Chapter 6: Going to the Bar
Amidst the teasing banter, they soon arrived at the well-known Shu Wu Chestnut Chicken. After parking the car, the four of them entered a private room and placed their order using a tablet.
The restaurant’s décor was quite refined.
When the server brought in the chicken soup, a rich aroma instantly filled the room, tantalizing their taste buds and making everyone eager to dig in.
Zhang Kexin and Qianqian praised the food as they ate, while Lu Yu and Chen Xiaofei kept their heads down, focused on eating and drinking, occasionally joining the conversation.
Whatever else you might say about Chen Xiaofei, his eye for pretty girls was certainly commendable—both Zhang Kexin and Qianqian were strikingly attractive.
Zhang Kexin was a bit more lively, while Qianqian was a touch more cool and elegant; both scored well above 85 in looks—truly outstanding.
It was no wonder the phrase “a feast for the eyes” existed; at least Lu Yu found his appetite markedly improved.
Unwilling to be outdone, Chen Xiaofei started competing with him again.
Full and satisfied, they each enjoyed a final bowl of rich chicken soup, feeling a pleasant warmth spread through their bodies.
Rubbing her slightly round belly, Zhang Kexin pouted and complained, “Oh no, I’ve eaten so much—I’m definitely going to gain weight.”
Chen Xiaofei caught her drift and replied, “No way. Even if you do, you’ll still look great.”
Zhang Kexin let out a haughty little humph, secretly delighted.
After resting for more than ten minutes, the time was nearing seven.
Chen Xiaofei called the bar manager to reserve a booth, and when asked which spot he wanted, he turned to Lu Yu.
Lu Yu thought for a moment and said, “Let’s get a booth on the second floor—the ones on the first floor are too close to the stage.”
Chen Xiaofei agreed and told the manager to reserve a good spot on the second floor.
Once the call ended, they drove to the Shu City TV Tower, heading for Space Bar.
…
After parking beneath the TV tower, they took the elevator up to the bar.
The moment they walked in, a thunderous wave of sound crashed over them, making them feel as if the very air was vibrating.
A server led them to their booth. Since there were girls present, Chen Xiaofei only ordered four bottles of Dom Pérignon champagne.
Soon, the server returned with champagne and glasses, along with mineral water and an ice bucket.
It was likely the first time Zhang Kexin and Qianqian had ever been to a bar; from the moment they entered, their eyes darted around curiously.
Space was, after all, the most renowned bar in Shu City—spacious, well-equipped, and with a top-notch DJ—everything was a novelty to them.
They looked around in fascination as the DJ hyped up the crowd, the atmosphere electric.
The electronic music and driving drumbeats, amplified by the state-of-the-art sound system, made it impossible not to move with the rhythm.
Zhang Kexin, visibly excited, joined the surrounding crowd in cheering and screaming—an experience entirely new to her.
Chen Xiaofei was also letting loose, fully immersed in the moment.
Qianqian restrained herself at first, maintaining her composure, though she was clearly tempted to join in.
…
Lu Yu, noticing her hesitation, moved to sit beside her, handed her a glass of champagne, and leaned close to her ear, shouting over the music:
“Let go—go have some fun.”
—
Lu Yu’s sudden closeness made Qianqian instinctively shrink her neck, but his words stirred something in her.
Still hesitating, she found the champagne pressed into her hand by Lu Yu, who indicated she should drink it and go enjoy herself.
Qianqian smiled, clinked glasses with him, tossed back her drink, and rose to join Zhang Kexin.
Both Zhang Kexin and Qianqian had studied music and dance, so their moves on the dance floor in front of the booth were polished and impressive.
Chen Xiaofei, a seasoned bar-goer, was in his element.
…
After a while, apparently still not satisfied, Chen Xiaofei took Zhang Kexin and Qianqian by the arm and led them to the main stage.
Lu Yu sat back on the booth’s sofa, watching the three from a distance.
With their striking looks—one 168 centimeters tall, the other 169—with long legs and perfect figures, and Chen Xiaofei’s roguish charm, they quickly caught everyone’s eye.
The high-definition screens surrounding the dance floor displayed live shots of the trio in perfect timing.
The DJ encouraged more people to join, and a few others—men and women—climbed onto the stage.
Those on stage danced wildly, while the crowd below swayed and pumped their fists in time with the music.
