Chapter 30: Jiang Ruhai Arrives

"Please, customers in the back, stop lining up. Our bar is truly at full capacity!"

"Come on, boss, do you even want to make money? It's barely crowded and you’re already full? What kind of lousy bar is this?"

"We don't need seats, just let us in with standing room tickets."

Hearing this, the veins on You Wei's forehead throbbed violently. He wanted to roar: This is a bar, not an ancient train! Standing room tickets? Where do these people get off?

"What is going on? Is this really the only kind of small bar, one that can only hold twenty thousand, that Jiang Qin works at?"

"Boss, do you even know how to run a business? Can't you open a bigger bar?"

You Wei wiped the fine sweat from his forehead. He didn't want to deal with these unreasonable people anymore, but he had no choice. He was a businessman; if he gave them attitude today, he’d likely be out of business by tomorrow.

"Everyone, please stay calm. We have already contacted a construction crew, and we will be able to expand in a few days."

Fortunately, he had the foresight to purchase the adjacent property on Jiang Qin's first day of work. He had a gut feeling that he would eventually need to expand, though he hadn't expected the day to come so quickly, leaving him unprepared. At least this prevented the possibility of being gouged by unreasonable price hikes later.

"Then tell the others to come back in a few days. Surely there’s no problem with us females being given priority, is there?"

A girl wearing a gorgeous gown stood at the door, looking down at the crowd with an arrogant expression. She was accompanied by several exceptionally handsome males. Judging by the number of her companions, it was clear that she was at least a B-rank female. Nearby, many other females were waiting, each accompanied by at least one male.

With the girl taking the lead, the others chimed in: "That’s right, we females should get priority, shouldn't we?"

"You all agree with that, don't you?"

The males she scanned mostly gave the same response. While they knew the females were just here for fun, there weren't many of them in total, so giving them priority was fine. Perhaps this gentlemanly act of yielding would earn them some favor in the eyes of the females.

And so, the waiting females and their companions were the first to enter the bar, quickly claiming the front-row booths. By 7:30, the entire bar was packed. If You Wei hadn't been so worried about the other customers’ complaints and desperately blocked those trying to crowd in, even the aisles would have been filled. It was truly a case of being pained yet happy.

"Booth Number 3, one pitcher of inhibitor, 38,888 star coins."

"Booth Number 6 ordered backup dancers. Hurry, get those demi-humans from the back ready."

"We have a lot of customers tonight, and many beast-kin females among them. Everyone stay alert and prevent any accidents."

It wasn't just You Wei who was busy; Zhu Yongkang was swamped as well. They had guessed that Jiang Qin would become popular, but they hadn't expected it to happen so fast and so suddenly. They were currently struggling with a lack of space, personnel, and inventory.

***

At Booth Number 7, Jiang Ruhai sat with a dark expression, remaining silent. Three boys sat beside him, looking to be around his own age, roughly sixteen or seventeen. The four of them were sipping inhibitor drinks flavored like imitation fruit juice.

The boy with slightly curly black hair kept craning his neck to look toward the front. "I heard Jiang Qin doesn't take the stage to sing until eight o'clock. She should be here soon."

"I wonder if her singing is as good as it is on the livestream!" the blonde boy said, also looking forward with anticipation.

Only Jiang Ruhai and a round-faced boy remained quiet. Jiang Ruhai, in particular, seemed to have fallen into an awkward situation ever since arriving at the bar.

"Ruhai, why aren't you saying anything? By the way, why didn't you tell us you had another older sister?"

They had all agreed that if anyone had a suitable sister at home, they would help introduce her to the group. But until now, they had only known about his sister, Jiang Rumeng; they had no idea he had another.

Facing his friends' questions, Jiang Ruhai blurted out, "She is not my sister!"

The three exchanged glances. They were even more confused. Could the gene-matching results Jiang Qin published be fake?

The blonde boy quickly tried to smooth things over. "Forget it, forget it. It seems to be a misunderstanding. Let's just sit back and wait for the music."

"I'm going to the restroom."

But instead of heading to the restroom, Jiang Ruhai walked toward the back of the bar. He was stopped by a staff member: "Sir, this is the staff area. Only employees are allowed inside."

"I'm looking for Jiang Qin."

"May I ask who you are?"

"Just tell her I'm Jiang Ruhai."

When the staff member heard his surname was also Jiang, he immediately tried to piece together their relationship. To be safe, he had his partner guard the entrance while he went inside to find Jiang Qin.

"Jiang Ruhai?" What was he doing here?

"Yes, that gentleman wants to see you. Should I let him in?"

Jiang Qin shook her head. "No need. Just tell him I have no relationship with the Jiang family and to stop coming to find me."

She could guess why he was here; it certainly wasn't to convince her to return to the Jiang family. It was likely about Jiang Rumeng. He probably wanted her to go on the StarNet and admit she had hurt Jiang Rumeng, or perhaps clarify that Jiang Rumeng had treated her well. After all, many people were criticizing Jiang Rumeng today, which was likely affecting her return to school. Jiang Qin felt absolutely nothing for these half-siblings.

The staff member relayed the rejection to Jiang Ruhai immediately. Even from a distance, Jiang Qin could hear his angry shouting.

"Jiang Qin, if you have the guts to hurt people, why don't you have the guts to admit it? Do you think cutting ties with the Jiang family will erase the fact that you harmed my sister? Keep dreaming!"

"You dare to do it but don't dare to own it? I look down on you!"

"Jiang Qin, get out here!"

Zhu Yongkang, hearing the commotion, arrived to ask what was happening. The staff member quickly explained the situation, adding helplessly, "I tried to persuade him, but he won't leave..."

He was just an employee; he didn't dare to physically gag a customer or force them out.

Zhu Yongkang frowned, displeased. "Next time someone like this shows up, call the security team immediately. If Miss Jiang suffers any harm, can you take the responsibility?"

"What do you mean? Is your bar trying to kick out a customer?"

Facing Jiang Ruhai's questioning, Zhu Yongkang remained completely unmoved. He said coldly, "Those who follow the rules are guests, but those who threaten our staff are nothing more than thugs who have snuck in. I must ask you to leave immediately, or our security team will forcibly detain you and hand you over to the police."

"I am Jiang Qin's brother! Can't I even come to find her?"

"No matter who you are, if Miss Jiang does not wish to see you, you will not trespass into our backstage area! Leave now. This is my final warning."

Jiang Ruhai clenched his fists in fury, but under Zhu Yongkang's piercing gaze, he had no choice but to leave, filled with resentment.