The club gradually filled up, mostly with Burmese patrons chatting away in their language. A few mainlanders also came in, drinking at the bar before grabbing girls to dance.
Xiao Li and the others had already started mingling, entertaining guests with drinks and conversation.
With nothing to do, I scanned the room. Everything seemed normal—just a typical bar for drinking, singing, and entertainment. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Then two men in black suits walked in briskly. The bartenders immediately stopped what they were doing, standing straight and greeting them loudly. I recognized them—they were the same two who had threatened Lan Ya that day. No doubt about it, they had betrayed Brother Bao and taken over as the real bosses here.
I stayed in the shadows, unnoticed. Even if they saw me, it wouldn’t matter. I was a nobody, beneath their notice. They probably hadn’t even glanced at me properly that day.
A Burmese man approached and greeted them. He had been sitting at the bar drinking earlier, likely waiting for them.
Sure enough, one of the men gestured for him to follow them upstairs.
More guests streamed in, mostly in small groups, led by hostesses to private rooms.
The second and third floors were VIP rooms, while the first floor was a bar with a dance floor—a layout similar to *Grand World*.
The manager came over and told me a VIP room had specifically requested a student. I called Xiao Hong to go.
She wasn’t much of a talker, which made her perfect for reserved guests. If they were the type to pick from a lineup, they’d be picky and hard to please.
I ranked the three girls: Xiao Li was the smoothest, handling all kinds of situations. Xiao Lian was next—quiet but composed. Xiao Hong was the weakest, shrinking like a bullied child. If a rude guest targeted her, she’d either get upset or be sent back.
Later, Xiao Li and Xiao Lian were also called up. The dance floor thinned out, leaving the hall feeling empty.
Pretending to wander aimlessly, I ran into the manager again. He glanced at me but said nothing.
I had no way to get close to their inner circle, leaving me clueless about where to start.
Then I saw Xiao Hong step out of the elevator. That was fast—she couldn’t have been done already.
I approached her, and the moment she saw me, she broke down, sobbing into my chest.
I quickly pulled her aside. "What happened?"
She sniffled. "That guy’s a pervert... He tried to force me in the room, and... and..."
"And what?"
"He wanted me to take some drug. Said it’d make me feel like a god. He even offered money—his bag was full of cash."
My interest spiked. I dragged her somewhere hidden. "Who was he? Local or Burmese?"
"Burmese. Forties, reeked of alcohol. He even tore at my clothes."
Even though this was a gray-area business, in-room transactions were strictly forbidden—paid or not. That was the rule. If a girl was willing, arrangements had to be made *outside*.
The Burmese man knew the rules. He was just bullying Xiao Hong for being young and inexperienced.
But her info was valuable. That much cash? Unless he’d just closed a deal, who’d be stupid enough to carry a bag of money just to relax?
I regretted not sending Xiao Li instead. She might’ve gotten even better intel.
Xiao Hong fleeing would definitely draw a complaint. I told her to wait while I went to the manager. Better to report first than wait for them to come looking.
The manager was at the bar. I hurried over. "One of my girls got too drunk and ran out."
He frowned. "Which room?"
When I told him, his face paled. "Shit."
My stomach dropped. We’d messed with the wrong guy.
"Get her back there *now*," he hissed. "Or we’re all screwed!"
Confused, I stared at him.
"Just do it! Tell him she stepped out to grab something. *Don’t* say she ran!"
A chill ran down my spine. Just how powerful *was* this guy to scare the manager like this?
I had no choice. I went back to Xiao Hong. "Come on. We’re going back."
Her face twisted in fear. She shook her head, refusing to move.
"Listen," I snapped. "If you don’t go, the club will *kill* you later."
Seeing my expression, she reluctantly stood. I led her to the elevator.
I felt like a monster, delivering a lamb to a wolf.
But this was the life they chose. Fast money came at a price.
In the elevator, I asked, "Does that Burmese understand us?"
She nodded.
"Good. You’re a woman. You know—there are *certain days* when it’s inconvenient. Understand?"
Relief flashed in her eyes. She nodded again.
The moment the doors opened, she bolted to the restroom. I waited outside, knowing exactly what she was doing.
When she came out, we headed to the room. If the manager was that scared, this guy was dangerous. I had to be careful.
A server stood outside. I had him open the door, then walked in with Xiao Hong.
Inside were two men—the Burmese and one of Lan Ya’s black-suited threats. Two girls sat with them, the Burmese groping one shamelessly.
He was the same man I’d seen at the bar—dark-skinned, burly, with a patterned cloth wrapped around his head. Pure Burmese, no Chinese blood in him.
The moment he saw Xiao Hong, he shot up and hurled his glass at her. It struck her chest before clattering to the floor.
The other man glared, clearly already informed about her escape.
The Burmese snarled, "You think you can screw with *me*?"
I quickly apologized. "She’s new. Doesn’t know the rules yet. Please go easy."
He slapped me hard. "Then why send her?! Think I’m a joke? She stays *all night*! Now *get out*!"
I glanced at Xiao Hong. Tears welled in her eyes.
All I could do was silently will her to be careful.
I was powerless to help.
Her fate was in her own hands now.