7:00 p.m., Ginza Zen Club
The Ginza Zen Club stood quietly against the Tokyo night, its exterior wrapped in sleek, dark glass panels that reflected the city's glow. The entrance was discreet, almost hidden, marked only by a gold-plated sign that read: Members Only.
As Yi Han's car pulled to a stop, two doormen stepped forward in unison, opening the door with practiced precision.
"Arigatō gozaimasu," Yi Han said politely as she stepped out.
She was dressed in a halter-neck dress beneath a long black coat, her hair styled in a neat half-updo. Compared to some of the women entering the club—draped in silk and bold cuts that revealed generous skin—Yi Han's appearance was restrained and professional. She hadn't come to be noticed. She had come for business.
The cold evening air brushed against her skin, and she instinctively drew her coat closer.
"Good evening, Madam," one of the doormen said with courteous formality. "May I have your name?"
"Liu Yi Han," she replied after a brief pause. "I'm here to meet Mr Feng Yan. I understand he's engaged at the moment, but I can wait for him here."
Her tone was steady, though her fingers tightened slightly around the edge of her coat as the wind swept past.
The doorman's expression remained polite—but unreadable
"Ms Liu, this way to the lounge please, Mr Chen-xi has arranged for you to wait here." The man ushers Yi Han into the club with her following behind. The walkway revealed an intimate interior of the club featuring minimalist yet posh design and dimmed ambient lighting, Yi Han's effortless appearance exudes femininity and elegance, and caught the attention of a couple businessmen as she sat down in the lounge with her legs crossed. The atmosphere got her a little intimidated with everyone dressed in luxury brands and soft contemporary music in the background.
"May i get you something to drink?" a service staff asked, while extending the alcohol menu to Yi Han. "a glass of gin and tonic please, thank you." she answered, as she adjusts herself fit into the environment without being too awkward.
"Sir, Ms Yi Han just arrived, she'll be waiting in the lounge." Chen-xi updated Feng Yan, who's in another private cabin with some of his business partners. Feng Yan nodded coldly, taking a quick glance at his wristwatch and continued clinking his whisky glasses with the others.
Few hours have passed, it's already 11pm. The club seems to be getting louder, people started talking a little louder than usual, the music starts to change to a little more upbeat. Yi Han had already downed 3 glasses of gin and tonic unknowingly. Her mind seems to be a little woozy, she stopped drinking knowing that she still needs to speak to Feng Yan.
----
Upon leaving the restroom, Yi Han was suddenly stopped by a young Japanese man dressed in a tailored suit—someone who clearly looked like a high roller of the club.
"May I have the honor of a drink with you, Miss?" he asked with a confident smile, holding two glasses of whisky and offering one to her.
"I'm sorry, I'm waiting for someone," Yi Han replied politely, her tone firm as she declined.
The man blinked, clearly unaccustomed to rejection. As Yi Han turned to leave, he reached out and caught her wrist.
"You look quite familiar," he said, surprise flickering across his face, quickly replaced by intrigue. "Have we met somewhere before?"
Yi Han frowned, irritation flashing in her eyes. "I've already told you—I'm waiting for someone. Please let go of my hand."
The lingering scent of alcohol made her head spin slightly, and her patience wore thin.
Just outside the private cabin, Feng Yan sat quietly on a velvet couch, dressed in a dark suit layered over a warm turtleneck sweater. His posture was relaxed, but his gaze was sharp as he observed the scene unfolding through the glass panel.
His brows furrowed.
With a measured motion, he adjusted the glasses on the bridge of his nose, set his whisky glass down, and rose to his feet.
The door opened.
"Yi Han—are you waiting for me?"
Feng Yan's voice cut in calmly as he stepped forward, positioning himself between Yi Han and the Japanese man. Without hesitation, he reached out and gently took Yi Han's hand, their fingers intertwining with the familiarity of a couple.
His gaze flicked up—cold, sharp, almost like a warning.
The man stiffened. One look at Feng Yan was enough. He released Yi Han at once and retreated a step, feigning indifference.
As he turned away, however, he discreetly slipped out his phone and snapped a photo of the two of them hand in hand.
"This woman…" he muttered under his breath, eyes narrowing as recognition dawned. "She is…"
—
"Mr Feng…?" Yi Han looked up at him, surprise quickly giving way to hope. "Has your meeting ended? Does that mean we can talk now?"
"Soon," Feng Yan replied, his tone noticeably gentler—perhaps softened by the alcohol. "I'm wrapping things up. Come with me."
Yi Han nodded and followed without hesitation, still holding onto his hand. The warmth of his palm sent her heart skipping a beat.
