Chapter 2: Chapter 1: Transmigration
The young man’s expression was too indifferent. Serena Sutton wasn’t sure if he had heard the rumor that girl was spreading just now.
Serena Sutton had never been to The Crimson Hall, but she’d heard from her classmates that it wasn’t a good place. How could someone as calm and pristine as Simon Lockwood be associated with a place like that?
She couldn’t help but sneak a glance at the young man’s profile, only to suddenly meet a pair of dark, tranquil eyes, and her heart skipped a beat.
The weather was hot, so Joanna Kennedy took off her school uniform jacket and draped it over her arm. As she rounded a corner, her gaze drifted back and she happened to glimpse the boy and girl standing by the door.
Joanna Kennedy had good eyesight. She could see the girl shyly tilting her head up, and him lowering his head slightly, revealing his high-bridged nose and naturally curved, thin lips.
Tsk...
Joanna Kennedy was a little annoyed. ’Is this the main characters’ halo effect? Things are moving pretty fast.’
She looked away and walked out the school gate.
Back at the classroom door, Simon Lockwood lowered his gaze, seemingly oblivious to the girl’s hopeful expression. His tone was polite but distant. "Sorry, I have something to do."
"Alright..." Even though Serena Sutton had expected this, she was still a little disappointed. She forced a smile. "Well, see you tomorrow, Simon."
Simon Lockwood paused for a moment. "See you tomorrow."
Only after he was far away did Serena Sutton snap out of it, touching her own burning, flushed cheeks.
In a classically decorated Chinese restaurant, Joanna Kennedy was halfway through her meal when her phone rang. The caller ID read "Paul Pemberton."
’Who’s this?’ she asked 166.
166: ’A friend of the original host. Answer it, quickly! The first plot point is about to happen.’
The moment Joanna Kennedy answered, she was hit by a deafening blast of music. The boy on the other end, afraid she couldn’t hear him, was practically screaming:
"Joanna, come hang out! We finally got a day off, so hurry up and come out. Everyone’s here!"
Joanna Kennedy: "..."
She held the phone away from her ear. "Alright, send me the location."
"You got it! We’ll be waiting. Don’t you dare flake on us!"
’Just how unreliable was the original host for him to have to tell me not to flake?’ Joanna Kennedy agreed, "Fine."
After she hung up, Anna Yates, who was sitting across from her, blinked. "Paul Pemberton?"
Joanna Kennedy raised an eyebrow. "How’d you know?"
"Pfft, who else would it be? He’s always asking you out. The guy’s got ulterior motives..."
’Oho, so he’s a potential suitor.’ Joanna Kennedy understood now. "Then you’re coming with me."
’I really don’t want to deal with high schoolers.’
Anna Yates seized the opportunity. "I want to get Western food tomorrow."
"..." Joanna Kennedy was speechless for a moment. "No problem."
The taxi dropped the two of them off at the location. Getting out of the car and looking at the magnificent building before them, Joanna Kennedy narrowed her eyes slightly.
Anna Yates said in surprise, "How does Paul Pemberton dare to come to The Crimson Hall?"
"Isn’t he afraid his dad will whip him?"
This kind of dangerous bar, with its mixed crowd, was always a playground for hedonistic rich kids. Scions of truly prestigious families wouldn’t deign to come here; it was beneath them.
For him to ask the original host to meet at a place like this... his intentions were obvious.
"Let’s go back," Joanna Kennedy said, not planning to go inside.
She had barely taken a step when 166 started bugging out: ’Host, please complete the plot point. Host, please complete the plot point...’
Anna Yates saw the girl stop in her tracks, take a deep breath, and make a face like she’d just eaten shit.
Uh...
She ventured, "If you don’t want to go in, we can just go back."
"It’s my first time at The Crimson Hall," Joanna Kennedy said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "Can’t pass up the chance to go check it out."
Anna Yates nodded, confused.
But they didn’t make it inside. They were stopped at the first step.
"ID."
