Murong Feng opened the door to see Tang Qing's stunning face. She seemed to have just showered, her slightly damp hair draped over her shoulders. She was wearing a Givenchy silk print dress, the abstract patterns and vibrant colors adding a touch of youthful vitality to her alluring and enchanting demeanor. She held a bright orange Hermes handbag playfully, clearly in high spirits. Her wrist adorned with a sparkling Bulgari Parentesi Cocktail crystal and rose gold bracelet, she was evidently dressed with great care.
Seeing Murong Feng already in his pajamas, Tang Qing's eyes dimmed a bit. "Ah! Murong, are you already ready for bed? I was hoping to drag you out for some fun." Murong Feng looked at his watch, it was already past 11 pm. "Janney, it's so late. You still want to go out?" Tang Qing, surprised, replied, "Come on, the nights just getting started in Hong Kong at this hour!" She pointed to the floor-to-ceiling window which showed the night skyline, "Look, this is what they mean by the lights just coming on, the night is still young. Since it's your first time in Hong Kong, I'll show you why it's called the city that never sleeps!" With that, she smiled and said, "Change your clothes. I'll wait for you in the lobby!" Then she turned and left.
Murong Feng stood there stunned. After a moment of thought, he realized there wasn't much to do in the room anyway. Shaking his head, he closed the door and changed into a fresh polo shirt and khaki pants. He went downstairs to the lobby.
Tang Qing sat elegantly on a sofa in the hotel's lobby rest area. Surrounded by lush tropical plants, her figure was graceful and her appearance stunning. The InterContinental Hotel hosted many foreign guests and affluent individuals, naturally attracting some confident, suave young men who thought they knew how to handle beautiful women. At this moment, a man around 30, dressed sharply in a suit and looking like a successful businessman, was trying to strike up a conversation with Tang Qing. But Tang Qing, being who she was, paid him no mind, treating him like a mere fly buzzing around.
Seeing Murong Feng emerge from the elevator, Tang Qing stood up happily and approached him. "Good for you, listening to Janney. If you hadn't come down, I'd have been really upset."
Murong Feng laughed, "How could I refuse a beautiful woman's invitation? Besides, a night tour of Hong Kong sounds interesting!" Tang Qing's face lit up with joy. She lightly pulled his arm to show affection, then let go and said, "Let's go. We'll start with Lan Kwai Fong. I'll treat you to a drink!"
The man saw Tang Qing stand up and intended to follow and continue his pursuit. But seeing her chat and laugh with Murong Feng, he stopped, realizing she wasn't available. However, he was not used to being ignored by women, so he walked over to block their path, putting on a gentlemanly smile, "Miss, I forgot to give you my card. I hope we meet again!" He handed her a finely crafted gold-embossed business card, thinking she would change her attitude upon seeing his status and credentials.
Tang Qing, in a good mood, casually took the card, glanced at it, and nodded indifferently, "Alright, I've got the card. Please step aside." She had seen too many such titles of chairmen and general managers. Not tossing the card on the ground immediately was already her being ladylike.
The man was stunned. His card had titles of chairman for the several companies' he owned and a bunch of director titles for the associations he was part of. Who wouldn't be respectful after seeing it? His brain couldn't process this and he stood there dumbfounded. Tang Qing frowned, pulled Murong Feng along, and walked towards the hotel entrance. Murong Feng, smiling, said, "Janney, he's just admiring you. Why be so cold? Your charm is undeniable." Tang Qing's smile faded, "I despise such boring people. A bit of money and they think they can seduce women with their titles and business cards? Ridiculous! If I entertained such people, I'd disgrace my family!" With that, she tossed the card into a trash bin by the hotel entrance as if discarding something disgusting.
The man snapped back to reality just in time to see this and was furious. An inland girl dared to look down on him like this? Unbearable! Hearing them mention Lan Kwai Fong, he decided to teach them a lesson. Watching them leave in a taxi, he angrily took out his phone.
"Brother Long, it's Qian Youliang! I need a favor... Yes, there are two people I want to teach a lesson. Send some boys to Lan Kwai Fong... What, Lan Kwai Fong is Hung Hing's territory? Then get them elsewhere... Alright, I'll make sure to reward the boys well! And you too, of course... Haha, good. Send someone to Lan Kwai Fong and I'll point them out..."
Money breeds evil? No, true evil comes from within. Wealth and power merely unshackle it. People with some money and influence often believe they can use these to achieve their aims through underhanded means, unaware that true power remains deeply hidden like the earth.
Murong Feng and Tang Qing had already forgotten about the man, enjoying the night view of Hong Kong from the taxi. They chatted and laughed, feeling relaxed and at ease.
