CHAPTER 201: CHAPTER 201: I GET DRUNK

The manager left respectfully, leaving Shi Qiang feeling somewhat puzzled.

"Xia Liang, what are you doing?"

A smile tugged at the corners of Xia Liang’s mouth. "Just watch and enjoy."

As soon as he finished speaking, all eyes were drawn to the large screen above the DJ booth. It displayed a leaderboard of the day’s biggest spenders, and now Private Booth #3, where they were sitting, had shot straight to the top. A moment later, prompted by the manager, the DJ on stage grabbed the microphone.

"Listen up, everyone! Mr. Shi in Private Booth #3 has just purchased three sets of the Ace of Spades Great Dragon Set! Let’s give him a huge round of applause!"

The DJ’s announcement was followed by an eruption of boisterous music. Normally, presenting one set would require four girls holding signs; three sets would merit twelve at most. This time, however, to give Xia Liang an even grander show of prestige, the bar owner had dispatched a full twenty. The scantily clad women, each holding a large "Ace of Spades" sign high, began parading through the club, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.

The crowd buzzed with excitement.

"Damn! Someone just bought an Ace of Spades set!"

"Holy shit! One set costs 88,888 mililiter! That means nearly Three Cent just went up in smoke!"

"So rich! I heard it was ordered from Booth #3. Let’s go check it out!"

"Yeah, maybe they’ll invite us in for a drink!"

In an instant, a portion of the crowd began to surge toward their booth.

Seated in Private Booth #3, Shi Qiang was stunned. "Booth number three?" he stammered, pointing at the number on their table. "Are they talking about us?"

"That’s right," Xia Liang replied, as calm as ever while watching the parade of more than twenty beautiful women holding signs.

"Did you arrange that, too?" Shi Qiang asked.

"Yeah. Only cost Three Cent. Impressive enough for you?" Xia Liang said, sitting up straighter with a proud look on his face.

"Three Cent?" Shi Qiang felt his voice crack.

Before he could say anything else, the parade of women arrived at their booth. They lit celebratory sparklers and, lining up in a row, began to dance. Shi Qiang grew nervous, his heart pounding in his chest, especially when he noticed that a crowd had gathered behind them, filming the spectacle with their phones.

The manager approached, followed by six hostesses carrying boxes. They carefully arranged the Dragon Set liquor cases, fruit platters, and flower bouquets on the table. Turning to Xia Liang, the manager asked respectfully, "Mister Xia, which bottle would you like us to open first?"

Xia Liang just smiled and pointed a thumb at Shi Qiang. "Don’t ask me. Ask him. He’s the one who paid for it."

Hearing this, every girl in the vicinity immediately turned to stare intently at Shi Qiang. He’s the one who bought all three sets? Spending nearly Three Cent in one go? He must be some rich heir!

The manager was confused—after all, it was Xia Liang’s card that had been swiped—but since the big shot had spoken, he had no choice but to comply. He approached Shi Qiang and asked, "Sir, which bottle would you like to open first?"

He’s giving me the spotlight, so I can’t let him down, Shi Qiang thought. He put on an air of composure and said, "Start with the green one. And the pink one."

"Of course, sir!" After the bottles were opened, the manager leaned in and quietly asked Xia Liang before departing, "Mister Xia, would you like me to arrange for some female companionship for you?"

Xia Liang waved his hand dismissively. "Take a look around. Do you think I need any?" he said, tipping his head toward the crowd.

The manager glanced over and saw the swarm of girls taking photos and watching them. He understood immediately and apologized, embarrassed. "My apologies, my apologies. Well then, I wish you a wonderful evening, Mister Xia. Please let me know if you need anything."

"Mm." Xia Liang waved him away. The manager took his leave, and the twenty-plus dancing girls departed with him.

This was the cue for the flock of women who had been waiting nearby to swoop in. They crowded around the table, their words a syrupy mix of flattery.

"Wow, you’re so generous! Three whole Ace of Spades Great Dragon Sets!"

"You two handsome men look a little lonely. How about my friends and I join you?"

"Would we be so lucky as to get to know you two?"

"Hey, handsome, can I get a drink with you?"

Though their words were framed as questions, their bodies were already settling into the empty seats around the booth. The women zeroed in on Shi Qiang. Thanks to Xia Liang’s little act, they all believed he was the tycoon who had dropped Three Cent on the drinks. In no time, he was completely surrounded. A few of the bolder girls even took his arm and started to get handsy.

As a virgin whose only experience came from his right hand, Shi Qiang had never been in a situation like this. He panicked. "You... What are you all doing?"

His flustered reaction only made the women more interested. Anyone who frequented bars like this knew how to read a situation. He’s definitely a rich heir, and he seems so naive and simple. If I could get my hooks into him... forget marrying into a rich family, even a one-night stand or a short fling would probably come with a hefty breakup fee! With this thought motivating them, the women redoubled their efforts.

"We’re not doing anything," one cooed.

"Yeah, what harm could a bunch of us girls do?" another added innocently.

"We just want to have a drink with a handsome man like you."

"Come on, handsome, let’s link arms for a drink."

These women were all confident in their looks, and Shi Qiang, trapped in a sea of them, was quickly pressured into downing several glasses. They started playing drinking games, and after two bottles, Shi Qiang was starting to feel it. The alcohol worked its magic, and the normally reserved man began to lose his inhibitions, slowly but surely loosening up and becoming more animated.

Watching this unfold, Xia Liang nodded in satisfaction. It feels like I finally leveled up a character I spent a fortune building in a video game.

Of course, not all the attention was on Shi Qiang. A woman had taken a seat next to Xia Liang. She was dressed in professional attire—an unmistakable office-lady look—with her hair tied up and a pair of black-rimmed glasses perched on her nose. It looked like she had come straight to the club after getting off work. People like her were a common sight in bars like this: white-collar workers from nearby companies looking to blow off some steam after a high-pressure day.

"Handsome, care for a drink?"

Xia Liang glanced at the attractive woman, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. As he looked at her, her status panel materialized before him.

[Name: Han Mengyu]

[Age: 24]

[Occupation: White-Collar Worker]

[Income: 2 points]

[Appearance: 93 (Light Makeup +3)]

[Strength: 3]

[Agility: 4]

[Intelligence: 5]

[Harmonious Value: 0]

I can’t believe I’d run into such a gem in a bar. I assumed anyone who approached me here would be... that type of woman. If it weren’t for the System’s scan, I’d never have believed she was still untouched.

With that in mind, Xia Liang waved his hand. "No, thanks. Alcohol makes me dizzy."

Han Mengyu, who had just sat down, froze. What the hell? Alcohol makes you dizzy? Then why are you in a bar?!