Chapter 19: If You Can't Afford It, Don't Buy It

But given the current situation, Ai Xiaomei gave her a gesture of encouragement. Xu Zihan managed a wry smile, but what astonished the crowd even more was the sudden appearance of ribbons of wine swirling around her.

One bottle after another, already opened, had their contents transformed into flowing threads—streams of liquor weaving through the air. The pure, heady aroma of the wine, shimmering under the colorful lights, dazzled everyone present.

“Bravo!”

For the first time that evening, the applause reached a fever pitch. Zhang Chen and his companions were stunned, as were all the servers and security staff.

“Xu Zihan, I love you!”

“You’re my idol!”

Xu Zihan composed herself. It seemed not even her debut performance had caused such a sensation. Of course, she knew the trick was performed by Ai Xiaomei. In truth, this could hardly be called a magic trick anymore, but rather an extraordinary art—one of the many secrets she knew this young woman possessed.

The audience’s enthusiasm was overwhelming. After all the years of hardship, standing here now felt like the pinnacle of her life.

“For my next song, I’d like to dedicate it to all of you who love me. I hope you enjoy it!”

A melodious tune filled the stage. With every step Xu Zihan took, ribbons of wine danced around her, changing into all manner of graceful shapes. The applause below was thunderous.

Ai Xiaomei left the stage and said to the stunned servers, “This is the perfect opportunity—why aren’t you out there selling wine?”

Everyone sprang into action, eager to sell. Ai Xiaomei was in excellent spirits.

“Xiaomei, I had no idea my idol had such a talent!”

“Of course she does!” Ai Xiaomei replied haughtily.

But then she glanced at Lin Ruo and Lin Xi, adding, “If you two went up to dance, the effect would be even better!”

“How childish,” Lin Ruo said coolly, picking up a bottle of red wine and heading toward the corridor. This was the VIP area, essentially a suite within a suite. Besides this large special zone, all the other private rooms from the first to the fifth floors were built around it.

“Wait for me! Do you know what to say at the opening to ruin his plans?” Ai Xiaomei grabbed Lin Xi and hurried after her, leaving the others behind, their eyelids twitching.

On the wall opposite the private room hung a painting. The wall separated the private rooms from the main area, and cartoon characters adorned its surface. Ai Xiaomei took out her phone and snapped a few pictures.

In Room 202, Yang Fan and Zhao Jing sat together, but their interaction was limited to idle conversation. Yang Fan had always thought company gatherings were a waste of time.

No one was singing, just sitting there in silence. The main reason, he felt, was that the boss was far too stingy—if not for the grand opening discount at Four Seasons Anthem tonight, he wouldn’t have treated them at all.

If it were just about karaoke, no one was in the mood. The boss had already left after taking a call, probably worried the employees would fleece him for more than he could afford.

But this did make everyone more relaxed. The boss’s gloomy face always brought down the atmosphere.

“I thought you got stuck in traffic and weren’t coming,” Zhao Jing said.

“Don’t even mention it. I was stuck for ages. Just as we finally got out, the road opened up. Not only was I hungrier, but I also had to pay for two designated drivers,” Yang Fan grumbled.

Just thinking about it annoyed him.

“Yang Fan, come on, you don’t even have a car.”

Yang Fan paused, thinking how so many people nowadays simply didn’t get it. But he couldn’t be bothered to explain.

“Why not? A taxi is still a car, isn’t it?” he replied with a laugh.

“I knew it. If you had a car, why would you bother working so hard as a courier?”

“And you? Don’t you have a car? Yet you’re still out there delivering packages.”

“I’m just experiencing life!”

Yang Fan’s eyes grew cold. Something felt off—why did it seem like Wang Yong from the office was targeting him?

What’s more, he noticed Wang Yong kept glancing at Zhao Jing.

Just then, the door to the private room was pushed open, and Yang Fan froze.

Wasn’t this girl supposed to keep an eye on Lin Ruo? Why had she brought her here instead?

The beauty of the three new arrivals immediately drew everyone’s attention, including Zhao Jing’s—for wasn’t that Yang Fan’s younger sister, Ai Xiaomei?

“Would anyone like some red wine?” Ai Xiaomei asked.

“No, thank you!” Yang Fan replied at once. He wished he could toss Ai Xiaomei out—she was always causing trouble.

“Come on, big brother, just take one bottle. Look how pitiful your little sister is. And look at these two lovely ladies behind me. If you buy this bottle, you’ll get the chance to dance with them.”

Lin Ruo’s gaze was fixed on Zhao Jing. To her, this girl was the culprit who had ruined her sister’s happiness.

Lin Xi was watching, too, though her eyes weren’t laced with the same resentment.

“I still don’t need it,” Yang Fan said, knowing Ai Xiaomei was just being mischievous.

“All right, if you don’t want it, we’ll come back and ask later.”

Yang Fan’s eyelid twitched. Was this never going to end?

Ai Xiaomei put on her most pitiful expression, and as the three of them were about to leave, Wang Yong spoke up.

“Wait a moment.”

“Big brother, you’d like some red wine?” Ai Xiaomei’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“Yes. I’ll buy this bottle and give it to that young lady,” Wang Yong said, pointing at Zhao Jing.

Yang Fan’s eyes turned cold—just as he suspected. The others sat quietly, content to spectate.

Yang Fan shook his head. In terms of seniority, he’d been at the company longer than Wang Yong; in terms of popularity, he was well acquainted with everyone here.

Was this what familiarity amounted to? So familiar that no one would speak up for him?

What had become of society? In a flash, Yang Fan used his memory-reading ability to scan Wang Yong’s thoughts, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.

Ai Xiaomei batted her eyes, while Lin Ruo and Lin Xi both fixed their attention on Wang Yong. Whatever conflicts they had with Yang Fan were internal; now, however, they were united against an outsider.

“Brother, you sure have good taste. Fine wine deserves a beautiful companion. This bottle is a perfect match for that lovely lady over there. That’ll be 188,888 yuan,” Ai Xiaomei declared, naming a sky-high price.

“You… you…” Wang Yong was speechless at the amount.

“If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it,” Lin Ruo snorted.

“He’s loaded—of course he can afford it,” Yang Fan added with a grin, joining in on the joke as shamelessly as Ai Xiaomei herself.

“Who says I can’t afford it?”

“Then buy it,” Ai Xiaomei replied.

Yang Fan was grateful for his family—even Lin Ruo knew to stand up for him. When it came to scamming people, their teamwork was flawless.

“How about this: I’ll get you two glasses, pour you and the lady a drink. You’ve just spent a fortune for her sake, so you should at least have a toast together!”

With that, Ai Xiaomei opened the wine without giving Wang Yong a chance to refuse.

“Um, Wang Yong, something’s come up at home. I’ll be leaving first.”

“I should go too!”

The others all scrambled to leave, terrified by the price. If Wang Yong couldn’t pay, and security came to drag them out, it would be an embarrassment like no other.

“I’m just going to the restroom. Yang Fan, I’ll be off now!” Wang Yong dashed out of the room.

“Hey, you haven’t paid yet!” Ai Xiaomei called after him.

“There are still people in there—it was a group order. Ask them!” Wang Yong replied as he hurried away.

Ai Xiaomei swirled her glass and took a long drink.

“All right, bro, I’ll leave the red wine here for you and your girlfriend. Take your time. And you two—dance with my brother a little more!”

She waved cheerfully at Yang Fan and left, leaving him fuming—she was clearly stirring up trouble!