A minor jealousy incident: Who's jealous of whom? Part 2

"I was just kidding. I don't have a girlfriend either. If all else fails, we could just get together."

"Let's not do it. Never compromise on something like this. Whoever compromises will be the one who suffers."

As Nanqi spoke, she got up and went to the front desk to pay the bill, and the two of them went out. That evening, Nanqi went to the bar to sell alcohol as usual. The proprietress noticed that she looked unwell and listless, so she said, "Don't just push yourself so hard, you need to take care of your health."

Nanqi raised her eyes, then smiled broadly and said, "I'm perfectly healthy."

The proprietress sighed and said earnestly, "Actually, you sell wine very well. Why don't you quit your job and come work here to sell wine full-time? It's less tiring and you can earn quite a bit of money."

"I've considered it, but let's leave it at that for now."

Selling alcohol wasn't a stable income for her, and it didn't offer any insurance, so she never considered doing it full-time.

She had just delivered wine to a private room when her colleague told her that a customer had specifically requested her to deliver wine to another private room. This was quite rare, and it was highly likely that the customer was a regular.

She picked up two stacks of liquor and walked towards the private room with a smile. As soon as she pushed open the door, the room was dimly lit. In the instant she was stunned, colorful lights suddenly lit up all at once, making her eyes slightly dizzy.

"Happy birthday!!" the three girls shouted in unison with bright smiles, their voices clear and lively.

Cui Yingying, who had turned on the light, came over and asked, "So, Sister Qi, do you like this birthday present?"

Nanqi then realized that today was her birthday.

She smiled slightly and said, "Thank you."

Accompanying Cui Yingying were two female colleagues from her department, Zhu Li and Shang Yating.

"It's not cheap here. I appreciate your kind gesture, so let's leave now."

Cui Yingying said somewhat unhappily, "Sister Qi, don't be such a spoilsport. It's not easy for us to come all this way to see you."

Julie chimed in, "That's right. We're already here, and it's a rare opportunity for us to come here. We'll be careful with our money, so don't worry."

Shang Yating felt like she had opened the door to a new world, and she was already eager to try it out, her face full of excitement: "Let's go dance! The dance floor looks much more lively!"

"I can't dance, you guys go have fun."

"Sister Qi, you're the main character. It's no fun for us if you don't go!" Cui Yingying pulled her towards the hall without saying a word, while Zhu Li and Shang Yating pushed her from behind. "What are you afraid of? We're just messing around for fun."

Upon entering the hall, energetic and dynamic music immediately greeted them. The dance floor was a dazzling spectacle of lights, with beams of various colors swaying wildly to the beat. The crowd swayed freely under the lights, as if releasing the fatigue of the day. Occasionally, figures brushed past each other. Nanqi was pushed and swayed by them, but she wasn't in the mood. The events of the day had left her with no desire to play with them.

Cui Yingying glanced at the time on her phone, then suddenly clapped her hands and whispered in her ear, "There's another big gift waiting for you!"

Without a word, the three pushed her into the private room. Cui Yingying even magically produced an eye mask and covered her eyes. Nan Qi staggered into the room, and the next second, a pair of soft hands removed her eye mask.

Nanqi slowly opened her eyes, and after her eyes adjusted to the light in the room, her pupils suddenly contracted. Song Zhao was standing right in front of her, looking at her gently.

"Happy birthday, my angel." Song Zhao opened his arms and embraced her tenderly.

Nanqi was stunned. "You...you...you..."

"When Sister Qi met her idol, she couldn't even speak," Julie laughed.

Nanqi hugged her back, her eyes a little sore, but a smile curved her lips: "This is such a wonderful surprise..."

Song Zhao wrapped his arm around her shoulders, tightening his grip.

"I can't take it anymore, seeing you all like this makes me want to cry too," Shang Yating said, her eyes brimming with tears.

Nanqi and Song Zhao hugged for a long time under their watchful eyes before finally separating.

