Volume One, Chapter Two: A Chance Encounter at the Bar

I felt my mind was clear, but my feet felt like they were stepping on cotton. My calves gave way, and my body uncontrollably leaned toward her.

Awkward.

I nearly hung on her.

The woman let out a muffled grunt, her brows furrowing slightly, displeasure flashing in her eyes.

I hurriedly apologized, but she glared at me fiercely. I was instantly stunned, as if struck by lightning.

There were many beautiful women in the bar, but she was definitely the most stunning and captivating one I had seen tonight.

She shot me a dissatisfied glare, cursed me as a scoundrel, then strode with long legs back into the bar.

I shook my head, thinking about this little serendipity, and my mood lightened a bit.

After finishing my cigarette, I returned and just stepped onto the second floor when a clear female voice rang out.

“Don’t bother me! Go away!”

I paused, following the voice, and there she was—the woman I had just bumped into!

At this moment, she was being pestered by a slick, oily man. The woman was clearly fed up; she raised her glass and splashed the drink into his face.

Immediately, they became the center of attention, and some even whistled, eager for a scene.

The man looked embarrassed but angry. He glared at her viciously and cursed, “Cut it out! We’re all here to have fun, why pretend to be innocent?”

Then he reached out to grab her.

Despite the crowd in the bar, everyone just watched for entertainment; no one stepped forward to help her.

At that moment, she splashed another glass of wine on him. Humiliated and enraged, he raised his hand to slap her.

I couldn’t stand it and rushed over, grabbing his arm firmly.

“Put your hand down! Try touching her again, I dare you.”

He was taken aback, eyeing me up and down with disdain. “Who the hell are you? Mind your own business! You want me to mess you up?”

I smiled and shook my phone. “I recorded everything just now. If you don’t want to embarrass yourself online, keep your hands to yourself.”

His pupils contracted, his expression darkened. After staring at me fiercely for a while, he gritted his teeth and nodded.

“You’re ruthless! Don’t let me catch you again!”

With that, he spat out a threat and left the bar in disgrace.

After the excitement died down, the bar returned to its usual noise.

The woman looked at me with a complex gaze, her red lips parting softly. “Thanks for earlier.”

Remembering how she had cursed me at the door, I couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly, waved her off, and turned back to my seat.

---

Not long after I sat down, the woman sashayed over, holding a dry martini.

“This one’s on me, as thanks.”

I smiled wryly and asked, “How about we drink together?”

She was startled, obviously not expecting that, hesitated slightly, then nodded subtly.

I ordered another dry martini for her. She took a small sip, looked at me meaningfully, and tentatively asked, “Just broke up?”

“Worse than that—divorced.”

She froze for a moment, then offered a sympathetic smile. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.”

I waved it off, not taking it to heart.

Alcohol is a fine bridge to closeness. Before long, I learned the basics about her.

Her name was Lin Feifei. She had also just broken up—her ex had cheated on her with her best friend, caught red-handed.

I raised my glass. “Then let’s toast! Fellow wanderers cast adrift, sharing almost the same fate. As long as I have a meal, you’ll have a bowl to wash.”

Lin Feifei burst out laughing, almost spitting out her drink, wetting her chest.

As she wiped her shirt with a napkin, she teased me, “You’re quite something, joking after a divorce.”

I took a swallow of my drink, swallowing both the bitterness and frustration, then smiled wryly. “Divorce isn’t the end of the world. Life goes on. She lost someone who loved her; I saw clearly someone I almost trusted for the future.”

She nodded thoughtfully, her eyes sparkling mischievously. “Suddenly I feel she lost out. What’s your next move?”

I swirled my cocktail, pondered a moment, then said, “First, find a job. At least I don’t have to pretend to work at a café anymore. I’m going to live well and make that cheating pair regret it.”

“Not to discourage you,” she said, “but the guy who slept with your ex must be rich and powerful!”

“Rich and powerful?” I mused. “I’m afraid I only get half those words.”

Lin Feifei blinked, not quite understanding at first, then her expression blossomed into a playful smile.

“Tsk! You rogue!”

She glanced at me, her long eyes shimmering, lips curling. “Unemployed, wife cheated on you, and you still joke around—others would have cried their eyes out.”

I took a sip. “Young men cry for love; grown-ups shed tears for poverty.”

She pouted, unconvinced. “How old are you? You look about my age.”

“Thirty. How about you?”

“How old am I...” Lin Feifei rolled her eyes and tossed the question back to me. “How old do you think I am?”

I instinctively lowered my head and hesitated. “Thirty-six?”

Her face changed, glaring at me fiercely, eyes practically shooting flames. “Am I that old?”

“I mean... B?”

Lin Feifei straightened her chest, sat upright, and cleared her throat.

“C.”

I was stunned, then chuckled awkwardly. “My apologies! Guessing isn’t reliable; better to speculate.”

A rosy blush tinted her cheeks; she looked shy and enchanting.

“I thought you were a good person, but turns out you’re just like that jerk!”

I laughed dismissively. “Not quite. Salt and sugar may look alike but taste very different.”

She rolled her eyes. “You mean you’re sugar!”

“I mean they look similar, so watch out.”

Lin Feifei feigned anger, “Hey! You’re saying I’m bad at judging people!”

I nodded. “Too beautiful, maybe it clouds your judgment.”

She laughed instead of getting mad, trying to suppress her smile but failing. “Your taste is pretty good.”

In this mutual teasing, we finished our drinks without noticing. She wanted another, but I stopped her.

She had already had quite a bit tonight. I worried if she got drunk, it would be troublesome.

“You’ve had enough.”

She glanced at me, eyes dreamy and smiling wistfully. “Drunk or not, if neither of us is, who’s going to sleep on the curb?”

I hesitated. “You mean, sleep... on the curb... with me?”

She nodded drowsily. “Yeah! You think sleeping on the curb’s bad for your health?”

I looked at her and voiced my worry.

“I’m afraid it might damage your kidneys.”