LWDC Chapter 180

“Noctilucent Pearl” was filled with music, and people swayed ambiguously on the dimly lit dance floor. None of these men and women were actually married couples. After all, the men in such places tacitly wouldn’t bring their families.

Duan Yunhong and Ning Fei, on the other hand, took a turn around with their wine glasses, “backstabbing” people whom Duan Yunhong vaguely remembered, which could also be considered as giving Ning Fei a better understanding of his “past.”

“Why are you always looking at the dance floor?”

During their stroll, Duan Yunhong noticed Ning Fei glancing at the dance floor from time to time and asked, “Do you want to go dance?”

“I just find it amusing that these people can’t dance, yet they insist on swaying around in there, just to rub against each other through their clothes.” Ning Fei chuckled softly, “That doesn’t even qualify as public indecency. Even I, with no dance skills whatsoever, could dance more passionately, more heatedly.”

“For example?”

“For example, even if these young girls are experienced in matters of the flesh, their limited experience means they don’t even know how to rub properly.” Ning Fei said quietly, “Although, men are indeed a species that can get aroused from a simple touch through clothing.”

Duan Yunhong lowered his eyes to look at the remaining wine in his glass: “So, you’re very knowledgeable?”

“Ha, my experience is probably much, much more than these girls, right?” Ning Fei scoffed, “And didn’t you know? The old Su Cenxi used to learn many of his movements and poses from me. I wouldn’t dare call myself an expert in other things, but I’m quite good at flaunting my ‘sex appeal’.”

Duan Yunhong swallowed the wine in his mouth, his Adam’s apple bobbing heavily: “…Then shall we go down?”

“Dream on. I don’t want to become the center of attention here, especially not because of some ‘shockingly unconventional’ behavior between two men.” Ning Fei glanced at him and snorted, “I just want to quietly protect the Cheng family and don’t want any unnecessary complications.”

Duan Yunhong wanted to say something, but he didn’t even get to say the beginning of “Then we’ll wait until we get back” before someone interrupted.

The deputy director of Pingdu Newspaper, who had sent them the invitation, finally remembered to make contact. After confirming their identities, he introduced them to several of his friends in the business and political circles of Pingdu. But Ning Fei’s main focus wasn’t in Pingdu, so he had little interest in socializing with these people. Therefore, he just gave a cursory greeting, found an excuse to slip away, and left Duan Yunhong behind.

His speed and decisiveness were so great that Duan Yunhong didn’t even have time to grab him, and could only watch helplessly as he ran away.

The other men joked with Duan Yunhong: “It seems Ning Fei still has a youthful heart and hasn’t fully grown up. He can’t even distinguish the priorities in this kind of situation.”

Upon hearing this, Duan Yunhong replied in a cold tone: “Anyway, someone will always cover for him. Even if he likes to play around, it’s not a big deal.”

Hearing him say this, the others realized that he didn’t want to gossip about Ning Fei behind his back, so they changed the topic with a laugh and stopped talking about Ning Fei.

While Duan Yunhong was caught in this boring social interaction, Ning Fei found something that piqued his interest.

He noticed that the lady who had been sitting at the same table as Liang Zhiming was alone. She was now sitting at a table in the corner, staring ahead blankly with a cigarette between her fingers.

Ning Fei walked over: “Do you mind if I borrow one?”

“…Huh?” The lady raised her head with a slightly puzzled expression, as if wondering why a young master would be borrowing a cigarette from her. Only then did Ning Fei see her face clearly: a melon-shaped face, big eyes, and well-defined lips. Even with such heavy and glamorous makeup, it was clear that she was naturally beautiful, giving her a significant advantage over the other girls present.

It was a little strange that such a girl was sitting alone in the corner smoking.

“I forgot to bring mine.” Ning Fei’s tone was natural, as if he really was just trying to quit smoking. “Your slim cigarettes seem nice, so I’m asking to borrow one.”

The lady seemed to take his words as a way to flirt, and smiled: “Sir, what is borrowed must be returned.”

This was the kind of line used in her profession, delivered in a gentle and charming tone. Ning Fei responded smoothly: “Of course. If you would be so kind as to tell me your name and address, I would be happy to send a small token of my gratitude to your home.”

“‘Home’ is too grand a word. My name is Qiao Li, and I’m basically here every night.” Qiao Li simply avoided answering the question about her address, and while taking out a cigarette from her small handbag to hand to Ning Fei, she asked, “Sir, you look unfamiliar, is this your first time here? What should I call you?”

“My surname is Ning, and it is indeed my first time here.” Ning Fei knew that “Qiao Li” was just an alias, but he readily gave his surname. He took the match that Qiao Li had lit for him and lit his cigarette. He looked handsome while smoking, and didn’t rush to continue chatting with Qiao Li, but simply exhaled smoke leisurely. Qiao Li had never seen such a man before. His face and demeanor seemed more elegant and refined than all the girls present, and for a moment, she was a little dazed.

But she quickly came back to her senses: “Since it’s Mr. Ning’s first time here, you must be a distinguished guest of Pingdu Newspaper? How about I introduce you to ‘Noctilucent Pearl’?”

“No need, I’ve heard of it.” Ning Fei flicked the ash into the ashtray. “I’ll just sit here for a while. Ms. Qiao wouldn’t be waiting for someone, would she? Did I take someone else’s reserved seat?”

“No, this seat is free.” Qiao Li smiled at him, her beautiful eyes gleaming. “Then shall I chat with you for a while?”

“Chat if you want to chat, just sit here if you don’t want to chat.” Ning Fei said casually, “Order something to drink if you want, it’s on me.”

He exhaled smoke leisurely and smiled: “Consider it my treat, and it won’t count as paying back the cigarette.”

