Su Lingyan didn't withdraw her hand immediately.
Her grip was firm, warm, her fingers lingering around Kai's for just a second longer than necessary. Up close, she was even more striking—sharp features softened by a faint flush on her cheeks, dark eyes gleaming under the casino lights. The black dress she wore hugged her figure effortlessly, the fabric tracing the curve of her waist and hips as if it had been designed for no one else. The neckline dipped modestly, but the rise and fall of her chest drew the eye all the same.
She smelled faintly of wine and something floral beneath it.
"Care to sit?" she asked, nodding toward the quieter lounge beside the tables.
Kai hesitated for only a moment before following her. The noise of the casino faded into a dull hum as they took their seats, a small round table separating them.
Su Lingyan studied him openly now. "You're not on our list," she said casually. "High-stakes regulars. I know most of them."
Kai met her gaze without flinching. "Then I suppose tonight was my introduction."
A corner of her lips curved upward. "You don't gamble like someone new."
"And you don't watch like someone curious," Kai replied calmly.
That earned him a brief pause. Then she laughed softly, lifting her glass and taking a slow sip. "Fair enough."
She leaned back, crossing her legs. The movement pulled the fabric of her dress tight for a moment before settling again. Alcohol had dulled some of her usual sharpness; there was warmth in her eyes now, a looseness in her posture.
"I watched the entire table," she said. "Everyone else chased the pot. You chased control."
Kai didn't answer immediately.
Then, evenly, "If you're trying to figure out whether I cheated—don't bother. I didn't."
Her gaze sharpened. "And if I'm trying to understand how?"
"I don't explain things that work," he said.
Silence fell between them.
Not awkward. Not tense.
Interesting.
Su Lingyan tilted her head, clearly reassessing him. "You're confident."
"No," Kai corrected. "I'm careful."
Another sip. Her glass was nearly empty now.
"Xu Zhenyu doesn't lose gracefully," she said quietly, glancing toward the poker floor. "You embarrassed him tonight."
"I didn't play him," Kai replied. "He played himself."
Her smile this time was genuine.
A soft chime echoed in Kai's mind.
[Mission Complete: High-Stakes Gambler] [Reward Issued] [Ultra-Rare Vehicle Acquired: Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+] [Skill Unlocked: Master-Level Driving]
Kai felt a slight weight in his pocket.
Keys.
Outside, in the VIP parking area, an engine existed that could tear the night apart.
Su Lingyan set her glass down a little too hard. "I lost money tonight," she admitted, her voice lower now. "More than I should have."
"How much?" Kai asked.
She scoffed. "A few million."
Embarrassment flickered across her face before she masked it with a crooked smile. "Looks like I should be the one asking for lessons."
"Careful," Kai said. "I charge a lot."
She laughed—and then swayed.
The next moment, she stumbled forward.
Kai reacted instinctively, catching her around the waist. His hand slipped, landing somewhere it shouldn't have for a brief, unmistakable second.
They both froze.
Her breath hitched. Color rushed to her cheeks.
Kai immediately released her. "You okay?"
She straightened, smoothing her dress, avoiding his eyes. "I'm fine. Just… had too much to drink."
She took one step.
Almost fell again.
Kai caught her properly this time, firm but controlled. "Let me take you home."
"No," she said quickly. Then, quieter, "…I don't like being seen like this."
She tried again. Failed again.
"…Fine," she muttered. "Just this once."
They headed toward the exit together.
The moment the doors opened, murmurs rippled through the crowd.
The city slid past the windows in streaks of gold and white.
Su Lingyan leaned back in the passenger seat, heels kicked off, one leg crossed lazily over the other. The alcohol had loosened her posture, softened the sharp control she usually carried. She glanced at Kai, eyes lingering longer than necessary.
"You drive like you've done this forever," she said, voice slightly slurred but amused.
Kai kept his eyes on the road. "I learn fast."
She laughed quietly, turning her head toward him. "That's obvious."Then, after a beat, "You didn't even look when everyone was staring."
"I don't like noise," Kai replied.
Her fingers brushed his arm lightly, almost accidentally. Almost."Funny," she murmured. "Most men would've enjoyed it."
Kai finally glanced at her. Just once.
"And most men," he said calmly, "wouldn't be sitting here."
That shut her up for a moment.
She swallowed, then smiled—slow, dangerous. "You're very confident for someone who won tonight."
"I was confident before tonight."
Her gaze dropped briefly, then returned to his face. The space between them felt smaller than it should have.
They pulled into the underground parking of a high-end residential building. The car came to a smooth stop, engine quieting like a beast going to sleep.
Kai stepped out first and walked around to her side, opening the door.
She looked up at him, eyes unfocused but warm. "Such a gentleman," she teased.
"Such a liability," he replied, offering his hand.
She took it.
The moment she stood, she swayed again. Kai caught her easily, one arm around her waist. This time, she didn't pull away. Instead, she rested against him for a second longer than necessary, her forehead almost brushing his chest.
"…You smell nice," she muttered.
Kai raised an eyebrow. "You're drunk."
"Unfortunately," she said. "Which means I'm honest."
They rode the elevator up in silence. Not awkward—heavy. Charged. Her shoulder brushed his. Her fingers curled into his sleeve as the lift rose.
When the doors opened, she led him down the hallway, keys fumbled once, then twice, before Kai gently took them and unlocked the door.
Inside, the apartment was dim and immaculate. Floor-to-ceiling windows. Soft lighting. A space that felt lived in but lonely.
She kicked the door shut behind them and leaned against it, watching him.
"You're not what I expected," she said quietly.
Kai slipped his hands into his pockets. "Neither are you."
She smiled, then pushed herself off the door and walked toward the bedroom, heels clicking unevenly on the floor. Halfway there, she turned back, eyes bright, cheeks flushed.
"You know," she said lightly, "you could've left me downstairs."
"I offered," Kai replied.
"And yet," she said, stepping closer, tilting her head up to look at him, "you're still here."