Twisted Dreams-Chapter 226 - 196: Qin Ming
Qin Ming is an orphan.
An eighteen-year-old online writer living with HIV.
He is not one for promiscuity in his personal life.
On the contrary, he is quite traditional.
He has only one girlfriend, an older woman ten years his senior.
Heaven knows how much damage a mature woman can do to an innocent virgin.
They broke up a few days ago.
Not because Qin Ming earns little as an unpopular author, but because the older woman is a psychologically disturbed carrier of HIV.
How should I put it?
On Qin Ming’s eighteenth birthday, she gave him a gift in an elegant gift box.
When Qin Ming saw the HIV test result inside, his world fell apart.
He tried to contact her, but she had already blocked him.
Spreading the virus is clearly a criminal act, but Qin Ming did not report it.
Because she was the woman he shared his bed with, even if he was deceived.
At night, the street was desolate.
Most of the shops on both sides had their doors tightly closed, with ’For Rent’ signs hanging.
Rain was coming, and the street was cold and deserted, with hardly any pedestrians, only the occasional gust of wind blowing scraps of paper in circles on the ground.
In this desolation, a bar stood alone, its light still shining.
Qin Ming had never been to a bar, nor had he eaten in public places, fearful that his virus might inconvenience others.
But today, Qin Ming really wanted a drink.
Not just because of his heartbreak, but also due to the setbacks in his career.
Let’s call his online writing work a career for now.
After breaking up with the older woman, she took away not only Qin Ming’s joy but also his writing skills.
Overnight, Qin Ming lost his inspiration, unable to write a good novel anymore.
An editor told him that failing once didn’t matter, as he’d likely fail again.
Qin Ming walked to the bar’s door light, suddenly feeling that this place had a strong atmosphere.
On the silent street, the warm yellow light was like a lighthouse, offering some people a temporary escape from reality.
This door light was much like himself; they were both solitary warriors of a ’miserable world.’
Qin Ming pushed open the bar’s door.
No patrons, no service staff.
Under the soft lights, only a young owner in a black suit sat reading at the bar.
Qin Ming felt a certain kind of mood.
Like those urban corners in novels, the Strange Talk Bar.
For example, the owner being a bizarre existence with mysterious powers, toying with the Mortal World.
Qin Ming knew his occupational hazard was acting up, shook his head, and walked to the bar:
"How do I order a drink?"
Many people act like they’ve been to a bar before the first time they go.
They have a certain ’newbie’ awkwardness.
Qin Ming was candid, and honestly, not being vain was a virtue too.
Li Yang, still reading his book, didn’t lift his head:
"There’s a menu at the bar; if you need a special cocktail, currently, you can only choose Martini."
Qin Ming glanced at the menu.
Thinking, since he’d come to a bar, wouldn’t it be a loss to drink stuff he could get anywhere?
Qin Ming sat on a high stool:
"Then bring me a Martini."
Li Yang looked up, giving Qin Ming an appreciative glance:
"Good taste."
He closed his book and started making a Martini at the side bar.
Qin Ming added from behind Li Yang:
"Give me a disposable cup."
Quickly, a cloudy liquid in a paper cup was served to Qin Ming.
Actually, a Martini shouldn’t be this color.
Li Yang lit a cigarette, looking at Qin Ming like a chef watching a guest taste his dish.
Qin Ming took a small sip.
It tasted somewhat unpleasant.
He regretted not asking for a beer.
This stuff was not only unpleasant but also expensive.
Having spent the money, Qin Ming drank little by little, looking at the surroundings.
No customers, no service staff—this bar seemed rather bleak.
No wonder, with drinks this bad, it was a miracle they had any business.
Li Yang casually said:
"Actually, this bar’s business isn’t bad."
Qin Ming was slightly taken aback:
"You can hear my thoughts?"
Li Yang glanced over:
"It’s written on your face."
Qin Ming awkwardly chuckled.
Li Yang continued:
"This bar doesn’t purely accept any form of currency."
Qin Ming raised an eyebrow slightly:
"You can get things without money? Then, with what?"
Really a strange bar, getting more of that urban legend feeling.
Li Yang flicked his cigarette ash, word by word:
"Desire."
Qin Ming murmured, repeating the word:
"Desire...
Qin Ming looked up, smiling:
"Owner, you’re really interesting, you’d make a good novelist."
Li Yang held his cigarette.
The thin, blue smoke rose between them, like a barrier separating two different worlds.
Li Yang said calmly:
"In theory, in this bar, as long as you have desire, you can obtain anything."
He spoke with an ease and confidence, as if merely stating a shocking fact.
Qin Ming stared at Li Yang carefully.
Hoping to find signs of a joke on his face.
Unfortunately, he didn’t see any.
The owner’s indifferent demeanor wasn’t like a normal human, getting more of that urban legend flavor.
Qin Ming felt a chill, joking:
"Alright then, how about I exchange my desire for your bar?"
Li Yang glanced at Qin Ming, as if piercing through him.
Qin Ming felt goosebumps, hairs standing on end.
Li Yang withdrew his gaze, shaking his head:
"You have no desire in you."
Qin Ming was sure the owner was joking.
He relaxed, just about to say something when the owner spoke first.
Li Yang stared intently into Qin Ming’s eyes, saying:
"Your desire is worthless, but I like your freedom.
You can use your freedom to exchange for this bar."
Qin Ming, somewhat startled by the gaze, clearly didn’t realize the gravity of the situation under the influence of alcohol.
He took a sip of his drink, smiled, and said:
"Sure."
Li Yang showed a smile.
Suddenly, all the lights in the bar went out.
A contract appeared on the bar.
The title on the contract was ’Desire Merchant Contract.’
Then, the contract began burning, burning quickly.
Qin Ming thought he was drunk, hurriedly rubbed his eyes.
At this moment, the bar’s lights came on again.
The ’Desire Merchant Contract’ was gone from the bar, leaving only a bar transfer agreement.
At the bottom of the agreement, Qin Ming’s signature had already been signed.
Qin Ming’s eyes widened, staring in disbelief at this scene.
Li Yang picked up a cap from the table and put it on:
"From today, this bar is yours.
According to the agreement, the money this bar makes is yours, the desires are mine, we each take what we need.
There are notes about this bar in the booklet behind the bar; you need to read them carefully."
After saying this, Li Yang headed for the door.
"Wait...
Qin Ming, sobered up considerably, stopped Li Yang from leaving.
Li Yang turned around:
"Make sure to read them carefully, or you might lose your life."
