Chapter 3: 3

9 o’clock came.

The bar was already crowded by unruly drunkards walking about, ear-piercing electronic music flowing out from the doorway. Qin Juran parked her car and fixed her hair behind her ears, peering up at the neon blue sign as she made her way inside, stepping in her high heels.

A crowd of boys and girls were dancing on the dance floor, which was centered around a small fountain, water spouting in rhythm with the flashing lights. Qin Juran walked further in until she reached the VIP section, where someone waved their hand in her direction.

Qin Juran inspected the person who must’ve been the “Friend” who sent her the message this afternoon.

Within the closed-off section sat seven or eight people, each man coupled together with a woman. As they watched Qin Juran approach, one of the women was the first to address her, teasing in a slurred voice, “Wow, what’s a top student like you doing in a bar? Brother Qiang, you’re really something~”

At the sound of her irritatingly coy voice, Qin Juran couldn’t help furrowing her brows.

However, the person referred to as “Brother Qiang” seemed to be enjoying the show, letting out a loud laugh. He sat forward in his seat and adjusted the expensive-looking watch on his wrist. “So – you  came?”

“Liu Qiang?” Qin Juran asked.

“What – did you forget who I am?”

The name Liu Qiang stirred some recollection in Qin Juran’s memory. He was previously mere cannon fodder, first helping Fan Chuan by endlessly taunting Qin Juran, but after Fan Chuan realized his love, he brought Liu Qiang to his demise.

All that ass-kissing and boot-licking only to have nothing left in the end.

Thinking about this made Qin Juran chuckle, and she moved to sit on the armrest of the sofa, twirling her hair. “Go on, what’d you call me here for?”

Qin Juran herself was well-off from the start, and after so many years in the corporate world, starting from a lady of the house to a president of a business, she’s seen so many of these second-generation rich kids’ little games. No matter how many times they try to meddle, acting foolishly to stir up drama, they don’t usually make it out so great in the end.

As a blue light shone on Qin Juran’s coolly collected face, perhaps it was the look of obvious disdain, but it felt as if Qin Juran’s entire disposition took a 180-degree turn today. The onlookers could only stare at each other blankly; no one dared to make a sound.

Liu Qiang also noticed the change in Qin Juran’s usual meek manner; instead, she seemed unrestrained. Faking a cough, a vulgar expression crept onto his face as he picked up his phone from the table. “Qin Juran, I heard about your secret crush on Fan Chuan? Didn’t Ruan Nan catch you writing that love letter today?”

Qin Juran pretended not to hear, refusing to acknowledge such cliché taunts. As her gaze returned to his face, she pointed her chin at him and seemed to gesture, if you got something to say then spit it out.

Liu Qiang’s face reddened, and he slammed a hand on the table. “Who do you think you are, coming in here with that stuck-up attitude? You weren’t so resisting when you send those pictures to Fan Chuan!”

The onlookers chimed, “What pictures?” in twos and threes, although Qin Juran did not know whether they were genuinely unaware or pretending to be.

“Brother Qiang, the reason you called us here today – was to see her pictures?”

“Nah, it would be no fun if they were just ordinary pictures.” As snickers abrupted around the room, Liu Qiang smirked and pulled up a photo in his phone, waving it in front of Qin Juran.

The figure in the picture wore a white silk slip dress; although the prominent areas were not exposed, the side slit of the dress revealed long, milky white legs, creating an intimately seductive effect.

Obviously, the photo wasn’t taken by Qin Juran herself, but seeing the image of those legs that looked identical to her own, posed in such a manner, being passed around by these disgusting people, caused her palms to break into a cold sweat.

Her mind blanked for just a moment, but then Qin Juran once again approached the seat where Liu Qiang sat. Fingers trailing along the phone he was holding, she narrowed her eyes and asked, “What do you want?”

Seeing Qin Juran’s troubled look in her eyes, Liu Qiang’s expression became even more menacing. “Come on, take a wild guess. If you don’t guess correctly, then tomorrow, everyone will have a copy of this picture.”

