Second floor of the villa.
The man standing before the window possessed an exceptionally handsome face. He was tall and slender, with perfectly proportioned features.
If anyone who knew him had been present, they would have noticed that the gentle and courteous person they saw every day now wore a completely expressionless face. His eyes were calm and indifferent, as though the lively atmosphere downstairs had nothing to do with him.
Ming Jing calmly withdrew his gaze and walked over to sit on a nearby sofa.
His long legs rested casually on the floor as he lowered his eyelashes, an unreadable expression flickering through his eyes.
The Qin Family’s so-called parties always invited a mixed crowd.
People with backgrounds.
People without backgrounds.
Internet celebrities who had managed to connect with wealthy second-generation heirs.
Fake socialites desperately packaging themselves in hopes of crossing class boundaries.
Places like this had always existed for the entertainment of wealthy heirs.
He had no interest in such gatherings, yet he was forced to attend every time.
Thinking about how he would soon have to go downstairs and engage in meaningless socializing and polite pretenses with those people—especially while enduring their sticky gazes fixed upon him—made him feel irritated.
He pressed his well-shaped lips tightly together and could not help reaching into his trouser pocket.
Just as his fingertips touched a hard rectangular box, hurried knocking suddenly sounded from outside the door.
“Brother Ming Jing, are you in there?”
Tch.
Ming Jing withdrew his hand from his pocket.
“I’m here.”
Before the visitor entered, his face once again assumed its usual flawless smile.
His dark hair contrasted against his fair skin. His eyes softened with a gentle warmth. His handsome features made him look every bit the model student.
The door opened.
The newcomer had bright red hair and wore an outrageously flashy floral swimsuit.
After seeing Ming Jing’s outfit, he froze.
“Brother Ming Jing, isn’t this a pool party? Why are you dressed like that?”
Ming Jing was covered from head to toe.
Only a small section of his pale neck remained visible.
His hands hung at his sides, revealing slender wrists and elegant knuckles.
The exposed skin was so fair that it almost glowed against the black clothing.
Although he was not revealing any extra skin, that only made people want to look even more.
Mo Yao’s eyes landed on his exquisitely handsome face.
Even though he was not attracted to men, he still found himself staring blankly.
Brother Ming Jing…
He was really good-looking.
“Let’s go.”
The suddenly cold voice snapped him back to reality.
Ming Jing had already walked past him and headed toward the door.
His pace was quick.
“Wait for me!”
Mo Yao immediately hurried after him.
As he followed behind Ming Jing, he thought about his own behavior moments ago and felt his ears growing warm with embarrassment.
Naturally, he failed to notice the unpleasant expression on the person ahead.
The smile remained on Ming Jing’s lips.
His eyes, however, had unconsciously turned cold.
Once again, he resisted the urge to touch the box inside his pocket.
That look again.
How did these people dare look at him with such disgusting eyes?
As though he were some kind of object meant solely for their amusement.
After leaving the room, they immediately encountered several other people.
They recognized Ming Jing and quickly came forward to greet him.
A few of them were smoking.
Before Ming Jing could say anything, Mo Yao spoke first.
“Put those cigarettes out. Brother Ming Jing doesn’t like the smell of smoke.”
Didn’t like it?
Ming Jing could not remember ever saying such a thing.
Yet people always seemed eager to assign every stereotypical good-student trait to him.
Gentle and polite.
Prefers quiet environments.
Never gets into fights.
Never drinks alcohol.
Dislikes cigarette smoke.
“Thank you.”
He did not deny it and simply smiled warmly at them.
“Oh, sure…”
The group hurriedly extinguished their cigarettes.
After exchanging awkward glances, they greeted him again and prepared to leave.
Ming Jing smiled and bid them farewell.
Meanwhile, Mo Yao continued chatting nonstop about what was happening downstairs, sharing all sorts of gossip that Ming Jing found painfully boring.
Even so, Ming Jing maintained his smile and listened attentively.
When they reached the first floor, even more eyes turned toward him.
Some familiar.
Some unfamiliar.
Many filled with admiration.
Ming Jing knew he was handsome.
