The bar was doing great business, and all the private rooms were already booked out.
Su Ci had only been to a bar once before, and that was for a celebration dinner with the crew. She wasn't particularly fond of such noisy places.
The flickering, glamorous lights inside the bar created an eerie and chaotic atmosphere.
Su Ci was wearing a light pinkish-purple dress, her soft, long hair naturally cascading down her shoulders. With her fair skin, she looked like a pure bunny who had accidentally wandered into a dark swamp.
As soon as she appeared, she caught the attention of many in the room.
Since all the private rooms were full, Su Ci didn't plan to go to one. After all, her purpose for coming wasn't to consume; it was harder to keep an eye on Ji Chi's situation inside a room.
Just at the entrance, she had checked Ji Chi's life bar, which was now down to just one hour.
She found a seat at a booth, not too hidden but not too conspicuous either.
Su Ci had just sat down when a bartender approached her with a drinks menu. "What would you like to drink, miss?"
The male bartender had been working at the bar for two years and had seen many beautiful women come and go—sexy, charming, cute, and innocent ones too. But none could compare to the girl in front of him.
Just watching her delicate fingers flip through the menu made him momentarily lose focus.
Such a beautiful girl in a bar was like a little rabbit among wolves and beasts; she was bound to be devoured.
Su Ci's current body couldn't handle any alcohol, so she had no intention of drinking. "A fresh orange juice, please."
"Of course." The bartender wasn't surprised she didn't order alcohol. After all, with her beauty, many would surely offer to buy her drinks.
He tore his gaze away from her pale fingers. "Would you like some snacks, miss?"
"A fruit platter, please." Su Ci handed the menu back to the bartender. She looked at him and asked, "Is Ji Chi an employee here? What does he do?"
The bartender was taken aback. So, she was here for Ji Chi too.
Ever since Ji Chi started working here part-time, many female customers had specifically requested him to take their orders.
Besides their base salary, bartenders mainly earned from drink commissions. In less than a month, Ji Chi had already made five figures just from commissions. It really paid to have a handsome face.
The bartender replied, "Yes, miss. Ji Chi is one of our servers."
Su Ci nodded. "You may go now."
The bartender smiled politely and left with the order.
No sooner had he left than a man in a white shirt, his hair slicked up with gel, approached Su Ci. He held a glass in one hand and had the other in his pocket.
"Hello, mind if I join you?" The man's lips curved into a confident smile as he looked at the girl.
Su Ci lazily lifted her eyes. "I do mind."
Man: ...
Despite being rejected, the man didn't give up. He had never seen such a beautiful girl before. Under the flickering lights, she was dazzling.
"I wonder if I might have the honor of inviting you to have a drink with me?" He raised his glass slightly, revealing an expensive watch on his wrist.
Su Ci propped her chin on one hand, not even bothering to lift her eyes. "Not interested."
The man ran a small company, was young, and had assets. He had approached many beautiful girls before and never failed.
Smiling, he pulled a car key from his pocket and placed it on the table. "It's too stuffy here. Would you like to take a night drive with me?"
Su Ci was getting annoyed. She looked at the man and thought that not everyone could pull off a white shirt. Lu Zhe looked clean and refined in one, but this man just looked greasy.
Her tone was tinged with impatience. "You're annoying. Can you shut up?"
The man's breath hitched, his face turning red with embarrassment. He glared at Su Ci before snatching his car key and leaving.
The bartender soon brought over a delicate fruit platter and a freshly squeezed orange juice.
Su Ci listened to the band performing on stage while munching on fruit.
Meanwhile, Ding Xiaoyou had lied to Ji Chi earlier, claiming her friend had invited her to the bar. The real reason she followed Ji Chi was twofold: she couldn't stand seeing Su Ci clinging to Ji Chi and was worried that Ji Chi might fall for Su Ci.
The other reason was that she wanted to wait for Ji Chi to finish his shift.
When she saw the pampered young lady enter the bar with a group of bodyguards, Ding Xiaoyou noticed that Ji Chi was also about to go in. She quickly reached out to grab his arm. "Wait, are you going in to start your shift?"
Ji Chi's cold gaze fell on her hand gripping his arm. "Yes."
