Insufficient balance

  As soon as she spoke, the hearts of the three people suddenly chilled, as if they had fallen into an icy abyss. The originally enthusiastic parts also quietly lowered their flags due to the sudden encounter with the cold current from outside. They did not expect that such a healthy and youthful girl would have such a devilish experience.

  "Abortion is so bad for your body." Xiangbei clicked his tongue, his heart aching like a knife.

  "Did you have the abortion at a regular hospital? You know, if you're not careful, you could lose your life." Lu Feng felt a deep regret, thinking of Yan Ying's painful expression, and he himself was also in pain.

  "Abortion? I...I thought you..." Xiao Xiao's hands were clenched tightly, for the first time in his life, he didn't know what to do next.

  "Yes." Yan Ying gazed at the starry sky that was gradually brightening up, and thought of past events. She let out a sigh and said: "It's not just you guys, even my mom scolded me: The new bicycle I just bought for you, you punctured the tire three times, and yet you still rode it to Tianjing? How can that be reassuring?"

  Three boys were stunned.

  "Yan Ying, since it's not your first time, then let the three of us have a good deal tonight." Lu Ting wrapped his arms around her shoulders, smelling the scent in her hair.

  "Fart, what's new for the first time?" Yan Ying was furious, pushing his hand away, "I'm a virgin."

  Lu Peng and Xiang Bei suddenly cheered in the darkness. Xiao Xiao mysteriously smiled, stuck out her tongue and made a ghost face, saying loudly: "That won't do, you call this bicycle Little Bird. Then you mustn't ride bicycles anymore. Or else it'll take your first time."

  "Get out."

  Four people laughed and joked, and didn't feel the road was long, until they arrived at Longxin Village.

  Longxin Village is an ordinary small village in the Longshan Mountains. Because it is located at the center of the Longshan Mountains, it is only a few hours away from Tianjing City. It is surrounded by a small river with abundant water sources. The four sides are surrounded by mountains, with unique scenery and hot springs that can cure all diseases. As a result, it was discovered by sharp-eyed developers who bought the land at a low price and developed it into a high-end villa area called Longcheng Xianjing. The house prices are around 200,000 yuan per square meter. It is specifically sold to wealthy people who want to hide something.

  The villa was built, and the supporting facilities naturally followed. Soon, Longxin Village built a gas station, not only to refuel the luxury cars in Longcheng Xianjing, but also for cargo trucks entering Tianjing via the mountain road to refuel and rest here.

  Gradually, more and more people came. Supermarkets, tourism, restaurants all emerged. And then the hot spring resort was developed.

  Villagers started businesses, welcoming passing truck drivers. People came and went, gambled, and even some shady industries flourished. Buildings became more upscale. Even people from Longcheng Xianjing came out to consume. Longxin Village had become a hidden entertainment destination in the northern part of Tianjing.

  Four people arrived at Longxin Village, and the first thing they saw was a huge bluestone monument standing at the village entrance. The stone was several meters high, with clear edges and rough texture. On the stone was carved in bold red characters: "Longxin Village". Next to the stone was a wide and straight main street, paved with small colored bricks, forming a auspicious dragon and phoenix pattern. Along both sides of the street were planted locust trees with lush branches, under which were shops and restaurants. The main street led to the central plaza of the village, where a large fountain was spraying water, surrounded by men and women dressed in various colors, drinking different beverages, flirting and chatting.

  "My goodness, it's like a paradise on earth." The four of them exclaimed in admiration, never expecting to find such a place deep in the mountains on this intoxicating summer night. Their mood suddenly lifted and their fatigue dissipated instantly.

  Four people walked along the spacious avenue, deep into the village. At this time, although it was already past the normal mealtime, many family hotels were bustling with activity, and people were having a lively time, looking very prosperous. It seems that this is indeed a good place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

  Four people who had never been here before saw a Longmen Inn beside the big locust tree by the road. It was a six-story ancient-style building. Judging from its architectural style, it seemed to be in the style of Ming and Qing dynasties, with red walls and gray tiles, windows carved with hollow flowers and birds, and paper pasted on wooden window frames. The first floor had a restaurant and supermarket, while the second floor and above were for accommodation.

  "That's it." Xiao Xiao looked at the inn, which still had some charm and a style she could accept. At least the four of them were all tired now. The others heard this and naturally agreed.

  Four people walked into the Longmen Inn, seeing the exquisite and elegant decoration in the lobby, with calligraphy fluttering on the walls, making one's heart skip a beat, as if traveling back to the Ming Dynasty. Lu Ting came to the front desk, quarreling with the service staff, only wanting two double rooms, he wanted Yan Ying to sleep, and was going to have an abortion for her.

