Sweet But Jealous

Chapter 3: Collision Course (3)

Qu Yan entered the Nightfall Lounge smoothly. Her companion, Li Han, was clearly smitten, eagerly pulling her towards a private booth. "Come on, let's have some fun."

Qu Yan noted the number: VIP888. According to her Multiverse Agency intel, this was Fu Tingchuan's regular haunt.

She followed Li Han inside, scanning the spacious suite. Sure enough, near the balcony, she spotted Fu Tingchuan. He was deep in conversation with a girl dressed as a server.

Qu Yan watched for a moment, then crooked a finger at another server circulating the room. "The girl on the balcony, what's her name?"

"Miss, that's Bai Jianing," the server replied politely.

"Oh..." Qu Yan's lips curved. "Her."

Qu Yan plucked a glass of red wine from a passing tray, taking a leisurely sip as she leaned against a wall, observing the pair on the balcony. Bai Jianing was attractive – pale, petite, radiating fragility, the type easily evoking male protectiveness. According to the data, Bai Jianing was a junior in college, impoverished, forced to work while studying to cover living expenses and her mother's medical bills. She'd only been at Nightfall for three months, quickly catching Fu Tingchuan's eye.

Bai Jianing excelled at playing the victim. When pressured to drink by clients, she'd shrink timidly towards Fu Tingchuan. Fu Tingchuan, harboring a childhood hero complex, was precisely the mark for such tactics.

"Pretty girl, hiding here drinking alone isn't fun." Li Han, her playboy escort, sidled up. "Come join us for a drink."

"Alright." Qu Yan agreed readily.

The booth was vast, a multi-room suite. In the main lounge area, a boisterous group of men and women clustered around sofas and the bar, drinking and flirting.

As Qu Yan followed Li Han over, the other men noticed the fresh face, interest immediately piqued.

"Hey, new girl! Come, have a drink with us first!" One man sloshed wine into a glass for her.

"Okay." Without hesitation, Qu Yan lifted the glass and drained it.

The men roared with laughter, clapping. "Good sport! Now you gotta toast everyone!"

The setup was blatant: get her drunk.

Qu Yan neither refused nor agreed. Her gaze drifted past them, landing on the balcony. Fu Tingchuan had noticed the commotion. His eyes locked with hers across the room.

Qu Yan smiled, raising her glass in a deliberate, challenging toast.

Her purpose tonight was simple: gift her dear "husband" some very visible horns.

Qu Yan had only downed two or three more glasses when Fu Tingchuan lost patience. He strode in from the balcony, brow furrowed, and without a word, seized her wrist, yanking her forcefully from the group of men.