Meanwhile, inside the Rose Bar.
The sound of the music inside the room and the smell of alcohol everywhere made Dai Zhiqiang's head throb. Although his condition had yet to return to normal, he didn't expect his body to become this weak after days of bed rest.
In the past few days, Ye Huizhong ordered that no one should disturb him. They also prohibited him from using his phone after informing his family and friends about his safety. Dai Zhiqiang was unhappy with this arrangement, but thanks to that, he recuperated well and could move around now, albeit he couldn't do any heavy activities yet.
Standing beside Dai Zhiqiang was a bald man with the same outfit. He looked even more menacing because he wore black sunglasses and a gold chain-shaped necklace. Upon noticing Dai Zhiqiang's staggering step, he reflexively supported him.
"That's why I said you should let the others handle that one. The Boss specifically said you are prohibited from moving around too much." The bald man scolded him.
"Senior Lin, I'm fine." Dai Zhiqiang steadied his body before continuing, "This is my first day returning to work, so I need to get accustomed to the atmosphere again."
Although this place was named Rose Bar, it felt more like a nightclub. There were separate rooms on the second floor where the guests could have fun privately in a room, but the ground floor was mostly the dance area. If the guests preferred the more secluded place where they could drink peacefully while leisurely playing games like billiards or darts, they could go to the basement for that.
Dai Zhiqiang was one of the securities here, a special one since usually an underage kid wouldn't be allowed to enter.
"Why are you even forcing yourself when nobody asks you to work? If I were you, I would just take my rest time with open arms." Senior Lin shook his head helplessly.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe younger man knew he was reckless, but he had to show Ye Huizhong he was okay, or he wouldn't be allowed to return.
He had to return as quickly as possible when lots of people were waiting for him.
"I'm really fine, Senior Lin. There's no need to worry about me," He said while slowly prying his hand off his arm.
"You cheeky brat! Don't act tough in front of your seniors, and just rest for a bit! You should treat your body better while you are still young."
"I can't rest when the other seniors diligently do their work." Dai Zhiqiang stubbornly refused.
Senior Lin sighed, wondering how many times they repeated the same conversation tonight. Dai Zhiqiang not only had a stubborn body but also a stubborn mind. No one could make him change his mind except for Ye Huizhong. Some people might think he was a hard worker, but the way he went against the senior's order could also easily misunderstand as arrogance.
Honestly, Senior Lin was also like that until a few days ago. He thought Dai Zhiqiang was just a lucky kid with great pride, but when that same kid bowed his head gratefully to him after he woke up, it actually moved Senior Lin.
He expected Dai Zhiqiang to snort at their hampered interrogating progress, but who would have thought that arrogant kid who used to challenge them boldly actually thanked them for solving the commotion caused by him?
Everyone knew the incident was none of Dai Zhiqiang's fault. Anyone would react the same if they noticed a person trying to spike some illegal drugs into the drinks and ruin the group's reputation. However, Dai Zhiqiang insisted that he could have handled it better by relying on other seniors first before making a move.
After that one time, some people changed their opinion about him, but Senior Lin would rather die than admit it.
"Are you looking down on us? You think we can't do anything without you?" Senior Lin said without anger in his voice. "If you want to be considerate, then listen to your senior for once, you brat."
Dai Zhiqiang touched her abdomen, and he could still feel the bandage under his clothes. Perhaps he should take his advice for once.
"Then, I'll take on your offer, Senior Lin. Please tell me if there's anything I can help with."
"You are seriously too harsh on yourself. Fine, just go." Senior Lin shooed him away with a wave of his hand.
Dai Zhiqiang sighed before making his way to the stairs leading to the basement. If he wanted to rest, he needed to use the staff's room located in the basement. When he was about to head down, he felt someone tapping him on the shoulder.
"Hey, wait."
Dai Zhiqiang's whole body was alerted as he jerked his head, only to find the security from the outside stood behind him. His body visibly loosened before he asked, "What is it?"
"Someone is looking for you outside."
Dai Zhiqiang's brows raised in wonder. "Someone is looking for me? Who?"
"She said she is your friend and asked us to help her call you out. Her name is Li Caiyi; do you have any idea who that is?"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmDai Zhiqiang stiffened when he heard that name. It was hard to restrain himself from not contacting her while he was recuperating, and now this man said Li Caiyi was waiting for him outside the bar?
"How did she know this place?" Dai Zhiqiang muttered, half-surprised and half-confused.
"Do you know that girl? If yes, I need to ask you to make her leave, because she insisted she wants to meet you. The boss strictly forbade us to use violence unless forced, so we are in a bind here."
Dai Zhiqiang fell into silence before decisively saying, "No, I don't know her."
"Are you sure? She looked pretty desperate and pitiful, begging us to let you know she is outside."
Dai Zhiqiang clenched his fist. "Just tell her she mistook me for someone else. There is no one named Dai Zhiqiang here."
"Kid, is she your girlfriend or something? If you have a fight, then settle it between the two of you properly. I'm saying this from my experience." The security guard advised him before an idea hit him. "Or could it be you didn't tell her anything about your job?"
Dai Zhiqiang: "...."
Silence means acceptance. The security guard let out a sympathetic sigh. "Sigh, youngsters these days. Fine, I'll cook up something for you. You should at least try to talk to her, though. She looked distraught."
"I know. Please do that, and thank you," Dai Zhiqiang replied weakly.
"Then, I'll leave now. Hang in there, kid."
After that man had left, instead of heading downstairs as he planned to, Dai Zhiqiang ran upstairs and quickly looked outside the window from a particular spot, which enabled him to see the front entrance clearly.
He moved so fast that the wound in his abdomen throbbed painfully because he overexerted himself. However, he paid no heed, and that pain slowly dissipated when he glimpsed the girl who had kept haunting him in his dream lately, and he couldn't take his eyes off of her figure.