Chapter 5

Today, Zhang Xiaodong arrived at the bar early, before it was dark, and there weren't many customers yet. "Ah, Xiaodong, you're here, that's great!! We owe you a lot from last night!"

"The performance hasn't started yet, take a break. Don't sing 'Mother in the Candlelight' tonight, it's too sad..." Xiao Fatty greeted him. Xiao Fatty was in a good mood; last night's earnings were over thirty percent higher than usual, all thanks to this young man.

But Xiao Fatty understood that it was a special case. The kid was drunk, so he might have been genuinely moved or performed exceptionally well. If he sang drunk every day, customers would definitely get tired of it. To be honest, Xiao Fatty had some intentions towards Zhang Xiaodong. It all depended on his performance today. If he could sing as well as last night, he would definitely sign him!

"I'm pretty busy, go sit over there and have something to eat and drink, on me. But don't order too expensive foreign liquor!!"

As night began to fall, the stage started to come alive. What made Zhang Xiaodong a bit awkward was the appearance of Meng Ting. The moment he saw Meng Ting, he remembered the incident this morning when she had held him by the handle.

Meng Ting also saw Zhang Xiaodong. Seeing his lecherous expression, she knew exactly what he was thinking. Her face turned red with anger; she hadn't been able to shake off the morning's events all afternoon.

During her classes, Meng Ting's mind was filled with the scenes from that morning, the thing she had held. Thinking about how she had gripped it and moved it up and down, her face felt hot.

"What are you doing here again?" Meng Ting said irritably.

Zhang Xiaodong was no longer a rookie. The morning incident was a sudden event, and he had never encountered anything like it before. But after mixing in this circle, he had become quite experienced and thick-skinned. "You sent me a text saying goodbye, didn't you? You know, I can't resist pretty girls, especially someone as beautiful and well-figured as you." Zhang Xiaodong said with a smirk.

When he mentioned her figure, Zhang Xiaodong glanced at Meng Ting. "I don't know!" Seeing Zhang Xiaodong's gaze, Meng Ting's face turned bright red. She knew what he meant by "well-figured."

"You're not the person I thought you were!" Meng Ting pouted and turned to leave. Zhang Xiaodong smiled lightly. In a place like this, do you think everyone is what they seem? This place is a big melting pot, and even the most ladylike girls will be tainted.

If the girl in front of him were more open, Zhang Xiaodong might have played around with her. Such things were common in bars. But this girl was different, like the quiet girls from his high school memories. Girls like her shouldn't be here, being teased and singing for men. They should be pursued by better men, treated like treasures.

Zhang Xiaodong didn't expect Meng Ting's affection or gratitude. He wanted to tell Meng Ting that he and the other men here were no good. If she could avoid getting entangled, she should. In the bar, Zhang Xiaodong had seen many so-called romances, but they all ended in disappointment. Here, don't expect genuine emotions; everything is just for show. He couldn't afford to play with feelings, especially as a singer with an uncertain future. "This place isn't suitable for you. If you don't want what happened last night to happen again, you should leave as soon as possible..."

Meng Ting was taken aback. "Mind your own business!"

At that moment, Xiao Fatty arrived. "Come, come, Meng Ting, the show is starting. You can go warm up the stage..."

Meng Ting shot Zhang Xiaodong a glare and walked straight to the stage. "Xiao Ge, what's Meng Ting's background?" Zhang Xiaodong asked Xiao Fatty when Meng Ting left.

"What? Interested?" Xiao Fatty's eyes lit up.

Zhang Xiaodong shook his head speechlessly. "I just think this place isn't suitable for her."

Xiao Fatty sighed. "Who says it isn't? The girl is a student at Jiangdong University, from a poor family. Her father is sick and needs a lot of money. In a place like ours... sigh..." Xiao Fatty hesitated, "Xiaodong, Meng Ting has it tough. If you have the chance, take care of her a bit..."

"Take care of her?" Zhang Xiaodong was taken aback. "I'm just helping Qiangzi for a couple of days, where do I have the time? Don't joke."

"Alright, we'll talk about it after the show. Get ready, after Meng Ting sings three songs, it's your turn..." Xiao Fatty went back to work.

Soon, another familiar face entered the bar. Biao Ge and his henchman. They entered a private room, and a moment later, the henchman found Zhang Xiaodong.

"Biao Ge wants to see you!"

In the private room, Meng Biao sat with his legs crossed, holding a cigar, looking at Zhang Xiaodong. "Sit!" His demeanor was that of a gangster boss.

"Biao Ge, what can I do for you?" Zhang Xiaodong sat down nervously. The atmosphere intimidated him. Meng Biao was a big shot in the entire Dongcheng district. It was rumored that someone who angered Biao Ge had their legs broken. How could a jobless young man like him afford to offend such a big shot? Was it just because he had stood out last night that Biao Ge was making such a fuss?

Meng Biao gestured, and his henchman took a cigar from the box and handed it to Zhang Xiaodong.

"No, no, Biao Ge, if you have something to say, just say it. Whatever you need, I'm here." Seeing the henchman offer him a cigar, Zhang Xiaodong breathed a sigh of relief. As long as his legs weren't broken, he could deal with it. He wouldn't forget how Biao Ge had deliberately gotten him drunk last night, but he had to endure. Better to keep a low profile and live to fight another day.

"Smoke it if Biao Ge tells you to!" The henchman glared.

"Alright, I'll smoke it." Zhang Xiaodong thought to himself, what could Biao Ge want from him?

"Your name is Zhang Xiaodong, right?"

"Yes, I didn't expect Biao Ge to know me."

Meng Biao smiled. "I really admire you! Are you interested in working with me?"

"Ah??" Zhang Xiaodong was stunned. Work with a gangster?

"I recently opened a bar," Meng Biao said casually.

"Biao Ge's bar is bigger and better located than 707! And..." The henchman tried to continue, but Meng Biao silenced him with a glare.

Seeing the henchman's menacing look and Meng Biao's hidden threat, Zhang Xiaodong said directly, "Sure! I believe Biao Ge won't treat me badly!"

"Good! I like young men who are smart, bold, greedy, and thick-skinned!" Meng Biao even threw in an English word, slapping his thigh and scaring Zhang Xiaodong.

What kind of boldness is this! Acting tough with a knife at your neck is just asking for death. In this area, no one could afford to offend Meng Biao. Zhang Xiaodong had no choice. Besides, he was just temporarily replacing Qiangzi, and now he had a stage to sing on, which he had been hoping for.

"Biao Ge, what's the performance fee? It's not easy to find a singer of my caliber, the East China Song King." Zhang Xiaodong asked boldly.

"Ha ha!!" Meng Biao and his henchman exchanged a look. "I didn't misjudge you, you're indeed greedy and shameless!!"

"We'll talk about the performance fee later. The condition is that your performance tonight must match or exceed last night's! No drinking! No 'Mother in the Candlelight'! No 'Love of the Boatman'!"

"If you can't do it, you don't have to work with me. And your little girlfriend, we'll settle all the accounts from last night and today together!!" Meng Biao said coldly.

What the hell!! Zhang Xiaodong cursed inwardly...

(Seeking likes, recommendations, and follows! Free recommendations, one a day. Every little bit helps, the more the better! Have a great weekend, everyone! The next chapter is even more exciting.)

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