Chapter 75: Stuffed to the Brim

The true owners behind Yi Xiu’er were the two women currently sitting inside the Bentley. Sun Feifei was the founder, and Li Ruotong was the major shareholder whom Sun Feifei had drawn in. With Li Ruotong’s connections, Yi Xiu’er had, in just two short years, become the darling of the upper-class women in Zhonghai. Not only did the boutique offer the most fashionable and cutting-edge lingerie styles, it also boasted an exclusive sales model—limited-edition and even one-of-a-kind pieces, the type of lingerie that wealthy women adored for showcasing their status.

Li Huan touched the gold card in his pocket, feeling uneasy. These two women could easily max out his card with just a casual shopping spree. One point eight million sounded like a lot, but in the most luxurious shops on Zhonghai’s bustling streets, it could be gone in an instant.

The Bentley stopped at a parking lot on Queen’s Avenue. Li Huan followed closely, found a parking spot, and walked over to Sun Feifei and Li Ruotong. “Go easy on me, I still plan to use this money to buy myself a place!”

“That’s all you aspire to?” Li Ruotong arched her brows, looking at Li Huan with disdain. One point eight million to buy a house in Zhonghai? That would only get you something in the suburbs.

“You think I’m some big spender? I’m just a poor guy working at a bar for a boss who squeezes me dry!” Li Huan rolled his eyes. He knew this didn’t help his handsome image, but he couldn’t resist expressing his disapproval toward Li Ruotong—someone who didn’t care about regular folks’ hard-earned money.

“How about I hand over Dancing with Wolves to you?” Li Ruotong suddenly furrowed her brow in thought, then spoke. “Would you like to manage it? After all, Feifei and I are both women, and it’s often inconvenient for us to take the lead.”

Li Huan felt his mind spinning. Was he hallucinating? Li Ruotong was offering Dancing with Wolves to him? Did she think his gold card had unlimited credit?

Setting aside whether he could manage Dancing with Wolves, the investment alone must be in the hundreds of millions. Was she trying to force him into robbing a bank?

“Is this some kind of trap? I admit what happened before was my fault, but surely you wouldn’t go this far!” Naturally, Li Huan couldn’t agree. Besides, Li Ruotong wouldn’t joke about such a major business.

“Just pretend I never said anything,” Li Ruotong withdrew her gaze and exchanged a glance with Sun Feifei, saying no more.

Sun Feifei was puzzled as to why Li Ruotong had suddenly made such an odd proposition. She didn’t believe Li Ruotong was joking; her expression had been serious. Yet she couldn’t fathom why, in such a situation, Li Ruotong would say this to a man she barely knew.

Sun Feifei resolved to talk to Li Ruotong privately. This involved too many factors. Though Li Ruotong hadn’t relied on her family, she had managed to run Dancing with Wolves successfully. Honestly, if it weren’t for her status, the underworld leaders in Zhonghai might not have shown her respect. Dog Master, for one, would be the first to tear her business apart.

Compared to Li Ruotong, Li Huan had no real advantage. He was capable, perhaps, of taking on ten opponents at once, but if Dog Master sent a few of his elite men, Li Huan would be easily crushed. Entrusting him with Dancing with Wolves would surely attract unwanted attention. Most importantly, Sun Feifei didn’t really want to drag Li Huan into this mess.

With the conversation ended, the atmosphere among the three cooled. Li Ruotong seemed lost in thought, silent. Sun Feifei worried Li Huan might actually be tempted; Li Ruotong was someone who acted on impulse. If she really tried to pull Li Huan in, it might bring him some benefits, but there would be plenty of drawbacks.

Li Huan, however, didn’t dwell on it. He never believed he could manage such a massive entertainment business. He had neither connections nor experience. Better to stick to his role as a humble waiter.

When they began shopping, Li Ruotong and Sun Feifei suddenly became exuberant, as if injected with adrenaline. They went from store to store, trying on beautiful clothes and insisting Li Huan judge who looked better. Adhering to the principle of harmony, Li Huan never played favorites, always claiming both looked good. Li Ruotong and Sun Feifei, knowing better, would then abandon their urge to buy. Perhaps they didn’t trust Li Huan’s taste.

