Chapter 7: Golden Sands Bar

Where did he go? After sending Li Ping off, that guy Hu Guozheng pulled out his phone and dialed Fang Yilin. Hearing the dial tone, Wu Jiahao glanced at his ringing phone, saw that it was Hu Guozheng calling, and pressed the answer button with a slight smile before placing the phone back on the nightstand. “Linlin, you’re awake.”

Fang Yilin groggily climbed out of bed. Seeing her own naked body, she shook her heavy head and replied listlessly. Wu Jiahao sat up and held her. “We both drank too much last night.”

“It’s fine, it’s not the first time anyway. No need to apologize.”

Wu Jiahao stroked her long hair, speaking with deep affection. “Promise me, will you? From now on, your heart belongs only to me.”

Hearing this, Fang Yilin fell silent. She was moved, thinking how wonderful it would be if Du Bin could treat her the same way. Unfortunately, he was a man who never understood such things. As she was lost in these grievances, Wu Jiahao ended the call. On the other end, after hearing their conversation, Hu Guozheng was quite shocked—not just once. By rights, Fang Yilin had long since broken up with Old Du. Now, how was he supposed to tell that guy about this betrayal?

Back in the hospital room, Hu Guozheng sat on a stool, shaking his head and sighing, which puzzled Du Bin. “What’s wrong? You’re usually so talkative. Why so quiet now?”

“My friend, don’t blame me for saying this! I was planning to let her know you got hurt, but she’s got her phone off.”

“Leave it,” Du Bin replied, understanding her feelings. He had never really considered how she felt.

Hu Guozheng wanted to tell him everything, but in the end, decided to keep it to himself for now.

Night came quickly. Invited out, the two soon arrived at a bar called Golden Sands. As they walked, Hu Guozheng admired the variety of women passing by. Just as they were about to enter through the main door, a stylish car pulled up and caught their attention.

The owner got out, surprising them both—it was Qin Ling. When Du Bin looked at her again, he was stunned. She, who usually dressed so innocently, now wore something strikingly sexy. Du Bin was instantly captivated by her charm; his primal desires as a man surged forth. Many others found her just as alluring.

In contrast, Hu Guozheng remained calm and unmoved, repeating silently to himself, “Jesus protects me. Lust is emptiness; emptiness is lust...”

Noticing the two of them staring, Qin Ling was annoyed, her displeasure largely due to an earlier unpleasant negotiation with Du Bin, though she showed nothing outwardly.

“Hey, why are you standing at the door like an idiot?” Qin Ling waved her hand in front of Du Bin’s face as she walked over and saw him in a daze.

He snapped back to reality and muttered something vague, but then met her gaze again and blushed.

“Have you been drinking a lot? Look at how red your face is.”

“Ah! Just a little. That’s how I am—I blush easily after even a small drink. By the way, what brings you to a bar?” Du Bin, flustered, hurried to change the subject.

“I come when I feel like it. What about you? How did you end up in such a fancy place?”

Hu Guozheng was annoyed by her tone. So what if it’s high-end? Who says we can’t come?

“A friend invited me.”

“All right, then. I won’t bother you.” With that, Qin Ling brushed past them, leaving only a faint trail of perfume.

Hu Guozheng pinched his nose. “I can’t stand these fragrances.”

Du Bin didn’t say a word. He found himself unexpectedly enjoying the unique scent she wore, a fragrance that was both alluring and dizzying. Men have little resistance to beautiful women, and though he was reluctant, he followed Hu Guozheng into the bar.

Inside, colored lights flashed to the beat. The place was packed with young people, men and women of various ages, their energies mingling. Hu Guozheng’s eyes almost couldn’t keep up, and his body began to move with the rhythm. “Oh yeah! If I don’t hook up with a beauty for a one-night stand tonight, my life’s been wasted.”

On the DJ stage and around it, young women—probably between eighteen and their early twenties—danced provocatively, wearing sexy camisoles that revealed their slim, fiery waists, and miniskirts that left little to the imagination. Every movement stoked desire among the men, who cheered wildly for them.

Soon, the two found their way to one of the private rooms. Inside, Du Bin saw two people—one was Li Ping, whom he knew, and the other was the girl who had been standing beside Li Ping at noon, the one who clearly disliked him. She was playing dice with her brother at the glass table, but the moment she saw Du Bin, she lost all interest, sulkily drinking alone. He was at a loss—what had he done to offend her?

Li Ping greeted Du Bin warmly and introduced her as Li Ning. Ever since he had arrived, she seemed unhappy, downing her freshly poured drink in one gulp. To Du Bin, he seemed innocent—having just escaped death’s door, he had no idea how he’d aroused this girl’s ire.

“Hey, so your name is Li Ning! That’s such a lovely name,” Du Bin said, sitting beside her and trying to win her over.

“Is it really? If you have something to say, just say it. No need for the flattery,” Li Ning replied, eyeing him with suspicion.

He pretended to be casual. “I don’t know what I did to upset you, but if I did anything wrong before, please be generous and don’t hold a grudge against your brother’s old friend.”

“Hypocrite. Why are you making it sound like I bullied you?”

“Exactly, that’s why I hope for your forgiveness. Is that all right?” Du Bin added quickly.

Li Ning gave him a mischievous smile and then pulled a case of beer from under the table. “If you can finish this whole case in half an hour, I might just forgive your ignorant sins.”

Du Bin’s face fell. He was the kind to keel over after just three and a half bottles, let alone a whole case. Was she trying to kill him? He wasn’t Jesus, after all.

“No outside help,” Li Ning declared, seeing through his intentions.

Du Bin looked helplessly at Li Ping. “Well…”

Li Ping caught his signal and tried to intervene. “Sis, stop messing around. Do me a favor and forgive him, all right?”

Though Li Ning was unwilling, with her brother stepping in, she feigned reluctance and nodded. “Fine, fine, I’ll forgive you. Happy now?”

“Du Bin, do you remember you once joked about wanting to be my brother-in-law so you could tame this fiery sister of mine?” Li Ping commented, whether intentionally or not.

“Did I?” The beer Du Bin had just swallowed nearly sprayed out of his mouth. He immediately felt a murderous aura from Li Ning beside him, sweat beading on his forehead. Was Li Ping doing this on purpose? Meanwhile, Hu Guozheng let out a mocking “oh” and looked at Du Bin with disdain.

Eager to change the subject, Du Bin quickly diverted the conversation. “By the way, Li Ping, not to gossip, but when did you join the police? I’ve known you for so long and never heard you mention wanting to be an officer.”

“Well…” Li Ping hesitated, as if making a decision. “You’ve all heard about the incident at the Huaxia Grand Hotel three years ago, right?”

Du Bin and Hu Guozheng nodded, and that fat man began to boast. “Come on, what are we? We’re the top two investigative elites—if there’s anything going on, we know at least a little. Though, honestly, only a small part.”

“Nonsense!” they both retorted in unison.

At that, Li Ping and Hu Guozheng were stunned, then exchanged glances and burst out laughing.

“You two are really in sync! Haha, you could be a couple,” Hu Guozheng teased, to which Du Bin could only sigh helplessly. Li Ning, meanwhile, grew even more annoyed at being teased about their so-called “chemistry.”