Seeing this, Cui Yingying quickly walked up to Nan Qi, grabbed her wrist, and affectionately rested her head on her shoulder. "Sister Qi! Let me tell you, Sister Siwei is super nice. I told her it was my friend's birthday and asked if I could invite her over, and she agreed without even thinking! I really felt like I won the lottery; I actually managed to persuade a big star!..."

Cui Yingying kept talking, but Song Zhao's expression gradually darkened.

"I've gone to great lengths for your birthday, so you'd better think about how to thank me."

Nanqi awkwardly let go of her hand and said with an embarrassed laugh, "Thank you, but I'll pay for the drinks tonight."

Song Zhao pulled Nan Qi closer to him, narrowed his eyes at Cui Yingying, and smiled, "Let me do it. How can the birthday person pay the bill?"

Cindy, holding a wine glass, stood up from the sofa, glanced at the two of them, and said with a gentle smile, "Xiao Wei, don't just chat, introduce me to them too."

Song Zhao said, "This is my manager, Sister Cindy, and this is my good friend from high school, Nanqi."

Nanqi raised her hand and gently lowered the wine bottle in her hand, lightly touching it to Cindy's glass. "Hello, Sister Cindy. Thank you so much for taking care of Xiaowei all these years."

Cindy smiled and said, "Nanqi, we've met once before, so this is a proper conversation."

The group sat on the sofa and started chatting.

"So you two knew each other back in high school. No wonder Sister Qi likes you so much," Cui Yingying said with a forced smile.

"Have you kept in touch after graduation?"

Nanqi and Song Zhao exchanged glances, seemingly waiting for the other to speak. Song Zhao spoke first, "Not many."

"I knew it! How could I possibly ask you to come?"

As Cui Yingying spoke, she kept leaning against Nan Qi. Nan Qi didn't understand why she seemed to have developed a spinal cord disease today. She turned to look at Song Zhao, whose eyes seemed to show some displeasure, but the smile on his lips did not diminish. She was not sure what Song Zhao's mood was at this moment, or if the separation had been too long and perhaps he no longer cared.

Cindy then joked, "Xiao Wei, it seems your friend has made quite a few new friends."

Julie followed up, saying, "Sister Qi and Yingying have known each other for almost four or five years now. When Sister Qi first came to Vance, it was Yingying who recommended her to General Manager Li. At that time, Yingying was still in college and didn't come to the hotel much, but since Sister Qi came, she has been coming to our hotel more and more often."

Nanqi wondered if Julie was out of her mind. Why was she talking as if Julie and Cui Yingying were having an affair? She said with displeasure, "Don't joke around. She came to see President Li, not because of me."

"Really? Yingying, what do you think?"

Cui Yingying said shyly, "Yes, we have them all..."

Julie and Shang Yating both smiled like doting aunts.

"Actually, Sister Qi is quite nice to me. When I was sick that time, she personally made porridge and rice cakes and came to visit me at school..."

"Oh~" the group said meaningfully.

“She was sick and told me she hadn’t eaten all day and no one was taking care of her, so I made her something to eat.”

Nanqi was sweating profusely. She disliked the atmosphere of being misunderstood and teased. When she looked at Song Zhao, she saw that Song Zhao's smile had already faded.

"I'm going to the restroom," Song Zhao said, feigning composure.

"I'll go too."

Nanqi followed without thinking, and Cui Yingying was still a little dazed when Nanqi pushed her away.

Nanqi went out to chase after Song Zhao. Song Zhao no longer forced a smile; she walked forward angrily, and when Nanqi tried to grab her hand, she shook it off.

"It's too noisy here, let's find somewhere else to talk," Nanqi said hurriedly from behind her.

Song Zhao stopped walking with a stern face, and Nan Qi took her hand and led her to the staff lounge.

This is the busiest time at the bar, and the lounge is usually empty. After the two of them came in, Nanqi locked the door from the inside to prevent anyone from suddenly barging in. Just as she was about to speak, Song Zhao's fiery gaze met hers.

"Zhaozhao, let me explain..."

Before she could finish speaking, Song Zhao suddenly stepped forward, pressed the back of her head, and took a deep breath on her slender neck. Nan Qi stared in astonishment, speechless for a long time.