LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 8: Meeting Li Manli Again
Chapter 8: Meeting Li Manli Again
“Brother Liang, how could you open a bottle of Ace of Spades without waiting for me?”
Zhang Qian, having received the news, rushed over, her face bright with a captivating smile. Behind her trailed seven or eight women of varying styles, all beautiful.
The upscale nature of Renaisa Club was evident here, as almost none of these girls had tattoos. Anyone who frequented nightlife spots knew that beauty alone didn’t gauge a club’s quality. One important criterion was whether the girls on the team were heavily tattooed. If they had full sleeves or back tattoos, it typically indicated a lower standard, appealing mostly to rough types who often weren’t financially well-off.
Those with a bit of money preferred clean-cut girls, even if it was only a surface impression—it was simply more pleasing to the eye.
“Does opening a bottle of Ace of Spades come with a special show?”
Lu Liang looked over the group of girls, selecting two with average looks but warm personalities. Both seemed around twenty, flashing him sweet smiles that suggested they were hardworking and genuine.
The reason men went out was to have fun. But some women, relying solely on their looks, maintained a constant sulk. Lu Liang didn’t even give those girls a second glance; he wasn’t interested, no matter how stunning they were.
“Brother Liang, what kind of special show would you like?” Zhang Qian asked with a smile, clinging to his arm so tightly her chest pressed out of shape.
Shanghai was a city for the young and the wealthy. She was no longer young, so to stay here, she had to put in more effort. If Lu Liang was willing to open another bottle of Ace of Spades, helping her hit her sales goal, she wouldn’t mind putting in a little extra.“I think you’d look great dancing.”
Without hesitation, Lu Liang ordered another bottle.
“Alright then, I’ll dance for Brother Liang. Just don’t judge me if it’s not perfect,” Zhang Qian laughed, sending off the unselected girls.
“Qingqing, play a song for me,” she called out. She shrugged off her heavy jacket, revealing a spaghetti-strap top beneath. Moving to the rhythm, she danced, then suddenly reached over to pull Lu Liang from his seat.
They danced closely, cheek to cheek...
As the song ended, Zhang Qian sensed Lu Liang’s excitement and playfully pulled him back to his seat, crossing her legs to shield him.
With her cheek pressed against his, her lips alluring and her breath warm, she murmured, “Brother Liang, was that dance any good?”
“Really great,” Lu Liang replied, his hand tracing along the soft fabric of her stockings, feeling the smooth texture.
“Of course, I’ve practiced,” Zhang Qian huffed lightly, responding with a subtle shiver to his touch.
The two girls beside them helped pour drinks and offered small bites, making Lu Liang feel utterly content.
Just then, the door to the private room opened, and in walked Liu Mingxuan, who had already charmed two girls outside.
With his quick wit and charm, he’d always had a way with women since their school days.
“Liang, Susu and Xuanxuan want to come in and take a picture.”
Liu Mingxuan wobbled playfully, extending his arms and swaying his hips like he was leading a childhood train game.
Nightclub games were often childish, but under the influence of alcohol and music, they quickly brought strangers closer.
Behind him were the two girls, each with an arm slung over the other’s shoulder, with Liu Mingxuan leading them into the room like the “engine.”
“The more, the merrier.” Lu Liang gently pushed Zhang Qian’s legs aside, noticing a familiar face behind Liu Mingxuan—not the girls he’d picked up, but the “Ace of Spades girl” wheeling in a champagne tower. Ṝ𝘢ꞐộBÊȿ
Li Manli, pushing the champagne tower cart, froze, her smile slowly fading.
To her shock, the “deadbeat” she thought she knew was here at Renaisa, not only buying one bottle but splurging on two bottles of 8,800-yuan Ace of Spades.
She glanced at Liu Mingxuan, then at Zhang Qian, who was the marketing manager—if she was here, then Lu Liang must be the main guest.
Distracted, Li Manli accidentally knocked over the champagne tower, sending glasses crashing to the floor.
Everyone’s gaze instantly turned to her. Near tears, Li Manli began bowing and apologizing repeatedly, “I’m so sorry…”
Zhang Qian, Liu Mingxuan, and the others all looked to Lu Liang, the host. No one else was in a position to accept her apology on his behalf.
Even if Zhang Qian wanted to plead on Li Manli’s behalf, she had to gauge Lu Liang’s reaction first. If it didn’t go well, she risked angering him and hurting her own standing.
“It’s fine, broken glass is good luck. Don’t bother cleaning it up—you might cut yourself.”
Lu Liang reached out, pulling Li Manli away from the mess, and kicked the broken glasses aside.
She was dressed in a navy-blue and white sailor uniform, complete with a white beret and knee-high white stockings. Especially now, looking teary-eyed and remorseful, she exuded an air that made people want to protect her.
Liu Mingxuan raised an eyebrow and suddenly shouted in mock anger, “What kind of service is this? Get your manager over here. An entire bottle of Ace of Spades wasted like that? Do they think we have money blowing in from nowhere?”
After being friends for over ten years, going through school, sharing bunks, and even smoking the same cigarettes, he knew Lu Liang’s personality well.
Lu Liang might be easygoing, but he wasn’t a pushover. Being this forgiving, it was clear he had a reason.
And given that Li Manli was a beauty, the type Lu Liang liked, as a close friend, Liu Mingxuan was more than happy to give him a nudge.
After all, spending 8,800 yuan on a champagne tower deserved a bit of extra attention.
“Calm down. We’re here to have fun, so let’s not get too upset. Accidents happen to everyone.”
Lu Liang glanced at Liu Mingxuan, and they shared a quick, knowing look and a smile.
In truth, Lu Liang didn’t mind the accident. Ever since word of his divorce got around, he’d encountered Li Manli a few times, whether in hallways or elevators. She always seemed to carry an air of superiority, giving him a cold shoulder as if she dreaded him getting any closer.
Lu Liang wasn’t deeply bothered, but it did leave a bit of a sour taste. Did she really think he was some kind of lowly loser?
If they hadn’t crossed paths, he would’ve just let it go. But now that he was here as her customer, he wasn’t about to just let her off easy.
“Brother Xuan, don’t be mad. Let me pour you a drink.” Zhang Qian quickly filled his glass, apologizing profusely, then handed a full glass to Li Manli. “Properly thank Brother Liang. If it were anyone else, they’d surely make you pay for it.”
“Thank you, Brother Liang,” Li Manli said gratefully. Had he made a fuss, her monthly bonus would’ve likely been forfeited.
There had been similar incidents in the past. If a customer made a big deal of it, the general manager would have to apologize and offer a complimentary bottle to make up for it. After all, anyone buying Ace of Spades usually wasn’t short on money—they came out to relax and enjoy.
As service staff, a simple apology didn’t mean it was over when they made mistakes.
“We ordered two bottles; go ahead and open the other. Forget about this one.”
Lu Liang cast a brief glance at Li Manli, then turned back to enjoy the drinks and music with the other girls, as if nothing had happened and the whole incident was barely worth mentioning.
Relieved, Li Manli also felt a twinge of disappointment.
After all, they were neighbors. Even if they hadn’t interacted much recently, there was no need for him to be so indifferent.
She was also curious—after months without work following his divorce, how could he afford to spend like this at Renaisa? And not sparingly either—a mid-size private room with two bottles of Ace of Spades easily ran over 30,000 yuan for the night.