Chapter 022: Turmoil at the Bar

Chapter 22: Turmoil at the Bar

The two of them hurriedly straightened their clothes, just as a sweet voice came from outside the door. It was Huang Shan: “Wei’er, are you inside?” As it turned out, Huang Shan had finished preparing the meal and, not finding Huang Wei in the living room, figured she must be showing Ye Feng around. Setting out to look for them, she passed by Huang Wei’s room and noticed the door was locked from the inside. Puzzled, she tried the handle, but when it wouldn’t budge, she knocked and called out. Unbeknownst to her, she had already disrupted something intimate. Inside, Huang Wei was flustered and could only signal to Ye Feng to escape through the window and reappear later with an excuse about going for a walk. Ye Feng thought this reasonable and agreed. Before leaving, he pressed a tender kiss to Huang Wei’s blushing cheek, reluctant to part.

After composing herself, Huang Wei responded, “Auntie, what is it? I’m just resting in my room!” She tried to sound casual, though inwardly she wondered if her aunt had heard anything. But that couldn’t be—these villa rooms were perfectly soundproof.

“Oh, that’s fine. Just making sure you’re alright. Dinner’s ready, and we’re going out afterwards. By the way, where’s your bodyguard?” Huang Shan asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice. She couldn’t help but think there was something unusual about the way her niece looked at her so-called bodyguard. For that matter, she had to admit she herself found him oddly captivating.

“He said he was taking a stroll to enjoy the scenery,” Huang Wei replied, trying to keep her composure. After a quick adjustment, she opened the door. Huang Shan studied her closely, searching for any sign of mischief, but found nothing amiss.

“You’re alright, then, Wei’er?” Huang Shan smiled and reached out, as if to feel her niece’s forehead for a fever. But Huang Wei reassured her with a gentle smile, and the two made their way toward the living room, laughing and chatting. Just then, Ye Feng appeared.

“Wow, Sister Shan, your villa is truly magnificent!” Ye Feng exclaimed, sidling up to Huang Wei and blowing a warm breath by her ear, making her shiver. The rascal was always teasing her, but she forced herself to act nonchalant. “Of course, my aunt’s house is among the most renowned in the city!”

“Hehe, it’s nothing special,” Huang Shan replied, though she was clearly delighted by the compliment. Who doesn’t enjoy praise? Yet, she couldn’t help feeling a twinge of loneliness—such grandeur, but no one to truly share her happiness with. Nights were always the hardest.

Ye Feng followed the two women into the dining room. If the living room was grand, the dining room was no less elegant: a noble, tempered-glass table draped in a silk-cotton cloth, exquisite silver chopsticks, delicate bowls—every detail attested to the owner’s refined taste.

Dinner was sumptuous. Ye Feng never expected someone as successful as Huang Shan to be so skilled in the kitchen. The dishes were a feast for the senses—color, aroma, and flavor all perfectly balanced. In truth, he thought, if Huang Shan ever tired of managing her business empire, she could become a top chef at any hotel.

After dinner, Huang Wei presented the gift she had carefully prepared for her aunt, along with her heartfelt wishes. Ye Feng, standing aside, felt a twinge of embarrassment. Sometimes, he wondered if his life as a bodyguard was too comfortable—far from the whirlwind days in the army, yet perhaps a bit too mundane.

Huang Shan was delighted with the jade Buddha Huang Wei had given her. It complemented her complexion beautifully, shining with an inner brilliance. In that moment, every smile and gesture of hers seemed doubly enchanting, laced with a delicate allure. Ye Feng couldn’t help but feel a physical reaction to her charm.

Later, Huang Shan led them out, with Huang Wei driving. For Ye Feng, the journey was a test of will. During dinner, they’d all had a couple of glasses of Lafite, leaving Huang Shan’s cheeks flushed and rosy—an intoxicating sight. He could barely contain himself; if this close proximity lasted much longer, he feared he might lose control entirely. Huang Shan was simply too alluring, her simple attire accentuating every curve, tempting him to reach out and touch.

When Huang Shan stepped out of the car, Ye Feng was dazzled. The way she moved—graceful and alluring—was almost too much. He felt a trickle of warmth in his nostrils, fearing he might actually get a nosebleed.

“Come on, why are you just standing there?” Huang Wei glared at him. Whose bodyguard was this, anyway? He barely glanced at his own charge and kept his eyes glued to her aunt. Was her figure really less impressive than her aunt’s? With a huff, she straightened her chest proudly.

Wow, not bad at all! Huang Wei’s figure was equally captivating—shapely and untouched, with a certain innocence that made Ye Feng’s heart skip a beat. Swallowing hard, he stammered, “I-I’m just not sure which way to go…”

“That’s the wrong way! Over here!” Huang Wei snapped, exasperated. The little rascal was clearly ogling her aunt, yet refused to admit it. And to think he’d sneaked a glance at her chest too—she blushed at the thought.

Ye Feng realized his nervousness had led him astray. Huang Shan couldn’t help but laugh; her niece’s so-called bodyguard was becoming more adorable by the minute. She recalled how, in the car, he’d looked at her with that heated gaze, as if he wanted to memorize every inch of her. The memory left her with a strange sensation—how could she be thinking such thoughts?

In China, opening a bar required connections in every direction, especially with certain government departments. Only with the backing of higher-ups could your business truly thrive. After all, all sorts of deals took place in bars—it wasn’t just about selling drinks. Otherwise, how could the owners survive?