Mature Fantasy Power Invasion

Chapter 44

Chapter 44

"After tonight, Xiao Huan might just quit."

Saturday evening, Tongyao Bar, South District.

Tian Li, dressed for his shift, was dragging tables into place when he tossed the comment at his girlfriend Guan Rong, who was wiping down chairs.

"Huh? Why do you say that?"

"My place is pretty close to his. Last night I ducked out to grab the team report, and on the way back I saw Xiao Huan showing some auntie and his older sister around the house. He called the woman 'Auntie'—sounded rich."

Guan Rong paused, remembering. "Right, he didn't show up for his shift yesterday. But how do you know the auntie's loaded?"

"The car! You know I'm into cars. They arrived in a Dragon Flag Zhulong-3—Stardust Black, base model starts at a million easy."

Guan Rong only knew a few famous badges, but the price still made her cover her mouth. "Wow. I thought Xiao Huan grew up around here. He never mentioned rich relatives."

"Who knows, maybe the family back in Longguo tracked him down."

"Still, we can't be sure he'll actually quit."

"If I had money, I wouldn't keep slinging drinks. People work to earn, not to 'experience life,' right?"

Tian Li finished lining up the tables and sighed. "And the kid's already swamped—student-council president, top grades. Meetings, homework, plus a part-time job? I'm exhausted just watching him. If he can stop, why wouldn't he?"

"Fair point."

With that, the two went back to work—Tian Li arranging furniture, Guan Rong dusting shelves.

Just as Guan Rong headed to the back to rinse a rag, she spotted Tong Yingying leaning in the doorway, lighting a cigarette.

"Tong sis? When did you get here?"

"Just now."

"Oh—gonna wash this rag."

"Mm."

Tong Yingying gave Guan Rong a sidelong glance, eyes as listless as ever. Long legs in blue denim swung lazily, telegraphing her mood.

Tian Li slipped behind the bar while Tong Yingying, instead of going inside, dropped onto one of the outdoor chairs. She pulled out her phone, checked the time—almost the hour Xiao Huan usually clocked in on weekends—then opened Plane.

The chat with Yan Huan still ended on the "speechless" sticker he'd sent earlier.

Next message: resignation?

"Tong sis, I'm done, bye~"

Something like that, probably.

Fine. Let him leave.

Then no one would nag her about smoking, drinking, sleeping in, staying up. Total freedom—what's wrong with that?

She fetched an ashtray, stubbed out the cigarette, then immediately lit another. The smoke should have calmed her, but it only fanned the restlessness inside.

"Tch."

She bit her lip, watching the street fill with couples and groups. It grated.

Ding-dong.

Her phone, face-down on the table, chimed with a custom tone.

A Plane message.

Tong Yingying froze, thumb hovering. Was it really him?

He still hadn't shown up. Maybe asking for another day off? Yesterday he'd ghosted the shift and then secretly taken some rich auntie home—did that mean he was mad at her? She'd meant to ask about his schedule, but her tone had come out rough. Without any positive feedback, anyone would cool off.

Not that she realized it, but she already treated Yan Huan more gently than anyone else; her personality just hid it behind small gestures.

What if the message wasn't a request but—

"After tonight, Xiao Huan might just quit."

Tian Li's words slammed back into her skull, and her grip on the phone turned rigid.

"Tong sis, I'm done, bye~"

Was that what she'd see when she flipped the phone?

Then she'd message back—"Why?"—and get the red exclamation mark:

"Yan Huan has enabled friend verification. You are not yet friends. Send a friend request first."

!!

Her mouth opened; the cigarette fell, burning on the table. Eyes a fraction wider, she stared at the glowing tip.

For a second the cigarette looked less like tobacco and more like herself—burning down to ash.

Silence. She picked it up, crushed it out.

Whatever.

Rain falls, mothers remarry.

It's just a Plane message. She'd swaggered through life for years; a high-school kid leaving wouldn't rattle her.

Sure, he was good-looking, kind, cheerful, easy on the eyes, had even made her feel healthier, younger, alive—

But still—just a kid. She didn't care!

