58: Drinking the second round

"Clang, clang, clang—"

Old Man Xu held a large copper ladle and tapped it against the greasy doorframe of the back kitchen.

"Well now, bosses, it's already two o'clock. We're closing up! I have to get up early tomorrow to prep the food!"

"I'm truly sorry, but this old man's back just can't take it anymore."

Lin Chuan glanced at the wall clock. Indeed, the hour hand was pointing at two.

This meal had been so lively that time had flown by without them noticing.

Normally, his eyelids would have been fighting to stay open at this hour.

But tonight, Lin Chuan looked at Officer Su Qingyi beside him; her face was flushed, and though her eyes were blurry, she was still staring at him.

The fire in his heart simply wouldn't go out.

He didn't want to part ways!

For some reason, he just didn't want to be away from her.

Not even for a second.

That feeling of two hearts drawing close, the throbbing of just having tasted the flavor of love, made it impossible to say goodbye.

"Officer Su, how are you doing? Can you still walk in a straight line?"

Lin Chuan helped Officer Su Qingyi up and draped her trench coat over her.

"Go away!"

Officer Su Qingyi gave him a coquettish glare, but her body leaned limply into his embrace.

"My tolerance is great. I could have two more bottles and be fine!"

Despite her words, as soon as they stepped out and the night breeze hit her, her steps were a bit unsteady.

Qiang Zi leaned in at this moment. This kid was sharp as a tack.

Before, he hadn't had enough of the flatbread and goose, so he hadn't wanted to leave.

Now, his eyes darted around, and he saw through the boss and Officer Su's thoughts.

"Boss, I don't think anyone's had their fill of fun yet."

"In the middle of the night like this, going back to sleep is so boring."

"How about we go for a second round?"

"I heard a new Night Paris Karaoke opened over on Zhongyang Street. The sound system is top-notch, and they have the latest discs from Hong Kong and Taiwan."

"Shall we go belt out a few tunes?"

Although Lin Chuan was thinking the same thing, he still made a show of looking at Officer Su Qingyi.

"Hey, Qiang Zi, don't mess around."

"What kind of person is Officer Su? Can she really go to a place of glitz and debauchery?"

"If someone sees her, it'll look bad."

"Who says I can't?"

Hearing this, the alcohol went to Officer Su Qingyi's head. She stiffened her neck, and her stubborn streak flared up again.

She grabbed Lin Chuan's arm.

"I'm off the clock right now!"

"When I'm wearing the uniform, I'm a cop; when I take it off, I'm an ordinary citizen!"

"I'm human too, I need a social life!"

"Let's go! We have to go! I want to go with you!"

"Whoever tries to stop me is going to get it!"

Looking at her domineering yet adorable appearance, Lin Chuan smiled and dotingly pinched her nose.

"Fine, we'll do what you say."

"Tonight you're the leader, you call the shots."

...Night Paris Karaoke.

In the Harbin of '92, this was definitely a high-end establishment for squandering money.

At the entrance were two rows of hostesses in high-slit cheongsams. Their white legs were dazzling enough to make one's head spin.

The marble floor was polished to a mirror shine, and a massive crystal chandelier hung overhead—this was what you called status.

Qiang Zi familiarly booked the most luxurious private room.

They entered the room.

The large leather sofas were so soft that half your body sank into them when you sat down.

The coffee table was a single slab of marble, covered with freshly cut fruit platters and dozens of beers.

The big-screen TV was a full 29 inches, playing Sally Yeh's 'A Life of Elegance.'

The lights dimmed, the laser ball spun, and colorful spots of light swept across Officer Su Qingyi's face, making her look even more blurred and enchanting.

Just then, a 'Mamasan' wearing a suit and bowtie led in a row of brightly dressed young women.

"Good evening, bosses~"

The row of girls bowed in unison, their voices sickeningly sweet.

In these years, high-class KTVs all had 'princess' hostesses for accompaniment; it was an open secret.

Lin Chuan was about to wave them out, since he was with Officer Su Qingyi after all.

But Officer Su Qingyi waved her hand and spoke up first.

"Don't anyone leave!"

Sitting in the middle of the sofa, she pointed at Long Wu and Qiang Zi with grand bravado.

"Tonight is my treat, don't any of you try to save me money!"

