The fingers of a few men twitched restlessly, their phones nearly pulled out already.
After stealing a glance at Lu Linwei—damn, he looked as menacing as when he’d purged traitors—they immediately dismissed the thought.
Lu Linwei enunciated each word coldly: "You want to use *my* money to find another man?"
"How dare you?"
"Do you even know what happens—by our rules—to people like you, and the man you mentioned?" His tone dripped with bloody implication.
The others quickly jumped in to finish what Lu Linwei left unsaid—
"Listen, beautiful, throwing a tantrum’s one thing, but this is just reckless."
"Don’t take this the wrong way, but around here, people who forget their place tend to do stupid things. Some lines aren’t meant to be crossed, even as a joke."
"Exactly. Remember last month? That idiot from the Zheng family—his woman splurged his cash on some pretty boy behind his back. Guess where she and that boy are now?"
Shen Ying glanced over, her face betraying no curiosity.
The men felt like their words had hit a wall of cotton—this woman clearly had no sense of self-preservation.
Awkwardly, they answered their own question, forcing a sinister grin: "Well, truth is, I don’t know where they are either."
"But one thing’s for sure—some patch of land’s got two new bags of fertilizer now."
Shen Ying’s expression twisted into something conflicted.
The speaker smirked, shooting Lu Linwei a look that screamed *See? I helped!*
But the next second, Shen Ying swept a withering gaze over all the men, Lu Linwei included—
"I get the lecture, but what does this have to do with hosting your *savior*?"
Her eyes locked onto Lu Linwei. "Are you still paranoid from that ambush? So jumpy you have to flex about betrayal consequences to everyone? If you need to reinforce your woman’s loyalty, why take it out on *me*?"
She doubled down, unyielding: "If you’re hosting me, show some sincerity. I want male escorts."
Lu Linwei’s face was unreadable. The other men gaped, stunned.
One cautiously ventured, "Linwei, uh... *savior*?"
Lu Linwei ignored him, but Shen Ying chimed in: "Yep, over a month ago."
"Though Mr. Lu already paid me, so we’re square. But just now, downstairs, he was *very* enthusiastic about repaying the debt, said he’d treat me properly."
She sighed, feigning boredom. "Didn’t expect the ‘host’ to nitpick the guest’s requests. Had I known it’d be this dull, I wouldn’t have bothered coming up."
"Honestly, just give me cash instead."
The words hurled Lu Linwei back to that moment a month ago, his vision swimming with fury.
Worse, the idiots around him were now eyeing him differently.
[*So she’s* not *your woman?*]
[*Then why the tough-guy act? Made us look like cheap, threatening morons.*]
[*Embarrassing as hell.*]
Their silent judgments radiated loud and clear, fueling Lu Linwei’s rage.
He glared at them, then—after a pause—smiled.
To Shen Ying, he said smoothly, "My oversight. As your host, I’ll deliver whatever you desire."
With that, he raised a hand. The manager soon entered—
"Mr. Lu, how may I assist?"
Lu Linwei nodded at Shen Ying. "This is Miss Shen, my honored guest."
"She wishes to experience your establishment’s *premium hospitality*. I’m unfamiliar—do you have... *male models* available?"
The last two words ground out like shattered teeth.
But the manager? A veteran of high-end clubs, sharper than a serpent.
Between Lu Linwei’s tone, his tapping fingers on the armrest—this was a setup, plain as day.
Bowing apologetically, the manager said, "My deepest regrets, Miss Shen. We don’t offer male escorts. But your request highlights our inadequacy."
"We’ll rectify this promptly. Next time, you’ll have impeccable service."
Lu Linwei’s smile deepened. "Not my stinginess, I’m afraid. They simply can’t oblige."
"Perhaps you’re right—they’ve neglected female clients. A flaw worth correcting."
Shen Ying’s disappointment was palpable. Before she could speak, Lu Linwei added, "Since they lack your preference, let’s settle for ambiance. Bring in some entertainers."
"Wouldn’t want Miss Shen to feel unwelcome."
The manager scurried off. Moments later, a parade of women entered—each a vision.
Elegant, sultry, delicate—the room brightened instantly.
Shen Ying’s eyes lit up... until the beauties flocked to Lu Linwei.
The bastard lounged on the sofa, drowning in feminine attention.
Perfume and honeyed voices enveloped him, every gaze adoring.
Shen Ying sipped her drink, the expensive liquor suddenly bitter.
Lu Linwei pretended indifference, though his focus never left Shen Ying.
Her irritated scowl? *Perfect.* After a night of her infuriating him, this was sweet payoff.
He called over to Shen Ying, now exiled to another couch: "Apologies. I meant to liven things up for you."
"Seems the staff misunderstood. But it’d be rude to send them away."
Just then, the curvy beauty on his right dared to nestle into his arms, shooting Shen Ying a triumphant look.
