By the time they returned to Jinling City, it was already past five in the afternoon. Lin Xiao had Bei Kuang drive straight to the bar. After all, Su Qingning was sure to be there at this hour.

The car came to a steady halt at the bar's entrance. Just as Lin Xiao stepped out, Pei Donglai walked over.

"Captain!"

Lin Xiao nodded, noticing Pei Donglai's hesitant expression, the look of a man with something to say but who didn't know how to start. He knew something was up.

"Let's go to the security room," he said in a low voice.

Pei Donglai acknowledged, and the two entered the security room one after the other.

"What's happened?" Lin Xiao asked, getting straight to the point.

"Captain, a lot of new faces showed up at the bar today!"

"New faces? Customers?"

"No, they were applying for jobs!"

"And they're all from the jianghu, aren't they?" Lin Xiao asked with a slight smile.

Pei Donglai nodded vigorously. "Some of them were from the Ghost Medicine Sect. I've already taken care of two of them discreetly. Captain, do you think there's a conspiracy behind all these jianghu people suddenly showing up at the bar?"

Lin Xiao chuckled. "It's nothing. Just keep a close eye on them. If you spot anyone from the Ghost Medicine Sect, kill them on sight. No questions asked. As for the others, if they step out of line, get rid of them too."

"Understood!"

"Anything else?" Lin Xiao asked again.

Pei Donglai hesitated for a moment before saying, "Captain, it's nothing major. I'm just a bit down."

"Is this about Pei Yanzi?"

Pei Donglai sighed helplessly. "Yes. Ever since she saw Miss Chu's concert, she's been obsessed with becoming a star. Last night, Miss Chu told her all about the entertainment industry. I thought she'd be discouraged, but it only strengthened her resolve to go down that path."

He continued gloomily, "Captain, I wouldn't normally oppose anything Pei Yanzi wants to do, but the entertainment industry is a murky business. I'm just really afraid she'll lose herself in it."

"Alright, I understand. I'll talk to her when I get a chance," Lin Xiao said.

Pei Donglai looked at Lin Xiao with immense gratitude. "Captain, I'm sorry to trouble you."

"What nonsense is that? We may not have known each other for long, but I've considered you my friend for a while now."

Pei Donglai's eyes reddened as he felt an overwhelming urge to kneel. He wasn't a man who was easily moved. After fighting on the battlefield for so many years, his heart had long grown cold. But Lin Xiao had done far too much for him. Forgetting everything else, the fact that Lin Xiao had not only healed his old injuries but also helped him achieve a new breakthrough in his cultivation was enough to earn Pei Donglai's lifelong gratitude.

Pei Donglai nodded emphatically. "Captain, I'll get back to my duties, then."

"Yeah, go ahead. Oh, and by the way, if Pei Yanzi is dead set on this path, don't worry. I'll pave the way for her and make sure no one can bully her."

BOOM!

Lin Xiao's words completely shattered Pei Donglai's remaining defenses. His knees went weak, and he started to fall forward to kneel. Of course, Pei Donglai was no weakling; he was simply overcome with emotion. To him, Pei Yanzi was his entire world, more precious than his own life. How could he not be moved by Lin Xiao's promise?

Lin Xiao's reflexes were sharp, and he caught him instantly. "Damn it, Pei Donglai!" he cursed. "If you dare to pull a brainless stunt like that again, I'll kick the hell out of you!"

Despite the scolding, a warmth spread through Pei Donglai's heart. In that moment, he silently renewed his vow: he would never fail Lin Xiao in this life, even if it cost him his own. He would have no regrets.

After sending Pei Donglai off, Lin Xiao walked quickly into the bar. It had only been seven or eight hours since he had parted from Su Qingning, but he missed her terribly. He missed her presence, her breathtakingly beautiful face, her fiery, voluptuous body, and her soft, soul-stealing lips.

Su Qingning was chatting with a man in his late forties. He was dressed in an incredibly refined manner, and time seemed to have been especially kind to him. Despite his age, he still possessed a potent charm. It was clear he came from a distinguished background.

This man was Chu Liangcai, and he was applying for the position of bar manager. The two were getting along well, and Su Qingning had a good first impression. However, she didn't want to make a decision without hearing Lin Xiao's opinion.

Just as she was thinking this, the door to her office was pushed open. When Su Qingning saw who it was, her beautiful peach-blossom eyes lit up with a dazzling brilliance.

It was Lin Xiao.

Her mood instantly soared, and she had to fight the urge to throw herself into his arms. With Chu Liangcai and Shen Jingzhe still there, Su Qingning restrained herself.

"Honey, you're back just in time. I'm looking to hire a manager for the bar. What do you think of Mr. Chu?"

In fact, the moment he opened the door, Lin Xiao's gaze had already fallen upon the debonair older man. After just a single glance, he sneered inwardly.

This old fox's intentions aren't pure.

Although he didn't know the man's background, Lin Xiao was certain of it. He could sense the extremely well-hidden malevolent aura emanating from him. However, he didn't rush to expose him.

I'll just wait and see how you plan to dig your own grave.

"Manager? Isn't Yang Fan our manager?" Lin Xiao asked, feigning confusion.

Su Qingning sighed in frustration. "He's dropped off the map. I guess he doesn't want to work here anymore."

Lin Xiao smiled. "Oh, I see." His gaze shifted to Chu Liangcai. "He seems fine to me. Honey, you're the one running the bar. I don't know the first thing about any of this, so if you think he's good, that's all that matters."

Su Qingning chided him playfully, "I just wanted to hear what you think!"

Damn, the way she acts cute is lethal. One sentence was enough to make Lin Xiao want to pull her into his arms and ravage her senseless. But with others present, he had to hold back.

"I have no objections, honey. I'll support any decision you make," Lin Xiao said with a smile.

"Alright then. Mr. Chu, how about a trial run? If you feel it's a good fit, we can sign a formal contract tomorrow."

Chu Liangcai smiled and nodded. Despite his age, his smile was quite alluring. "President Su, I am at your disposal. I'll go and familiarize myself with the bar's environment."

Su Qingning nodded.

Chu Liangcai gave Lin Xiao a polite nod before standing up and leaving the office.

Shen Jingzhe was a perceptive girl. The moment Chu Liangcai's foot was out the door, she also stood up.

"I'm going to get some air."

With those words, she also exited the office, leaving Lin Xiao and Su Qingning alone in the spacious room.

Their eyes met, both gazes overflowing with deep affection. This was especially true for Su Qingning. Her eyes, normally as lovely as peach blossoms, had turned dewy and shimmering, full of an invitation that threatened to swallow Lin Xiao whole.

Lin Xiao gulped and walked toward her.

Before he could even get close, Su Qingning threw herself into his embrace. Then, standing on her tiptoes, she eagerly pressed her soft lips against his.

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