Falling After Marriage - Chapter 47

Chapter 47: How Should a Disobedient Dog Be Punished?

In the confined space of the bar, the pounding music and psychedelic lighting, brewed with alcohol, naturally lead people to descend into a world of frantic release.

Cheng Sangluo stood unmoving in her assigned area, maintaining absolute sobriety despite the loud and dim environment.

Her sharp eyes scanned everywhere within her sight, as if she could perceive all potential hidden dangers.

Watching the crowds wildly swaying on the dance floor, she appeared even more detached. This was likely because she didn’t drink, so she couldn’t understand why people allowed themselves to be governed by alcohol.

“You look so captivating when you’re working seriously~”

A sudden, ambiguous whisper, wrapped in the sweet scent of citrus, tickled the back of Cheng Sangluo’s neck, raising goosebumps.

She turned around sharply, only to see Shu Wan smiling seductively, her hands clasped behind her back.

Tonight, Shu Wan looked even more enchanting than before. She wore a large-wave hairstyle, heavier makeup, and a slip dress that showcased her best features, exuding a bewildering charm and allure.

The environment was noisy, so Cheng Sangluo had to raise her voice to greet her: “Miss Shu, long time no see.”

Shu Wan only heard the gist of it, smiling without speaking, and took two steps back to admire Cheng Sangluo in her formal suit.

The person in her eyes was a natural clothes horse. The broad shoulders and slender waist perfectly filled the suit. Her posture was unusually tall and straight. Paired with the capable high ponytail and wheat-colored skin, she stood out as the most attractive figure in the crowded nightclub at a glance.

Shu Wan’s eyes curved, expressing immense satisfaction. She seemed to really like the outfit.

After scrutinizing her for a long moment, she used the excuse that the conversation was inaudible to lean close to Cheng Sangluo’s ear and whisper: “You look very good in formal wear. When I have time, I’ll have someone prepare a few more sets for you. Don’t refuse. This is a request from your boss. I want you to wear them for me.”

Cheng Sangluo couldn’t withstand the vague threat. A blush rolled over her ears, but she kept the burning shame locked out of her heart.

In some unspoken way, she seemed only to accept intimacy from that one person. Even though hatred was mixed into the dislike, anyone else whispering like this failed to stir even the slightest tremor.

She pretended to be clueless, forcing a dry smile: “Please don’t, Miss Shu. I’m just an employee. You don’t need to spend money on me.”

Shu Wan seemed to sense the subtle distance. She simply took Cheng Sangluo’s arm directly: “Let’s go. You promised you would provide me with exclusive service.”

There were only three VIP rooms on the second floor of the bar, each with a different theme: pure entertainment rooms and closed business rooms.

The most luxurious VIP room extended into mid-air, formed by viewing walls made of three sides of bright glass.

This design was exquisite and marvelous, giving people different perspectives from various angles.

Guests downstairs would look up and sigh, It’s good to be rich, while the VIPs inside could look down on the entire splendor of the bar.

During the midnight pole dancing performance, the people in the room would enjoy the best view. Those sexy male and female dancers would hang suspended by wires, occasionally pressing against the glass to pose provocatively.

This was a depiction of privilege, where one could wantonly step over everyone else and enjoy the highest quality performances and services.

When Gu Shinan led Lin Jin into the VIP room, some rich second-generation heirs were already having a wild party with their companions. Some were spraying champagne and laughing recklessly, while others were brazenly kissing in the corners.

The decadence piled up by money filled the air.

In the past, Lin Jin would have been the wildest one in this group, but now she was listless. She only felt the room was smoky and chaotic, the music grating on her ears, and the lighting harsh. In short, she was uncomfortable everywhere.

She sat in the middle of the sofa and said no more.

“With that sour face, who would dare come and keep you company?” Gu Shinan complained grumpily. Catering to Lin Jin’s past tastes, she waved a hand towards a group of people not far away, then poured a glass of foreign liquor and offered it: “Liquor is the essence of grain. The more you drink, the younger you get. Drink this and you’ll be happy immediately.”

Lin Jin drank silently with a glum expression.

She wasn’t deliberately acting cold, but she was preoccupied with other things, wondering what the puppy was doing right now, whether she had eaten dinner properly, or if she resented Lin Jin for not contacting her.