Hong Kong's nightscape resembled a huge pearl reflecting a rainbow of colors, twinkling from every window, decorating each high-rise by the sea, the neon signs like movie screens, and the colorful boats moving across the water like stars in the Milky Way, adding a touch of fairyland to the night world.
Arriving at Lan Kwai Fong, marked by a prominent sign, they got out and walked a bit further, as it was located in a narrow alley.
Lan Kwai Fong, between D'Aguilar Street and Wellington Street, is a short, narrow, L-shaped alley paved with cobblestones, filled with Western restaurants and bars, highly renowned. The Lan Kwai Fong bar street originated in the early 1970s when the Hong Kong government began urban renewal in Central and Western Districts. An Italian businessman opened a clothing store and restaurant here, which became a gathering spot for young professionals for happy hour. Later, some movies were filmed here and gradually, it became a trendy leisure area with bars, clubs, and restaurants, spreading to nearby streets, forming a unique district.
The bars in Lan Kwai Fong were trendy, with simple, rustic décor, wooden tables, high stools, and robust chairs. The bar counters displayed various beers and liquors, with minimal decoration. Many bars set up tables on the street, some using wooden beer barrels as tables. The bars were dimly lit, small, with only a few dozen seats, but their signs were prominent, mostly in English. Among them were also some Japanese restaurants, French cosmetic shops, and cigar shops. Rong Hua Lane was a food street with restaurants offering Japanese teppanyaki, Indian curry, Malaysian, Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese cuisine.
At this time, Lan Kwai Fong was at its most bustling, filled with the dizzying nightlife, the bars packed, mostly with foreigners. The expats were wildly expressing their emotions—happy, sad, crazy, or hysterical. Murong Feng was taken aback, wondering if he was still in Hong Kong. Seeing a few Chinese faces reassured him. Compared to this, Beijing's bar streets seemed much tamer!
Tang Qing pulled him aside to avoid a group of obviously drunk, staggering individuals approaching them. Her smile was relaxed and carefree, clearly in a great mood. "Although the Soho area on Elgin Street and Staunton Street and the Nosfer district in Tsim Sha Tsui are up-and-coming, every time I come to Hong Kong, I still love visiting Lan Kwai Fong's 'Club 1997.' Can you guess why?"
Murong Feng shook his head with a wry smile. "How could I guess? Is the alcohol there exceptionally good?" Tang Qing chuckled and, with a peculiar expression, said, "The owner there is quite a character. You'll understand when you meet them." They continued walking, and at some point, Tang Qing let go of his hand without him even noticing.
"Club 1997," one of the most famous bars in Lan Kwai Fong, was where Murong Feng followed Tang Qing inside. The moment they stepped in, the dazzling lights and psychedelic atmosphere enveloped him. The bar was almost full. On a small stage, a red-haired, heavily made-up Western female singer was sitting, eyes closed, immersed in her singing. The hauntingly languid melody, combined with the band's electric guitar, intensified the bar's dreamy and lazy vibe. Tang Qing walked directly to the bar, sat on one of the high stools, and called out loudly to the bartender, who was expertly shaking a cocktail shaker, "Ah Xi, where's Xiao Lang?" The long-haired, cool-looking bartender paused, smiled upon seeing her, and pointed behind him. "She's fetching some wine. She'll be out soon. Janney, when did you get to Hong Kong?"
Tang Qing replied casually, "This evening." She then gestured to Murong Feng, who had just sat on the barstool beside her. "This is my friend, Murong Feng." Pointing to the bartender, she continued, "This is Zhong Xi, the heartthrob of this bar's owner. He's the best bartender in Hong Kong, bar none." Zhong Xi evidently loved hearing this. He laughed loudly and said, "Janney, you have the best taste!" He shook Murong Feng's hand warmly. "First time here, right? Come by often! I'll mix you a unique drink just for you!"
He stared intently at Murong Feng for a few moments, muttering, "Calm...sadness...serenity...sweetness...nobility... Got it! The base will be top-shelf Tequila made from Blue Agave, Henkes Dutch gin, Bols Russian vodka...mix it with blue curacao syrup, honey, and olives... I'll call it 'Wind of the Ocean!'" As he spoke, he fetched the drinks, measured them into a shaker, and then began a spectacular display of cocktail shaking. His deft wrist movements produced a rhythmic shaking sound, and his juggling of the shaker was mesmerizing, making it seem almost alive. In no time, a glass of bright blue cocktail with tiny golden orbs floating in it was placed in front of Murong Feng.
Only then did Murong Feng understand why Tang Qing praised Zhong Xi as the best bartender in Hong Kong. His creativity and flair in cocktail mixing were as elegant as a pianist's fingers on the keys. Zhong Xi's intense gaze and confident demeanor were full of pride.
