The ice beauty, Jiang Jie, who hadn’t spoken for a while, coldly snorted, “God is so unfair, giving them good family backgrounds and looks that could rival celebrities.” Wu Jing made a face and exchanged a smile with Feng Miaoyin, quickly adding, “God has his plans. He gave them good family backgrounds and looks, but then he gave them you, isn’t that balance enough?” Ling Mengjiao let out an “Ah” and fell onto Feng Miaoyin, laughing. Jiang Jie realized what was said, jumped up, and chased after Wu Jing, “Wu Jing, what nonsense are you spouting? Watch me beat you up!” Wu Jing had already jumped far away, her agility and playful teasing kept Jiang Jie from catching her. Jiang Jie was fuming, her face red from the effort, but she didn’t even touch Wu Jing’s clothes, instead, she was left panting and sweating. Suddenly, she made a mischievous face, bent down, hugged Ling Mengjiao, and planted a loud, exaggerated kiss on her cheek, making a “pop” sound, then looked up provocatively at Wu Jing, “Keep running? I’m only settling accounts with Jiao Jiao now!” This time, Wu Jing was the one stomping her feet in urgency, “Ah, ah, wife, I didn’t see this coming, I’ve wronged you!” Feng Miaoyin and Ling Mengjiao were doubled over with laughter, and even Fu Xiaotang couldn’t sleep anymore, her eyes slightly closed, her mouth curling into a smile. After a bit of commotion, Ling Mengjiao softly asked, “Speaking of Cheng Yu, why haven’t we seen Xin Peipei during our training?” Feng Miaoyin responded, “She’ll come after the dance battle, and who knows, maybe it’ll be Doris?” Jiang Jie raised her eyebrows, “I quite like Doris, but Xin Peipei, I really don’t have a good impression of her. I’d rather not be one of the Four Beauties if it means being with her!” Ling Mengjiao nodded pitifully, “Exactly, how could Cheng Yu like her? Cheng Yu is so handsome. Once, he helped me pick something up, and when I thanked him, he smiled at me, it was so beautiful!” Jiang Jie rolled her eyes. Wu Jing rushed over, shaking Ling Mengjiao’s shoulders, “Wake up, wake up.” Then she pushed Feng Miaoyin, “I’ll only settle accounts with you. You’ve corrupted my innocent Jiao Jiao with your infatuation!” Feng Miaoyin pushed Wu Jing’s hand away in amusement, “What does it have to do with me? Jiao Jiao has liked him for a while.” Jiang Jie, curious, asked, “Honestly Jiao, Cheng Yu is clearly a heartless, rich, arrogant, and smug pig. What do you like about him?” Fu Xiaotang glanced at Jiang Jie, feeling a sense of kinship. Ling Mengjiao, pouting like a child, retorted, “Don’t you dare say that about him! I like his peach blossom eyes, his mischievous smile, his sharp aura. Recently, he’s been a bit melancholy, probably because he doesn’t like Xin Peipei and is unhappy. If it were me, I’d make him happy!” Wu Jing stared at her dumbfounded, “Are you joking or serious?” Ling Mengjiao gave her a playful look, “Of course, I’m serious. I’ve decided, happiness must be fought for! I’m going to find him downstairs tonight. I’ve checked, he and Song Li have reserved the V9 private room at 10 PM for an all-nighter. I’ll sneak in dressed as a princess.” Seeing her serious, Wu Jing hurriedly interrupted, “Absolutely not, Jiao Jiao! Brother Nan has explicitly instructed us not to meet guests privately during this time.” Ling Mengjiao, pouting, dismissed the concern, “Just keep it a secret for me, how would he know? I won’t give my name, just slip in quietly. If Cheng Yu doesn’t notice me, I won’t even say anything. How about it?” She then eagerly pulled out a small makeup mirror to compare her looks. Fu Xiaotang, watching Ling Mengjiao’s confident smile in the mirror, couldn’t help but frown deeply. “V9 private room at 10 PM” Chapter 52: First Bloom (Part 1)
That night, Fu Xiaotang quietly informed Xiao He and volunteered to serve in the V9 private room. Xiao He was puzzled, “You were up late last night and didn’t get any rest today, why not take a nap?” Fu Xiaotang knew this supervisor was upright and always looked out for the girls, especially her, so she thought for a moment and quietly shared what she had heard during the day. He Xiaoxi furrowed her brows slightly and whispered in reprimand, “This is sheer madness. Ling Mengjiao has no sense of propriety. If Brother Nan finds out, she can forget about being one of the new four beauties and should just go back home and fend for herself.” “Maybe it’s not that serious. I just hope she doesn’t get noticed. I’ll keep an eye on her inside, and if anything happens, I’ll need your help to cover for her. Ling Mengjiao is still childish, innocent, and naive. She must have had no other choice but to come to ‘Heaven’. Everyone’s life is tough; it’s best if Brother Nan doesn’t find out,” Fu Xiaotang explained softly. He Xiaoxi gained a new respect for Fu Xiaotang and paused for a moment before softly replying, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on Room No. 9. You should also be careful. If nothing happens, that’s best, but if something does, even Young Master Junjie might not be able to rest easy. Who among those who can enter that place is easy to deal with?” Fu Xiaotang nodded and sighed habitually.
Fu Xiaotang was already waiting in the private room, with two reliable and quick-witted waiters standing by, hands behind their backs, as instructed by He Xiaoxi. It was around 11 o’clock, and Fu Xiaotang was secretly relieved, thinking they wouldn’t come, when the thick pine door was suddenly pushed open with a loud bang. Cheng Yu, supported by several people, staggered in, followed by a madam with a beaming smile and four or five hostesses. Cheng Yu’s face was flushed, reeking of alcohol, clearly having drunk elsewhere before coming here. As he passed Fu Xiaotang, he glanced at her with a slight look of surprise, as if he hadn’t expected to see her, then turned to say something to the person supporting him, both of them laughing maliciously.
Fu Xiaotang bit her lip and quietly scanned the hostesses. Sure enough, Ling Mengjiao was among them, dressed in a short, sparkling dress, her hair styled high, wearing heavy makeup, yet still strikingly beautiful, her eyes tenderly fixed on Cheng Yu. However, Cheng Yu paid no attention to her affections, casually beckoning a short-haired hostess with dimples. The girl happily sat beside him, poured two glasses of wine, and snuggled up to him, her voice sweet as she suggested they share a drink. Cheng Yu laughed softly, glanced outside almost imperceptibly, pulled the girl close, licked her dimple, then took a large gulp of wine and bent down to transfer it mouth-to-mouth to her.
The room erupted in laughter and singing as everyone started to enjoy themselves, with loud music drowning out any semblance of melody, the air thick with smoke, alcohol, and the scent of perfume, women’s laughter blending into a chaotic mix. The flickering lights cast shadows of revelry and hidden activities in every corner. Ling Mengjiao blinked, her lips pouting as if on the verge of tears. Fu Xiaotang stepped forward, pulling her aside and whispering, “Let’s go, this isn’t a place for you.” Ling Mengjiao remained silent. Seeing her defeated look, Fu Xiaotang half-forced her towards the door. Just as they reached for the handle, the man who had laughed with Cheng Yu earlier suddenly called out, “Hey, you, I mean you, come here, sit with me!”
