Chapter 623: Beasts In Human Clothing
The sci-fi blockbuster movie was still playing on the screen, but Tang Xiu's mind was no longer on it. The more he thought, the more excited he was, as the tech products he had once seen in the Loose Spiral Shell Star Area were constantly springing out inside his mind.
Results and achievements are for those who can visualize their imagination.
In a short time, Tang Xiu had determined that he could try to research two products. One of which was the Gravitational Flying Disc, the kind of object that could fly by stepping on the start button, which was also the most basic means of travel for the tech race; like the bicycle on Earth. The second object was a type of clothing that could ensure the wearer felt warm in winter and cool in summer, and also was the most basic scientific knowledge of the said race.
"I must research these, as more and more talents I groom in the future would need larger and larger resources to consume. Relying solely on the profitable channels that are available now would no longer be viable anymore."
A firm expression was revealed inside Tang Xiu's eyes.
Money was indeed the foundation to gain a foothold.
Tens of billions, and even thousands of billions! Such an amount mayhap be a very large number for others, but it was not even enough for him because his pursuit and goal. He needed to use money to pave the way and clear up the path to the future.
Suddenly, Tang Xiu's expression changed. He was keenly aware of the seats around him. A figure transmitting a very familiar scent and smelling perfume sat down next to him.
"Lulu?" After Tang Xiu seeing clearly that it was Ouyang Lulu who sat down, his expression was one of surprise.
Psst… Ouyang Lulu put her finger on her lips and hissed while handing him a box of popcorn.
Tang Xiu couldn't help chuckling to himself. After shaking his head, he then asked with a voice that only they could hear, "Don't worry! There are only a few viewers in this movie hall and they are also sitting in front. Our chat won't disturb them."
"I just want to have a comfortable time watching a movie with you!" Ouyang Lulu let out a faint smile. "I used to feel like I was childish, but it's kind of romantic now that I'm with you."
Cough! Cough…
Coughing a few times, Tang Xiu turned his head and no longer spoke.
The 120-minutes sci-fi blockbuster movie still had 50 minutes remaining before the ending. Tang Xiu no longer spoke and neither did Ouyang Lulu, who wore a contented smile while eating popcorn, as her eyes glanced at Tang Xiu once in a while. She even stuffed some popcorn into his mouth a few times.
The movie ended. Along with the departure of the several viewers in the front row, Tang Xiu let out a smile and stood. After picking up the 3D glasses, he smilingly said, "The movie is over, let's go out!"
While holding the popcorn box, Ouyang Lulu stood up and stretched herself in a relaxed manner and said, "I was almost exhausted since I drove the car for six-plus hours straight. I don't feel like standing up after sitting here and watching the movie."
"You haven't told me yet. How did you end up coming to Blue City?" Asked Tang Xiu in a odd tone. "Also… how did you know that I'm at Clearlake Club in the first place?"
"I was talking with Long Zhengyu on the phone about some business matters a couple days ago," said Ouyang lulu with a laugh. "I accidentally learned that you two had a vacation here, so I came. Don't tell me that I'm not welcome here?"
Inwardly, Tang Xiu could only force a wry smile. Though what Ouyang Lulu had in mind was no longer a concealed matter to him, he still was somewhat helpless by her passionate and bold pursuit every time he met her. That was why he complained a bit that Long Zhengyu talked too much.
"Let's go have a bite! I'm kinda starving." Ouyang Lulu didn't wait for Tang Xiu's reply as she grabbed his hand and walked toward the outside.
Wang Zidong had been waiting outside the Movie Hall. His mood was a bit complicated when he saw Ouyang Lulu pulling Tang Xiu out. After standing up from the sofa to greet them, he said with a light smile, "You finally came out. I'm afraid that my belly will turn flat due to starving if you didn't come out."
"Eh, why are you here, Wang Zidong?" Asked Tang Xiu with a curious expression.
"Well, he kinda striked a conversation with me before, and then learned that I came to see you, so he brought me here," said Ouyang Lulu with a smile.
