Out of fear of strangers, Qi Sui actually somewhat regarded Brother Chen Ping as her mother. After all, she said she wanted to do business, but she didn't really have any ideas. It was Chen Ping who told her that as long as she got to the county town, she could make money doing anything, and she wouldn't have to worry about not having money to spend. Hearing this, Qi Sui followed behind Chen Ping eagerly, using half of all the money she had to buy a bus ticket, and stood on the swaying bus to enter the city. Every day after finishing her work, her first thought was to go find Brother Chen Ping. She hadn't spent that ten-yuan note soaked with sweat; she kept it all in her small coin purse, which her mother had stayed up all night to sew for her, with a small wheat ear on it. She didn't have much money left. Apart from the twenty yuan she took when she left home, there was the hundred yuan her mother sewed into her clothes. That was her dowry, and her mother said to use it to run her own small family and never spend it recklessly. But Qi Sui was muddled. Not only did she secretly hide and take the money, but as soon as she got on the bus, she pulled the hundred yuan out of her clothes and stuffed it into Chen Ping's hand. Chen Ping was startled, then smiled and said he would keep it safe for her. Chen Ping drew her a big, round, fragrant pancake—saying he would make money to buy a house for Qi Sui. But how could Qi Sui know that relying on her earning one hundred at a time, she wouldn't even be able to afford a house in this county town even if she worked her whole life? Thinking of this, Qi Sui felt a bit annoyed. She threw the greasy rag into the water basin and wanted to ask Brother Chen Ping to give her hundred yuan back. She was just like a child; if she regretted something, she would be unhappy. When she sat on the swaying little bus, her mind was full of that hundred yuan she had given away. She had been coming here every day lately, almost becoming a regular at Wan Zi Qian Hong. But this regular just sat at the entrance every day without going in, completely outside the scope of customers they needed to solicit. The security guard with narrow eyes pursed his lips at the little girl sitting on the ground, mouthing silently: "Here again, huh." Qi Sui couldn't wait for Chen Ping every day. Actually, aside from the first day when she smoothly met Brother Chen Ping, the other days she spent waiting for him for a long time. She didn't feel annoyed. Every day, she used the leftover dishes and oil from the small restaurant to bring food for Chen Ping. Most of the time, Chen Ping couldn't eat it because every time she got hungry, she would take it out and eat it herself. Then she would wipe her greasy mouth, hum a tuneless song, and sway her feet while waiting for him to come out. Was she here to have fun or to find her boyfriend? Anyway, she looked foolish and without any cunning. But today, the entrance of this club was exceptionally lively. The security guards, who usually ignored her, kept telling her to go away. Qi Sui puffed her cheeks, looking naive, and crouched in a corner where the light didn't reach, stretching her neck to look at the entrance. It was so grand. Small cars—Qi Sui had never seen them before. She had heard of those "ten-thousand-yuan households" that could afford small cars, but what did that have to do with her? Some of those small cars didn't even have roofs, and people's heads were exposed. A few beautiful women stood straight up in the cars, their faces blooming with smiles. Qi Sui thought they were really foolish. As she watched, she muttered to herself: "The cars are already so broken, and they still drive them out? Looks like these small cars are really rare." As she spoke, the small cars drove closer, heading straight in her direction. The place where she stood wasn't noticeable, but the beautiful women standing in the cars stuck their heads out and spotted the little girl standing at the edge, looking flustered, her clothes shabby and old-fashioned. One of the women, with blood-red lips, held a cigarette and puffed out smoke, her voice clearly hoarse: "Whose little girl is this? Standing here, trying to get run over?" A man with a buzz cut and yellow teeth leaned out from the driver's seat, his eyes fierce: "Where are you from? Move aside." Qi Sui instinctively stepped back. Wasn't this road wide enough? Two or three small cars could drive side by side, yet they wanted her to make way for the cars—it was insulting. Seeing her sensible, the cars drove past smoothly. Almost every car had a "broken" roof with women standing. Only the last car was tightly sealed, with two men inside, one in the driver's seat and one in the back. Too far away and driving too fast, Qi Sui couldn't see the faces of the people inside. She only saw that when the last car passed, the man in the back suddenly turned his head, revealing a mouth like a small persimmon, bright red and very vivid. The cars drove inside, heading to the parking lot of Wan Zi Qian Hong. That group got out of the cars in the parking lot and could enter through the back door of Wan Zi Qian Hong. But the "distinguished guests" couldn't enter through the back door; only the beautiful women in revealing clothes used the back door. "VIPs" should enter grandly through the main entrance, with well-dressed waiters bowing and welcoming them, so they could save face. The group walked out of the