Chapter 1

In the evening, in the farmers' market located in the west region of Zhong Hai city, there were numerous noisy pedestrians and vehicles indifferently passing through.

Vegetable leaves and dirty water were strewn all over the ground. There was an enormous amount of different fading store signboards, and occasionally there would be some single-colored neon lights lit up.

There were workers returning home, children that finished school, elderly buying groceries, and the many different travel-worn passersby, causing the gray dusty sky to seem more and more depressing.

Perhaps within a metropolitan city like this, such a region was the stain that people looked down upon the most, a region they wished never existed.

By a wall next to an intersection, was a woman who was leisurely and contentedly doing what others viewed as shameful.

This was a young woman covered in oil and grime, selling mutton skewers. She was sporting a white vest, coffee-colored pants, and a pair of stiff blue plastic slippers.

The young woman's hair was messy, but had a rather mature and beautiful face, if one took a closer look, one would notice this was a woman with backbone. It's a pity that no matter how she looked, the ladies and men walking along the street wouldn't even pay her a glance, because, she was just a mutton skewers seller.

The young woman placed the mutton skewers she just cooked to the side. With the hot weather, grilling was easy but selling was hard. 50 cents for two skewers was considered cheap, but after a whole day, she only earned a little over 10 dollars, barely enough to have 2 meals.

However, the young woman didn't seem to be dejected by this, she instead had a relaxed and satisfied expression. She sat down on her stool, looking towards the crowded street, as if such a view was the prettiest scenery.

"Mr. Choi, it's about time you paid for what you agreed upon 2 days ago!" A high-pitched male voice suddenly appeared from the side.

The 3 approaching males didn't look above 20 and were dressed like gangsters, with upright hair, silver chains, holey jeans, scraggy faces, and a cigarette in their mouths.

Mr. Choi was a peddler selling deep-fried snacks right beside the young woman. Similarly, due to the hot weather she didn't have much business and was on her seat with a worried expression.

Mr. Choi showed a bitter face, "My Young Master, please be patient. With this hot weather, how am I able to pay without any business."

"Listen here old man, don't take a yard after being given an inch. If it wasn't for boss Ten protecting you, this stall of yours would've been wrecked long ago." A henchman said in a threatening, yet flattering way.

The hooligan called boss Ten seemed extremely pleased, he patted his henchman, and said, "Today's protection fee, you can choose to pay or you can choose not to pay. I must get the money either way. Otherwise, I will wreck your stall now!" with that said, he picked up a skewer of sausage, took two big bites and threw the remainder on the ground.

Mr. Choi was stuck without a way out and tightly gripped the small stack of notes in his pocket, considering whether or not to spend it like that.

The money was meant for his wife to see a doctor, how could he bear to use it as a "present" for these rascals!?

"I'll pay for him." The woman from the mutton skewers stall suddenly walked over, and fished out a few notes from her pocket, not even amounting to 100 dollars.

She handed it over and indifferently said: "This is all I have, Mr. Choi is getting on in years and urgently needs money, you guys should accumulate some good karma."

The little hoodlum squinted his eyes and laughed, then took the notes and passed it to his henchman behind, "Lisa, you want to pretend to be a good person, but you haven't paid your own protection fee!"

Lisa creased her eyebrows, lamenting in her heart about why these fellas were not properly studying at their age.

Why be a hoodlum, but it wasn't her position to say anything. She also didn't want to stir up trouble, so she dully said: "Tomorrow, I will pay tomorrow."

"Good, I'm not an unsympathetic person, everybody should cooperate. I protect your businesses and you pay me money as a matter of fact, I will come tomorrow to collect then."

After speaking, the little hoodlum and his two henchmen strutted towards other stalls, bringing them grief.

The eyes of Mr. Choi had already reddened, he bitterly looked towards Lisa, "Lisa, why do you trouble yourself? You are always helping me pay those thugs, how can I let this go on."

