M City, March
Xu Nian took a deep breath, raising her head to look at the intricately designed sign – the ‘Twilight Club’, a place of high-end consumption and a paradise for the rich.
Today was her birthday and her good friend, Ding Xiaoyuan, had booked a box here for her celebration.
As she stepped into the ‘Twilight’, a waiter led her to the designated box.
In a dim corner, Gong Che gave off a noble and frigid aura; his features were as if carefully carved, extremely cold yet exceptionally beautiful. His well-built body languidly relaxed on the leather sofa, gently swirling his glass. The amber liquid within shimmered with a strange and dangerous gleam under the dim light.
His eyes, as dark as ink, swept indifferently over the various men and women present.
Suddenly, a graceful and elegant figure entered his field of view. Gong Che's body tensed, but before he could react, his line of sight was blocked.
With a sudden push, he stood up from the waiter who was pouring wine for him.
His hawk-like eyes scanned the surroundings only to find the captivating figure vanished like a mirage, leaving no trace.
“Sir…Sir?” The waiter, thinking he offended the customer, called out in panic.
Gong Che dismissed him with a wave of his hand, a hint of unnoticed loneliness flashed in his eyes, then he sat down again.
He mockingly thought it was probably a hallucination, or perhaps he was drunk.
How could that person possibly appear in such a place?
It had been four years.
He had been searching for her for four years.
...
Xu Nian followed the waiter to the private room. As the door opened, in addition to Ding Xiaoyuan and her friends, there was a tall and handsome man sitting on the couch: Yuan Rui, her father's adopted son.
How come he's here too?
"Happy birthday! Nian Nian," Yuan Rui said, standing with a charming smile, carrying a large bouquet of beautifully wrapped roses towards her.
"Erm…thank you…" Xu Nian stiffly stood in place, instinctively brushing her ear-length hair to hide her embarrassment.
Whether to accept the flowers or not was a dilemma.
Seeing her hesitation, Yuan Rui forcefully shoved the roses into her arms and then directed her to sit down.
"Nian Nian, I must say, Mr. Yuan has really put so much thought into this. This room, this party, all his ideas, all intended to surprise you. So romantic," Ding Xiaoyuan said, envy palpable as she poured champagne.
A flash of surprise crossed Xu Nian’s eyes but quickly composed herself.
How did Ding Xiaoyuan manage to book such an expensive venue for her birthday? So, it was him…
"Nian Nian doesn’t drink," Yuan Rui intervened, blocking Ding Xiaoyuan's pouring gesture, then opened a can of juice for Xu Nian.
“My, Mr. Yuan is so protective of Nian Nian already, imagine being the strict husband after marriage,” Ding Xiaoyuan winked at them ambiguously, “Since Nian Nian can’t drink, let Mr. Yuan drink on her behalf.”
"We are not…" Xu Nian started to clarify their relationship but was interrupted by Yuan Rui.
"Fine. I will drink three cups for her then," Yuan Rui chuckled, taking the glass and raising a toast to Xu Nian, "Nian Nian, happy 25th birthday. I hope each day brings you happiness, and that you grow more beautiful every day."
"Thank you!" Xu Nian raised her drink to clink his glass.
Soon after, the waiter rolled in a lavish three-tiered cake. Yuan Rui dimmed the lights in the room, lit the candles on the cake, and began to sing the birthday song.
Xu Nian blew out the candles and made her wish. When Yuan Rui turned the lights back on, she found that Ding Xiaoyuan and the others had disappeared, leaving only her and Yuan Rui in the room.
Feeling the atmosphere suddenly turn eerie and dangerous, there was a sinking feeling in Xu Nian's heart. She asked Yuan Rui with a somewhat hurried tone, "Where did Xiaoyuan and the others go?"