The arrival of the three stunning beauties caused an uproar in the club, with cheers and whistles filling the air. The trio, used to such reactions, enjoyed the attention as they made their way to their classmates. One of the reasons they loved nightclubs was that everyone here, regardless of their nature, was stripped bare of pretense, needing only to express their true selves…
Almost everyone had arrived. Ye Ye and her group were greeted by their senior, Lu Zihuao, casually dressed and handsomely escorting Shirley, the student council president of Saint Enos and Ye Ye’s class monitor, who greeted them with a smile. They exchanged greetings and took their seats. Some classmates had already mingled well with the Italian students, and several couples were already dancing together in the dance floor. Ye Ye watched with a squint and a smile, thinking, “Love really can be fast food…”
They started playing dice games, and when it was Ye Ye’s turn to drink, Qiu Yu would drink for her. Qiu Yu had a good tolerance for alcohol, but Ye Ye never drank at nightclubs, not because she couldn’t handle it, but because she only drank Lafite… Also, unless Qiu Yu was completely drunk, but that had never happened… As the night deepened, more and more people from ET arrived, pushing the atmosphere to its peak.
Suddenly, a series of crisp chimes rang out from the stage. Shirley, in a red off-shoulder mini dress, stood smiling in front of a silver bell, tapping it to draw everyone’s attention. With a confident smile, she announced, “Dear friends, today is the day Saint Enos University welcomes new friends. For our classmates who’ve come from afar, I suggest we all raise a toast!” She then lifted her champagne glass and drank it down. Everyone else with a drink followed suit, while those without drinks in the dance floor gave the most enthusiastic applause. Then Shirley continued, “Now, I’d like to invite a representative from our distant friends to perform for us. What do you say?” “Yes!” The crowd erupted in cheers from both students and other guests. “Then please, our friends from Hong Kong! Let’s all chant together — perform, perform!” Shirley led the chant, and the crowd eagerly joined in, filling the bar with shouts of “Perform, perform…”
Lu Zihuao approached his fellow countrymen, saying, “Someone should go up there, we can’t disgrace our nation!” “Why don’t you go, senior?” someone asked. “I’m too drunk…” Lu Zihuao said, and indeed he was. “I’m also drunk…” a few others chimed in. “Ye Ye hasn’t drunk, let her go!” someone suggested. The chant of “Perform, perform…” was still deafening. “Ye Ye, you go. Just do something, sing or dance, I believe you can do it!” Lu Zihuao looked at Ye Ye with anticipation, pleading for her to save face. Ye Ye looked at her 19 compatriots, then at the rowdy crowd around them, feeling indifferent. She was never one for modesty! With a smile, she said, “Alright, but if I perform well, you owe me a favor, senior!” “What kind of favor?” Lu Zihuao asked. “I don’t know yet, but let’s agree on it now!” Ye Ye really didn’t know, but following the underworld’s principle of never taking a loss, she figured asking for a reward first was always wise! “Sure, as long as it doesn’t go against ethics, morality, conscience, or the law!” Lu Zihuao replied with noble righteousness. “Great!” Ye Ye’s eyes twinkled; he was indeed studying politics, so formal! She patted Qiu Yu and Miao Miao, “Sisters, will you join me?” Qiu Yu and Miao Miao shook their heads, indicating they would not. Although they loved nightclubs, they were more reserved compared to Ye Ye, who seemed born to be a night elf… [From Paris to Rome: Chapter Thirty-Two, Ye Ye and Nightclubs 2]
Ye Ye confidently walked up to Shirley, her figure accentuated by a white spaghetti strap top adorned with light blue crystals and tight black pants. Her flawless skin, deep red straight hair, neat signature bangs, star-like twinkling eyes, and diamond-shaped lips with an enchanting smile captivated everyone below. Ye Ye spoke into the microphone, “Everyone, I’ll perform on behalf of our exchange students from Hong Kong. If it’s not up to par, please forgive us!” She then bowed deeply to the audience, turned to the drummer, whispered something, then spoke to the keyboardist and bassist. The handsome drummer handed her his drumsticks and stepped off the stage. Ye Ye sat in the drummer’s seat, tapping the drums lightly, setting the rhythm with a “clang, clang, clang—boom—” followed by the bass and keyboard.
The song “Walking in the Rain” began — blue streetlights slowly revealing, gazing at each other, silently embracing, searching for past warmth, letting the rain wet my face, unable to distinguish tears from rain, heart more chaotic, thoughts tangled in thousands…
On a Cold Rainy Night, I’m by Your Side
Hoping you would know – Do you know my heart – It’s different from the past – We just force ourselves to be together
On a cold rainy night, I don’t want to go home – Afraid to see your silhouette – I can only smile bitterly at the raindrops – I know I should speak clearly – But I lack the courage to try
The classic tune, the familiar melody, Ye Ye’s compatriots singing loudly in unison below the stage… Ye Ye beats the clear, rhythmic drums, accompanied by the bass and keyboard, and the harmony of the backing vocals. With her magnetic voice, different from Beyond’s hoarse despair, carrying a deep, feminine power, she reinterprets this classic Cantonese song “On a Cold Rainy Night.” Although many still can’t understand the lyrics, the feeling of fairies calling in the night forest deeply touched everyone’s heart… The music swelled, Ye Ye was the first to dance… Suddenly, the crowd below erupted into a wild dance party… Young men and women, without distinction, danced passionately. Miaomiao and Qiuyu also joined Ye Ye, surrounded by a group of guys, dancing to their heart’s content!
“Everyone, quiet down!” The music suddenly stopped, and a tall man with colorful punk hair, dressed in a biker outfit, approached the microphone, stopping the music and successfully quieting the dancing crowd, all eyes on him. “Ladies and gentlemen, my boss, the second young master of the Lizard Gang, Mr. Bikrui, wants to invite her – to dance with him!” He said, pointing with his right hand full of silver rings at Ye Ye, whose face was flushed from the exercise, eyes filled with lewd desire. Everyone’s gaze turned to Ye Ye, with looks of sympathy, mockery, and anticipation…
Ye Ye pointed at her own nose, asking the tall man on stage, “Me?” “Yes, you!” The crowd parted, and a man shouted in English, “Boss!” The tall man on stage bowed respectfully and called out loudly. Overall, he wasn’t bad-looking, even handsome, but Ye Ye felt an aversion!
“I refuse!” Ye Ye said without hesitation, her beautiful eyes flashing with disdain. The man, looking at the proud Ye Ye, became furious and said sternly, “Do you know who I am? In all of Europe’s nightlife, who dares to refuse my invitation?” “I don’t know who you are, and I don’t want to know. If no one has refused you before, then I’m honored to tell you now, I refuse!” Ye Ye stared coldly into the man’s angry eyes, her words firm. “You! Do you believe I can make sure you never appear in Europe again?” The man threatened harshly. Ye Ye sneered; if she were afraid, she wouldn’t be the eldest daughter of Qian Ye Gate! “I believe, but I’m not afraid!” Killing her might be easy, but making Ye Ye afraid was not that simple! “Damn! You shameless woman, don’t reject my kindness!” The tall man from before jumped between his boss Bikrui and Ye Ye, glaring fiercely at her, threateningly shouting.
