Situ Rose Bar, Zhong Hai City, West China May 28, 2024
Hearing the praise, Rose blushed slightly, bit her soft lips, and said in a tone full of regret and with a look tinged with melancholy: "What's the use of being pretty? There's a person who only comes to visit me when there's work, and even on my birthday that person comes so late," revealing a mix of nostalgia and frustration in her words.
Yang Ji smiled lightly, her normally dispassionate face flashing like a subtle spark. "I'm sorry I'm not good at comforting other people. Whenever you need my services, I'll offer you a discount. I was visiting Old Li and his daughter, that's why I took longer than usual."
With a look of annoyance and resignation, Rose looked away and crossed her arms. "Well," she said in a tone of false severity, "at least you came for my birthday, so I'll forgive you this time."
Yang Ji let out a soft laugh and replied calmly, "Thank you, Rose." Although his words seemed casual, his eyes reflected something deeper. To her, Rose wasn't just a customer; she was someone special who always seemed to know how to brighten her day.
"Tell me something," Rose asked now with a defiant glint in her eyes, "how do you find working for someone like me? That time I gave you a dangerous job, have I left you unsatisfied as a boss or as a contractor?"
Yang Ji, true to character, raised an eyebrow in obvious sarcasm before replying, "That depends on how you look at it. The pay is fantastic, and the work, so far, has been easy. My only regret is that you don't need me more often. I wouldn't mind more action."
"Oh, I'd like to hire you more often, but you're too expensive,"She said somewhat bitterly.
Yang Ji laughed and replied, clearly enjoying the moment, "And how could I not be? I'm the best mercenary you can find, Rose. I charge a lot because I deliver impeccable results and because I'm one of the few who wouldn't betray you. My efficiency costs, and honestly, you should know that by now."
Hearing Yang Ji's reply, Rose frowned, lightly pursed her lips, and shifted her gaze to the ground. She then whispered angrily, but with a faint tinge of blush on her cheeks, to herself, "It would be better if you became my lover..."
What she didn't realize was that the words she said, which she herself could barely hear, were words that Yang Ji heard clearly, but she knew that she should pretend that she didn't hear anything.
No matter how dim the lights in the bar were, Rose's face and physique still gave off an irresistible charm. However, from the moment Rose appeared, even when some people noticed her, they only dared to take a glance before looking away. Some curious new customers asked the surrounding customers who Rose was, and there was basically only one answer: "Drink your liquor, don't court death."
Feeling somewhat frustrated, Rose filled two glasses of whiskey on the counter, one for herself and one for Yang Ji. She turned to the latter, her eyes bright but her tone playfully commanding, "You and your mercenary honor… can you at least relax the protocol a bit and drink with me tonight? It's my birthday, geez."
Yang Ji just smiled softly at her and lifted her whiskey. Despite everything, she considered Rose her friend. Even though Rose was clearly in love with her, Yang Ji didn't dare to cross that line from friendship to love. She didn't feel ready for it.
Sure enough, Rose smiled happily, that smile was like seeing snow for the first time. Under the dim light, her face shone with brilliance, entering Yang Ji's eyes, causing his heart to tremble slightly though she quickly suppressed it.
"Health"
After clinking glasses, Yang Ji drank the ice-cold liquid without hesitation.
Rose couldn't help but smile widely, like a child amused by having her whim fulfilled. "Really, Yang Ji, you seem so impregnable sometimes," she murmured with a mix of admiration and sadness, leaning against the mercenary's shoulder. "I haven't celebrated my birthday in ten years. Even if there are no cakes, no candles, no presents tonight, having you here with me makes me happy. Even if you continue to play at being cold and professional, at least tonight you're relaxing a little."
Yang Ji placed a hand on Rose's waist, a surprisingly affectionate gesture for someone with his reputation. "I wouldn't miss this, my dear. Even when I feel like I'm crossing lines I would usually avoid." His words rang out sincerely and softly.
Rose, with trembling emotion in her voice, asked, "Why are you different this time? Why, when I work with you, are you so hard, so cold?"
Yang Ji sighed deeply. "That's me at work. Outside of work, I'm just a woman spending time with you, someone who sincerely enjoys this moment. Nothing more, nothing less."
Their gazes met, and though Yang Ji seemed reluctant, she allowed Rose to come closer. Perhaps, just for that night, the lines between professionalism and something more were blurred. An instant sealed by a simple yet meaningful kiss on the forehead that Yang Ji offered to the woman beside her.
The two women stood there smiling at each other as the crowd stared at them in amazement but they seemed lost in their own world.
Later, Rose stood up with a radiant smile, though it was obvious she didn't want to let her go. "I'm going to go tend to my customers. You can go now if you want, but… thank you for coming. You really made my day," she said before disappearing into the crowd, her elegant figure fading from view.
The bar patrons had long known that the bar boss was very charming, but they did not dare to give up their manners. This was because they received information that the woman's background was anything but simple. As a result, it was easy for Rose to greet her customers.
In fact, Rose's face contained a passionate smile. That extraordinary temperament was enough to make most men feel intimidated, so they could only watch from a distance. Furthermore, they did not want to reveal any notion of obscenity, as no one was looking for a slight.
Yang Ji's return to this country three years ago did not completely transform her; on the contrary, when Rose left, she returned to her apathetic and distant behavior.
If it was the Yang Ji of the past, who was faced with a fascinating woman like Rose who had affection for her, there wouldn't even have been a need for her to seduce her. She would have thrown her onto a bed long ago without caring about the consequences. In any case, once the act was over, she could just leave.
Yang Ji sighed, but she was still happy to no longer be the same. She remembered how, years ago, she had refused to help an old friend in need because it did not directly benefit her. The previous Yang Ji was too cold and ruthless.
Yang Ji drank the rest of her drink and she left. When she left, in the eyes of Rose, who watched her silently, there was a feeling of disappointment.
After leaving Rose's bar, the usual coldness once again enveloped Yang Ji like a coat as she finally disappeared into the city streets.