Chapter 111: Promise
As soon as Wu Yifan stepped back into Infinite Realm, he was swarmed by the club's hostesses, all cooing, "Little Brother Yifan!" Their voices dripped with honey, their eyes—bright as peach blossoms—blazing with a 2,000-volt warmth that sent tingles down his spine. He nearly stumbled, overwhelmed by the sudden attention.
Who could blame them? Ever since he'd won the bartending championship, his fame had skyrocketed. Even wealthy socialites and spoiled heiresses who'd never set foot in Infinite now flocked here, just to catch a glimpse of him, sip a cocktail he'd mixed, or steal a moment of his time. These hostesses, who'd once looked down on him as "just a security guard," now treated him like a treasure, tripping over themselves to curry favor.
Little Brother Yifan was Infinite's golden goose now—priceless, influential, a magnet for business.
Unfortunately…
Wu Yifan sighed inwardly as he scanned their faces. *Trying to seduce me? Maybe hit up a plastic surgeon in Seoul first.* Sure, he was just a security guard, but after meeting Ye Xiwen, Fu Junyao, and even A-list star Ding Shihan—women of rare beauty—these ordinary hostesses left him cold.
A man, he figured, should aim high.
He forced a smile, nodding politely to each, then slipped past them toward his upstairs security booth. They might not be his type, but he was a gentleman—no need to crush their egos. A little kindness cost nothing.
Once settled in the booth, the door creaked open, and Ye Xiwen stepped in.
"Why are you late today?" She glanced at him, arms crossed, a faint frown creasing her brow.
Wu Yifan blinked, then smiled to himself. As Infinite's security guard, he usually had little to do—Ye Xiwen had always turned a blind eye when he snuck off to internet cafes or nearby mahjong parlors. Why the sudden scrutiny? Had his patience finally paid off? He stood, closing the distance between them, his gaze softening. "Just handled some things. Everything okay at Infinite?"
Ye Xiwen met his eyes, and her irritation melted. She felt like a shy schoolgirl, her heart fluttering, more nervous than annoyed. She ducked her head, afraid he'd read the longing in her eyes.
At her age, after years navigating the cutthroat business world, she'd outgrown fairy-tale fantasies. All she wanted was a man who'd care for her, who'd be her anchor. Money, flaws—none of it mattered. Life was too short to fret over trivialities.
So when Wu Yifan worked miracles—winning the bartending contest, outwitting Qian Baoqing—she'd been both shocked and giddy. But she never pressed him for explanations. Everyone had secrets, and as a woman slowly falling for him, she knew better than to pry.
She shook her head, her voice quiet. "Infinite's fine. I was just worried—"
Wu Yifan wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her gently into his embrace. "Worried Qian Baoqing got to me?" He chuckled softly.
Ye Xiwen didn't resist. Instead, she melted into him, savoring the warmth and safety of his hold—a feeling she'd never known. She rested her head on his chest, her arms snaking around his waist, as if she could merge into him. "Qian Baoqing isn't ordinary. He's tried to hurt us twice, and each time you've turned it around—brought us more fame than ever. He won't forgive that."
"He's clever, I'll give him that," Wu Yifan admitted, nodding.
Ye Xiwen tensed. "You don't think…?"
He sensed her fear, cutting her off. "He hasn't touched me. But he *is* cunning—ruthless, no morals. He's our biggest threat in Beitian. We need to learn more about him."
She tilted her head up, her eyes searching his. "What do you mean?"
"How long has Qian Baoqing been in Beitian?" he asked.
"Seven, eight years? I'd heard of him even before we opened Infinite. But he seemed to appear out of nowhere—no backstory, no connections, no family. Yet he dominates the nightlife scene. It's… strange." Ye Xiwen's tone turned thoughtful; she'd clearly wondered about this before.
"No roots? No allies? No history?" Wu Yifan's expression darkened. That didn't add up.
"None that anyone can trace," she confirmed.
He thought of Qian Baoqing's powerful allies—the corrupt officials, the skilled thugs like Aixin—and felt a flicker of helplessness. He had no resources, no connections, barely enough cash to get by. How could he take on a man like that? For the first time, he craved power—his own power.
But he pushed the feeling aside, squeezing her gently. "Arrogant, but stupid. He's nothing. From now on, help me dig up info on him. The more we know, the better."
He said "we," and Ye Xiwen's heart soared. She hummed in agreement, and silence settled between them—no need for words.
Wu Yifan felt her body warm against his, her scent—soft, floral—clouding his senses. A primal urge stirred in him. Here was a woman, ripe and willing, and if he held back, he'd be a fool. He loosened his grip on her waist, lifting her chin with a finger, and bent to kiss her.
Ye Xiwen sighed, her long-repressed passion flaring to life. She parted her lips, meeting his kiss eagerly, a low, breathy moan escaping her.
Wu Yifan was no novice. He'd kissed her like this before—deep, hungry, his tongue tangling with hers as he tasted her sweetness. His hands roamed, slipping under her blouse, bold and unhurried.
"Mmm…" Ye Xiwen gasped as his fingers brushed her navel, a jolt of pleasure shooting through her. Under his teasing, her cheeks flushed, her skin glistening with sweat—as if she'd just run a race—making her all the more alluring.
He marveled silently: Ye Xiwen's curves, while not as dramatic as Fu Junyao's, had filled out nicely these past few days. *Plenty of room to grow,* he thought. *I'll have to put in the work.*
"Stop… please…" Ye Xiwen pulled back, her desire warring with her reason. She caught his wandering hands, her chest heaving, her face on fire.
"What's wrong? Did I—" Wu Yifan froze, worried he'd overstepped.
"Not here," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Someone might see."
He grinned, a devilish glint in his eye. "Then tonight…?"
Ye Xiwen met his eager gaze, her resolve wavering. She wasn't some old-fashioned prude, clinging to the idea of saving herself for marriage. She'd just never met a man who made her feel this way—bold, yet gentle, unapologetically himself. She was no spring chicken; why waste more time?
After a ten-second pause, she nodded, her cheeks crimson. "Come to my place tonight."
Wu Yifan nearly cheered.
Finally.