Shi Zhi held the gown with one arm, raising her hand to step out of the taxi in high heels.

The sun blazed fiercely, and as she stepped out of the air-conditioned taxi, it felt like she had been thrown into a steaming pot.

No wonder the rich like to run off to the mountains to open hotels—it’s definitely a great way to escape the summer heat.

Wan Ran was already waiting at the entrance of the bar, a slender women’s cigarette pinched between her fingers. She was leaning against the roof to avoid the sun, her voice lazy as if she had just woken up: “You called me here this early. Does this count as overtime?”

Shi Zhi rummaged through her bag and tossed her the bar key: “No, I’ll treat you to lunch.”

Her aunt was a “tightwad,” so even if overtime pay was included in Wan Ran’s salary, it would never actually be paid out. They both knew this well.

Wan Ran took the key and unlocked the roll-up door, casually asking, “What have you been up to lately? You look good.”

Lately…

Shi Zhi thought to herself that looking good only meant that the wine from Fu Xiling’s family was really good. She had drunk so much last night, but woke up without a headache or puffiness. Somehow, she was still being told she looked great.

Inside the bar, the air was thick with a mix of smoke and alcohol.

Shi Zhi found a clean table, pushed open a window, and placed the gown and heels on the table: “Help me estimate the price.”

Wan Ran had dealt with some wealthy people and still made extra money by selling luxury items online. It was her side hustle, her backup plan. She picked up the gown and shoes, took a look, and then took out her phone. After a few minutes, she finally looked up and glanced at Shi Zhi, who was sitting across from her: “Where did you get this gown from?”

Shi Zhi didn’t mention Fu Xiling by name, only briefly explaining that someone had asked her to be a decoy for them.

“This is a new collection, can’t buy it in the country. Quite expensive.”

“How much approximately?”

“Maybe around a hundred thousand.”

Shi Zhi knew Fu Xiling was generous, but she didn’t expect a dress to cost that much. She frowned immediately: “…Are you sure?”

“A while ago, a certain celebrity wore a similar one to an event, and the photos looked great—so good that they went viral. Many rich women wanted the same one, it’s really hot right now.”

Wan Ran glanced at the messages in their group chat, judging the situation: “If you want to sell it, I can help you get it done this week. The shoes aren’t as expensive, they’ll probably sell for up to fifteen thousand. Is that okay?”

Shi Zhi didn’t hesitate: “Okay.”

Wan Ran had her own channels, and while replying to messages from her colleagues, she suddenly paused, looking at Shi Zhi with a teasing smile: “With someone spending this much money on you, is he trying to woo you?”

“He just spends money like this.” Shi Zhi didn’t say much more and just asked Wan Ran to try and get a higher price.

Wan Ran gave her a reassuring “OK” gesture: “Don’t worry.”

The weather was so hot it killed any appetite, so for lunch, they just casually ordered two dishes from the restaurant next door.

While they were eating, Shi Zhi’s phone rang.

The incoming call was from an unfamiliar number—one of those sequential numbers from Bu Bu Gao again. She had a hunch.

When she answered, it was, indeed, Fu Xiling.

Shi Zhi rarely received calls from unknown numbers.

She usually used two phone numbers, with one of them being her campus number given to classmates and teachers. That number had “silent mode for unknown calls” always set, so any number not in her contacts wouldn’t ring or notify her.

Her social circle was simple, and only a few people knew the other number. So when Shi Zhi answered, the first thing she asked was, “Did you have someone look me up? How did you get my phone number?”

Fu Xiling’s light laugh came through the phone.

The other side seemed quiet, and along with his laughter, there was the sound of a lighter flicking and the click of a cigarette being lit.

Shi Zhi suddenly remembered last night when they kissed on the sofa.

Kissing Fu Xiling felt intense—his lips and teeth in such an intricate dance that it made her dizzy. It was an experience she had never had before.

But when she turned her head to kiss his ear, Fu Xiling stopped her.

His laugh back then was similar to the one he gave now.

He stared at her for several seconds before saying, “Don’t… get too cocky with your looks.”

Fu Xiling then exhaled a slow puff of smoke, responding to her question: “You mentioned it once before. I’ve got a good memory.”

Shi Zhi had no idea when she had given out her number. After thinking for a moment, she remembered it was when she was at the front desk of the villa hotel yesterday.

“Do you need something?”

Fu Xiling’s tone was no longer lighthearted: “Nothing important. Just wanted to ask why you blocked me.”

When she blocked Fu Xiling, she had been standing at the school gate waiting for a ride.

It was already hot, and after standing for just a few minutes, she felt like she was being roasted. Fu Xiling kept sending messages, and her phone kept buzzing in her hand.

Shi Zhi’s phone brightness was set low, and in the harsh sunlight, she could barely make out what the messages said. She had to walk behind a bus stop sign to find some shade and check.

The bus stop at the school gate didn’t allow cars to park, so after reading the messages, she had to walk back to her original spot to wait for her ride.

On her second trip, her patience finally ran out.

She wiped the sweat from her forehead, and without thinking, blocked Fu Xiling’s number.

Shi Zhi believed that there should be a certain understanding between adults.

The reason they kissed last night was simply because both of them wanted to in that moment. It wasn’t some emotional bond, and just because they kissed a few times didn’t mean she would spend all her time chatting with him on WeChat.

So her response was simple: “You talk too much.”

That was her way of saying that unless it was for work-related communication, there was no need to constantly message her.

Fu Xiling only replied with a “Fine” before hanging up.

Wan Ran had already contacted a buyer. They hadn’t eaten much for lunch, so Wan Ran put down her chopsticks and went to take photos of the gown.

Many people were interested in that dress, and since Wan Ran and her friends were good with words, it didn’t take long.

