Chapter 76: Her True Face

“That, if you guys need money, I can lend… uh, give you some…”

Tang Xin recalled Pei Xingyan’s instructions and forced herself to speak up.

Although talking to these people made her feel an indescribable discomfort, Pei Xingyan had entrusted her with this task, so no matter how difficult it was—like walking on a bed of knives—she had to grit her teeth and go through with it.

The colorful crowd of men and women above looked at her with eyes shining like wolves as they took the purple five-yuan bills from Tang Xin’s hands.

Tang Xin’s heart bled. Losing even a single yuan made her want to die from pain, but according to Pei Xingyan’s orders, she had to act generous and casually add, “It’s no problem, it’s nothing. Just ask if you need more.”

Fortunately, these people weren’t shameless enough to demand more rounds; otherwise, Tang Xin would have bitten her own lip in agony.

Following Pei Xingyan’s instructions, she ordered a drink for herself and sat down nearby, especially close to Suixin.

Tang Xin quietly checked her phone to confirm the call was still connected and Pei Xingyan could hear everything clearly.

Just then, their milk teas were ready. The group eagerly grabbed their drinks and began drinking one after another.

Tang Xin frowned. She felt this was a bit too shabby. Leaving cleanliness aside, the mere idea of sharing a single straw was something she couldn’t accept.

She subtly glanced at Suixin, who seemed detached from the world. Suixin kept her distance from the other women; even when they invited her to drink together, she just shook her head gently to refuse.

Tang Xin’s eyes shifted. She stood and went to the counter to order another cup. Once it was ready, along with her own, she handed one to Suixin.

“Hm?” Suixin lightly raised an eyebrow.

She was about to refuse when the girl in front of her said, “It’s on me. You don’t seem like you want to drink with them.”

Suixin showed a helpless smile and shook her head firmly.

No matter how much Tang Xin insisted, she couldn’t get the cup into Suixin’s hands. In the end, she had no choice but to pass the drink to the women who were huddled together, taking turns holding their milk teas and taking photos.

Soon, Tang Xin was being called “Big Sister! Big Sister!” throughout the entire shop.

This group of people really knew how to show loyalty, beating their chests and swearing to help whenever she needed it.

Tang Xin felt utterly tormented. Even though she was already shameless when pulling clients, this kind of humiliation was nearly unbearable. If it weren’t for Pei Xingyan’s instructions, she would have bolted already.

She couldn’t understand what good mixing with these people could bring, to the point that Suixin had even sacrificed a whole year of her college entrance exams.

Tang Xin felt incredibly uncomfortable, like sitting in a chair meant to chase people away, bored senseless as she bit on her straw and messaged Pei Xingyan.

【What’s next? What should I do now?】

【You “happen” to follow them and see what they’re up to later.】

【How do I “happen” to?】

【That’s for your clever brain to figure out.】

Tang Xin pouted, mumbling that Pei Xingyan could take care of everyone else but always left her to be treated like a beast of burden.

Yet, she herself was like a masochist, always obeying his orders!

Despite her frustration, she dared not forget her duties and never relaxed her surveillance of the group around her.

Suixin remained quietly seated, keeping her distance from the others, but a hint of impatience had already appeared on her face, like a student eager to finish class and go eat but held back by a strict teacher, tapping her feet anxiously.

Tang Xin detailed everything she saw to Pei Xingyan through her phone and then waited.

After a long time, even the sky outside had darkened into the hues of night, the group finally decided to get up and leave.

Tang Xin’s eyes didn’t miss a single detail on Suixin. She clearly saw a relieved expression on her face, as if the prolonged detention was finally over, like a pitiful student freed from class.

Suixin finished the last sips of her drink and pretended to coincidentally get up to leave as well.

If these idlers had one redeeming quality, it was that they never acted cold or distant at any time. They greeted Tang Xin warmly, “Big Sister, are you leaving too?”

“Yes.” Tang Xin nodded, then hesitated before asking, “Where are you headed?”

“To have fun!” someone pointed in a direction and answered excitedly.

“Yes, yes, to find some excitement!” another shouted in agreement.

“Big Sister, want to come along?” someone else asked.

“I… I…” Tang Xin felt tears welling up. She wanted to refuse but remembered Pei Xingyan’s instructions and reluctantly said, “No need for fun. I’m going over there.”

She pointed in the same direction they had indicated earlier.

“Isn’t that on the way?” someone exclaimed. “Then let’s go together. We’ll escort you and keep you safe.”

Everyone laughed heartily. Tang Xin’s heart pounded wildly. She felt these people were the biggest danger. Seeing one man’s heavily tattooed arm, she was terrified beyond words.

Still, as Pei Xingyan wished, she finally walked into the group of women.

The women’s overpowering scent of spicy perfume made her dizzy, and their strange makeup made her want to scream “monsters,” but despite all this, she smiled and asked in an almost casual tone:

“What do you usually do?”

“Do what?”

“School… or something.” Tang Xin had wanted to say work, but looking closely at the girl closest to her, she felt that this girl might not even be older than herself.

“Graduated ages ago.” The girl answered carelessly and with a careless shrug, “Middle school graduate, and I didn’t even go pick up my diploma!”

No, this is not something to be proud of…

“But this little sister looks like a student, right?” Tang Xin smoothly changed the subject to Suixin, who was sitting quietly in the back.

“That one?” The girl snorted. “She really is a top student, going to university someday. She’s not on our level.”

“Huh? Isn’t she with you guys?” Tang Xin pressed.

“We hang out sometimes, but not always. Other times, you won’t even see her come near us.”

“Ah?”

Tang Xin was puzzled, not knowing what that meant.

They walked for quite a while, arriving at the Third Ring Road. As the crowds thinned, her anxiety slowly crept up her throat. She glanced back and saw Pei Xingyan trailing behind her, not too far away, and she finally relaxed.

The group stopped and approached a row of colorfully modified electric scooters parked by the roadside.

Tang Xin recalled a previous client mentioning that their daughter liked these things. Could Suixin’s reason for hanging out with these people be this?

She pondered for a moment, then reached a definite conclusion.

She saw the cold and aloof Suixin’s eyes involuntarily lift with delight upon seeing the heavily customized electric scooters, like a hungry wolf spotting fresh meat.