Chapter 5: Close Contact
“Zhou Lang, her underwear must be multi-colored. We’ve guessed every other color, so you’ve hit the jackpot this time,” someone suggested, confident that this was the right answer.
Zhou Lang smiled slightly without speaking, focusing his gaze between Ivanova’s legs.
“It works! The heirloom is truly amazing—this is way better than any high-tech X-ray device!”
Zhou Lang was startled because he saw through Ivanova’s skirt. Being a college student, he looked away after a few seconds.
“Come on, Zhou, just guess multi-colored already,” Manager Zhang Deyuan urged.
“Handsome boy, make your decision quickly—only ten seconds left, or the offer expires,” Ivanova teased Zhou Lang with a flirty wink.
Zhou Lang steadied himself and said, “Everyone, you’re all wrong. Miss Ivanova isn’t wearing anything underneath.”
He wasn’t just making things up—thanks to the X-ray talisman, he could see everything under the skirt.
“Zhou Lang, even after being told the correct answer, you can’t say it. What a wasted opportunity,” Manager Zhang sighed, assuming Zhou Lang had guessed wrong. However, Ivanova’s expression subtly changed.
“Why don’t you reveal the truth, Miss Ivanova? Anyway, I was just guessing,” Zhou Lang said confidently but with a smile, hiding the fact that he had used the X-ray talisman. He knew that if people found out, even the most open-minded women might feel uneasy around him. Everyone values their privacy, and if it were all exposed, life would be filled with fear.
“I was just trying to break the ice and make sure everyone remembers the new girl who started today. That’s why I didn’t wear anything as a joke. I thought no one would guess it, but this handsome guy hit the mark—looks like I overplayed it,” Ivanova admitted, blushing slightly, making her even more alluring.
The bar’s employees were stunned—she wasn’t wearing anything? The male staff fantasized, while the female staff internally criticized Ivanova.
“I hope you’re not backing out, Ivanova. I’ve heard Russian girls are true to their word,” someone teased, not supporting Zhou Lang, but hoping that there might be another chance to get close to Ivanova in the future. They didn’t want to encourage any cheating now.
“A bet is a bet. Let’s go,” Ivanova hesitated slightly before beckoning Zhou Lang, showing that she wasn’t planning to back out.
“Where are we going?”
Zhou Lang asked, feeling nervous.
Although he had a wealthy fiancée, Ye Qianqian, since he was young, they had only met for the first time yesterday and hadn’t gotten close. Besides, he had never had a girlfriend, making him inexperienced in matters between men and women. The first woman he got close to was Xiao Xi, the spirit from the heirloom copper coin. So, the thought of being alone with Ivanova made him uneasy.
“We only have about ten minutes before work starts, so there’s no time to go anywhere else. Let’s go to my private changing room,” Ivanova smiled.
“Zhou Lang, you’ve hit the jackpot. You’ve got to treat us to something,” Manager Zhang said, filled with envy, like the other male staff.
The regular employees had separate changing rooms for men and women, but the more senior staff had private changing rooms, though they were only slightly larger than a square meter. In such a small space, being close was inevitable.
“Miss Ivanova, we were just joking around to lighten the mood. Let’s just leave it at that,” Zhou Lang hesitated, considering backing out.
“Are you chickening out?” one male employee mocked, thinking Zhou Lang was acting shy. Who would pass up such a chance?
“Zhou Lang, am I not attractive enough?”
Ivanova asked, a hint of sadness in her eyes. She was a confident woman, believing she could attract any man. Seeing the masculine energy in Zhou Lang, she was sure he wasn’t impotent. But his hesitation made her feel a little hurt.
“No, you’re one of the most attractive women I’ve ever met. I’d love to spend some quality time with you,” Zhou Lang replied, not wanting to hurt her feelings, and walked towards Ivanova, despite his inexperience.
Ivanova smiled sweetly, her disappointment vanishing. She walked over and took Zhou Lang’s arm, filling the air with her fragrance, and making Zhou Lang feel a tickle of excitement.
Soon, they disappeared from view, heading to Ivanova’s private changing room, leaving the bar staff buzzing with excitement and envy.
In the tiny changing room, Zhou Lang and Ivanova fell silent. Both leaned against the walls, trying not to touch each other, but the room was so small that even with careful effort, they were only about a foot apart. Zhou Lang couldn’t help but feel awkward, no matter where he looked.
Their mixed scents, combined with the proximity and the heat of the summer, made the temperature in the room rise, creating an almost suffocating atmosphere.
“Zhou Lang, I’m not one to back out. Three minutes have passed; seven minutes remain—you can do whatever you want,” Ivanova said with a smile, winking at Zhou Lang.
“Why don’t we join the others for a dance outside?”
Zhou Lang suggested after a moment’s thought.
“Let’s just dance here,” Ivanova smiled. She had been testing Zhou Lang, and his suggestion to dance outside made her like him even more. She might seem open, but she wasn’t someone who casually let men take advantage. Like most foreign women, she enjoyed having fun but was just as reserved as women when it came to serious matters.
Zhou Lang nodded. Though inexperienced, he wasn’t shy by nature. They started to dance a slow dance, but given the tiny space, what should have been a formal dance became much more intimate.