Chapter Thirty-Seven: Enchantment

Darkness cloaks strength in cold disguise, and the night shelters desolation in its silence.

The blackness of night breeds loneliness, unease, honesty, and confusion... For some, the night gifts black eyes to seek the light; for others, to deepen the darkness.

Yet, no matter how long the night endures, the day will always dawn.

When Lin Hai and Lin Fan stepped out of Bai Juncai’s residence, dusk had already fallen.

Casually glancing back, Lin Fan nearly dropped his eyes to the ground in shock—just moments ago, the entrance to the residential complex had vanished, replaced by a towering wall.

He pinched his cheek hard and rubbed his eyes, but nothing changed before him.

Disbelieving his own senses, Lin Fan stood gaping, momentarily dazed. When he came to, he found that Lin Hai had already walked far ahead. He hurried to catch up, gripping Lin Hai tightly and gesticulating wildly at the wall behind them—only to doubt his own sanity. The wall that stood there a second ago had disappeared, and the entrance was once again a cross-shaped alley.

Lin Fan was flabbergasted, stammering, “U-Uncle, what’s going on? Does the world change so quickly?”

Lin Hai shook off Lin Fan’s hand without much concern. “You get startled over nothing every day—have some dignity, will you? Now you see why I stopped you from climbing the wall back there! If it were that easy to find, it wouldn’t be the home of a master!”

As he spoke, he glanced up carelessly. “That fellow likes to play tricks, always making things look mysterious. Let’s go. We’ll meet him again, I’m sure.” Without giving Lin Fan a chance to argue, he dragged him briskly forward.

The empty alleyway was like a tunnel through time; with every step they took, the scenery behind them shifted. Lin Fan kept glancing back, too astonished for words, his hair standing on end.

After about five minutes, a wide avenue appeared ahead. Lin Hai strode out of the gloomy alley as if nothing were amiss, stepping onto the bustling street.

Lin Fan was even more amazed as he emerged. What the—downtown? Bai Juncai, you’re a real character! A rare genius, and we failed to recruit him—what a pity!

He looked around at the thronging crowds and endless traffic, scratching his head. He had planned to seek out Bai Juncai one day and discuss that talk of crossing worlds. But now it seemed impossible. With a shake of his head, he dismissed those fanciful thoughts and followed Lin Hai, disappearing into the sea of people.

As they walked along the busy street, Lin Hai was deep in thought. The day’s efforts had not been wasted; with a clue in hand, he began to plan his next move.

Behind him, Lin Fan’s mind was equally restless, replaying scenes with Bai Juncai. The day’s experiences had shaken him profoundly, and he found himself strangely enlightened.

Thus, the two of them, one gazing at the sky, the other at the ground, wandered through the crowd like a pair of lunatics.

After pondering life for nearly an hour, Lin Hai suddenly stopped, his brows smoothing as if a plan had formed—only to be jolted aside as someone brushed past him.

“Ouch!”

Lin Hai looked up. Who else could it be but Lin Fan? But Lin Fan seemed out of it, staring blankly at the ground as he shuffled forward. “Damn it! I told you to keep an eye on the road—lucky I didn’t get run over!”

The thought made Lin Hai break out in a cold sweat. He sped up, swinging his iron foot and landing a solid kick.

“Damn it!”

With a crash, Lin Fan was sent tumbling into a nearby self-service bank.

“Damn, you can’t trust family these days!” Lin Hai cursed, following him in. He withdrew some cash, bought necessary supplies, wolfed down a quick meal at a street stall, and hailed a cab back to the villa.

At home, after greeting Lin Qi, both men spruced themselves up, grabbed their gear, and headed straight for the bar called “Night’s Temptation.”

…

Opulent lights flickered in the misty night, moonbeams scattered gently, casting a glow over the city’s restless traffic.

Only the neon signs shone vividly in the dimness, heralding the start of a night filled with debauchery and excess.

