Chapter 063: Name Your Price

“Sister Zhang, you’re too generous!” Li Huan felt it would be awkward to explain his relationship with Han Xuemi. Clearly, no matter what he said now, the proprietress would hardly believe him, and explaining would only make things more troublesome. So he changed the subject and ordered a large platter of barbecue along with beer and soft drinks.

Soon, the barbecue was served, together with the beer and drinks. The aroma of the grilled meat made Han Xuemi’s eyes widen; she licked her lips and couldn’t help picking up her chopsticks to grab a piece, holding it near her mouth and blowing gently. Only when the meat cooled enough not to burn her did she open her mouth and take a bite.

The meat was drenched in a rich sauce and was deliciously crispy. After eating one piece, Han Xuemi excitedly gave a thumbs-up, then eagerly picked up a second slice, clearly relishing every bite.

A plate of barbecue cost only fifty yuan, but the portion was generous; even someone with Li Huan’s appetite could eat his fill. With the beer, drinks, and a few side dishes, the two of them had more than enough.

Li Huan had opted for a soft drink, but Han Xuemi refused; after all, beer was the perfect companion to barbecue, and she knew it. Soft drinks simply didn’t satisfy. In truth, Han Xuemi was already slightly tipsy—she’d had three or four glasses of spirits earlier at the karaoke bar, which had left her a bit fuzzy. She’d sobered up a bit, but now, after a bottle of beer, her little belly was rounding out, and she swayed her head as she spoke, looking utterly adorable.

Li Huan found her antics amusing. Noticing there was only one piece of barbecue left on the plate, he picked it up with his chopsticks. But just as he was about to eat it, Han Xuemi suddenly cried out, “Hey! You stole my last piece of meat! Give it back!”

Li Huan had already eaten his fill; he’d only picked up the last piece to avoid waste. He hadn’t expected Han Xuemi’s protest. With a wry smile, he put the barbecue back on the plate. “Alright, the last piece is yours.”

“That’s more like it!” Han Xuemi, who had been pouting in protest, immediately brightened when she saw the meat returned, and quickly picked up her chopsticks to snatch it up.

Perhaps it was the alcohol, but although Han Xuemi’s mind remained clear, her body was no longer entirely obedient. Her hand hovered with the chopsticks over the plate for a long time, but she just couldn’t manage to grip the meat, growing so frustrated she nearly tried grabbing it with her hand.

Watching this, Li Huan couldn’t help laughing. He picked up the meat with his chopsticks and held it to Han Xuemi’s lips. “Open up!”

Han Xuemi, a bit annoyed, put down her own chopsticks and watched as Li Huan brought the meat to her mouth. After a moment’s hesitation, she opened her small mouth and bit down on the barbecue, even catching hold of the chopsticks.

“Hehe!” Han Xuemi giggled sheepishly, pulling the chopsticks from her mouth and chewing the barbecue with a satisfied expression.

The sight of her doing that conjured a wicked image in Li Huan’s mind, making his heart race. He quickly shook his head, grabbed the last bottle of beer from the table, and took several big gulps. The cold beer cleared his head a little, allowing him to suppress the sudden thoughts stirring within him.

“Let me have a sip too!” Han Xuemi glanced at her empty bottle, then reached over, took Li Huan’s beer, and imitated him by taking a long swig straight from the bottle.

Having eaten and drunk their fill, the two of them were preparing to leave when a man at a nearby table looked up at Han Xuemi. His eyes lit up, and he hurriedly slapped his companion on the shoulder, pointing at Han Xuemi. “Brother Long, what do you think of that girl?”

Brother Long, as he was called, was gnawing on a chicken leg with gusto. Hearing his underling, he looked up just as Han Xuemi staggered to her feet, her full bosom swaying with her movements, an almost shocking sight.

“Damn, you can meet such a stunner here?” Brother Long’s greasy mouth stretched into a wide grin as he slapped his companion on the shoulder. The latter brushed his hand off in disgust, but it was too late; five greasy fingerprints now adorned his white shirt.

Brother Long paid no attention to his underling’s annoyance. He sprang to his feet, grabbed a beer bottle from the table, and gulped down several mouthfuls. Then, glancing at his three cronies, he said, “Watch how I bring that girl over!”

“Brother Long, you’re the best!” the three underlings chorused, clearly full of confidence in their leader.