The screens kept zooming in on Zhang Kexin and Qianqian’s dance moves, their flawless figures accentuated by dazzling lights, further riling up the male onlookers, who howled along with the DJ.
For a while, it was sheer mayhem.
…
After about twenty minutes, Zhang Kexin and Qianqian, now tired, returned to the booth with Chen Xiaofei, flopping onto the sofa for iced water and a rest.
Chen Xiaofei asked Lu Yu why he didn’t join them, but Lu Yu just shook his head, amused, and clinked glasses with him.
The two of them watched the central dance floor, occasionally commenting on the figures of various girls in the crowd.
After a short break, Zhang Kexin and Qianqian, still eager for more fun, discussed with Chen Xiaofei and headed off to the main stage again.
Perhaps emboldened by their earlier experience, Zhang Kexin and Qianqian were noticeably more uninhibited this time.
Their interactions were even more engaging and sultry, making the male patrons in the bar nearly lose their composure.
After three or four songs, the trio returned, breathless and exhausted.
They all sipped champagne together; Chen Xiaofei and Zhang Kexin grew visibly closer.
Whether from fatigue or the effects of alcohol, Zhang Kexin gradually leaned against Chen Xiaofei, the two whispering quietly to each other.
Lu Yu wondered—can you really get tipsy from champagne?
When the last bottle was empty, it was nearly ten o’clock.
Knowing most schools closed around eleven, Lu Yu sent Chen Xiaofei a message on WeChat, asking whether they should leave now or stay longer.
He showed his phone to Chen Xiaofei.
Chen Xiaofei understood immediately, took out his own phone to check the message, hesitated a moment, and finally replied:
“I definitely don’t want to go back yet.”
Lu Yu got the message: “Then see what you can arrange. If it works out, I’ll take Qianqian home first.”
—
Chen Xiaofei pocketed his phone and whispered a few words to Zhang Kexin, who reacted with a mix of shyness and mock annoyance, lightly punching him a few times and replying softly.
She shot him a glare before turning to speak with the slightly tipsy Qianqian.
Seeing how things were going, Lu Yu gestured as if turning a steering wheel. Chen Xiaofei glanced over and tossed him the car keys.
Just as they finished talking, Zhang Kexin and Qianqian wrapped up their conversation. Lu Yu smiled, stood up, put on his jacket, summoned a driver through Didi, and waited as Qianqian put on her coat and grabbed her bag.
When Lu Yu and Qianqian stepped outside to the parking lot, their driver had already arrived.
Lu Yu opened the car door and helped the drowsy Qianqian into the back seat.
Glancing at her half-reclined form, he took off his jacket and draped it over her before closing the door and moving to the passenger seat. He told the driver the address for Shu Yin University.
…
The car ride was quiet. The driver kept his eyes on the road, and Qianqian, eyes closed, seemed to be asleep—or at least resting.
Lu Yu leaned back, watching the streetlights and headlights flow past like a river of stars, lost in thought.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the university gates.
Lu Yu glanced at Qianqian, who still had her eyes closed, and told the driver to wait. He got out, opened the door, and gently nudged her shoulder.
“Qianqian, we’re here.”
She opened her eyes, bleary and dazed, looking around as if to orient herself.
When she saw the school gate, she became more alert, sat up, and after a minute, stepped out of the car and tried to return Lu Yu’s jacket.
He waved her off. “Keep it on—it’s cold, and you just woke up. Don’t catch a cold. Can you walk? I’ll take you to your dorm.”
She nodded softly. “I can walk.”
“Alright, let’s go. If you wait any longer, you might not make it back.”
The campus was peaceful at night, with the occasional sound of students playing in the distance.
Lu Yu and Qianqian walked side by side in silence.
The night breeze carried a faint trace of her perfume, distracting Lu Yu for a moment.
At the entrance to the dormitory, a few boys were lingering, sending girls back and saying their goodbyes at the door.
Qianqian stopped, a little embarrassed, her cheeks flushed though the night hid it. “We’re here.”
Lu Yu stopped as well. “Alright, get some sleep. I’ll be heading back now.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
Without saying more, Lu Yu turned and walked toward the school gate.
Only when he reached the entrance did he realize his jacket was still draped over Qianqian’s shoulders—and he didn’t have her contact information.
He shook his head, got into the car, and gave the driver his home address.
…