parking lot noisily. The leader was that yellow-toothed man. His clothes had the potential of a nouveau riche, printed with colorful letters that Qi Sui didn't recognize. They kept calling "Young Master Lin" to the person behind. Qi Sui blinked slowly, very curious, staring at the last man in the group, who had a slightly slender build. Unlike the others, his face was very cold, with single eyelids and skin that was so white it seemed to glow. Apart from his mouth, which looked like a small red persimmon, there seemed to be no other strong colors on his entire face. His clothes were no different from ordinary people's: a shirt, black pants, and on his feet were beautiful, delicate calfskin shoes—pure calfskin, probably. Qi Sui had once followed a sister she knew to go shopping at the department store. Men's calfskin shoes like these cost hundreds of yuan each, very expensive. Young Master Lin... Qi Sui repeated this phrase in her heart, feeling a novelty. This was the first time she had been so close to a rich person. She hid in the dark corner, freely peeping at that indifferent man, from his face to his legs, feeling that there was something indescribable about him. He was different from Brother Chen Ping. She thought Brother Chen Ping was also pretty good-looking, but compared to this "Young Master Lin," Brother Chen Ping was like a mud spot on the ground. His complexion was unhealthy, and his body wasn't as strong as other adult men. It was just that his shoulders were broad and his height made his proportions well-balanced. But his expression was too cold, reminding Qi Sui of grabbing a handful of winter snow and stuffing it into her mouth—that feeling was exactly the same as this Young Master Lin. His lines were too sharp, as if he wanted to pierce people to death with his aura, so much so that others always overlooked his thin build and pale cheeks. But maybe she had stared too long. That Young Master Lin, just as he was passing by, suddenly lifted his eyes, stared straight in her direction, and curled the corner of his mouth in a smile, silently mouthing disdainfully: "Look- at- your- dad?" His mouth was red, but his personality was also bad. Qi Sui was so angry she puffed out her cheeks and glared, staring at his back, planning to curse him when he turned around. But until Young Master Lin was escorted into the door of Wan Zi Qian Hong, he didn't look back. She sat bored at the entrance again, planning to count to ten more seconds and leave. It was too hot at night, and she didn't want to stay here to feed the mosquitoes. Plus, the food she brought was all eaten. But Qi Sui thought of that hundred yuan again and perked up. Soon, she saw a familiar figure slip out from the back door. Brother Chen Ping's hair was messy, and there were red marks on his face. He must have rushed out without carefully looking at his current appearance. Qi Sui babbled her previous spiel again. She was so worried about Brother Chen Ping. But Chen Ping just waved his hand impatiently and said in a not-so-good tone: "Sui Sui, if you keep talking like this, don't come anymore. I'm sick of hearing it." The reason he was still stringing Qi Sui along was that she was still somewhat useful. He had inquired: Wan Zi Qian Hong still needed a few hostesses. Although Qi Sui was a bit rustic, her face was indeed first-rate among women. With a little dressing up, she could definitely earn a lot. If he pooled her earnings, did a small business, and won a few more rounds in Wan Zi Qian Hong, wouldn't he become a rich man too? Small cars and Western-style houses would all be within reach. Chen Ping came to the county town to make money. As long as he could make money, he could do anything. He was crazy for money. As he waved his hand, his collar revealed a bit of skin. On the fair skin were some dark spots. Qi Sui stared blankly at that spot, her thoughts swirling. She reached out directly, wanting to curiously touch whether it was what she thought it was, but Chen Ping tilted his neck and blocked her hand. He was clearly very impatient now, his voice deepening considerably: "What do you want?" "I just want to feel it. Brother Chen Ping, did a mosquito bite you?" Qi Sui's round face wrinkled as she complained: "There are so many mosquitoes here. I'm covered in bites. It's annoying." Chen Ping replied in a strange tone: "Then just come less often, and it'll be fine." Qi Sui pouted. She had been criticized by him so many times since childhood that her face had become thick. So she didn't say anything else but brought up: "Brother Chen Ping, where did you put my hundred yuan?" Chen Ping frowned upon hearing this: "I kept it for you. What's up?" Qi Sui: "Then give it back to me. I need it." "What for?" Chen Ping said, "I'll give you however much you want. That hundred can't be touched." Qi Sui was indignant: "Why not? Isn't that my money? Can't I spend my own money?" Hearing this, Chen Ping felt even more annoyed. Actually, that hundred yuan had been given away long ago. He originally had his own connections, and that person had patted his chest and promised—he would definitely let him smoothly become a waiter. But only after arriving in the county town did he realize that in this Wan Zi Qian Hong, even a small waiter needed connections. He stuffed the hundred yuan Qi Sui gave him to the manager just to barely get in. As for the five hundred earlier, he had already bet it with a bookmaker. The bookmakers