve, and she had agreed. If she were to break the agreement suddenly, the future for Charm Color Nightclub might be... difficult.
Lu Ya furrowed her brows anxiously, almost to the point of bursting with frustration.
Seeing this, Rong Shengsheng sincerely said, "Let me give it a try."
"You..."
"I can wear a mask, that way they won't be able to see my face."
Lu Ya hesitated for a moment, but at this point, she had to try anything, "Get changed quickly! After the dance, leave immediately and don't blow your cover."
"Okay..."
Lu Ya found a few pieces of clothing to throw to Rong Shengsheng, then took her to the VIP box on the top floor.
In the luxurious box, Yu Jinqing lounged on the sofa, a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth, full of rascal charm, his peach-blossom eyes emoting passion over anything they beheld.
He exhaled a plume of smoke, "Li, I barely managed to make it back from overseas this time, you better entertain me well. I won't stop until I'm drunk tonight!"
Li Hanxian turned his head, reached for a cigarette, lit it with his head down. The moment the flame flared up, his dark eyes were as deep as an icy pond, "What plans do you have now that you're back?"
"What else can I do besides take over my dad's business?"
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in!"
Pushing the door open with a beaming smile, Lu Ya greeted them ingratiatingly, "Young Master Yu, Young Master Li, I apologize for the wait. Yanyan is here to perform a dance for you."
Following Lu Ya, Rong Shengsheng entered wearing a skimpy dress that left little to the imagination. Her great figure was on full display, and with a mask on, only her clear eyes were visible, prompting even more fanciful thoughts.
Seeing her, Yu Jinqing choked on his smoke and began to cough violently, gesturing as he said, "Yanyan, it's only been a few months since I've seen you, but your figure has improved again. Come closer, let me have a look."
Lu Ya gave Rong Shengsheng a shove and a meaningful look, then said, "You two enjoy yourselves. I won't disturb you any further. Just call me if you need anything."
As she left, she also thoughtfully closed the door behind her.
Rong Shengsheng stole a glance at Li Hanxian, who was smoking. Her heartbeat was racing, her palms sweating from nervousness. How did she run into him here again??
Yu Jinqing grew impatient, urging, "Yanyan, what are you spacing out for?? Come over to me."
"I... I haven't danced yet."
"Who wants to watch a dance! I'm not in the mood for that now; I just want you to drink with me."
Seeing the almost drooling expression on Yu Jinqing's face, Rong Shengsheng struggled to swallow the lump in her throat, without even thinking she knew he definitely meant to do something to her.
She wanted to make money, but not by selling her body.
All these years, raising two children, no matter how tough it got, she had never considered doing such a thing.
She had principles; she would only earn clean money, dirty money was not for her.
"Sorry, I am a dancer, I only dance; I don't accompany drinks."
Hearing her words, Yu Jinqing became furious. But the woman before him was so stunning in both figure and bearing that he couldn't show it, saying impatiently instead, "Then dance quickly."
Rong Shengsheng nodded slightly, opened a folding fan, and began dancing gracefully like a butterfly in a garden.
She was dressed provocatively, but the dance was cool and elegant, delivering a powerful visual shock.
Yu Jinqing tugged at his tie, his Adam's apple bobbing, finding it harder to restrain himself. He stood up, moved toward her, and grabbed Rong Shengsheng's pale wrist.
Rong Shengsheng startled and quickly tried to pull away from Yu Jinqing's grip. Hindered by her high heels, her movements were clumsy, and as she stumbled backward, she accidentally hit the leg of the sofa and fell straight down.