"Old man, don't say such a thing. When I just arrived and wasn't used to life here, I probably wouldn't even have a friend to talk to, if it wasn't for you. You are my benefactor, and this is my way of repaying you."

"You kid, What should I say to you." Mr. Choi seemed to understand that he couldn't convince Lisa and could only sigh.

Lisa didn't mind and laughed, it was a dull yet sincere laugh. As if the extortion earlier didn't affect her mood, "By the way, how is your wife's illness?"

Mr. Choi's eyes were filled with gratitude, "It's all thanks to you for giving me the money to have an operation for my wife. Right now she only needs to go for a few more check-ups, take some medicine and then she'll be fine."

"Oh, that's great! I wish her an early recovery." Lisa satisfyingly nodded.

Mr. Choi gave a bitter laugh, "Lisa, the money you lent me will definitely be returned, if I'm unable to return everything before I die, my daughter will carry on the debt. Alas, if it wasn't for me, that 100, 000 dollars of yours can definitely be used to open a nice shop. You wouldn't need to come here and sell mutton skewers, and wouldn't need to endure those hoodlum's torment."

Lisa curled her lips, "I somewhat enjoy such a way of life, selling mutton skewers isn't bad, it is simple yet able provide enough for meals."

Mr. Choi was a little depressed as he said, "Lisa, you are only 23 or 24 years old, other youngsters of your age are either studying in university, or diligently trying to build a career. Right now you don't even have a girlfriend or boyfriend, are you planning to sell mutton skewers forever? You aren't worried, but I feel worried as I watch you."

Seeing Mr. Choi genuinely express worry for herself, Lisa unconsciously revealed a slightly bitter expression, it's not that she was not worried, she just never thought about it at all.

After the night fell, Lisa tidied her stall, and pushed the cart back to the crappy apartment she rented.

This was a small apartment that has been around for who knows how many years. The rent for each month was only 100 dollars.

It's only because nobody wanted to live here that it was this cheap. Unlike other people who worried about the house falling apart, Lisa decided to move in the moment she saw how cheap it was.

Lisa's house had very simple furnishing, it was mostly second hand goods others dumped away. There was a bed, a cabinet, a chair, and a TV that could only watch some basic channels.

After pushing the small cart into her small house, Lisa gazed upon the calendar hanging on the wall. She checked the date, suddenly remembered something, and promptly ran to the toilet.

In less than 5 minutes, she took a cold shower, and got out of the bathroom naked. Her skin was a healthy yellow colour, her well-proportioned body wasn't very conspicuous.

Walking towards the cabinet beside the bed, Lisa scratched her head in distress while looking at the pile of disorderly clothes.

She picked out a few and finally put on a yellow shirt, a pair of light linen pants, and wore the same plastic slippers.

After leaving her house, Lisa hurried towards the west region's most prosperous street, which was also the shabby west region's only respectable street, named "Bar Street".

The nightlife of feasting and pleasure-seeking was all around, there were colorful skirts, and all sorts of different perfumes. The moment one entered Bar Street, the city's atmosphere swept through.

Lisa didn't openly stare like some undisguised and unscrupulous young men, and also didn't secretly peep at the thighs of beautiful ladies on the street that the others were drooling at. Yes, she prefer girls than boys.

The bar's neon lit signboard wasn't considered dazzling, the bar that could only be considered mid-sized contained a mysterious air, brilliantly colored rose shaped lights were decorated on the signboard.

After entering the bar, Lisa walked to the side of the counter in a routine manner, and sat at a corner.

"Hey Lis, you're here." The young bartender wearing a vest noticed Lisa, and revealed a warm smile.

At the same time, he brought out a cup of water, "Boss has been waiting for you for a long time."

Lisa gave him a smile, then took a sip from the glass, "Rose isn't angry right? I returned home a little late, so I arrived late."

"Not angry, not angry." Bambam smiled, it was as if the few pimples on his round face were smiling at him as well.

