Chapter 86

A few people had come down to support agriculture, but which of them was not living under the immense pressure of power? They seemed to prefer to describe their mission as "struggling to make a living." Life was not easy, and after three years, what kind of life one could ultimately achieve depended on one's own cultivation. Everyone was cultivating, it was just that the environment was slightly different.

As they drank, the group grumbled and shared their joys and sorrows. An hour passed, and four bottles of wine were finished.

Everyone was tipsy but still not satisfied, not wanting to end the gathering so hastily. Xu Lancheng, who had become the center of attention, enthusiastically suggested, "Brothers, and Dou Qing, there's a new karaoke bar on the north street of the county town. How about we go and sing a few songs?"

"Sure!" Huo Yuanguo was the first to agree, and Jiang Hantao and others followed suit.

"Dou Qing, let's go and have some fun!" Xu Lancheng, seeing Dou Qing's indifferent expression, urged her, hoping to improve their relationship through such an occasion.

Dou Qing frowned, thinking of that handsome face, like a fox that had entered a chicken coop, knowing the danger but irresistibly tempted: "I'll sit for a while and then leave."

The group didn't take a car; they walked from the guesthouse to the Xiaoya Karaoke Bar on the north street of the county town. The town was small, and the distance was not far, so it only took them about five or six minutes to reach the neon-lit karaoke bar.

"... I once asked you endlessly, when will you come with me, I have nothing..."

As soon as they entered, they heard a song playing inside, which resonated strongly with the young people. A female server saw Cheng Jie and the others, warmly welcomed them, and led them to a private room of about twenty square meters.

Inside the room, the disc was already set up. On the thirty-inch TV, a woman in a swimsuit was making alluring gestures to the fiery music. The server asked if they needed anything else and then left quietly.

"Everyone, choose your favorite songs. Today, we're all family, so don't be shy. Whoever is shy is looking down on me!" Xu Lancheng said confidently as he sat on the sofa.

Jiang Hantao, quick on the draw, went straight to the disc player to find a disc, saying, "Brother Xu, what's your specialty? I'll pick a song for you first."

"Ha ha, let Dou Qing go first. She's the cherry in the midst of green leaves. What do you think, everyone?" Xu Lancheng waved his hand and laughed.

Dou Qing didn't speak, and someone else said, "Shall we start singing? Let's start with a cheerful one. Hantao, pick a duet and let Old Xu and Dou Qing sing together!"

This suggestion was immediately met with approval. Xu Lancheng, blushing, said, "With such enthusiasm, I can't refuse."

"I can't sing," Dou Qing coldly said before Xu Lancheng could finish.

Everyone looked at each other, feeling awkward. Li Jinhu, seeing the situation, quickly said, "Why don't we all sing together? Hantao, it's not easy for us to be together. How about singing 'Auld Lang Syne'?"

"Right, let's sing that." Xu Lancheng, feeling uncomfortable, was relieved by Li Jinhu's words and quickly agreed.

Cheng Jie had also learned this song and sang it quite well. Among the ten people, Dou Qing had a beautiful voice, and Xu Lancheng sang well too. The others varied in skill, but together, they created a deep and heartfelt feeling.

After singing this song, they seemed to have grown closer. Just as Jiang Hantao was about to switch to the second song, there was a knock on the door.

Huo Yuanguo, standing by the door, opened it to find two women in revealing clothing standing there: "Gentlemen, do you need company? We not only sing well but are also very skilled in other areas!"

The women spoke in a sweet, seductive tone, making everyone feel restless. Cheng Jie, seeing their thin, low-cut clothes and heavy makeup, with lips like they had just been painted red, understood their profession.

Cheng Jie frowned but didn't speak. Xu Lancheng, who had taken the lead, waved his hand and said, "Go on, we don't need it."

"Oh, you must be from a big city, how can you be so stingy? Our skills are top-notch, and it won't cost much. You'll have a lot of fun, try it out!" The woman, instead of leaving, moved closer in a coquettish manner.

Xu Lancheng, not a saint, was used to such scenes in karaoke bars and bathhouses, but with Dou Qing present, the situation was unsuitable. He was trying to maintain a gentlemanly image and had no interest in these women. Impatiently, he waved his hand and said, "Out, out, I'm not interested!"