For all eighteen years of his life, looks of affection, desire, and longing had followed him constantly.
In the past, he had hated those gazes so much that he wanted to gouge out the eyes of everyone who looked at him that way.
Now, he could maintain his composure.
Several of Mo Yao’s rich second-generation friends approached.
Standing before Ming Jing, they obediently greeted him.
“Brother Ming.”
Then they dragged Mo Yao away to play.
The noisy chatter around him finally disappeared.
Ming Jing quietly exhaled.
Ignoring the subtle and passionate stares directed at him, he turned and prepared to leave.
“Jing!”
A surprised female voice called out behind him.
It was Qin Yuan.
Today’s swimsuit made her look both sexy and dazzling.
The bright red fabric highlighted her fair skin beautifully.
As she walked over, many men stared at her greedily.
But not only did she not care—
She actually enjoyed it.
Hearing her voice, Ming Jing turned around.
A hint of surprise appeared on his face.
“What a coincidence.”
Qin Yuan had not come alone.
Two female friends stood beside her.
One wore a blue bikini and had a tall figure with large wavy curls. Her name was Liang Xue’er.
The other wore an alluring swimsuit dress that emphasized both innocence and sensuality. She had a gentle temperament and was called Shu Yan.
The three shared an unbreakable friendship, though Qin Yuan clearly occupied the leading position.
Excitedly, Qin Yuan introduced her friends.
Ming Jing smiled and nodded in greeting.
At the same time, he subtly frowned.
Besides Qin Yuan’s straightforward and passionate gaze, he could clearly feel the other two secretly studying him as well.
That familiar irritation returned once more.
Just as he was about to find an excuse to leave, he suddenly heard Qin Yuan make a puzzled sound.
“Huh?”
“Wasn’t there another person in the group? Where is she?”
Liang Xue’er knew Xiao Yao.
She immediately pulled out her phone.
“You mean Xiao Yao? I’ll send her a message.”
“She’s probably not used to a place like this since it’s her first time here.”
Qin Yuan nodded indifferently.
She had only remembered Xiao Yao by chance and asked casually.
Afterward, she immediately shifted her attention back to Ming Jing.
“Jing, why are you dressed like that? Aren’t you getting into the water?”
Ming Jing shook his head.
“No.”
“Oh.”
Qin Yuan did not think much of it.
After all, Ming Jing’s cleanliness obsession was hardly a secret.
The fact that he had attended at all was already giving her face.
Not swimming was no big deal.
Besides, she did not want other women seeing Brother Ming Jing’s body.
Thinking this, Qin Yuan leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his arm, gently shaking it.
“I’m tired from playing. I want something to eat. Jing, come with me.”
The unusual sensation on his arm nearly shattered the smile on Ming Jing’s face.
He fought hard to suppress the urge to shove her away.
Instead, he calmly withdrew his arm.
“Aren’t your friends here?”
The implication was obvious:
Why ask me?
“But I want you to come with me…”
Ming Jing lowered his eyes.
His long lashes concealed the brief flash of hostility in them.
The situation made further refusal difficult.
When he looked up again, only a gentle smile remained on his face.
“Alright.”
At that exact moment, Liang Xue’er’s phone chimed.
Xiao Yao had replied.
“Xiao Yao says she’s nearby and will be here soon.”
Qin Yuan crossed her arms.
The natural arrogance of a wealthy young lady was evident on her gorgeous face.
“I heard your friend is very poor and hasn’t seen much of the world.”
“I hope she won’t act timid and awkward when she gets here.”
“I hate girls with small-minded, petty behavior the most.”
Liang Xue’er had never met Xiao Yao in person either.
They had only chatted online a few times.
In her impression, Xiao Yao spoke very little and had a rather gloomy personality.
Aside from discussing assignments and payments, she never engaged in casual conversation.
She seemed mysterious and aloof.
Liang Xue’er had always had a weakness for people like that.
That was why she had happily invited Xiao Yao into the group when Xiao Yao approached her and enthusiastically declared how much she admired Qin Yuan.
Looking at the message Xiao Yao had just sent, Liang Xue’er replied uncertainly,
“Probably not…”