NOVEL NEXT Ch. 27
Chapter 27: Gold Medal Bartender (4)
“Damn it! You fucking playing me!!”
He suddenly grabbed that glass of cheap “250” vodka, about to splash it onto Bai Lengci’s face—the very face that made his teeth itch with hatred!
Ah Ken cried out in shock, instinctively wanting to rush over to stop him.
But Bai Lengci moved even faster!
So fast it exceeded the limit of everyone’s reaction!
Just as the liquor was about to spill out from the rim of the glass—
“Smack!”
A round metal tray originally used to hold coasters firmly blocked the man’s glass.
Crash!
A full glass of vodka spilled onto the tray without a drop remaining!
Liquor splashed, trickled down along the tray’s edge, and dripped onto the bar counter, but not even a strand of Bai Lengci’s hair was touched!
“Holy shit! That reaction!”
“Awesome! What a block with the tray!”
“Hahahaha! Go on, splash yourself instead, buddy!”
Bai Lengci spoke.
“This gentleman, please be more careful when drinking.”
The man was utterly dumbfounded, staring at his empty hand and the liquor dripping from the tray, his mind blank.
Being mocked in public like this—how could he endure it?
“Fuck!”
He roared, reckless, grabbing the dry martini with the gold-leaf olive once again!
This time he was smarter.
His body leaned forward, arm swinging past the tray, as he fiercely splashed it toward Bai Lengci’s chest!
He could already imagine that cold face of hers stained with liquor in a wretched mess!
But the next second—
The wrist holding the glass was gripped tightly by a slender yet iron-like hand that did not budge in the slightest!
He instinctively tried to break free, even reaching with his other hand to grab Bai Lengci’s hair!
He sneered inwardly: How strong could a woman be?!
He yanked back forcefully with his arm, planting his right foot hard against the bar counter below for leverage, exerting his full strength!
With that pull, he was confident even a burly man would stagger!
But what shocked him happened!
That hand gripping his wrist did not move an inch!
Then came searing pain and irresistible force pressing down on his wrist!
Instinctively, he tried pulling his hand back, straining his body to stand, cursing foully from his mouth.
“Damn it, let go! I’ll—”
Bai Lengci’s calm eyes stared coldly at his face twisted in pain.
Then her hand suddenly released without warning.
The man, who had been pulling back with all his might, instantly lost his support!
“Ahhh—!”
A shrill scream!
Before everyone’s stunned gaze, the man flipped backward in an absurdly comical posture!
“Bang! Crash—!”
He landed heavily on the smooth marble floor, the back of his head smacking with a dull thud!
The great momentum even sent him sliding a short distance, knocking over a nearby empty high stool, producing a series of harsh noises.
The whole bar fell into deathly silence.
The man lay sprawled on the ground, stars spinning in his eyes, his bones feeling like they had shattered, with piercing pain stabbing from his wrist.
He lay dazed for several seconds before pain and humiliation brought him back.
“You… you bitch!!”
He struggled to get up, spewing curses, glaring venomously at the icy figure behind the bar, as though wishing to devour her alive!
A greater conflict was about to erupt—
“Enough!”
A deep, authoritative shout cut through.
Ah Ken had already strode forward, his tall frame standing between the man and Bai Lengci.
His expression darkened, his eyes sharp as they bore down on the man on the floor.
“This gentleman, show some respect! If you make trouble in Twilight, you’d better consider the consequences!”
The man reacted like he had heard a joke.
“Hahaha! Consequences? You’re fucking threatening me with consequences?!”
He laughed so hard tears nearly came out, his voice distorted by excitement and pain.
“You still think this is the past?! Using Bai Zhu’s name to scare me?
Huh?!”
The name “Bai Zhu” was shouted like a stone dropped into stagnant water.
Ah Ken’s expression changed slightly, a faint shadow flashing deep in his eyes.
Seeing Ah Ken’s reaction, the man grew more arrogant.
Struggling to his feet, he spat viciously:
“What a pity! What a pity! That Bai Zhu herself can’t even protect her own damn self now! A clay idol crossing the river—barely able to save herself! Still has time to worry about your shitty bar? Dream on! Twilight’s just waiting to shut down! Fuck!”
His spittle flew as he roared, venting all the humiliation he had just suffered.
The bar was silent, only his ragged breathing and venomous curses echoed.
Guests were frozen in fear, glancing at the bar with suspicion and unease.
Just as tension was about to explode—
“Oh? Who’s worrying about Twilight closing down?”
