Chapter 54: A Desire for Friendship

Guo Xiaohua really couldn’t think of any other excuse. Although this young man named Fang Yuan did possess some abilities, compared to those who had previously tried to win Pei Xi’s favor, his influence and power seemed far too weak. He’d always intended to make connections, and now, hearing Fang Yuan’s words, Guo Xiaohua was all the more determined not to let this opportunity slip by.

“It’s no fun drinking here. How about I take you somewhere better?” Guo Xiaohua took a sip of his beer, feeling bored.

“Didn’t you just say this place was pretty good?” Fang Yuan replied with a smile. This Guo Xiaohua, despite his mature appearance, was clearly restless at heart.

“Well, yes, this place is fine, but suddenly I thought of somewhere perfect—a place not far from here. We can drive there in a few minutes. You’re still new to this city, right? Let me show you its most vibrant side. Who knows, you might stumble upon something unexpected,” Guo Xiaohua said, sounding mysterious.

Fang Yuan was eager to learn more about the local culture, and since Guo Xiaohua had grown up here and seemed well-connected, it was probably wise to follow his lead.

There was no need to worry about traffic jams here; the drive was smooth. In less than half an hour, they arrived at a place glowing with lights and full of music and dancing—a nightclub.

Although Fang Yuan had never been to a nightclub, he wasn’t unfamiliar with the concept. From the attire of those coming and going, he could easily guess what kind of place it was.

Guo Xiaohua led Fang Yuan in through the main entrance. The doorman immediately recognized him, exchanged a greeting, and ushered them inside.

Once inside, the scene was somewhat different from Fang Yuan’s expectations. Heart-pounding music filled the air, and though the crowd was diverse, it didn’t feel chaotic. The lighting was dim. As soon as Guo Xiaohua entered, someone came up to greet him. Upon seeing Fang Yuan, the person nodded politely in his direction.

Guo Xiaohua said something, and the staff led them through the dance floor to a relatively quiet area where they sat down.

“Master, so this is a nightclub! Finally, I get to see what it’s like. Those young ladies are wearing so little—aren’t they cold?” As soon as they entered, Chongchong couldn’t contain its excitement.

At first, Fang Yuan felt a tinge of reluctance, but he reminded himself that he was an adult now; visiting such a place once in a while wasn’t a big deal. As long as he could restrain himself, nothing would happen.

Despite Fang Yuan’s usual composed demeanor, he quickly found himself swept up by the lively atmosphere. A healthy twenty-year-old man, no matter how steady, couldn’t help but be affected by such energy.

“Chongchong, I’m warning you: since I brought you here tonight, you’d better behave yourself. Otherwise, there won’t be a next time,” Fang Yuan cautioned, clearly uneasy.

“You make it sound like I’m some sort of hooligan,” Chongchong replied, aggrieved. “Master, if you let me dance with those pretty girls, I promise I won’t get into any trouble.”

Chongchong knew Fang Yuan’s personality well, and though it was unlikely Fang Yuan would agree, it never hurt to try.

“Keep dreaming. Those young ladies aren’t for you,” Fang Yuan said, unsure how much the millennia-old insect really understood about matters between men and women.

“Master, you haven’t sparred with anyone yet today. This is a great opportunity—you shouldn’t miss it!” Chongchong reminded him.

“If—just if—I don’t use my abilities for a few days, what would happen?” Fang Yuan asked, a bit concerned. Since arriving here, he’d felt something off about his body.

“Mild cases result in weakness all over; severe cases cause limbs to stiffen and lose flexibility. But you’re just starting, so at worst you’ll feel fatigued,” Chongchong explained.

If he ended up feeling weak and exhausted in a place like this, Fang Yuan genuinely felt uneasy.

“Master, look! Some really beautiful girls are looking at you,” Chongchong suddenly exclaimed excitedly.

Indeed, several gorgeously dressed girls were pointing and chatting in their direction. But it was clear their conversation wasn’t about Fang Yuan; it was Guo Xiaohua sitting across from him who was drawing their attention.

Guo Xiaohua noticed the outstanding girls as well and smiled at them. One of them, holding a wine glass, walked over. Judging by her manner, she was simply here to have fun.

“Hua, what brings you here tonight? Aren’t you usually so busy that you’re impossible to find?” the girl asked, looking to be just over twenty.

She sat naturally beside Guo Xiaohua. Her makeup was subtle and elegant, and thanks to her youth, even without elaborate cosmetics, she exuded a fresh and graceful charm.

“Fang Yuan, let me introduce you. This is Axin, the heiress of Black Sail International Trade. Don’t let her age fool you—everyone who knows her calls her Sister Xin,” Guo Xiaohua said.

“Sister Xin, this is my friend Fang Yuan. If my brother ever runs into trouble, I hope you’ll look after him,” Guo Xiaohua added with a smile.

Everyone called Guo Xiaohua “Tiger Bro,” but Axin addressed him as “Hua.” The difference in their terms of address made her status clear.

“Sister Xin,” Fang Yuan said politely, unsure what else to say.

When you don’t know what to say, it’s best to say little. Maybe you won’t win anyone’s favor, but at least you won’t say anything wrong.

“Wow, Master, this Sister Xin is really beautiful. But compared to my Sister Pei Xi, she’s still a bit less attractive,” Chongchong said excitedly.

Axin glanced at Fang Yuan and smiled, nodding slightly.

“Hua, I haven’t seen much of you lately. What have you been busy with? You didn’t even invite your Sister Xin when something good happened?” Despite everyone calling her “Sister Xin,” Axin showed no airs at all. Her tone was more like a neighbor’s little sister than anything else.

Her gentle voice was soothing just to hear.

“Nonsense, I just went out to sea with Nan. You know about that—it was the last time we went with Brother Nan,” Guo Xiaohua said, sounding aggrieved.

Brother Nan? So Guo Xiaohua was in the same group as Nan. It made sense; last time when Nan visited the food stall, everyone knew each other. When Guo Xiaohua went there earlier, the owner’s attitude made it clear they were regulars.