Feeling Ji Chi's displeasure, Ding Xiaoyou quickly let go. "It's my first time at a bar. I'm a bit nervous. Can I follow you in?"
Ji Chi didn't respond but walked inside.
"I'm starting my shift now. Go find your friends," Ji Chi said coldly as he entered the bar, making it clear Ding Xiaoyou shouldn't follow him.
Ding Xiaoyou looked around at the chaotic lights and noisy atmosphere. She suppressed her unease. "Ji Chi, what time do you get off? It's not safe for a girl like me to go home alone. I want to wait for you to finish and go back together."
Ji Chi's stern features looked even more pronounced under the flickering lights. "I finish late and won't have time to escort you home."
With that, he headed to the staff room.
The bar's uniform consisted of a white shirt and a black waistcoat.
Ji Chi's tall, well-built frame made him look dashing even in the simple uniform.
At that moment, his phone in the locker rang. It was Fang Qin calling.
"Have you eaten, Xiao Chi?" Fang Qin hadn't called her son in a while, worried she might disturb his work.
Ji Chi replied, "Yes."
Fang Qin asked her son, "Are you tired lately?"
"Not really."
Fang Qin knew her son would answer that way.
Ji Chi had always been a sensible child. After their family went bankrupt, he started working part-time. During school breaks, he would even tutor elementary students to earn money because of his good grades.
"Make sure to rest and don't overwork. School starts in a few days. Focus on your studies. Tuition and living expenses, Mom will take care of them," Fang Qin said, knowing her son was working two jobs and worried he was pushing himself too hard.
Ji Chi nodded in agreement.
"After school starts, move into the dorms. We shouldn't trouble the Su family anymore," Fang Qin reminded her son, knowing how sensible he was.
Ji Chi's eyes unconsciously fixed on the locker. He responded softly, "I know."
Fang Qin asked a few more questions about her son's recent situation before hurriedly ending the call, not wanting to delay his work.
The manager saw Ji Chi come out of the staff room.
He wasn't pleased. "The guests at table four specifically asked for you to take their order. Hurry up."
Ji Chi nodded and walked out.
At table four sat several women dressed in revealing outfits. Seeing Ji Chi approach, they excitedly nudged each other, their eyes glued to his face. Some even flirted with him, asking for his contact details.
Ji Chi's expression remained stern, but he maintained his professionalism, politely asking what they would like to order.
The handsome boy's lips curved into a smile, causing the women to squeal with excitement.
After the guests ordered their drinks, Ji Chi turned to leave, his smile disappearing. As he glanced up, he saw Su Ci, who stood out from the chaotic surroundings.
His grip on the order slip tightened.
Ji Chi felt like he was sinking in a swamp, while Su Ci stood clean and untouched on the edge, looking down at him with an air of superiority.
His lips pressed together, and a sense of shame flashed in his eyes. He nodded at Su Ci before leaving.
Ji Chi's face remained cold as he served drinks to the female guests, not daring to look at Su Ci again, fearing he might see any hint of disdain or contempt on her face.
Su Ci finished the fruit platter and sipped her juice, bored. She checked her phone; there were still half an hour left.
She noticed that no matter if it was at the bubble tea shop or the bar, Ji Chi was quite popular.
So, how did he end up being beaten to death?
Su Ci bit her straw, occasionally keeping an eye on Ji Chi.
Over there, a man with glasses and a partially bald head walked over. "Little sister, are you alone? Big brother can buy you a drink."
The man wanted to sit down opposite Su Ci.
"Did I agree for you to sit down?" Su Ci raised her eyes, and the small teardrop mole under her eye, illuminated by the changing lights, had an indescribable allure.
The bald man was instantly captivated.
Tonight, he felt like he had struck gold. Such a rare beauty was the first he had ever seen. Not only was she stunning, but her exposed skin was milky white, and even without touching it, he could tell the texture would be exquisite.
"Please, little sister, let big brother sit down." The bald man gazed at Su Ci with infatuation.
Su Ci frowned in disgust. "You're not qualified to be my big brother. At your age, with your hair almost gone, how can you even call yourself a brother?"
Her only big brother was Su ZhiYuan.
"Get lost!" Su Ci couldn't be bothered to engage with him.
