Chapter 147: Qingchu

"Little Six, why aren't we there yet?"
Under the night streetlights, Baozi and his group had been walking for nearly an hour. The closer Baozi got to his imagined end of single life, the more restless and impatient he became.
"We're here, we're here, isn't that it right ahead..." Little Six pointed to a brightly lit, seven or eight-story building on the street ahead.
"You should've said so sooner! Let's move!"
Baozi instantly perked up, his pace quickening.
Zhang Xiaofan smiled and followed along.
Night Fragrance—the name of this KTV was certainly quite unique.
"Good evening, gentlemen."
As soon as they stepped into the lobby, a pretty receptionist came forward to greet them. She wore light makeup and a revealing outfit, especially her deep cleavage, which made the group of drunken men grow instantly restless when she bowed.
"Get us a private room," Zhang Xiaofan said very calmly. After all, he already had two top-tier women of his own; while this woman was indeed quite beautiful, she wasn't enough to make his heart flutter.
"Oh, certainly. What kind of room would the gentleman like?" the receptionist asked.
"Naturally, the best Emperor Suite," Zhang Xiaofan said. On the way here, he had already heard Little Six boasting about it—an Emperor Suite costing fifty thousand yuan an hour was considered extremely luxurious for a KTV.
"Sir, about the price of the Emperor Suite..." the receptionist said softly.
"No need to worry about the money," Zhang Xiaofan replied.
"Alright, then please follow me, gentlemen."
The receptionist immediately bowed, extended her arm, and made a polite gesture of welcome.
Zhang Xiaofan and the others followed the receptionist into the elevator and up to the sixth floor. Walking down the corridor, there were only about eight private rooms on the entire expansive floor. Clearly, this level of consumption was truly not something an average person could afford.
"Gentlemen, all consumption inside the suite is completely free. If you need anything, just call me directly," the receptionist said. "My name is Tingting. For guests who book the Emperor Suite, I can accompany one of the gentlemen for the night."
Zhang Xiaofan smiled and then asked, "Which of you wants her?"
Little Six immediately piped up, "Brother Fan, I do."
"Alright, then she'll keep you company tonight. As for you guys, let's see which KTV brother you'd like to take out."
"There's no need for that much trouble. We have guest rooms here, and the fees are fully waived," Tingting said softly. She smiled as she looked at the handsome and athletic Little Six; she was quite willing to accompany such a handsome man.
"Well then, arrange some other girls for my brothers here—make sure they're top-notch in looks. Money is no object," Zhang Xiaofan said. These brothers of his probably hadn't tasted meat in a long time following Baozi around; today, he would let them have a really good time.
"Understood, I'll arrange our best girls here," Tingting nodded, then murmured a few words into the earpiece she wore. Before long, more than twenty girls walked over, all of superior figure and appearance.
Everyone chose someone they fancied, pulled them close, and began chatting intimately, while some started singing.

