Chapter 15: All Men Are Rotten to the Core

These two so-called best friends, each harboring their own schemes and jealousies, were locked in a subtle rivalry. For Li Lekang, however, it was all to his advantage; after all, as the “prize” in their eyes, he could only secretly relish the situation.

After he finished applying sunscreen to Daisy’s back, she eagerly insisted on returning the favor. Yet Sandra had already snatched the bottle, suddenly swept up in the competitive spirit. Perhaps she wouldn’t normally have volunteered, but rivalry has a way of making even the mundane seem appealing—just as food tastes better in company, the contest made her all the more enthusiastic.

Sandwiched between the two, Li Lekang found himself in a bit of a dilemma.

In the end, they decided to split the task: one would do the left side, the other the right, each showing off their technique.

Li Lekang nearly burst out laughing. “You’re treating me like a guinea pig!”

“Not everyone gets this kind of treatment, so lie back and enjoy it!”

Sandra took charge of his front, her slender hands roaming expertly as she remarked, “You’re in pretty good shape—your muscles are refined and powerful.” Li Lekang hadn’t been training long, but he was adept at using magical methods for health, like electric stimulation. His muscles were already well-defined, and the old stereotype of feeble spellcasters no longer applied—at least, not unless you compared them to barbarians or berserkers. Against ordinary people, he could easily knock someone out with a staff.

“I’ll take pride in being praised by a professional,” he replied.

“I’m serious,” Sandra said, massaging his chest with a lingering gaze. “Not every woman likes hulking gorillas.”

Li Lekang grinned, while Daisy rolled her eyes and slurped her juice loudly, determined to outdo Sandra with her own technique.

When they finished with his front, Li Lekang rolled over. Daisy then did something wholly unexpected—she straddled his back, intentionally wriggling as her hip bones pressed into him. The contact nearly made Li Lekang lose control, suddenly seized by the urge to leave a crater in the sand beneath him.

“Lie still. Let me protect this firm, smooth back of yours. Your Asian skin is really something—not rough at all,” she said, clearly enamored.

Sandra stared, wide-eyed, thinking that if she weren’t present, Daisy might well have started shooting a film right there. Their eyes met briefly, sparks flying before they looked away.

Li Lekang could only bask in the pleasure of being the object of their rivalry.

Still, he didn’t want their fragile friendship to shatter, so he steered the conversation toward their dreams, toward fame—subjects that captivated any Hollywood girl.

Sandra was the practical type, skeptical of luck: “Those who think that giving themselves away will bring them opportunities, that fame is just a step away, end up used and discarded. I don’t believe in shortcuts. I trust in hard work, persistence, and, of course, a bit of luck.”

Though Daisy seemed carefree, she spoke with a knowing cynicism: “Too many people come to Hollywood chasing dreams. Look at the entertainment industry—there are plenty of beautiful and talented people, but how many really stand out? The market’s already saturated, and most will only end up as stepping stones for others.”

Sandra was pragmatic, and Daisy was far from naïve.

In the adult world, no one is truly foolish; it’s all a matter of presentation. Daisy then changed tack with a coquettish smile: “Unlike them, I’ll devote myself to loving just one admired oppa!”

Sandra nearly spat out her juice, declaring herself defeated by Daisy’s theatrics.

Li Lekang shook with laughter but felt compelled to correct her: “Oppa is a Korean term. My parents are from China.”

“So?” Daisy asked.

“You should call me ‘giegie,’” Li Lekang teased.

Daisy tried to mimic the pronunciation, while Sandra, seemingly indifferent, mouthed the word quietly herself. English speakers can manage the flat tone, but the second and third tones are much trickier for them.

Under Li Lekang’s mischievous guidance, the word “giegie”—once infamous on Chinese social media for its saccharine connotations—was adopted as a trendy new term by the two girls.

He applauded them. “Bravo!”

“Thank you!” The American girls were delighted by simple pleasures—learning a new word to show off to friends. He could only hope their Chinese friends would be indulgent.

They spent the afternoon playing on the beach. Americans love sunbathing, though Li Lekang was less keen—Asians tan easily, while the girls would simply turn golden brown. People are different, after all.

By four o’clock, they decided to head home. Both girls had plans for the evening: Sandra had a class to teach—she worked part-time as a fitness instructor, with clients ranging from wealthy women to celebrities, all envious of her perfect figure. Daisy was meeting friends for dinner. Li Lekang, meanwhile, had a Saturday night performance at Black Jack’s—since his rise in fame, Judy, the manager, was eager to capitalize on his popularity, planning to hang his photo on the bar’s “Wall of Fame.”

With the responsibility of making a living, Li Lekang didn’t get the chance to fulfill his fantasy of having two beauties on his arm. He suspected that if he tried, Daisy wouldn’t be hard to win over, but Sandra might distance herself.

Ah, men—already scheming to have it both ways before even succeeding once! Truly, only poverty keeps a man faithful; give him wealth, and unfaithfulness inevitably follows.

Having lived two lifetimes, Li Lekang understood all too well that men are scoundrels at heart. And with the privileges of a transmigrator, how could he not make the most of heaven’s favor?

He bid farewell to the girls and went home to change for his performance.

The weekend was the busiest time at the bar—especially for the waitresses, who, though run off their feet, earned the most in tips. In the dressing room backstage, the tall, beautiful women practiced their smiles in front of the mirror, determined to be in top form.

With Li Lekang performing tonight, his growing reputation meant a bigger audience. Who knew—maybe one of them would get lucky and be spotted by a talent agent, just as he had.

The girls were giddy with hope, oblivious to Li Lekang’s inner turmoil: was it polite to look at them or not? They changed out of their street clothes right in front of him, searching for their uniforms in nothing but their underwear—clearly unbothered by his presence.

Fortunately, Judy’s arrival saved him from further awkwardness.

“Are you ready?” she asked.

“Anytime,” Li Lekang replied with a confident smile.

Judy didn’t seem too busy; she perched on the makeup table and asked, “When does your talent show air?”

“Probably next week—they said I’ll be in the first episode.”

“Oh,” Judy mused, “then I’d better prepare your photo for the bar’s Hall of Fame!”

“I have to thank this place for giving me a platform,” Li Lekang replied warmly, “and you, dearest Judy, for recommending me in the first place!”

He didn’t wait for her to hint—he expressed his gratitude outright.

“If the show goes well and I become popular, I’ll come back and perform a free show to give back to this place!”

“You really are a lovable kid!” Judy said, hugging him and planting a kiss on his cheek. “I wish I had a son like you!”

Li Lekang gently patted her back. “In my homeland, it’s very fashionable to recognize a godmother. And usually, a kind and beautiful godmother would happily prepare a generous red envelope for her godson!”

Judy cried out in mock outrage, “You little rascal, I ought to spank you!”

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