He always appears at the right moment…It's like heaven sent
A strange, comforting warmth settled in her chest.
Feng Yan led her into the VIP room where he had been earlier. Without thinking, Yi Han took the seat beside him, their shoulders nearly touching.
"Oh, there you are!" a voice called out cheerfully.
Mr Arashi—Feng Yan's business partner—leaned back against the sofa, his face flushed, the table before him lined with exquisite bottles of whisky.
"I didn't know you brought a companion with you," he added with a drunken grin.
"Konnichiwa. It's a pleasure to meet you," Yi Han said, bowing slightly in a respectful gesture. "I'm Liu Yi Han."
Mr Arashi let out a hearty laugh, clearly in high spirits. "Feng Yan, don't even think about leaving with your girlfriend if you haven't finished your drink!" He raised another glass brimming with whisky and pushed it toward Feng Yan.
Yi Han glanced at the glass, then at Feng Yan. Gathering her resolve, she smiled softly.
"How about this, Mr Feng," she said gently. "I'll drink this on your behalf as an apology for the postponement—and in return, you'll make time to attend my show. Deal?"
Her eyes—bright, hopeful, almost luminous under the dim lights—caught Feng Yan's attention instantly.
Before he could respond, Yi Han took the glass from Mr Arashi and downed the whisky in one smooth motion, her movements graceful despite the burn in her throat.
Feng Yan watched her closely, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
She really is something else…
After a few glasses, Yi Han's steps grew lighter, her head beginning to spin. Sensing it immediately, Feng Yan reached out and stopped her hand before she could take another drink.
"That's enough," he said quietly.
Without hesitation, he took the remaining shots himself. Unlike Yi Han, Feng Yan showed no sign of strain—his tolerance was clearly far higher. One glass after another, he finished the whisky with composed ease.
Mr Arashi burst into laughter, clearly impressed. "Feng Yan, I'm full of envy! Your girlfriend is an incredible drinker. She's one of the very few women I've met who can hold her liquor so well!"
Feng Yan didn't correct him.
Instead, his gaze shifted to Yi Han, steady and thoughtful, as if reassessing her all over again.
---------
An hour later, the room had cleared. One by one, the guests stumbled out, faces flushed and voices loud, leaving only Feng Yan and Yi Han behind in the softly lit VIP room.
Yi Han straightened slightly, gathering her composure.
"So… um, Mr Feng," she began, a faint but hopeful smile curving her lips, "you will attend the filming, right? I've already brought the crew to Japan. I only need two hours of your time—nothing more, I promise."
She slid a slim folder across the table toward him.
"The documents, script, and show outline are all in here. I've also sent you a soft copy, in case that's more convenient. The segment will focus mainly on Feng Capital's global expansion."
Feng Yan skimmed the file briefly, then nodded.
"Mhm. Chen-xi will make the arrangements."
Relief washed over Yi Han's face. The effort she had poured into this—flying across countries, waiting for hours, navigating uncertainty—had finally paid off.
"Thank you!" she exclaimed, beaming. "I'm going to hold you to your word, Mr Feng."
"Yes." Feng Yan rose to his feet. "Come. I'll send you back." A brow lifted slightly as he added, "I hope you remember where you're staying this time."
Yi Han froze for a split second before realizing what he was referring to. Her ears warmed in embarrassment.
"I—I can call a taxi myself," she said quickly. "I don't want to hold you up."
"It's difficult to get a taxi from here," Feng Yan replied evenly. "And it's on the way."
His tone left little room for refusal.
Yi Han hesitated, then nodded. "Alright… thank you."
She stood and followed him out, still faintly flustered, unaware that the night—and their entanglement—was far from over.
------
Shortly after, Chen-xi arrived at the entrance. He paused briefly upon seeing Yi Han—once again slightly tipsy—leaving alongside his boss. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, but he remained silent.
The doormen stepped forward and held the car door open.
Yi Han slipped inside, Feng Yan following close behind.
"Ms Liu, may I know which hotel you're staying at?" Chen-xi asked as he started the engine and brought up the GPS.
"Oh… Higashi Hotel," Yi Han replied softly. "Thank you, Mr Chen-xi."
Her tone was polite, almost shy.
The car door closed, and the vehicle pulled away smoothly into the Tokyo night.
--
Unseen from the shadows across the street, the Japanese man from earlier lifted his phone once more. The screen captured Yi Han stepping into Feng Yan's car—close, familiar, unmistakable.
Click.
Without hesitation, he tapped send.
The message disappeared into the night, carrying with it consequences no one inside the car could yet imagine.