Chapter Eight
Chapter Eight
Little Girl, a striking presence as the leading lady of the Romantic Savage nightclub, was renowned throughout Shanghai’s underworld. The bold calligraphy of the phrase “Famous Across the Four Seas” emblazoned around her was impossible to ignore.
Yet, she disliked it. She always felt out of place because she had set her sights on entering Fudan University to pursue graduate studies.
How did this come about?
She had her own reasons, and that was important—perhaps the most important thing. But a prostitute was still a prostitute, not a graduate student, and she refused to accept that.
Beside a table littered with drugs and condoms sat a man.
That was Little Girl.
“Prostitute” was a derogatory term, but to Little Girl, it also carried a hint of praise—it meant easing men's troubles, which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Her business was always surprisingly good, a source of envy, but she never hogged all the profits. She always looked out for her sisters. Every day on the floor, she was chosen by customers, nearly becoming a commodity herself—a product to be bought and sold.
In such circumstances, what should one do? Often, one would scam the clients—this was called “fairy dancing”—but she was ruthless, and every time with every customer she managed to walk away richly rewarded. These were bonuses, sweet ones.
Once a client’s accumulated sum reached a certain threshold, the police would appear.
“You men are really foolish. What we want is money, nothing else. This is prostitution.”
That was society, plain and simple.
Little Girl felt her life was remarkably smooth; everything was proceeding according to plan. What plan?
In truth, it was a ruthless one—she only recognized money. Most people thought this way but couldn’t let go.
She had truly forgotten the Moon Goddess, though her tears fell silently only to herself.
The Moon Goddess longed for Leng Tiantian as well, truly.
Later, unable to face himself, he came to find Little Girl.
“Leng Tiantian, I know you don’t like me, but I like you.”
“That’s enough. Don’t look for me anymore; don’t waste your feelings.”
“Let me say something. In the days you were gone, I was filled with guilt and longing. My heart is like the moon—will you accept it?”
“No. Please, I don’t want that.”
“Why not? I’m still willing.”
“You are good, and I’m not bad either. I’m an earthling; this is my home. Do you understand what a home means? It’s a woman’s ideal—a very good home.”
“I can do that!”
“No, I won’t talk anymore.”
“I wish I hadn’t saved you earlier—you’re so heartless.”
“Heartless? Where were you before? I’m just a woman like this. If you don’t like it, then leave.”
“I’ll go. If it weren’t for me back then—”
“What kind of person?”
“If you insult me again, I’ll have to take action.”
“Then I’ll just beg on the streets again. Everyone has suffered; you should be careful.”
“What if I can’t give up? I can’t live without you. Maybe you’ve already forgotten.”
“Forget? No way.”
“Then I really don’t want to live anymore. Truly.”
“Look at you. I’m not trying to persuade you, but you must open your eyes. It’s no big deal—women aren’t that important. You should grow up. You’re just thinking about women.”
“Yes!”
“Get lost!”
The Moon God was deeply disappointed. He couldn’t understand why she would choose hardship over a good life. He was determined not to leave empty-handed—he had to gain something.
“So you won’t give face, huh? Fine! Don’t blame me for being rude. Come on, take her away.”
Several followers showed no mercy. “Surrender quickly.”
“Please respect me.”
“What if we don’t?”
“You’ll regret it.”
“Yes, Your Highness, you’ll regret it. Watch closely!”
“What’s going on here?”
“What’s going on? Your life’s at stake.”
“Then I won’t cooperate. What are you doing? Do you believe in women? You’ll regret it!”
“Do you believe me? If you fly a hundred times, then you’ll succeed!”
Little Girl was scheming.
A grand, shocking, despicable conspiracy began. During a prostitution session, just as Little Girl stripped naked, the police burst in.
“Be honest. What are you doing?”
“Prostitution!”
“You’re shameless.”
“According to public security regulations, sir, you must come with us to the police station to assist in the investigation. You may appeal, but before the matter is clear, do not resist. Do you understand?”
“I haven’t started yet. I’m afraid there isn’t enough evidence.”
“So what do you suggest? Otherwise, this is her husband’s business. You don’t interfere.”
“You mean you’re just trying to intimidate me?”
Your attitude is bad; first, a fine of five hundred. No nonsense. How about this—you give the five hundred to him.”
“How about this? I won’t pay the money. How about just taking a trip?”
“No, you didn’t understand.”
“We, the police, are coordinating. This is your chance. Please seize it. Since it’s illegal, there will be sentencing. Why not settle privately? That’s better.”