There was an awkward expression on Wang Zidong's face, but still, he braced himself and said, "Heroes love beauties since ancient times. That's why I thickened up my face and picked up a conversation with you, big sis-in-law. Please don't mention this embarrassing thing again in the future, else I'll be dead, becoming a laughing stock by everyone else."
"Okay okay. I won't mention it anymore," said Ouyang Lulu with eyes turning crescent moon due to smiling.
Sister-in-law?
Tang Xiu observed him before turning his head to look at Ouyang Lulu. He suddenly felt the hand on his wrist tightening and immediately came to the realization that Wang Zidong really regarded Ouyang Lulu as his woman! No, something was not right. Even if she was coming to find him, he didn't need to do that much as addressing her as big sis-in-law, right? This was definitely Ouyang Lulu's doing, definitely because something she said to Wang Zidong. Upon coming to this thought, Tang Xiu was a bit at a loss whether he had to laugh or cry.
For a man to have a thick face when flirting and picking up girls was indeed a kingly way, and yet the very principle and the man had been put to use by Ouyang Lulu, thoroughly and incisively!
She does have guts. I kinda feel like I'm being picked up by a girl here.
Tang Xiu raised his hand to touch his nose while casting out the absurd thoughts inside his mind and said, "It should be lunchtime now, so let's have a meal together! Anyways, has Huang Xu come today? If he has, call him over to eat with us here, too."
Just a moment ago Wang Zidong was thinking that he was like a third man, thus it was inappropriate for him to have lunch with them. He immediately felt happy upon hearing Tang Xiu's remark. He was nothing but a third man yet was invited to dine with them. After making a phone call, he then looked at Tang Xiu and spoke, "I just called Huang Xu and he said he's coming back from the airport and is on the way here. He also wanted me to tell you that Fei Shan also came. Do you also know this second son of the Fei Family, Tang Xiu?"
"Yeah, I know him," said Tang Xiu with a smile.
"Your personal connections are really great, Brother Tang Xiu," said Wang Zidong with an emotionally sincere expression. "I would have thought that you were a native of Blue City had I not known that this is your first time here! Anyways, the second son of the Fei Family is one that always has his eyes on the top and is kind of bullish and arrogant in front of me."
"Fei Shan is a bullish man?" Tang Xiu was surprised. "But I don't feel him to be like that at all?"
"Yeah!" While shooting Tang Xiu a convincing look, Wang Zidong could only force a smile inwardly. Upon thinking about it, he felt that it was a given due to Tang Xiu's identity. Fei Shan was the second son of the Fei Family, but comparing him with Tang Xiu, who was a flamboyant young master from the capital and was worlds apart, the former would therefore naturally not be conceited in front of Tang Xiu.
The lunch was held and enjoyed by everyone in the Supreme Hall. The travel-worn Fei Shan, who just came back out of town, was even more enthusiastic due to Tang Xiu's arrival. He also heard that Du Yunjie was taught a lesson by Tang Xiu during the meal, and even Du Yunlong was crushed in his hand, which made the admiration in his eyes increase.
In the Dining Hall inside the private box on the third floor.
Li Xiaoqian looked at the four men sitting in front of her with their faces flushed red due to drinking. Sitting on her left was her mentor, an associate professor at the Regal Classical Music Academy, who had strong connections in the music community. On the right was the director, producer, and a regular honored guest of the recent "I'm Crazy About Singing" program on the Blue City TV station.
Talented in music as she was, she was loved by many teachers and professors in the campus. And this time, her mentor, Tang Zhen, took her out to entertain them in the hopes that she could receive the favor of this group of people in the completion when she participated in the Third Season of "I'm Crazy About Singing" program, and also receive praise from the director and this honored guest. All the while building a bridge of friendship and then through them, finally achieving an excellent position in the competition.
Yet, this kind of courtesy entertaining was not to Li Xiaoqian's liking. But still, it wasn't good to refuse the good intentions from her mentor, thus she could only suppress the depressed feeling inside, sit still and keep them accompany to drink while listening to all the spicy jokes they often spurted out when they were conversing.
