Chapter 29: Golden River Club
July 17, Wednesday.
The place where Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao work for Wan Yue is just two subway stops from their new home.
The Golden River Club is one of the most mysterious high-end entertainment venues in District J and the entire City C, located in the bustling riverfront commercial center of District J.
It operates on a unique membership invitation system. The identity of the first batch of members is unknown, but once someone becomes a member, they are allotted three invitation spots for new members to recommend friends or family.
The criteria for becoming a member of the Golden River Club are quite strict; one must be between twenty-four and fifty years old. Anyone over fifty automatically loses their membership qualification.
What further irks some self-important wealthy individuals is that even if they receive an invitation, they will still be subject to some sort of assessment during their first experience. If they fail this assessment, they will be politely informed by the club that they are not suitable for membership.
Once a member of the Golden River Club, all consumption within the club is free, but each member is required to pay a substantial annual fee.
Although there are no explicit educational requirements for this membership invitation system, in the past decade, nearly all new members entering the Golden River Club have been highly educated white-collar workers, or even corporate executive elites.
Insiders have commented that the Golden River Club is a leisure salon aimed at high-end young and middle-aged social interactions and workplace networking. However, the club has never responded to such remarks and continues to operate as it pleases.
……
The glass doors of the club, framed in dark gold, are not as grand or ornate as one might imagine; they are simply made of special dark non-transparent glass that makes it difficult to see inside from the outside.
The working hours for Golden River Club staff are from 1 PM to midnight, with several shifts to maintain year-round operations.
The scheduled reporting time is noon, and Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao arrive fifteen minutes early, only to find Zhao Peng, still dressed sharply in a suit despite it being summer, standing at the entrance to greet them. Feeling a bit shy, they hurriedly approach.
“Brother Zhao.”
“No need to be polite, just call me Zhao Peng. We’ll be working together for a long time. Wan Jie just arrived not long ago; you can go in now.”
Zhao Peng glances at the attire of the two women today without making any comments, offering only a polite smile before turning and pushing open the big door.
Beyond the not-so-large front door is a stunning golden dream world that opens up before them.
The ground and walls are clad in black gold marble, with various artistically styled small column sculptures embedded in the side walls or corners of the lobby.
The spacious lobby features multiple polygonal or arc-shaped semi-open areas furnished with small sofas and tables or bookshelves, devoid of overly complex decorations.
The second floor is open, with a circular balcony terrace encircling the entire lobby, allowing one to overlook the entire hall from the edge of the second-floor railing.
The silver-white marble dome is adorned with dazzling lights that shimmer like a starry sky. The central chandelier resembles a golden fountain, spraying streams of golden droplets that cast a soft golden glow into every corner of the hall, refracting through the polished marble surfaces.
Everywhere they look, the combination of a black base and shimmering gold defines the theme here. Solemn yet gentle, splendid yet elegant, stable yet romantic—a myriad of contrasting moods intertwined in light and shadow, strength and subtlety.
Several stylishly dressed young women are leisurely moving about the lobby, either gently wiping objects or making minor adjustments to certain displays.
Echoing through the hall is the sound of piano music, reminiscent of flowing springs. Turning around, they see Wan Yue casually playing at a piano in a semi-arc-shaped alcove.
“Wan Jie.”
Zhao Peng leads Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao to just a few meters from Wan Yue, calling out softly.
The style of Wan Yue before them has shifted again; she is dressed in a dark checkered shirt dress, wearing a touch of makeup, her long, straight hair giving off a sophisticated urban vibe.
The piano music ceases suddenly, and Wan Yue’s beautiful eyes scan Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao from head to toe, with a slight twitch of her nose, concluding with a meaningful smile: “You’re quite punctual; there’s still an hour before the official opening. Go change your clothes first.”
With that, she turns and walks towards a corner of the hall, and Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao exchange glances before following her.
……
I initially thought the Golden River Club was just a slightly larger luxurious bar, but from what I see in the lobby, its operational area far exceeds expectations.
However, when stepping into what is termed the staff area, Jiang Yan realizes she had still underestimated the scale of the place.
A dressing room for female employees that rivals a standard dance studio in size features three walls lined with beige fabric curtains hiding spacious wardrobes, and the opposite wall hosts a long makeup counter that can accommodate twenty people grooming simultaneously.
In the center of the dressing room, a rather space-consuming arrangement of various stylish tables and chairs, as well as a magazine bookshelf, provides a simple resting area.
Finding a random spot to sit, Wan Yue lights a cigarette, her mysterious smile still intact: “Do you know why I have always believed that as women, you have many areas where you’re lacking?”
Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao exchange puzzled glances, inspecting each other’s bodies with curiosity.
“You may seem not too different from other women in the eyes of some, aside from being a bit rustic, but in my eyes, it’s all poorly made.”
Exhaling a puff of smoke, Wan Yue points to Jiang Yan’s body: “Most men only focus on five parts of a woman: the face, breasts, waist, hips, and legs. What you wear will be accepted, as long as it’s not too avant-garde; they might even prefer you not to wear anything.”
