NOVEL NEXT Chapter 39
Page Thirty-Eight: Lose Moonlit Covert Operation (Part Two)
In a very secluded corner of the underground shopping street, there were three steps leading down, emerald bamboo, and a simple Japanese-style wooden door. A small blackboard hung on this wooden sliding door, with “LOSE MOONLIT” written in large English letters at the top, and below it, some promotional posters.
At first glance, one might think it was just some unknown little Japanese restaurant. If not for Xiao Hai Tang insisting that we hadn’t taken a wrong turn, I wouldn’t have been able to connect this Japanese-styled shop with the bar called Lost Moonlight.
Could Lost Moonlight be referring to the lost Princess Kaguya?
Xiao Lei and I are currently making final preparations far away, especially in terms of our mental states.
I was always a bit timid, and with Xiao Hai Tang’s constant suggestion that this place was a shady establishment, if not for Xiao Lei accompanying me, I would have already been scared before even starting.
The sea-blue shirt, gray-green checkered pants, and leather belt—a common outfit—turned into so-called high-end men’s wear when I put on these unreadable logos. The world of the rich is truly beyond my understanding… but it felt quite comfortable to wear.
Xiao Hai Tang took away my new large-framed glasses and gave me a pair of flat black-framed glasses.
These glasses looked somewhat effeminate, but she said there was a hidden camera in the frame, and I had to wear them; otherwise, she couldn’t monitor what was happening in the Lost Moonlight Bar or guide us remotely.
The voice from the invisible earpiece, the size of a soybean, came through: “Testing, testing, can you hear me? Chairman, nod if you can.”
This invisible earpiece not only served as a walkie-talkie with Xiao Hai Tang but also amplified surrounding sounds, indirectly enhancing hearing.
I nodded while wearing the glasses, and after Xiao Hai Tang received the image, she continued, “Chairman, listen carefully. Your identity is now a wealthy young lady disguised as a man. You’re a spoiled rich girl who grew up pampered and rebellious. So, let’s practice the Queen’s Three Laughs?”
“Oh ho ho… I can’t do that! My voice isn’t that high-pitched!”
After all, I’m still fundamentally a man, and my voice can only pass for a neutral female.
“Just kidding. I want you to adjust your mindset and try to be more haughty. You’re a rich young lady now.”
Even though Xiao Hai Tang said this… arrogance seems like a word foreign to me. Should I say something like, “If there’s no bread, why not eat cake?”
“Next, Xiao Lei, your identity is the playmate of Miss Chang Lingmeng. Since I don’t have your perspective, I’ll guide Chairman through the dialogue. Of course, you should improvise when necessary.”
Miss Chang Lingmeng… but I always feel that her name exudes a sense of poverty.
“Don’t worry about it!” Xiao Lei seemed more excited than nervous, like a student looking forward to a field trip, as if we weren’t heading into danger but simply going to the bar for fun.
“You don’t need to worry about the budget. Just use that card. Drinking cocktails won’t deplete my pocket money. Consider it my treat today. Generally, people can enter this bar without excessive restrictions on drinks. The Bureau of Industry and Commerce isn’t just for show.” So, it seems like a legitimate bar! You must hate them because they didn’t let you in, right?
I looked down at the black credit card in my hand, with its luxurious gold lettering on a低调的black background. The entire card looked very high-end. It’s true that things from rich people look different in my hands; I literally shook when holding it.
“Pfft, what’s going on? Chairman, are you shaking? Getting this card isn’t as difficult as you think. It’s not a global limited edition. Don’t worry, I’m not that rich. You only need an annual income over 150,000 to get it.”
Annual income of 150,000? Only? Aren’t you still in middle school… I feel like I’ve seen a side of Xiao Hai Tang I shouldn’t know about. We can’t be friends, only acquaintances.
Actually, I have another concern. If Thunder Tiger is really hiding in this bar, all I’ll find is a former delinquent associated with him. If that’s all, it’s fine. At worst, we’ll say we didn’t find anyone and declare the operation a failure.
But with Xiao Hai Tang’s deductive skills, she will likely uncover the truth through various clues. Then, it won’t be hard to link Zhao Zhao and Xiao Lei. Plus, the matter of Juzi turning human… I, the Goddess of Beautiful Girls, will be finished.
