Chapter 4: The Scarlet Rose
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“Xiao Ai, we’re over here.” Qin Xueli waved to her best friend Ai Qingyue, seizing the moment to wriggle free from Zheng Qian’s grasp.
After greeting, she didn’t pull her hand back.
Zheng Qian smiled faintly, saying nothing.
After introductions, Zheng Qian learned the girl’s name.
She was Ai Qingyue, Qin Xueli’s university classmate and close friend.
Her appearance was decent, and she wasn’t short.
But next to Qin Xueli, she looked rather ordinary, lacking any standout features.
This was the secret of a playboy’s dating strategy: always have a supporting cast to make the leading lady shine.
It was just past six, nearing seven, and dusk had fallen.
Naturally, Qin Xueli wanted a close friend to accompany her, guarding against any inappropriate advances from Zheng Qian.
It was conveniently dinnertime.
Zheng Qian had never been to Dayue City before; after checking businesses on his phone, he picked a restaurant with a relatively high average spending per person.
“Zheng Qian, this place is expensive. Are you sure?” Qin Xueli kindly warned.
She had only been there once; the bill for two was over five thousand yuan, paid by a former admirer, and she never returned.
“Yeah, no problem.”
Once seated, Zheng Qian handed the menu to Qin Xueli, telling her to order whatever she wanted.
Whatever I want?
Alright, if you say so, then I’ll order freely.
Qin Xueli and Ai Qingyue browsed the menu, marking their choices.
Of course, Qin Xueli considered Zheng Qian’s wallet and removed some of the pricier dishes Ai Qingyue selected. Roughly calculating, they kept the total around nine thousand yuan, under ten thousand.
Zheng Qian had already spent over thirty thousand yuan on shopping for her; she didn’t know how much he had left, so she didn’t dare order too extravagantly.
“We’re done choosing. Do you want anything else?” Qin Xueli returned the menu.
Zheng Qian glanced at it — some checkmarks had been erased — was she trying to save money?
The total was well controlled, just over nine thousand, not exceeding ten thousand yuan.
“Not having any alcohol?” He glanced at the drinks menu; even a casual bottle cost over a thousand yuan.
“No, just two Cokes will do.” Qin Xueli naturally wouldn’t order alcohol.
If Zheng Qian insisted on drinking, it wouldn’t matter — Ai Qingyue was there to cover for her.
“Alright, let’s start with this. If it’s not enough, we can order more.”
Normally, Ai Qingyue would never date someone like him.
Unless Zheng Qian was incredibly wealthy.
Ai Qingyue noticed Zheng Qian was carrying several large bags.
Those must be worth over twenty thousand yuan.
Now a meal would cost another ten thousand yuan.
With that kind of money, they could have ordered delivery several times.
Looks like Qin Xueli had landed herself another rich catch.
“Lili, how do you two know each other?” Ai Qingyue asked curiously.
“Colleagues.”
Ai Qingyue was a bit envious—how was Qin Xueli like a magnet for wealthy men? And they were willing to spend so freely on her?
She also wanted a high-quality man like Zheng Qian.
But Ai Qingyue was realistic; she knew she was just Qin Xueli’s bodyguard. Having attended many such outings, she didn’t dare develop feelings for Zheng Qian.
Zheng Qian noticed Ai Qingyue’s changing impression of him.
From 10 points at first meeting, rising to 30, then dropping to 20.
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After the dishes arrived, Qin Xueli and Ai Qingyue busily snapped photos before the three finally began eating.
They chatted casually over dinner.
When they finished, Zheng Qian went to pay the bill.
Ai Qingyue took the opportunity to ask Qin Xueli, “Lili, what’s your relationship with him? Why haven’t I seen him before?”
“Hmm, just ordinary friends. Nothing to worry about.”
In Qin Xueli’s mind, Zheng Qian was just indulging in a vengeful spending spree after a breakup, so she didn’t take it seriously.
When Qin Xueli said “ordinary friends,” Ai Qingyue immediately understood—they had another admirer in tow.
[Spent 9,657 yuan, system cashback 96,570 yuan credited.]
Another 100,000 yuan arrived. It felt exhilarating.
Zheng Qian returned from paying and glanced at the time.
“Only nine o’clock.”
He had no intention of letting Qin Xueli go easily—not because he wanted anything, but because the thrill of spending and earning money was irresistible.
After some thought, he suddenly recalled a high-spending place.
A bar!
At a bar, ordering a set of drinks could easily cost tens of thousands.
“Shall we go to a bar?”
Normally, after dinner, people would head home and call it a day.
But Zheng Qian’s suggestion heightened Qin Xueli’s guard.
[Affinity -5]
Ai Qingyue glanced at Qin Xueli, who seemed uninterested, and said, “No thanks, I have to work tomorrow.”
Qin Xueli had brought her along precisely for this reason.
“Isn’t tomorrow Sunday? You still have to work?”
“Yeah, I have overtime.”
“I’ve been under a lot of stress lately and wanted to unwind.”
“That’s not okay.”
“You could invite some friends to join us. It won’t be too late.”
Shopping and dining with two was manageable, but at a bar, after a few strong drinks, things could get unpredictable—so Qin Xueli declined.
Since Zheng Qian said he had just broken up and wanted to blow off steam, it seemed genuine.
And if they could bring more people, it would change the nature of the outing entirely.
“I’ll see if anyone else wants to come.”
A few minutes later, Qin Xueli said she had invited two girlfriends.
“Which bar?”
“They said to go straight there.”
Zheng Qian thought for a moment: “Red Rose.”
“Okay.”
The three took a taxi to the Red Rose.
[Spent 60 yuan, system cashback 600 yuan credited.]
At the entrance, two voluptuous, scantily clad girls were already waiting.
They were Xin Xin and Angela.
During introductions, they gave only first names, with one using an English name.
Xin Xin had slender, fair legs but average looks.
Angela had delicate features and wore black stockings, very sexy, but her heavy makeup betrayed a regular nightlife habitué.
Standing together, Qin Xueli appeared comparatively innocent.
Both greeted Zheng Qian politely and warmly.
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