"Brothers, it's not that I begrudge the alcohol, but I'm concerned about your health. Can we finish this glass and stop there? We'll have plenty of time later to drink again. You didn't see how swollen my feet are from Captain Xiao stepping on them," Guo Xuyang said, raising his glass.
"Who stepped on you? Don't be ridiculous," Xiao Yu shot him a look.
"Fine, I agree. Today ends here. Everyone with wine in their cup, bottoms up. Let's have a good time tonight," Lü Liang said.
"I've already booked rooms on the twelfth floor. Everyone has had quite a bit to drink today, so don't go back home tonight. Just come upstairs and stay. If you have other matters, please feel free to handle them," Wu Youzhi said.
"Manager Xu, take the room cards later, and we'll go up together. Thank you for seeing everyone off."
The group stumbled out of the room, swaying, and followed them to the twelfth floor.
Guo Xuyang, Lü Liang, Wu Youzhi, and Xiao Yu each had their own room, while the others paired up freely.
Xiao Yu and Xiao Hong shared a room.
After everyone had retired to their rooms, Xu Liping went to Wu Youzhi's room.
"Go check on General Manager Guo to see if he needs anything. If not, then you can come back here," Wu Youzhi said.
"Mr. Wu, if you don't need anything else, I won't be back. There are too many people," she said.
Wu Youzhi understood her meaning; she was worried about too many people talking.
"Alright, go check on him. You can find a room for yourself later."
Xu Liping agreed and left the room.
Before she even reached Guo Xuyang's room, she saw Xiao Hong enter his room from a distance. She didn't knock, but instead, took the room next door.
"General Manager Guo, you drank quite a lot today. Let me pour you some water."
"Thank you, Xiao Hong. Please, just say what you need to say."
"Nothing. I just came to see if you needed anything else."
"Come and sit down," Guo Xuyang said, patting the bed after she poured the water.
Xiao Hong's face immediately turned red. His room had a large bed, not twin beds. She seemed to have misunderstood his intentions.
"I... I, if there's nothing else, I'll be going back."
"Let's chat for a bit. I can't sleep anyway. The alcohol got me all worked up."
Xiao Hong blushed even deeper upon hearing this.
She took off her jacket. It was still the uniform of a waitress from the Anran Hotel. She hadn't had time to buy new clothes.
"What's this?" Guo Xuyang was a bit taken aback. He hadn't expected Xiao Hong to be so forward.
Could it be that she had enjoyed their previous encounter?
Guo Xuyang was no saint. Seeing her take off her jacket, he pulled her into his embrace.
The young girl, slightly inexperienced, quickly melted into his arms. Guo Xuyang, however, grew more vigorous with each passing moment, until he was panting and collapsed onto the bed.
"Xiao Hong, that's not your real name, is it?" Guo Xuyang asked, stroking Xiao Hong's hair.
"My name is Wang Lihong. They all call me Xiao Hong," Xiao Hong said, nestled in Guo Xuyang's embrace.
"Why are you doing this?"
"I don't want to leave. I want to stay with you."
"Why?"
"I want to stay with you and make money."
"Don't you miss your home?"
"I do. But I miss making money more. I'm alone at home. I was kidnapped on my way home from school."
"On your way from school? You're still a student?"
"I was attending university in Sucheng. I was kidnapped during my freshman year. Otherwise, I would be a sophomore now."
"Oh. I think you should go home. Your family must be worried sick. You can use my phone to call them."
"No. I'll call tomorrow. It might be complicated to explain things if I use your phone."
It had to be said that the young girl was quite thoughtful. Making a call from a man's phone in the middle of the night could lead to misunderstandings if her family were to investigate.
"Tomorrow, I'll have Captain Xiao take you and Xiao Yu to the bureau to get some paperwork sorted out. Manager Xu will take you two to buy some clothes and two mobile phones. It's a special situation today; otherwise, we would have handled it today."
"Thank you. Can I call you Yangzi?"
"Of course. They all call me Yangzi. Don't be so formal with me. You're the first woman in my life. Although it was unexpected, as long as you don't mind, I'll always treat you well."
"Thank you for caring about me so much. Can I be your girlfriend?"
"You're already my woman, why do you need to be my girlfriend?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Hong's eyes welled up with tears.
Did he dislike her?
Guo Xuyang, not understanding why Xiao Hong was crying, gently stroked her hair and asked, "What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"
"No. I know I'm not good enough for you. I was just overthinking things."
"Ah? What were you thinking? You're my woman, why would you want to be my girlfriend? If you want to, you can tell anyone you're my woman."
Xiao Hong finally understood. She had misunderstood.
"Really?"
"Of course. Unless you don't want to."
"I do, of course, I do!" Xiao Hong said, her hand becoming restless again.
How could the virile Guo Xuyang resist such advances? He immediately flipped over and began to ride like a galloping steed, ignoring her pleas.
Early the next morning, Xu Liping arrived at Wu Youzhi's room with dark circles under her eyes, having indulged in some morning exercise.
She had been so stimulated that she hadn't slept all night.
It wasn't until the sun was high in the sky that Guo Xuyang emerged from his room, feeling refreshed.
When he reached the lobby downstairs, he saw Wu Youzhi and the others already seated there, and his face flushed slightly.
"Sorry to keep everyone waiting."
"Brother, you've got good stamina," Lü Liang teased.
Xiao Yu rolled his eyes upon hearing this.
Xiao Yu appeared a little dejected.
"Xiao Yu doesn't want to go back. She's decided to work at the shop," Wu Youzhi said.
"That's great! She can go to the Gold and Silver Jewelry store; they're in dire need of a store manager," Guo Xuyang said.
"Have Li Ming cooperate more with her later and let Xiao Yu familiarize herself with the procedures."
"Alright, I'll take her there to have a look later," Wu Youzhi said.
"Let's wait a moment. Captain Xiao still needs to help us finish the important matters today," Guo Xuyang said.
"Xiao Yu, when Xiao Hong comes down later, you two will go to the bureau with Captain Xiao. If you don't want to go back, see if the bureau can issue you an ID card. Otherwise, it's best if you go back to your hometown to take a look first."
"Captain Xiao, I'll trouble you to handle this matter properly today. Manager Tan will accompany them on the way, and she'll buy them some clothes on the road."
"Mr. Wu, I'll go with Brother Liang to the pier to check on the ship's arrival. You go to the department store again and try to reorganize the shops as soon as possible to stock emeralds. Also, we need to come up with a store name, something catchy. You and the others can discuss it first, and we'll finalize it later."
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