  The young waitress at the front desk was a little girl who, upon hearing that they wanted to have an abortion, immediately became cold and stern, staring tensely at the two of them with a faint blush on her face, thinking that they were up to no good.

  Yan Ying scolded Lu Feng for two sentences, and he smiled and stopped. She came to the waiter and explained that the red-haired devil was a madman and shouldn't be taken seriously, which finally dispelled the waiter's worries and concerns.

  Four people negotiated and got a three-person room on the second floor, and also got a single room on the third floor. The four of them took their room cards, went upstairs, put their luggage and bicycles in the rooms, closed the doors, and went downstairs to enter the restaurant. Inside, it was very spacious, with things divided into two rows, each row having over ten tables. Two adjacent seats were separated by intricately carved wooden screens, on which were carved stories of the Eight Drunken Immortals, with vivid and lifelike characters, looking both elegant and refined, exuding a unique fragrance of wood.

  Yan Ying called over the boss and asked if there was a private room available. The boss shook his head and said no.

  Four people were unwilling to go out and find a hotel with a room, so they had to sit down around a table. Lu Feng and Yan Ying sat inside, Xiang Bei and Xiao Xiao did the outside.

  He let out a soft sigh and sat down in the chair, feeling his fatigue disappear instantly. He looked up to see a man in his early twenties sitting across from him, with neat and tidy short hair, pale skin, clear eyes, and a refined demeanor. He was wearing a formal outfit consisting of a short-sleeved shirt with a standing collar and Western-style trousers, paired with brown leather shoes. His attire exuded an air of sophistication, reminiscent of someone in the sales industry. The man's head was bowed as he fiddled with his phone, seemingly busy with work-related matters.

  Lu Peng looked at the hat on his head, and at the boxes of beer inside the restaurant. Although the intoxication from lunch had slightly dissipated, at this moment, the desire to drink immediately reignited, so he suggested having a few more drinks.

  He was in high spirits heading north, clapping his hands and shouting with joy. His belly was a wine cellar, so he welcomed all comers without exception.

  Xiao Xiao thought of the thrilling bike ride during the day and those two dirty-minded drivers, so he wanted to use wine to dispel the gloom on himself, shouting that he would treat everyone tonight.

  "No, I'll get it." Yan Ying said sincerely and warmly to the three of them, with some deep emotion: "A young woman alone from Sanjin came to Tianjing, encountered a sudden change on the road, and you saved my life. Thank you here."

  "Go ahead and order." Xiao Xiao flipped through the menu, looking for the most expensive dishes.

  "You? Don't be modest?" Yan Ying looked at the three of them in surprise, Huang Mao, Hong Mao and a black-haired one, none of whom looked like good people. She pointed at the three of them with her hand, "Alright, I don't expect you to be gentlemen either."

  "Boiled meat." "Wood mushroom meat." "Meat and pickled mustard greens." Xiao Xiao, Lu Peng, and Xiang Bei each ordered one dish, all of which were student-priced and not expensive.

  Yan Ying saw that the three of them were intentionally saving themselves, and told them it was unnecessary. She smiled and picked up the menu, ordering a whole roasted fish, a big pot of braised pig's feet, clear broth chicken, and eight beers. She asked the boss to bring out a familiar cold dish first for everyone to drink with.

  Xiao Xiao immediately took a liking to Yan Ying's straightforward and sensible nature. It wasn't that he liked the dishes she ordered, but rather, he liked her as a person. He recalled the small mole on her chest, and his hand involuntarily itched again.

  The boss put eight bottles of beer on the table with a "clunk", opened all the beers. A large plate of cold mixed pig ears was placed on the table.

  Yan Ying grabbed another bottle and said some words of gratitude to Xiao Xiao and the other two people. Suddenly, she felt a little moved in her heart, so she stopped talking and poured the beer into her mouth. Lu Ting and Xiang Bei saw that she was quite bold, of course, they didn't show any weakness, and started pouring wine too.

  Xiao Xiao poured more than half a bottle into his mouth, and as he put down the wine bottle, he suddenly saw the person opposite him constantly sizing up Yan Ying's side profile. His eyes were filled with lust, his mouth curled up in a sly smile, looking like he had ill intentions.

  A fierce fire ignited in his heart, he raised his head, his eyes gleaming with sharpness, staring at that person. He was determined to stare him to death with his own eyes.

  That person was smiling at Yan Ying, but suddenly his gaze was cut off by Xiao Xiao's piercing eyes. He saw that he had a spiky haircut, long earrings and eyes like sharp swords. Feeling that this person was not easy to mess with, and possibly the boyfriend of that healthy young girl, he immediately shifted his gaze to his phone screen.

