"Mr. Shen truly has a discerning eye, finding such a sharp-tongued little thing from who knows where."
"Mr. Lou!"
His sarcasm clearly angered her. Shen Ping, afraid of being implicated by Song Xi, quickly distanced himself from her, his adeptness at shifting allegiances evident.
"Please don't misunderstand, I have no connection with her. I thought she played the pipa beautifully and wished to leave her as a gift for you. I didn't expect her to be so ill-mannered. I'm truly sorry!" Kuaishu Ge
Song Xi's face flushed with anger. So this was Shen Ping's true intention; a hypocrite!
As things stood, Lou Yu Ming nodded slightly and sneered, "Indeed ill-mannered, but not just for a day or two."
"Why are you standing there? Apologize to Mr. Shen."
Shen Ping was a little bewildered. "?"
Seeing Song Xi unmoved, Lou Yu Ming threatened her with his phone, "It seems I'll have to call Zhang Qi."
"I'm sorry!"
Song Xi complied readily. If Lou Yu Ming made that call, she didn't know how much more trouble she'd face.
"Come here," Lou Yu Ming patted the seat beside him.
Song Xi, having learned her lesson, fearing a misstep would bring more trouble, obediently moved closer. "Mr. Lou."
"What should you call me?"
"Lit... Uncle."
Shen Ping's legs went weak, and he almost fell to his knees.
Lou Yu Ming's voice was calm. "Youngsters can be unruly, Mr. Shen. Please don't take offense."
With that, he paid no mind to Shen Ping's ashen face, trembling like a sieve, and directly led Song Xi out of the private room.
After leaving Wei Yin, Lou Yu Ming's demeanor changed completely. He turned and pressed Song Xi against the car window, his face a mask of frost. "Do you know what you were doing?"
Song Xi replied with utter seriousness, "Making... money!"
Lou Yu Ming looked at her current state, her disheveled hair, her clothes stained with wine, not a single appealing aspect about her.
"Making what money? Look at yourself! Aren't you afraid Zhang Qi will kill you if he finds out?"
"How is he any better than me!"
She retorted. Lou Yu Ming suddenly recalled how she had used the "Ballad of the Pipa" to counter him. He pushed her away. "With that much energy, why can't you do something more worthwhile instead of degrading yourself!"
Song Xi was stung by his words. "Yes! I'm degrading myself. Since Mr. Lou cares so little, why not be charitable to us struggling workers, and accumulate some good karma for yourself in the future!"
Her wild flailing was utterly lawless. Lou Yu Ming was speechless and, with a dark expression, dismissed her with four words.
"Hopeless!"
"Stop!"
He turned to leave, but Song Xi grabbed him.
"Give me money!"
She stated her case logically. "I was getting along fine with Mr. Shen, but now because of you, the money is gone, the drinks were in vain, and my entire evening was wasted. You should compensate me for my losses!"
"Let go!" Lou Yu Ming's brow furrowed with anger.
Song Xi tightened her grip, her other hand also clutched his coat. "I won't let go until you give me the money! I worked hard all night, and you ruined it all! Do you know how important that money is to me!"
Lou Yu Ming's face contorted in anger as he slowly pried her fingers away, one by one.
"You ungrateful little thing, if it weren't for me, you would have been in grave danger today, and you still want money from me?"
"I don't care!"
Lou Yu Ming's eyes chilled. He gripped her wrist and pulled her towards the car. Unexpectedly, Song Xi recoiled as if electrocuted, and immediately let go.
"What are you doing!"
Lou Yu Ming's gaze was chilling, a subtle curve forming on his lips. "Didn't you want money? I'll give it to you."
His expression now was utterly different from moments ago. Song Xi sensed a hint of danger.
"No need, consider it my bad luck! In the future, you should mind your own business. Mr. Lou, you said 'this is the end' in the car last time, and I've kept that firmly in mind!"
Her sudden compliance unsettled Lou Yu Ming. He took out a card, as if testing her. "Think it over. There's two hundred thousand in this card. I'm only giving you one chance."
Song Xi found it utterly laughable. Just as she was about to retort that he wasn't the only man in the world, she heard him say in a low voice, "I've already spoken to the boss of Wei Yin. Not only here, but you won't be allowed into any establishment from now on."
"You... you're despicable!"
Song Xi's face turned red with anger.
Lou Yu Ming tossed his phone onto the back seat and patted his thigh. "My patience is limited, I don't have that much time to waste with you. Think it over."
Song Xi clenched her fists, biting her lip until it turned white. She looked at him with stubbornness, her eyes filled with resentment.
Just as Lou Yu Ming was losing his patience and about to close the car door, she blocked it with one hand and slipped inside.
"Two hundred thousand, not a cent less!"
Lou Yu Ming looked satisfied. He smiled and pulled her onto his lap, kissing her from the nape of her neck downwards. "I keep my word."