The man looked at the other person's thoughtful and slightly puzzled expression, and then waved his hand.
"Don't you remember me? I'm Cheng Bin. We used to drink together all the time."
...
Qiao Yiming thought for a long time but couldn't recall such an unsophisticated name.
I might as well give up. I'm bored anyway, and if they're offering to keep me company while I drink, I might as well take advantage of it.
"Oh, it's you!" she said, her voice rising in pitch, her face showing a look of sudden realization.
Cheng Bin smiled so hard his eyes narrowed, and he casually picked up an empty glass from the table and poured himself a drink.
"I knew it! How could Queen Qiao forget me after becoming famous? You know what, quite a few people came today. Shall we go and take a look together?"
He was about to reach out and grab her when Qiao Yiming skillfully dodged him.
Cheng Bin's hand froze in mid-air, but he quickly spoke up to ease his embarrassment and returned to his original seat.
"It seems that Queen Qiao doesn't like crowds anymore. It's alright. It's rare to meet an old acquaintance. I'll risk my life to keep you company and have a drink with you."
I didn't want to listen to his incessant chatter at all. I was about to leave after only two drinks. The moment he opened his mouth, he was full of江湖气 (a kind of江湖江湖气 is a Chinese term for a person with a strong sense of chivalry and a tendency to try to get close to others), especially since he was someone I barely recognized.
Perhaps it's been too long since I've been here, and I've forgotten what I used to do.
What's so fun about this?
Cheng Bin quickly tapped a few buttons on his phone under the table.
Qiao Yiming finished his last sip of wine and was about to get up when he saw several men and women rush into the booth.
I did recognize one of the people who looked familiar.
This guy's name is Chai Yu. He's a rich kid who's just coasting along. He works as a guest singer in a band at a nearby bar, and his hair is dyed a bluish-green color.
When Qiao Yiming was "exiled," he often came to this bar street, and after seeing each other so often, they became familiar with each other.
I never expected that this person would still be here after all these years.
Chai Yu brought two or three girls to block the exit of the booth, so Qiao Yiming couldn't leave in a hurry.
So it returned to the very center.
Chai Yu originally had a face that looked like it belonged to rock music, and he would occasionally raise his eyebrows and make a sarcastic remark. Qiao Yiming thought he was really something else. He was not particularly good-looking, but perhaps because his family was well-off, he was generous and easy to get along with.
Chai Yu held a cigarette in one hand and raised his wine glass in the other, pointing it towards Qiao Yiming.
"Long time no see. I thought you had become a big star in the country and would never come back to this place."
Qiao Yiming snorted, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with his words, but still gave him face by taking a small sip.
Cheng Bin, who was standing next to her, noticed that she didn't speak, so he quickly flattered her, "How could that be? There's nothing wrong with this place. Many celebrities from S country come here. It's such a vibrant and enthusiastic place! Brother Yu is just joking."
Chai Yu squinted, staring at her face through the cup and the occasional flash of a spotlight, his expression ambiguous.
The two ignored Cheng Bin, who was standing to the side, and chatted for a while. Then Cheng Bin suggested playing some drinking games.
After a few drinks, the men and women at the table were also a little tipsy.
Since he was going to be bored anyway, Qiao Yiming didn't refuse and filled his glass with wine.
She considered herself to have a good alcohol tolerance, but forgot that she hadn't drunk this much in a long time.
Losing three or four games in a row has somewhat ignited her fighting spirit, making her feel that the cards on the table today are specifically designed to target her.
She suddenly stood up, swaying unsteadily.
The cardigan I was wearing had been thrown away somewhere due to the high temperature of the alcohol.
Her smooth skin and beautiful figure were outlined by her clothes, creating a perfect curve that made people's blood boil. Even under the bright lights, there was no trace of prostitution on her.
Like a flower growing on a cliff edge, it tempts people to pluck it and fall into the abyss together.
Cheng Bin stared wide-eyed, but the coldness in Chai Yu's eyes instantly extinguished his anger.
"Don't even think about touching her, I have my own uses for her."
The voice was full of warning, and Cheng Bin dared not say anything even though he was dissatisfied.
Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse, not to mention that Chai Yu has been in this business much longer than I have.
Although I was itching to try it, I had to suppress my desires.
"knew."
Chai Yu tossed the cigarette in his hand into the glass where Qiao Yiming still had half a glass of wine left.
Rinse the glass, fill it to the brim, and drop two drops of clear liquid into it. They instantly mix with the wine, and there is no visible abnormality.
Cheng Bin stared wide-eyed at Chai Yu's actions, looking at him with disbelief.
Then, somewhat fearfully, she asked, "Brother Chai, isn't this a bad idea? She's still a person of importance; it wouldn't be good if things escalated."
Chai Yu's cold eyes gleamed, and a faint smile played on his lips. "It's all about having a big budget; that's how you get things done."
The next second, her face turned cold as she looked at the timid man in front of her, "If you're scared, then get lost. Don't delay my business."
Cheng Bin closed his eyes, steeled his resolve, and his original intention to leave was completely forgotten by his mocking tone.
A glimmer of hope rekindled in her eyes—what if she could get a share too?
His lewd expression vanished the moment he saw Qiao Yiming.
She stepped forward and offered her help in a seemingly ingratiating manner, then used a rhetorical question: "Empress Qiao has only had a few sips before running to the restroom. Is she too drunk to drink anymore?"
Qiao Yiming, who had already lost several matches, became even angrier after hearing his words. He shoved Cheng Bin aside, almost throwing him to the ground.
He sat back down in his previous spot. "Get out. I refuse to believe I can lose. Deal the cards!"
It was as if the other party had cheated. Qiao Yiming hardly won a single game all night. He drank quickly and hastily in the next few rounds, and even his burps smelled of alcohol.
She waved her hand, "I'm not playing anymore... I'm not playing anymore, I'm having bad luck today."
After saying that, he collapsed onto the table.
Cheng Bin reached out and nudged her arm, but there was no response.
He didn't dare to make any rash moves and glanced back at Chai Yu's expression.
A hint of triumph flashed in his dark eyes. Chai Yu nodded. "Help her up. Let's go."
He pulled a wad of cash from her pocket and threw it on the table.
Cheng Bin put his arm around Chai Yu's shoulder and followed her out.
Without a stable seat and without an overcoat, the cold wind gave Qiao Yiming goosebumps, which helped her wake up a bit from her daze.
She pushed away the person supporting her, and leaned against the colorful decorative light sign to the side. The warm electric light made her stick to the spot and unwilling to move.
Cheng Bin looked on in bewilderment for help, while Chai Yu began to show signs of impatience. "Hurry up, don't delay my business."
Can't afford to offend...
Cheng Bin roughly grabbed him, and Qiao Yiming angrily pushed him away, leaving two glaring nail marks on his face.
"Get lost, you're completely useless."
He simply pushed her away and hoisted her onto his shoulder. Chai Yu didn't have time to coax her. He knew that Qiao Yiming's family background was extraordinary and that they had plenty of money, so he couldn't let this opportunity slip by.
As Qiao Yiming was carried on his shoulder, he felt the alcohol churning in his stomach and the unpleasant external pressure.
I feel nauseous. "Put me down, quickly!"
She struggled on Chai Yu's shoulders, using both her hands and feet.
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