On either side of Bar Street, hotels of every kind lined the way. Pale moonlight spilled over red bricks and green tiles, brightening the colorful eaves and making the whole street look like a drowsy dragon sprawled across Zhongzhou City.

By the time they arrived, the crescent moon hung high above. Among the eclectic buildings flanking the street, the entrance to “Night’s Temptation” was unremarkable, even shabby. Its modest sign was lost among the lavish displays of neighboring bars.

The street shimmered with light, lending the nightlife an air of haze and mystery.

After stowing their gear at a nearby convenience store, both men entered the bar with heads high and spirits light.

Lin Hai, familiar as ever, spared no expense this time. After booking a private room, they were led inside by a server.

The air reeked of smoke and alcohol, the pounding music so loud it threatened to deafen. On the central stage, scantily clad dancers writhed in provocative routines, while the dance floor below was packed with men and women twisting and grinding, the women dressed in revealing maid outfits, flirting and taunting the men with suggestive banter. The entire bar was suffused with an ambiguous heat.

It was Lin Fan’s first time in such a place. At first, he was shy, but soon the riot of lights, deafening music, wild dancing, and sultry women made him forget his burdens, his nightly torments, and the pain buried deep within his soul.

He adapted quickly; as for Lin Hai, this was practically his second battlefield.

Led by the server, the two swaggered into a private room on the second floor.

Inside, Lin Hai sprawled luxuriously across the soft sofa, grinning. “Well, nephew, what do you think? Isn’t this place something?”

Lin Fan stood by the one-way glass, hungrily eyeing the stage and the crowd, his heart fluttering. He quickly stripped off his jacket and dove onto the sofa. “Awesome! Even the sofa smells seductive!”

“Haha! This is life, this is living!” Lin Hai released his pent-up energy with abandon.

Just then, a mature, alluring maid entered, carrying a large tray of drinks. Swaying her hips, she poured for them, her eyes full of mischief. “Gentlemen, are you really going to drink alone? Fine wine without beauty is such a waste. Drink deep tonight, and perhaps you’ll win a lovely companion!” She winked, wiggled her ample figure, and teased them with her tongue.

Lin Fan shivered involuntarily.

Lin Hai, used to this, reached out to squeeze her plump behind. “Well, aren’t you clever! Find us two more girls as hot as you—remember, the wilder, the better! I’m in top form tonight!”

The maid dodged his hand with a laugh. “Oh, you’re terrible! I only sell my art, not my body. Save your strength for the girls to come!”

As she left, Lin Hai smacked the love-struck Lin Fan on the head. “Can’t you control yourself? Why are we here? Look at you!”

Lin Fan wiped his mouth. “Uncle! Top grade! How are we splitting them?”

Lin Hai was astonished at Lin Fan’s adaptability. He grabbed Lin Fan’s ear and snapped, “Split? You wish! Clearly, Lin Qi’s lesson wasn’t enough for you. If you want them, take them all—just don’t call for help when you’re overwhelmed!”

The scolding sobered Lin Fan a little. He rubbed his ear and pinched his thigh, forcing himself to suppress the rising desire.

He couldn’t help but wonder—what was wrong with him today? Why was his uncle so restrained, and why was he, usually so reserved, suddenly so lustful? Could desire be contagious?

No way was he going to lose his virginity here! Lin Fan reached for his drink, hoping a sip would clear his head.

But Lin Hai snatched it away. Lin Fan, confused, licked the spilled liquor from his hand—and immediately felt a wave of lust surge within him. He protested, “What the hell? I can’t have the girls, now I can’t even drink? What are you playing at, pretending to be pure?”

Something’s wrong—he’s already affected! Lin Hai realized Lin Fan’s condition, set down the glass, and scolded, “Are you crazy? This is a den of debauchery—are you really going to drink what they serve?”

Suddenly, Lin Fan’s vision blurred. The world spun, Lin Hai’s voice faded, and he collapsed onto the sofa in a daze.