The bald man's face turned ugly from the scolding, but he was unwilling to give up on such a beautiful girl for the first time.
He licked his lips and toyed with the few remaining strands of hair on his forehead. "Do you know who I am?"
Su Ci was speechless. "Who you are is none of my concern."
The bald man chuckled. The girl's fiery temperament only made him more intrigued.
As he gazed at her lovely face, he reached out to touch her snow-white, smooth cheek.
Across from them, Ji Chi frowned deeply. He quickly walked over, intending to stop the man.
However, four bodyguards hidden in the shadows moved even faster.
One bodyguard grabbed the bald man's hand and twisted it behind his back, while another bodyguard pinned his neck.
"Miss." The bodyguards waited for Su Ci's instructions.
Su Ci propped her chin on one hand, her expression languid, but her tone was full of disdain. "Throw him out of the bar. I don't want to see his face again."
"Yes, Miss."
Then, the bald man was muffled by two bodyguards, his arms pinned, and half-dragged, half-carried out of the bar and thrown onto the street.
The crowd was stunned.
In less than a minute, the situation had completely reversed. Some had been lamenting that such a beautiful girl was about to be taken advantage of by the bald man, but they were shocked by the sudden twist.
Seeing the two tall bodyguards standing behind the beautiful girl, they were left in awe. This was no delicate, easily preyed-upon little rabbit—this was a queen.
Ji Chi retracted his foot and chuckled self-deprecatingly. The precious treasure of the Su family wasn't something he could protect.
Ji Chi picked up the tray and left.
The manager saw Ji Chi come in and grabbed him. "This is the order for room 108. You'll be in charge. The guests inside are from the Lu Family, and they're a big deal. You absolutely cannot offend them. Serve them well, understand?"
Ji Chi nodded.
At that moment, inside room 108, the sound of laughter and commotion could be heard.
"I... I don't know you. Please let me go." Ding Xiaoyou bit her lip, her weak and helpless demeanor only fueling the man's desire to possess her.
Lu Wudi not only didn't let go of Ding Xiaoyou's hand but pulled her closer to his chest. "You ran into me yourself earlier. You were the one who seduced me."
The woman wasn't particularly beautiful, but she wore a white long dress, looking pure and lovely, quite different from the heavily made-up, sexy women in the bar.
After indulging in rich, luxurious meals, a simple home-cooked dish wasn't bad either.
Moreover, Lu Wudi had never seen a woman with such an unyielding expression before. He found it quite intriguing.
He was wealthy, and many women threw themselves at him. But a delicate, pure girl like this was a first for him.
"I didn't." Ding Xiaoyou's eyes reddened. Her dress was wrinkled from struggling, and the surrounding people were all watching her humiliation. She felt humiliated and wanted to cry.
Earlier, she had been in the corridor, trying to find Ji Chi, when this drunken man had bumped into her and pulled her into the private room.
Lu Wudi tightened his grip on her hand, inhaled a drag of his cigarette, and blew the smoke into Ding Xiaoyou's face. He had drunk quite a bit and felt a bit dizzy, only finding the woman in his arms soft and weak, yet stubbornly unyielding.
He pulled her closer and whispered in her ear, "Do you know who I am? I'm from the Lu Family, the cousin of the richest man. Be my girlfriend, and whatever you like, I can give you—cars, houses, beautiful clothes, jewelry. If you want it, I can give it to you."
Ding Xiaoyou's struggle momentarily paused.
She looked at the man holding her in surprise. She had heard of the Lu Family.
Ding Xiaoyou had once heard her colleagues at the store mention that the Lu Family was incredibly wealthy. If converted to cash, even a shopping mall might not be enough to hold all their money.
Lu Wudi kissed her cheek. "You've heard of us, haven't you? Follow me, and you can have anything you want. What's your name?"
Ding Xiaoyou looked at the man kissing her. He wasn't as handsome as Ji Chi and was slightly overweight, but his features were decent, and his expensive suit gave him an air of wealth.
She bit her lip and whispered, "Ding Xiaoyou."
Lu Wudi kissed her again. "Xiaoyou, what a lovely name."
"Lu ge, congratulations on getting a new girlfriend." The other men raised their glasses, joining in the commotion.