Even as she told herself that, her body slid deeper into the chair, tilting her head away from the phone. Then, as if sneaking a peek at her cards in a poker game, she lifted the edge of the device to glimpse the screen.

What hand had fate dealt her?

What had Yan Huan actually sent?

The meanings blurred.

Let's see.

Jaw clenched, she pressed the power button and unlocked the screen.

Li Xiumei (Mom): "I asked you to find a boyfriend—when will you give us a straight answer?! Are you trying to kill your father and me?!"

Tong Yingying blinked.

Her expression blackened; veins stood out on her forehead. She opened Mom's chat, pressed and held the voice key, sucked in a breath—ready to unleash the distilled linguistic fury of her homeland.

"I swear to—"

"Tong sis?"

A male voice cut her off mid-spell. She froze, trembling, and looked up.

A handsome boy stood there holding a bottle of probiotic drink. White cotton long-sleeve stretched across broad shoulders; hair a little longer than last cut, giving him a scholarly air.

Yan Huan, here for his shift.

"Arguing with Auntie again?"

"Uh—no, I—"

Tong Yingying blinked, her grip loosening unconsciously, not realizing her thumb was still on the voice-message button.

A ten-second voice clip went through before she noticed.

But her attention was already locked on Yan Huan; she never even glanced at Plane. She set the phone face-down and scratched the back of her head, eyes drifting to the ashtray.

Exactly as Yan Huan had said—her talk about quitting smoking and drinking was complete nonsense.

"Something came up at home yesterday, Sis Tong. I forgot to ask for the day off."

Tong Yingying opened her mouth, on the verge of asking something, but the words never came.

"Forget it. Go change."

That was her answer.

No mention of docking his pay?

Yan Huan lifted an eyebrow in surprise. If the boss didn't bring it up, neither would he—only a fool passes up free money. He nodded and headed for the back to change.

Behind him, Tong Yingying's half-dead stare followed him all the way in. She was puzzled.

If that idiot Tian Li was telling the truth—if Yan Huan really had such a loaded aunt—why was he still working here? He didn't look like someone on easy street.

Could Tian Li have gotten it wrong?

The thought brightened her clouded eyes a fraction.

Figures.

A lost high-school boy who still needs to slave away for cash can only be saved by a generous, gorgeous boss like me~

"Yo, Xiao Huan, you actually showed up for work?"

"Why wouldn't I, Brother Li?"

Inside the bar, Guan Rong chuckled.

"Tian Li saw your aunt visit yesterday. Said the car she drove was crazy expensive."

"Right? A Zhulong Three! I'm an internal-combustion guy myself, not into EVs, but the reviews on that thing are nuts. I didn't misread the badge, did I, yesterday?"

Tian Li, you definitely misread it.

Tong Yingying followed Yan Huan in, her gloomy eyes broadcasting that certainty.

Yan Huan only smiled and answered, "So you were around yesterday, Brother Li? I didn't spot you—guess you didn't have time to say hi."

Huh?

Tong Yingying blinked.

"Ah, I just walked past," Tian Li replied. "You two hopped out and went straight upstairs; I never caught up."

Yan Huan said no more and disappeared to change.

Tian Li had wanted to ask when the kid planned to quit, but one look at Tong Yingying's expressionless face as she stepped inside made him think better of it.

"..."

Survival instinct told him to keep quiet.

He forced a laugh instead, and Tong Yingying crooked a finger at him.

"Fetch me the rest of that Highland Queen I didn't finish."

Highland Queen—whiskey.

"Coming right up, Sis Tong."

Tian Li knew the drill; he handed over the glass with fresh ice.

Tong Yingying carried them to her usual corner by the back door and sat down.

Glug-glug—

The amber liquid painted the ice cubes as she poured, careful not to overdo it—there's a difference between tasting and drowning.

She took a sip, rested her chin on her hand, and surveyed the room.

Yan Huan emerged in his work clothes, and the first few customers drifted in.

Truth be told, Tian Li's bartending was strictly amateur hour; Tong Yingying was the real talent, but she rarely mixed drinks herself.

