Chapter 15: The Flawless Naer!

In his previous life, Wang Chen had once heard that in the Middle Ages, churches were often built to be towering and magnificent, with stained glass windows depicting biblical stories and flying buttresses carved with the twelve apostles. All of this was meant to awe those who entered to worship, so that in the sacredness of prayer, they found spiritual fulfillment and the strength to persist through the hardships of life.

Looking around at the décor of this place now, he couldn’t help but wonder if it served a similar purpose. When that dazzling, almost blinding radiance hit your face, it truly made you question whether you still stood among the living. And then, one could blissfully forget worldly troubles, forget wife and children at home, forget the mountain of bills waiting to be paid...

“Dangerous, far too dangerous!” Wang Chen thought to himself, determined to hold fast to his principles.

Suddenly, he noticed that the hostesses standing at the entrance to greet guests were of all different races. The petite and delicate ones were halflings. The graceful and sinuous ones belonged to the serpentfolk. Those with a sensual allure were succubi. The lively and athletic ones were of the rabbitfolk...

“How could any official possibly withstand such a test?” Wang Chen silently bemoaned.

“Excuse me, sir, have you been here before?” asked a receptionist in a high-slit cheongsam, her beauty undeniable. She had likely noticed that Wang Chen, upon entering, lingered uncertainly in the lobby, and thus approached him specifically.

“Ah? No, I’ve never been to a place like this before!” Wang Chen stammered, flustered like a student caught by the teacher for playing online games. The receptionist, seeing his embarrassment, could not help but stifle a laugh behind her hand.

“In that case, let me give you a brief introduction!” she said, guiding Wang Chen to sit in the front lobby’s lounge area and pouring him a glass of lemon soda, her tone gentle as she began her explanation.

As it turned out, just by entering this establishment, before choosing any companion, one was required to make a minimum order of drinks worth ten thousand Dragon Coins. Wang Chen, coming from a humble background, was inwardly astonished—this truly was a den of extravagance! Ten days here, and he could have bought himself a fine set of bronze gear. Ah, but he had just sold four pieces of bronze gear yesterday, so it was fine.

Furthermore, aside from the junior female attendants, if one wished to select a mid- or senior-level attendant, an additional expenditure of twenty thousand Dragon Coins was required. Moreover, the selection was mutually consensual: after choosing a mid- or senior-level attendant, one could only sit in her private lounge; she would meet with each guest, and only if she chose you could you then select her. If she didn’t pick you, the twenty thousand would not be refunded.

“This is outright robbery, but I’m not really here for a massage anyway. I’ll just spend ten thousand Dragon Coins to sit here for the evening and see if I can find my target,” Wang Chen mused.

“I’ll buy drinks first—put it on my card!” he declared.

Instantly, the receptionist’s smile bloomed.

“Certainly, sir. Please wait a moment!” With that, she took his card and left.

Before long, she returned carrying a tray of craft beer, handed his card back, and placed a catalogue of attendants before him.

“Take your time, sir. Once you’ve made your selection, simply press the service bell on the table,” she said, about to leave. But seeing Wang Chen staring at the table full of beer in dismay, she stopped as he called out to her.

“No need to choose. Do you have any elves here?” he asked.

The receptionist was taken aback, sizing Wang Chen up and down. “You must be joking, sir. How could there be any elves working here?”

“What do you mean by that?” Wang Chen asked, puzzled.

Realizing Wang Chen truly had no clue, the receptionist leaned in and whispered, “Our boss is an elf. This kind of business... well, it’s not exactly reputable. How could he let his own kin work here?”

Wang Chen’s heart leapt with joy at her words. The boss? That sounded very much like an elven elder. He must be on the right track.

“In that case, could you introduce me to your boss?” Wang Chen asked eagerly.

“Our boss rarely takes visitors; usually his assistant manages everything,” the receptionist replied, looking troubled.

“There must be a way. Help me think of something. I’ll buy more drinks later—you must get a commission, right?” Wang Chen pressed.

“Hm...” She hesitated for a moment, then said, “In that case, you’ll need to visit the private lounge of Miss Na’er, one of our senior attendants. She’s the boss’s assistant. If you can speak with her, perhaps you’ll have a chance to meet him.”

So in the end, he would have to play the fool and spend more money, Wang Chen grumbled inwardly, but replied, “Then please take me to her lounge!”

...

Wang Chen followed the receptionist upstairs, through a maze of winding corridors, until they entered the room labeled 038. The room was about a hundred and fifty square meters, its décor matching that of the main hall. In the center stood a tea table, surrounded by small round tables for guests.

Many patrons were already seated—some drinking in silence, others dragging chairs together to chat freely with friends.

The receptionist led Wang Chen to one of the round tables, took his card, and brought a tableful of drinks. Leaning down, she whispered in his ear, “Please wait a moment. Miss Na’er will be here shortly.” With that, she quietly withdrew.

Before long, a side door to the lounge opened, and a stunning, enchanting figure emerged. The guests, who had all been occupied with their own affairs, now turned as one to gaze upon her.

Her hair cascaded to her waist, her eyes smoldered with allure, and she wore a pure white gown with a deeply cut neckline that set off her swan-like neck. Her bearing was flawless.

“Miss Na’er!” someone called out.

So this was Na’er, Wang Chen realized.

“Good evening, honored guests. Na’er greets you all~” She dipped in a graceful curtsy.

Moving unhurriedly, she took her seat at the tea table at the heart of the room.

“Miss Na’er, I’ve been pining for you!” a man who had been silently drinking blurted out, his face flushed.

“You could pine away to nothing and Miss Na’er still wouldn’t pick you,” another guest retorted, to laughter and agreement all around.

As Na’er took her place, the din grew louder.

Ding-a-ling...

Na’er gently rang the brass bell on the tea table, signaling for quiet.

“Please, everyone, there’s no need to argue over me. Tonight should be a pleasant evening, don’t you think?”

At her words, the guests fell silent, and soon, under her direction, they began to play familiar drinking games. The atmosphere gradually grew lively.

After a round, Na’er stretched lazily, her white gown tightening to reveal her delicate, alluring curves, leaving the guests momentarily speechless.

“Things are getting a bit dull. Why don’t we try a new game tonight? The winner—I’ll choose him!” she announced.

The room erupted. In the past, the attendants’ choices had always seemed arbitrary, but now, if one could simply win the game, he would be chosen. It was thrilling.

Everyone awaited her instructions with eager eyes.

“What shall we play first? Hm...” Na’er tapped her chin as if deep in thought.

“I’ve got it!” she clapped her hands, smiling. “Usually, to meet the minimum, everyone orders lots of drinks, but often they go unfinished—such a waste! Tonight, let’s have everyone finish all the drinks on their table. Whoever finishes first wins!”