Bending down to enter the chess game

Chapter 17, Cup 3

"Attorney Zhou, we won Zuo Chujing's abuse case. The judge supported all our claims, including damages for emotional and physical harm. I have already called to inform my client and her family of this good outcome."

Even knowing the outcome beforehand, Zhou Yuxuan couldn't help but smile: "Congratulations!"

"Congratulations to you too!" Even though two hours had passed, Yu Xingge couldn't help but beam with joy. "Congratulations to what?" Zhou Yuxuan chuckled. "Xingge, I remember you're only twenty-four, right? I'm used to seeing you so composed, but this is the only time you act like a young person."

Yu Xingge suppressed her smile: "I have to thank Attorney Zhou a lot. If it weren't for your hard work, things wouldn't have gone so smoothly."

Who doesn't like to hear nice words? Zhou Yuxuan waved her hand dismissively: "No, that would be too greasy."

The two of them burst out laughing.

"What about Liu Xi? He didn't go in, did he?"

"One year of supervision."

Zhou Yuxuan nodded: "After all, no particularly serious deaths occurred, you should know that."

"Yes. By the way, Attorney Zhou, do you know where Senior Brother Gu went? I need to talk to him about something."

"Director Gu," Zhou Yuxuan glanced around, winked, and whispered, "is in the Nightfall."

Chengjian Road is an unremarkable avenue by day, but a dazzling spectacle at night. However, before today, Yu Xingge had never encountered or known about it. She had just done a simple search in the city and dozens of recommendations for quiet and lively bars appeared. After browsing for a while, she finally spotted the name "Nightlife" under a personal blogger's post.

Besides briefly recommending a few delicious cocktails, emphasizing their niche appeal and suitability for gatherings with friends, she decided to go back to her accommodation first to change into a white casual tracksuit, just to be on the safe side. The pants were conservative, outlining her hips. The top was cropped above her navel, revealing her two fair arms that gleamed brightly against her dark hair. Makeup would be too conspicuous, so after a moment's hesitation, Yu Xingge simply applied foundation and outlined her eyebrows. After all that fuss, it was already 7 PM when she stepped into the darkness. It took her several seconds to adjust to the change in light.

She went straight to the bar, got a response that it was a self-service QR code ordering system, and then found a corner to sit down against the wall. Although QR code ordering is already common in restaurants, it's still quite rare in a bar that emphasizes the primitive and wild.

Before long, she understood why she had to do it. Don't be fooled by the exorbitant consultation fees at Hongjiang Law Firm, which start at a minimum of 1000 yuan per hour. They're nothing compared to the 500+ yuan cocktails at this place. How long does it take to drink a cocktail? For Yu Xingge, it's at most three sips, and it can be over in ten seconds.

It's true that it's easy to make money off the rich.

Yu Xingge reluctantly ordered a Margarita; well, one-sixth of her internship salary was gone. Once her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she finally took in her surroundings.

The place wasn't big, and two or three people huddled around a table, but after looking around, they still couldn't find Gu Lezhi.

No way, could they have already left?

Since joining the institute, although her workstation faced Gu Lezhi's office door, they rarely bumped into each other, whether because she left early and returned late or because he was too busy. Originally, she should have expressed her gratitude and inquired about the compensation when she first heard that her certificate was registered under his name. Yu Xingge didn't believe in free lunches; all gifts from fate had their price tags. She had understood this principle long ago.

When Zuo Chujing's verdict came down at noon, old memories resurfaced. Yu Xingge couldn't help but call Fu Congnan to inquire about the progress of her mother's case. Receiving a reply not to be impatient, she knew there was no progress. The idea of ​​inquiring through Gu Lezhi resurfaced, but facing his wary and suspicious nature, she had no clue where to begin, so she came here to try her luck.

Looks like bad luck. Yu Xingge thought to herself as she idly stirred the cocktail as the waiter brought it over.

"Beautiful lady, all alone?"

A blond boy, about her age, stood in front of the round table and said, "It's my treat." Without waiting for Yu Xingge's reply, he sat down on his own. Another black-haired boy who was with her wore a mask and sat silently to her right.

Yu Xingge's delicate eyebrows furrowed for a moment, then she shook her head: "Thank you, but no need. I have an appointment."

"It's alright." The blond boy grinned. "Let's make friends. I think the pretty girl's friends haven't arrived yet. Everyone who comes to Nightclub is like-minded. It's never a bad thing to have more friends."

"First time here? Margaret's doesn't have much flavor. How about trying some whisky? This whisky is spicy and refreshing, absolutely delicious. But..." he said, feigning concern, "even the best whisky here is just so-so, much worse than what we get outside our Quebec campus. Have you been there, beautiful lady? How about I show you around our school and we sample some fine wines together when school starts in September?"

The dark-haired boy chimed in, "What's your name, beautiful? You can call me Leo, and this is Louis. Don't be nervous, we're regulars here, and we're friends with the owner."

Warrior? Soldier?

How incredibly childish. He's about the same age as her, yet he insists on acting like a seasoned, well-educated overseas returnee to pick up girls. Yu Xingge chuckled, finding it somewhat absurd. She lowered her head and took a sip of her margarita.

The flavors burst forth with lime, followed closely by orange liqueur, and then, unusually, tequila. It's like standing in a seaside cottage on a summer's day, the smokiness masking the spiciness, leaving only the refreshing coolness of summer.

"Looks like the pretty girl doesn't want to talk to us." The blond boy feigned surprise. "Could it be that she doesn't understand?"

Yu Xingge sighed, "Where do you two study? And what's so special about the whisky there?"

