{Guys, is this for your kids? 2}

Once Qian Xu reached the second floor, the emergency lights were on, making the path much easier to navigate.

As soon as she got up, a young employee greeted her, “What would you like to do here?”

“I’m not here to play,” Qian Xu clarified. “I’m looking for someone, but I don’t want to disturb you all. I’ll just take a quick look and leave.”

The young employee smiled warmly. Although her movements around the cash register were a bit clumsy and she didn’t seem very quick, she had a kind heart. “The lights downstairs went out, right? They were flickering yesterday too. Sorry if it startled you.”
“Feel free to look for your friend, miss. If you need anything, just let us know at the front desk.”

The employee wasn’t usually clumsy; it was just that, in all her months working at Zhao Buhui’s club, she hadn’t seen someone as striking as this. Qian Xu didn’t need any special outfits to stand out—even in a plain winter coat that resembled loungewear, she looked extraordinary. Of course, the employee wouldn’t dare to try that kind of outfit herself; on her, it would just look bulky.

Qian Xu gave her a smile. “Alright, thank you.”

She immediately scanned the area where Zhao Buhui might be. Through a narrow crack in one of the doors, she glimpsed his face. Perhaps he had felt unhappy earlier, but now he looked entirely relaxed, singing out of tune as he mingled with the crowd.

Suddenly, he put down the microphone.
Qian Xu realized she had been noticed. Now that she was here, turning around and leaving would only confirm any tension between them, giving people more reasons to gossip about their relationship.

So, she casually waved to everyone as a greeting.

She intended to keep things friendly and unassuming, but to her surprise, everyone around Zhao Buhui immediately recognized her.

“Brother Zhao, isn’t this the girl who tricked you?”
“What nonsense!” Zhao Buhui glared at the speaker, who instantly fell silent.

He quickly stood up, disbelief on his face, and walked over to her, ignoring everyone else. “Why did you come?”

Qian Xu replied with a hint of self-deprecation, “Didn’t want you spending your birthday alone.”

“Good call. I really was alone.”

He said it without a trace of shame.

Everyone who had been running around for him couldn’t believe their ears. So he didn’t even consider them?

The one who had spoken up earlier was especially frustrated—he had even charged drinks to his own tab to celebrate for Zhao Buhui, only to get shut down at the slightest question.

“Qian Xu, it’s a bit stuffy here,” Zhao Buhui said, ignoring everyone else. “How about we go outside for some fresh air?”

Qian Xu could see the disappointment in his friends’ faces. She had only come to keep him company if he was alone, and seeing how lively it was, she felt no need to stay. “Isn’t it nice here?” she asked.

“But I don’t like it.”

There was a quiet pride in his voice. Normally, he could handle situations like this with ease. He didn’t even say goodbye to the people around him, not a pat on the shoulder for any of his friends. Instead, he threw on his leather jacket and headed outside with her.

In the chilly night air, he sighed, “I really didn’t expect you to come. I was dying of boredom in there.”

It was as if the person having fun in the crowd earlier wasn’t him at all.

As they walked out, the lively young employee abandoned her post again and hurried over.

“Boss!”
“So, the beauty was here to find you!”

The employee couldn’t resist a bit of gossip; she hadn’t known who the beauty was looking for but never would have guessed it was her own boss.