Chapter 85: Threats and Temptations**
Qian Baoqing's lavish spending on advertisements had indeed caused a stir in Beitian City. Many people could clearly sense the undercurrent of tension and hidden malice in this seemingly small bartending competition. However, for ordinary folks, the identity of the true winner mattered little. It was merely a source of entertainment to liven up their leisure time.
Qian Baoqing was sitting leisurely on the sofa in his villa's living room, holding a delicate tall glass in his right hand. Inside was half a glass of pale blue cocktail, its color alone so pleasing to the eye that it tempted one to take a sip. He took a small sip, a look of approval crossing his face. "Ah Shuai, your bartending skills are truly unparalleled, almost intoxicating."
The young man named Ah Shuai stood beside him, dressed in a sleek black tuxedo, looking refined and scholarly. He wore a warm smile. "Mr. Qian, you flatter me. I've been in this industry for too short a time to have grasped its deeper nuances. I only hope to face various challenges, as that's how one crafts better and better drinks."
"Excellent! Well said. Composure, calmness, and humility—such rare qualities!" Qian Baoqing applauded, clearly impressed.
Ah Shuai smiled softly. "I wonder what expert Infinity will send. I just hope they don't disappoint me."
"I'm afraid they will," Qian Baoqing replied, a cunning glint flashing in his eyes.
Ah Shuai wasn't actually a bad person. He simply wanted to fully showcase his talents in bartending and become a true master. That was why he constantly sought to challenge other bartenders, eager to learn from their exquisite skills. Unfortunately, he had been exploited by Qian Baoqing, reduced to a pawn in his scheme to crush rival entertainment venues.
Ah Shuai was about to speak when his phone rang. He paused, pulled it out, and glanced at the caller ID. A look of surprise crossed his face before he answered, "Hello..." Whatever was said on the other end made his face turn deathly pale, as if he'd lost his soul. He quickly said to Qian Baoqing, "Mr. Qian, I—I need to use the restroom. I'll be right back, I promise I won't delay the competition!"
Qian Baoqing, caught up in his own satisfaction, didn't notice the difference in Ah Shuai's tone. He waved his hand dismissively. "Go on. The competition doesn't start until seven. There's plenty of time."
Ah Shuai nodded, too anxious to say more. He hurried into the restroom, locked the door, and gasped into the phone, "Who are you? How did you get Lingling?" Lingling and he had grown up together, inseparable since childhood. Their bond was deeper than most, and the thought of his beloved in someone else's hands filled him with panic.
"Us? We're good guys, of course!" came Song Mingjie's lecherous laugh from the other end.
Ah Shuai, though honest and unskilled in scheming, wasn't an idiot. If his girlfriend was in their hands, they could hardly be "good guys." He panted heavily, every word strained, "Please... let Lingling go. I can give you money, so just—"
"Money? We've got plenty of that. But a pretty thing like your girlfriend? We rarely see such beauty. Why would we let her go?" Song Mingjie, who was no stranger to mischief, slipped effortlessly into the role of a thug. He suddenly shouted, "Damn it! Who told you to touch her chest? If anyone's touching, it's gonna be me first!"
Ah Shuai froze, his mind going blank.
The image of his girlfriend being tied up, thrown on a bed, and violated by a dozen rough men flashed through his mind. Her痛苦的 screams (agonized cries) felt like sharp knives, piercing his heart.
"Hello? You still there? Don't tell me you don't want your girlfriend back? Or are you just gonna give her to us?" Song Mingjie chuckled sinisterly. "But don't worry—I did say we're good guys. We won't lay a finger on her... as long as you're sensible."
"I'm sensible! I'll be sensible, just please let Lingling go!" Ah Shuai felt as if he'd glimpsed a ray of light in the darkness. He nodded frantically, almost kneeling to the phone.
"Aren't you supposed to represent Oriental Coast in that stupid bartending competition later? Just lose the match. That's all," Song Mingjie said coldly.
"What? Lose the match?" Ah Shuai's face paled further.
His lifelong dream was to become a top-tier bartender. He had sworn to give his all in every competition, never to lose easily. But now, being asked to throw the match on purpose? It hurt more than being killed. His heart raced, and beads of sweat broke out on his forehead.
"Boss, is this guy refusing? I knew he would. Just hand the girl over to us. There's over twenty of us here—even if we go three at a time, we'll still be busy for a while," another man's voice suddenly cut in, sounding eager.
"No! Please, no! Spare me, I beg you..." Lingling's terrified voice came through the line.
"Rip! Rip!" Then came the sound of fabric tearing.
"No, stop, please stop..." Ah Shuai's heart felt as if it were being pricked by needles. He screamed at the top of his lungs.
"You think you can tell us what to do? If I listened to you, where would my authority be?" Song Mingjie laughed shamelessly. "It's just a woman, after all. With money, you can find pretty ones anywhere. My useless men are getting restless, so forget what I said earlier..."
"Damn, this girl's got a nice round ass!"
"Nice tits too. Wonder if that guy's popped her cherry yet?"
"You're too eager. Let me feel her... oh, fuck, her skin's so smooth..."
Each lewd comment stabbed at Ah Shuai's nerves. His mind kept replaying images of his girlfriend's beautiful face and her every smile. Tears streamed down his cheeks. He bit his lip hard and said, as if taking an oath, "I—I'll do it. I'll lose the match. Please... let Lingling go!"
"Huh? Really? That's it? How disappointing. It's just a woman," Song Mingjie said.
"I can't live without her. Please, I'm begging you," Ah Shuai's voice choked with sobs.
Song Mingjie sighed deeply. "Brother, why go to such lengths for a woman? I'll send you four or five women,