A lazy, smiling voice came from the doorway.
Everyone turned their heads.
There stood Zhou Zheng, back without anyone noticing, leaning against the doorway with both hands in his trouser pockets.
“Brother Zhou!”
Ah Ken, as if finding his backbone, relaxed slightly.
The man on the ground faltered at the sight of Zhou Zheng, his arrogance stalling for a moment, though he forced himself to stiffen his neck—he didn’t seem all that afraid of Zhou Zheng personally.
He stood, patting at his pants stained with liquor and dust, glaring fiercely at Zhou Zheng.
“Boss Zhou, you came back just in time! Look at the kind of people your shitty bar hires?! That bitch! She dared lay her hands on a customer! And fucking went dirty! Today I—”
“Eh—stop right there.”
Zhou Zheng strolled over slowly, raising his hand in a “pause” gesture, cutting off the man’s shouting.
Standing before the man, though not taller, Zhou Zheng’s calm composure and unshakable aura made the man instinctively step back half a pace.
Zhou Zheng’s gaze swept over the mess on the bar counter, the fallen high stool near Bai Lengci’s feet, before finally resting on the man’s face twisted with anger and pain.
“I remember you.”
Zhou Zheng’s tone even carried warmth, like chatting with an old friend.
“You’re Manager Li, under Fatty Wang from Jinding Construction down south of the city, right? Last month you even came with Fatty Wang to discuss business here, drinking Glenfiddich 18, if I recall correctly?”
Being recognized so precisely, Li Kai’s face twitched, his confidence deflating further.
“Boss Zhou has a good memory.”
He replied stiffly.
“Not at all.”
Zhou Zheng waved it off with a smile, then his voice shifted.
“But—you came to our Twilight, laid hands on my employee, first speaking rudely, then maliciously splashing liquor to provoke, and in the end, tripped yourself and fell flat on your back…”
He spread his hands, as if to say, what nonsense is this.
“And now you’re turning it around, accusing us of using dirty tricks? That logic… doesn’t quite hold up, does it?”
“It was her! She started—”
Manager Wang shouted angrily, pointing at Bai Lengci.
“What about her?”
Zhou Zheng cut him off, eyes sharp as they bore into him.
“She’s just… a girl.
When you tried splashing liquor the first time, she used a tray to catch it, preventing it from spilling onto you or the expensive bar equipment.
The second time, you went around the tray to splash it directly onto her, and she defended herself by lightly blocking your wrist, right?
The cameras recorded everything.
Manager Li, do you want us to play back your heroic performance for everyone here to admire?”
Zhou Zheng pointed toward the surveillance camera at the ceiling corner.
Li Kai’s face turned purple like a pig’s liver.
His lips trembled, but he couldn’t get a word out.
Zhou Zheng’s words hit every mark, cutting off all routes of denial.
The surrounding guests whispered among themselves, gazes at Li Kai full of contempt.
Zhou Zheng’s smile returned, carrying the calmness of victory.
He leaned closer to Manager Wang, lowering his voice just enough for him to hear clearly.
“Manager Li, harmony brings wealth. Today, for the sake of your Boss Wang being a regular, I’ll waive the bill. As for medical costs…”
He glanced at Li Kai’s swollen wrist and sorry state.
“I’ll personally sponsor you two hundred yuan to buy some safflower oil at the pharmacy. Now—will you walk out with dignity yourself, or shall I have Ah Ken and the others help you maintain dignity?”
The word “help” carried heavy meaning.
Ah Ken and four security guards immediately straightened up, eyes hostile as they stepped forward.
Li Kai’s face shifted from red to white, then from white to green.
He cast a venomous glare at the expressionless Bai Lengci behind the bar, then at Zhou Zheng.
He knew this loss was sealed; making more fuss would only bring greater humiliation.
“Fine! Fine then! Zhou Zheng! And you, you little bitch! Just you wait!”
Li Kai forced out the tired, predictable threat, then clutched his wrist and shoved through the crowd, stumbling out the door under everyone’s scornful stares.
Guests withdrew their gazes, murmuring about the commotion.
Background music slowly became clear again.
The smile faded from Zhou Zheng’s face as he turned to the bar, looking at Bai Lengci.
“You okay?”
He asked.
Bai Lengci only shook her head.
Those calm eyes of hers held no ripples.
As if the entire conflict sparked by her just now had been nothing more than a trivial farce.
She simply picked up a clean cloth and quietly began wiping the liquor from the bar counter.
Thinking to herself: This thousand yuan a day was really not easy to earn.