Therefore, from my standpoint, I must make Xiao Hai Tang’s operation fail while ensuring she doesn’t discover the female Thunder Tiger. But given that Xiao Hai Tang monitors every move I make, achieving both goals is incredibly difficult.
On the white wooden sliding door hung a blackboard with various bar event posters.
The latest poster showed a silhouette of a girl singing with a microphone under spotlight.
“Start here, the light of the future. The debut of the budding star!”
Ah, this slogan sounds like a recruitment ad for a children’s art troupe… Is the event at five o’clock this afternoon?
… I feel this is a subtle foreshadowing. Although the probability is low, according to Murphy’s Law, anything possible will happen.
With a whoosh, I pulled open the Japanese-style sliding door. The air conditioning inside was cooler than outside, and the entrance hall was very Japanese.
This narrow corridor was about five meters long. On the right was a row of green evergreen bamboo, which I touched and found to be real. On the left was a waterfall fountain paved with pebbles, connecting to a glass walkway below, creating a pool-like effect.
The red beam above, similar to a torii gate, had no lights. The fountain and glass walkway had only faint light. However, behind the bamboo grove on the right, a series of spotlights projected intricate shadows onto the waterfall fountain on the left, creating a poetic scene.
“Although the atmosphere is well-set, it’s too dark…”
Xiao Lei had barely stepped onto the glass walkway when the entire walkway beneath lit up with soft blue light. The bamboo shadows on the waterfall were dispersed, replaced by fish shadows from the pool below.
Too impressive… This bar is too upscale.
“Wow, that was fast…” Xiao Lei, who had just complained about the darkness, covered her face as if truly embarrassed.
“This floor is sensor-activated. I’ve never seen such a design,” Xiao Hai Tang exclaimed through the earpiece.
At the end of the entrance hall, turning left led to the Lost Moonlight service counter. A bartender in her twenties, dressed in a barkeeper’s uniform, greeted us with a professional smile.
“Are you ladies visiting us for the first time?” Her voice was soft, with a relaxing charm.
“Look closely, I’m a man.”
Originally, I didn’t plan to argue, as long as I could get in. But Xiao Hai Tang insisted I emphasize my disguise.
The bartender looked puzzled, scrutinizing me, then smiled again.
“…Oh, I’m very sorry. Sir, are you and this lady visiting for the first time?”
“Yes, why?”
“According to regulations, minors cannot enter bars. Could you please show your ID?”
I hesitated and complained, “I’ve never heard of needing ID to enter a bar. I can afford it.”
In fact, I was initially nervous, but once I got into character, that nervousness disappeared. This shows I have strong role-playing skills, and my acting is Oscar-worthy compared to Xiao Lei’s.
“This is also a rule. Please understand.”
Of course, I couldn’t just leave. In the end, I handed the bartender two fake IDs. When she saw mine, she looked surprised.
“Checking for minors is just an excuse. Even wrinkled old men and women would be asked for ID with other reasons.”
The bartender operated the computer to verify our IDs. Meanwhile, Xiao Hai Tang explained ominously.
“Though your fake IDs won’t reveal much information, consumers like big spenders and second-generation rich will be targeted by the bar’s marketing staff. They might guide you to spend more or offer hidden services. Of course, you’ll be treated as regular guests… but there’s a chance someone might notice how attractive you are.”
Honestly, I feel Xiao Hai Tang is exaggerating. She kept suggesting this was a shady place, but apart from the odd ID requirement, there’s nothing particularly unusual.
“Thank you for your cooperation.” The bartender returned our IDs and handed us two translucent plastic cards. “This is our Lose Moonlight membership card. You can recharge it here or at the bar for significant discounts. Showing this card next time avoids ID verification and allows direct entry.”
Now I understand how Thunder Tiger, without a female ID, entered the bar.
“Okay, I understand.”
“Have a good time!”
I felt a genuine smile in her professional greeting, and her gaze was intriguing… Am I that charming?
Due to the earpiece’s sound amplification, I heard the bartender’s muttering as Xiao Lei and I entered the hall, nearly causing me to twist my back.
“What a pretty girl who wears men’s clothes and calls herself a boy. Oh my, this contrast is so adorable~”