The scene outside the private room was a stark contrast, with deafening music, dim, flickering lights, and scantily clad men and women wildly shaking their bodies on the dance floor, howling like beasts under the DJ's provocative words.
The night was chaotic, a scene of frenzied demons.
"Sister Momo, come down and play with us," Tang Guo's long and charming eyes sparkled. Her cheeks were flushed from the alcohol, and fine beads of sweat adorned her delicate nose—a true beauty.
"I won't go down. I'll wait here while you and Bao'er go have fun," Shen Momo said, shaking her head at the crowded scene. This was her first time in such a place, and she felt uneasy. She couldn't imagine herself like the women on the dance floor, baring much of their chests and dancing closely with both familiar and unfamiliar men.
"Alright. We'll play for a while and come back," Tang Guo and Lin Bao'er ran hand in hand into the dance floor, quickly disappearing among the crowd.
"You should go play too. I'll just have a drink," Shen Momo said to Ye Qiu, who stayed by her side.
"I don't know how to dance," Ye Qiu said woodenly.
Shen Momo stared at Ye Qiu's face, illuminated intermittently by the flashing lights. After a long pause, a faint smile appeared on her lips. "Why hide your true self? Waiting to surprise us again? Go, I'm worried about them."
Ye Qiu smiled bitterly and rubbed his nose. It seemed they had started to suspect his true origins. If he had known, he would have just sung a simple song. Why did he have to be so professional?
In fact, Ye Qiu really didn't know how to dance, especially this kind of modern dance that looked like convulsions. However, many in the crowd were just as unskilled, merely using their bodies to relieve stress. Professionalism was secondary; it was just another form of release.
Ye Qiu swayed his body lightly as he walked towards the center of the dance floor. He spotted Tang Guo and Lin Bao'er, who stood out even among the crowd of beauties, like two bright flowers surrounded by a sea of people.
Naturally, with two such delectable beauties, some men tried to take advantage. However, Tang Guo and Lin Bao'er were very vigilant. When any man approached, they glared fiercely, and Lin Bao'er even directly warned, "Don't try to take advantage of us. Our bodyguard is super tough."
Ye Qiu couldn't help but laugh and cry. What kind of threat was that?
Without any incidents, Ye Qiu was free to relax, swaying to the rhythm that didn't quite match the music, allowing his mind to rest for a moment.
Shen Momo sat quietly by the bar, her body tense. She was uncomfortable in this noisy environment, lacking a sense of security.
Her thoughts were complicated. Her marriage to Beckson had been temporarily postponed due to her escape, but Beckson refused to give up. He had come to Beijing to invite her to his grandfather's birthday banquet. If she attended such an informal occasion, it might cement her position as Beckson's future wife. Marrying into one of Suzhou's four wealthy families was a dream for many women, but not for her.
Her mother called again, probing for her feelings. Was it really impossible to escape her fate?
"Miss, may I buy you a drink?" A deep, steady male voice startled Shen Momo from her thoughts.
She turned and met a pair of bright, affectionate eyes. The man had a ruggedly handsome face, his short-cropped hair giving an impression of strength and aggression. He was tall, dressed in a white shirt under a black vest, with the shirt unbuttoned at the collar, exuding a fashionable yet not frivolous air.
"I'm sorry, I don't drink," Shen Momo said, adjusting her emotions quickly and putting on her usual cold, distant expression.
The man laughed, revealing neat, white teeth. "Miss, you're hurting me. Even if you refuse, you should find a better excuse. I'm quite sure I smelled a mix of red wine and beer on your breath."
"I don't know you, so there's no need to waste my time. Please don't disturb my peace," Shen Momo said, looking down at the transparent glass in her hand, the liquid inside swirling with a floating yellow lemon slice. The bartender had called it a Blue Danube, a name she found pleasing.
The lemon slice bobbed gently with her hand's movements, like a small boat rocking on the waves, mirroring her fate.
"Alright. I'm sorry to have disturbed you," the man said, still smiling, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
With a snap of his fingers, a bar waiter brought over a bunch of bright red roses. The roses weren't bundled with baby's breath nor wrapped in fancy gold cellophane but looked freshly cut, their natural fragrance intact, with thorns lining their stems.
"I've been watching you from the corner and noticed you seem unhappy. I hope these roses can bring a smile to your face," the man said, handing the roses to Shen Momo. He was openly pursuing her.
Roses with thorns, a very potent weapon. He didn't believe any woman could resist such unique romance.
But Shen Momo disappointed him.
"I don't know you and won't accept your flowers. Please leave," she said.
"Miss, must you push people away? My friends are watching, and you're embarrassing me," the man said, his voice low but still patient.
"That's your problem. I don't want to be part of your boring game," Shen Momo said.
"Miss, you've misunderstood. I'm not playing a game. I admit some things can be approached lightly, but love deserves respect."
"That's why she can't accept your roses," Ye Qiu said, coming over and putting his arm around Shen Momo's shoulder. Taking the roses from the man's hand, he started crushing them, thorns and all.
Pale red sap dripped from between his fingers as the sharp thorns pierced his palm, but he felt no pain.
Finally, he had a legitimate reason to hold Shen Momo close.
Ye Qiu's heart was bursting with joy, much like the roses he had just crushed.
To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8