"Handsome, you won't know until you try!" The woman giggled and reached out to touch Xu Lancheng's crotch. Xu Lancheng, annoyed, pushed her away forcefully.

The woman, intending to fall into Xu Lancheng's arms, stumbled and fell to the ground, landing hard.

"Ouch!" The woman screamed, her face turning red with anger, and she pointed at Xu Lancheng, cursing, "Damn it, I won't let this go!"

As the two women left, grumbling, Xu Lancheng laughed and said, "The security in this karaoke bar is getting worse. Next time I see Secretary Ma, I'll definitely report it!"

Huo Yuanguo quickly added, "Right, this place needs to be cleaned up. Let's keep singing, don't let this small matter ruin our mood!"

Everyone laughed and continued singing. When the microphone reached Dou Qing, she sang the theme song of a popular TV drama, "A Thousand Years of Waiting." Although her voice was different from the original, her slightly hoarse tone gave it a unique charm.

Cheng Jie, though not an expert in music, couldn't help but applaud for Dou Qing. Jiang Hantao and others encouraged her to sing another, making the atmosphere in the room even more lively.

"Bang!"

The door was kicked open, and three or four men walked in. Their clothes were loose and disheveled, and it was clear they were not from the same world as Cheng Jie and the others.

"Damn it, who hit my girl just now? If you have the guts, step forward, or I'll beat you until you crawl home with your teeth on the ground!" The leader, a short young man, walked in with a fierce look and started cursing.

Xu Lancheng, seeing the newcomers, was taken aback but then said nonchalantly, "Get out now and close the door. I can pretend this never happened. Otherwise, when the police come, you won't be able to run!"

"Police? Ha ha, I'm so scared!" The leader looked Xu Lancheng up and down, spat out the cigarette in his mouth, and brandished a half-foot-long fruit knife, saying arrogantly, "You little punk, I'm giving you a chance to explain, but you don't want it? Do you know whose territory this is? Want to see if I can draw some blood from you?"

Xu Lancheng was about to speak but, seeing the knife, swallowed his words.

"Damn it, which little punk hit my girl? If you have the guts, step forward. If you're just a coward who only bullies women, do you have anything between your legs?" The man scanned the room and shouted.

Xu Lancheng's face turned red, but seeing the glint of the knife in the light, his legs trembled involuntarily. He knew that no gang could exist without backing. In such a situation, it was better to use intelligence rather than force.

The two young men with him laughed, "Brother Kun, do you think they'll keep quiet? Why don't we call Sister Li to identify the culprit?"

"Damn it, why wait? That's too much trouble!" The young man's gaze fell on Dou Qing. He walked over in two steps, pushed Jiang Hantao aside, and said with a lecherous smile, "Girl, sing a song with me, and I'll make you feel good from head to toe!"

Jiang Hantao was about to explode with anger. How could such a pure girl be touched by these scoundrels? But seeing the young man brandish the knife, Jiang Hantao backed down. He held back his anger and retreated.

"Get out!" Dou Qing looked at the young man and said angrily.

"Ha, you've got some spunk! I like girls with attitude. Ask these two, what kind of wild horse can Brother Kun not tame?" The young man laughed and said to the two young men beside him.

"Right, Brother Kun's skills are unmatched. Once you taste it, you can't forget it!" The two young men laughed wickedly.

"Let me tell you, we are friends of Secretary Ma in the county. If you dare to cause trouble here, don't blame me for being unfriendly!" Xu Lancheng, seeing the situation, quickly used his connection as a shield.

"Secretary Ma? Secretary Niu? Damn it, today I'll show you what fear is." Brother Kun brandished the knife at Xu Lancheng, "Tell me, do you want a cut on your face or your crotch?"

Under Brother Kun's gaze, Xu Lancheng involuntarily stepped back. Brother Kun laughed and reached out to Dou Qing, saying, "Come, girl, let's sing a sweet song together."

"Sweet your head!" Cheng Jie, not waiting for the young man to grab Dou Qing, rushed over and grabbed his hair.

PS: Please click, recommend, and follow! Comrade Cheng is going to the Three Rivers next Wednesday, and I hope everyone can give a boost. I bow to all of you!