Seeing this, the other classmates chimed in as well. "Exactly, we've been classmates for so many years. Do we really need to be so formal?"
"Besides, if not for that scare, we wouldn't have gotten this meal. And those half-price VIP cards..."
Several girls smilingly pulled out their exquisite gold cards with hollowed-out floral designs and fanned themselves with them. "How much money can this save us? We totally hit the jackpot!"
"Yeah, I think this club is really pretty good." Zhang Yang, sitting nearby, scratched his cheek and smiled. "This counts as a blessing in disguise for us. I paid special attention when we came in just now. This place doesn't just have a racetrack and golf course; it also has a swimming pool, ball courts, and a gym. Next time, we can come here to play..."
"You still dare come here? Doesn't it feel a little scary?" Qiao Shiyu shot Zhang Yang an annoyed glare.
"It's not too bad. Didn't the owner say the club hires work-study students every winter and summer break? A place where students work part-time shouldn't be that shady, right?"
Another girl couldn't help saying, "I wonder how much they make in a month? Too bad that owner only asked Yue Bin and Lu Chi. He didn't ask me..."
"If he asked you, would you dare come? Besides, didn't you hear him? They only hire boys, not girls..."
The boys and girls all started chattering away. While no one was paying attention, Lu Miaomiao quietly tugged on Lu Chi's sleeve and whispered, "Big Brother, I need to use the bathroom!"
Hearing that, Lu Chi immediately set down his cup and stood up with Miaomiao.
Yue Bin, who had been listening to everyone's nonsense, immediately asked, "Where are you going?"
"To the restroom."
Yue Bin immediately put down his chopsticks. "Perfect, I need to go too. Let's go together!"
Several boys heard that and immediately spoke up. "Me too. Me too."
A few girls looked at each other and hesitated. "Then let's go too!"
It had suddenly turned into a group bathroom trip. The Lu siblings: "..."
Zhang Yang rolled his eyes. "What's the big deal? We just got scared, so everyone wants to take a leak and relax!"
Zhang Yang's words successfully made everyone laugh. Dozens of boys and girls split into two groups and headed off to use the restroom. Their grand procession startled quite a few members already inside. For a moment, the elegant, quiet high-end club felt as lively as a school during recess.
A few minutes later, when Lu Chi emerged from the bustling men's room, Yue Bin, who had followed him out, directly pulled him to the lounge area and asked in a low voice, "Hearing the school beauty make that call just reminded me of something... Have those two thugs who beat you up been caught?"
Lu Chi shook his head, his gaze fixed on the entrance to the women's room as he casually replied, "I went to the police station to ask last weekend. They said there hasn't been any progress in the case for now."
Yue Bin curled his lip. "That efficiency..."
"We have to understand each other. The police force is limited too." Lu Chi shrugged. "This city has over twenty million people. Finding two people deliberately hiding here isn't that easy. Besides, they didn't commit murder. It was only intentional assault. Even if they're caught, how long could they be sentenced for?"
"I already asked. Based on the court's sentencing standards, my concussion counts as a minor injury, so it's considered a civil dispute. Under normal circumstances, there won't be a criminal sentence. Most cases are settled out of court..."
The more Yue Bin listened, the more depressed he became. "Damn, so we just got hit for nothing?"
"Isn't there still one more person?" Lu Chi gestured toward the women's room with his chin and smiled. "I heard President Qiao reported it as intentional robbery. Once they're caught, they can get at least three to ten years. That's what I'm counting on."
Yue Bin laughed despite himself. "You really know how to make the best of a bad situation—"
"What do you mean, make the best of a bad situation?" Before he could finish, someone suddenly interrupted.
Yue Bin and Lu Chi turned around to see Xing Yuan and Zhang Yang coming out of the restroom. Xing Yuan was holding a Little Smart phone and talking on it. Zhang Yang had been the one who spoke.
Yue Bin blinked, then brushed it off with a pleasant smile. "Nothing. We were just chatting."
As he spoke, Xing Yuan finished his call as well. Still holding the phone, he repeated, "Yes, third floor of the dining department, Supreme Private Room 303. Uncle Qiao, come over... It's fine, really. Shiyu was just a little frightened. Just come take a look at her..."
After Xing Yuan hung up, the other three gave him meaningful looks.
"Uncle Qiao..."
"Shiyu..."
"So you secretly cleared the parents' hurdle?"
"How devious!" the three said in unison.
"No! No!" Xing Yuan hurriedly waved his hands in explanation. "It's not what you think. Qiao Shiyu broke her phone, and Uncle Qiao couldn't reach her, so he called me to ask where we were..."
"Oh!" The three drew out the word and nodded together, wearing expressions that plainly said, As if we'd believe that. "So that's how it is."
"Hey, you three..."
Before Xing Yuan could finish, Lu Chi spotted Lu Miaomiao coming out of the women's room. He immediately stepped forward and called, "Miaomiao, over here."
Lu Miaomiao immediately ran over and threw her arms around Lu Chi's leg. "Big Brother, I missed you so much!"
"You're exaggerating." Lu Chi smiled and rubbed the crown of Lu Miaomiao's head. "It's only been a few minutes."
"That's different." Her big eyes blinked. Lu Miaomiao subconsciously glanced at the restroom behind her, then stood on tiptoe to look at the people in the lounge area before whispering, "I still haven't decided whether I should tell Dad about Big Brother getting lassoed by a horse..."
Lu Chi's smile froze. The hand on Miaomiao's head withdrew guiltily as he stammered, "There's no need to tell Dad about such a small thing. Mom and Dad work so hard away from home. We shouldn't make them worry."
Lu Miaomiao tightly held her big brother's hand and whined coquettishly, "But I was scared to death just now. I was afraid you wouldn't have the strength and would get dragged away by the horse..."