You're not looking for it too, are you

It was 8:30 PM. The city center of Xicang was brightly lit under the night sky, with neon lights lining both sides of the streets.

A steady stream of tourists bustled along the sidewalks.

"Have you booked a place for drinks yet?" Meng Qianyu asked, looking at the guys.

"Not yet, we were just about to look."

"Where do you all want to go? My treat tonight," Zhong Qing said as she walked over with a smile.

Zhang Ziming waved his hand. "No need, no need, I'll get it~"

"Give me a chance, will you? I joined the group later, let me show some hospitality~"

Hearing this, Zhang Ziming looked at the others.

Meng Wenzhou nodded with a smile. "Alright then, let Xiao Qing handle the booking."

Zhong Qing smiled brightly at Meng Wenzhou. "Thanks, Brother Meng. Leave it to me~"

"You're treating everyone, so we should be thanking you~"

With a sweet smile, Zhong Qing took out her phone and started searching for bars. "We're looking for a quieter bar, right?"

Tang Ziyun nodded. "Mhm, yes, the kind that's not too noisy and serves other drinks too."

"Ok~"

Chatting, they slowed their pace.

A few minutes later, Zhong Qing found a quiet bar called West Street, located by the East River.

The place looked nice, and no one had any objections. However, they were currently quite far from the bar and had to take taxis.

The eleven of them split into three groups and went to the roadside to hail cabs.

Soon, the three groups got into cars one after another and headed for the bar called West Street.

A little over ten minutes later, the three taxis arrived at the bar's entrance almost simultaneously.

The riverside scenery at night was charming, and the surrounding urban area looked quite prosperous.

A few of the guys sized up the West Street bar in the distance as they walked.

Zhang Ziming nodded. "This bar is pretty big, and the ambiance looks good. There should be some beauties around."

Ji Bo nodded with a smile. "It does seem alright. But what does it matter to you whether there are beauties or not?"

Zhang Ziming shot Ji Bo a look. "Can't I just appreciate the view?"

...

Talking, they walked towards the bar. As they got closer, they took a look.

In front of the bar was a fairly large open-air courtyard, enclosed by a wooden fence forming a square.

Seven or eight tables and chairs were arranged on both sides, with a pathway left in the middle leading to the main entrance.

A few tables were already occupied by people drinking and chatting, though they were mostly guys.

The appearance of Su Yang and the others immediately drew the attention of the guys at those tables.

But they were all looking at Pan Ning, Meng Qianyu, and the other girls.

The guys at the tables whispered among themselves as they watched.

Pan Ning and the others simply ignored the people at the entrance and quickly walked to the door, pushing it open.

Su Yang and the guys followed closely behind.

After all eleven had entered the bar, the voices from the tables outside grew a bit louder.

"Holy crap, guys, top-tier beauties have appeared, and not just one, but five!!!"

"What's the plan? Should we change locations?"

"Change locations, my foot. Didn't you see the six tough-looking guys following them? Probably all taken."

"What's there to be afraid of? Beauties of that caliber aren't common. I don't believe all five have boyfriends."

"But those guys with them look like they're not to be messed with, especially the handsome one. That physique... two or three of us might not be able to take him."

"Hey, you, all talk and no action."

"How about we move inside? Even if we don't hit on them, we can at least enjoy the view."

"Mhm, good point. Let's go."

......

Inside the bar, smooth jazz flowed from the speakers. Behind the black bar counter, two stylishly dressed, handsome bartenders were shaking cocktail shakers.

The lighting inside was dim and soft. However, there weren't many customers at the moment, only four or five tables where people were chatting and drinking in low voices.

Su Yang and the others followed a server to a riverside window seat and sat down.

Turning to look out the window, they could see the shimmering surface of the river. A cool evening breeze blew in from time to time, which was quite pleasant.

As usual, whether in a bar, on a plane, or a high-speed train, Su Yang always preferred a window seat.

Pan Ning was the same, always sitting next to him.

After everyone was seated, a pretty waitress brought over a pitcher of complimentary lemon water and placed it on the table.

Then she took out two vintage-style menus and handed them over.

"Here are the menus, ladies and gentlemen. Please take a look and see what you'd like. Once you've decided, just press the service bell on the table."

"Okay, thanks. You can go ahead."

The waitress smiled slightly and turned to leave.