in Wan Zi Qian Hong also had their ways. You give them the money, they help you buy chips, then they choose to bet. If you win, you split the profit fifty-fifty; if you lose, the bookmaker will cover for you. In just one week, the five hundred had doubled. Of course, he couldn't bear to take it out. So he could only brush Qi Sui off: "Next week. Come next week, and I'll give you the money. I'll also find you a new job, definitely better than what you're doing now." Qi Sui pursed her lips, wanting to say something. She wanted to say she didn't want a new job, and she wanted to ask him—didn't he earn five hundred before? Couldn't he take some out from that to pay her back? But as soon as she opened her mouth, Chen Ping waved his hand and cut her off. She had no choice but to give up and said reluctantly: "I want it now. Can't I?" "Do you have to have that money? Can't I give it to you next week?! Qi Sui, why are you so difficult?" Chen Ping tugged at his collar, his tone irritable, and turned to leave without looking back. Qi Sui didn't call out to him, nor did she act coy or please him like before. She was holding a grudge. She felt that Chen Ping was tricking her, but she had no evidence. After all, Brother Chen Ping had always been reliable. The enthusiasm for coming to the county town had long faded. Now, there was an indescribable discomfort in Qi Sui's heart. Leaving home, leaving her parents, working alone to earn money, and even Brother Chen Ping, who had been with her since childhood, was like this. She didn't have much affection for Chen Ping. It's just that Chen Ping was different from other men who tried to approach her; he always had boundaries. He said they were engaged in a childhood betrothal; he said he would take care of Qi Sui. Qi Sui felt strange, but she didn't know where the problem was. Her legs were covered in mosquito bites. As she thought about it, she felt wronged. The county town was really not a good place. She kind of wanted to go home. But a hundred yuan—that was a hundred yuan. She had to get that hundred yuan back! Qi Sui scratched the mosquito bites on her legs, and suddenly had an idea. She remembered the back door of Wan Zi Qian Hong. The security guards wouldn't be watching the back door, would they? Thinking this, she snuck toward the back door. Qi Sui recalled the small door she had seen earlier, and groped her way there by memory. To her surprise, the small door was just casually closed. A gentle push and she could slip in. She looked inside—it was pitch black. She quickly squeezed through the door crack, patted her sleeves, and then dared to stretch her head and look around. This Wan Zi Qian Hong looked big from the outside, but it was even bigger inside. It was winding and twisting, with many different rooms along one path. Some doors were open, showing iron-framed beds that looked like living quarters. But the further she went, the louder the noise became. The sound came from above. She carefully held the railing and climbed up the concrete stairs, only to find another world up there. Splendid and magnificent, with toasts and clinking glasses. The vast hall, stretching beyond sight, was decorated in a glittering, sparkling style. The walls seemed to be studded with crystals, reflecting the lights from the central stage onto the floor, almost dazzling Qi Sui's eyes. At the very center was a roughly square stage, with several handsome men and beautiful women holding microphones and singing. Their voices were gentle and melodious. In the hall were hundreds of card tables, each surrounded by crowds. The atmosphere was hot, the noise thunderous, with occasional sighs and cheers. Ordinary people could only play cards in the hall, but those with money and power had their own private rooms at Wan Zi Qian Hong. Therefore, the people in the hall all wore expressions of greed, dreaming of winning big overnight. Waiters in uniform uniforms wove through the crowd, their faces wearing polite, elegant smiles, repeatedly dealing with the guests' rude requests. This scene was too震撼. She looked around like an ignorant rabbit, her appearance that of a country bumpkin who had never seen the world. Soon, a woman grabbed Qi Sui's hand, her voice filled with tension and criticism: "Where have you been? Coming now, and dressed so shabbily." "Come on. Change clothes with me." The woman took her hand and led her to a changing room in the corner of the hall. Inside were piles of colorful clothes. The woman walked in, picked up a uniform from the floor, held it up against Qi Sui for a moment, nodded, and said: "Wear this. Hurry up. The Huang young masters and others will come down to place bets soon, and we all have to accompany them." "I... I'm not..." Qi Sui tried to explain, but unfortunately she was very clumsy with words. Before she could say much, the woman threw the clothes on her head, twisted her hips, and left the door, not forgetting to instruct: "Hurry up, or the supervisor will come to check on people soon." Qi Sui made a bitter face as she looked at the tight black little suit. She fumbled to put the clothes over her loose half-sleeve shirt. She didn't dare to take off her pants, so she could only force the西装裙 over her legs. There was a mirror in the changing room. Qi Sui stood in front of the mirror for a long time. The beautiful tight suit jacket cinched her thin waistline, and the skirt clung to her thighs like a small fishtail. This