NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 4: Chapter 3
In a random bar, Zhong Hai, China
Shortly after walking near this small bar, Yang Ji realized that she had arrived at the perfect place to observe and remain unnoticed in a world full of secrets. There was something in the air, a mixture of cigarette smoke, cheap perfumes and spilled liquor, that made her feel comfortable. But this time, she was not there simply to enjoy the chaos; she had a clear purpose: to distract herself. She wanted to forget everything for one night, and that included looking for passing company, something completely physical that was not tied to commitments or emotions.
The dim lights of the bar cast a glow of violet and orange hues, creating a mysterious and vibrant atmosphere. Neon lights flickered lightly, adding a decadent touch to the place. All around her, couples exchanged discreet glances and groups of young people laughed recklessly. The murmurs of private conversations filled the air, barely drowned out by the strident sound of a blues song playing in the background. It was an environment full of unspeakable stories, and Yang Ji welcomed it naturally: it was her ideal setting, one where no one asked too many questions.
She had barely crossed the threshold when a tall man, with a staggering gait and a glass of liquor in his hand, stood in her way. His breath smelled of a mixture of alcohol and despair, and his eyes, swollen and sleepless, sought out Yang Ji's with clumsy impudence. She glanced at him briefly. Her expression was cold, as if she were watching an insect. She slowly took a step back, not losing her composure, but not hiding the disdain she felt for the scene.
"Hey, sweetie, wanna buy me a drink?" the man growled in a raspy voice that scraped through the air.
Yang Ji looked at him with a sharp calmness, which only increased the man's discomfort. A mocking sneer appeared on her face as she coldly said, laden with contempt:
"Don't waste your time making a fool of yourself. You look pathetic enough as it is."
The shock of her words left the man momentarily speechless. His face turned bright red with fury, and in a clumsy outburst he threw his glass to the floor, causing the crystal to scatter into pieces.
"You damn brat! You have no idea who you're dealing with!" he screamed, staggering as his fury was directed toward a corner where a group of figures watched him lazily.
Yang Ji, unfazed, lit a cigarette. Its smoke slowly rose as she walked to the counter. There she ordered a vodka, the scorching taste of which momentarily calmed her. A feeling bordering on resignation came over her as she reflected on how far away she was from her former life. Ever since she had returned to China, her aloof and professional demeanor had begun to crack, especially thanks to Rose, that woman who had found a way to break through her shell. Deep down she knew it was dangerous; her life as a mercenary didn't offer much room for emotions, but it was becoming increasingly difficult for her to ignore what she felt when she was around Rose.
The murmurs in the bar abruptly stopped. Yang Ji turned his head slightly and saw the drunkard returning, accompanied this time by a group of men. Eight in total, and their movements showed that they were motivated more by alcohol than common sense. The leader, a bald, burly man, walked forward first as he listened to the drunkard's ramblings.
"Big brother! That witch humiliated me!" he cried in a pitiful tone.
The bald man studied Yang Ji up and down, adjusting his belt as he gave him a mocking smile.
"Looks like you've had a bad day, doll. But don't worry, my boys just want to chat," he said condescendingly as two men stepped forward with less than friendly intentions.
Yang Ji did not move. Her eyes, cold and unwavering, analyzed every move. She waited patiently, like a predator lurking. When the men tried to touch her, she deployed with the precision of a storm. In one neat movement, she caught the wrists of both assailants and twisted them with unexpected force.
"Ahh!" they screamed in unison, falling to the ground and writhing in pain.
The bar erupted into murmurs of astonishment. Some stared in disbelief, while others took a few steps back. One woman dropped her glass in shock, and the bartender, who was clearing a glass, froze in the middle of his task. Yang Ji ignored the reactions. She focused her cold gaze on the remaining group, who were now hesitant to move forward.
"Get out before I decide to be less nice," he told them, each word dragging like a knife through the air.
The bald man raised his hands, backing away awkwardly.
"It was a misunderstanding, big sister. If you ever need anything, just let us know, please," he murmured as he led the others away.
With them gone, an eerie silence fell over the bar. The murmurs began again, but no one dared to look directly at her. Yang Ji showed no interest in the whispers. She walked to a secluded corner, lit another cigarette, and let the smoke fill the air as she pondered. She thought about how she had changed over the years. Back in her days as a homeless mercenary, she would have dismissed the group without a thought. But now, something held her back. Rose's influence, perhaps. Her relationship with her had softened her, made her more open to people who managed to gain her trust, though she still put up barriers when she deemed it necessary.
"Rose… you always manage to creep into my thoughts at the most inopportune times," she muttered to herself, a mix of irritation and warmth.
Before she could continue her train of thought, something caught her eye. In a nearby booth, a young woman stood out completely from the surroundings. She wore a delicate white dress, which seemed to glow under the warm lights of the bar. Her messy black hair fell over her face, and her scent, a heady mix of jasmine and liquor, drove her into a state of curiosity that she couldn't ignore.
She approached without thinking twice and carefully brushed a lock of hair from the young woman's face, revealing serene and charming features. For a moment, she lost her usual coldness. It was as if that image broke a part of the armor she had always carried with her.
The woman slowly opened her eyes, her gaze meeting Yang Ji's. A spark of something indefinable flashed between them, a moment of unusual vulnerability for Yang Ji. Before she could utter a word, the young woman leaned forward and, with a sudden movement, pulled her towards her, stealing a passionate kiss from her.
Yang Ji, surprised but not reluctant, held the woman firmly and returned the kiss with a vigor that belied her reserved nature. At that moment, the lines that defined her coldness and distance began to blur. If the night had started as an attempt to escape her reality, it seemed that she was now facing it in a completely unexpected way.