Chapter 2: Pay Up

002 Upon hearing the compliment, Rose's cheeks tinted with a slight blush. Biting her full lips, she sighed with a hint of self-pity, "What's the use of being beautiful? Some people hardly ever come, and they only show up late for my birthday."

Facing the seductive woman before him, Yang Chen felt a surge of desire in his heart, especially as she looked at him with bewitching eyes, devoid of any hint of refusal. However, his strong mental composure quickly suppressed his restless heart, and he smiled calmly, saying, "I don't drink, and I'm not good at making women happy with words. Besides, I'm busy with my stall every day, so I don't have much time."

Rose glared at Yang Chen with a hint of resentment. "Don't tell me these useless excuses. What's the point of running a stall? A measly lamb skewer stand doesn't earn much, even if you work yourself to death. If you're so desperate for money, come work for me as a nanny. I'll pay you a salary that's a hundred times higher than what you earn selling lamb skewers!"

Yang Chen chuckled wryly. "Rose Sister, men don't become nannies."

Despite his refusal, Rose's eyes gleamed with determination. "Who says men can't be nannies? As long as you're willing to work hard and listen to my orders, I'll pay you handsomely."

Yang Chen shook his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm content with what I have. Besides, I've grown quite attached to my lamb skewer stand."

Rose sighed, realizing she wouldn't easily persuade him. "Fine, have it your way. But remember, if you ever change your mind, the offer still stands."

Yang Chen nodded, a smile playing on his lips. "I'll keep that in mind, Rose Sister."

"How many times do I have to tell you? Call me Rose, sis, am I that old?" Rose glared at Yang Chen, her almond eyes flashing with a hint of coquetry.

Yang Chen had to give in, "Okay, Rose, I'm sorry. I just really like my life right now and I'm not planning to change jobs anytime soon."

Rose, persistent as ever, continued, "Then how about being my nanny if you won't be my bodyguard? Or you could manage the bar for me, I rarely come out to oversee things anyway, I usually just let things go."

Hearing these words, Yang Chen felt a touch of emotion. He knew that the woman in front of him genuinely cared about him, but he had his principles. Since the day he met Rose, he had made up his mind not to get too close to her.

"Forget it, Rose. I think selling lamb skewers is fine. There are plenty of good people at the market," Yang Chen said, lowering his head to sip his water, unwilling to discuss the topic further.

Seeing Yang Chen's stubbornness, Rose wrinkled her delicate nose in irritation and muttered almost inaudibly, "It would be so much better if you were my man..."

She didn't know, but even though she couldn't hear it clearly herself, Yang Chen heard the words crystal clear. Yet, Yang Chen knew he had to act as if he hadn't heard a thing.

Despite Rose's face and figure exuding an irresistible charm even in the dim lighting of the bar, since her appearance, anyone who caught sight of her dared only to glance briefly and move on, without lingering. Some new patrons would curiously ask those around who Rose was, and the response was always the same - "Drink your drink, don't go looking for trouble."

Feeling a bit defeated, Rose made her way around the bar and sat beside Yang Chen. She poured herself a glass of whiskey and then poured one for Yang Chen, scolding him with a playful glare. "Stubborn old bull, I know you're stubborn. But, even if you won't be by my side, it's my birthday today, can you make an exception and have a drink?"

Yang Chen hesitated for a moment. He wasn't incapable of drinking; it's just that whenever he did, alcohol would stir up chaotic thoughts in his mind, things he'd rather not dwell on. So he needed to stay clear-headed, and alcohol, for him, was poison...

"Alright, but just this one glass," with a tinge of guilt, Yang Chen didn't want to disappoint Rose too much, so he reluctantly agreed, silently hoping that this small glass wouldn't have much effect.

Rose smiled happily indeed, her smile like the first clear snow after a storm. In the dim light, her face gleamed with an ivory-like luster, sending a shiver down Yang Chen's spine as he watched.

"Cheers."

With a light clink of their glasses, Yang Chen raised his head without hesitation and downed the icy liquid.

Rose giggled, suddenly leaning forward and pressing against Yang Chen's chest, her voice sweet like orchids. "Do you know, it's been over ten years since I last celebrated my birthday? Even though there's no cake, no candles, no gifts, and no party... having you, this unromantic man, accompany me for a drink, makes me feel content."

No matter from which angle you looked at the woman before him, her voluptuous figure was enticing. At this moment, Yang Chen could distinctly feel two soft mounds pressing against his thigh, sending stimulating sensations through him with every touch.

Bowing his head slightly, at the slit of Rose's cheongsam, porcelain-like skin peeked through, while below her shapely calves adorned a pair of fiery red high heels, a strong visual impact igniting Yang Chen's masculine hormones fiercely.

When a man sees a woman, the reaction of hormones and adrenaline is the most direct evaluation of her. Clearly, Rose scored high.

Just as Yang Chen was trying his best to suppress his * reaction, Rose finally leaned back slowly, giving him a cunning smile, like a little fox who had succeeded in her scheme. "Well, my little man, it seems you're quite well-endowed..."

Yang Chen chuckled wryly, knowing exactly what Rose meant. This woman, she was even probing him while getting close.

"I see you're getting restless. I'll go attend to the guests. If you really don't want to stay any longer, you can leave," Rose said casually as she got up from her seat and headed towards the crowd of customers.

The patrons in the bar were well aware of the enchanting charm of the bar's proprietress, but none dared to overstep their bounds. After all, it had been rumored for a long time that this woman had quite a formidable background. So, as Rose greeted the customers, she appeared quite relaxed.

In fact, though Rose's face was full of warm smiles, her extraordinary demeanor was enough to intimidate most men, making them only dare to admire from afar, with thoughts of not daring to approach. So, no one dared to ruin their own fun.

As Rose walked away, Yang Chen let out a sigh of relief, but at the same time, he couldn't help but mock himself internally. In the half year or so since he returned to this land, he seemed to have changed quite a bit. If it were in the past, facing a woman like Rose, alluring and interested in him, he wouldn't have allowed her to seduce him; he would have thrown her onto the bed without hesitation, regardless of consequences. But now, things were different. Especially since Rose was the first woman at the Mediterranean Sea to be considered a friend, she held significant importance in Yang Chen's heart.

Although he had only drunk a small glass, alcohol still began to affect his brain. Yang Chen felt that his alcoholism seemed to have been triggered, but he dared not indulge. Only he knew the torment of the confused thoughts that came after drinking.

However, seeing the undeniable tent in his pants, Yang Chen felt he needed to release some emotions. Otherwise, he might truly go mad. Of course, he couldn't turn to Rose for this. Once they crossed that line, it would be difficult for him to extricate himself.

After drinking a glass of water, Yang Chen quietly left the ROSE bar. As he left, Rose, silently watching him go, flashed a hint of disappointment in her eyes.

Once outside the bar, Yang Chen observed his surroundings briefly before heading towards a nearby small bar. Although upscale bars had more prey, his pockets weren't deep enough to afford them.

If he wanted to live a normal life, he had to pay his way.