Always willing to help and enlighten others—this was the one true hobby of Song Yunxiao.
As the owner of Nightfall Paradise, she often personally assessed the background of her guests. Of course, not everyone had the fortune or required her to put in such time and effort.
Ace, the man who had been with her for two years, was good at helping her train the newcomers occasionally. The surprise came when, among the people he brought in, there were always one or two that made her feel... as if she'd struck gold.
Looking at the man she picked up on the roadside, Song Yunxiao sighed once more at her own good judgment.
In the throes of passion, Ace abandoned the boundary he was supposed to uphold and yearned for her answer,"Xiaoxiao, do you love me?"
"Love? Love you to death."
Song Yunxiao's face remained calm, her answer devoid of any hesitation.
Love?
In Song Yunxiao's eyes, sleeping with someone equated to loving them. Was there much of a distinction?
The man, trapped in desire, continued to press,"Then Xiaoxiao, can you only love me?"
That was impossible.
Song Yunxiao had even less hesitation about that.
Main courses might be frequent, but changing side dishes every meal made life more interesting. Life was about enjoying these small pleasures. Plus, in a dazzling world filled with temptation, when handsome men willingly appeared in front of her, what could she do but accept?
Of course, when such a request came directly from a good-looking guy, she couldn't outright reject him, making him feel embarrassed and upset.
So, right after he finished speaking, Ace saw Song Yunxiao lean toward him. She gifted him a kiss, her enchanting smile capturing his heart as she said,"That depends on how sincere you are."
...
Late autumn in October, the cool wind gently swept past.
In front of Nightfall Paradise, a dark-colored Bugatti was parked at the entrance.
Standing nearby was Shen Jiaquan, who had come to pick someone up.
Dressed in a black and gray casual suit, his tall and upright figure looked imposing. His stern face occasionally glanced at the ticking time and the empty messages on his phone.
Unable to spot the person he wanted to see, Shen Jiaquan stopped looking at the entrance of Nightfall and turned his attention elsewhere.
Nightfall Paradise was strategically located—a central spot, yet discreet enough to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. It was known to those who needed to know.
During the day, the surrounding skyscrapers were bustling with people and transactions worth enormous sums of money. At nightfall, luxury cars vied to take to the streets, the city's vibrancy unending.
Celis City—the eternal playground for the rich, drenched in indulgence and decadence.
"Honey!"
Suddenly, there was a soft collision against Shen Jiaquan's back, followed by a pair of delicate hands wrapping around his waist. The man instinctively turned around, his large hands moving to stroke the woman's waist in return.
"Have you been waiting long?" Song Yunxiao clung to Shen Jiaquan, looking up at him.
Shen Jiaquan pressed lightly at her waist, making her laugh,"Just arrived."
Song Yunxiao's face was beautiful at first glance—pure and lovely. But upon closer examination, her slightly upturned eyes and her smile had the slyness of a little fox.
Shen Jiaquan silently took in her radiant expression: troublemaker.
After a three-day business trip, the first thing he realized upon arriving home that evening was her absence.
It felt like the saying: If you don't"discipline" for a day, the roof might blow off.
Upon asking the servants, he found out she had been out for quite a while.
In a hurry, Shen Jiaquan had thrown on a jacket, ready to chase after her.
Perhaps, fate might even let them be on the same flight.
Regardless of how much earlier it was than planned, today wasn't out of the question.
But after a phone call, he discovered she wasn't at the airport. Instead, she had gone to Nightfall Paradise.
Frustration brewed within Shen Jiaquan. As a married woman, she should avoid such places—they seriously impacted his domestic bliss.
Outside Nightfall, the cool breeze blew gently.
Shen Jiaquan could still hear the words of the servant echoing in his mind:[Madam said she was flying to the capital of Gongzhou Province and wouldn't be back for a few days.]
[She left in such a hurry, with little luggage.]
Thinking of this, he tightened his grip on the woman's waist, causing her to involuntarily pull away and take his hand, leading him outside.
"It's late. Let's head home early!" Song Yunxiao suggested.
"Okay."
The man's expression stirred but he said no more.
At night, the Bugatti sped through the city's roads.
While Shen Jiaquan gripped the steering wheel, he glanced at the rearview mirror. His eyes caught the image of Song Yunxiao quietly eating a lollipop, typing messages on her phone.
"What happened at Nightfall? Is Song Yunze not around?"
Why else would Song Yunxiao have to return midway?
It was his own club, and yet every couple of days, Song Yunze had to send her this way and that.
Shen Jiaquan greatly disapproved of Song Yunze's irresponsibility.
Song Yunxiao took the lollipop out of her mouth, elongating her voice,"My brother…"
She blinked her round eyes, her long lashes fluttering as she casually continued,"He hasn't been around for a while."
"He left last week without saying anything to anyone. I only just found out."
The lollipop was back in Song Yunxiao's mouth.
Grape-flavored; it tasted amazing.
She still remembered that milk-flavored one from last time—absolutely terrible.
Never again would she be fooled by good packaging. Milk-flavored snacks were just bad, period.
Shen Jiaquan increased the car's speed, focusing intently on the road."So, you didn't wait for me?"
Every October in past years, Shen Jiaquan would specifically accompany Song Yunxiao on a trip to Gongzhou Province to pay respects to her mother buried abroad.
Three years, three times—Shen Jiaquan felt that a pattern of understanding had begun to form.