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The bartender, holding a drink menu, smiled and handed it over to them.

Lin Ran didn’t even look at it, pushing it towards Gu Heng and said, "You treated me to hotpot tonight, now I’m treating you to drinks, doesn’t that make us even?"

"The hotpot was your idea; I don’t even want to drink, and you’re forcing me to, do you think that makes us even?"

Gu Heng flipped open the drink menu, mercilessly mocking as he did so.

Looking at the prices on the drink menu, it had to be said, there was a reason why this pub was so popular—it was so affordably priced, it was basically a blessing for the common folk.

The most expensive cocktail was only a hundred or two per glass, and as for the others, well...

Considering this was a bar in a tourist spot, the prices were so cheap, it was destined not to make much money, probably the owner was a true folk music enthusiast, powering through purely for the love of it...

But let’s be real...

Gu Heng didn’t like this kind of place.

It was impossible to put on any airs here.

After briefly glancing over the drink menu again, he ordered a Dry Martini for 168 a glass and then handed the menu back to Lin Ran.

Lin Ran casually ordered a Whiskey Sour, then leaned over towards Gu Heng, wearing a mysterious look, and said, "Shall we chat?"

"Chat about what?"

"About why you came to Wuzhen."

Gu Heng pondered for two seconds, "There are two answers, do you want the artistic version or the common version?"

"You’re a down-to-earth guy, aren’t you? Can you even do artistic? Let’s hear this artistic take."

"The artistic version is, life was too oppressive, I wanted to come out and see the poetry and the distant fields."

"And the common version?"

"Bought a new car, wanted to take it for a spin, and show off a bit, but before I’d even driven a hundred kilometers, you rear-ended me."

Lin Ran was initially stunned, then recalling the scene when they first met, she couldn’t help but burst into loud laughter.

"So I owe you then, isn’t that enough~"

"Am I the kind of person who’s short of ten thousand bucks?"

Gu Heng really wanted to say it wasn’t enough unless you let me rear-end you too, but after a moment’s thought, he decided against it...

Being an outspoken pervert was exhausting enough; he didn’t want to be exposed by this major influencer with millions of followers and become "Shrimp Head Man"...

The bartender was quick and skilled, and the cocktail was soon in front of Gu Heng. He thanked the bartender and then turned his attention back to Lin Ran, "And you? Why are you traveling to Wuzhen at this time?"

Instead of answering directly, Lin Ran counter-questioned, "How should one address a 28-year-old woman who is not yet married?"

"Maria."

Lin Ran: "?"

"Late Marriage Maria."

Lin Ran didn’t get mad being teased, but candidly admitted it.

"Correct, old maid, or as you say, Virgin Mary."

Gu Heng took a light sip of his Dry Martini, pleasantly surprised by the good taste, and continued, "What does that have to do with your traveling?"

"I’m escaping from marriage pressure. I don’t know what my parents are thinking, at 28 I can become a deputy director at Gaoling Capital, starting with an annual salary in the millions. I’m not doing too bad, right? Why are they so eager to marry me off?

My day at the company is already demanding enough, and I also have to deal with them when I go home. If I didn’t get out to clear my mind, I probably would end up with some mental illness."

Hearing Lin Ran’s words, Gu Heng felt quite empathetic...

This was also why he seldom called home. Before he could even speak much, they’d start asking if he had a girlfriend, when he planned to get married...

The only difference was, Lin Ran probably had too many choices and didn’t want to settle.

He, on the other hand, didn’t have any options, unable to find a partner at all.

But Gu Heng wasn’t the type to comfort others. After listening to Lin Ran’s complaints, he felt completely unmoved internally, yet couldn’t help teasing, "So you don’t have any physical needs? Isn’t there a saying, ’thirty like a wolf, forty like a tiger?’

You’re 28, almost half a wolf, aren’t you? Don’t you feel anxious without dating or getting married?"

Just as negative emotions were about to overcome Lin Ran, she heard Gu Heng’s words, widened her eyes in surprise, and stared fiercely at him, "Is there nothing else in your brain besides this stuff?"

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"What else do you want? Do you want me to encourage you to stay true to yourself? That your prince charming is somewhere out there waiting for you in the future?"

