During the meal, those who knew each other became acquainted with those they didn't. Xiao Yu, Xiao Hong, and Xu Liping became close.
"Sister Xu, is this a company dinner for you today?" Xiao Yu asked.
"Didn't General Guo just acquire three shops in Shanghai? He's inviting employees from the provincial capital to get together and discuss the future development of the shops," Xu Liping replied, unaware of why Xiao Yu and Xiao Hong were attending the dinner.
"Is your company big?"
"I don't know if it's big or not. I just know it's three shops in the company. General Guo said making hundreds of millions or even billions in profit a year is no problem. You're so beautiful, sister, why don't you come to our company? We're short-handed."
"Can I do it?" Xiao Yu said.
"Yes. With your looks, you could be a boss's wife."
Xu Liping spoke without thinking, but Xiao Yu took her words to heart. She had been trafficked from home when she was young. Her family wouldn't know her situation even if she returned. Even if she went back, given her impoverished background, she would only be able to marry someone from a similar family. No matter how beautiful she was, she'd still end up farming, raising children, and never leaving the mountains. She wouldn't have been trafficked if she hadn't wanted to escape a predictable life in the mountains. Hearing Xu Liping's words and thinking about how well Guo Xuyang treated them, she was tempted. She didn't want to go back.
Xu Liping, unaware of Xiao Yu's thoughts, continued to persuade her, "Look, you're young and beautiful, with a good figure. Work in our shop for two to three years, and I dare say you could earn a few million, not to mention more."
"Sister, what do you do in the shop?"
"General Guo made me the manager of our jewelry store. How about you come help me with sales?"
"I'll think about it. My situation is a bit complicated. I just met General Guo yesterday."
"Is that so? I also just met General Guo yesterday. What's your relationship with General Guo? Why did he ask me to transfer money to you two sisters this morning?"
At this, Xiao Yu's ears turned crimson.
"This is our severance pay. I was trafficked to Anran Hotel. He wanted you to send us back home."
"Oh, I see. How did you finally get out?"
"I don't know. When we woke up, we were already in the hospital. Captain Xiao was with us the whole time. Captain Xiao rescued us. I don't know the specifics."
"Do you have anyone left in your hometown?"
"I grew up with my grandmother. There's no one else in my family. I've been gone for several years since I was trafficked. I don't know if my grandmother is still alive."
"Why don't you go back to your hometown first? If your grandmother is still there, you can bring her to enjoy her old age. If not, you can come work with me. What do you think?"
"Thank you, sister. I'll go home to see and come back. Please don't turn me away then."
"Of course not. I'm in need of staff. I'd be happy if you came."
The two women found themselves chatting more and more congenially. Xiao Hong ate silently, listening clearly to Xiao Yu's conversation with Manager Xu. Unlike Xiao Yu, she was a good girl at home and a university student. She was kidnapped on her way home late from school when she missed the bus and took a black car to Shanghai. She had been in Shanghai for less than half a year and had been kept in a windowless room. Every day, someone would lecture her about serving guests, and she had seen the fate of disobedient women, which was a nightmare for her. The moment Guo Xuyang tore off her bikini, she wanted to cover herself, but she dared not. She couldn't imagine what would happen if she suffered a fate worse than death. She was not yet twenty and wanted to live a good life. She hadn't truly enjoyed life since coming into this world, and she was unwilling to die such a humiliating death. Guo Xuyang was so young. Before that incident, he would blush. Moreover, that boss had joked that he was a virgin. A young and rich virgin? She was conflicted at the time, feeling a bit of anticipation mixed with resistance. Later, when Guo Xuyang asked if she wanted to go home or work with him, she chose to go home. She was the only treasured daughter at home, and she didn't know how worried her parents must have been during the six months she was gone. Hearing Xiao Yu's conversation with Manager Xu, she felt inclined to work with Guo Xuyang. This was solely because Xu Liping had mentioned that earning a few million in two to three years was no problem. She had never even dared to dream of earning a few million. Although she was the only child, her family's life was not wealthy. Her parents were just ordinary employees at a local company, earning just enough to get by. Saving thirty to fifty thousand a year was considered a lot. She also had a thought: to become Guo Xuyang's official girlfriend. She was Guo Xuyang's first woman. Regardless of the circumstances, it was a fact. Furthermore, he wasn't a heartless person. When he looked her in the eyes and said he was sorry, she felt like crying. It was a long-lost sense of respect. For half a year, she had witnessed too much darkness. If she hadn't been a virgin, she would have been defiled long ago. In the hotel, women couldn't even be called human. The thought of it made her shiver. Being a university student, she wasn't foolish. She needed to find an opportunity to have a good talk with Guo Xuyang. Guo Xuyang was seven to eight parts drunk, feeling pleasantly tipsy. He didn't use his detoxification ability; there was no need to cheat when drinking with friends.
"Brother, you're doing great. I like guys like you," Lü Liang said, his speech slurring slightly. This was Guo Xuyang's home turf, and Lü Liang, being in the honored guest position, was the primary target. Although the rule was to drink well but not to excess, no man wanted to back down when drinking. Moreover, Lü Liang was a seasoned veteran of drinking sessions. He accepted every offer. He ignored Xiao Yu's subtle signals and even stomped hard on Guo Xuyang's foot.
"Brother Liang, you're a man of true character. I'll follow you from now on," Guo Xuyang said.
"Brothers, let me toast you both again," Wu Youzhi said, standing up unsteadily.
"Sit down, please. Drinking while standing doesn't count," Guo Xuyang waved his hand, signaling Wu Youzhi to sit. "Brothers, I'm very fortunate to know you. If it weren't for General Guo, we wouldn't have been able to come to Shanghai. And if we hadn't come to Shanghai, we wouldn't have met Brother Lü Liang. Meeting someone in life is destiny. For destiny, and for our future friendship, I propose a toast. Let's three brothers finish this drink. What do you say?" Wu Youzhi said, sitting down askew.
"No problem, let's do it," Lü Liang raised his glass and downed the drink.
"Brother, you're spirited," Wu Youzhi, not to be outdone, finished his drink as well.