Top Grade Pure Beauty CEO

Li Xiaoyao chatted with the guards for a bit, and seeing him able to come to work safe and sound that day, each guard also breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Xiaoyao said, "Yesterday, Li Yong and his crew ruined my mood. Wait for me to get my paycheck, and I’ll treat you all to a drink."

The young guard laughed and shook his head, "Manager Li, that’s not right. We can’t always let you foot the bill, next time it’s our turn to treat you."

Li Xiaoyao laughed and patted the young guard on the shoulder, "Your salaries aren’t as high as mine. Making you treat would be cutting into your paychecks. No more arguing, from now on, whenever we go out to eat, it’s got to be on me."

The guard couldn’t outtalk Li Xiaoyao and scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly, "Manager Li, you are really good to us."

Hearing this, Li Xiaoyao felt extremely comfortable inside.

When it was time to clock out, Li Xiaoyao was planning to stop by the market to buy some groceries, but he hadn’t walked far when he received a phone call.

"Hello, little bro, it’s me, Zhao Si." Zhao Si, also known as Fourth Brother, was the same person he had met that night at the bar.

Li Xiaoyao was quite surprised, for although Zhao Si had left his business card with him that night, he had not given his phone number to Zhao Si. But upon reflection, he let it go, knowing that for someone who mingled in those circles, digging up a phone number was a cinch.

Li Xiaoyao smiled and said, "I’m really sorry, I’ve been so busy these past few days that I forgot about the drink I promised you."

Zhao Si chuckled, "Little bro, are you free tonight? How about a drink?"

Li Xiaoyao didn’t have any plans for the evening, so he replied, "Sure, Fourth Brother, you pick the place."

"Let’s hit up the same bar we went to last time. Just text me when you’re almost there."

Li Xiaoyao took out his phone and sent a message to Tang Tiantian, "I’ve got a social engagement tonight, will be back late."

On her way from work, Tang Tiantian saw the message from Li Xiaoyao and felt a sweetness in her heart.

The truth was, their living arrangement was simply that of roommates. There was really no need for Li Xiaoyao to inform her about when he’d return, so this act of sending a message made Tang Tiantian secretly think that Li Xiaoyao cared about her. Perhaps, he even had a bit of a liking for her.

Li Xiaoyao didn’t think that much into it; he simply didn’t want Tang Tiantian to think he was a night owl and risk her wanting him to move out.

He really liked the place they were sharing – it was clean, quiet, and the landlord was a great beauty.

At seven in the evening, Li Xiaoyao arrived at the Muse Bar.

Zhao Si was waiting for Li Xiaoyao personally at the entrance of the bar. Upon seeing Li Xiaoyao, Zhao Si walked up and gave him a warm hug, "Little Li, come on in."

Seeing Zhao Si waiting for him at the entrance to the bar, Li Xiaoyao knew that Zhao Si definitely had something more than just a drink in mind for the evening; he surely needed help with something.

The two entered the bar and sat down in the best booth.

Zhao Si ordered the best foreign liquor and had several stunning girls with fiery figures and delicate faces to accompany them for drinks.

Zhao Si leaned back on the sofa, clinked glasses with Li Xiaoyao, and said loudly into his ear, "Little bro, you see these women?"

Li Xiaoyao nodded, and Zhao Si winked at him, displaying a smile that any man would understand, "Take your pick, and head straight to the restroom with her, do whatever you like."

Li Xiaoyao smiled but said nothing.

All men love beautiful women, and Li Xiaoyao was no exception.

The only difference was, Li Xiaoyao wasn’t into playing with these kinds of ’public buses’.

Zhao Si saw that Li Xiaoyao was only somewhat amused, so he stopped talking and signaled the hostesses with his eyes. Understanding the hint, the women pressed their bodies closer to Li Xiaoyao, wriggling around and constantly rubbing against his arm, throwing him coquettish glances from time to time.

Li Xiaoyao smiled faintly, as these women did not interest him much; otherwise, with his looks, he could easily pick up someone at any bar.

The drinking session stretched on until eleven o’clock, by which time most of the hostesses were quite drunk, passed out on the sofa.

Zhao Si sat next to Li Xiaoyao and asked, "Brother, interested in making some money together?"

Li Xiaoyao looked up and asked, "Brother Si, do you have a scheme?"

Zhao Si laughed, "Brother Si has all sorts of schemes. The first time I laid eyes on Brother Li, I felt you were my kind of guy. Now, there’s a rather profitable deal I’d like to get into with you. If you’re interested, we can partner up. If it seems like a hassle to you, that’s okay too."

Li Xiaoyao, full of interest, asked, "What kind of deal is Brother Si talking about?"

Zhao Si put down his glass and dipped his right index finger into it to moisten it with alcohol. Then, he drew a circle on the glass coffee table and said, "This is the bar street." He drew another circle beside it and added, "And this is San Tiao Alley."

Li Xiaoyao asked, "What is San Tiao Alley?"

Zhao Si replied, "Restaurants, bars, underground gambling dens—everything’s there."

Li Xiaoyao asked, "Brother Si wants to take it over?"

Zhao Si smirked, "San Tiao Alley is Hu Zhi’s turf."

Before Li Xiaoyao could ask who Hu Zhi was, Zhao Si went straight on, "Remember Zhang Biao, the guy you taught a lesson at the bar entrance the other day? He’s one of Hu Zhi’s men."

Li Xiaoyao understood that Zhao Si wanted to use him to help take over San Tiao Alley.

However, Li Xiaoyao hadn’t really considered relying on this for a living, but the idea of owning one or two high-end restaurants or bars was quite appealing.

Pretending not to know, Li Xiaoyao asked, "What does Brother Si want me to do?"

Zhao Si answered, "You don’t really have to do much, just invite Hu Zhi out for a meal; we’ll join him and have a good chat."

Li Xiaoyao said, "I’ll give you an answer tomorrow."

Zhao Si looked at Li Xiaoyao and after a few seconds, nodded, "Okay, I’ll wait for your call."

...

When Li Xiaoyao left the bar, his mind was crystal clear, the alcohol had no effect on him; he easily dispelled it with his inner power.

About the matter of San Tiao Alley, Li Xiaoyao felt it was worth a try, but first, he needed to secure terms that satisfied him.

Therefore, he planned to visit San Tiao Alley tomorrow before making his demands to Zhao Si.

When Li Xiaoyao got home and turned on the lights in the living room, he discovered Tang Tiantian had actually fallen asleep on the sofa.

"This woman really doesn’t know how to take care of herself," Li Xiaoyao shook his head, walked over, and gently shook her, but Tang Tiantian was sleeping so soundly she wouldn’t wake up.

With no other choice, Li Xiaoyao shook his head, picked up Tang Tiantian gently, and carried her into the bedroom.

He placed Tang Tiantian on the bed, and she showed no signs of waking up.

Li Xiaoyao tucked her in and then left the house.

As soon as he had gone and closed the door, Tang Tiantian on the bed opened her eyes, a complex expression in them—there was loss, and there was happiness.

[Thank you to "Yao Wang Bei Jiang 1888" for the reward, seeking recommendation tickets~]