“Look, the bank card is crystal clear.”
“Let us finish. You have seriously violated the law and must be severely punished. But if you have money, it’s easier—pay to avoid disaster. Up!”
Several officers wielding batons began their assault.
“Alright, alright, I’ll pay. Scan it.”
“You’re crazy. You must pay in full for the violation. Don’t tempt me. Will you dare again?”
“No, no more.”
Little Girl bloomed with joy.
But after the deed was done, how to make it work?
Facing reality, Little Girl was very professional. How so? She could truly realize the dream of becoming an entrepreneur.
It was easy to say: many companies were struggling or poorly managed, leading to no profits. Why run a business? Just barely survive.
Little Girl set her sights on the Bai Xue brand, full of confidence. She approached the owner and explained her intentions. The owner was enthusiastic.
“Our soda water brand hasn’t been managed well. I’m responsible for that.”
“Then let me take it over. Here’s my bank card.”
With brisk decisiveness and a no-nonsense style, she was sure to succeed. “I’ll be blunt: this brand isn’t easy to run.”
“No worries. Listen to me. One million, no more.”
“No, I initially registered six million, but we can settle now.”
“Alright, you’re done. Go quickly.”
“Fine. Don’t regret it. I’ve brought people here. Workers are the foundation of a company—the source of capital.”
“That won’t do. Keep all the workers. Produce soda water without delay. Start immediately.”
It felt as real as it could be.
“I have confidence.”
But the market was fierce. “Have you managed a company before? A big factory with three thousand employees? What’s your confidence? Teach me.”
“No need. Because you can do anything.”
“Well said. I like your style.”
The company was launched. Of course, business was for profit. Bai Xue Water Corporation was officially established.
At the opening ceremony:
“Workers, hello. I’m 18 years old, a good girl. Why say that? Because I want to build a successful career. This is my message. I hope you all work diligently without complaints or fear. Everyone faces difficulties, but that’s no big deal. I used to eat even my own excrement because I was starving. Now, my life is affluent. I want to contribute to society and hope for your support. I come from a poor background, but that’s not important. What matters is being ruthless. Be ruthless in life. And don’t blame me for being blunt—I show no mercy.”
Applause erupted.
“I want to emphasize discipline: nothing else, just orderliness, seriousness, and military-style management. That’s how I am. Don’t believe me? Try it.”
In her spare time, Little Girl enjoyed discussing management with professors. That was her strength.
The professors agreed: her insights were accurate, especially her predictions and outlooks on the national economy and her awareness of corporate survival and crisis. Her management ideas were unparalleled and worthy of recommendation.
Leng Tiantian was now a celebrity. She could handle anything, smoothing things over. The beverage market was at its peak—a period of intense competition, an undeniable fact. What should she do?
It was a battle of titans.
To defeat competitors, one must first conquer oneself. What is oneself? Courage.
Little Girl was clear-headed. To all competitors, she declared, “I’m here.”
“I just want to say I love this wild king so much.”
In many occasions, she emphasized the importance of efficiency. Not much else. Simply making money. Everyone knew a company’s mission was survival, which boiled down to money. But her intentions were deeper.
“Efficiency is key. Let me explain to the workers: we can’t blindly pursue money and material things. We must weigh everything comprehensively and ensure benefits outweigh harms.”
The workers listened attentively.
“We must always be vigilant and contribute to the nation and the people. That is efficiency.”
Applause for Little Girl.
“President Leng, we workers like you very much. On behalf of everyone, thank you for your hard work.”
“Liu Shidong, I don’t have time to chat.”
“Not chatting—it’s care for you.”
“Be serious. Don’t always joke with me.”
“You seem quite proud. I’m single, and they sent me to talk to you.”
“Talk about what?”
“They say you need a boyfriend.”
Liu Shidong, a frontline team leader, was earnest, often seeing the big picture in small matters. Everyone felt only he deserved President Leng, but she didn’t take it seriously. She felt she was still young and needed to focus on her goals.
Yet, their opinions swayed her, and she began to develop feelings for Liu Shidong—feelings she could not control.
“Why don’t you ask about my past? I’m not much.”
“I won’t ask. I’m the same.”
Little Girl nodded in agreement. They embraced and kissed passionately, fully engaged.
“Believe it or not, I used to be a prostitute.”
“It’s okay. I think you’re innocent. People must look forward.”
“Explain. I don’t quite understand.”
“I think you’re a good person with great ambition. The past is the past. Don’t care about it. I don’t.”
