After finishing their shopping, Zhou Yi and his group had dinner together before heading straight to the bar owned by Gong Zi's friend.
"Night Encounter Bar?"
"Yeah, this is the place."
After getting out of the car, everyone looked up at the bar. Just from its upscale decor, it was clear this was a high-end establishment, located in the city center with a bustling crowd of customers coming and going.
Gong Zi stood by the roadside and made a call. Soon after, a man with dyed blue hair walked out. He looked no older than twenty-five.
He was the owner of the bar, named Song Wei, Gong Zi's childhood friend.
Being able to open such a large bar in a place like City A, Song Wei naturally came from a wealthy or influential family.
"Hey, Zi."
Song Wei then waved warmly at Zhou Yi and the others, his demeanor friendly.
Gong Zi linked arms with Wang Yuyan and Lu Youyou, introducing them affectionately:
"Wei Ge, let me introduce you. These are all my friends."
"Wang Yuyan, Lu Youyou, Zhou Yi, Zhang Wei, Kong Xiaohe, Jiang Cong."
"This is Song Wei, my childhood friend. He's treating us tonight, so don’t hold back."
Gong Zi gave a brief introduction, but despite the large group, Song Wei didn’t miss a beat, memorizing everyone’s names.
He slung an arm around Zhou Yi’s shoulder, leading the group inside.
"All friends here, no need to be formal. I’m a bit older, so if you don’t mind, you can call me Wei Ge."
He then pulled out a cigarette and offered it to Zhou Yi. "Want one?"
Zhou Yi shook his head. "I don’t smoke, thanks."
Song Wei didn’t press, just smiled and put the cigarette away.
Once inside Night Encounter, they realized just how spacious it was, with a great atmosphere and even a second floor.
Facing them as they entered was an entire wall lined with liquor bottles. In the center of the main hall was a large stage where a folk singer was playing the guitar.
"Drink whatever you like, no need to hold back. Seriously, help yourselves."
Song Wei treated Gong Zi like a little sister, so he was naturally generous with her friends. Some of the bottles on that wall cost tens of thousands.
Gong Zi casually pointed to a bottle priced at 39,800, and Song Wei didn’t even blink, immediately bringing out some of the bar’s most expensive selections.
Song Wei led them further inside, intending to sit right in front of the stage—Gong Zi had mentioned she wanted to sing tonight.
As they passed a table of pretty girls, the moment they spotted Zhou Yi beside Song Wei, their eyes lit up.
"Holy crap, there’s actually a guy this hot! Wei Wei, look!"
"OMG, he’s even hotter than a celebrity."
"He looks kinda familiar, like I’ve seen him somewhere before."
"Come on, every hot guy looks familiar to you. Someone this good-looking only exists on TV—I’ve never seen one in real life."
"Should we go ask for his WeChat?"
"I’ll do it!"
Zhou Yi’s face was already devastatingly handsome, but under the bar’s moody lighting, it took on an even more mesmerizing quality.
No sooner had Song Wei and the group sat down than a bombshell of a woman approached, striking up a conversation.
She rested a hand on Song Wei’s shoulder, her gorgeous eyes sweeping over Zhou Yi with a sultry gaze—clearly sending signals his way.
"Wei Ge, is this your friend?"
"Oh, Wei Wei! Long time no see."
Song Wei deliberately sidestepped the question. He knew Gong Zi had feelings for Zhou Yi, so he was ready to block this advance.
But the girl didn’t care about Song Wei’s intentions. She pulled out her phone, aiming for Zhou Yi’s WeChat.
"Hey, handsome, can I get your WeChat? I’m Wei Wei."
She flipped her wavy hair, her smile utterly captivating.
Before Zhou Yi could respond, Gong Zi exploded.
The girl snatched Wei Wei’s phone and tossed it onto the table.
Hands on her hips, she raised an eyebrow and said, "Sorry, my friend isn’t into your type. Don’t bother."
Her tone was dripping with hostility.
Gong Zi had always been wild, and Song Wei was used to it. As her childhood friend, he knew exactly how fiery her temper could be.
If she really lost it, Wei Wei wouldn’t stand a chance. He didn’t intervene, just watched with amusement.
Wei Wei wasn’t about to back down either. She gave Gong Zi a once-over, her voice laced with disdain. "Who are you? Mind your own business."
Gong Zi immediately turned to Zhou Yi with an innocent pout, looking almost pitiful.
She didn’t want Zhou Yi adding this woman’s WeChat—even though he hadn’t said a word yet, she already despised her.
Right now, Gong Zi was a powder keg ready to blow. If Zhou Yi added this woman, she’d make sure he deleted her before the night was over.
But she didn’t dare say anything to Zhou Yi. The worst kind of jealousy was the kind you had no right to feel—they weren’t even dating. Her earlier outburst had already crossed a line.
Deep down, Gong Zi was nervous. If Zhou Yi ignored her and added Wei Wei instead, she’d be humiliated.
Zhou Yi glanced at Gong Zi, recognizing her jealousy.
When it came to him, Gong Zi couldn’t stay calm anymore—gone was her usual composed self.
He chuckled, pulling her down to sit. "I won’t add her. Don’t be mad."
Gong Zi immediately lifted her chin at Wei Wei, the picture of triumph.
Wei Wei’s smile didn’t waver. She stepped closer, trying to push Gong Zi aside.
But Gong Zi wasn’t about to budge. She hooked a leg around the chair, holding her ground no matter how much Wei Wei tried to squeeze in.
"Are you his girlfriend?" Wei Wei stood her ground, refusing to leave.
Gong Zi threw her own words back at her, leaning into Zhou Yi. "Mind your own business."
Jiang Cong and the others watched the two women fight over Zhou Yi, not daring to say a word.
The guys exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of awe and envy.
Wang Yuyan blinked her big eyes at Wei Wei. "Hey, you’re bothering us."
Wei Wei scanned the table—every girl there was stunning. She smirked. "I just wanted to make a new friend."
Lu Youyou gave her a cold look, then stood up, grabbing a glass of wine.
"Leave, or I’ll pour this on you."
With her short hair and sharp features, Lu Youyou looked intimidating when she scowled.
Wei Wei’s friends, sensing trouble, quickly pulled her back.
"Let it go. That guy’s way out of our league."
Wei Wei still wasn’t convinced. She pouted, shooting Gong Zi a glare. "What ‘league’? I’m just as pretty as any of them."
One of her friends handed her a phone. "That’s the CEO of Huanyu Group. He’s not gonna look twice at regular people like us—he’s probably waiting for some arranged marriage with another rich family."
Only then did Wei Wei realize Zhou Yi wasn’t just insanely handsome—he was filthy rich too.
He drove a Rolls-Royce? A total high-society prince!
She stole another glance at Zhou Yi, her frustration growing.
"No way. I still have to find a way to meet him. If it weren’t for those girls interfering, he might not have rejected me."