The bar did well for two reasons.

First, the storefront sat right on the main street—foot traffic beat any tucked-away joint.

Second, the décor was upscale for the South District, a classy quiet bar that stuck out like a sore thumb. If you wanted a calm drink, this was the place.

Tong Yingying could claim credit for the first—she owned the property outright.

The second? One need only recall her nickname, "ideas-after-three-drinks," to know Yan Huan deserved the credit.

When she first planned to open, she'd wanted bare-concrete chic. Yan Huan talked her into spending a bit more on the renovation.

Yes, Yan Huan had been her first hire. Tian Li and Guan Rong came later. Everything about "Tongyao" had been hammered out between Tong Yingying and Yan Huan, one detail at a time.

Their relationship was casual, and the pay was generous.

Twenty-eight hours a week. Everyone else got an hourly wage; Tong Yingying paid a monthly salary. Two hundred a day, fourteen hundred for a full week, plus holiday bonuses—exactly as Yan Huan always said, she treated him well.

"Still, generous or not, the kid's got to be exhausted," she mused, watching Yan Huan work.

Sure, having him around was easy on the eyes and probably added years to her life, but keeping him slaving away for her felt... selfish.

She poured another finger of whiskey and exhaled.

She had some savings. She could follow her aunt's example and just hand him money without making him work.

But under what pretext?

Her aunt was family. Who was she?

And it would be outright patronage.

Tong Yingying didn't hate the idea, but to Yan Huan it would be humiliation.

Taking his right to strive by showering him with cash—

Too cruel.

Ding-dong~

Her phone lit up on the table.

Plane again.

It was her mom.

"Hey, keeping secrets now? That boy talking earlier—nice voice, sounds young. When did you start dating?"

Tong Yingying typed one-handed.

"Cut it out. We're not dating."

"Liar. Listen to how you talk to us, then how you talked to him. Split personality much?"

"Maybe because you're insufferable."

"Sure, we're insufferable. Should've had roast pork instead of you!"

Ugh.

Tong Yingying gave up and poured more whiskey.

But Li Xiumei kept texting.

"You've been independent since you ran off to Linmen for school. We're broke, can't help you.

"We're not pushing you to marry, but every video call you look dead on your feet. We worry.

"Are you making soup? Eating properly?

"Plane tickets are expensive, we can't visit. We just want someone there to look after you.

"If that boy's decent, give him a real chance. Drop the temper, be sincere, okay?"

Tong Yingying didn't reply.

The usual excuse: "I don't know what to say."

But this time it was true.

If her parents ever found out she'd joined the underworld in Linmen, they'd lose three nights' sleep.

"Okay."

She sent the single word, knocked back her drink, and reached for the bottle again.

A hand gently stopped her.

She didn't have to lift her vacant eyes to know there were only a handful of people who'd dare block her path.

"Sis Tong, I always figured your promise to quit smoking and drinking was hot air, but aren't you getting worse?"

Tong Yingying propped her chin in one hand and turned toward Yan Huan beside her.

"Hmm?"

"I told you before—the more you drink because your parents won't stop nagging you about marriage, the harder they'll push."

Tong Yingying studied him in silence, then flicked a finger at the opposite seat.

"Sit. We need to talk."

Yan Huan blinked. "The place is still busy."

"It's fine. Sit."

He hesitated, then slid onto the stool across from her. "So, what's up?"

"What Tian Li said—true?"

"Yeah." No point hiding it; he wasn't playing the fool anyway.

Tong Yingying poured another drink, but didn't sip. She let the glass hover above her palm.

"You've lived in South District for years. Why's your aunt suddenly showing up now?"

"It's a little complicated—"

"Watch they don't harvest your kidneys, kid."

She said it casually, eyes on her glass, not on him. The off-hand remark drew cold sweat across Yan Huan's brow.

"No way. She's loaded—why bother?"

"The rich ones are exactly the type. Lure you with a few sweet dates, then set you up so they can swap out their kid's failing liver with a healthy high-schooler's."

"..."

"You wake up woozy on an operating table missing a kidney, staring at the ceiling with no one to cry to. Don't get scammed, Yan Huan."