With an imploring tone he said: "Lis, when you have time please teach me. What sort of method did you use that you even managed to pick up our boss? You know, if the people in Zhong Hai who were interested in our boss made a queue, they could queue from the west region till the sea. For so many years I've never seen the boss so in love with any other person. Yet today, just the question of whether you're here yet, had been asked no less than 5 times."

"Shut up, there's nothing going on between me and Rose." Lisa helplessly, and unenthusiastically replied.

Bambam had an expression of 'I won't believe that even if you kill me', then sighed, "Geez, Lis, to be honest, this cold demeanor of yours is too high level, to be able to pick up a world-breaking beauty like our lady boss. Which man or even woman wouldn't stick to her every day? There's only you, who comes only once in a while and even lets a beauty wait for you. Otherwise why do people say that things that you cannot obtain are the best? This sentence is suited to be used on women."

Right after Bambam gave an expression of a saint at romance and exaggeration, a charming yet dignified and intelligent voice appeared behind him, "Bambam, how many more times do you think your pay can get cut?"

As if he was shocked by an electric current, Bambam was dumbfounded. Once he returned to his senses, he immediately sidestepped and pretended to mix drinks, as if nothing happened, but the cold sweat on his forehead gave away the fear in his heart.

With an elegant dress, her thighs were vaguely displayed which released an arousing sex appeal.

In addition, her exquisite body matched well with that smooth porcelain-like face that looked like a meticulous piece of art.

On her shoulder were strands of light blonde hair. This was a young lady with an appearance like she came out from a painting, as she leisurely walked towards Lisa.

Lisa smiled with both her face and eyes, looking right at the lady without a trace of awkwardness, and sincerely said, "Ms. Park, you're really pretty, happy birthday."

Hearing the praise, Rose slightly blushed, bit her smooth lips, and with a tone full of remorse she said, "What use of being pretty? A certain someone seldom comes by, and even when it's my birthday that person still arrives this late."

Facing this sweet and charming lady, a tinge of lust welled up in Lisa, increasing exponentially due to her mesmerizing eyes looking at her, without any inkling of abhor.

However, with a noble heart Lisa managed to suppress her wild desires. Restoring her tranquility, she said, "I don't drink, and I'm also not good at saying words that make ladies happy. Moreover, I set up my stall every day, and truly don't have much spare time."

Rose grudgingly glared at Lisa, "Stop talking nonsense! Setting up a stall? What's good about setting up a crappy lamb skewers stall? Even if you work yourself to death you won't earn much money, if you really want to make money, come and be my housekeeper. The salary I'll pay you every month will be 100 times of what you make from selling lamb skewers!"

Lisa bitterly laughed and said, "Ms. Park, I don't want to become a housekeepers."

"I've told you so many times, call me Rose, why are you always so formal?"

Lisa could only compromise, "Alright, Rose, I was wrong. It's just that, I somewhat enjoy my current lifestyle, for the time being I don't intend to switch jobs."

Unwilling to give up, Rose said, "You don't have to be my housekeeper then, be my bodyguard will do right? Or, I could let you be the manager of the bar, I rarely supervise this place anyways, I usually let it be."

Hearing these words, Lisa felt a little touched, of course she knew this woman truly cared for her, but she had her own stance. Since the day she met Rose, she decided not to get too intimate with this woman.

"Forget it Rose, I feel that selling mutton skewers is pretty good, the farmers' market has quite a number of nice people as well." Lisa lowered her head to drink her water, unwilling to continue on this subject.

Upon seeing Lisa's stubbornness, Rose frowned, then angrily whispered to herself, "It's only good if you become mine"

What she doesn't didn't realize that Lisa clearly heard it, but Lisa knew that she must pretend that she didn't hear anything.

No matter how dim the lights in the bar were, Rose's face and physique still emitted an irresistible charm.

However, from the moment Rose appeared, even when some people noticed her, they would only dare to take one glance before looking away.

Some curious new customers asked the surrounding patrons who Rose was, and there was basically only one answer-- "Drink your liquor, don't court death."

