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Although he'd had a heated debate with Zhang Peng that afternoon, nothing could dampen Bao Zhenhai’s delight today. After leaving the salon, his hair was perfectly styled, and as he settled into the taxi, he pulled out his phone to continue chatting with “Never Apart Until Old”:

“To be honest, I’m really curious. I’m not exactly handsome, so why are you interested in me?”

“Because you’re so funny! Besides, looks are secondary. I’m just an ordinary girl, I know my place. I can’t handle men who are too good-looking. My best friend’s ex-boyfriend was really handsome, but he cheated on her. Later, she found a boyfriend who looked very average, but he loves her deeply. They’ve already met each other’s parents and are planning to get married after college!”

“That best friend you’re talking about—could it be yourself?”

“…You found me out. Do you mind? I’m not a first-timer.”

“Of course not. Times have changed. I don’t have any hang-ups about that.”

“Don’t lie to me. If you get bored of me one day and use this as an excuse to break up, I’ll die right in front of you.”

“How could I ever be bored of someone as beautiful as you? If anyone loses his life, it’ll be me, utterly enchanted by you.”

“By the way, where are you now?”

“I’m in the car. I’ll be there in about twenty minutes.”

“Don’t get the place wrong, it’s called Harbor of the Heart.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t get lost.”

“I’ll be waiting for you—see you soon, no matter what.”

“No matter what, I’ll see you!”

Putting his phone away, Bao Zhenhai was already lost in the sweet anticipation of this budding romance.

However, when the taxi finally arrived, he felt a twinge of confusion. He often went out clubbing with Zhang Peng, and he’d been to plenty of bars and nightclubs, but this place was oddly remote. There were few pedestrians around, and only the isolated neon sign for “Harbor of the Heart” glowed on the street corner.

“Are you here yet?”

Her message came again, dispelling his momentary doubts. He quickly replied, “I’m at the door.”

“Stay where you are, I’ll come get you!”

His heart warmed at her attentiveness—it seemed she really did care about him.

As he thought this, he walked toward the bar. Sure enough, a slender girl was waiting at the entrance. He hurried over, calling, “Huanhuan?”

That was the name “Never Apart Until Old” had given him.

The girl turned at his voice and smiled. “Bao Zhenhai?”

“That’s me.” Standing before her, he finally got a good look at her face, though she didn’t look quite like the photos he’d seen.

But Huanhuan gave him no time to think. She cheerfully linked her arm through his and pulled him toward the bar. “You look even better in person! You said you weren’t good-looking—you’re far too modest!”

Her words made Bao Zhenhai’s heart bloom with joy. “So-so, I suppose—haha.”

“Come on, let’s go inside and sit down.” Huanhuan clung to him, and together they entered the bar.

Inside, Bao Zhenhai couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. Though called a bar, the place was more like a Western restaurant. Each table was completely partitioned, shrouded in gauzy curtains that blocked out any view of the surroundings. The atmosphere was nothing like the stylish ambiance Huanhuan had promised—just some soothing music and dim lighting, as dark as possible.

But all this ceased to matter when Huanhuan leaned against his arm, deliberately brushing against him.

“Shall we sit by the window?” Bao Zhenhai suggested.

To his surprise, Huanhuan shook her head, striking a coy pose. “Let’s sit further inside.”

His heart skipped a beat, pounding uncontrollably. “Alright, I’ll do as you say.”

After they sat down, Huanhuan gathered her long hair into a ponytail, the motion accentuating her curves. A waft of perfume swept over Bao Zhenhai, making his head spin.

He took the menu from the waiter but handed it straight to Huanhuan without even glancing at it. “Order whatever you like!”

“Thank you~” Huanhuan smiled sweetly at him, then flipped straight to the last page. “Shall we have some wine?”

This was exactly what Bao Zhenhai had been hoping for; nothing could please him more.

“Sure!”

“But I can’t hold my liquor, only a little~” Huanhuan replied, then told the waiter without looking up, “Two glasses of Medoc, a fruit platter, and a snack platter. That’s all for now.”

As she handed the menu back to the waiter, she turned to Bao Zhenhai, asking timidly, “Did I order too much?”

“Just two glasses—it’s nothing!” Bao Zhenhai waved it off. In his mind, how expensive could a couple of drinks and some snacks be?

He had come out tonight with ten thousand yuan in cash borrowed from Chen Ling, after all! Not to mention this little bar—even the fanciest nightclubs would be no problem.

“That’s good, then.” Huanhuan adopted a melancholy look. “My parents divorced when I was little because my mom spent money too freely. But she bought nice dresses and makeup just to please my dad, don’t you think?”

Bao Zhenhai, whose only thought was to get her to drink more—ideally to get her drunk—naturally agreed, “Of course! People always say to raise boys with discipline and girls with indulgence. You just be beautiful, I’ll earn the money to support us. Haha!”

“You’re absolutely right!” Huanhuan sighed as the waiter brought their drinks. She immediately downed her glass, then lamented, “If only my mom had met someone like you, she would’ve been so happy.”

Seeing her drain her glass, how could Bao Zhenhai back down? He drank his as well, then beckoned the waiter, “Two more! No, bring us a whole bottle!”

“A bottle?” Huanhuan teased, “Are you trying to get me drunk?”

“That’s right!” Bao Zhenhai shot her a mischievous look. “Are you afraid?”

Huanhuan blinked, a sly smile playing on her lips. “If it’s you, I’m not afraid! Because I trust you.”

Hearing that, Bao Zhenhai felt as if Cupid’s arrow had pierced his heart. He took out his wallet, checked the cash, and peeked at the two condoms tucked in the pocket, wondering if he’d brought enough…

The wine soon arrived in a decanter. Since Huanhuan claimed to have a low tolerance, Bao Zhenhai immediately went on the offensive—clinking glasses, urging her to drink, steering the conversation toward more and more intimate and risqué topics. They even discussed past experiences, preferences, and favorite positions.

Bao Zhenhai’s anticipation for the night’s pleasures only grew, his excitement mounting. Yet, to his frustration, Huanhuan showed no sign of drunkenness; in fact, she seemed even more lively.

When the bottle was finished, Bao Zhenhai laughed ruefully, “Didn’t you say you couldn’t hold your liquor? You were just playing possum, weren’t you?”

Huanhuan’s gaze turned sultry as she deliberately slid closer, whispering in his ear, “Drink a little more, it’ll be more fun… I’m not here to eat tigers, I’m here to eat you—how about that?”

With that, she feigned a tipsy languor, leaning lazily against him, as if only a sip more would send her over the edge.

“Waiter! Another bottle!” Bao Zhenhai called out eagerly. “Hurry!”

The waiter hurried away as Huanhuan flashed a cryptic smile. Bao Zhenhai’s heart was pounding with excitement.

Everyone here was playing their part—except for the fool who was buying the drinks.