As for Zhang Xiaofan, he simply lit a cigarette and watched them with a smile.
After carrying on noisily for over two hours, Baozi and the others all left with their respective girls, seemingly having forgotten all about him.
With a smile, he picked up the microphone and queued up a song he hadn't sung in a long time, "Blooming Life."
His robust voice rang out alongside the music, so firm and powerful, pouring out his own heart just like the lyrics.
Zhang Xiaofan didn't notice that halfway through his song, a beautiful figure was standing at the doorway, watching him in a trance, deeply captivated by his singing.
His voice was like a blooming life, like the slowly rising morning sun.
Yet, why did such an inspirational song carry a hint of vicissitudes and worldly weariness in his delivery, as if breathing entirely new life into the lyrics?
It felt even more like a man's song, like a man blooming his life and opening his arms to embrace the world.
Qingshu was still a college student. During summer break, she worked part-time—as a print model during the day, shooting various advertisements.
At night, she came to the KTV to sing as a resident vocalist, which also gave her a chance to practice her vocals, as she was a girl who genuinely loved music.
At twenty-two years old, both her figure and facial features surpassed those of the girls who had come before.
Her family background was not well-off, and though she sang here to accompany guests, she never went out for hookups. Yet, passing by Zhang Xiaofan's private room, she had been irresistibly drawn in by his singing.
For some unknown reason, deep down she even wanted to lie in this man's arms.
To feel that beating heart, to feel that burning passion.
Just as she stood there mesmerized, a strong pair of arms already pulled her into an embrace.
Zhang Xiaofan blew a breath right against Qingshu's earlobe and asked, "Did you come to keep me company?"
"I..."
Though it was their first meeting, for some inexplicable reason, Qingshu's heart began to flutter uncontrollably... she even blushed.
She wanted to say no, but the words refused to come out.
To Zhang Xiaofan, this reaction naturally looked like Qingshu's tacit consent. He turned around, locked the door of the private room, and then scooped Qingshu up in his arms with a gentle smile. His charming face made Qingshu go completely weak all over.
Perhaps he was drunk, or perhaps the beauty in his arms made him somewhat feverish, but he abruptly laid Qingshu down on the sofa and pounced on her.
From initial panic, Qingshu gradually adapted, until finally, she felt herself soaring to the peak, reaching the clouds time and time again...
The battle lasted for two hours. By the time it ended, it was already past two in the morning. The alcohol in Zhang Xiaofan's system had worn off, yet he didn't feel a shred of sleepiness.
Qingshu snuggled close against Zhang Xiaofan's chest, unable to comprehend why she had given herself to this man, losing her very first time just like that.
Yet this time, she felt not a single trace of regret. She gazed deeply at Zhang Xiaofan—this seemed like a dream, a beautiful and sweet dream.

"If you're tired, get some sleep first," Zhang Xiaofan said softly, then picked up a cigarette and lit it.
"I'd rather not... this costs fifty thousand an hour..." Qingshu said softly. "Should we go to the bedroom? You can take a shower and rest, too."
"That works. I'm covered in sweat, and I can't wash up here." Zhang Xiaofan nodded, not because he was worried about the money.
"Mm, alright... I'll take you." Qingshu murmured softly, putting her clothes back on. But when she tried to stand up, she felt a wave of weakness and a lingering soreness down below.
"I'll carry you..." Zhang Xiaofan smiled gently, then stepped forward and lifted Qingshu into his arms. "You lead the way."
"It's room 708 on the seventh floor," Qingshu said, her face flushing red.
Zhang Xiaofan smiled and carried Qingshu out of the room.
"Have you never had a boyfriend before?" Zhang Xiaofan asked as they walked.
"No... I'm still a college student, and I'm just working here part-time. My dream is to become a singer, but studying vocal music takes a lot of money..." Qingshu whispered.
Zhang Xiaofan smiled inwardly, never expecting his luck to be this good. He had originally thought she was just a regular hostess in the KTV, but she turned out to be a part-time college student.
This put Zhang Xiaofan in a slightly awkward position, though. She had been a virgin when he took her, and she was a college student at that—was he really supposed to treat this as a one-night stand?
Oh well, whatever, let nature take its course...
They quickly reached the room. Zhang Xiaofan carried Qingshu straight inside, laid her down on the large bed, and then walked into the bathroom to wash up.
Qingshu lay on the bed, staring toward the bathroom, unable to help thinking: *If only he could be my boyfriend...*
Clearly, having given her first time to this man, deep in her heart, she desperately wanted to become his girlfriend.
Before long, Zhang Xiaofan walked out wrapped in a bath towel, his hair still dripping wet. It was then that Qingshu noticed the crisscrossing scars covering his body.
What on earth does he do for a living...
Qingshu couldn't help asking herself in her heart.
"You should go wash up too, and get some good rest. I'll be leaving once day breaks," Zhang Xiaofan said.
"Mm..." Qingshu nodded without asking any further questions. By now, she was feeling much better. She stood up, stripped off her clothes right in front of Zhang Xiaofan, and walked into the bathroom.
It was only then that Zhang Xiaofan picked up his phone and saw a message from Xiaoshi Han. It didn't come as a surprise; it was entirely expected.
Besides, as for a woman like Xiaoshi Han, Zhang Xiaofan didn't care about her all that much anyway.
Soon after, Qingshu came out. Like a lotus emerging from the water, wrapped in a bath towel—whether intentional or accidental, her deep cleavage was on full display, making Zhang Xiaofan feel a sudden surge of restlessness once more.
However, looking at Qingshu's unnatural gait as she walked on sore legs, he decided to let it go.