Feeling a little defeated, Rose walked to the other side of the counter, sat beside Lisa, first poured a glass of whiskey for herself, then poured another for Lisa, rolled her eyes and rebuked, "Monkey, I know you're tough. It's fine that you are unwilling to stay by my side, however today's my birthday, can you make an exception and drink a glass of liquor?"

Lisa hesitated for a moment, the truth was, it's not that she can't drink, it's just that every time she drinks, the alcohol would cause disorder to her psyche.

There were too many things she didn't want to recall, which is why she needed to be calm. Therefore, to her, alcohol is poison.

"Alright, but only one glass." Harboring a tinge of guilt, Lisa is unwilling to utterly disappoint Rose, so she decided to accept.

Silently hoping in her heart that nothing will happen, since it's only a small glass.

Sure enough, Rose happily smiled, that smile resembled seeing snow for the first time. Under the dim light, her visage glowed with luster, entering Lisa's eyes, it made her heart tremble again.

"Cheers."

After clinking the glasses, Lisa raised her head and drank the ice-cold liquid without any hesitation.

Rose made a 'gege' laugh, leaned forward, and pressed her body onto Lisa's chest and melancholily said, "Do you know, it has been 10 years since I last celebrated my birthday. Although there's no cake, no candles, no presents, not even a party, at least there is unromantic woman like you to accompany me to a drink, I feel very contented."

This woman's physique looked well-developed from any angle and caused men or women to drool.

At this moment, Lisa distinctly felt two soft moldable lumps pressing against her thigh, gently stroking it, bringing with it a stimulating sensation.

Slightly lowering her head, she saw the beautiful legs of Rose, and the fairly discernible soft porcelain-like snowy skin. Below her exquisite ankles was a pair of fiery-red high-heeled shoes,

The intense visual stimulation along with fierce seduction aroused Lisa.

Just as Lisa did her best to suppress her body's reaction, Rose finally stood up, gave her a crafty smile, as if she was a fox who succeeded in her plot.

"I can see that you can barely endure sitting here, I'm going to go entertain my other customers, if you don't want to stay any longer, you may leave." Rose left the seat in a natural and unrestrained manner, and walked towards the other customers.

The customers of the bar long ago knew that the bar's lady boss was very charming, yet they didn't dare to forgot their manners.

This was due to receiving information that the woman's background wasn't simple at all. As a result, it was effortless for Rose greet her customers.

As a matter of fact, Rose's face contained a passionate smile.

That extraordinary temperament was enough to cause the majority of men or women to feel intimidated, thus they could only look on from a distance.

Also, they didn't want to reveal any notions of obscenity, as nobody courted a rebuff.

When Rose left, Lisa breathed a sigh of relief, and at the same time she silently mocked herself.

For the last half a year that she returned to this country, she seemed to have changed quite a bit.

If it was the Lisa of the past, facing a mesmerizing lady like Rose who had affection for her, there wouldn't even be a need for her to seduce her.

She would've thrown her onto a bed long ago without a care for whatever the consequences. In any case after the deed was done she could just leave.

However, she can't do that now, especially to Rose who can be considered one of her first friends in Zhong Hai, and to her, in her heart she was significant.

Although she only drank a small amount, the alcohol had already started affecting her mind.

Lisa felt that her craving for alcohol had already been awoken, yet she didn't dare to drink in excess, the pain of recalling unwanted things after drinking is something only she understood.

However, seeing that her body still feel hot, Lisa felt the need to vent some of her pent-up emotions, otherwise 'it' would be stifled to death. But of course, Rose won't do, once they have that relationship, it would be difficult for her to get away.

After drinking a cup of water, Lisa quietly left ROSE bar. When she left, within the eyes of Rose who silently watched her leave, was a sense of disappointment.

Outside the bar, Lisa looked around, before finally walking towards a small bar close by. There may be many prey in high-class bars, but the money in Lisa's wallet wouldn't be enough.