Su Qianrou could tell instantly—just one glance was enough to know when a man was into her.
Truth be told, the heir of the Lin family wasn't bad. But compared to Nathaniel Fu, he was still a rung lower.
Her red lips curved upward. After all these years, she was finally going to get even with Lin Jiaojiao for all those past humiliations.
Just then, Lynn Lin noticed her and began walking over...
Back inside the bar, Celia clinked glasses with Lin Jiaojiao.
Seeing the sour look on Su Qianrou's face as she left, Celia leaned over and took Jiaojiao's arm. "Jiaojiao, thank you—for standing up for me."
Lin Jiaojiao bumped her lightly on the forehead. "Then you're paying tonight. Use Mr. Fu's card. Didn't he give it to you?"
"He did," Celia admitted, "but I didn't accept it."
She had pushed back the black card he gave her. Later, things got messy between them and she didn't know where it ended up.
"What?" Jiaojiao looked scandalized. "Are you serious, Cici? He's offering money—you should never bring feelings into it. Take the money, leave the emotions. That's how you keep things clean."
Celia nodded obediently. "Got it."
"I swear, you better go home and get that card back tonight."
"Alright."
They downed the rest of their cocktails and were just about to leave when chaos erupted inside the bar.
"Something's wrong! Someone's being attacked! Lin En's trying to force himself on Su Qianrou!"
Lin Jiaojiao's face went pale. "My brother?! What the hell is he doing?!"
"Jiaojiao, I'm coming with you."
The two of them rushed toward the crowd that had formed around one of the private lounge doors.
Inside, they saw Lynn Lin pressing Su Qianrou tightly against him. "Qianrou, I like you. Be my girlfriend."
Jiaojiao's blood boiled. She stormed forward. "Are you insane?! Let go of her!"
Su Qianrou seized the moment to push Lynn away and bolted. "Help! Someone help me!"
Lynn chased after her.
Celia reached for his wrist, trying to stop him, but he flung her off like a madman. She crashed hard into the wall with a sickening thud, a bright bruise swelling quickly on her forehead.
"Cici!" Jiaojiao caught her in her arms. "Are you okay?"
Celia winced and gave a faint smile. "I'm alright. Just a bump."
The place was descending into utter chaos.
At that moment, several more guests arrived—Nathaniel Fu, accompanied by Shaoqian Wen and a few other high-society elites.
Shaoqian took one glance and raised an eyebrow. "What's the deal with you and Celia lately?"
Nathaniel lit a cigarette, jaw tight. "She moved into the villa at Yipinlan."
"You're living together?"
"Yeah."
"Then why are you out here tonight? Don't tell me you two fought?"
Nathaniel exhaled a slow stream of smoke. His perfectly sculpted brow furrowed into a sharp crease. "She was being unreasonable. Started pressing me about Su Qianrou, asking questions, acting all jealous."
He flicked the ash into a tray. "I don't like it when she gets emotional, so I didn't bother to soothe her."
Shaoqian gave a low laugh. "You're terrified of her falling for you, aren't you?"
Nathaniel looked straight ahead. "Can I marry her?"
Shaoqian went quiet.
He understood. Their relationship had always been clear from the start. No marriage. No promises. No future. Just six months.
Nathaniel had already taken her. He didn't want to hurt her any more than he already had. Pushing her away emotionally—that was his way of protecting her.
It might've seemed heartless, but in his mind, it was better than giving her false hope.
Shaoqian swirled the wine in his glass. "Then who do you plan to marry? The one your grandmother chose? Or the one you fell for back then?"
Nathaniel didn't answer, but his glance told Shaoqian enough.
Before he could say another word, Zhou Yun came running over in a panic.
"Mr. Fu! Help! Something's happened—Lynn Lin tried to assault Qianrou!"