Chapter 22

We were both busy, but the difference was:

Jin Lan was genuinely busy, while I was just scraping by. There was already a chasm between us, one we both pretended not to see.

But I knew that eventually.

That chasm would drag me into the abyss.

My bar attracted all sorts of people—the dregs and the elite alike. Dealing with them meant I had to constantly change my face.

I wore the clothes Jin Lan hated most, put on heavy makeup, and catered to those who came to the bar seeking comfort.

Jin Lan rarely came to the bar anymore.

He said it made his blood boil to see those men staring at me.

He had mentioned more than once that I should close the bar.

I told him, “Jin Lan, I’m a person who has achieved nothing, a complete failure.”

“The only achievement in my life is having you.”

“If I can’t even run this bar, then I have even less confidence to stand by your side.”

He opened his mouth to speak, then stopped.

I knew the bar wasn’t worth much.

But even poor people have their pride.

The conflict between Jin Lan and me was finally ignited by Li Qiu herself.