"Come on, what exactly are you thinking? You want to live freely yet want your parents to understand you and don’t want to be bothered by trivial worldly matters—what is this, a fairy tale? You want to be a flower that isn’t defined by anything?"

"Why do all the good things happen to you?"

"You could be like me, not caring about others’ opinions, doing what I want. You can continue being your happy leftover lady, and I’ll be my vulgar mutt, and as long as we’re happy, that’s all that matters."

"Or you could just listen to your parents and marry someone of equal social standing."

"You can’t have the best of both worlds, so stop thinking about it."

When he finished, Gu Heng didn’t give Lin Ran a chance to speak and continued, "Alright, let’s drop this topic. I’m not interested in being your life coach."

Probably because no one had ever spoken to her so bluntly, it took Lin Ran a while to recover from Gu Heng’s words.

"I didn’t realize you could be so carefree."

Draining his glass, Gu Heng spoke casually, "It’s not about being carefree; no one can ’have it all.’ Adults have to make choices, only children can have everything."

"How about you help me out then? Let’s go and get a marriage certificate, and then you can continue living your carefree life. How about that?"

Gu Heng knew Lin Ran was joking but still gave her a look, "Dream on. A prime bachelor like me going to get a certificate with you?

You think this is some novel? Playing at being contract spouses is so outdated, even novels don’t use that trope anymore.

But if you really need it, I can help you sort out physical needs, the kind that doesn’t enter your life."

"If I really needed that, do you think it would be your turn?"

Gu Heng just shrugged nonchalantly.

...

...

"In the drizzly March of the South, you sit in your empty rice shop~"

"With an Apple in one hand and fate in the other, searching for your own fragrance~"

On stage, the singer’s husky voice sang a song called "Rice Shop." It was a beautiful song, but the more Gu Heng listened, the more uncomfortable he felt, and he gestured for the bartender.

"Can I request a song? I’d like to pick one."

"I’m sorry, sir, we don’t do song requests here..."

Seeing Gu Heng shot down, Lin Ran felt absolutely delighted, covering her mouth with her red-manicured hand as she laughed, "Did you think this was a karaoke bar? Want to request songs just like that?"

Gu Heng ignored her and furrowed his brow as he asked the bartender, "Can’t I request a song even if I pay?"

"Sir... it’s not about the money. These singers perform free of charge; we can’t ask them to sing whatever we want. We hope you understand."

Seeing Gu Heng get rejected again made Lin Ran laugh even louder...

Giving her a sharp look, Gu Heng didn’t trouble the bartender further but walked to the edge of the stage and whispered something to a nearby server before returning to the bar.

"Got rejected again, huh? Tsk, tsk, tsk~"

Gu Heng spread his hands, his expression teasing, "Not necessarily, what problem can’t money solve?"

Just as Lin Ran was about to say something, the stage singer took the microphone and addressed the audience, "A Mr. Gu has approached us, wanting to dedicate a song ’Late Marriage’ to his friend. Considering some might not welcome the song, he’s offered to buy everyone in the bar a ’Dry Martini.’"

Would that be okay?!"

A chorus of "okay" echoed through the bar.

Who would refuse a free Dry Martini worth 168, just for the heck of it? Perhaps one or two might, but that’s it.

Gu Heng, apparently anticipating this, smiled at Lin Ran, "See, what can’t money solve?"

Lin Ran’s eyes widened, "Dozens of people in the bar, and you’re spending thousands just to hear one song? Are you out of your mind..."

Gu Heng didn’t respond, just paid the bartender the amount due for the drinks and, as the intro of the song started playing on stage, he snapped his fingers near her ear, "Listen, it’s for you."

[Host ignores others’ stares, spends 12,096 in the bar just to make himself happy, successfully indulges, reward: 120,000, balance 10,910,000.]

Gu Heng was well aware that many people wouldn’t understand his actions, and even those who drank his drinks might not appreciate him...

But did that really matter?

Using what was easiest for him to obtain, namely money, he changed the bar’s rules and felt very happy, very thrilled!

Is it worth it?

If you’re considering whether it’s worth it, can it still be called indulgence?

As Gu Heng squinted his eyes listening to the song from the stage, Lin Ran kept glancing at him out of the corner of her eye, feeling as though she was seeing him anew...

What Gu Heng had said earlier about disregarding others’ views and just focusing on his own happiness—he really seemed to live by that...