"Xiaoqian! Let's just enjoy ourselves to the full. Besides, you're also a good student with a great potential in the Music Academy, too. Just take this glass of wine and after this, we'll go to the Entertainment Hall to sing while getting high, and then let us experience that wonderful voice of yours first hand." The director raised the glass while his other hand touched Li Xiaoqian's back.
Li Xiaoqian hurriedly pulled his hand back. She took her glass, stood up and squeezed out a light smile on her delicate face, saying, "Director Bao, I have drunk too much wine today and I feel a bit dizzy now. I'm afraid I can't bear it if I still have to go to the Entertainment Hall to sing. I'll dry up this glass of wine as a token of respect and then will take my leave first."
Having said that, she directly dried up the glass of wine and then reached out to grab her handbag hanging on the chair behind her. However, the middle-aged director put the glass on the table and said with a displeased look on his face, "Xiaoqian, let's have a good chat here. You suddenly want to go back, isn't this like sweeping the face of everyone here? If this is the case, I really can't drink this glass of wine."
The male honored guest also revealed a disappointed expression and said, "I'm sure I already told you about my relationship with the four judges just now, Xiaoqian. We are partners in the show and also buddies in private. Most of the reviewers in the media for the final session are also my colleagues. You want to participate in our program and also want to win the first place. Do you think you can do it without me?"
With brows wrinkled, a dissatisfied expression plastered itself on Tang Zhen's face. The person he was disappointed with was not Director Bai nor the honored guest, but Li Xiaoqian. Though he was the one hoping that Li Xiaoqian could participate in the "I'm Crazy About Singing" program on the Blue City TV Station, he also could tell that she herself was very excited. And nowadays, one must pay something in return if one wanted something. How many female students desired to start out in public? Didn't they eventually make some transactions in private?
Furthermore, it was not he himself who wanted to take advantages of her today! But the ones in front of him. If Li Xiaoqian served these people and then accompanied Director Bai in the evening, she would still possibly end up in the third place and runner-up even if she couldn't take the first place in the Third Season of the "I'm Crazy About Singing" program.
"Don't speak like you're under the influence of wine, Xiaoqian. Hurry up and drink a cup with Director Bai and the rest. And do apologize to them!" Tang Zhen reprimanded her in a whisper.
"I…" Li Xiaoqian was stunned, and a disbelieving expression appeared in her face.
Chapter 624: Holding a Candle to the Devils
Little did Li Xiaoqian think that her mentor would not only not help her but even hit her when she was down instead. Though she hadn't yet entered society, how could she not see that Director Bai's group of three wanted to take advantage of her? And yet, shouldn't he protect her as a her mentor?
All of a sudden, deep regret filled her heart. She regretted agreeing to Tang Zhen to come to the appointment today.
Li Xiaoqian took a deep breath to suppress the dizzy feeling inside before speaking, "Teacher, I really can't drink anymore, else I won't be able to go back today. Please have your drink while I go to the bathroom first."
Seeing that Li Xiaoqian unexpectedly dared to disobey him at this time, Tang Zhen was angered. He felt that he couldn't keep his little face and grabbed her arm as he angrily shouted, "SIT! DOWN!"
"Bam…"
Tang Zhen's powerful pull made Li Xiaoqian, who was currently slightly drunk, stumble and fall to the floor as she even touched the glass in front of her smashed to the side.
Director Bai's eyes lit up. He hurriedly got up and turned around to hug her from behind. When his hands pretended to hold up her up, he grabbed her proud peaks, but the effort he exerted on his hands was not a drunkard's, but for other purposes. It was nothing short of an indecent act.
"LET GO OF ME!"
Li Xiaoqian finally realized that Director Bai was nothing but a wolf in a human skin—a bastard with a good occupation. She pushed his hands with and struggled to stand up. Just as she got up and pushed his hands away, she slapped his face and cursed, "You have no sense of shame, pervert!"
Director Bai was furious, as he grabbed Li Xiaoqian's head and punched her face and yelled, "You fucking bitch! You dare to slap me?"
The punch caused blood to flow from the corner of Li Xiaoqian's mouth.
At this time, Tang Zhen also lost his temper but could only endure it since he was, after all, her mentor. He squeezed out a smile to persuade him, "Director Bai, please don't stoop down to the level of this ignorant girl. She just drank too much and didn't intentionally offend you. You can rest assured that I'll make her accompany you drinking for a few glasses today."
