Tianhai Grand Hotel.
In a long black dress, her hair tied high to showcase her slender neck, Zhou Yufei immediately became the center of attention upon entering the dining hall. With her curvaceous, well-proportioned figure and stunning face, she naturally commanded attention wherever she went.
Zhou Yufei was already accustomed to this and paid it no heed, following Chen Yang to a window-side seat on the second floor.
As she removed her cashmere shawl, her perfect figure was completely revealed, eliciting a round of low gasps.
This was a hotel where every patron was either rich or noble. The women, in particular, were dressed in gorgeous, fashionable attire, adding a certain charm to the scene.
However, Zhou Yufei was so stunning she eclipsed all the other beauties.
Some of the more uninhibited young masters would occasionally purse their lips and whistle, trying to attract her attention.
Zhou Yufei ignored them all.
In her eyes, there was only the man seated before her.
Zhou Yufei hadn't bothered to dress up like this in a long time. But after receiving his call that morning, she had spent a full hour meticulously applying her makeup and selecting her clothes and shoes. In the end, she had even chosen a delicate necklace.
Her makeup was flawless, complementing her bright eyes and pearly teeth. Her mature aura was as captivating as jade. How could such a vision not make men's hearts flutter and women burn with envy?
"Ahem."
Chen Yang chuckled. "Yufei, every time I eat with you, I feel so much pressure."
"You silver-tongued devil," Zhou Yufei rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "What grand scenes haven't you witnessed? And you're still here mocking me."
In fact, there was more she left unsaid. What's the use of me being this beautiful if I still can't catch your eye?
With that thought, Zhou Yufei's lips pursed again.
Chen Yang chuckled sheepishly and quickly signaled the waiter to order.
She let out a soft sigh. Zhou Yufei propped her chin with one hand, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth as she watched Chen Yang earnestly studying the menu.
Seeing him again after more than a year… a boundless sense of longing filled her heart. Just sitting here quietly, watching him, felt wonderful.
Her infatuated gaze immediately sparked waves of envy from the surrounding tables.
To these onlookers, Chen Yang was utterly ordinary. What right did he have to be with such a peerless beauty? They cursed the heavens for their injustice!
Two tables away, a man in his early thirties dressed in black casualwear swirled the wine in his glass while his eyes roamed unrestrainedly over Zhou Yufei.
His gaze was predatory, as if he had already locked onto his prey.
SNAP.
He snapped his fingers, summoning a waiter. "Go, send a drink over to that lady, on me."
"Certainly, Mr. Long." The young man was clearly a regular here. The waiter nodded respectfully before departing.
"Mr. Long, as domineering as ever!" the young man at his table, obviously a subordinate, said with an exaggerated thumbs-up.
The man, whose name was Long Chuan, paid him no mind. He rested one hand on the table while tirelessly swirling the wine in his glass with the other, his eyes narrowed on Zhou Yufei.
"Mr. Long, that woman's got some real spice! No wonder she's caught your interest. Looks like you'll have beautiful company tonight," the subordinate, named Lin Shan, said, rubbing his hands together with a sleazy grin.
Long Chuan waved him off. "Cut the crap."
As Chen Yang finished ordering and looked up, Zhou Yufei quickly averted her gaze and asked, "Chen Yang, is this the first time you're treating me to a meal?"
"It was always me who invited you before."
Chen Yang replied wryly, "But I was always the one who paid the bill."
Zhou Yufei covered her mouth and giggled.
Memories of the past surged forth. What she remembered most vividly was how Chen Yang always had to go home to his wife. At first, she had thought it was just a pretentiously proper excuse all men used. But in the end... this man was truly as consistent as ever. He had even turned away Li Si, who was wildly popular at the time. It made Zhou Yufei often wonder, was it really necessary to go to such lengths?
"Excuse me, miss. The young master over there would like to buy you a drink," the waiter approached, one hand pressed to his abdomen as he bowed respectfully.
"Hmm?"
Zhou Yufei raised an eyebrow, her gaze instinctively lifting to meet Long Chuan's.
Long Chuan, the very picture of a gentleman, raised his glass slightly in acknowledgment. He offered a faint, warm smile, one that could easily win a person over.
"I refuse," Zhou Yufei said succinctly, retracting her gaze.
The waiter looked troubled. "Miss, you're putting me in a difficult position..."
"Please leave. Don't disturb our meal," Zhou Yufei's tone was resolute, leaving no room for negotiation.
Chen Yang smiled, worried this might sour Yufei's mood. He patted the waiter's shoulder and said, "You can go back."
"But…"
The waiter, well aware of Long Chuan's methods, steeled himself. "Miss, perhaps you don't realize, but many ladies here would feel honored to receive a drink from Mr. Long."
"Mr. Long is this hotel's largest shareholder."
"Heh..."
Not far away, Lin Shan's expression suddenly darkened. "From the looks of it, that woman doesn't seem to be giving him any face!"
"We came out to have a good time today. Isn't she just spoiling Mr. Long's fun?"
WHOOSH.
The more Lin Shan spoke, the angrier he became. He abruptly stood up, knocking over the wine glass in front of him.
Long Chuan frowned but said nothing.
"Mr. Long, you wait here. I'll go myself."
Lin Shan unbuttoned his suit jacket, grabbed a glass of wine, and strode brazenly toward Zhou Yufei's table.
Zhou Yufei was displeased. This was supposed to be a high-class establishment, so how could there be someone acting like such a hooligan?
He offers a toast, and I'm not allowed to refuse? This is utter lawlessness!
"Miss, in all these years, you're the first person to refuse Mr. Long's toast," Lin Shan said, his tone icy as he stood beside Zhou Yufei with one hand in his pocket.
Zhou Yufei laughed. "Do I know him? Why on earth should I accept a toast from him?"
"Fiery!" Lin Shan was amused, then gestured with his chin at Chen Yang beside her. "Or is it this man who gives you courage?"
"It's obvious this guy you're with is just a toad trying to eat swan meat. He's completely out of his league."
Zhou Yufei's expression turned glacial. The one thing she couldn't tolerate was someone insulting Chen Yang.
"Shut your filthy mouth and get the hell away from me," Zhou Yufei said coldly.
Lin Shan was about to retort but was stopped by Long Chuan, who had walked over. "My apologies, Miss. My friend has always been blunt. Please don't take it personally."
Zhou Yufei was speechless.
What does he mean, 'blunt'? Is he implying that his friend was just speaking the truth, and that Chen Yang really is a toad?
"The nerve of you people!" Zhou Yufei sneered.
"How dare you speak like that?" Lin Shan's face turned cold. "The only reason I haven't slapped this coward into the ground is that I'm giving you face."
"Do you really think just because you're pretty, you can look down on everyone?"
Zhou Yufei was livid, but Chen Yang grabbed her hand.
However, before Chen Yang could speak, two people approached from a distance. One of them said, "I'll give you a choice. How do you want to die?"
Everyone was speechless.
Chen Yang shot Zhou Yufei a puzzled look.
She just shook her head, equally baffled.