159: Sleepless tonight

“Dong dong dong...”

The sound of running water inside stopped abruptly. “Wu Fan, what do you want to do now?”

Wu Fan said gently, “I’m here to get something.”

Bai Yan replied warily, “No, wait until I finish showering.”

Wu Fan pleaded, “Just open it a crack and help me get my towel.”

Bai Yan asked, “What exactly do you need the towel for?”

Wu Fan said seriously, “I’m going to wash up in the bathroom next door.”

Bai Yan hesitated for a moment, unable to resist Wu Fan’s persistence, so she opened the bathroom door, leaving a small gap.

She stretched out her fair, jade-like hand and handed out a towel.

Wu Fan grabbed her hand and pushed the door open.

Although Bai Yan desperately tried to block the bathroom door, Wu Fan’s strength was simply too great, like a mantis trying to stop a chariot—completely useless.

“Wu Fan, you came in again, you don’t keep your word.” Bai Yan said, somewhat angry, forgetting about that.

Wu Fan said nothing, took a swift step forward, wrapped his arms around Bai Yan’s slender waist, and with a gentle pull, drew her completely against his chest.

Bai Yan raised her small fists and pounded him desperately, “Wu Fan, you’re so bad, let me go, let me go.”

“I fell for your trick again, you don’t keep your word, you’re bad.”

Wu Fan had a mischievous smile on his face, holding her even tighter.

Her coquettish scolding and bashful demeanor were very cute and interesting.

Bai Yan wanted to continue punching, but she couldn't.

She was already pressed tightly against Wu Fan’s broad chest, feeling their rapid heartbeats… Bai Yan opened her eyes in surprise, “Are you crazy? Don’t you want to sleep tonight?”

“Yes, tonight is sleepless.”

Bai Yan: “...”

“Wu Fan, your body… could it be…”

“...”

Bai Yan gasped, “A man’s word is a lying ghost. If you believe him, even a sow can climb a tree.”

“Who said just now that he was only coming in for a towel?”

Wu Fan… this night, sleepless.

The moonlight under the starry sky gently and slowly streamed in, carrying an indescribable romance.

Love is everywhere… “Meow…”

Sticky Rice Ball looked up, following them around, very curious.

Perhaps it understood, perhaps it didn't, why humans would… why they liked… The sky was already showing the white of dawn.

Bai Yan felt utterly exhausted.

She leaned against Wu Fan’s solid chest and whispered, “Wu Fan, there are ten times left. Don’t go back on your word.”

Wu Fan stroked her, “Do you really want to end our relationship so soon?”

Bai Yan sighed softly, remaining silent.

She wanted to repay Wu Fan’s kindness as soon as possible, then rely on her own efforts to live well and start anew.

She didn't want this shameful past to accompany her.

She wanted a clean and transparent life.

She always felt that being with Wu Fan was disgraceful, even a bit lowly.

Although it was to save her grandfather's life, and she was forced to use such a method, in her heart, she still felt very dirty and ashamed.

Relying on selling her body had always been a thorn in her heart.

Wu Fan patted her back, “Xiao Yanyan, sleep.”

“Mm…”

She hugged Wu Fan tightly and took a deep breath.

Unconsciously, she had grown accustomed to Wu Fan’s unique masculine scent.

Falling asleep in Wu Fan’s arms made her feel especially secure.

She was very confused, very conflicted.

She even feared that if she really left Wu Fan one day, she might not adapt well.

She seemed to be somewhat dependent on Wu Fan.

Alas, it was destined that she and Wu Fan could only have such a brief romance.

Cherish it while it lasts.

She mused for a while, then fell into a deep sleep… When Wu Fan woke up, it was already lunchtime. Bai Yan had left at some point; she probably had classes in the morning.

After washing up, he petted Nuo Nuo.

“Meow…”

Wu Fan squatted down and picked up Sticky Rice Ball.

“Meow…”

Wu Fan noticed its claws were a bit long, easily scratching people, and its fur also needed grooming.

He put Nuo Nuo into the pet carrier and got into the car.

“Meow…”

“Good girl, I’m taking you for a bath, haircut, and then nail trimming, okay?”

“Meow…”

He turned on the navigation, searched nearby, and checked out pet shops.

Less than a kilometer away, there was a Mengmeng Pet Life Center.

When he pushed the door open, Wu Fan was stunned by the scene inside.