"I know what you men like when you come out to play."

"Don't be restrained just because I'm here!"

"Let loose! Have as much fun as you can! It won't do if you don't enjoy yourselves to the fullest!"

As she spoke, she even stood up like a big boss, pointing at the most beautiful girls in the row.

"You! And you! The one in the red dress!"

"Go accompany that big guy!"

"And these two, the one with the big eyes, go accompany the one with the buzz cut!"

"Take good care of them! Keep their glasses full!"

Qiang Zi and Long Wu were stunned.

Was this still the cold-faced police beauty?

This was way too street-savvy, wasn't it?

"What are you looking at? Sister Su has spoken, aren't you going to accept?"

Lin Chuan laughed and gave Qiang Zi a kick.

"Thanks, Sister Su! Sister Su is so generous!"

Qiang Zi was so happy he was practically bubbling. He pulled two girls over, one on each arm, looking absolutely delighted.

Even the usually serious Long Wu was now surrounded by two delicate young women.

A rare blush appeared on his cold face, and he didn't quite know where to put his hands.

The atmosphere in the room instantly became heated.

Once everyone else was settled, Lin Chuan intentionally looked at Officer Su Qingyi with a face full of grievance.

"Hey? Officer Su, this distribution isn't fair!"

"How come they each get two, and I don't have even one?"

Hearing this, Officer Su Qingyi immediately turned around.

The bravado from a moment ago vanished instantly, replaced by the willful shyness of a young woman.

She reached out both hands and cupped Lin Chuan's face, squishing his handsome features out of shape.

"In your dreams!"

"You're a model student! A flower of the motherland! Don't go thinking about those things!"

Lin Chuan was delighted; the way this girl looked when she was jealous was just too endearing.

He took the opportunity to reach out his long arm, hooking Officer Su Qingyi's soft waist and pulling her sharply into his embrace.

"Ah!"

Officer Su Qingyi let out a startled cry and fell right onto Lin Chuan's lap.

The close contact allowed them both to feel each other's body heat.

"Fine, I won't look for them."

Lin Chuan leaned into her ear, his warm breath making the base of Officer Su Qingyi's ear itch.

"But since you won't pick one for me..."

"You'll have to be my backup singer."

"And it has to be the exclusive, close-contact kind."

Officer Su Qingyi felt her body go weak; her face was hot enough to fry an egg.

But spurred on by the alcohol and the little sparks of ambiguity, she bit her lip and actually nodded obediently.

"Fine."

"Then... then I'll do it for you just this once."

By this time, Qiang Zi was already having a blast.

A girl in a miniskirt was sitting on his lap, giggling away.

Qiang Zi was howling along to the tune from the speakers while enjoying the beauty's service.

"Brother Qiang~ come~ have a piece of watermelon~"

The girl used a toothpick to pick up a piece of watermelon and fed it to Qiang Zi's mouth.

Qiang Zi took a bite and sucked on her hand in the process.

Then he turned his head and shouted toward Lin Chuan's side with a wicked grin:

"Hey! Miss Su! You see that?"

"Being a backup singer isn't just about singing!"

"You need the right attitude!"

"Look how attentive my Xiao Hong is!"

Officer Su Qingyi's face turned even redder. She stole a glance at the sticky-sweet display on Qiang Zi's side.

Then she looked at Lin Chuan, who was waiting for her with a playful look.

Her competitive spirit flared up.

I can do that too!

I'm not any worse than that Xiao Hong!

She took a deep breath and somewhat clumsily picked up a peeled lychee from the fruit platter on the coffee table.

It was a fresh 'Concubine's Smile' lychee—crystal clear, the kind of high-end goods that had to be flown in.

"Um..."

Officer Su Qingyi turned around, mimicking the girl's mannerisms. She adjusted her sitting position slightly, leaning deeper into Lin Chuan's arms.

"Brother Lin, have some fruit."

Her voice was trembling, carrying a hint of shy reluctance, yet it was countless times more alluring than the street-wise Xiao Hong.

She held the lychee with two slender fingers and held it to Lin Chuan's lips.

Lin Chuan looked at this 'lofty flower' who was trying so hard to lower herself just to please him.

His heart was about to melt.

He took the lychee into his mouth, and his mind was about to lose all reason.

"Mmm!"