Encouraged, Brother Long tugged open his jacket to reveal a thick gold chain around his neck—almost as thick as a dog’s leash. He strode up to Han Xuemi. “Hey there, gorgeous!” he greeted her.

Han Xuemi, still a little dazed, turned her head and was startled by the thick gold chain around the man’s neck. Seeing his crude expression, she frowned. “Uncle, are you talking to me?”

Brother Long was momentarily stunned at being called “uncle.” He touched his stubbly chin and waved his hand. “You’re too polite, girl. Just call me ‘Big Brother.’ Come on, have a drink with your big bro. I’ll show you a good time tonight!”

“I’m not going. I want to go home and sleep!” Han Xuemi felt her head growing heavy, sleepiness tugging at her, but she knew she couldn’t sleep out here. She needed to get home.

“Perfect! My place is right nearby. Come home and sleep with me!” Brother Long could tell Han Xuemi was a little drunk, and was delighted. Normally, he’d never have the confidence to win over such a cute, beautiful girl.

Li Huan returned from settling the bill, only to see Han Xuemi being harassed again. One look at Brother Long, and he felt nothing but disgust, especially at that greasy mouth and the large black mole, sprouting several black hairs, on his face—a sight enough to shatter anyone’s worldview. Couldn’t this guy at least look a bit less appalling?

Seeing Li Huan return, Han Xuemi brightened immediately and pointed at Brother Long. “Li Huan, this uncle is a bad guy! He wants to trick me into going to his house!”

Li Huan was at a loss for words. The man didn’t even look that old, but her words were devastating.

“Kid, are you her boyfriend?” Brother Long, a burly man, saw Han Xuemi clutching Li Huan’s arm and glared, his expression disdainful.

“That’s none of your business,” Li Huan replied coolly. He knew exactly what Brother Long meant. Girls like Han Xuemi must endure all sorts of harassment—an unfortunate plight shared by all beautiful women.

“Hey! Watch your mouth!” Brother Long snapped, his expression souring. He shot Li Huan a fierce glare. “Cut the crap—I like your girlfriend. Name your price!”

Li Huan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. The world was never short of oddballs like this. If a man fancies someone else’s girlfriend, is the answer to just name a price? What is this, a marketplace for selling people?

“Not interested. You’re not worthy,” Li Huan replied coldly, taking Han Xuemi’s hand and making to leave.

Naturally, Brother Long couldn’t let them just walk away. He gestured to his three cronies, who immediately stood and came over, clutching beer bottles and blocking the couple’s way.

“Listen up, our Brother Long is doing you a favor by taking a fancy to your girlfriend. Plenty of women throw themselves at him. Don’t act all high and mighty!” The guy in the white shirt, who had disliked Brother Long’s greasy hand, nonetheless put on a show when it came to backing up his boss.

Brother Long, pleased by his underling’s words, patted him on the shoulder. “Do me this favor and I’ll treat you as a friend. Refuse, and don’t blame me for what happens next!”

At that moment, the boss and proprietress, seeing trouble brewing, rushed over. The boss, a man in his forties with a dragon tattoo on his arm, looked quite imposing.

He glanced at Brother Long, plastering on a smile. “Brother Long, there must be some misunderstanding. This young man is a regular here; does me a favor by coming often. For my sake, why not let them go?”

“Who the hell are you that our Brother Long should care? How about I smash up this dump?” sneered one of Brother Long’s cronies, as if it were a joke. He grabbed the boss by the collar, ready to smash a bottle over his head.

“I’m sorry, Brother Long, I misspoke earlier. How about this—all your food and drinks here are on the house. Come by any time!” The boss knew these thugs never paid a cent, and he had no hope of ever collecting what they owed.

Brother Long was tempted. Sure, they were thugs, but eating and drinking without paying was a bit much; usually, they just left a tab. Whether they paid or not was another matter, but being known as freeloaders was humiliating.

But when it came to choosing between money and a beauty, Brother Long chose the latter without hesitation. After all, you could always run up a tab, but miss out on a girl like this and you might never get another chance.

“Boss Zhang, are you looking down on me? I know you used to run these streets, but that’s all in the past. These days, everyone plays by new rules. Mind your own business and stick to running your stall,” Brother Long said coolly, clearly knowing exactly who he was dealing with, or he wouldn’t dare eat and drink here for free.