The old-fashioned red brick building stood out from the other bars along the street, made even more distinctive by the large sign over its door: "Day Off."
It was still early in the evening. The street was quiet, with only a few people passing by as the autumn wind swept up fallen leaves, giving the place a slightly desolate air.
But once night fell, this entire area would be buzzing with life and noise.
Cecilia Ye, who had always been a well-behaved child, had never set foot in a bar before.
A little anxious, she followed Mia Moore, letting herself be led along. Mia Moore greeted the security guard at the door with ease before pulling Cecilia Ye through the half-open entrance.
Inside the bar, the atmosphere was a stark contrast to the outside. Loud, throbbing music pounded through speakers, and dazzling, colorful lights swirled from the ceiling.
Men and women filled the center of the dance floor, twisting their waists and hips with wild abandon.
Cecilia Ye felt uneasy and squeezed Mia Moore’s hand tighter.
Mia Moore turned and hugged her arm reassuringly. "Don’t worry, Cecilia. This is my brother’s bar. Nothing will happen here."
Day Off might have been just another bar, but compared to the others nearby, it was arguably the safest place on Nan Feng Street. No one dared make trouble here for a simple reason: its owner was a big shot in the underworld, and nobody wanted to push their luck.
With practiced familiarity, Mia Moore guided Cecilia Ye over to a booth tucked in the corner. This spot was unusually clean compared to the rest of the bar, and a burly bodyguard stood watch just outside the booth.
Soon, a server arrived with drinks and asked respectfully, "Miss, can I get you anything else?"
"No, that’s enough for now. And don’t let anyone disturb us—turn the music down, too."
The server quickly left, and Cecilia Ye turned to Mia Moore with a puzzled look.
"My brother keeps this spot reserved for me," Mia Moore explained with a smile. "No one will bother us here. Cecilia, do you know how to drink?"
Everything about the bar was new and fascinating to Cecilia Ye, and the lively atmosphere almost made her forget what she'd been feeling upset about.
Remembering that sometimes she could finish a glass of fruit wine, Cecilia Ye nodded. "I can drink."
Mia Moore grinned. "Awesome."
On the table sat six or seven brightly colored cocktails, each in a different glass, some decorated with pieces of fruit. They looked beautiful, almost too pretty to drink.
Mia Moore picked up a special cocktail—a rainbow-hued drink with three distinct layers—and handed it to her. "Here, Cecilia, try this one. It’s my favorite."
Cecilia Ye admired the lovely colors, taking the glass. "It’s so pretty."
She took a sip, squinting her eyes at the sweet and spicy sensation on her tongue. It was strange, but something about it made her want another taste.
Mia Moore laughed out loud at the sight of her. "Tonight, let’s just drink and be happy, and forget about that lousy guy. There’s no problem a drink can’t fix—and if there is, have another!"
Was it true that after drinking, all troubles would be forgotten?
Encouraged by Mia Moore’s words, Cecilia Ye nodded earnestly and tipped back a big gulp. The alcohol trickled down her neck, liquid-clear under the lights.
Then let’s forget. Forget Xavier Foster. Forget Vivian Belle. Forget everything that made her sad.
The two girls kept drinking, one glass after another, both growing tipsy.
Mia Moore leaned closer to Cecilia Ye. "Cecilia, who cares about Xavier Foster? I’ll introduce you to tons of cute guys—do you prefer mature, handsome types or young, fun ones?"
"Mmm..." Cecilia Ye spoke a bit more slowly, her eyes reddening at the corners. "I like Xavier Foster’s type."
Mia Moore tapped her on the head. "I said, anyone except Xavier Foster!"
"But... I’ve never liked anyone else. I’ve only ever liked Xavier Foster."
Her eyes were misty, her long hair a bit disheveled as she pouted, pondering Mia Moore’s question. But her mind was fuzzy—she couldn’t think straight at all.
Drinking really was great. It helped her forget everything.
She reached again for a new glass, holding it up to the lights. The liquor shimmered beautifully.
"Yao Yao, what kind of person do you like?"
"Me...?" Mia Moore leaned lazily against her and pondered for a moment. "I like mature ones, hopefully even a little handsome—like... like that person."
"Oh, so you like mature types. Xavier Foster’s mature."
"Xavier Foster’s a big bad wolf. With a little bunny like you, he’d gobble you up in one bite!"
They giggled and gossiped, their conversation veering off in all directions, yet somehow the chatter never stopped.
*
At the Fu estate, an SUV rolled into the driveway. Xavier Foster got out, glancing around upstairs and down, but there was no sign of Cecilia Ye.
It was past seven now. Normally, if Cecilia hadn’t come home after dark, she’d at least have called.
What was going on?
Concerned, he took out his phone and dialed her number.
The phone rang several times and then switched to a cold, mechanical voicemail. He tried several more times, all with the same result—no answer.
Xavier Foster’s expression darkened. She was getting bolder these days—not even answering his calls.
He asked the driver, who told him that Madam had gone out alone this afternoon and hadn’t asked for a ride.
"Henry Hart, track Cecilia Ye’s location. I can’t find her anywhere."
Henry Hart, picking up the phone, simply replied, "Understood."
Xavier Foster pinched the bridge of his nose, his headache worsening along with his irritation. When Cecilia Ye got back, he was going to give her a thorough lesson about what a phone was for.
Meanwhile, Cecilia Ye was completely and unfairly unaware—her phone was buried in her bag, and with the noise in the bar, she couldn’t have heard it ringing at all.
She had no idea how many drinks she’d had, but her head was spinning, her limbs felt heavy, and her mind grew cloudier by the minute.
She shook her head, seeing double—two Mia Moores sitting before her.
With her slender fingers, she poked at Mia Moore and giggled. "Yao Yao, why are there two of you?"
Mia Moore tried to sit up straight and looked at Cecilia Ye, then burst out laughing. "There are two Cecilias too!"
Both girls collapsed into fits of giggles.
A man in a hoodie passed by their booth. His eyes were oddly twisted as he stared at Cecilia Ye sprawled on the sofa, a scar visible at the corner of his eye.
When the bodyguard standing nearby shot him a warning glare, the man quickly moved on, a twisted smile curling his lips. It was none other than that clown from the amusement park.
Cecilia Ye, of course, had no idea; by now, she and Mia Moore were so drunk that neither knew where they were anymore.
"No, Yao Yao," Cecilia Ye mumbled, "I want to go home, I want to go home..." Suddenly, her eyes welled up and she burst into tears. "But I don't have a home anymore."
Seeing Cecilia Ye cry, Mia Moore hugged her and said, in slurred, half-awake words, "Don’t cry, Cecilia, don’t cry. You can come to my place. That’s right, my home is your home. Be good."
She patted Cecilia Ye's back clumsily, rummaging around for her phone until she finally found it wedged between the sofa cushions. She dialed her brother’s number with great effort. "Hey, bro, come pick me up. No, wait—pick up my good friend and take her home. Hurry!"
The man on the other end listened to the drunken nonsense and chuckled helplessly. There was only one place his sister would get this drunk—Day Off.
He grabbed his coat and stepped out the door. Few of Mia Moore’s friends ever made it over to his bar.
Elsewhere, Xavier Foster received a call from Henry Hart.
"Boss, Madam left this afternoon. She met Miss Bai at the MIH Café."
"Vivian Belle?"
"Yes. Then she went to a bar called Day Off with another girl. I’ve sent you the address."
"Good."
Hanging up, Xavier Foster eyed the address on his phone, his gaze narrowing.