On the way back, I asked Lan Ya if the suburban club was still operating or if it had been shut down.
Lan Ya said, "I handed it over to Zhou Yingying. She might not have the best character, but she’s capable. I assigned someone to assist her, and our people are managing the finances."
I nodded. She was right. If Zhou Yingying wanted to make money, giving her a legitimate venue was the way to go. With the drug pipeline cut off and so many arrests, she wouldn’t be reckless enough to touch that business again, at least not under the current scrutiny.
I felt a little more at ease. With the She-Devil running the club, Xiao Hong and the others would be safe. I didn’t have to worry as much.
Lan Ya asked, "What are your plans now?"
I said, "Same as before. You handle the clubs. I’ll keep studying stones. Why? Got something new in mind?"
She smiled. "Not me. But Brother Bao wants to see you."
I didn’t know much about Brother Bao, only that his operations were vast—places like *Grand World*, the suburban club, and smaller nightspots were all under his name. Lan Ya, Boss Chen, and Boss Liu were his subordinates, managing his businesses. Whether he had other ventures, I wasn’t sure. His sudden interest in me was puzzling.
I probed, "Any hints? What does he want?"
Lan Ya shook her head. "Brother Bao doesn’t leak plans. How would I know? I’ll set up the meeting. You’ll find out then."
No choice but to wait.
Sister Zhang drove fast, and we were back in Ruili in no time.
Lan Ya didn’t arrange a separate ride, returning with us in Sister Zhang’s car.
After dropping Lan Ya at *Grand World*, Sister Zhang and I headed to the mall.
Inside the office, she locked the door, then pulled me into a fierce embrace, rising on her toes to press her lips to mine.
I kissed her back, and she responded with equal intensity. For a while, the world outside ceased to exist.
When we finally broke apart, breathless, she collapsed onto the sofa, her eyes locked onto mine. She beckoned, and I went to her, pulling her close, kissing her like I wanted to fuse our bodies together.
Sister Zhang grew frantic again, fingers working at my buttons. I lifted her and carried her through the side door—into her private world.
When I opened my eyes again, it was fully dark. The room was unlit. In the shadows, Sister Zhang traced my chest and murmured, "Hua, you’ve grown up."
I didn’t answer. She was right. In just a few months, I’d shed my boyhood, emerging as something harder, sharper. People say society is the real university, but that’s not quite it. Society is a forge, hammering you into something new.
I *had* grown up. It was time to stand tall, like a man.
Sister Zhang found the light switch, flooding the room with brightness. She dressed and handed me my clothes. "Aren’t you hungry? I’m starving."
True—we’d skipped lunch, and now it was night.
While she fixed her makeup at the vanity, I showered and dressed. Months of training had added muscle. I’d probably gained weight.
We went out for seafood—a rarity in inland Ruili, flown in at great expense.
Sister Zhang said seafood was good for recovery and piled my plate high, eating little herself.
Though it was my first time trying most of it, I loved everything, raw or cooked. Sister Zhang held back, warning that too much could upset my stomach.
After dessert, we left.
I told her I was heading to the suburban club. She offered to drive me, but I refused, hailing a cab instead.
Before parting, I asked her to find me a place—maybe even buy an apartment. Hotels were inconvenient.
Also, a new phone. Something small. The brick-sized mobiles were too flashy for someone my age.
She agreed to handle it tomorrow.
I didn’t want to go home. My parents’ misunderstanding ran too deep. I’d likely be turned away.
She stuffed a wad of cash into my pocket, hugged me, and said goodbye.
The taxi driver gave me a puzzled look when I named the club. The place had a reputation. He probably wondered what a kid like me was doing there.
The club’s entrance was unchanged, its outdated lighting a stark contrast to the upscale venues in the city. I made a mental note to suggest upgrades to Lan Ya. Better aesthetics could draw more patrons.
Inside, the lobby was empty. The same manager greeted me. I offered him a cigarette, which he accepted but didn’t light.
"Is Boss Zhou in?" I asked.
He said she was in her office and offered to announce me.
I declined. "Just visiting. Are the girls I used to manage still here?"
He nodded. "They’ve moved upstairs. In the lounge now."
That explained their absence. With the She-Devil promoted, they’d climbed the ranks too.
Knowing they were safe eased my mind. At least Xiao Hong hadn’t been left adrift.
I ordered a whiskey, reminiscing about my brief stint here. Just three days, yet so much had happened—two bosses and the Burmese dealer sentenced to death, Wen Siqiang forced into rehab, and me locked up for months.
A familiar voice made me turn. The She-Devil stepped out of the elevator.
Months had stripped her of the garish hair dyes. Now, her black hair was tied into a neat bun. A navy blue pantsuit completed the professional look.
I stood, glass in hand, watching her approach.
She smiled. "Heard you were out. I wanted to throw you a welcome party yesterday, but the boss got to you first. How about tomorrow? I’ll gather the girls—we’ll do it right."
I shook my head. "Too much to handle right now. Let’s hold off."
She shrugged. "Suit yourself. So? Coming back? As my junior, you can’t just host again. How about VP? Oversee the second and third floors."
I laughed. "Flattering, but no. I’d rather study stones. This life’s too draining."
Her expression turned serious. "I kept Xiao Hong safe for you. Strange girl—only does drinks and songs. Turns down everything else. Lost me plenty of clients." She smirked. "Now that you’re back, she’s your problem."
I clasped my hands in gratitude. "I knew she’d be fine with you around. Thank you."