Xia Yunjie wasn't worried about causing any serious harm. As a sorcerer at the second rank of the Earth Sorcerer's Intermediate Stage, equivalent to a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator in the cultivation world, his sharp gaze could easily judge whether Lu Hong would be crippled or worse. However, this was a bustling urban area with many passersby. With Lu Hong howling like a ghost, more and more people were starting to notice. Xia Yunjie didn't want to create too much of a scene. Besides, from Lu Hong's pathetic state, it was clear that one beating was enough to scare him off from ever bothering Shao Lihong again.
After all, Shao Lihong was now the woman of a gang boss!
"All right, Bald Qiang, that's enough," Xia Yunjie said with an air of authority, letting go of Shao Lihong's slender waist before walking leisurely toward Lu Hong.
Watching Xia Yunjie's average build from behind, Shao Lihong felt a trace of confusion. When Xia Yunjie had been holding her waist earlier, she hadn't felt the slightest discomfort or aversion—something she couldn't understand. In fact, there was even a tiny sense of loss now.
But how could that be? Ever since seven years ago, when the gambler Lu Hong had tried to force her into sleeping with other men, her interest in men had shifted to women. She couldn't even bear a man's touch without feeling repulsion.
Yet just now…
While Shao Lihong was lost in her thoughts, Xia Yunjie had already approached Lu Hong.
After being punched and kicked by Bald Qiang and his gang, Lu Hong curled up on the ground, trembling like a frightened, helpless girl. He didn't even dare to look Xia Yunjie in the eye.
"I'll let you off this time," Xia Yunjie said coldly. "But remember, if you dare show up in front of Hongjie again, you won't get off so easily!" He paused for a moment before suddenly kicking Lu Hong, barking, "Scram!"
Though the kick sent pain shooting through Lu Hong's body, he didn't dare hesitate. Enduring the pain, he scrambled away in panic.
Watching Lu Hong flee without looking back, Xia Yunjie turned toward Shao Lihong. As he approached her, she opened her mouth to thank him, but Xia Yunjie cut her off with a smile. "There are too many people around. You're fine now, Hongjie. You should go about your business. I'll chat with Qiang and the others for a bit."
Hearing Xia Yunjie mention wanting to chat, Bald Qiang and his gang felt their hearts sink. Bald Qiang instinctively touched the brand-new gold necklace around his neck, his face filled with regret.
Looks like they were about to lose some money to avoid more trouble!
Now that the threat of the scandalous photos had been dealt with, Shao Lihong regained her usual composure as a savvy businesswoman. She naturally didn't believe Xia Yunjie was some gang boss—this was real life, not a novel. If he were truly a gang boss, why would he work as an intern at her bar? Besides, he'd only recently graduated from a technical school. As for Qiang and his crew—who were they? Why had they appeared at this moment? And why were they calling Xia Yunjie "Big Brother"? Though curious, Shao Lihong knew this wasn't the time to ask. Nodding decisively, she said, "All right, I'll head out first."
She then turned to Bald Qiang and his crew, adding, "Thank you for today, Qiang."
"Not at all, Hongjie. Take care!" Bald Qiang and his gang replied politely.
Shao Lihong nodded again, then turned and walked toward her white BMW parked in front of the café.
A beautiful woman and a luxury car! Watching the elegant, urban professional drive off in her white BMW, Bald Qiang and his gang couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of awe toward Xia Yunjie.
Look at him—barely twenty, skilled in combat, and with a woman driving a BMW! Compared to him, they felt like they'd wasted their lives.
With this thought in mind, Bald Qiang gave Xia Yunjie a thumbs-up and exclaimed, "Brother Jie, Hongjie is gorgeous. You're amazing!"
Though Bald Qiang and his crew weren't exactly good people, they had helped him today. Otherwise, someone as troublesome as Lu Hong would've been difficult to deal with without resorting to sorcery. Since Bald Qiang's flattery was misplaced but well-meaning, Xia Yunjie didn't bother correcting him and simply said, "Thanks for your help today. You can go now."
Bald Qiang and his gang were taken aback by Xia Yunjie's gratitude. They quickly replied, "No need to thank us, Brother Jie. No need at all."
With that, they hastily walked toward their van parked outside a small restaurant.
They weren't taking any chances. If this unpredictable guy changed his mind and decided to extort them again, they'd have nowhere to cry.
Watching Bald Qiang and his gang drive off in their van, Xia Yunjie shook his head with a wry smile and walked toward his parked bicycle.
Mounting the bicycle, Xia Yunjie pedaled leisurely toward Nanshan Road.
As he neared the Blue Night Bar, he saw Cheng Ping getting off a bus. Spotting him, her face lit up with a happy smile, and she waved at him.
Seeing her cheerful expression and wave, Xia Yunjie felt a warmth in his heart. He pedaled harder and gracefully stopped in front of her, hopping off with a smooth move.
"Impressive, you've joined the bike owner's club!" Cheng Ping joked, patting the new seat with a playful grin.
"Of course. How can a regular at the bar not have a ride?" Xia Yunjie replied with mock arrogance, tilting his chin.
Cheng Ping froze for a moment before bursting into laughter and playfully smacking his arm.
Parking the bike, the two of them walked into the bar, chatting and laughing. Inside, most of the staff had already arrived. Since it wasn't business hours yet, many were gathered around the bar counter. Even Sister Yan was there. Behind the counter, a young man with a ponytail was performing a flair bartending routine. The white bottles flew like butterflies through the air, spinning around his hands, head, and back, tracing beautiful arcs that drew cheers from the onlookers.
"That's Zhang Xiaojun, another bartender at our bar. He wasn't here yesterday because he had something to do. He's amazing at flair bartending, and he's quite handsome. He's one of the main attractions here, especially for the ladies. Oh, and he's the highest-paid employee here, earning about 8,000 yuan a month!" Cheng Ping leaned in close to Xia Yunjie and whispered.
In 2003, salaries in Jiangzhou City were generally low, so 8,000 yuan a month was considered a high income. Hearing this, Xia Yunjie was surprised. "That much?"
"Yep. Jealous? He earns money and gets girls throwing themselves at him!" Cheng Ping teased, glancing at him.
"There's nothing to be jealous about. Everyone has their own path. What matters is doing your best," Xia Yunjie replied with a smile.
Cheng Ping was taken aback by his response but retorted, "Don't be so fake. What man doesn't love money and women? Too bad, being a good flair bartender requires a deep understanding of alcohol and a natural talent for the craft. Otherwise, with your looks, you'd be perfect for the job. It'd be way better than being a waiter."
"I think being a waiter is fine," Xia Yunjie said, smiling nonchalantly. To him, the fancy moves of flair bartending weren't difficult. He could easily perform even more complex tricks. However, his knowledge of alcohol was lacking. Becoming a great flair bartender would require time and effort, but that wasn't the real issue. The real issue was that Xia Yunjie didn't plan to stay in the bar industry for long.
Bars were loud, indulgent places filled with fleeting pleasures. People often showed their most reckless sides here. Xia Yunjie didn't like this kind of work or environment. He was only here temporarily because of life's pressures.
"Lack of ambition!" Cheng Ping rolled her eyes, playfully poking his forehead with her finger.
At that moment, Zhang Xiaojun finished his routine with a few flips of the bottles, producing a dazzlingly red cocktail. He garnished it with a cherry, smiled charmingly, and slid it toward Cheng Ping. In a magnetic voice, he said, "Pink Lady, for the pink lady in my heart."
As he spoke, Zhang Xiaojun deliberately glanced at Xia Yunjie, his eyes filled with disdain and provocation.