“Really?”
“A little. It feels great.”
“Why?”
“Because I see the dawn. It feels wonderful. You don’t know. Only then can I love you, because distance—distance almost made me forget.”
Liu Shidong and Little Girl were blissfully happy in the temple of love. Things seemed to tilt in their favor. Everything was understood without words.
“Do you love me?”
“Very much. But how to express it?”
“No need.”
“Then I’ll say it: I really love you. You shouldn’t reject me anymore.”
“How could I reject you?”
“I mean, we’ll be together forever, no barriers.”
“There were barriers—your past as a prostitute—but I don’t care.”
“That’s my good husband. Really, I don’t care.”
“Really? I still don’t believe you. You’re lying.”
“Watch me. I’ll show you.” Then he leapt into the sea.
“How could you do that? I’m coming too.”
“Can you swim?” “I can.”
They kissed fiercely, lips locked for a full minute, then the whole day.
Love makes one romantic—or rather—
Little Girl was deeply grateful to Liu Shidong and decided to be with him forever. She didn’t know why she felt unable to let go. What was it? She felt dependence.
Yes, love had reached a level beyond kinship, beyond everything.
Dependence was love.
Later, they met with friends—a happy young couple. Little Girl seemed to be pregnant. That was right. People need hope, especially women. And what is a woman’s hope? Sex. This is a simplistic view but not entirely inaccurate.
She did not disappoint. At the annual World Influential Figures Forum, she was invited to participate and shone brightly.
A reporter asked, “Your rise reminds me of Liu Chuanzhi and Li Ka-shing. How do you see yourself?”
Little Girl replied, “I have suffered much hardship. In my memory, there was only hunger and cold, and poverty. Our home rarely had food—that’s an undeniable fact. But I don’t care anymore. That is determination.”
“Second question, what is the secret to your success?”
“No secret. It’s a kind of strength, a courage to challenge the heavens. If you ask me, the secret to success is confidence.”
“Please explain what confidence is and where it comes from. We’re interested.”
“The Bai Xue brand has always been at a disadvantage, unable to adapt to market changes. I conducted much research and decided on one thing: confidence. Because I had nothing left. People must have a positive, ambitious spirit. That is the key. It’s what we call choice. I choose to be strong, to stand up, to overcome everything.”
“One last question: do you love your husband? I hear he’s a good person.”
“I love him. Really, he treats me well. I truly love him. I believe that no matter what, a person must be responsible to someone.”
“Let us salute Little Girl for her responsibility.”
“No matter what, a person must be responsible to someone.”
Our heroine Little Girl had matured—very magnanimous.
In the business world, many fear commercial battles—price wars that cut like knives, marketing wars that cover all angles, and customers’ endless nitpicking. But Little Girl had her own management philosophy.
Bai Xue was her lifeline. Indeed.
There were many risks—customers’ pickiness and baseless harassment were the biggest problems.
The power of love was great, even overwhelming.
They reached the peak of joy. No one knew how happy they truly were. No one.
One night, Little Girl gave Liu Shidong a check for ten million. She said it was everything she had.
“No, I don’t want it. It’s yours.”
“Dear, I can’t take your money. I don’t want anything.”
“Then what about me? Taking it would be good for me. You’re responsible.”
“No, President Leng, you underestimate me. I’m not that kind of person.”
“You’re my husband, aren’t you? I love you. When you speak, I listen.”
“No means no. Put it away.”
“Why?”
Many times, the protagonist needed more detailed exposition because the plot required thrills.
Commercial warfare was like a battlefield with deadly dangers at any moment. Yes, we complain about too much deceit and too little sincerity. That’s childish. It’s immature behavior.
Facing a price war, Little Girl did not falter.
The Bai Xue water market had vast prospects, promising a bright future. But competitors—friends or foes—were jealous. So, malicious schemes emerged. Two brands, Duobao Water and Jingshuang Water, joined forces to wage a brutal battle with knives drawn.
What to do?
The water market was transparent, like water itself. Nothing was more important than making money.
In the annual price storm, Duobao and Jingshuang bared their fangs. What were these fangs? Costs—the various water prices slashed to the limit.
What is the limit?
When there is no profit and costs are ignored.
Then how to survive?
Little Girl sighed. Since the market had failed, what was the point of continuing?
An entrepreneur’s responsibility was to ensure the market didn’t fail.
In the price war, “You want me to yield?”
“Yielding benefits the customers the most.”
With no other choice, Little Girl said, “You yield, huh? I’ll play a new card.”