With these words, both Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao look a bit uncomfortable.
“Jiang Yao, is your hair natural? Aside from being somewhat clean, I don’t see regular care or trimming; it’s a waste on you.”
“Jiang Yan, your nails are cut quite regularly, but the lengths vary, and there’s no shaping; it’s just cutting for the sake of cutting.”
“And your faces can tell that you’ve done some touching up before going out, but… forget it, I’m not here to marry you; you’ve wasted those faces. Just wash it off later; bare-faced is still better than a half-done job!”
“Jiang Yao, what’s with your posture? Are you planning to be secretly photographed?”
“And your clothes, styled like that, you’re only fit to stay home and live a simple life.”
Like pouring out beans, more than a dozen details come flooding out, leaving Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao stunned.
“Hehe, we’re from the countryside…”
Jiang Yao’s face reddens slightly as she cautiously glances at the somewhat dazed Jiang Yan, hastily patching together an excuse.
“From the countryside? Do country girls walk around with guns, silver daggers, and bank cards with millions in their accounts? Are you a bandit from the countryside?”
Wan Yue snuffs out her cigarette, her piercing gaze freezing Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao in place.
“Enough, being stained by blood is unfortunate enough; I won’t pry into where you came from. Everyone here has their own unfortunate story; it’s best you don’t inquire.”
With that, Wan Yue presses a button on a remote control, and the curtains covering all the wardrobes on three walls slowly open, revealing rows upon rows of exquisitely designed female dresses, so plentiful that it leaves one stunned, instantly elevating the whole dressing room’s ambiance to that of luxury.
“Each employee here is both a server and a member, so there are no rigid uniform requirements. The wardrobes are updated weekly, and everyone can choose attire based on their individuality or mood.”
Standing in front of a row of wardrobes, Wan Yue extends her hands like a queen, smiling.
“My goodness… this is so extravagant! How much must this cost…”
Jiang Yao swallows hard, finally managing only this exclamation.
“Come on, you’ll wear this today.”
With that, Wan Yue unceremoniously retrieves two dresses from the wardrobe.
……
……
As the lights begin to shine, the moon hangs low over the willows, and people agree to meet after dusk.
In the romantic golden hues of night, the Golden River Club is already hosting groups of elegantly dressed young men and women scattered throughout several partitioned areas, either sipping wine, flipping through magazines, typing away on laptops, or whispering over shared documents.
The membership system ensures that there are not many guests every day, so Jiang Yan and the others have plenty of leisure time.
At the long black mirror bar, the shelves of liquor beneath the lights sparkle with various brilliant crystals as Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao rest their chins on their elbows out of boredom, gazing blankly at the black and gold hall before them.
Not far from them, Zhao Peng, now dressed as a bartender, is smiling as he slowly wipes down glass cups that are already spotless.
Jiang Yan, with her black hair tied in a simple ponytail, has a stray lock cascading down from the side of her head.
She wears a long, form-fitting sleeveless black silk dress that reaches her feet, topped with a sheer short white jacket; her tall, graceful figure is unmistakable. Two black ribbons crisscross from her chest, creating an X shape at the back of her neck; a black ribbon ties into a simple bow at her waist; the left side of her long dress is slit to the thigh, partially revealing her long, white legs.
Jiang Yao has light golden hair tied with a black hairband into a ponytail at the back, with strands delicately draping in front.
She wears a black wide skirt dress that also conceals her feet, complemented by the same style of short white jacket. A long golden necklace elegantly adorns her fair neck, perfectly highlighting the whiteness of her skin.
Unlike Jiang Yan’s elegant and mature style, Jiang Yao’s outfit gives off a fresh and lively vibe reminiscent of a neighbor’s little sister; her light golden hair perfectly blends with the hall’s hues.
Occasionally, a young couple in stylish attire walks by, and Jiang Yan knows they are employees here, or more directly, they are all affiliates of Wan Yue. These seemingly youthful men and women all emit a faint hint of blood aura.
All of them are beyond mere attendants, and some are even knights! This discovery leaves Jiang Yan deeply shaken as she begins her time at the Golden River Club.
“Sis, it’s so boring… Are we just going to sit here until dawn? Do we count as decorations?”
Jiang Yao’s chin slides from her hand to the bar, her body slumped as her gaze turns blank.
This job is a stark contrast to the bustling busy work of previously running a snack and drink stand.
“That’s how the entertainment industry is, but with a monthly salary of ten thousand, do you still find it boring? This is just the experience of those of us who are new.”
Jiang Yan, holding a glass of red wine she hasn’t finished after nearly an hour, mutters expressionlessly.
“Ten thousand!? Wow… Wan Jie’s family must have a mine!”
Jiang Yao brightens up instantaneously, her previous boredom vanishing as she quickly pours herself half a glass of red wine to savor the taste of a high-end lifestyle.