After two hours, even Li Huan, whose stamina was above average, found his legs trembling. Li Ruotong and Sun Feifei, both wearing high heels, showed no sign of fatigue, bouncing about energetically. Li Huan was bitterly disappointed, even wishing they’d twist an ankle or take a dramatic tumble down some steps.

Of course, his wishes went unanswered. In the end, Sun Feifei chose a scarf at a Versace boutique, while Li Ruotong bought a low-key yet distinctly luxurious black clutch. The total was over ten thousand—still within Li Huan’s comfort zone. He swiped his card without hesitation and followed the two satisfied women outside.

By now, dusk had settled. Li Huan checked his watch—already past seven. The three agreed to find a steakhouse for dinner.

Queen’s Avenue was Zhonghai’s most prosperous commercial street and the heart of the city—where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold. The dazzling sights created a surreal feeling. Li Huan had only visited once before, finding everything here out of reach. But today, with nearly two million in his pocket, he realized it wasn’t nearly enough. He couldn’t even understand how Sun Feifei’s scarf—no bigger than lingerie—could cost over ten thousand. Was it woven with gold threads?

West Gate District was situated at the western end of Queen’s Avenue, filled with refined Western restaurants and coffee shops. Chinese restaurants were rare, tucked away in secluded alleys.

As the three entered the steakhouse, a handsome Western waiter approached, offering a charming smile. His brown eyes held a deep masculine allure. Scanning Li Ruotong and Sun Feifei, his gaze lingered with admiration, then he said with a smile, “This gentleman and the two beautiful ladies, please follow me.”

Li Huan was slightly annoyed by the waiter’s lack of flattery. Couldn’t he call him handsome? But Li Huan prided himself on being magnanimous, unwilling to stoop to the foreigner’s level.

The waiter politely handed over menus, standing respectfully nearby. He no longer fawned over Li Ruotong and Sun Feifei, but occasionally gave Li Huan an ambiguous smile, making Li Huan feel oddly blessed.

They ordered steaks, pasta, dessert, and three glasses of red wine. Soon, the food arrived, the steaks sizzling, their tender aroma whetting the appetite.

Li Huan abandoned any pretense of gentlemanly restraint, quickly slicing a piece of steak and devouring it. In no time, his lips were slick with oil. The steak, crispy outside and tender within, was delicious. By the time Li Huan finished, the two beauties across from him had barely eaten half.

Sun Feifei looked up, saw the empty plate before Li Huan and the oil on his lips, and laughed. She took a napkin and wiped his mouth, then pushed her plate over. “I’m done—have the rest.”

Li Huan chuckled, not bothering with politeness. It wasn’t nearly enough for him anyway. Sun Feifei’s gesture—wiping his lips—made his heart flutter. Their relationship felt suddenly closer, though it would have been better without the giant third wheel right beside him.

Li Ruotong saw Sun Feifei wipe Li Huan’s mouth, frowned, and pushed her plate over too. “You can have mine as well—let’s see you eat yourself to death.”

Li Huan was even happier. He didn’t mind eating leftovers, especially from two beautiful women. Many would envy him. But all he wanted was to fill his stomach.

After the steak and pasta, Li Huan finally felt full. He didn’t care for dessert, so he let Li Ruotong and Sun Feifei have it. The red wine was excellent—clearly a well-aged vintage.

Of course, Li Huan had to pay for the meal. After earning one point eight million with empty hands all afternoon, it was only fair to take a hit at dinner. Even Sun Feifei felt he deserved it. But when Li Huan called for the bill, he learned someone had already paid.

“Sir, your bill has been settled by another guest—just over there,” said the waiter, bowing slightly and indicating the man who had paid.

Li Huan looked up. The man was lounging on a sofa, sipping red wine. When Li Huan glanced his way, he raised his glass with a handsome smile and took a sip.

Li Ruotong and Sun Feifei didn’t seem surprised. With their looks and presence, strangers treated them to meals in Western restaurants more often than most people even visited such places—at least, that’s what Li Huan believed.