The night was deep, with the full moon high in the sky, the perfect time to fall asleep. However, in one corner of the city, the hustle and bustle continued.

After passing through a few sparsely populated streets and turning into an alley, a faint fragrance lingered in the air. A few lush potted plants framed a narrow cobblestone path leading to a carved iron gate. Pushing it open, they descended a winding staircase and passed through another door, where they were immediately greeted by deafening music.

This was a popular nightclub in the Eastern District, decorated in a European palace style. On the comfortable, soft sofas, guests either sat or reclined, drinking and chatting happily.

On the stage, a DJ heated up the atmosphere, while a few sexy dancers displayed their delicate, smooth bellies, swaying their waists and hips. Gold and silver bangles jingled on their wrists, producing crisp, melodic sounds as they danced.

This was the first time Chu Minghuan had been to such a place. Her large, shimmering eyes were fixed on the stage, captivated by the performance, and she barely heard her colleague beside her complaining.

“Minghuan, Minghuan, are you listening to me?” 

Sitting next to her was her colleague, Vicky, a few years older than her, just past thirty. With a stunning appearance and a body that she was proud to show off, Vicky wore short shorts, her long legs provocatively crossed, often attracting the greedy gazes of nearby men.

Compared to Vicky’s outfit, Chu Minghuan’s attire was rather dull— a simple shirt and jeans, with black-framed glasses on her face, making her look like a high school teacher.

In fact, her job was quite similar to that of a teacher. She was a professional social worker at a private social welfare institution, specifically helping and housing vulnerable children under the age of fourteen. She had encountered many types of cases, ranging from children who suffered major disruptions in their family lives to those who were abused by relatives or abandoned and left homeless.

Perhaps because she was so familiar with the darker side of society, people working in this field generally had their own ways of coping with stress. Chu Minghuan preferred watching movies and doing yoga, while Vicky favored spending time in nightclubs, seeking liberation and pleasure in an environment of moral decay.

Tonight, Chu Minghuan had been dragged to this nightclub by Vicky. She had been reluctant at first, but the performances on stage had completely captivated her.

“Minghuan, are you… are you hearing me?” Vicky had drunk a few glasses and was now tipsy, speaking with a slight lisp.

“Yes, yes, I’m listening.” In reality, she was still lost in the performance.

“I’m telling you, that man… he’s really bad! Ugh, here I am, Vicky, one of the most famous beauties in this circle, and he… he rejected me. I confessed to him, but he said I’m not his type and that he wouldn’t date me! Even though I offered everything, he hugged me, kissed me, and then pushed me away… Minghuan, tell me, isn’t he a jerk?”

“Bad… really bad.” Though she thought the man was kind of cool— it was hard to remain unaffected when in his arms.

“He’s awful! Ugh, he’s so arrogant, thinking because he’s tall, handsome, and comes from a rich family, that he can treat us women like nothing. Hmph, what a jerk!”

“Then why did you throw yourself at him, knowing how bad he is?”

“Because… because I like him! He’s really handsome, really! You, you just take one look, and you’ll be swooning too!”

With that, Vicky leaned closer to Chu Minghuan, twisting her body.

Chu Minghuan had no choice but to pat her back, as if calming a child. “You’re drunk, Vicky.”

“I’m not!”

“Drink some ice water to sober up.”

“I told you, I’m not drunk!”

“You look like this, men will be itching to flirt with you. I’m afraid you’ll attract unwanted attention!”

“Really? You mean I look pretty now? Oh hee hee~~”

Vicky was pleased, not at all thinking there was anything wrong with her cute, drunk demeanor. She lifted her hazy eyes and tossed a flirtatious glance at a man sitting across the table, who seemed quite appealing.

Seeing the man suddenly flush and gulp down a drink, Chu Minghuan could only sigh inwardly. Now she couldn’t focus on the performance anymore. She had to keep a close eye on Vicky to make sure she didn’t end up in some man’s bed by the end of the night, or else Vicky would be whining about it to her tomorrow.

“Tell me more about that bad man!” To distract Vicky from chasing after a one-night stand, Chu Minghuan quickly changed the subject.

“That guy? His name is Mo Tingfeng. I met him here at this nightclub. Shh, I’ll tell you a secret. I heard his dad used to be a gangster boss, and there are rumors that the men in his family are cursed when it comes to women…” 

“Ah-choo!”

Mo Tingfeng sneezed.

The muscular man with curly hair sitting to his left was big and solid, with an honest face. Upon hearing the sneeze, he immediately leaned in, his expression full of genuine concern. “Young Master, do you have a cold?”

Mo Tingfeng rubbed his nose, which was slightly itchy. “It’s nothing, just a little allergy.”

The muscular man sitting to his right had long hair tied into a ponytail, and was dressed in a shirt and tie, looking refined. His thick eyebrows and big eyes matched his slow and methodical speech. “Young Master, don’t forget to take your medicine.”

“It’s just a small issue, no need for medicine,” Mo Tingfeng said impatiently, yet resigned. “And stop calling me ‘Young Master’ all the time, it makes me uncomfortable.”

“Ah, it’s just a habit. I’ve been by your side since you were little, calling you that,” said the man with long hair, his brows furrowing slightly as he reminisced, looking nostalgic, as if recalling the good old days. He was a loyal follower, and he and Mo Tingfeng had a bond that went back many years.

“Well, I’m not surprised,” said the curly-haired man, enviously. “No wonder you understand the Young Master so well, Brother Yu.”

“Don’t be envious,” the man named Yu replied, shaking his head. “Although you only joined the company last year, the Old Master’s decision to assign you to the Young Master’s side shows his trust and promotion.”

“Yes, yes, Brother Yu. I’ll do my best and live up to the Old Master and Young Master’s expectations,” the curly-haired man said earnestly.

“Then pour another drink for the Young Master!” Brother Yu prompted.

“Yes, yes!” 

Mo Tingfeng rolled his eyes as he heard their conversation. He could barely contain his frustration, finding it both annoying and amusing at the same time.