Chen Mo sat on the sofa with a wine glass in hand. One by one, people approached, offering business cards and introducing themselves with polite smiles and rehearsed small talk.
It was the usual round of meaningless pleasantries.
Chen Mo had attended enough of these events to know how they went—smiles, nods, clinking glasses, and vague, empty words. Everyone was networking, but few conversations went beyond surface-level greetings.
At some point, the background music changed. The gentle, slow melody faded out, replaced by upbeat dance music. The mood in the room shifted, and the guests started pairing off, heading to the dance floor to enjoy the next phase of the evening.
In events like this, the dance floor was more than just entertainment—it was a subtle battlefield of social maneuvering. Unlike formal dining where communication was limited to words and gestures, dancing allowed physical proximity. And proximity often led to deeper conversation, more openness, and strategic bonding.
"Mr. Chen, aren't you going to ask a lady to dance?"
Xu Xinxin's voice broke through Chen Mo's thoughts as she approached with a gentle smile.
Traditionally, men were expected to take the initiative in ballroom settings, but seeing Chen Mo idle, Xu Xinxin took it upon herself.
Chen Mo shrugged. "I don't really know how to dance. If I go out there, I'll probably just embarrass myself."
"Oh?" Xu Xinxin looked genuinely amused. "I didn't expect there was something Mr. Chen couldn't do."
"I never claimed to be omnipotent."
"Then… may I have the honor of inviting you for a dance?" Her eyes were soft, but there was a subtle glimmer of determination.
Since she had taken the initiative and it would be rude to refuse, Chen Mo nodded.
The women watching from the sidelines were crestfallen. Chen Mo was already the unattainable dream for many of them, and now that Xu Xinxin—a flawless beauty with a powerful background—had made her move, it felt like the final nail in the coffin.
Xu Xinxin, on the other hand, felt quietly pleased.
At first, she hadn't wanted to attend the event, but once she found out the guest of honor was Chen Mo, her interest sparked. Observing him tonight, she'd grown increasingly intrigued.
Chen Mo didn't behave like the usual wealthy second-generation heirs she was used to. He wasn't trying to impress, nor did he wear his status on his sleeve. He was calm, composed, even a little aloof—but naturally so. It was this quiet confidence, that unpolished sincerity, that drew her in.
As she stepped onto the dance floor and placed her hand gently on Chen Mo's shoulder, their faces drew close. She could see the details in his expression—focused, yet stiff.
He really didn't know how to dance.
What she didn't know was that Chen Mo was mentally running through every step, matching the movements of those around him, relying on his powerful memory rather than actual experience. Every motion felt rigid, calculated.
Still, it was just simple footwork. He could manage.
From the sidelines, the crowd watched with mixed reactions.
Many envied Xu Jialin's foresight and boldness—he'd used his daughter to get close to Chen Mo, and it looked like it was working. For many here, this was the one chance to approach Chen Mo. He rarely attended events like this, and tonight, Xu Jialin had seized that opportunity first.
Xu Jialin, sipping his drink in the distance, was clearly satisfied.
He had absolute faith in his daughter's charm. Winning over Chen Mo was only a matter of time.
Meanwhile, Chen Mo stayed focused on not stepping on Xu Xinxin's toes.
"Mr. Chen," she said softly, "on occasions like this, dancing is just a formality. It's not really about the dance—it's about connecting. May I ask… what kind of woman do you like?"
Before Chen Mo could answer, a shrill voice sliced through the hall.
"Xu Jialin, I want you to regret everything for the rest of your life!"
The sudden scream brought the entire venue to a halt.
All heads turned to the source of the outburst— a woman holding a knife, charging directly at Xu Xinxin.
"Look out!"
Chen Mo's expression shifted instantly. Without hesitation, he pulled Xu Xinxin into his arms, pivoted, and swept his leg sharply across the attacker's arm.
The woman cried out as she stumbled and hit the floor hard. Chaos erupted.
"Die!" she shrieked, scrambling back to her feet, still clutching the knife.
Before she got close again, Chen Mo's foot landed squarely in her stomach, sending her flying back.
"What are you standing around for? Catch her! Are you all brain-dead?" Xu Jialin bellowed, snapping everyone out of their daze.
Security swarmed in and pinned the woman to the ground.
"Xu Jialin… You bastard…!" she screamed, but her voice was cut off as the guards gagged her and dragged her out of sight.
The entire exchange had lasted less than thirty seconds.
Most guests hadn't even fully registered what had happened before it was over.
All eyes turned to Chen Mo—shocked, impressed, awed.
Two precise moves. No hesitation. He had protected Xu Xinxin with smooth, efficient skill. The calm genius of the tech world also happened to be… seriously capable.
Xu Xinxin, still catching her breath, looked at him in astonishment. That had come out of nowhere. And yet, when danger struck, Chen Mo had shielded her without blinking.
Bodyguards belonging to various other tycoons quietly emerged, surveying the area with serious expressions. Wang Hai had also arrived, standing protectively near Chen Mo.
"Xinxin, are you alright?" Xu Jialin rushed over, face dark with panic.
"I'm okay… Mr. Chen saved me," she said, still a little dazed.
"I owe you deeply, Mr. Chen," Xu Jialin said, bowing slightly. "If you hadn't stepped in, my daughter might've been…" His voice trailed off.
"It was nothing. Just instinct," Chen Mo said casually, glancing at the woman who had been restrained. "Who is she?"
Xu Jialin's face darkened. "She was my secretary. I fired her this morning. I guess she couldn't accept it and sneaked in under someone else's name. A disloyal wretch. Let's not let one person ruin the evening."
With a wave, he ordered security to remove her and restart the music. As if nothing had happened, the band began to play again.
But it wasn't the same.
Everyone in the hall had seen it—Chen Mo's lightning-fast reaction, his calm precision. Before this, he was already seen as an unreachable figure in tech. Now, he was an enigma. Not just brilliant, but capable, and dangerous if needed.
Many rich girls who had been admiring him before were now downright starstruck.
"That was incredible," Xu Xinxin approached again. "Thank you. Really. I could've been seriously hurt if not for you."
"Don't mention it," Chen Mo replied with a slight shake of his head.
He was thankful for the training he did regularly. The attacker hadn't been trained—if she had, things might've gone very differently. Returning to the sofa, Chen Mo's mind replayed the encounter.
Something about it didn't sit right.
It felt… off.
But he couldn't quite put his finger on what.
After a few minutes, Chen Mo stood and quietly left the venue.
He had no interest in staying any longer.