Ptui…
Amidst Li Xiaoqian's struggles and Tang Zhen's persuasion, Director Bai released his hand and spat to the floor, "However much you drunk, don't you dare play with this Father! What kind of bitches have I not seen? You came to this wine table and yet you still want to pretend to be a chaste one?"
Li Xiaoqian burst into tears. She repressed the humiliation inside, quickly grabbed her bag and run toward the door. She opened the door and dashed out before they were able to react.
"Don't say that I didn't warn you, bitch!" Director Bai shouted angrily. "Not only will you not enter the show in the future, you will never even get in the preliminaries! You're a trifling thing to this Father, FUCKING BITCH!"
Flames of anger were burning inside Tang Zhen's heart; this was the first time he took his student out to entertain others and ended up in a mess. He hastily spoke some words to console Director Bai before hastily chasing outside. He knew the power Director Bai possessed in the Blue City TV station and knew the status and personal connections of this honored guest in the music circle. Li Xiaoqian's future was going to fall into the abyss of darkness if she was allowed to run away like this today.
When he rushed out of the door he saw Li Xiaoqian about a dozen meters away in the corridor on the floor due to drinking too much. After rushing over, he grabbed her arm and furiously spoke, "Have you done messing this up already? Do you think you still have a chance to enter the music world after you've offended those three? Go back with me to apologize to them!"
"I won't apologize to them. They're all perverts. Nothing good on them whatsoever!" Li Xiaoqian shouted. "You're my mentor, how could you push me into the fire pit?"
"Who the fuck pushed you into the fire pit?" Tang Zhen angrily retorted. "I'm here for your sake—to introduce you to them, or else why the hell did I bring you out to entertain them? Why on earth did you push those who fill to the full for?"
"I'd rather not learn music in the future than letting those damn bastards bully me. LET ME GO!" Yelled Li Xiaoqian.
Pa…
With a face of filled with regret, like having his offspring not living up to his expectations, Tang Zhen slapped Li Xiaoqian, making her stumble. Then he pointed at her and furiously cursed, "I thought you were more promising, Li Xiaoqian! Never did I think that you're nothing but a worthless shit! Where will my face go if you walk away today, huh? Come back inside with me to apologize to them! Even if you don't want to enter the show in the future, you still must come down to finish this scene!"
Crawling up from the floor yet again, Li Xiaoqian stared at Tang Zhen with disbelief. She suddenly came to the realization that her usually refined, neat-dressed mentor, the associate professor of the Regal Classical Music Academy turned out to be not a nice person at all. There was nothing about him that showcased the morality and integrity a teacher must have.
She must run! She could never let herself be ruined in the hands of those dregs!
Li Xiaoqian resisted the fainting sensation that flooded her brain. She didn't even have time to pick up her bag on the floor and turned to run toward the stairs. She ran so quickly that dozens of meters were passed by. Just as she was preparing to rush down the stairs upon seeing that Tang Zhen was chasing her, two waiters appeared at the stairs with plates blocking most of the corridor path.
Under desperation, she didn't want to change her direction and kept running toward the stairs. She could feel that the distance between her and Tang Zhen was getting closer, as she was still a girl and even had drunk a lot of wine. Yet she still gave her best to run away—although fear filled her heart.
Bam…
In the corridor of the second floor, Li XIaoqian ran into a soft embrace. In her panicked state, she finally shouted, "HELP! PERVERT!"
Ouyang Lulu, who had just come out of the restroom, was at a loss whether she had to laugh or cry after being hit by a drunken woman. The woman ran into her embrace and unexpectedly yelled that there was a "pervert". She was a girl with normal sex orientation, for god's sake. How could she molest the same sex, to begin with?
Just a moment after, she was surprised to find that a middle-aged man in gray sweater rushed down the stairs and dashed toward her within several steps.
"You still have the guts to run, Li Xiaoqian? You still must go back with me whether you want it or not today, even if the sky is overturned as a result! It's because of you that my face is almost gone!" After Tang Zhen caught up, he scolded and grabbed her shoulder.