  Xiao Xiao saw him avoiding her gaze, understanding that her gaze had defeated his, and she had won. She couldn't help but smile faintly and coldly, turning her head away. She didn't mention this to anyone else, fearing it would cause trouble for them. Instead, she continued chatting, laughing, and drinking with the other three people.

  "Zhou Biao will be here soon." The person diagonally opposite him suddenly said in a low voice on his phone, with an extremely smooth expression. "Let Zheng Qing wait for a while, don't rush." He hung up the phone and secretly took a peek at Xiao Xiao, seeing that Xiao Xiao was laughing and drinking. His eyes moved, as if thinking of something.

  A brown Santana rushed to the front of the restaurant and stopped at an angle. "Ka." The car door was pulled open with force. A person got out of the car. Twenty-seven or eight years old, not tall, fat body, short hair. Standard three treasures, bald head, big belly, wearing a gold chain, with a laughing Maitreya Buddha tattooed on his chest, holding a small package under his arm, looking like a nouveau riche. But just looked like it.

  "Brother Biao." A salesperson-like man waved at the incoming man, indicating that he was there.

  Xiao Xiao saw that the man had arrived with a friend, and they both looked like they were up to no good. He thought to himself, "This Maitreya Buddha must be the Zhou Biao from his phone call," and he decided to be cautious and pay attention to them.

  "Wei Kuan, haha." Zhou Biao responded with a loud voice and walked over to sit down in front of the salesperson.

  Xiao Xiao remembered that the salesperson's name was Wei Kuan, a fairly ordinary name, which couldn't compare to Xiao Xiao's cool name. How dare he look at me straight in the eye? How dare he sneak a peek at Yan Ying? I'll glare him to death. Thinking of this, Xiao Xiao smiled smugly.

  Wei Kuan smiled and went up to welcome him, patted Zhou Biao's shoulder, and was enthusiastic as if they were close brothers. "Brother Biao, you first drink some water and take a break. Later, we'll go to Longxin Wine House to find a private room. It's not often that I can invite you, this is really not like me."

  "No need, you're a student, no money, just eat here." Zhou Biao didn't care about the good or bad of the place, he raised his hand and loudly shouted at the boss inside, "Boss, sauce bone head, large plate chicken, braised pork ribs, spicy small lobster, all large portions, hurry up." It seems that he is very familiar with the signature dishes here.

  The boss knew Zhou Biao and was delighted to greet him as soon as he came out. Upon hearing what he had ordered, he immediately turned around to take care of it.

  "Ten bottles of beer." Zhou Biao hastily added a sentence, as if he had let out a fart.

  Xiao Xiao never thought that Wei Kuan was a student, I wonder which school he attends? What does he study? However, this professional attire seems too mature for a student. Looking at his behavior and demeanor, it also reveals an immature worldly wisdom and smoothness. His interactions with Zhou Biao, a social person, are unknown what purpose and thoughts are behind them?

  Wei Kuan saw Zhou Biao ordering dishes, it seems that today can only be eaten here. Immediately flattering with a thumbs up, saying Brother Biao is still so generous.

  Zhou Biao chuckled twice, unmoved by the flattery. "It's been two years since we last met, you little scamp has grown up and looks quite spirited. Speak up, is there something on your mind or are you just treating me to a meal?" He didn't care whether the tea was hot or cold, and downed the entire cup on the table in one gulp.

  Wei Kuan immediately stood up, poured the tea, and smiled calmly: "Nothing, I just missed Brother Biao, wanted to invite him to dinner. I said we should find a good place that's worthy of Brother Biao, but you insisted on coming here. After dinner, we'll sing some songs. After singing, we'll have some fun. Let's eat and drink well first, then talk more later?"

  "This place is quite good, you're speaking frankly, and what's with this insincere talk?" Zhou Biao was an old hand, had already seen through Wei Kuan's insincerity, and didn't expose him. He just smiled freely, not putting Wei's hypocrisy in his eyes.

  Wei Kuan felt that they hadn't reached the point of discussing business yet, so he continued to hem and haw, putting it off until later.

  Zhou Biao's face turned cold, he glanced at his watch, as if time was tight, "Don't beat around the bush, if you have something to say, tell me, otherwise I'm leaving."

  Wei Kuan saw that he was really coming, and immediately stopped him. He swept his eyes around the room, seeing that the entire restaurant, except for himself and Zhou Biao, only had Xiao Xiao's table eating, so he frowned and clicked his tongue, worried that this wasn't a place to talk about things.

  Zhou Biao thought he was hiding something, guessing what big deal he had in mind, and said with a smile: "If you have something to say, don't be afraid, I'll hold up the sky for you if it falls."

  "I want to join the Black Fish Society." Wei Kuan stared into Zhou Biao's eyes and said calmly.