Chapter 58: Chu Tian and His Friends Were All Looked Down Upon

The next moment, Chu Tian delivered a swift kick to Han Zhuang.

Bang!

Han Zhuang's body flew like a kite with its string cut, crashing straight into the swimming pool.

Splash!

A heavy sound of water echoed, and before Han Zhuang could react, his mouth was already flooded with water. He nearly drowned.

“We’re leaving,” Chu Tian said, unwilling to waste another second, and turned toward the changing room.

“Chu Tian, you’re incredible!” Li Xin finally snapped out of his shock, hurrying to follow Chu Tian, admiration shining in his eyes.

Han Zhuang, gritting his teeth, roared in fury, “Chu Tian! I won’t let you off! Just wait!”

“Chu Tian, is this the real you?” Yue Xin gazed at Chu Tian’s retreating figure, questions flooding her heart. “How much have you kept from me? Why did you hide your strength all these years?” She stared after him, her eyes lingering until his silhouette disappeared around the corner of the changing room.

Seven o’clock in the evening, Dark Night Bar.

The bar normally opened at eight. Though it was still closed, a long queue had already formed outside.

Li Xin stood among the crowd, patiently waiting for the doors to open. Beside him were three attractive young women, friends he’d especially invited. Each was exquisitely dressed, vibrant and youthful.

The prettiest of them wore dark eye shadow and a strappy top, with a short skirt revealing long, fair legs—clearly someone used to the nightlife.

“Li Xin, do you really know someone at Dark Night Bar? Can you get us a discount?” The girl with eye shadow, named Zhao Liying, glanced at him with skepticism.

Li Xin had invited her tonight, and she brought two girlfriends along. But after half an hour waiting outside, they hadn’t even gotten inside.

“Of course. I’m well-acquainted with the staff here. And tonight’s on me—eat and drink as you please.” Li Xin forced a smile, beating his chest with bravado.

Chu Tian shot Li Xin a subtle glance. He knew Li Xin’s connections: the truth was, Li Xin didn’t know anyone at Dark Night Bar. He was simply boasting in front of these beautiful girls. Especially when facing Zhao Liying, Li Xin always grew nervous.

It was obvious to anyone with eyes—Li Xin had fallen for Zhao Liying, which was why he’d invited her out tonight.

“Li Xin, how much longer do we have to wait?” one of the girls complained.

“You invited us out just to leave us standing here?” another chimed in.

“At the very least, you should’ve reserved a table before asking us out. That’s what shows sincerity. Don’t you know what gentlemanly conduct is?” Though Zhao Liying herself didn’t speak, her two friends voiced all her dissatisfaction.

“Sorry, I didn’t expect Dark Night Bar to be this popular. I never thought we’d have to wait in such a long line.” Li Xin felt awkward. This was his first time at the bar, and if he’d known about the crowd, he would have reserved a table before inviting Zhao Liying.

But regret was useless now. They could only wait at the entrance.

“Li Xin, are you trying to embarrass me in front of my friends?” Zhao Liying’s face darkened, and she shot him a glare.

“Liying, please don’t be upset. I’ll go check up ahead,” Li Xin said, his awkwardness deepening, and he left the queue to mingle among those closer to the door.

Chu Tian knew Li Xin was negotiating to swap places with those ahead, hoping to get in sooner. After all, entering early meant first pick of seats. Li Xin had rarely managed to invite Zhao Liying out, and he didn’t want to lose face. But none of the customers were interested in giving up their spots for free.

Seeing this, Zhao Liying’s expression soured further, her patience wearing thin.

“Liying, you’re not really considering Li Xin’s pursuit, are you? He’s just a broke loser—he’s not worthy of you,” one friend sneered.

“Exactly. He can’t even reserve a booth in advance. He’ll never give you the life you deserve,” the other added, their eyes full of derision.

The two girls made no attempt to avoid Chu Tian, treating him as if he were invisible. Even knowing he was Li Xin’s friend, they spoke openly before him, showing their utter disregard for both Chu Tian and Li Xin.

Chu Tian wore a simple casual outfit, hardly the image of wealth, and friends of Li Xin were unlikely to be rich either. Girls like them, who chased money, wouldn’t treat Chu Tian kindly, no matter how handsome he was.

Chu Tian shook his head silently. Li Xin really had poor judgment in people. How could he fall for someone like Zhao Liying? But it was Li Xin’s own choice, and Chu Tian said nothing.

Just then, Li Xin returned, his face dejected. It was clear no one had agreed to swap places.

“Liying, sorry. Let’s wait a bit longer,” he apologized, head bowed.

Zhao Liying’s expression grew colder, her embarrassment deepening after her friends’ earlier ridicule.

At that moment, a silver Mercedes pulled up nearby, close to Chu Tian and his group.

The car door opened, and a youth dressed in finery stepped out.

“Liying, you’re here so early?” the young man, Yang Xuan, called out. He was clearly Zhao Liying’s acquaintance and walked straight toward them.

“Yang, you’re finally here! We’ve been waiting for you,” Zhao Liying’s face bloomed into a radiant smile, as warm as a sunflower, a stark contrast to her earlier coldness with Li Xin.

“Liying, who’s he?” Li Xin frowned, his self-reproach forgotten, replaced by inexplicable hostility.

“Yang is a friend I invited. The more, the merrier,” Zhao Liying replied affectionately, drawing closer to Yang Xuan.

“Liying, are these your friends?” Yang Xuan glanced at Chu Tian and Li Xin, contempt flickering in his eyes.

“I wouldn’t have friends so beneath me. He just said he could help me reserve a seat, so I came with him,” Zhao Liying quickly distanced herself from Li Xin, not wanting Yang Xuan to misunderstand.

“If you’re not close, don’t mix with these nobodies. Tonight, I’ll bring you all in. Everything’s on me,” Yang Xuan said with a cold laugh, openly stealing Li Xin’s thunder right in front of him.

“Fine, I’m not really close to him anyway,” Zhao Liying replied sweetly, even wrapping her arm around Yang Xuan’s.

As long as she could win Yang Xuan’s favor, breaking ties with Li Xin meant nothing to her.

Li Xin’s face turned livid, grief and helplessness etched across his features.