Chapter Six: Such Intolerable Bullying

Early the next morning, I was roused from a deep sleep by the blaring noise of rock music. Reluctantly, I fumbled toward the source of the ringing, searching for my phone. Squinting at the caller ID, I saw an unfamiliar number and promptly hung up.

I tossed the phone aside, rolled over, and slipped back into my favorite sleeping position. But before I could even close my eyes, the infuriating ringtone blared again from the phone. Damn it! Who could it be, disturbing me so early? Did they not know I spent half the night washing clothes, barely slept, then was plagued by insomnia until dawn? Now, when I finally managed to get some rest, I was being tortured with phone calls!

Cursing, I snatched up the phone and answered. "Hello? Who is this?"

"Are you Yang Chen?" A woman's voice came through, unfamiliar but somehow vaguely recognizable.

"Yes, this is Yang Chen. Who are you?"

"I'm Luo Qing. Come to Tianyu Mall—I've got something to discuss with you. I'm waiting at the entrance." With that, she quickly hung up.

Luo Qing... That name sounded so familiar. I tried to recall any information about her, and suddenly it hit me—damn, wasn’t Luo Qing that awful woman who insulted me in front of Sister Shi Yu at the bar last night?

I didn't know her at all. Why would she suddenly want to see me? As the saying goes, strange events always hide trouble. I couldn’t go—absolutely not. As I debated whether I should just turn off my phone, a message flashed onto the screen: "Wondering how I got your number? The bar owner and I are old friends. It's up to you whether you come, but don’t dig your own grave."

She must have anticipated I wouldn't obediently show up, and sent a threatening text as backup!

Had I somehow offended some celestial goddess this year? Why was every step I took met with a threat? Last night was bad enough, and now this morning again. I, a grown man, was being threatened by all sorts of bizarre women—how was a person supposed to live like this?

Though my mind was full of curses, her message was clear. And from the look of things, it was probably true. Judging by her boldness and confidence last night, if I didn’t go, the consequences would be serious.

Fortunately, Tianyu Mall was nearby—just a five-minute walk away. I picked up my phone and texted her: "I'm washing up now. I'll be there in about ten minutes."

She didn’t call or text again. I had no idea if she saw my message, but I’d replied. If she didn’t see it, that was her problem.

After washing up and getting ready, I checked my watch—I was even ahead of schedule. At the entrance to the massive revolving doors of Tianyu Mall, I scanned the crowd and soon spotted her.

She wore a long red dress and black high heels that accentuated her nearly flawless, slender legs. Her figure was well-proportioned, her curves graceful. Even if there were ten thousand people outside the mall, I would have spotted her instantly—she was simply too striking, beautiful enough to inspire envy. Just as last night, she wore oversized sunglasses, occasionally surveying her surroundings, seemingly searching for me.

I strode up to her, bitterness in my voice: "Miss, may I ask what urgent business you summoned me here for?"

Because she wore high heels today, she was noticeably taller than yesterday. Standing straight, I found myself almost eye to eye with her. I estimated her true height must be at least one seventy centimeters.

She looked at me, sensing my unease, and a faint smile played across her lips. "Nothing important. I just wanted to see if you’d do as I said."

"Damn!" I couldn’t hold back—cursing slipped out. I was exhausted like a dog, dragged out of bed at dawn, and now you just want to toy with me?

"Say that again and see what happens," Luo Qing frowned, stepping closer, as if a volcano was about to erupt.

"I’m sorry, all right? Sister, I’ll call you sister. Enjoy yourself, have fun, I said the wrong thing, I’ll just head home and sleep." Fine, you’ve got a temper, you’re wealthy and powerful, you have connections. I can’t afford to provoke you, but I can certainly avoid you.

"No way. You’re coming with me, or I’ll have Brother Jia fire you." Luo Qing’s slender, fair arm blocked my retreat, her tone brooking no argument as she pointed toward Tianyu Mall. "Help me carry some things. You’re a grown man, you won’t break."

"Fine, I’ll help, but can’t you at least give me a reason? We’ve only met once, we’re not friends, and just because you didn’t like me last night, you’re determined to mess with me?" I could help, but at least give me a decent explanation. Am I really that easy to bully? I didn’t even know you, and you insulted me out of the blue, then acted like nothing happened and now want me to labor for you? Am I that pathetic?

"There’s a reason, of course… but I’ll tell you after you finish carrying my things," Luo Qing tapped her lips with her beautiful, slender fingers, hesitating for a moment.

Watching her hesitate like that, seductive yet adorably awkward, I found myself unconsciously captivated. She truly was stunning—as An Ye said last night, in terms of looks and figure, she was almost flawless—at least from what could be seen.

"Hey!" Luo Qing’s sharp voice jolted me back to reality. Annoyed, she demanded, "One word—are you coming or not?"

"I’m coming!" I gritted my teeth. Fine, I’ll go. I want to see what kind of reason makes a rich heiress waste so much time tormenting me!

Luo Qing smiled again when I agreed, then turned and entered the mall with the crowd. I hurried after her, not wanting to get separated in the rush.

At first, I thought I was here for a specific purpose—to help carry things. Later, I realized how wrong I was. This was just like any other woman shopping—no difference at all! Accompanying her around the mall for nearly two hours, I finally understood how the rich live. As they say, wealth breeds freedom—if she liked something, she bought it without a second thought. If it existed, she dared to take it, dared to buy it, dared to pile it on…

By noon, I had well and truly exhausted myself—three clothing bags in my left hand, two big dress bags in my right, and between them I had to cradle a box of high heels. My hands weren’t free to just carry, I had to balance everything…

"Take a break—you’re tired," Luo Qing pointed to a cold drink shop on the top floor of the mall.

At least she had a bit of compassion. Tired? If I didn’t rest soon, I’d collapse.

I carefully placed the bags on a nearby bench. These items were expensive—if anything broke, I could never afford to compensate…

Ah… finally, I could rest. As soon as I sat down, it felt like I’d been dragged back from the gates of hell—pure bliss!

Luo Qing sat elegantly on the bench, watching me drenched in sweat. She seemed a little embarrassed. "What would you like to drink?"

"Orange juice," I replied softly. At that moment, I was sprawled across the table, aching all over, eyelids battling to stay open. I could faintly smell the subtle, enchanting fragrance coming from Luo Qing nearby. Unconsciously, I closed my eyes.