29: Chapter 29: Bar 29: Chapter 29: Bar The next day at noon, James Brown and Gina Lopez took a flight back to YODC City.
It was already the fifth day of the new year, and work would resume on the seventh.
Most people would stay home an extra day, but for Gina Lopez, the CEO, not only did she have matters at the company to deal with, but there were other issues that needed her early attention too.
If it wasn’t for her family insisting she stay longer, she would have returned to YODC City on the third day of the new year.
Of course, another reason was that James had performed well enough; there were no issues, which greatly relieved her, allowing her to stay two days longer than she had originally intended.
After getting off the plane, Gina Lopez and James Brown got into a car that had been parked in the parking lot for several days, a black Buick.
“Our contract ends here,” Gina Lopez said, looking at James Brown with a cold gaze.
James Brown smiled and nodded, saying, “I hope the CEO is quite satisfied with my performance this time.”
You should go to our company’s HR department when you start work on the seventh.
“I hope you remember what you said and won’t speak of this matter.”
I’ve long since forgotten this.
From now on, you’re my boss.”
Gina Lopez nodded in satisfaction, started the car, and soon they were in the city.
Without asking where James Brown lived, she directly dropped him off at a public bus station, quite decisively.
James Brown didn’t mind.
The past few days during the New Year had been the most comfortable he had spent in years; nothing else was too important.
He hailed a taxi and went straight to Prosperity Estates, where he rented a modest two-bedroom apartment, less than seventy square meters in size, on the sixteenth floor—the same as Gina Lopez’s family’s floor.
Entering his apartment, he tossed his things onto the sofa and then threw himself down on it.
He was much more relaxed at home, no longer having to act so restrained as when he was at Gina Lopez’s.
But just after smoking a cigarette, James Brown felt a sense of emptiness.
The past days had been lively, and this sudden quiet was something he wasn’t used to.
He had eaten on the plane and wasn’t hungry now.
As it grew dark outside and he had no desire to sleep, he simply left his home, hailed a taxi, and went to a bar called D Region not far from home.
James Brown had been to this bar before.
The atmosphere was decent, and most of the guests were white-collar workers, so it wasn’t noisy.
More importantly, if there was a chance, it was possible to find someone for a one-night stand here—definitely not the type frequented solely by prostitutes, which made it more interesting.
But today, the bar was even quieter than usual; there were only a few patrons scattered around in the booths, less than ten in total, and no one at the bar, which somewhat disappointed James.
Those seeking one-night stands usually preferred sitting at the bar waiting for someone to strike up a conversation.
Since there was no one around, James Brown didn’t mind waiting for someone to approach.
He ordered a beer and sat at the bar, chatting intermittently with the bartender while he drank.
After about half an hour, two women came up and tried to talk to him, but James Brown wasn’t satisfied.
Although he wasn’t exactly a saint and wasn’t conservative about sex, he was picky.
If he wasn’t impressed by the women, he couldn’t be bothered.
Another half hour passed, and still no one met his standards.
However, he then noticed a woman in the corner booth.
She wore a loose sweater and had a coat thrown next to her, a nice figure indeed.
Her long hair obscured her face, adding a sense of mystery.
James Brown felt this woman must be attractive.
The woman was deeply nestled within the seat, hardly moving at all.
Occasionally, she would take a big gulp of her drink—a very expensive Rémy Martin, clearly a wealthy person, but her demeanor suggested she wasn’t happy.
Some women come out looking for excitement, and those women are the easiest to seduce.
Just catch their eye and you’ll quickly have a night of fun.
Another type that’s easy to pick up in bars is the women who drink to drown their sorrows.
They often face issues in work or relationships, feeling incredibly empty inside, and some even do it out of revenge, though still hesitant deep down.
With the right approach, you can definitely get them.
“Give me a glass of whiskey.” James Brown ordered a whiskey, walked straight up to the woman, sat down, and pushed the glass in front of her, saying, “This one’s on me.”
The woman didn’t look up but coldly said one word, “Scram!”
Instead, he became more interested, smiled faintly, and said, “If you’re drowning sorrows, whiskey is the best choice, not a smooth cognac.
It’s strong and will get you drunk quickly.”
After that, James stood up, said, “I won’t bother you anymore,” and went straight back to sit at the bar, never looking at her again.
Over the years, James never had a girlfriend.
When he had the chance to relax, his favorite activity was going to bars.
He was quite the expert at picking up women and knew very well that if he persisted, the woman would definitely not agree.
Leaving now would more likely pique her interest and increase his chances of success.
James’s judgment was not wrong.
Twenty minutes later, footsteps approached from behind him—the sound of high heels on the ground, somewhat erratic, clearly indicating the woman was tipsy.
The footsteps stopped right beside him, and a woman sat down next to him on the high stool—it was the same woman who had been sitting in the booth earlier.
James turned to her with a slight smile and raised his glass slightly, then took a sip of his beer.
He felt even more pleased with himself.
The woman was quite beautiful, with a melon-seed face and slightly pointed chin that did not detract from her beauty.
Her face was makeup-free, her large eyes watery and slightly reddened.
A woman this beautiful even without makeup would outshine any big star if she put some on.
“Why are you drinking beer when you told me to drink whiskey?” the woman said, tilting her head and frowning slightly at James.
James smiled lightly and replied, “You and I are different.
I come to the bar to relax, you come to get drunk, so whiskey suits you better.”
The woman sneered, “I don’t think so.
You want to get me drunk and take advantage, don’t you?
I’ve seen plenty of men like you.”
James nodded and replied without any embarrassment, “You’re right, that was my intention.
I’m here with a very clear purpose—I’m just looking for a one-night stand.
Offering you whiskey was just a way to strike up a conversation.
But if you don’t agree, I won’t insist, as a one-night stand should be consensual, with no strings attached afterward.”
The woman was somewhat surprised by James’s response.
A man whose intentions were exposed usually got a bit flustered, but this man remained cool.
no strings attached afterward…” she muttered disdainfully, “You men are all about lower-body actions.”
James responded composedly, “That’s right, I can only offer true emotions to my wife, but in the absence of a wife, I prefer being straightforward.”
“Ha ha…” The woman suddenly laughed twice, her expression more scornful, “Men always say nice things.
Before they marry, they treat women like treasures.
But once they’re married, they don’t care anymore and still look for new thrills.
Talking about emotions—nice words, but men hardly take emotions seriously.”
James shook his head, “You can’t dismiss all men just because one has hurt you.”
“So are you the type who would remain faithful once you’re in love?” the woman stared into James’s eyes.
Meeting the woman’s gaze, James shook his head slowly, “I can’t guarantee that.
I haven’t found my true love yet, and who knows about the future.
Those who often make resolutions rarely keep them, those who consistently promise often can’t deliver.”