Close to midnight, the neon lights in the city area gradually dimmed, and all the brilliance gathered at that famous place, the Orchid Pavilion.
It was the largest and most luxurious place in the city, and at this time, the place where most people go for entertainment.
Bai Jinyu never thought that one day she would come here to perform.
The grand banquet hall on the second floor was dim, Bai Jinyu was wearing a white lace cheongsam, standing awkwardly behind the kitchen counter they had prepared for her. Though the height of the counter hid most of her figure, this almost transparent and exaggeratedly slit cheongsam still made her feel unacceptable.
She had prepared her own clothes, but the manager didn't like them, and insisted she change into this one, saying shamelessly, "It's very good, very good, the guests will like it."
Damn it, she came here to perform, not to sell her body, why should she please the guests!
If it weren't for getting close to that damned Feng Lingyu, if it weren't for the Treasure Tower, she wouldn't come here even if she was offered a mountain of gold.
"The performance begins, today we are bringing a special gourmet performance. This lady in front of us doesn't need an introduction, she is the well-known Bai Jinyu from Treasure Tower." The host's voice echoed in the banquet hall, and the spotlight shone on Bai Jinyu.
So it's starting?
Bai Jinyu blinked her dark eyes in confusion. There were no audience in sight, only five cameras pointing at her. Was this a recording for a show?
The shameless manager's voice came through her earpiece, "Miss Bai, smile."
Bai Jinyu straightened her back and squeezed out an elegant smile. Just as she was about to introduce today's ingredients, she realized that her microphone was not working.
Then the elevator platform in front of her moved, and a jade platform lift up.
It was a pure white jade stone, emitting an enchanting "aura". On top laid a woman.
She was virtually unclothed, with only three maple leaves placed to cover key areas. Her skin was tender and exuded a pearl-like lustrous glow.
"This..." Bai Jinyu furrowed her eyebrows, this was not her original plan.
"Miss Bai, no matter what, you have to complete the performance tonight. You have already received the payment, and I promised to arrange a meeting for you with Mr. Feng. If you back out now, I will sue you for breach of contract and demand ten times the payment in compensation." The manager's voice grew increasingly shameless.
Money was not the issue, the issue was that the Bai Bao Tower couldn't withstand any turbulence at the moment.
Bai Jinyu bit her lip, her hands started to move.
While she was making sushi, the manager spoke again, "Don't try to just go through the motions, beware of smashing your Bai Bao Tower's reputation.”
She leaned on the kitchen counter, balled her fists, and with a delicate face full of worry, she really was in deep water.
She had no choice but to continue.
She took a deep breath and hastened the speed of making sushi.
Yet she didn’t know, on the other side of the camera, her helpless and fragile demeanor, coupled with her charming attentiveness to cooking, attracted men's attention more than the beautiful woman lying ahead of her.
Who doesn't know that Bai Jinyu of Bai Bao Tower in Yunjing City is a truly aloof beauty? It’s difficult to get a glimpse of her on ordinary days, but to everyone’s surprise, she was invited to the grand event at Youlan Club today.
Her name alone attracted a large wave of spectators who wanted to catch a glimpse of her, and all the VIP seats were sold at a high price.
Since they sold high-priced seats, the club couldn't just take the money and not perform, letting the guests only watch her serious cooking process.
As such, when Bai Jinyu reached for ingredients, the collar of her cheongsam "popped" open.
Bai Jinyu touched it and thought it was an accident. After all, cheongsams are body-fitted and not suitable for big movements. Besides, the opening was not too indecent, she didn't pay much attention and continued to concentrate on her cooking.
After a while, the collar around her clavicle "popped" open as well.
Bai Jinyu tightly grasped her clothes, glancing at the few cameras in front of her, a terrible hunch growing within her.
She had been set up.
"Miss Bai, sorry for the poor quality of the clothes. However, if you have any thoughts of leaving, you should already know the consequences," The disgusting voice of the manager confirmed her suspicions.
This is too much!
Did they really think that she would just let them bully her?
With a smirk, Bai Jinyu let her hair down, hanging loosely around her shoulders. She used the hairpin that had been holding up her hair to fasten the torn part of her clothes closed. Now there was no reason to fear them coming undone.
The very people who had been laughing at her initially were left with dropped jaws at her clever move. They quickly changed their tune, stomping their feet and demanding for their money back.
Of course, once the manager has taken the money, he wasn't about to return it. He activated his mechanism, pulling out his trump card.
Bai Jinyu had prepared her sushi, now was the time to "arrange" - displaying the sushi on the stunning woman in front of her.
The beautifully crafted sushi and the beautiful body complemented each other, reaching the pinnacle of deliciousness and beauty. Although from a mundane perspective, it may seem lewd. However, from an aesthetic point of view, it was nothing short of exquisite.
Having finally finished her task at hand, she was ready to leave. Yet, as she turned, she suddenly felt light-headed and weak. Unable to stand properly, she stumbled a few steps and held onto the kitchen counter to maintain balance.
What's going on?
Glancing back at the emerging 'smoke', she belatedly realized that there was something wrong with it.
"Alright, tonight's culinary delight is here, ladies and gentlemen. Highest bidder wins, we present the first beauty of Yunjing, Miss Bai Jinyu…"
…
"I knew they would pull a move like this. The ‘Hundred Treasure Pavillion’ is nothing like its old glory. It’s not a surprise they would bite when Bai Jingyu has literally offered herself to them. It's such a pity for the most beautiful woman in Yun Jing City." The person seated in the VIP suite speaking while watching the live telecast harbored some regret.
"If you feel it's such a pity, why don't you place a bid?" The person next to him, without taking his eyes off the TV screen, pressed the bidding button, effectively overriding the current highest bid.
"Holy cow, eight million! Mr. Si Dashaoye, you really are loaded. I bow to you!"
In the dimly lit room, the light from the television screen illuminated the handsome face of Si Ruicheng. His clear-cut features included a pair of profound eyes that were an unusual deep blue, unlike the typical Asian.
"Come by early tomorrow morning with your people and seal off this place. Remember, none of them are to escape! Also, make sure my money is refunded to my card," instructed Si Ruicheng, as he picked up his coat and walked out of the VIP suite.
Outside the door, the Club Guolan's manager swiftly approached, with a sly smile pasted on his face. "Sir, we have arranged the supreme suite for you upstairs. Would you like us to escort Miss Bai there?" he asked politely.
"I'm taking her away." Si Ruicheng bluntly stated, captivating gaze carried an authority that was hard to confront.
The smile on the manager's face froze as he studied the man towering over him.
He sported a camo uniform and had an austere facade which commanded respect, appearing to have an extraordinary background. However, he couldn't recall having such an individual among the members of Club Guolan.