"I'm not his girlfriend. I didn't agree to it." Ding Xiaoyou quickly denied.
She frowned, feeling conflicted. "I don't want your gifts. My family may be poor, but I can earn my own money. Let me go. I want to go home."
"I've never met a woman with such backbone." Lu Wudi let out a burp, full of alcohol. He raised an eyebrow. "Woman, you've caught my attention."
Ding Xiaoyou blushed. She pulled at his hand. "Let me go."
At that moment, the door opened, and a handsome waiter pushed a cart in. "Sir, here are your drinks."
Ding Xiaoyou suddenly saw Ji Chi appear. She was momentarily stunned, then her face flushed with humiliation. Seeing the handsome Ji Chi, she no longer wanted to deal with the man holding her.
"Ji Chi, save me." Ding Xiaoyou pleaded with Ji Chi, hoping he would come to her rescue.
"Oh, you know this little waiter?" Lu Wudi pulled Ding Xiaoyou closer.
"I don't like you, and I don't want your money. Let me go." Ding Xiaoyou struggled. "Ji Chi, save me. I don't know him. This man suddenly pulled me into the private room."
"You're asking a mere waiter to save you?" Lu Wudi, seeing the woman he liked turn to another man for help, became even more displeased. He kicked a bottle of foreign liquor off the table with his foot.
The glass bottle shattered immediately.
Lu Wudi looked at Ji Chi triumphantly. "Oh, it's broken. Waiter, come and pick it up."
Ji Chi's lips tightened. Without a word, he went to get a broom and dustpan from outside.
Lu Wudi raised his chin, looking down at Ji Chi. "I told you to pick it up with your hands."
Ji Chi lowered his eyes and let go of the broom, bending down to pick up the glass.
Lu Wudi laughed, then caressed Ding Xiaoyou's face. "Look, do you like a man who grovels like this? What can he give you?"
Ding Xiaoyou was stunned. She felt a pang of heartache. "Who I like is none of your business. Ji Chi, save me."
Lu Wudi was about to sneer, but the next second, a piece of glass was pressed against his neck. "Sir, please let her go."
Ji Chi's expression was cold. He didn't want to cause trouble, but even if it was a girl he didn't know, he couldn't stand by and do nothing, let alone a colleague he knew.
He had studied medicine not only to treat his mother but also to help others.
A healer needed a compassionate heart.
If he turned a blind eye now, he wouldn't be fit to practice medicine later.
Lu Wudi glared at Ji Chi and chuckled coldly. "Heh, you've got some guts."
Feeling the sharp edge of the glass against his neck, he let go of Ding Xiaoyou.
Ding Xiaoyou quickly hid behind Ji Chi, clutching his clothes tightly. "Thank you, Ji Chi."
Ji Chi took back the glass in his hand and said to Lu Wudi, "I'm sorry for the offense."
The moment Ji Chi's words fell, several men rushed over. "You punk, daring to mess with Lu Shao? You're asking for it!"
"Don't fight!" Ding Xiaoyou quickly dodged to the side, terrified as she watched Ji Chi being surrounded by the men.
Lu Wudi laughed sarcastically. "If he dies, it's on me."
Ding Xiaoyou's pupils shrank instantly.
She knew this time she had truly gotten herself into trouble. The Lu Family was so wealthy, and both she and Ji Chi came from poor families—they simply couldn't afford to provoke them.
For people like them, even if their limbs were broken or they were beaten to death, it would be considered normal.
Ding Xiaoyou bit her lip in fear, knowing that Ji Chi was no match for them.
She slowly moved toward the door, pushed it open, and ran outside.
Ding Xiaoyou fled in fear.
In the lobby.
Su Ci glanced at the time on her phone; there were still ten minutes left.
Her gaze searched the surroundings for Ji Chi, but she couldn't see him. Just a moment ago, he had been nearby.
Su Ci frowned and instructed the bodyguard behind her, "Find Ji Chi immediately. I need to know where he is right now."
The bodyguard quickly responded, "Yes, Miss."
At that moment, Su Ci spotted Ding Xiaoyou in the crowd, her figure disoriented and fleeing in panic.
She narrowed her eyes and said to another bodyguard, "Go and stop her."
