Chapter 2: It’s Decided—You, in the Gentle Coolness of Late Summer

At this hour, Catherine Bar was already buzzing with excitement, the atmosphere group girls in high spirits. Wang Wenbo, backed by his wealthy family, had immediately secured a booth, the minimum spend set at three thousand. Deafening music pulsed through the air, and two beautiful women accompanied them at the booth—the so-called “atmosphere group” Wang Wenbo had mentioned, both said to be from Jinyi, with striking looks.

Name: Chen Jing (Not available for pursuit)
Appearance: 79
Figure: 71
Special: 87

Name: Lu Mengyao (Available for pursuit)
Appearance: 85
Figure: 79
Special: 91

Special Value: A score above ninety indicates no previous intimate relationships with the opposite sex and a healthy lifestyle.

In the dim light, the eyes of the guys from dorm 404 lingered on Lu Mengyao. After all, her outfit was daring: a cream-colored camisole, ebony hair cascading over her fragrant shoulders, the ends gently curled. Her doll-like face held a touch of innocence, giving off the fresh feeling of a first love. Her style was chic, collarbones on display, far from conservative. Get close enough and her scent would envelop you. She stood out easily in any crowd, her beauty undeniable.

Her look was not at all contradictory; instead, it radiated an alluring purity that stirred the primal desires deep within a man’s heart. In fact, from a man’s perspective, Cheng Yao’s first thought upon seeing Lu Mengyao was “I’d like to buy her a glass of 37°C premium milk,” though the straw might be a bit too thick—rather inconvenient. After all, girls who come to bars are generally hoping to snag a rich guy, so Cheng Yao didn’t think too highly of her.

He’d rather sweat all over than cook a single meal. He’d only been to a bar twice before; the first time was after high school graduation with classmates. He’d witnessed a couple getting up to something in the restroom, only for security to kick in the door and throw them out. In short, “chaos” seemed to define a bar’s nature.

That didn’t stop him from scouting for a tool, though. He wouldn’t dare make a move on a well-behaved, good girl; they wouldn’t fall for it anyway. But gold-diggers looking for a sugar daddy were a different story. There was no guilt involved, and it was a way to make some money—Cheng Yao considered himself the harbinger of spring for gold-digging girls.

His gaze fell on Lu Mengyao, as if the words “tool” were emblazoned above her head. He didn’t pay any attention to Chen Qian beside her—an unavailable target could never become a plaything.

Lu Mengyao seemed to notice Cheng Yao’s gaze; in fact, she’d long since picked up on the predatory stares of these boys, as if they wanted to devour her. Still, she’d already earned her commission—let them look, it wouldn’t cost her anything. She only spared a few extra glances at Cheng Yao because he was handsome.

Wang Wenbo raised his glass and turned to Lu Mengyao. “Hey, after drinks, how about we grab a late-night snack?”

“I’m afraid not—we have a curfew. I have to head back soon, sorry, maybe next time,” Lu Mengyao declined politely.

Of course, she understood his intentions. After the snack, he’d probably suggest finding a place to “rest.” Boys—hmph. These little tricks were child’s play to her; she was a ninth-dan master in the art of the “tea ceremony.” She could also tell that a three-thousand tab was about the limit for these classmates, so she decided to quit while ahead.

Wang Wenbo felt awkward and wanted to explain. The spicy crayfish at the school gate really was delicious, and the motel beds were comfortable and cheap, even if the mattresses and pillows were dotted with mysterious stains—who cared? As long as there was a place to crash, that was enough!

The invitation was so blatant even Chen Qian couldn’t stand it. “It’s getting late. Doesn’t your university have a curfew too?” she said.

Cheng Yao cringed. Three thousand for drinks and you expect her to serve you? Truly a high-level player, he thought. Even his own “game” felt more advanced than Wang Wenbo’s.

Lu Mengyao smiled sweetly. “It’s getting late, excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”

Once the two girls left, Zhang Lei said, “You were way too direct.”

“Misunderstanding! I really just wanted to treat her to crayfish,” Wang Wenbo hurried to explain, though he realized he’d come on too strong. He’d known Lu Mengyao for almost a month, and if he could, he’d have already made his move.

Cheng Yao said flatly, “You think she’s stupid? I need to hit the restroom too—about to burst. Will you treat us to crayfish?”

“Get lost, no way!” Wang Wenbo replied irritably.

Cheng Yao chuckled and left the booth, not actually going to the restroom but waiting around the corner nearby. By the restroom door, some couples were entwined in intimate embraces—a common sight at bars, where stripping down was hardly unusual.

After a while, Lu Mengyao emerged, seemingly having touched up her makeup, her lips a rosy red. She noticed Cheng Yao and lifted her chin slightly, fingers twitching in greeting.

Without a word, Cheng Yao grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into a corner, startling Lu Mengyao so much she nearly screamed, her face pale and tense. “What are you doing? If you try anything, I’ll scream…”

“Don’t misunderstand.” Cheng Yao released her slender arm and got straight to the point. “Ten thousand a month. Be my girlfriend.”

No need to play coy when both are foxes—it was tedious.

Lu Mengyao frowned and rubbed her arm. “Don’t do this. I’m not that kind of person.”

“Too little? I’ll give you twenty thousand.”

“I told you…”

Cheng Yao’s expression didn’t change. “Fifty thousand.”

“You…” Lu Mengyao’s brows knit tightly, her heart full of shame and anger. Did he take her for that kind of girl? Yet doubt flickered in her eyes. Was he really a rich second-generation, to offer fifty thousand without batting an eye? Fifty thousand a month—six hundred thousand a year!?

Lu Mengyao stared with wide eyes, unable to believe it.

Cheng Yao sighed, disappointed. “Alright, seems you’re not that kind of person. I’ll look elsewhere.” With that, he turned and walked away.

A six-legged toad is hard to find, but two-legged tools are everywhere.

Just then, Lu Mengyao grabbed the corner of his shirt, biting her lip. “Wait…”

“Mengyao, what are you two doing?” Chen Qian came out of the restroom just in time to see this scene, frowning.

Lu Mengyao quickly had Cheng Yao scan her QR code, then walked up with a smile and slipped her arm through Chen Qian’s. “Hehe, the younger guy wanted my WeChat—I couldn’t refuse, could I? Let’s go, it’s almost curfew.”

“Right, let’s just say goodbye and go.” Chen Qian glanced at Cheng Yao with disdain. Men really are all the same. Why didn’t he ask for her contact—was she not pretty enough?

“That Wang Wenbo just now acted like he’s never seen a woman…”

“Forget it,” Lu Mengyao said, her mood much improved.

Cheng Yao looked at the WeChat contact named “Cool Breeze at Summer’s End,” the corners of his lips lifting in a subtle smile. Was this price gouging? No matter—for now, he just needed to keep her interested. Once she was completely molded to his liking, money wouldn’t matter anymore.

By then, he’d have no shortage of it.

…