Lu Zeyan hated galas.
Fake smiles. Shiny shoes. Empty conversations about market shares and golf.
But tonight was important. His company was receiving the "Innovator of the Year" award. All eyes were on him. He wore his signature black suit, tailored to ruthless perfection.
Everything was under control.
Until she showed up.
He was mid-conversation with the Minister of Commerce when the room seemed to... shift.
Gasps. Phones clicking. Heads turning.
Then he saw her.
Xu Yinyin walked in, alone, in a silk crimson gown that draped like liquid over her body. Her hair was swept up, a few loose strands brushing her cheekbones. She wore no necklace—she didn't need one. Her entire presence screamed:
I don't belong here. And yet, you can't look away.
Zeyan nearly choked on his champagne.
She spotted him and waved—waved—like they were at a high school reunion.
He blinked. "What is she doing here?"
His assistant appeared like a ninja. "Sir, she got past security. Told them she was your 'emotional support chaos.'"
"…Excuse me?"
"She had a badge. That she made herself."
Zeyan turned away, eyes narrowed. But she was already walking toward him.
"Nice party," she said, picking a shrimp canapé from a passing tray. "Food's too fancy. Tastes like secrets."
"You're not invited."
"And yet, I look better than everyone here. Including you."
He stared at her.
She stared back, unbothered, biting her shrimp.
"You're going to get me arrested."
"Relax, Boss Zeyan," she whispered, leaning in. "I wore red for you. We match. You look like bloodlust and I look like the warning."
He didn't know whether to laugh or grab her by the wrist and drag her out.
Instead, he said, "You really wore that… here?"
"What, this old thing?" she twirled, gown catching the chandelier lights like fire. "I needed to remind the universe I'm not just chaos. I'm also art."
A man tried to ask her for a dance.
She waved him off. "I'm with my boss. He's brooding."
Zeyan glared. "I am not brooding."
She leaned toward him with a smirk. "You always brood when you're flustered."
His ears turned slightly red.
People were staring. Cameras too.
"Since you're here," he muttered, offering her his arm like it wasn't the wildest thing he'd done all year, "don't embarrass me."
She took his arm. "No promises."
As they walked through the crowd together, whispers exploded.
"Is that the CEO's girlfriend?" "Who is she?" "She looks like a walking scandal…"
But Lu Zeyan didn't stop her.
Because for once, he didn't want to.
And in the corner of the ballroom, someone took a photo that would go viral within the hour:
The Cold CEO and the Girl in Red.
And the caption?
"Is this his mystery date? Because they look like danger and desire in human form."