Simon Lockwood was tall with long legs. The work uniform he wore concealed some of his youthful awkwardness, and his expression didn’t change even when he was seen working here by a classmate.
"Oh... oh, right." Anna Yates quickly realized, her face turning red with embarrassment. She fumbled in her pocket for her ID. "Here... here."
"Um, we’re here to meet a friend," Anna Yates couldn’t help but explain.
"Mm," Simon Lockwood said, nonchalantly handing the ID back to her. "Under eighteen. You can’t come in."
"Ah..." Anna Yates said. "Oh..."
Simon Lockwood didn’t look at her. His gaze shifted to Joanna Kennedy, who was sitting languidly on a stool behind her.
Joanna Kennedy was amused. She waved her hand. "I didn’t bring mine."
"...You still can’t come in if you don’t have it."
Just then, Paul Pemberton’s call came through again. A corner of Joanna Kennedy’s lips curled up. She answered and put it on speaker.
"Buddy, the staff here says I can’t come in because I’m under eighteen. Sorry about that."
"Fuck! Who the hell do they think they are, trying to act all high and mighty in front of me! You wait there, I’m coming out to get you!"
The young man’s voice was full of annoyance, and hearing it, Simon Lockwood’s brow furrowed slightly.
Joanna Kennedy had already hung up the phone and was now staring at him with great interest.
At such a close distance, Simon Lockwood seemed even taller. She had to tilt her head up just to see his face clearly.
Besides his height, Simon Lockwood was also more handsome than his peers. At this awkward in-between age, many boys still had a childish air about them, making them look out of sorts.
But Simon Lockwood had already developed into a strikingly handsome young man, with well-defined features, a sharp jawline, and deep, steady eyes. He looked like the type to make hearts flutter.
It wasn’t late enough for the real nightlife to begin, so there weren’t many people. He stood behind the front desk, his strong back held perfectly straight, his fingers lightly pressing down on something.
Joanna Kennedy’s gaze followed his strong, well-defined arm and finally landed on the book he was holding down with his hand.
’Studying in a bar, earning money while hitting the books. A true top student, a time management master.’
While she was busy observing him, Paul Pemberton came storming out, cursing and muttering.
"I’ve been here so many times and never heard anything about checking IDs. I’d like to see who’s got the guts..."
Paul Pemberton was actually not bad-looking. Dressed in the latest designer clothes, he looked quite stylish. But compared to Simon Lockwood, he fell short.
Joanna Kennedy’s beautiful, almond-shaped eyes showed a hint of impatience, which only made her look more vibrant and attractive. Paul Pemberton’s train of thought was immediately derailed. "Joanna, how long has it been? Every time I ask you out, you never come."
"I’m here now, aren’t I?"
"Hahaha, you are," Paul Pemberton said, raising an arm to sling it around her. "Let’s go to the private room... Fuck, are you crazy?"
Simon Lockwood had come out from behind the front desk at some point and was now blocking their way. "You can’t go in."
His voice was composed and calm, almost completely flat. His eyes were fixed on Joanna Kennedy, who was being held by the arm, as if the very much alive Paul Pemberton was invisible to him.
Paul Pemberton was really fucking pissed. His temper flared instantly. "You’re just a fucking part-timer, and you dare meddle in my business?"
He raised his hand and swung at Simon Lockwood. Simon raised his arm slightly then quickly lowered it, taking the hit squarely. The corner of his mouth quickly started to bruise.
The manager rushed over just in time to see this. Seeing that Simon hadn’t fought back, the manager breathed a sigh of relief. He bowed and scraped, offering an apologetic smile. "Young Master Pemberton, when did you arrive? You should have let us know! What’s all this? Why are you so angry?"
Paul Pemberton’s face was full of provocation and disdain. "You guys are getting less and less picky with the servers you hire. He even dared to stop my friend."
"Ah, that happened?" the manager reacted instantly. "Lockwood is new here, he doesn’t know the ropes yet. Young Master Pemberton, please don’t hold it against him."