While her thoughts wandered, two heavily made-up, sexy women with slender waists walked over gracefully.

They were familiar faces. They immediately pressed themselves enthusiastically into Lin Jin’s arms, whispering cheap sweet nothings in her ear.

Lin Jin frowned, having long grown tired of this meaningless game of lust. She simply shoved her glass into the hand of one of the women, ordering: “Drink this.”

The other woman, feeling neglected, leaned in and whined: “President Lin, what about me~”

Lin Jin didn’t give her a pleasant look, pointing to the bottle of foreign liquor on the table and sneering: “If you want to drink so badly, that entire bottle is yours. You won’t get any benefits if you don’t finish it.”

“You’re mean, only bullying me~” The woman complained, but obediently took the bottle and performed the act of chugging it straight from the bottle for the golden sponsor.

Everyone who worked as a companion in this venue knew that if they pleased the generous President Lin, the rewards would be more than just a little bit.

Lin Jin didn’t spoil their fun. She took a thick wad of money from her clutch and tossed it onto the table, smiling cunningly: “Whoever drinks the most gets the money. I’m fair.”

As soon as she spoke, the two women scrambled to pour and chug the alcohol, provoking a fit of wild laughter from Lin Jin, who mocked their desperate and ugly behavior.

Compared to drinking alone, wasn’t watching two people tear each other apart for money much more interesting? This ill-tempered woman, even when seeking entertainment, couldn’t forget to step on others’ dignity for her amusement.

She leaned back on the sofa, thoroughly bored. Her delicate face was hidden in the shadows. Her smile was fake, and her eyes, watching the women compete with alcohol, were utterly cold.

This colorful night was splendid in everyone else’s eyes, but for Lin Jin, it was monotonous and joyless.

When did it start? When did buying pleasure at a clear price become so dull?

Lin Jin stared at the bottle in the woman’s hand, her gaze steeped in the amber liquor.

While distracted, through the distortion of the liquor, the figure that she had once imprisoned in a glass suddenly appeared, as if stepping out of an illusion—unreal and out of place.

Cheng Sangluo walked into the VIP room side-by-side with Shu Wan. The two maintained their linked-arm posture but didn’t exchange much conversation along the way.

Cheng Sangluo disliked interacting with unfamiliar crowds and rejected those self-important rich second-generation types, so she exuded a strong sense of distance.

After entering the door, she habitually scanned the space, her eyes first landing on the center of the sofa.

When she clearly saw the slender figure, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes, and her spine involuntarily stiffened.

Whether unconsciously or by accident, it seemed that the madwoman would always be the first to crowd into her vision, occupy her thoughts, and disturb her rationality.

At this moment, Lin Jin had an arm around each of the heavily made-up hostesses. Her insincere smile carried the wickedness of playing a role, so frivolous that it made one angry.

Yes, angry.

This was a negative emotion Cheng Sangluo was unaware of. It was fiercely brewing in her heart, then surging through all her nerves.

Their eyes met through the liquor, creating silent, turbulent waves.

Lin Jin raised her eyebrows and let out a soundless laugh, staring intently at Shu Wan’s arm linked with Cheng Sangluo’s.

At this moment, her own fury also began to take hold, causing a frantic internal roar: Cut off her hand… cut off her hand…

Shu Wan followed Cheng Sangluo’s gaze, explaining apologetically: “I’m sorry, I forgot to tell you that President Lin is here tonight. Why don’t you go say hello?”

It was obvious this woman had intentionally created this surprise, yet she maintained an innocent demeanor. Her feigned request was also deliberate, placing Cheng Sangluo in a position where she couldn’t refuse.

Of course, Cheng Sangluo wasn’t foolish. She knew Shu Wan wanted to openly provoke Lin Jin, but what could she do? She couldn’t just ignore her. She had to steel herself and exchange a few pleasantries with the madwoman.

“Okay.” She agreed immediately, gently withdrawing her arm, and walked straight to the table.

Lin Jin watched Cheng Sangluo stop in front of her, deliberately tightening her arms around the two women beside her.

Her legs were crossed, and the tip of her high-heeled shoe swung casually, conveying an expression of contempt that said, You are beneath my notice. She created a suffocating silence and embarrassment without saying a word.

