The night in the Seaside City is as bright as the day due to the street lamps.

Neon lights of the high-rise buildings flicker, and a string of car lights joins the roads into a long river of shimmering light.

Ye Qingming comes out of the subway gate with her luggage, immersing herself in the city's radiant lighting.

After crossing a few intersections, a reminder finally came from her phone, "You are now nearing your destination."

Looking up, she sees the splendidly grand building in front of her, with the words "Golden Orchid Clubhouse" written in bold letters.

This is it!

She puts her phone into her pocket and walks toward the main entrance dragging her luggage.

A security guard dressed in a white shirt and black waistcoat stops her at the door and politely inquires, "Hello, do you have a reservation?"

"No."

"Then, could you please show your membership card?"

Is a reservation or membership card required to enter? That's a bit of a problem.

Ye Qingming responds to the security guard with what she believes to be her most friendly grin:

"I know there is a cocktail here that is the best in the entire Seaside City, and an equally famous dish of red wine stewed oxtail."

"Yes, we have many delicacies here."

As the security guard examines her attire from head to foot, his polite demeanor appears to become less genuine. Then, with an ambiguous smile, he asks:

"But do you have an appointment or a membership card?"

The use of the word 'but' seemed a bit subtle, and what did his tiny eyes and expression mean?

Ye Qingming looked down at herself, a cotton and linen shirt, light blue jeans, and a pair of handmade cloth shoes. She instantly understood.

Is it often shown on TV that you can't enter high-end clubs without high-end attire?

"I see. Wait for me."

She pulled her suitcase to the side.

Shortly thereafter, she returned to the entrance of the JinYuLan Mansion, suitcase in tow, and asked the security guard, "Is this better?"

The security guard was puzzled as he looked at the girl before him, who looked no more than twenty years old, with long, curly black hair.

She was rather good-looking, but…

"Weren't you here just a bit ago?"

"Yes, I was here. Can I go in now?

Was there any difference between her appearance now and before?

Oh, yes there was.

She had taken off her wrinkled shirt to reveal a white T-shirt, and her earthy cloth shoes had been replaced with a pair of brand new…white canvas shoes.

Was she deliberately trying to tease him?

The security guard felt inexplicably offended and patiently said,

"Golden Magnolia Club has a rule; one has to either make an appointment in advance or have a membership card while visiting. You have neither, so make sure to schedule an appointment next time before coming!"

"I just want to go in and have something to eat, no more than half an hour, can you be lenient......"

"Please step aside."

The security extended his hand to gently push her aside. The force was strong enough to unbalance her for a few steps.

He then enthusiastically welcomed a few well-dressed men and women coming from behind, his face full of servility.

"Welcome.”

He didn’t even check their membership cards and simply ushered them in.

Is it because her shoes were not fancy enough or she herself looked like she didn't belong here?

However, if he didn't allow her in, she was determined to get in.

Yeqingming dragged her suitcase to the side of the road and waited for a while.

She approached two pretty girls in short skirts who just got off the taxi: "Excuse me......"

The two girls looked at her warily.

She asked with a friendly smile, "Sorry to bother you. I want to ask if you have a membership card for the Golden Magnolia Club?"

The girl in the rose-red short skirt glanced at her, "Why are you asking this?"

"Could you possibly let me in with you?"

She figured that not everyone who was respectfully greeted by the security guard would have a card, they should be able to bring someone in with them.

However, her question was only met with disdain from the other party. She quickly added,

"I can pay the cost."

The girl scanned her up and down once again before asking with an indifferent tone, "And how much do you plan on paying?"

Without much thought, she answered, "Two hundred."

The girl's voice inadvertently rose, "How much?"

"Two hundred."

Was there a difference between saying two and two?

The girl looked at her with speechless contempt for a moment, and with a snort of "crazy", she left, her heels clicking against the floor.

She didn't forget to add to her companion, "She thinks she can get in the Magnolia Club with just two hundred, Cinderella needs her glass slippers, you know."

Her friend chimed in, "I guess she's a student, probably here hoping to bait a rich Daddy."

Who was baiting daddies?!

Night was outraged yet couldn't lash out.

Just then, a voice echoing with schadenfreude rang out in her mind:

"I must warn you, you really do seem like a bumpkin entering the city," said the little demon. Ye Qingming didn't understand why the demon took up residence inside her.

Since the moment she gained consciousness at the age of fourteen, it was always there, for reasons unknown. What led up to her fourteenth year, nobody knew because she was discovered inside an ancient coffin in a tomb by her master and taken home.

Let me clarify, though; she was very much alive, not a vampire or anything of the sort.

Ye Qingming didn't care what people called her, even if it's a "bumpkin." She was just confused.

"It's just entering a door. Isn't two hundred too little?" she inquired.

The demon chuckled a couple of times, retorting, "A margarita costs three hundred and eighty-eight. Are you going to treat people with just two hundred like some cheap beggar?

I advise you not to be blinded by food. Do you not think it's better to focus more on your career than watching food videos?"

"How will focusing solely on a career be satisfying without food? I don't believe I won't get food tonight," she contested stubbornly.

The demon shot back, "So, you're willing to pay more than two hundred?"

Ye Qingming sat on her luggage, cross-armed and declared, "I plan on not spending a single penny right now."

"Are you planning to storm in, then?"

She moved her neck a bit and responded, "As civilized people, we earn our meals with honesty."

About half an hour later.

A couple of black Maybachs broke through the hazy drunken night, heading towards Ye Qingming's direction.

Ye Qingming squinted her eyes, her gaze penetrating through the windshield for a long time before notifying the demon.

"Looks like the one who's going to open the door for us is here."