Chapter 19: Little Canary
"Now that you've made a scene, you are mollified. But aren't you afraid that your brother will find trouble with you?" At Xing Shu's words, Nie Xi immediately fell silent, and her face turned red.
It was very crowded on the dance floor of the bar. Coupled with the change to heavy drumbeat music, the whole place was all astir. Xing Shu and Nie Xi got separated in the wild and swarming crowd.
Xing Shu had no choice but to find a quiet corridor and call Nie Xi who was jostled around. When Nie Xi looked up and saw the tall and familiar man at the door, her heart skipped a beat.
"Xing Shu, where are you? I'm fine over here. Just my luck—I saw my brother. It's all that b*tch, Xing Linlin's fault!" Nie Xi was really irate to encounter this right upon her return. Xing Shu was about to persuade Nie Xi from fighting with Xing Linlin when an ominous, deep male voice emanated from the phone. "Nie Xi, so you've become more capable after coming back from overseas—scolding people?"
A chaotic commotion ensued immediately. Nie Xi went abroad a while back but in reality, she had run away from home. Her brother's name was Nie Heng—a ruthless man. Among the most prominent families in Beijing—the Cheng family, the Liu family, and the Jin family—the Nie family was ranked second. Nie Heng was the successor of the Nie family.
After the call was hung up, Xing Shu was about to call her back when she suddenly felt a warm sensation on her back. A large hand adorned with a Buddhist bracelet wrapped around her waist. Xing Shu looked up and saw a familiar face. "Young Uncle?" Why was Cheng Lang here?
Cheng Lang had an air of aloofness. He had already changed out of his black and white suit and was wearing a white shirt. He looked languid and casual. Under the dim light, he looked noble and elegant as usual, but his actions were not so elegant.
Cheng Lang's fingers rubbed the hickeys on Xing Shu's neck suggestively. His fingertips were covered in thin calluses, and she trembled wherever he touched.
Xing Shu narrowed her eyes and noticed there was a man behind Cheng Lang.
Nie Heng was still in shock at Cheng Lang's actions. But after seeing Xing Shu's face clearly, his eyes lit up with interest. "Oh, it's you, Little Canary."
Xing Shu did not know that he was Nie Heng. Although she was close with Nie Xi, she had never been to the Nie family. However, she was familiar with Nie Heng's face. This was because two days ago, she had boldly slipped Cheng Lang a drink of very high-proof alcohol—one that would render anyone hammered regardless of their alcohol tolerance level—right in this bar. She then took the opportunity to leave with Cheng Lang. However, Nie Heng bumped into them just as they were leaving.
Nie Heng had an imposing aura. He had the appearance of a Caucasian, with his deep eye sockets. When he looked at people—with drooping eyelids—he was like a vampire in the night. "If you don't let go of him, I promise you that your hands will disappear." Those were the first words Nie Heng said to her.
Not to be intimidated, Xing Shu forced herself to look into Nie Heng's eyes. "I'm the little canary he keeps as a mistress."
Nie Heng was astonished by her words, then the corners of his lips curled up sardonically. He did not stop her thereafter and Xing Shu successfully brought Cheng Lang to her apartment.
Xing Shu did not expect to meet Nie Heng so soon again. When she heard him call her 'Little Canary', her face heated up inexplicably. She gave Cheng Lang—who was still staring fixedly at the hickeys on her neck—a cautious glance. A moment later, he asked the bar waiter for a shawl and draped it over Xing Shu's body, barely covering the mottled marks.
Xing Shu was taken aback by Cheng Lang's caring actions and quickly tried to change the subject. "Young Uncle, is this your friend?"
When Nie Heng heard this, he was immediately amused. "So, it's someone else's canary." The word "canary" was laced with mockery.
Cheng Lang's hand on Xing Shu's waist gently rubbed twice before letting go, as if the tenderness earlier was all an illusion.
The manager of Sunset walked over respectfully. "Mr. Cheng. Mr. Nie. The drinks have been sent to the private room. This way, please."
The corners of Nie Heng's lips curled up. "Cheng Lang, aren't you bringing your Little Canary along?" They were standing very close to the main entrance; the private room they were going to was quite a distance away in comparison. Sunset was a premium hotspot of extravagance where the clientèle was divided into different classes. Patrons like Cheng Lang and Nie Heng were more suited for the quarters at the back. Unlike the wild dance floor in the front, the quarters at the back had an elegant environment—more desirable for romantic interludes.