Lin Qinghe had expected to be met with sarcasm and a scolding for being hypocritical. Prepared for the worst, she was surprised when You Rong simply said, "Thank you," with a neutral expression.
Under Lin Qinghe's astonished gaze, he turned with a blank face and continued walking slowly ahead.
Lin Qinghe froze.
Didn't You Rong hate her?
His attitude towards her just now was no different than how he would thank a stranger who had helped him.
With a stomach full of questions, Lin Qinghe continued to follow You Rong.
After leaving Nandah, You Rong paused for a moment, likely sensing Lin Qinghe trailing behind him. He paid her no mind and continued on his way.
Lin Qinghe followed You Rong to a bar not far from Nandah.
Standing at the entrance of the bar, Lin Qinghe hesitated before following him inside. The music was deafening, and the place was packed. She searched everywhere but couldn't find You Rong.
Could it be that You Rong had deliberately entered the bar to shake her off?
The next second, Lin Qinghe's thoughts were proven wrong. She saw You Rong change into a bartender's uniform, carrying a tray as he delivered drinks to customers at various booths.
Lin Qinghe patted her forehead, mentally scolding herself.
You Rong came from a poor family and had an elderly, sick grandmother. He had been working part-time throughout his studies, so it was natural for him to be working at the bar now.
Lin Qinghe frowned, unable to think of any excuse to approach You Rong. She could only order a drink at the bar and discreetly observe him.
Occasionally, rude bar patrons would look You Rong up and down and call him a cripple. You Rong paid no attention to their stares and continued his work as a server.
A customer at a booth, looking like a young, flashy second-generation rich kid, became filled with disdain and contempt when the woman he was holding told him You Rong was handsome.
The rich kid loudly exclaimed, "Hey, cripple, come over here!"
You Rong looked up and walked over. "Sir, hello. May I take your order?"
The rich kid raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips as he said nonchalantly, "Do you have any hostesses here?"
You Rong replied, "I'm sorry, sir. We don't have hostesses here. Is there anything else you need?"
The woman in the rich kid's arms impatiently nudged his chest. He ignored her and looked at You Rong playfully. "No hostesses, huh? You look pretty good yourself. Why don't you be a hostess for me? I'll pay you. How about that?"
You Rong's eyes lowered slightly. In the dim light, his expression was unreadable.
Lin Qinghe heard his voice remain calm and even as he said, "Sir, I'm sorry, but I don't offer that service. If you have no other needs, I'll be going now."
"Wait!" the rich kid said disdainfully. "You're working here because you need money, right? How about this: sit down with me, have a drink, and I'll give you a thousand yuan. How's that?"
You Rong clenched his fists slightly. "I'm sorry, I don't offer that service."
The rich kid scoffed, "Hahaha... Still pretending to have principles. I want you to accompany me for a drink, and you will! Otherwise..." He grinned sinisterly, picked up a glass, and splashed its contents onto a male companion. Then he continued, "You as a server just spilled alcohol on a customer. Get your boss over here and let's see how this is handled!"
It was clear the rich kid intended to humiliate You Rong. You Rong stood his ground, silent, his bangs covering his eyes, making his thoughts unreadable.
Lin Qinghe gritted her teeth in anger and walked over, standing in front of You Rong. She said coldly, "A thousand yuan a drink, you said? I'll offer you ten times that, ten thousand a drink! Today, you will drink every drop of alcohol on your table!" Su Dan Novel Network.
Seeing Lin Qinghe appear, You Rong's eyes flickered for a moment before returning to their usual calm.
The rich kid sized up Lin Qinghe. He didn't take her seriously. "Who is this chick? She's quite attractive. Trying to play the damsel in distress? I can give you a chance. Sit down and drink with me instead of him. How about it?"
Lin Qinghe sneered, "You're the son of the chairman of Shanghua Pharmaceutical, aren't you? It doesn't matter if you don't recognize me. My brother, Lin Yi, you surely know him, right? You want me to drink with you? Should I call my brother right now and tell him?"
The rich kid's face changed drastically. He quickly abandoned his lewd demeanor and forced a laugh. "Oh, Miss Lin. My apologies. I must have had too much to drink and didn't recognize you. And this gentleman is your friend... I'm truly sorry, I was drunk. Please forgive me."
It was common knowledge that Lin Yi, the CEO of Lin Group, doted on his sister. Anyone in Jiangcheng knew that offending Lin Qinghe was equivalent to offending Lin Yi. How could their small company compare to the largest group in the country? If Lin Yi decided to crush their family, it would be easier than crushing an ant.
Lin Qinghe remained unmoved by the rich kid's apology. "So, being drunk is all it takes?"
The rich kid fawned, "Then what does Miss Lin want? I admit my fault! You tell me."
Lin Qinghe glanced at the bottles on the table. "As I said, ten thousand a drink for all the alcohol on the table. You... you must drink every last drop!"
The rich kid's face darkened. "Miss Lin, that's at least seven or eight bottles... Isn't that a bit too much?"
He hadn't realized he was being excessive when he was harassing You Rong just now.
Lin Qinghe casually scrolled through her phone. "Is it? Is it too much? If you think it's too much, then there's no need to force yourself. I'll just call my brother. If he finds out you wanted me to drink with you, I wonder what he'll think..."
The rich kid's face turned black. He dared not show his anger and gritted his teeth. "Fine! Miss Lin, I'll drink!"
Lin Qinghe remained silent, glancing at the alcohol on the table, signaling him to drink.
Under the watchful eyes of many in the bar, the rich kid drank three bottles of vodka in one go, becoming completely inebriated. His companions cautiously asked, "Miss Lin, Young Master Yang is already drunk. Perhaps... you could let it go now?"
Lin Qinghe finally relented. "Take him away. You drank a total of twenty glasses, right? I'll have the money transferred to his account."
"No, no, Miss Lin, it's not necessary..."
The rich kid's entourage shamefacedly led him away. Lin Qinghe looked up and swept the onlookers in the bar with a warning gaze, letting them know that You Rong was under her protection and they should not bully him.
Everyone else averted their eyes. After what had just happened, no one would dare bother You Rong.
Lin Qinghe smiled with satisfaction and then her eyes met You Rong's. Her heart skipped a beat.
Oh no! She was so focused on teaching that rich kid a lesson and warning everyone else not to trouble You Rong that she forgot he was behind her.
Seeing her so arrogant and overbearing, You Rong's impression of her must have worsened even further!