“Money?” Qin Juran glared at him.

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As if she just told a hilarious joke, the entire room burst into laughter. The woman seated obnoxiously close to Liu Qiang let out a sharp laugh as she sized Qin Juran up and down. Pointing to her body, she said, “I’m not sure that I heard correctly – did you just say money, Qin Juran? Just look at that shabby dress you’ve been wearing since freshman year.”

Another voice continued, “Brother Qiang, you’re so cruel. Juran didn’t even take a single sip of wine this whole time because her cheap lipstick would stain the glass, and you’re still asking her for money?”

Liu Qiang played along, “Even if I wanted money, could you afford it? Well then, tell me, how much do you think your picture is worth?”

Qin Juran glanced upon the photo laying on the table, seemingly deep in thought. “A hundred thousand?”

“HAHAHAHAHAHA…a hundred thousand…”

“To hear that number come out of freaking Qin Juran’s mouth…”

“That’s hilarious, HAHAHAHAHA!”

The laughter even seemed to infect Qin Juran. She leaned back, her lower lip twitching into a smile, her clear eyes glinting with a playfulness.

Liu Qiang stopped laughing and pointed a finger as if passing judgment on her, spittle flying. “One hundred thousand, fine. When are you going to give it to me? Don’t tell me in my next life…”

Qin Juran cut him off, “Within three days, one hundred thousand. Then you’re going to delete the picture.”

Liu Qiang stared blankly for a moment, then slammed the table. “You give me the money within three days, and I’ll delete it on the spot. But if you try to pull any tricks,” Liu Qiang’s eyes glossed over with greed, “then the entire class, no, the entire school can appreciate this picture. You’re the campus’ top student, after all; it’ll go viral in an instant.”

Qin Juran nodded, straightening her purse and preparing to leave.

However, Liu Qiang didn’t seem to get his fill of taunting her yet, seeing that he hadn’t even managed to make her cry. He added in a growl, “Qin Juran, this is a warning: if you dare involve yourself with Young Master Chuan again, then I’m gonna…”

Before he could finish, in a second, Qin Juran reached out and snatched the phone from the table, smashing it violently against the nearby water fountain. The phone landed with a heavy crack, splashing the dancers on the floor with water. The loud music overhead wavered as even the DJ jolted with a shock. When Liu Qiang registered what had just happened, he angrily jumped up, screaming, “ARE YOU INSANE, QIN JURAN?!”

Qin Juran was already busy climbing the steps on the way out, she peered down at Liu Qiang and flicked her eyes towards the wine bottle beside her. “Another word and I’ll show you what insanity really looks like.”

“Do you know how f**king expensive my phone was? You b**ch, you think that you’re safe now that you smashed my phone? I’ll have my father post it to the school forums right now!”

Qin Juran let out a cold laugh, pulling out her own phone and pressing on the voice recordings.

“You give me the money within three days and I’ll delete it on the spot. But if you try to pull any tricks…”

“It’s illegal to threaten a woman with her photos, so you’re already guilty of blackmail – you’re looking at 3 years, at least. It’s also illegal to steal a woman’s photos, so that’s infringement of personal property rights. How many years do you want?”

None of the group could believe that Qin Juran would pull something like this; many of their previously smug faces paled in realization of the conversation that had been recorded. Her giant scene, in the midst of the VIP section no less, grabbed the attention of the entire club. Although people continued to dance, they were all trying to watch the drama unfold; some even whistled in acknowledgement.

Liu Qiang screamed vehemently, “Who f**king said that I stole it?!”

Qin Juran appraised him icily, still pressing on the voice recorder. “Then Fan Chuan gave it to you? Being an accomplice is also illegal.”

“I –” As soon as he heard Fan Chuan’s name, Liu Qiang lost all his steam, stomping his feet like a frustrated monkey.

The girl next to him was the first to come to her senses, saying, “Qin Juran, I suggest you delete that recording immediately, don’t you know who his father is?!”

Qin Juran acted as if she heard an absurd question; she raised an eyebrow and mused thoughtfully. “Me?”

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