Shao Moye reached up to rub the bridge of his nose, pushing his luck as he continued to test Xie Huaichu's patience.
"Bro, I'm only doing this for your own happiness," he said dramatically. "You're not getting any younger. If you don't put yourself out there soon, you'll be single forever."
"Get lost," Xie Huaichu snapped, his anger barely restrained as he shot a cold look at him—an outright eviction notice.
"Don't get mad. What, are you really planning to be a monk your whole life?"
Knock knock.
A knock interrupted them. Xie Huaichu cast one last warning glance at Shao Moye before replying curtly, "Come in."
Fang Ruan stepped into the office. "Dr. Xie, I'm here to pick up my mom's medication."
"It's on the table by the window," he replied, gesturing.
She walked over and picked up the already packaged bag. "Thanks. Same as always—deduct it from the card."
"Mm."
She didn't say anything else and turned to leave.
But Shao Moye couldn't help himself. His voice laced with sarcasm, he called out, "Well, if it isn't the little demon from the Fang family. You're unusually tame today."
Fang Ruan stopped, glanced over at him, and shot back, "Well, if it isn't the spoiled heir of the Shao family. You've gotten even uglier."
With that, she walked out without sparing him another look.
"Hey! You damn woman!" Shao Moye jumped up in a fury, storming after her—only to find the hallway already empty.
"That little devil... absolutely infuriating."
He stood in the doorway, hands on hips, muttering, "Whoever ends up marrying her must've used up eight lifetimes of bad karma."
"A girl who's loud and aggressive all the time—not a trace of softness."
"You done?" Xie Huaichu, thoroughly fed up, shot him a sharp look.
Knowing when to retreat, Shao Moye quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, I've got some errands. I'm heading out."
"Don't forget about tonight at Half Awake."
Half Awake Entertainment Club
The private room was already buzzing. Music thumped, laughter filled the air, and drinks flowed freely. The atmosphere was wild.
Xie Huaichu sat in a shadowed corner, his expression unreadable, cold eyes scanning the room. He looked completely out of place in the chaos.
"Don't just sit there. Drink something," Shao Moye said, handing him a glass of whiskey.
Xie didn't take it. Instead, a flicker of irritation passed through his eyes. He adjusted the silver-rimmed glasses on his nose and stood up, ready to leave.
He'd come because Shao Moye insisted. Now that he had, there was no reason to stay.
Just then, the door pushed open from the outside.
Fang Ruan stepped in, heels clicking, a radiant smile on her face. "Sorry I'm late! Let me introduce my bestie—Jiang Li."
She had been invited by Shao Moye. The Fang and Shao families were longtime acquaintances, though the two themselves were notorious frenemies.
Even enemies had their moments of solidarity when it came to having fun.
Hearing her name, Xie Huaichu halted in his tracks. His gaze instantly locked on Jiang Li, pupils narrowing.
Tonight, Jiang Li wore a black embroidered qipao with sheer cut-outs, a matching overcoat draped over her shoulders. Elegant and stunning. A perfect mix of grace and edge.
She, too, noticed him. Her eyes curved into a cool, knowing smile.
Didn't expect to run into you here, huh?
Fang Ruan pulled her over to find a seat.
Shao Moye, ever the peacock, came over with a drink. "Beautiful princess, may I have the honor of a toast?"
"Scram," Fang Ruan snapped, giving him a shove.
Meanwhile, Xie Huaichu—whether deliberately or not—sat down beside Jiang Li, calm and composed.
"Miss Jiang's social life seems quite... colorful," he commented.
"Mr. Xie isn't doing too bad himself," she replied with a smirk, tilting her head to look at him, unbothered.
He narrowed his eyes but said nothing more.
For once, Fang Ruan and Shao Moye stopped bickering. Watching the interaction, they exchanged glances.
"What's going on with those two?"
"How would I know?"
"You don't think they're...?"
They stared at each other, gossip sensors on high alert.
Suddenly, Shao Moye grabbed the mic and stood in the center.
"Drinking's boring on its own. Let's play a game—Truth or Dare!"
"Losers who chicken out on their punishments have to take off a piece of clothing, sound good?"
"YEAH!!"
Xie Huaichu: "..."
Jiang Li: "..."
Fang Ruan leaned toward Jiang Li, whispering, "Don't worry, Lili. I've got your back."
Jiang Li: "..."
Why does that make me even more nervous?
The rules were simple: roll dice, highest wins.
First round—Shao Moye wins. Xie Huaichu rolls the lowest.
"Truth," Xie said coolly, his voice low and detached.
"What position do you like best when you're with someone you love?" someone shouted.
"Woooowww~"
"Classic Shao—always pushing the limit."
Xie Huaichu: "..."
What kind of ridiculous question is this?
"If you don't answer, you're stripping!" Shao Moye egged on, gleefully fanning the flames.
Xie Huaichu loosened his tie slightly, then replied in an icy tone,
"Woman on top."
"Whoa! Never thought Young Master Xie was into that!"
"So Xie's the one who likes being on the bottom, huh?"
Xie Huaichu: "…"
His brow furrowed deeply, his face turning visibly colder.
What he'd meant to say was man on top, woman on bottom.
But instead, an image had flashed across his mind—Jiang Li pinning him down to the floor the other day.
And somehow, inexplicably, the words that came out of his mouth… changed dramatically.
He instinctively turned his head to look at Jiang Li—only to find her already looking at him.
Their eyes met. For a moment, something seemed to crackle in the air, like static, charged and burning.
Jiang Li was the first to break eye contact. She let out a soft scoff and teased,
"Mr. Xie plays dirtier than I thought."
"…"
Xie Huaichu's jaw clenched. He couldn't stop himself from grinding his molars.
Second round.
Shao Moye won again. This time, Jiang Li had the lowest roll.
"Beautiful little princess, what'll it be?" Shao Moye asked with a smirk.
Jiang Li thought for a second, then parted her red lips. "Dare."
She was honestly afraid Shao Moye would ask an even more outrageous question if she picked truth.
At her answer, Shao Moye lifted a hand to thoughtfully stroke his chin, a mischievous gleam flickering in his peach blossom eyes.
He was just about to speak when Xie Huaichu cut in,
"Think it through before you answer."
There was a dangerous edge in his deep-set gaze, a silent warning wrapped in those calm, clipped words.
"Well, well… already getting protective?" Shao Moye grinned like a devil, clearly unfazed.
"Now I really don't want to think it through."
"Do you have a death wish?" Xie Huaichu glanced at him, eyes icy, his entire aura plummeting in temperature.
"If I'm going down, I'm dragging you with me," Shao Moye said defiantly, then turned to Jiang Li.
"Your dare—give one guy in this room a kiss."
Xie Huaichu's fist clenched reflexively, the muscles in his forearm tightening. The look he shot Shao Moye was sharp enough to slice skin.
Jiang Li: "…"
Was it too late to take it back?
"Li Li, if you skip the dare, you'll have to take something off…"
Fang Ruan leaned in and whispered near her ear, deliberately reminding her.
Xie Huaichu's fists clenched tighter.
Jiang Li: "…"
Are you two sure you're not working together to dig a hole for me?
After a beat of silence, Jiang Li turned to Xie Huaichu and said with feigned calm,
"Come on, then."
"Woo~ the princess is bold tonight," Shao Moye whistled, full of teasing delight.
"Shut up," Xie Huaichu snapped, casting him a glare brimming with murder.
Jiang Li took a steadying breath, then reached out, her hands landing on Xie Huaichu's shoulders as she leaned in close—