There were many cute kittens and puppies.

Some were in cages, others were playing freely, making it very lively.

It was practically a miniature zoo.

“Is the boss here?”

Wu Fan called out.

“Yes, please sit for a moment, I’ll be right out.”

A clear female voice came from the inner room. She must have been busy working, perhaps bathing a pet.

Wu Fan heard the sound of a hairdryer.

He stood there and didn't sit down.

On the sofa nearby, puppies and kittens were piled up, leaving no space for him to sit.

A small brown poodle enthusiastically circled Wu Fan’s feet.

Wu Fan reached out and affectionately stroked its head.

Nuo Nuo, inside the pet carrier, was quite calm.

Its big blue eyes watched the poodle with some vigilance.

Occasionally, it let out a “Meow…”

After waiting for about five or six minutes, the door to the inner room opened, and a Young girl with big eyes and a doll-like face emerged.

Wu Fan’s gaze paused, somewhat surprised.

He never imagined that the pet shop owner would be so young.

And she looked especially kind and approachable.

“Hello, how can I help you?”

Her voice was very gentle, and there was a smile in her eyes.

She looked down at the pet carrier, then squatted down to greet Nuo Nuo.

“What’s your name? You’re very pretty.”

Wu Fan said, “Its name is Sticky Rice Ball, and its nickname is Nuo Nuo.”

The boss smiled gently, “Nuo Nuo, your eyes are beautiful.”

“Meow…”

Nuo Nuo seemed to understand and responded.

The boss stood up, looked at Wu Fan, “What’s wrong with Nuo Nuo?”

Wu Fan said, “I’d like to ask you to help groom it, its fur and nails, etc.”

“Do you want the full set?”

Wu Fan was puzzled, “What do you mean? I don’t understand.”

The boss gave a beautiful smile, “It means a complete cleaning for Nuo Nuo.”

Wu Fan’s eyes moved, and he nodded, “Okay, of course.”

The boss said honestly, “The full set is a bit expensive, 180 yuan.”

Wu Fan laughed heartily, “That’s fine, no problem.”

The boss squatted down, opened the box, and picked up Nuo Nuo.

“Nuo Nuo, be a good girl.”

She began to remove Nuo Nuo’s loose fur.

She put on a mask and meticulously removed the fur, stroke by stroke.

Afterward, she cleaned Nuo Nuo’s ears, washed its perianal area, expressed its anal glands, and finally trimmed its paw fur and clipped its nails.

Only then did she bathe it.

The process included combing to detangle, degreasing, washing, conditioning, and blow-drying, which was done four times in total.

A spa was also included in between.

It truly opened Wu Fan’s eyes.

This cat was simply more precious than a human.

The boss was extremely patient, soothing Nuo Nuo’s emotions and feeding it cat treats when necessary.

She was indeed very professional.

Wu Fan watched the entire process and was very satisfied with the boss’s professional operations and attentive service.

He even developed an inexplicable good impression of the boss as a person.

Such a woman must be very loving and good at taking care of others, right?

The boss spent over three hours in total, and it only cost 180 yuan, which was really not expensive.

Wu Fan saw all the operations with his own eyes.

“Nuo Nuo was very well-behaved.”

She smiled sweetly at Wu Fan and put it back into the pet carrier.

“You’ve worked hard.”

Wu Fan said a polite remark, then looked around the room, “Where do I scan to pay?”

The boss pointed to the refrigerator in the corner, “The QR code is on the door.”

Wu Fan nodded and paid.

He picked up Nuo Nuo, ready to leave, walked two steps, then turned back and asked, “Boss, do you have a business card?”

“If Nuo Nuo has any issues, I can contact you easily.”

The boss, with a smile in her eyes, took out a white business card from a drawer and handed it over with both hands.

Wu Fan put down Nuo Nuo, took the card with both hands, looked at it, “Xu Meng, a nice name.”

Xu Meng blushed slightly, just smiling.

Wu Fan said, “I’ll add you on wechat, if that’s okay? It would be troublesome if the business card gets lost.”

Xu Meng smiled and said, “Of course.”

The two added each other as friends.

Wu Fan gave her a faint smile before leaving.

After sending Nuo Nuo back to the villa, Wu Fan drove back to the old house.

When he opened the door and walked in, Xiao Ai was bent over mopping the floor, and Fan Lin was helping wipe the furniture.

“Oh, you’re all so diligent?”