Half an hour later, Wan Ran happily reported back to Shi Zhi: “I can sell it for a great price, even higher than the original price. Someone is willing to pay more.”

Shi Zhi didn’t say “thank you.” Instead, she agreed that the extra money from the sale would go to Wan Ran as a reward, a third of the amount.

Wan Ran’s voice was strained from sickness, and it wouldn’t be long before she couldn’t rely on singing for a living. Shi Zhi knew Wan Ran would have to find another job soon, maybe even become a full-time seller, which would require money.

Wan Ran acted quickly. By the third day, the gown had already been shipped out.

The price was great—it sold for thirty thousand more than the original price. Shi Zhi’s bank account suddenly had nearly two hundred thousand added to it.

Only when she saw those numbers did Shi Zhi realize the weird feeling she had when agreeing to collaborate with Fu Xiling.

With that kind of money, Fu Xiling could have easily hired a small-time actor to be his decoy. Someone more professional, more obedient, and with financial control on his side, it would be much easier than a partnership where both sides had their own motives.

Why did he choose her?

Once the money was received, Shi Zhi directly transferred Wan Ran’s share to her.

She didn’t like using personal relationships to her advantage and preferred to keep things clear and fair.

After Wan Ran’s portion was settled, it was time for Fu Xiling.

During these three days, Shi Zhi and Fu Xiling hadn’t been in contact at all. She had been working in the bar the entire time.

Her aunt had contacted her, saying there was a business trip that would take about two weeks. Since Shi Zhi was on vacation, her aunt asked her to keep an eye on the bar’s business.

In fact, Shi Zhi’s cousin was also on summer vacation, and her aunt and uncle had taken her on a trip to the south. Shi Zhi’s cousin’s social media updates came multiple times a day, sharing everything from sights to food, creating the image of a happy family.

As time passed, Shi Zhi began noticing something unusual at the bar, especially when she was checking the accounts for the past two months. Suddenly, a suspicion formed in her mind.

Maybe she had figured out the real reason Fu Xiling came to the bar.

Shi Zhi planned to talk to Fu Xiling about it, but for now, she only wanted to return the money from the sale of the gown and heels.

She called him.

After several beeps, Fu Xiling finally picked up.

Shi Zhi got straight to the point, asking where he was.

Fu Xiling replied: “At home.”

“Which home?”

“The one you’ve been to.”

The intimate memories flooded her mind, and Shi Zhi instinctively touched her neck: “Are you going out today?”

“Not for now.”

Fu Xiling seemed to understand what she meant, asking: “Are you coming over?”

“Yeah.”

But Fu Xiling didn’t agree: “Don’t come.”

After a pause, he added, “I’ll come find you later. Where should we meet?”

“The bar.”

“I’ll call you when I arrive.”

The bar was still empty, with only four or five tables occupied by customers. Wan Ran was on stage, singing half-heartedly, forgetting the lyrics several times.

Ling Ling had a heat-induced cold, coughing and sniffling despite taking two doses of medicine, and she weakly lay on the table, mentioning Fu Xiling: “Sigh, the big spender hasn’t been around for a while. I haven’t gotten any commission from the drinks, Qian Ge, is this illness from all the accumulated frustration…”

Old Qian added: “I can’t even get free foreign liquor anymore.”

Ling Ling was even more upset: “And no free fruit platters either.”

It was at that moment that Shi Zhi’s phone vibrated.

She rejected the call, grabbed the canvas bag she had prepared, and walked out of the bar.

The street was empty, and Fu Xiling’s sports car was parked nearby.

He probably saw Shi Zhi and flashed his lights.

Shi Zhi didn’t know much about cars, so she wasn’t sure whether the color scheme was the original or if he had modified it. All she knew was it looked really cool. The matte black car blended into the dim old street under the night’s haze, and the red headlights looked like the eyes of a dragon.

Fu Xiling got out of the car, looking refreshed, and as Shi Zhi approached him, she could smell minty body wash.

But his tone was a bit darker than usual: “You’re looking for me?”

Shi Zhi, carefree as always, didn’t think blocking Fu Xiling was a big deal.

They didn’t need to contact each other that much, and if something came up, it wasn’t hard to find him.

She handed him the canvas bag: “Here you go.”

Fu Xiling didn’t take it immediately. He just silently stared at her.

Shi Zhi felt uncomfortable under his gaze: “Take it, it’s heavy!”

Fu Xiling’s life was one where he could get anything he wanted. He had more patience and refinement than most, but he wasn’t without temper.

He was actually angry when Shi Zhi said that line on the phone.

But in this run-down place, unlike the villa, where there were always mosquito-repelling incense sticks, here mosquitoes were buzzing around, and Shi Zhi had one or two flying around her.

Fu Xiling, with a serious face, raised his hand and swatted the mosquitoes away: “What did you buy?”

“What do you mean, what did I buy?”

Fu Xiling took the bag. It was heavier than he expected, filled with cash.

“The money from selling the gown and shoes.” Shi Zhi roughly explained the process, including what she gave Wan Ran, and added: “Wan Ran handled the channels. Without her, I wouldn’t have been able to sell and return the money to you. The extra twenty thousand is also in there, just to repay you a bit for the wine.”

It was hot, so Shi Zhi was only in a camisole and shorts. Her face was bare, her hair loosely tied with a bar counter’s pen. She waved her hand twice to chase away the mosquitoes buzzing near her collarbone: “The red wine you opened was too expensive, so I’m just returning this much for now. Thanks for the wine.”

He was still upset, but Shi Zhi seemed completely unaware, thanking him sincerely.

A fire burned in Fu Xiling’s chest, neither up nor down. And the mosquitoes—damn, there were so many of them—kept buzzing around Shi Zhi.

Fu Xiling threw the money bag into the car: “Go back now.”