Chapter 17: The Incompetent and Malicious Ex-Boyfriend (17)
In the afternoon, the bar “hello” suddenly needed a batch of drinks. Since Ming Yanzhou was on leave, Shen Ci had no choice but to go with the driver to deliver the goods.
“hello” was a membership-based bar with high privacy. Moreover, it was different from other barsāit was a gay bar that only served male clients.
The order today wasn’t particularly large. After Shen Ci and the driver moved all the goods into the warehouse of “hello,” he handed the invoice to Supervisor Wang, who was in charge of beverages.
“Brother Wang, please check the items.” Shen Ciās expression was quite attentive. Supervisor Wang was a connection heād worked hard to establish; this business was all thanks to him.
Looking at the sweat-drenched Shen Ci, Supervisor Wang couldn’t help but smile. “Itās been hard on Boss Shen to deliver the goods personally today.”
Shen Ci scoffed. “Brother Wang, aren’t you slapping my face? What kind of ‘boss’ am I? I just got lucky to know you and earn a bite to eat.” After speaking, Shen Ci looked at Supervisor Wang with a smile. “Brother Wang, do you have time? Letās grab a meal and a few drinks. Itās been a while since we drank together.”
Supervisor Wang checked the time. It was 5:30 PM. It was indeed time for dinner. He started work at 9:00 PM, so he had time for a meal with Shen Ci.
“Sure. But I have to work later, so no drinking today, just food.”
“Fine, whatever Brother Wang says goes.” Shen Ci wiped the sweat from his forehead and brushed his bangs aside, revealing a fair and smooth forehead.
Supervisor Wang glanced at him and couldn’t help but tease, “Xiao Shen, youāre always running around outside. How come the sun hasn’t tanned you at all? That face of yours really looks like a ‘pretty boy’ (Xiao Bai Lian).”
Shen Ci cheerfully took up the joke. “Brother Wang, don’t go throwing the ‘pretty boy’ label around. I can’t afford to eat ‘soft rice’ (be a kept man).”
Supervisor Wang was amused to the point of being unable to close his mouth. “You and that mouth of yours.”
Shen Ci changed the subject. “What do you want to eat, Brother Wang? Shall we head to the restaurant?”
“Sure. A western restaurant opened nearby; the taste is decent.”
“Okay, let’s have western food.”
Shen Ci actually didn’t like western foodāit was expensive and never filled him upābut since he was treating, that was a different matter.
“Go inside and wait for me a moment. Iām going to change.” Supervisor Wang was wearing his “hello” uniform.
“Sure.”
…
As they chatted, they didn’t notice the gaze from the building across the way. Manager Li stood beside Wu Mu, his head bowed like a quail. He had just been scolded by Wu Mu and didn’t even dare to breathe too loudly, fearing heād upset the man again.
Wu Muās gaze was fixed on Shen Ci, his expression remaining cold. He raised a hand to take a drag of his cigarette and spoke flatly.
“Who is that?”
Manager Li followed Wu Muās line of sight and happened to see Supervisor Wang. “Thatās Supervisor Wang.”
Wu Mu: “…” Where did he find this idiot?
“I’m asking about the person opposite him.”
Only then did Manager Li see Shen Ci. He wasn’t in charge of beverages and didn’t know Shen Ci, but he guessed based on the clothing. After hesitating, he said, “Heās likely the person who delivers the drinks.”
Wu Mu stared directly at Shen Ciās face, looking more satisfied the longer he watched. He took another drag.
“That person looks good. Go ask if heās interested in working at ‘hello.’ The salary is negotiable.” After speaking, Wu Mu gave Manager Li a cold look. “Look at the batch of people you recruited. I don’t even want to talk about it. If your eyes are bad, go get them treated. Putting those ugly things out there is ruining ‘helloās’ reputation. Even a guy unloading goods looks better than them.”
Manager Li: “…” He was also a bit puzzled. Was the aesthetic standard for people unloading goods this high nowadays?
…
There was a row of chairs outside the breakroom. Shen Ci sat there waiting for Supervisor Wang. Soon, Supervisor Wang came out in his own clothes. “Letās go.”
As they reached the hall, they were stopped by Manager Li. “Xiao Wang, youāre heading out?”
Seeing Manager Li, Supervisor Wang stepped forward with a smile. “Manager Li, Iām just heading out for a meal.”
Manager Li nodded slightly, his gaze landing on Shen Ci. Now that he was closer, he could see him more clearly. This face was indeed excellent, surpassing the group heād just recruited by a huge margin.
“And this is?”
Supervisor Wang realized and introduced Shen Ci with a smile. “Manager Li, this is Boss Shen Ci, the distributor who supplies our beverages.” After speaking, he winked at Shen Ci.
Shen Ci understood and quickly greeted him with a smile. “Hello, Manager Li.”
Manager Li sized him up. He had thought Shen Ci was just a laborer; he hadn’t expected him to be a distributor. Was business so hard nowadays that a boss had to unload goods himself to save money?
“Hello. Youāre the boss?”
These words sounded a bit strange to Shen Ci. Coupled with Manager Liās surprised expression, it felt like a silent insult, but he had no evidence.
“Yes, Manager Li. I just have a small business to make ends meet.”
Manager Li frowned and was silent for two seconds. “Do you have time? Iād like to have a word with you.”
Shen Ci was stunned. He didn’t know what Manager Li wanted to talk about, but clearly, he couldn’t refuse. However, he looked at Supervisor Wang first.
Supervisor Wang knew who held the power. Although he didn’t know why Manager Li wanted to talk to Shen Ci, he knew he had to let him go. He nodded at Shen Ci.
Shen Ci then smiled at Manager Li. “I have time.”
Manager Li gave an “Mm.” “Follow me.”
Shen Ci followed Manager Li to the “office” on the third floor. After a server brought a pot of tea, Manager Li personally poured a cup for Shen Ci.
“Thank you, Manager Li.” Shen Ci sat on the guest sofa and looked at him. “Manager Li, was there something you wanted to see me about?”
Manager Li didn’t beat around the bush. “Shen Ci, are you interested in coming to work at ‘hello’?”
Shen Ci froze. Work at “hello”? In what position? Was “hello” lacking servers? “Manager Li, I don’t quite understand what you mean.”
Manager Li picked up the tea and took a slow sip. He couldn’t help but frown. Damn, itās a bit hot. He sheepishly set the cup down and cleared his throat.
“Weāve been short of people at ‘hello’ recently. Are you familiar with the profession of ‘Public Relations’ (Host/Escort)?”
“I am…”
“I think your image and temperament are very suitable for this work. As long as youāre willing to come, the salary is negotiable. I guarantee youāll be satisfied.”
Shen Ci: “…”
Firstly, “hello” was a gay bar. Secondly, even if a man was poor, he couldn’t come out and sell himself! Besides, he wasn’t so poor that he needed to be a male host.
Shen Ci rejected Manager Li almost without thinking. “Manager Li, I have my own career. Iām not interested in being a host. Iām truly sorry.”
If “hello” weren’t his major client, Shen Ci would have turned around and left. No, before leaving, heād have called Manager Li blind. Did he look like someone who would sell himself for money?
Recommended Reads
![[ABO] President Shou Is Not a Total Shou](https://beereads.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/the-shou-is-not-a-total-shou-214x300.jpg)
![I Can See Esports Players’ Attribute Entries [Transmigration]](https://beereads.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/see-215x300.jpg)