Only at this time did Ouyang Lulu finally realize that the girl in her embrace was not calling her a pervert but this man. She immediately sent a kick after Tang Zhen approached, brushing past him and kicked him again.
"Fear not girl, I can pack him up since he's nothing but a an old pervert!" Ouyang Lulu patted Li Xiaoqian's back and comforted her.
Finally, Li Xiaoqian stood firm and brushed past Ouyang Lulu to hide behind her. She looked at Tang Zhen and shouted, "He's an immoral bastard, a pervert and shameless man. He's obviously my teacher and yet he wants me to accompany those damned men. Wu Wu Wu… he only watched as those damned rogues bullied me. Not only did he not help me, he also helped them. He's really shameless…"
The weeping and wailing revelation from Li Xiaoqian stunned Ouyang Lulu, since it never crossed her mind that this middle-aged man in front of her turned out to be Li Xiaoqian's teacher.
A teacher… how could a teacher do that, even worse than a beast?
He… he was not human!
Fury burst out inside Ouyang Lulu's heart. After turning around to comfort Li Xiaoqian she rushed to Tang Zhen's side, kicking him who was trying to crawl up and then sent several kicks again. Fortunately, today was snowing and she wasn't wear her high-heels though she did dress-up casually. Else, the tip of her shoes would have claimed half of Tang Zhen's life already.
"SCRAM! If you dare to play rogue again, I, your great aunt, will make you a living eunuch."
The beaten Tang Zhen was perplexed. Little did he expect that someone would show up and disrupt him like Cheng Yaojin, more so that this was a female version of Cheng Yaojin. He wanted to fight back, but it was evident that he was not her match at all. Forcing himself to suppress the pain all over his body, he struggled to crawl up from the floor with difficulty after the woman stepped back and theb viciously glared at Ouyang Lulu.
"Eh…" Despite having been used to seeing beautiful women, Tang Zhen was still shocked upon seeing Ouyang Lulu's stunning beauty. A disbelieving expression plastered itself on his face, for he didn't expect that the woman who beat him turned out to be like an immortal fairy.
With furrowed brows, Ouyang Lulu's mind still had the man's impression whose glaring eyes were aimed at her. She raised her fist and yelled, "What the hell are you looking at? Really, you're a damn rogue. Did you not believe that I, your great aunt, will not dare to castrate you?"
A chill ran down inside Tang Zhen's heart and he immediately ran away. That woman was undoubtedly a stunning beauty who could topple a country, but was way too violent. He never wanted to turn himself into a living eunuch just because of a woman.
Ouyang Lulu snorted coldly before turning around to look at Li Xiaoqian, whose tears burst like raining pears. She sighed inwardly and comforted her, "Don't cry anymore, girl. I've already drove out and beat that damned dreg!"
"Thank you. Thank you…" said Li Xiaoqian with a grateful expression as she wiped her tears, yet more tears kept falling down.
"There's no need for you to thank me." Ouyang Lulu shook her head. "That bastard deserves a beating. Let's go to my private box and then tell me about what happened. I happen to know the owner of this club. Wait until I tell him, then he'll send security guards to apprehend those damned rogues."
"Don't… they… they all are very powerful people. I'm afraid…" Li Xiaoqian spoke all of sudden upon hearing her words.
"Do they have very influential identities? What exactly are their origins?" Ouyang Lulu was surprised. "Ah, right, I still don't catch your name. What do you do, girl?"
"I'm Li Xiaoqian, a freshman at the Regal Classical Music Academy," said Li Xiaoqian amid her sobbing. "The man who just chased me is my teacher, Tang Zhen. He took me here to socialize and entertain the other three who are from the Blue City TV station. Two of them are the director and producer of the 'I'm Crazy About Singing' program, whereas the last one is an honored guest of the show. They wanted me to accompany them, saying that I would be guaranteed to secure a good place in the 'I'm Crazy About Singing' competition. I didn't want to do that, so they…"
"What a group of filthy swine!" Ouyang Lulu cursed with clenched teeth and then pulled Li Xiaoqian towards the Supreme Hall.