"Alright, let’s go ahead with this," Zhou Chenyue nodded and agreed. The two of them parted, each starting to search from a different side.
The lights on the first floor were dimmer compared to the ones upstairs. Luckily, He Zhilan had good eyesight and after scanning the area, she didn’t see Ding Jinshi. However, a bit surprisingly, she saw Ding Long, a man who should normally have been ensconced with a beauty in a private room on the third floor.
He Zhilan wondered if all those who had been in the military were always as sensitive as this. He Teng was, Lan Li was, and the same was true for Ding Long. No sooner had she cast her glance upon Ding Long, wondering why he’d come down, than he suddenly turned his face directly toward her and walked over.
Ding Long moved quickly. When He Zhilan returned to her senses and thought about turning to leave, it was already too late. Her instinct told her that Ding Long was somewhat dangerous.
"He Zhilan," Ding Long called her by her name, which blocked her way. His playful eyes scanned over He Zhilan’s face, adding an intriguing tone to her simple name as he uttered it.
He Zhilan looked up at Ding Long, uncertain what to say. She wasn’t familiar with him and didn’t have a good impression of him either.
Ding Long chuckled, "He Zhilan, you seem to be very interested in me, always staring at me. You did at the dinner table, and again just now. What to do? Unfortunately, you have been caught by me!"
His usage of the word ’caught’ made He Zhilan’s simple act of a lingering glance sound incredibly suggestive.
"I looked at you at the dinner table because Zhou Chenyue told me that you’re a retired soldier, which surprised me. And just now, I was merely surprised to see you here," He Zhilan explained earnestly and clearly, "Zhou Chenyue and I came down together to find Ding Jinshi."
"What’s so great about finding Ding Jinshi? Such a big person, she wouldn’t just disappear," Ding Long pointed to a spot not far ahead, "Isn’t she over there having a good time?"
Following Ding Long’s gaze, He Zhilan saw that Ding Jinshi was indeed sitting alone in a corner, with a glass of wine in one hand and a lit cigarette in the other. Many people were paying attention to her, some men even itching for a chance to approach.
"See? She’s perfectly fine. You don’t need to worry about her," Ding Long said with a smirk which took a nasty turn as he continued, "Regardless of whether your excuse is indeed an explanation or a mere cover-up, He Zhilan, I’m genuinely interested in you. Since you are so intentional about getting close to and trying to please Gu En, why not follow me and be my woman instead? You must be feeling it, right? Gu En’s temperament is bad, she’s arrogant and proud. Being with her is tiring, isn’t it? With me, pleasing Gu En will be much easier, all you need to do as Ding Long’s woman is to please me in bed."
"You’re talking nonsense! I have no idea what you’re talking about!" He Zhilan paled in shock, her deepest thoughts exposed by Ding Long’s words, felt like a silent slap to her face.
He Zhilan didn’t have the energy to feel angry or hurt about Ding Long’s insult, she just wanted to escape. She turned around and ran away, wanting to distance herself from this man as much as possible.
"Oh? Am I talking nonsense? But, looking at your expression, it seems like I’ve hit a nerve? Are you angry because I’ve seen right through your filthy intentions?" Ding Long sneered, "He Zhilan, I know Gu En better than you do. From childhood to adulthood, not a single girl has been able to befriend her. And if there were, they all had ulterior motives just like you. In other words, I’ve seen plenty of women like you! But I’ll remind you. Do not underestimate Gu En, she’s much smarter than you might think. In this world, she is the one who manipulates others, there certainly hasn’t been anyone who could manipulate her."