Chapter 1: An Extraordinary Man Amidst the Dust and Hustle

Chapter 001: The Exceptional Man Amidst the Dust

Dust Bar was a large, multifunctional tavern, one of the top establishments in the entire city of Kun. Its patronage rate was astonishingly high, with the capacity to accommodate several hundred, even a thousand guests. Today, being the weekend, it was barely past four in the afternoon when guests began to pour in by the dozens. Office workers, stifled by their jobs and seeking release, successful professionals chasing excitement, and even a number of pretty young women from the nearby university district, all mingled here. As for whether these students were here for a taste of city life or had other motives, no one could say.

Chu Fei sat as usual in a secluded corner toward the back, a cigarette dangling from his lips and several bottles of beer arrayed before him. There’s an old saying that there are only two kinds of people who drink beer in a bar: the broke, and the clueless. But Chu Fei didn’t care; he wasn’t here to drink.

“Brother Chu, this is for you.” A fashionable waitress set a cocktail on his table with a sweet smile as she passed by.

“Thank you,” Chu Fei replied with a smile, glancing toward the staircase where a stylish woman was descending.

The first thing he noticed were the woman’s long, slender, snow-white legs, then her slim waist, full bosom, and finally, an exquisitely sculpted, delicate face.

Her name was Qi Hong, though everyone called her Sister Hong. She was the manager of the bar—some even claimed she was the owner, but no one knew for sure. What was certain was that she was no ordinary woman; even Tai, the most notorious street thug, was unfailingly polite to her.

Unlike other managers who sequestered themselves in their offices, Qi Hong was present on the floor every day, blending into the bar’s atmosphere, sitting in a corner and drinking alone. Only occasionally would she greet a familiar face.

In this, she was much like Chu Fei.

She was a woman with a story.

Since that first time Qi Hong sent him a drink, Chu Fei had taken note of her, though he hadn’t given it much thought. He wasn’t here to pick up women, even if Qi Hong’s allure could stir any man’s desire.

Beyond her story, Qi Hong was a woman who truly understood men. This was evident in the drinks she sent Chu Fei daily—each time a different kind, yet always strong, the kind of liquor suited for men, robust but never crude.

As before, Chu Fei simply nodded in acknowledgment when he caught Qi Hong’s gaze before turning away.

“Brother Chu, what exactly is your relationship with Sister Hong?” This time, the waitress, Xiao Min, lingered after setting down the drink, her face alight with curiosity as she regarded him. She’d noticed this young man more than once; unlike the restless others, Chu Fei radiated a calm, with an occasional hint of world-weariness and melancholy in his eyes. Often, Xiao Min felt he didn’t quite belong in the bar, as if he were a spirit apart from his surroundings.

This man was simply too magnetic.

Not only handsome but exuding a certain charm!

By their third encounter, Xiao Min couldn’t help but marvel at his allure. If she didn’t already have a boyfriend and a wedding planned for the end of the year, she would have pursued Chu Fei without hesitation.

He was the epitome of manhood.

“We’re strangers. You were the one who told me her name,” Chu Fei replied with a faint smile, lifting the glass of strong liquor and downing it in one go—bold, yet never overbearing. He set the glass aside, picked up a peanut, and chewed it slowly.

Xiao Min’s eyes lit up at the graceful sequence. Others could down a drink in the bar, but none with Chu Fei’s style.

This man was utterly captivating.

She felt her heart beat a little faster.

“Better get back to work, or the supervisor will scold you for slacking,” Chu Fei teased, amused.

“So what if she scolds me? It’s not like I’ll lose a piece of flesh!” Xiao Min quipped, but even as she said so, she stood up and hurried off to tend to other guests.

Chu Fei could only smile wryly and sigh inwardly. Being too handsome really was a hassle.

“Just now, Xiao Min was already swooning over you. If you so much as crook your finger, she’d follow you to a hotel without a second thought,” came a sultry voice from beside him.

“Sister Hong?” Chu Fei turned, surprised to find the alluring woman standing behind him. His eyes narrowed; up close, her charm was even more striking. Words like ‘enchantress’ or ‘goddess’ hardly did her justice.

He quickly averted his gaze. The more beautiful the woman, the greater the trouble—and he already had more than enough on his plate.

“What are you looking at?” Qi Hong followed his glance and chuckled. “Xiao Min is a decent girl. She’s just working part-time here. Don’t you dare mess with her.” She bit her lip, regarding Chu Fei. Her intuition screamed danger, yet she couldn’t resist her curiosity.

If their meeting was a battle, she’d already lost the first skirmish.

“You think too much. I’m a decent man,” Chu Fei replied, though inwardly he felt bitter. How could he possibly harm Xiao Min? If anything, he wished only to protect her.

“You, decent?” Qi Hong scoffed, clearly unconvinced.

“All right, I admit it. I’m a bad guy,” Chu Fei shrugged indifferently.

“I’ve seen you watching Xiao Min these past few days. Who is she to you? Your girlfriend? Are you here to keep an eye on her, or worried she’s in danger?” Qi Hong pressed, her gaze sharp.

“I don’t know her,” Chu Fei answered, grabbing a beer and taking a long swig, a trace of sorrow flickering in his eyes—so faint, but not escaping Qi Hong’s notice.

She was moved, yet chose not to probe further, simply raising her glass and taking a sip.

At that moment, a burst of laughter erupted from a nearby table.

Chu Fei and Qi Hong turned simultaneously. Four young women sat there, none older than twenty, each dressed more daringly than the last, their figures all striking. Facing them was a girl with purple hair and heavy makeup that couldn’t quite hide her beauty. Chu Fei thought few women in the bar could compare, though her style was perhaps too avant-garde for early April—a miniskirt and fishnet stockings. Wasn’t she cold?

Sensing his gaze, the girl leapt to her feet. “What are you staring at? Look again and I’ll gouge your eyes out, you pig!” Her voice was ferociously bold.

Chu Fei sheepishly looked away, though his mind was alert. Something about these girls was off.

“What’s the matter? Feeling the heat? If you dare, go for it. I’ll even provide the room,” Qi Hong joked, half-serious.

“Forget it, I’m not interested in reckless kids,” Chu Fei replied, then turned to Qi Hong with a predatory smile, his gaze suddenly bold. “Unless you’d like to join me, Sister Hong. I much prefer sophisticated women like you.”

“Get lost!” Qi Hong retorted, giving him a playful kick under the table—gentle, not painful—then burst out laughing.

Chu Fei was speechless. Teased and she’s still laughing?

“You brat, dare to flirt with me? I’ll cripple you,” Qi Hong threatened, baring her teeth.

“Would you really?” Chu Fei looked up.

Qi Hong didn’t answer, simply fixed him with a serious look, lost in thought, then shook her head. “Forget it, it’s pointless.” She stood to leave.

But just as she rose, her expression darkened.

Near the entrance, a commotion erupted at a small bar counter. A burly man was dragging a waitress toward the door, swearing loudly.

Qi Hong was about to intervene when she suddenly felt an icy chill behind her.

Instinctively, she turned. Chu Fei was already on his feet. The quiet, melancholic man had transformed into a fierce tiger descending the mountain—his aura overwhelming, so powerful it made hearts tremble.

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