Wu Fan walked over with a smile and patted her.

Xiao Ai twisted playfully, laughing shyly and blushing.

Wu Fan turned to look at her, walked over, and wrapped an arm around her slender waist, “It’s good to get used to it. You two are my personal companions, as long as you’re obedient, I won’t treat you badly.”

He kissed her ear without any reservation.

Xiao Ai’s face turned even redder, her heart pounding so fast it almost leaped out.

Wu Fan: “...”

...Wu Fan said with satisfaction, “You’ve worked hard today, cleaning the room so thoroughly. A reward of 100,000 for each of you.”

He immediately transferred the money, then went out to his car and lit a cigarette.

Fan Lin said with great embarrassment, “Actually, I’m really not an easy woman, but facing Brother Fan, I can’t refuse.”

Xiao Ai gently stroked her cheek, “Silly Girl, I know. How many women in the world can resist Brother Fan’s charm? Don’t overthink it, we just need to serve Brother Fan well, right?”

Fan Lin nodded shyly.

She never imagined that things with Wu Fan would progress so quickly… Wu Fan started the engine, and a song, “Girl, Don’t Cry,” began to play.

Wu Fan exhaled a puff of smoke, lost in thought, when the system voice sounded.

【Ding, host reminder, would you like to sign in for a random gift?】

“Sign in.”

【Ding, congratulations host, you have received 1,000,000 yuan in cash, which has been deposited into your account. Current balance: 12,796,000 yuan.】

【Ding, congratulations host, you have received one Japanese Language Beginner Skill Book, which has been stored in the system warehouse and can be retrieved at any time.】

Japanese?

That’s good.

One day, he would go to Sakura Country and fiercely discipline the Sakura Country beauties to vent his hatred.

Who told Sakura Country to commit such heinous crimes in the past!

Wu Fan immediately used the skill book, and instantly, some basic Japanese pronunciations were understood in his mind.

He let out a long puff of smoke, started the car, and drove towards One Foot Sea Bar.

Grass Chicken called yesterday, saying he would depart for Beijing today, so he had to help out at the bar tonight.

Wu Fan was somewhat worried about Grass Chicken; the current gay community was very chaotic, and one wrong step could lead to being sold to Country T.

Moreover, Shan Xiaojie’s specific background and what he did were completely unknown.

Grass Chicken was clearly deeply involved.

No matter how he warned him, it was like talking to a brick wall.

When Wu Fan pushed the door open, the bar was already full of people, and Tang Xiaorou was passionately playing the piano on stage.

Still so charming, so captivating.

Qiu Min, sitting in the corner, saw Wu Fan and came over. “Brother Fan, you’re here to see Tang Xiaorou, right?”

Wu Fan smiled and said, “I’m here to work.”

Qiu Min blinked, somewhat disbelieving.

Fei Wei walked over and clapped Wu Fan on the shoulder, “Brother, come earlier next time, I’m swamped.”

Wu Fan said, “If you hire a few more pretty Young girls, business might be even better.”

Fei Wei sighed, “This kind of work is in the middle of the night; generally, respectable Young girls won’t come, and salaries are too high now, I can’t afford it.”

Wu Fan thought for a moment and had an idea in his mind, “Leave it to me. Tomorrow night, I’ll bring you two beauties to work.”

Fei Wei didn’t believe him, “What are you boasting about? It’s as if you keep Young girls at home, ready to be called at any time?”

Wu Fan laughed heartily, “It’s pretty much like that. You’ll see tomorrow night.”

Fei Wei rubbed his brow and poured Wu Fan a drink, “A toast to you.”

After finishing her song, Tang Xiaorou saw Wu Fan and gracefully came down.

She was clearly very happy, “Brother Fan, want to show off a bit on stage?”

Wu Fan didn’t hesitate, “Sure, I haven’t played the guitar in a long time, I really want to show off a bit.”

He adjusted his clothes and went on stage.

He casually picked up a guitar backstage and started playing.

He first showed off his fingerwork, the melodious sound of the instrument drawing gasps of admiration from the audience below.

This speed, this sound, it was too shocking.

A master, a true guitar master.

Wu Fan suddenly changed his tune and began to play Beyond’s “No Longer Hesitating.”

Immediately after, his singing began:

Idly seeing hesitation,

Achieving ideals is not easy,

Even with confidence, fighting spirit is suppressed…