Xu Qingtian’s repeated invitations made it hard for her to refuse. Besides, she had been busy for several days and indeed needed to relax a bit.

They arranged to meet at a bar in the Flower Island Central Ring, with Zhang Yufeng and Xiao Hei accompanying them.

When An Yiqing arrived at the bar, it was already past eight in the evening. She stood at the entrance of the bar, glanced around, and suddenly squinted her eyes slightly.

"Miss, something feels off about the atmosphere." Zhang Yufeng also sensed something strange. There were alleys on both sides of the bar, with a wide street facing the front door. Pedestrians were coming and going normally, but Zhang Yufeng, being seasoned, was highly sensitive to danger. There were many vehicles parked on either side of the street near the bar, and although they looked empty and dark, she could keenly feel the presence of deadly intent and sharp gazes from within them.

Besides, many couples clinging to each other around the bar also had something off in their eyes.

"It’s not aimed at us, don’t worry about it." An Yiqing adjusted her vest. Today, she wore a light yellow short-sleeved T-shirt with white shorts, topped with a white chiffon mid-length vest. Her smooth black hair was tied into a ponytail, giving her a pure and youthful appearance.

She seemed to casually look around, put her hand in her vest pocket, and walked in with Xiao Hei and Zhang Yufeng.

However, they encountered some obstacles at the door.

"Miss, I’m sorry, but children are not allowed inside." The waiter looked down at Xiao Hei, who was staring at him with big, dark eyes, and couldn’t help but twitch his lips. What kind of parent brings such a small child to a bar? It’s outrageous.

An Yiqing looked at the waiter, then at Xiao Hei, and smiled with curved brows: "Brother, could you make an exception? Xiao Hei is well-behaved and won’t cause any trouble."

The waiter shook his head, "Sorry, miss."

An Yiqing smiled again, "Brother, really can’t?"

The waiter braced himself to meet An Yiqing’s clear gaze and firmly nodded.

"Xiao Hei, did you see that? The waiter brother won’t let you in, so I’ll have to leave you outside." An Yiqing helplessly rubbed Xiao Hei’s little head and winked at him.

Xiao Hei got the hint, pouted his little mouth, looked at the waiter with his round eyes, and suddenly burst into tears.

"Waaah! Big brother, are you going to separate me from my sister? Why won’t you let me in? Xiao Hei is scared to be outside alone!"

The waiter was dumbfounded by the crying, his ears buzzing from the noise. He hurriedly squatted down to console Xiao Hei, but Xiao Hei only cried harder.

An Yiqing and Zhang Yufeng stood by, looking helpless.

The waiter’s forehead began to sweat, and the people around only thought he had made such a cute child cry, casting him accusing glances. The waiter felt like crying but had no tears, he was just here to do his job!

"What’s going on? Why is it so noisy?" At this moment, a deep voice came from behind An Yiqing and the others. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Everyone turned around to see a burly bald man standing there with an aura of authority, frowning at the wailing Xiao Hei.

The waiter looked up, his face turning pale, "Boss Yuan!"

The man nodded and stepped forward, "What’s the matter?"

"This young lady wants to bring the kid inside, but the store has a rule that children aren’t allowed. Brother Yuan, I..." The waiter looked distressed.

Boss Yuan waved his hand, "I know, it’s not your fault. Let them in, the Family Head is coming today, don’t start any trouble."

The waiter nodded repeatedly, giving An Yiqing and Zhang Yufeng a bitter look as he let them inside.

He watched miserably as Xiao Hei immediately stopped crying and followed An Yiqing happily.

Damn, in this world, even little brats are bullies!

As soon as An Yiqing and Xiao Hei stepped into the bar, they heard a cheerful call like silver bells.

"Sister Xiao Qing, over here!"

An Yiqing looked up to see Xu Qingtian in a sky-blue tracksuit, waving and smiling at her.

"Why are you alone?" An Yiqing walked over, looked at Xu Qingtian sitting alone in a booth, and raised an eyebrow to ask.

"Hehe, I just came back from abroad, and you’re the only friend I have, Sister Xiao Qing." Xu Qingtian giggled as she hooked her arm through An Yiqing’s.

An Yiqing immediately understood. Xu Qingtian was the Fourth Miss of the Li Family, and even though she had just returned from abroad, it was impossible no one wanted to know her. But most of those people were likely interested in her family background, right? Even though Xu Qingtian seemed carefree, she had high standards, and wouldn’t bother with fair-weather friends.

A slight touch of sentiment warmed An Yiqing’s heart, making her feel closer to Xu Qingtian. Having such a girl see her as a good friend was a blessing too.

"Alright then, today I’ll keep you company and we’ll have a great time!" An Yiqing picked up a bottle of beer and smiled at Xu Qingtian.

Xu Qingtian cheered and joined An Yiqing in drinking. Though it was just the two of them, the atmosphere was anything but dull. Seeing Xiao Hei’s ears plugged with earplugs by An Yiqing made them burst into laughter, drawing curious glances from others.

After a few rounds of drinks, Xu Qingtian was a bit tipsy, but An Yiqing remained completely sober.

"Sister Xiao Qing, don’t leave, stay a bit longer. The bar is the most fun at midnight!" Xu Qingtian’s small face was flushed, and her words were slightly slurred.

An Yiqing looked at her helplessly, thinking, if we don’t leave now, we might not be able to leave later.

Others couldn’t see it, but she knew everything was not as it seemed. Most people in the bar looked like fighters, with bulky waists that clearly indicated what they were carrying. Recalling the words of the bald man at the door, it wasn’t hard to imagine that an important person, someone from the underworld, was going to show up.

Given the heavy security outside the bar earlier, An Yiqing had guessed most of it. They were probably planning some transaction or negotiation. Just having a big-shot visit wouldn’t warrant the street being watched so closely.

To avoid potential clashes or fights, An Yiqing felt it was better to leave early.

However, as she was helping Xu Qingtian to the door, the bar’s lights and music suddenly went out. Immediately after, a series of deafening gunshots and yelling erupted.

An Yiqing’s mouth twitched as she cursed silently, quickly supporting Xu Qingtian to leave the place.