Su Yang flipped through the menu. This bar had a wide variety of drinks: cocktails, craft beers, various spirits, wine, beer, coffee, juice, soft drinks, and more—everything you could want.

Pan Ning sat next to Su Yang, leaning her head to look at the menu with him.

"What do you want to drink?" Su Yang asked.

"Anything is fine."

"I think I'll start with an iced Americano," Su Yang said with a laugh.

"You're drinking coffee at a bar?" Zhang Ziming said from across the table.

"What can I say? I just have a taste for it."

Pan Ning poured a glass of lemon water. "Then I'll have one too."

Meng Qianyu, sitting next to Pan Ning, chimed in. "Me too."

Tang Ziyun thought for a moment and said, "Me too~"

Su Yang smiled faintly. "Alright, four cups. Anyone else?"

Meng Wenzhou raised his hand. "I'll have one as well."

"Ok. You guys look at the alcohol."

Liu Bo, holding the other menu, nodded. "I'm looking. What kind of drinks do you want? There are various cocktails, wine, beer, whiskey, vodka, and so on."

Pan Ning said calmly, "Get two bottles of whiskey."

"Sure thing~"

Hearing this, Zhong Qing was taken aback and turned to look at Pan Ning. "Two bottles? Sister Pan Pan, you're that hardcore?"

Liu Bo grinned. "Haha, Xiao Qing, this must be your first time drinking with us, right? My Sister Pan's drinking capacity is basically unmatched."

"That impressive?"

"Hehe, you'll see in a bit."

Zhong Qing brushed aside the hair covering her eyes and smiled. "Then order more, don't hold back~"

"Don't worry, among friends, we never stand on ceremony."

Soon, Su Yang and Liu Bo ordered a different cocktail or juice drink for everyone and then pressed the service bell.

The same pretty waitress quickly came over, confirmed the order with them, and left with the menus.

While waiting for the drinks, Chu Qiunan and Ji Bo kept sizing up the other customers in the bar—specifically, the female customers.

But after looking around, they hadn't spotted any targets yet.

Sitting on the outer edge, the two whispered to each other. "No targets."

"Don't rush. It's still early. There should be some later."

Ji Bo nodded. "Mhm, with Brother Yang here, given his magnetism with women, there's still hope."

The others didn't hear their conversation, but Su Yang did. He rested his chin on his hand, tilting his head with a knowing, almost auntie-like smile as he looked at the two sitting on the end.

Seeing Su Yang looking at them, they blinked back in response.

However, the seating area was limited, and everyone was sitting together. Meng Qianyu was the first to notice the strange looks Chu Qiunan and Ji Bo were exchanging.

She asked curiously, "What are you two looking at, making eyes at each other like that?"

"Huh? N-nothing~"

"Impossible, something's definitely up with you guys. Spill it, what are you hiding from us?"

"Really, we're not~" Chu Qiunan tried to argue.

"What 'exchanging glances'?" Tang Ziyun asked from the side.

"You'll have to ask them about that, I don't know either."

It wasn't exactly some shameful secret, so Meng Wenzhou stepped in with a laugh, "They were checking out some beauties."

"Checking out beauties? Where?"

As she spoke, Meng Qianyu turned her head to look at the other tables.

After looking around, she shook her head, "I don't see any beauties?"

"Let's be honest with you, the truth is, a few of them are trying to scout for some romantic prospects."

Meng Qianyu rolled her big eyes and laughed, "So all this fuss was just about trying to pick up girls."

Chu Qiunan said, "Old Meng, the way you put it, 'a few of them'? Weren't you in on it too?"

Meng Wenzhou scratched his temple, "I'm just along for the ride. If any beauties show up, you guys get first dibs."

Pan Ning then looked at Zhang Ziming, "Are you also looking for a romantic prospect?"

Hearing this, Zhang Ziming quickly waved his hands, "Me? Looking for what? I was just helping them look, you know, for guys like Old Meng, Fatty, and the others. At most, I'm just acting as their wingman."

Pan Ning nodded, "Oh, I see. I thought with Yi Xue not around, you were about to let loose."

"No way, sis, nothing like that."

Su Yang covered his mouth, leaning against the window, quietly snickering.

Pan Ning then turned to look at him, "You're not planning to look for someone too, are you?"

......