"Which movie did you pull that from?"

"Movies get their plots from real life. That's common sense."

"..."

Yan Huan watched the woman who still hadn't looked at him, only sipping and talking as if to thin air. For a moment he said nothing. Then he stroked his chin in mock concern.

"Hmm... now that you mention it, that is a bit worrying."

"Right?"

"Then tell me, Sis Tong. I'm young, inexperienced—what should I do?"

"Well, I've got an idea."

At last Tong Yingying's eyes lit up. She swiveled toward him and lifted one triumphant finger—only to meet Yan Huan's deadpan stare, the look of someone who'd already seen the punch line coming.

"..."

Their gazes locked. The sunny smile on her face froze.

Crap—he's onto me.

"Go on, Sis Tong. I'm all ears."

Yan Huan's gentle smile pressed her step by step until beads of nervous sweat dotted her forehead.

"I—I forgot," she mumbled, eyes darting away.

Yan Huan sighed. "Sis Tong, you're not secretly hoping I'll stay, are you?"

"Not at all."

Instant reply.

Yet her downcast eyes still avoided him, fixed on the doorway as she nursed her glass.

Yep—totally hoping.

"Whether you are or not, I'm not quitting just yet."

"!"

She didn't turn from the door, but her gaze flicked toward him.

She took a slow sip. "Oh?"

"Auntie Ye's going to give me an allowance, but I've been here long enough. You helped me when things were rough—I've got feelings for this place. Walking away would be heartless. Besides, the bar's only a few steps from home."

"Oh?"

Same syllable, softer tone: keep talking.

"It's just that I probably won't be able to cover five full shifts a week anymore. I'll drop by when I can. The job wasn't killing me, but having a little time for myself sounds good. So you'd better hire another hand to pick up the slack."

"Oh."

That one meant: message received.

Tong Yingying bit the rim of her glass. At last she turned fully toward him.

Feelings for this place? In a dump like this?

Unless... does the kid actually like me?

She blinked, studying his handsome features. Every worried thought and every line her mother had typed on Plane crashed together like a flash flood, forcing the words out.

"What exactly did you mean by 'feelings for this place'?"

Warm, liquor-scented breath fogged the inside of her glass. Through the mist, the boy across the table looked impossibly soft.

"That's easy," Yan Huan said, smile bright. "I'd miss Tongyao Bar if it vanished. What else could I mean?"

"..."

Tong Yingying set the glass down; the fog cleared, and she met his sunny grin.

"Huh?"

"Think about it, Sis Tong. With your management skills, this place would've folded ages ago without me. If I leave, you'll have a 'For Lease' sign out front within a week."

"..."

"I've worked here over a year, it's right next to my house, and I pass it every time I run errands. Watching it close would break my heart—even if you don't feel a thing."

"..."

Tong Yingying's evasive gaze shifted from half-dead to homicidal. She sipped, set the glass down, and smiled sweetly—while her right hand slid inside her jacket.

"Anything else you'd like to add?"

Yan Huan rose calmly. "Yes. I'm taking tomorrow off. Some classmates and I are going to the Linmen game meet-up. We'll probably eat out, so I won't make it back in time."

"..."

A stun baton appeared in Tong Yingying's hand. Yan Huan glanced at the growing crowd and spoke as if nothing had happened.

"Looks busy. I'd better help out, Sis Tong."

He turned to leave. Tong Yingying stayed seated, gaze fixed on his back. Her lips moved.

"Wait."

Yan Huan didn't turn around, just asked resignedly, "What now, Sis Tong?"

"From now on... your pay stays the same."

Surprised, Yan Huan spun around, only to find Tong Yingying pouring wine with her head bowed. Her red bangs hung down, shielding her eyes from view, leaving only her lush, inviting lips visible.

"Got it, Sis Tong."

Silence lingered. Yan Huan offered a small smile in response, then turned to get back to work, leaving Tong Yingying alone at her table, cheeks flushed with color she prayed no one would notice.

"..."

Maybe it was the whiskey talking?

Highland Queen - neat.