Life in Hai City was vibrant, yet Gu Xingnian seldom went out.
Tonight, Sheng Weiwei practically dragged Gu Xingnian out for a night on the town.
Their first stop was a boxing gym, where the handsome guys were guaranteed to be strong, good-looking, and fresh…
The bell rang, the crowd erupted, and the match was about to begin.
“Look, look! Number Seventeen is stepping into the ring!”
As she spoke, Sheng Weiwei picked up a tissue, folded it into a heart shape in a few quick moves, pressed a bright lipstick print onto it, and handed it to a server.
“Hey, could you do me a favor and give this to Number Seventeen? Tell him it’s from the lady in Box One and to give it his all!”
The server was clearly used to such requests. He took the tissue heart and headed off.
Fighter Number Seventeen stood by the ring, warming up, his gaze as sharp as an eagle’s.
He took the tissue heart from the server, narrowed his eyes, and glanced toward Box One with a complex, inscrutable expression.
“Ding—!”
The bell rang, and the match officially began!
Number Seventeen lunged forward like a leopard, muscles bulging, fists whipping through the air with thunderous force, making everyone’s heart race.
“Beautiful! Beautiful! Hit him, hit him!” Sheng Weiwei was so excited she was practically dancing, wishing she could jump in and throw a few punches herself.
Gu Xingnian was also swept up in the electric atmosphere, her adrenaline surging. She didn’t blink, her eyes fixed intently on the fierce battle in the ring.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The dull, meaty impacts of fists landing sent shivers down everyone’s spines.
In less than three minutes, his opponent let out a pained cry, collapsed to the ground, and couldn’t get back up.
The entire venue erupted instantly—cheers and screams deafening, the atmosphere exploding with energy!
“Number Seventeen! Number Seventeen!”Sheng Weiwei led the screaming, her voice nearly giving out.”
Number Seventeen remained expressionless, his eyes cold, as if he had just done something trivial.
Next, he was pulled by the host into an exhibition match, where he dispatched his opponent just as swiftly and decisively.
Under his hands, no one could last more than three minutes, earning him roaring applause.
The entire place went wild because of Number Seventeen!
Spectators rushed to the edge of the ring, throwing money onto the platform. Bills fluttered around him like snowflakes.
“Another match! Another match!!”
Only Sheng Weiwei took a velvet towel embroidered with a kitten pattern from her bag and threw it down with force.
The towel landed right in front of Number Seventeen. He bent down, picked it up, glanced at it, then turned and walked straight off the ring, disappearing into the backstage passage.
“Ah, he accepted my gift! Hahaha!” Sheng Weiwei wore a lovesick expression, her eyes practically sparkling with excitement.
“See? That’s a real man—unbowed by money, pausing only for a sister’s affection. So manly!”
Gu Xingnian smiled helplessly. “Weiwei, with your imagination, it’s a waste of talent not writing novels.”
After the boxing match, the two moved on to a club, heading to the most luxurious night banquet.
At that moment, Fu Beichen was drinking with a group of wealthy young masters in a private room.
Fu Beichen sat upright in the main seat, gently swirling a glass of amber-hued liquid in his hand. The rich color deepened under the light, yet his gaze remained as cold and piercing as icicles in a wintry breeze, carrying an undeniable chill.
Tonight, as usual, Young Master Gu, Young Master Huo, and Young Master Ji accompanied him. The gentlemen, each with an elegant demeanor, had lovely ladies nestled beside them, creating a scene that was both warm and refined.
Only he remained aloof, untouched by the frivolity around him—cold, restrained, and noble.
As soon as Sheng Weiwei and Gu Xingnian entered, they were drawn to the lively commotion at the billiards area.
“Wow, so many people?” Sheng Weiwei curiously moved closer.
A crowd had gathered around a billiards table, watching with keen interest, occasionally erupting into applause and cheers.
A tall man in a floral shirt, holding a cue stick with effortless grace, cleared the table in two swift strokes, earning roaring applause from the onlookers.
After finishing his game, the man looked up and immediately spotted Sheng Weiwei and Gu Xingnian—two stunning beauties. His eyes lit up, and a playful smile curled at the corners of his lips as he strode toward them.
“Care to join me for a game, ladies?” The man flashed a confident, slightly provocative grin.
Sheng Weiwei gave him a once-over and curled her lip. “With your skills? Just average, I’d say.”
Hearing this, the man’s interest was piqued. “Oh? You have high standards, miss. How about we make a bet?”
“What’s the wager?” Sheng Weiwei raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
“If I win,” the man pointed to his own cheek, his smile turning suggestive, “you give me a kiss. How about that?”
Sheng Weiwei burst out laughing.
“A kiss? Dream on! If we win,” she gestured toward the nearby stage, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips, “you go up there and do a striptease! Dare to take the bet?”
“Whoa!” The crowd erupted in excitement, clapping and cheering, instantly electrifying the atmosphere.
The man was taken aback for a moment, then let out a hearty laugh.
“Interesting! It’s a deal! But who’s playing against me? You, beautiful?” His eyes shifted between Sheng Weiwei and Gu Xingnian.
Without hesitation, Sheng Weiwei pushed Gu Xingnian forward. “Of course, her! My friend here is a billiards pro. Beating an amateur like you is a piece of cake for her!”
Caught off guard, Gu Xingnian nearly stumbled, staring blankly at Sheng Weiwei. “Weiwei, you…”
Sheng Weiwei winked and made a face at her:
“Nian Nian, don’t chicken out! Do it for your sister’s benefit! Go crush him!”
Gu Xingnian was torn between laughter and exasperation, but seeing Sheng Weiwei’s excitement, she had no choice but to brace herself and step up.
How long had it been since she last touched a cue? Five years? Or six?
She was completely out of practice!
But now, with Sheng Weiwei pushing her into the spotlight and everyone’s eyes fixed on her—filled with curiosity, skepticism, and the thrill of anticipation—there was no backing out.
She was in too deep to retreat.
Gu Xingnian took a deep breath and reached for a cue stick, its surface cool to the touch.
Fine, she thought, consider it a warm-up.
The man in the floral shirt watched her slender fingers grip the cue. Her posture seemed professional enough, but a hint of disdain lingered in his eyes.
He spread his hands in a mock-gentlemanly gesture.
“Ladies first. Please.”
Gu Xingnian didn’t respond. She walked to the table, leaned forward slightly, and adjusted her breathing.
In that instant, the noise and chaos around her seemed to fade away.
Her eyes, hazy under the dim light, suddenly sharpened like a hawk’s, locking intently on the nine balls neatly arranged on the table.
Her right hand drew back steadily, then—
“Bang!”
A crisp collision echoed as the cue ball shot out like lightning, striking the cluster with precision.
The colored balls scattered in all directions.
One, two, three!
Three balls sank directly from the break!
Holy crap!