Murong Feng picked up the glass and took a sip. The drink was rich and slightly bitter at first, with a faint, refreshing sweetness. As it went down, it turned into a fiery, intense flavor, sharp and profound, with an enduring aftertaste. Murong Feng couldn't help but give a thumbs up and exclaim, "Great drink!" Seeing his satisfaction, Zhong Xi smiled broadly, proudly saying, "Of course! This drink is tailored to your personality!" Before he could continue boasting, a woman came from behind the bar, smacked the back of his head, and in a clear, melodic voice said, "Stop bragging and make two Bloody Marys for Table 30." Zhong Xi's air of expertise collapsed immediately. He muttered, "Bloody Mary... such an uncreative drink," and hurriedly began making the cocktails under the stern gaze of the woman.
Tang Qing greeted the woman with a smile, "Little Wolf, long time no see!" The pretty girl paused upon seeing Tang Qing, then jumped up and shouted, "Ice Cube, you're in Hong Kong? Great! If you don't help me set up a meeting with Li Jian this time, you're done for!" Tang Qing sighed, "If you liked him, it'd be easy. But every time you meet, you either fight or hang out at their shooting range. Li Jian is afraid of you. I can't help!" She then introduced the long-haired, delicate-looking girl to Murong Feng, "This seemingly gentle lady is actually a violent beauty. This is Gigi Fang Wanyi, the owner of this bar."
Fang Wanyi looked at Murong Feng with her large, pure eyes, then sweetly smiled, "Wow, handsome!" Her eyes twinkled. Tang Qing quickly intervened, "Murong Feng, is my good friend from Beijing. Don't scare him!" Fang Wan Yi's expression changed instantly to one of refined elegance. She extended her hand and laughed softly, "Murong Feng, nice to meet you! Just call me Gigi."
Murong Feng was taken aback by her mercurial expressions. The fact that Tang Qing called her "Little Wolf" and referred to her as a violent beauty was unimaginable. But considering Tang Qing's earlier remarks, he realized they were indeed a fascinating pair. He politely shook hands with Fang Wanyi, smiling, "Nice to meet you..."
Before he could finish, Fang Wan Yi suddenly twisted his arm with great strength, almost causing him to stumble. She examined his palm closely and smiled, "You practice fencing? We should spar sometime." She released his hand as she spoke. Murong Feng, surprised, withdrew his hand and looked at Tang Qing, who was chuckling at his minor misfortune. He nodded and agreed, feeling increasingly intrigued by the mysterious and unique Fang Wanyi.
Tang Qing, smiling, explained, "Little Wolf is a good friend I met in England. She comes from a martial arts family, is very skilled, and loves firearms. Every time I come to Hong Kong, she insists on me arranging a meeting with Li Jian, the head of the Special Forces in Hong Kong. If they're not sparring, she's at the shooting range. Although Li Jian is an old subordinate of my brother's, even he can't handle her. He's either beaten by her or forced to provide all sorts of guns and ammo for her to play with."
Murong Feng finally understood. No wonder Fang Wanyi could tell he practiced fencing just by feeling his hand. However, the thought of sparring with her made him instinctively feel a bit uneasy.
Fang Wanyi, smiling sweetly, said, "I don't care, Ice Cube. You should think about the consequences if you don't help me." Tang Qing dismissed her with a snort, "Little Wolf, don't always threaten me. Let me tell you, in terms of drinking, three of you wouldn't outdrink one Murong Feng." Murong Feng, listening on the side, almost dropped his jaw. It seemed that Tang Qing had brought him out tonight as a shield!
Despite the seemingly intimidating conversation, the two of them comfortably sat at the bar, drinking and chatting. Fang Wanyi and Zhong Xi would join them when they had a break. Although the bar was somewhat noisy, with rowdy foreigners whistling and singing, the psychedelic lights and the low, languid melodies made it a fitting place to enjoy a drink. Murong Feng savored the "Wind of the Ocean" and had quiet conversations with Tang Qing, thoroughly enjoying himself. Fang Wanyi didn't challenge Murong Feng to a drinking contest, likely reluctant to waste the excellent drink Zhong Xi had concocted for him.
Murong Feng truly enjoyed the "Wind of the Ocean" cocktail Zhong Xi had created for him. He thought to himself that he would definitely come back to this bar whenever he was in Hong Kong. He also wondered if Zhong Xi could mix a drink for Ye Zi. What kind of cocktail could capture Ye Zi's crystal-clear soul?
He couldn't help but speculate whether Zhong Xi had ever mixed a unique drink for Fang Wanyi. What would it be? Vodka? Or perhaps baijiu?