should have been a very nice outfit. But Qi Sui's collar revealed loose white fabric, and on her legs she still wore seven-tenths linen shorts, causing the suit skirt to bulge with wrinkles. It looked neither fish nor fowl, as if she had put on several layers of skin. But Qi Sui didn't care about that. She was here to find Chen Ping and get him to return her money! She poked her head out from the door crack and found that outside had become strangely quiet at some point. A group of waiters were gathered in a circle, distinctly separated from the other guests watching the commotion in the hall. The woman who had just told Qi Sui to change clothes was also among them. What was inside the circle? She blinked, uninterested, and noticed that on the right side of the circle of waiters, there was a passage that could lead back to the underground dormitory. So she clumsily slipped out of the changing room, planning to pretend to be a waiter and slip down that passage. Unexpectedly, as soon as she came out of the door, that woman saw her and waved frantically at her, signaling Qi Sui to come over. This was bad. She bit her lip and thought for a moment, then decided to go over and take a look first. The woman looked at her disapprovingly and said in a very low voice: "What are you wearing? Why didn't you take off your clothes inside?" Qi Sui twisted her face into a tangle and also lowered her voice to reply: "How could I take them off? I have nothing on underneath..." Then she muttered with her small mouth: "Besides, this clothes were picked up from the ground. They're very dirty." The woman shot her a sideways glance: "Aren't you wearing underwear and a bra?" She ended the conversation bluntly. Hearing this, Qi Sui's face twisted even more, looking from afar like an overripe orange, very comical. What kind of talk was that? Could those two pieces of clothing be considered clothes? Qi Sui silently retorted in her heart: Can you go out on the street wearing just underwear and a bra? Most of the people around were whispering, their voices very low. But soon, the sound of a palm slapping the table came from the innermost circle, instantly quieting the entire hall. "Good! Good! Young Master Lin, you must honor your bet!" The man's coarse voice came through the gaps between people. Qi Sui scratched her head anxiously, unable to stop herself from trying to sneak away. "Honor the bet?" A deep, gloomy male voice sounded, followed by a clattering noise. Lin Shanghuai pushed all his chips to the betting area. The people in the inner circle gasped. "If I lose, I'll take your surname." "Hahahaha..." Huang Zhentian laughed, showing his front teeth, his already small eyes nearly invisible. "I wouldn't dare, wouldn't dare. How could I let Young Master Lin take my surname?" He was quick with his hands, shuffling a stack of cards in a few swift moves, then spread them out in front of him like a juggling act, face down. He asked the opposing Young Master Lin to pick three cards, while he would take the remaining three. "How about it? Young Master Lin, choose?" Lin Shanghuai narrowed his eyes, his gaze seeming to fall on those six cards, yet also seeming to see nothing. His dismissive attitude was infuriating, but Huang Zhentian was burning with excitement. He had finally found a chance to make this "Young Master Lin" eat humble pie. He was going to trample this person underfoot. What Young Master Lin? Wasn't he just a sickly, worthless punk? Fighting against him, Huang Zhentian—he was still a few years too early! Lin Shanghuai casually picked three cards. Huang Zhentian saw them and a smug smile spread in his eyes. He even slowly opened his mouth to mock: "Young Master Lin, want to pick again?" "No need. These three will do." Lin Shanghuai rested his chin on his hand, his gaze cold. "But I have one request." "Find someone to verify the cards." "What? Young Master Lin doesn't trust me?" Huang Zhentian gritted his teeth and asked. The man opposite smiled, but the words that came out of his mouth were very arrogant: "Nonsense. On your turf, do you think I'd trust you? Huang San'er, that's not how you play cards." Huang Zhentian was the third in his family. His mother was his father's mistress, so he hated being called that the most. Huang Zhentian ground his teeth audibly. He was so angry that he laughed instead. He turned around, pointed at the direction of the waitstaff, and ordered: "You! Come out and verify for our Young Master Lin!" How could it be so coincidental? Qi Sui had almost squeezed over to the passageway. Her face was flushed red from the effort, her hair all messy. Just one more step, and she could squeeze out of the crowd. But someone pushed her, forcefully shoving her in front of everyone. Qi Sui's face was red, her linen shorts exposed, looking like a bedraggled calico cat. Everyone's eyes fell on her, including the Young Master Lin on the opposite side, who was sitting with his legs crossed, a cigarette in his mouth but not smoking, his expression arrogant and unruly. His voice was deep, his words seeming to be chewed over by his teeth and tongue before being spat out. Staring at the calico cat in front of him, he smiled: "Miss, you must check carefully for me."
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Author's Note: Sui! Sui! Truly the cutest creature in the world! Xiao Lin, just willingly fall at our Sui Sui's long underwear! Next chapter: Xiao Lin gets flirtatious.