“What a coincidence, Miss Lin is here too.” The smile twitching on Cheng Sangluo’s lips was unnatural, and her dry greeting was pale.

However, the person on the sofa didn’t even look her in the eye, turning her sudden appearance into a huge joke.

In this extravagant venue, Cheng Sangluo felt the madwoman was extremely unfamiliar. She wondered why she felt this strange sensation, even after they had shared so many intimate nights.

Fortunately, Shu Wan, who followed closely, timely broke the awkward silence. She leaned against Cheng Sangluo’s arm and picked up a can of juice from the table: “You can’t drink, so have a beverage.”

With that, she poured herself a glass of foreign liquor, confidently and generously raising her glass to Lin Jin: “I wonder if President Lin is satisfied with my bar? If you like it, please come often to support us. My VIP room is always open for you. I toast you with this.”

Lin Jin gazed at Shu Wan with ominous eyes. Her finger lightly flicked the foreign liquor glass, indicating a tentative clink.

Too lazy to engage, she remained silent and didn’t take a sip of her drink.

Shu Wan sipped her liquor, then turned and took Cheng Sangluo’s arm again, intending to show her around the room: “Interested in walking around with me?”

Cheng Sangluo held the unopened beverage, secretly glancing at the madwoman, whose expression was growing darker. She politely declined: “I’m still on duty. I need to guard the entrance.”

Shu Wan didn’t insist, letting her go: “Alright, alright. Then stand guard diligently at the door. When I need to see you, make sure you’re visible.”

“…” Cheng Sangluo couldn’t respond to this line of conversation. It felt as if another word would imply responding to the flirtation, so she sullenly walked towards the door.

She tried hard to maintain a straight, firm posture, so that she wouldn’t appear defeated in Lin Jin’s eyes.

She opened the door with a sense of internal frustration, telling herself to control her mind, not to look at the madwoman, and not to care about those ridiculous hugs and embraces.

Because one more look would only invite trouble.

But as she turned to close the door, she succumbed to her involuntary feelings.

Lin Jin’s gaze seemed fixed on Cheng Sangluo, never shifting the entire time. That look was too complex, carrying the longing of several days apart, deep resentment, and silent anger.

Even amidst the surrounding lights and luxury, the two people, unable to articulate their feelings, remained isolated in their own desolate worlds, neither willing to take the first step.

They looked at each other from across the flashing lights, so they couldn’t clearly see how sad the other’s expression was.

Until the door slowly closed, completely severing the gaze that intertwined like silk threads.

The corridor on the second floor wasn’t as crowded as downstairs. Cheng Sangluo leaned against the wall all alone, as if isolated from the passionately surging world, lonely and out of place.

She slumped her shoulders, shedding her forced pretense of strength, and somewhat wearily loosened the tie choking her neck.

Lin Jin’s face occupied all her thoughts, especially the ambiguous sight of her welcoming anyone, which constantly bothered her.

It’s nothing, right?

The madwoman wasn’t kissing anyone with abandon. It was just a fleeting affair in a drinking establishment. Other guests also hug like that when they’ve had too much to drink.

Cheng Sangluo, why are you angry?

Besides, what does it have to do with you?

But then, what am I?

Am I any different from those hostesses who throw themselves into her arms—just a role for casual entertainment?

It’s funny, right? Probably anyone else could easily climb into her bed.

Cheng Sangluo was once again at a loss with herself. She could only hang her head and constantly brainwash herself. As she did, a heavy sigh emerged.

The puppy is overthinking.

She retreated into her own world, much like a deeply wronged puppy hiding under the sofa. That distressing expression couldn’t be wiped away, so she could only bury her head deeper.

Suddenly, that pair of high-heeled shoes, which always trampled on dignity, quietly intruded into her sight once more.

Cheng Sangluo blinked slightly, raising her head in confusion, until the beautiful face from her mind blended into her vision.

Lin Jin’s lips were tightly pressed, and she was fiercely biting her cheek. Her expression showed little emotion, only her eyes were venomous and desolate.

She stared at the bewildered Cheng Sangluo, then abruptly and forcefully grabbed her tie, dragging her towards the restroom as a master would pull a dog on a leash: “Cheng Sangluo, tell me… how should a disobedient dog… be punished?”

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