Suddenly, the golden hue in the hall seems to ripple as though stirred by something, creating an almost invisible wave.
The gorgeous main chandelier atop the dome dims slowly, as if the golden light retreats back to the dome for intermission, replaced by gentle beams cutting through the hall’s shadows.
Soft music from “Danse Macabre” emanates from speakers cleverly hidden in the corners, echoing throughout every nook where gold and shadow intertwine.
On the second-floor railing, a seductive woman in a form-fitting rose-red gown reveals herself.
Wan Yue, holding half a glass of red wine, blushes slightly as she gazes down at the first-floor lobby illuminated by golden lights that form various geometric patterns.
A warm yet subtly alluring pheromone emanates from her, blending seamlessly with the lilting melody, making each note seem to exude an inner fragrance.
This captivating scent gradually seeps into the bodies of every guest in the hall, engaging olfactory receptors that linger on their nostrils, gently drifting into their minds.
Meticulously chosen young waitstaff may not look up, but they slow their steps or movements, influenced by Wan Yue’s unique ambiance at this moment.
Urban white-collar workers, elite executives, fashionable men and women—each young guest unwittingly pauses what they are doing or their conversations, caressing their drinks with relaxed and joyous expressions, attempting to absorb the elusive essence of the music.
Behind the bar, Jiang Yao has closed her eyes in a blissful daze, nodding her head gently to the rhythm of the notes.
Is this Wan Yue’s power? Even her emitted pheromones can influence ordinary people’s emotions!?
Viscount? Or Earl? Just how high is Wan Jie’s level… Jiang Yan looks up at the flirty and graceful figure on the second floor, completely awed by the stunning ability to control pheromones.
“Surprised? Here, members can bask in Wan Jie’s aura, and all their troubles will disappear. Such opportunities happen rarely, perhaps just a few times a year. Over the years, many wealthy bosses have sought membership solely because of Wan Jie…”
Zhao Peng leans in closer, smiling as he gestures toward the second floor.
“Um… Wan Jie is impressive…”
Jiang Yan isn’t sure how to express her feelings, opting instead for a clichéd response.
“Yes, she is impressive. I’ve been with her for almost thirty years. Several years ago, most of Wan Jie’s energy began to be spent on other matters; this place is just one of her earlier ventures. If it weren’t for you, she might not even come here today.”
Looking at the two girls in the outfits that Wan Jie had selected, now appearing even more graceful, Zhao Peng smiles softly before resuming his task of wiping the glass cups.
“Hey, Brother Zhao, what about you? What’s your level?”
Curious, Jiang Yao leans over.
“Peak upper-tier knight. I can’t even count how many resources Wan Jie has spent on me over the years; I just don’t keep track. But I have poor talent and am of ordinary blood type, so my level has been stuck for seven or eight years. It’s difficult to hope for becoming a baron; I’m okay with it like this…”
Zhao Peng sighs mildly with regret, but when his gaze shifts back to Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao, he becomes much more energized: “Xiao Yan, Xiao Yao, I’ll call you both that. Regardless of Wan Jie’s views, you two should be the fastest-growing and most promising individuals I’ve encountered since becoming a vampire. Don’t shy away or give up.”
“Everyone here leads normal lives but is protected by Wan Jie. I just hope that there could be more people like her in this world, bringing hope to those who are kind yet unfortunate.”
Jiang Yan feels a pang in her heart and, dimly, the image of Sister Tan appears again. She raises her glass to block her face, trying to mask her feelings.
……
Uncertain when the melodious music stopped, Wan Yue also vanished from the second floor, as if she had never existed.
Time reaches midnight, and guests had already begun leaving half an hour ago; the dim golden world returns to tranquility.
All staff members discreetly exit, and outside the Golden River Club, Zhao Peng bids farewell to the Jiang sisters, who have resumed their earlier attire.
“It’s best to carry weapons unless you’re taking the subway. As for your phones, it’s better to get a new one that supports three SIM cards. I will give you new SIM cards for internal use tomorrow.”
“Also, this is something Wan Jie left behind for you to take… take it the day before your menstrual period starts, one a day until it ends. It can help avoid some unusual issues and also speed up your growth.”
Zhao Peng awkwardly hands a black plastic bottle to Jiang Yan, his demeanor unusually flustered.
Ah? Menstrual period?
Jiang Yan is startled; thinking back to the strange bodily changes and discomfort that began last night, a terrifying thought explodes in her mind, causing her to tremble while holding the bottle.
“Um… it’s normal. I sensed it as soon as you arrived at the club today, which is why Wan Jie left this for you.”
Zhao Peng clears his throat and says no more, turning back to enter the club.
“Sis… menstrual period? Then… what do we do?”
Like sensing something was off, Jiang Yao stammers, pointing at her face with one finger, a strange expression dawning over her flushed cheeks.
“Look it up online! Don’t ask me everything!”
Jiang Yan’s irritation peaks.