“Then let me order something for you to quench your thirst too. There’s actually a type of wine in this bar that doesn’t clash with the taste of my cigarette. I’ve always wanted to share it with someone, and today I’ve finally found the opportunity.” Qiao Li really didn’t decline, and generously called over a waiter to order two glasses of the same wine. Ning Fei had seen the menu before and knew that this wine wasn’t in the most expensive category, so it seemed that Qiao Li had a good sense of propriety.

While waiting for the wine, Qiao Li didn’t let the conversation die down and chatted with Ning Fei. When she heard that Ning Fei was from Yucheng, she was a little surprised: “That’s such a long way away! It must have been a difficult journey, and it’s much colder here than in Yucheng. I heard that the government’s main force is in Yucheng, and the development there is more active than in Pingdu. Why would Mr. Ning come to Pingdu in the dead of winter?”

Ning Fei said casually: “To see the snow.”

“Mr. Ning has a great interest.” Qiao Li exclaimed, “But after a heavy snowfall, the golden tiles and red walls against the white snow are indeed very beautiful. It’s just that ordinary people like me can only look at it from a distance. If Mr. Ning could go inside and take a look, it would probably be a different world altogether.”

Ning Fei suddenly said: “You’re quite cultured.”

Qiao Li was taken aback by his words. Just then, the waiter came to deliver the wine. She took the wine and took the opportunity to change the subject: “Mr. Ning, would you like to try my recommendation?”

Ning Fei gave her face and took a sip. It was actually just fruit wine with a light taste, and for him, it was no different from plain water.

So he bluntly said: “So-so.”

Qiao Li probably didn’t expect him to suddenly make such a sharp comment. She paused for a moment before replying: “Mr. Ning has seen and tasted many more good things, so it seems that my taste is indeed a bit crude.”

Ning Fei suddenly brought the topic back: “You’ve studied before?”

Qiao Li hesitated for a moment: “…Yes, I studied for a few years.”

“Junior high school? High school?” Ning Fei sized her up. “Or did you go to university?”

“I couldn’t possibly reach university.” Qiao Li smiled. “I didn’t finish high school either. I’m also… a refugee.”

“A female high school student is already a rare achievement among ordinary people, and even more so here.” Ning Fei put out his cigarette. “What a pity.”

Qiao Li secretly breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that he didn’t make the same comments as other men, such as “What’s the use of studying, especially since you’re a woman”: “In this day and age, being able to survive is something to be grateful for. Studying is already something I can’t hope for.”

“Indeed. But even if you can’t go to school, you can still read a book occasionally. When you’re alone, you can find peace in books.” Ning Fei replied, “If you want to…”

“Qiao Li! We haven’t finished talking yet…!”

A figure suddenly approached quickly. Ning Fei looked up and saw that it was none other than the reporter Liang Zhiming. His tone was as urgent as his footsteps. He stopped at the table and said to Qiao Li, “Boss Huang insisted on dragging you to dance just now. Are you free now?… Sir, would you please give up your seat.”

The last sentence was, of course, directed at Ning Fei. Ning Fei raised an eyebrow and was about to get up when Qiao Li grabbed his hand.

“Liang Zhiming, can’t you see I’m chatting with someone? You didn’t pay to book me, so why are you cutting in line?” Qiao Li looked at Liang Zhiming, her tone resolute. “I’m not free today, don’t bother me.”

Liang Zhiming saw that Ning Fei really didn’t move after being grabbed, and thought he was a wealthy boss who had paid for her company. He frowned and stared at him for two seconds before giving in: “Then come with me, we’ll just talk for ten minutes.”

“I’m not going, say what you have to say here.” Qiao Li gave Ning Fei an apologetic look, but her hand never released his. “But if it’s still the same old things, then there’s no need to say it. It’s meaningless.”

“What do you mean ‘meaningless’? I found you a painting job that matches your profession and allows you to stop being a prostitute, isn’t that good?” Liang Zhiming almost couldn’t control his voice, frowning and staring down at Qiao Li. “If you think the monthly salary of thirty yuan is too low, I can even subsidize you a little. This place makes quick money for a day or two, but it ‘devours people’. How can you stay in this kind of place all the time…!”

“Liang Zhiming, I have a daughter at home waiting for food and clothes. I don’t have time to play that ‘idealism feeds you’ game with you.” Qiao Li also stared at him. “And you subsidize me? How much, three or five yuan occasionally? Do you know that this glass of wine costs fifteen yuan?”

Liang Zhiming said angrily: “So what? You’d rather rot in this kind of place for the sake of drinking this fifteen-yuan wine every day? You used to be able to live a peaceful life, it’s the bright lights and debauchery that ruined you…!”

“Hey! What are you doing over there!”

The sound of the argument attracted the security guards of the dance hall. Qiao Li unceremoniously passed the blame to Liang Zhiming, who was then “invited” out.

Before leaving, he glared fiercely at Ning Fei, as if Ning Fei was the devil who had dragged Qiao Li into this “man-eating den” and wouldn’t let her leave.

Qiao Li then released Ning Fei’s hand, her face full of apology: “I’m sorry, Mr. Ning, I really can’t handle him… How about this, you order another glass of whatever you like, and I’ll pay for both drinks.”

“No need.” Ning Fei didn’t care about this small amount of money. He waved his hand. “You’ve already paid.”

Qiao Li: “…Huh?”

Ning Fei looked in the direction Liang Zhiming had left, smiled with interest, and didn’t answer.

–Men, always like to play the rotten game of “dragging good women into the water and helping old prostitutes to reform.” How can this not be an interesting little story?

Ning Fei: Laughing to death, I ran into a living moral conductor.