"Hmm, Quebec's schools are nothing special, but their whisky has a unique smoky flavor that's absolutely amazing." The blond man flicked his bangs and winked at Yu Xingge.

A perfectly good young man has to be so greasy.

"Oh? Authentic Canadian whisky isn't known for its refreshing, light, and pleasant taste. I didn't expect you two to prefer Scotland. You should probably stock up on chivas back home for comfort, and maybe you could even thriv in Edinburgh if you transferred to school there. What do you think?"

"What?" The blond boy's eyes widened.

Yu Xingge turned to the black-haired boy: "I still prefer my Chinese name, Yu Xingge. When it comes to making friends, I think we should have at least some respect. Wearing a black mask in such a dark bar, how can we be honest with each other? If you call yourself a warrior, what's there to be ashamed of? Of course, if you don't live up to your name, that's another story."

"Uh..." The black-haired boy was the first to react: "So it's Xingge, my little sister." He took off his mask and brought his face almost touching Yu Xingge's: "Isn't that both respecting your sister and acting like a warrior?"

younger sister?

The woody scent of Blue Delicious Men is wonderful, but it's a shame for that youthful face. Is he even an adult? Before Yu Xingge could even get angry, a pair of well-defined hands shoved the face in front of her aside.

A slender figure stood beside her, blocking the already dim incandescent light overhead: "Little one, if you get any closer, the juvenile protection law won't be able to protect you." His sharply defined face was half-lowered: "Junior Sister Xingge, if you made an appointment with me, at least look carefully. How can you just give me a perfunctory glance and call it a day?"

"Is this your companion?" the black-haired boy said unhappily. "I don't like people touching my face."

Gu Lezhi stared at Yu Xingge without looking up: "Any individual who discovers a situation that is detrimental to the physical and mental health of a minor has the right to stop it. For your health's sake, it's best to stay away."

"Tch, you." Before he could finish speaking, the blond boy grabbed his arm: "Let's go, that goddess is aloof and doesn't want to make friends, don't make a fool of yourself."

The black-haired boy was reluctant, but even Gu Lezhi, who was already an adult, felt a sense of trepidation. Seeing the two leave unwillingly, Gu Lezhi sat down: "Looking for me?"

Yu Xingge nodded.

"At such a young age, you shouldn't be in a place like this." He glanced at his watch: 8:45. "Speak, what is it?"

"Would you like something to drink, Senior Brother Gu? It's on me."

"Don't be so polite, just say what you want to say."

Yu Xingge said sincerely, "I should offer Senior Brother Gu three cups of wine."

Why?

Instead of answering, Yu Xingge asked, "What would you like to drink, Senior Brother Gu? It's on me."

Gu Lezhi: "I don't drink."

He called over the waiter: "Xiao Bai, a pot of boiled water and two cups. Thank you." Xiao Bai replied skillfully and brought the water in less than a minute.

"Let's use tea instead of wine," he gestured with his hand, "Now we can talk."

No wonder Zhou Yuxuan said he couldn't hold his liquor; his plan to get information out of him by getting him drunk had failed. Yu Xingge had no choice but to stand up and fill his glass: "First drink, thank you Senior Brother Gu for being my mentor."

"No, it's just a temporary certificate. But, it can count as a drink." Gu Lezhi downed his drink in one gulp.

She poured herself another drink: "Second cup. My first case has been won. Thank you, Senior Brother Gu, for having Attorney Zhou guide me through the difficult situation."

"So there's such a joyous occasion; we should have a toast. But we should toast Zhou Yuxuan; I'll drink on his behalf."

He drank again.

"The third cup..."

Yu Xingge hesitated for once, which was uncharacteristic of him.

Gu Lezhi stared at the girl opposite him. Being young, her eyes couldn't hide her true feelings. He chuckled and teased, "Are you going to offer a toast to the 'central air conditioning' (a term used to describe someone who is overly accommodating to women)?"

Yu Xingge was momentarily dazed. This laugh overlapped with her memory, and it was strangely jarring. She lowered her eyes to hide all her emotions: "So Senior Brother Gu heard it."

Huh? This doesn't seem like shyness. Interesting. Gu Lezhi fiddled with her water glass. "Why is it like central air conditioning?"

Yu Xingge apologized in a low voice: "Jokes shouldn't be taken seriously. I should drink this glass of wine. I hope Senior Brother Gu won't hold it against me." She drank her Margaret in one gulp.

Gu Lezhi raised his arm to stop him, but was a step too slow; he withdrew his hand nonchalantly.

Nine o'clock sharp.

"Girls shouldn't drink alcohol. I'll take you home. Wait a moment."

Yu Xingge saw him walk towards the right corner of the bar, his curious face peeking out from behind the seat near the door. Gu Lezhi ruthlessly pushed him back. A moment later, he returned with his suit jacket: "Let's go."

"No need, Senior Brother Gu, I can just take a taxi."

Gu Lezhi said, "I don't want to blame it on me for your work injury when something happens to you." With that, Yu Xingge picked up her phone and followed him away, the two winding their way to the underground parking lot. The black red flag flashed as its owner approached. Yu Xingge consciously sat down to the right rear.

"Location?"

No. 12 Jinli Street, Kaiyuan Avenue.

"Your place is quite close to your workplace."

"Mmm." A cold wind blew by, the cocktail in the night air intensified, and her face gradually warmed. Yu Xingge lost the desire to speak. There's a saying that people never truly get drunk. It's just that alcohol amplifies inner desires. And she was clearly just too tired.

"Where are you from, Junior Sister Xingge? I feel like you're someone I've known before." Gu Lezhi looked at her inquisitively through the rearview mirror.