Lu Linwei’s brow twitched—but he didn’t push her off.
Because Shen Ying was marching over, her glass empty, her expression stormy.
The woman on his left instinctively moved. Shen Ying took her spot.
"What’s your game?" she demanded. "Trying to provoke me?"
Lu Linwei hadn’t planned this. He’d just wanted to deny her male escorts while flaunting his own harem.
But this? *She’s jealous.* Despite her greed, she couldn’t stand seeing him with others.
He reminded himself: *This means nothing. She’s just another shallow gold-digger.*
Yet his grin widened.
With mocking innocence, he asked, "Why would you think that? What exactly angered you?"
"Or is it because you saw me with other women that made you uneasy?"
"Then you should think carefully about what position you’re in to be angry with me."
Shen Ying replied, "Of course, from a guest’s standpoint."
"Have you ever seen a host who only cares about having fun with beauties while leaving their guest neglected? Is this your idea of hospitality?"
Lu Linwei, seeing her stubbornness, remained utterly composed: "As you can see, it’s not that I don’t want to fulfill your request, but this establishment simply lacks the means."
Shen Ying grew even more indignant: "So that’s your excuse for monopolizing the ladies and leaving me out in the cold?"
"If you really cared, you’d have shared at least two with me."
"!!!"
The men nearby, who had been drinking and flirting with their companions, stiffened in shock. Even Lu Linwei’s composure cracked.
He stared at Shen Ying in disbelief. "Shared with you?"
Shen Ying nodded eagerly. "I like these two."
Her gaze lingered on the elegant, intellectual beauty and another raven-haired woman with a cold yet striking charm.
She beckoned to them. "Ladies, care for a drink? Order whatever you like—tonight, Mr. Lu is covering the tab."
Before anyone could react, the two women found themselves whisked away by Shen Ying, their waists encircled by her arms. Lu Linwei could’ve sworn he saw her give one of them a playful squeeze.
His fists clenched so hard they trembled.
Lu Linwei glared at Shen Ying as she effortlessly charmed the women into laughter with just a few words.
When it came to ordering drinks to boost their sales, she didn’t hesitate. Wasn’t this the same person who claimed she wouldn’t be fooled by sweet talk?
The other men, noticing Lu Linwei’s darkening expression, quieted their own flirtations.
The only one thoroughly enjoying herself was Shen Ying. Before leaving, she even exchanged contacts with the two beauties.
As if fate had a twisted sense of humor, when they stepped out of the private room, they spotted a group of handsome men emerging from another VIP area down the hall.
Shen Ying’s mood instantly soured. Pointing at them, she said, "Hey, aren’t those—"
Lu Linwei, already seething, pushed her into the elevator. "No, you’re mistaken."
Shen Ying shook her head at him. "Fine. Next time, I’ll come alone to verify."
"You think there’ll be a next time?" He nearly laughed in frustration.
Unfazed, Shen Ying even tried to cozy up to him. "I heard this place is membership-only, not open to just anyone."
"Could you put in a good word for me?"
Lu Linwei stepped out of the elevator stone-faced, questioning his life choices for the first time.
What had his original goal been again?
Ah, right—to make this woman realize that being with him would grant her more than she ever imagined, to make her regret her indifference.
Had he succeeded?
No. All he’d gained was deeper agitation, resentment, and a bellyful of rage.
He couldn’t just let it go.
Just as he stewed in his thoughts, several cars pulled up—not his.
But when Lu Linwei saw who stepped out, his eyes darkened.
The newcomer noticed him too and flashed a grin. "Mr. Lu, what a coincidence."
"I heard your family’s had some turmoil lately. Since you’re out enjoying yourself, I assume things are settled now? Congratulations."
The man was tall, with delicate, androgynous features and long hair. A cigarette dangled from his lips, exuding an air of lazy arrogance.
As the two men faced each other, tension crackled like gunpowder in the air.
Lu Linwei returned the smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "Mr. Gao, I thought you’d still be scrambling over the West District project. Since you’re here, I take it your troubles are resolved. Congratulations to you as well."
Both knew exactly what the other was referring to.
After exchanging thinly veiled barbs, Gao Yingli’s gaze drifted to Shen Ying.
His smile widened. "And this is—"
Lu Linwei stepped forward, shielding her from view.
Unfazed, Gao Yingli tilted his head around Lu Linwei and addressed Shen Ying directly. "Hello, I’m Gao Yingli. Mr. Lu and I go way back—childhood friends, you could say."
"Let’s exchange contacts. I have a feeling we’d get along well."
He glanced at Lu Linwei, his tone laced with implication. "After all, our tastes often align. What interests him usually interests me too."
As Lu Linwei’s expression turned glacial, Gao Yingli added cheerfully, "Of course, if the object of our interest is one-of-a-kind, then competition is inevitable."
