“Splash—”
The sound of water abruptly ceased.
Inside the steamy bathroom, beneath the showerhead stood a man with broad shoulders, narrow hips, and a long, slender waist. The faint outline of his alluring Adonis belt trailed downward…
Water droplets rolled from the mysterious black tattoo on his collarbone, down his slightly defined honey-toned chest muscles, and dripped onto the floor.
The man reached for the white towel on the nearby rack, casually wrapping it around his waist. He combed his damp black hair back with his fingers.
Stepping out of the mist-filled bathroom in slippers.
Without the haze of steam blurring his features, the man’s chiseled face became clear—narrow, refined eyes, an exquisite bone structure and nose, and slightly pursed lips. The sheer “X appeal” he exuded with every movement was simply breathtaking!
“Sir, the car is waiting downstairs,” assistant Zhou Yue said as he pushed the door open.
“Mm, what about the black suit I asked you to prepare?”
Zhou Yue replied, “It’s already been ironed and is hanging in the wardrobe.”
Gu Ye nodded at him and sauntered lazily toward the bar. His slender, well-defined fingers picked up a glass as he poured himself a drink.
There was a brand event tonight hosted by a friend of his, and he felt obliged to attend.
The moonlight gradually climbed the treetops as the city lights began to glow.
At that moment, a massive, luxurious cruise ship sailed along the Bund under the night sky. It was brilliantly lit, adorned with dazzling flowers and glamorous figures, a gathering of celebrities and elites.
Handsome men and beautiful women, holding crystal glasses, mingled in small groups, exchanging greetings and conversation. Their shifting gazes created a dizzying spectacle…
Rong Yi wore a red velvet strapless mermaid gown, her jet-black wavy hair cascading casually over her fair shoulders.
A ruby necklace adorned her elegant swan-like neck, while the full, fair softness of her chest was tightly restrained, seemingly struggling to escape the confines of the gown.
The mermaid dress clung tightly to her suggestive figure, accentuating her striking waist-to-hip ratio. Even from behind, she was a vision that could drive any man wild.
Rong Yi stood idly on the deck, letting the gentle breeze brush against her cheeks. Her crimson-nailed hand lightly swirled the glass in her grasp.
Her captivating fox-like eyes narrowed slightly. Despite the delicate makeup masking her face, a hint of weariness was still visible in her gaze.
This was already the seventh event she had attended this month. Even a donkey wouldn’t be worked this hard—she was utterly exhausted.
Next month, she was determined to start her vacation properly. No one would make her work again!
“Miss Rong.”
Rong Yi was lost in thought, gazing into the distance, when she suddenly heard someone call her from behind. Her heart skipped a beat, though her expression remained unchanged.
Turning around, she instantly flashed a professional smile. “Mr. Zhao.”
The man addressed as “Mr. Zhao” was the CEO of a listed company—a typical “middle-aged, greasy man.” Relying on his wealth, he had recently been trying to invite Rong Yi to dinner under the guise of discussing collaborations, only to be rejected each time with various excuses.
Remembering his slick, oily face, Rong Yi felt nothing but disgust!
She hadn’t expected to run into him again today. Truly, “enemies are bound to cross paths”…
Zhao Da’s beady eyes, no larger than beans, gleamed with a predatory light as he scrutinized the utterly enchanting Rong Yi before him.
His gaze, as if appraising merchandise, made Rong Yi feel deeply repulsed. If not for the inappropriate setting, she would have made him “end his lineage” right then and there!
Rong Yi curled the corner of her lips slightly. “What can I do for you, Mr. Zhao?”
Zhao Da patted his beer belly and spoke with feigned seriousness, “Miss Rong, have you considered the collaboration we discussed last time? Our Dali Group doesn’t just hire any model to shoot promotional videos…”
The implication was clear: inviting Rong Yi to shoot the promotional video was an honor for her. Otherwise, why would they hire a model for their company’s promotional material?
To be honest, Rong Yi truly looked down on their company. No matter what, she was an internationally renowned supermodel. The brands that hired her for advertisements were, at the very least, well-known names. As for his newly listed, mediocre company—she couldn’t care less.
Rong Yi forced a smile and said, “Mr. Zhao, you flatter me. My schedule is quite packed lately. Let’s discuss the promotional video another time when there’s an opportunity.”
Zhao Da understood that Rong Yi was clearly rejecting him. Having been turned down repeatedly, his temper began to flare.
“Miss Rong, don’t be ungrateful!” How dare a mere model act so arrogantly toward him?
Rong Yi’s delicate fox-like eyes narrowed with annoyance. Did she give him too much face?
Her original intention was not to escalate the situation, but this Zhao Da seemed to have a few screws loose. There was nothing she could do about it…
Rong Yi’s fingers tightened imperceptibly around her wine glass. Just as she was about to splash the idiot in front of her, she caught sight of someone approaching from behind Zhao Da out of the corner of her eye, and her grip loosened slightly.
A lazy voice rang out, “Mr. Zhao.”
Zhao Da turned around impatiently, wondering who had the audacity to ruin his plans!
At the sight of the newcomer, Zhao Da’s previously arrogant demeanor instantly vanished.
“Young… Young Master Yu, what brings you out here…” he said with a flattering smile.
The newcomer had an exceptional posture and an otherworldly appearance, dressed in a custom-made white suit that exuded the noble aura of a prince from a bygone era.
Shangguan Yu sneered, “If I hadn’t come out, how would I have witnessed such a majestic display from Mr. Zhao?”
These words from Shangguan Yu sent cold sweat trickling down Zhao Da’s back.
Zhao Da’s company was nothing compared to the Shangguan Group. The person before him was none other than the second son of the Shangguan Group, Shangguan Yu.
The brand event being held on the cruise ship tonight was organized by the Shangguan Group. Their jewelry brand, ‘Fanji,’ was a luxury jewelry brand in collaboration with France. Tonight’s event was to showcase the upcoming ruby series for the next season.
Offending the young master would undoubtedly lead to dire consequences.
Zhao Da’s face was plastered with a smile as he said, “Young Master Yu, you jest, hahaha…”
Shangguan Yu ignored Zhao Da and walked straight toward Rong Yi.
“Why have you been out here so long? The showcase inside is about to begin.”
From his tone, it was clear that he and Rong Yi were quite familiar.
“I came out for some fresh air. Sorry to trouble you, Young Master Yu, for coming to find me.”
Shangguan Yu smiled. “No trouble at all for you. Come on, let’s head inside.”
Rong Yi curved her lips into a smile, not sparing Zhao Da a single glance, and walked in with a cat-like stride.
Watching Shangguan Yu and Rong Yi enter the cruise ship, Zhao Da’s plump hands trembled so much he could barely hold his wine glass steady.
Swallowing hard, Zhao Da thought with lingering fear that it was fortunate he hadn’t been foolish enough to do anything to Rong Yi earlier.
But… how did the second son of the Shangguan family seem so close to Rong Yi?
How did a model like Rong Yi get to know someone of such stature?
Zhao Da couldn’t help but let his thoughts wander again. With Rong Yi’s beauty, he reckoned the Second Young Master of the Shangguan family must have been captivated by her looks too—no different from himself.
Thinking this, Zhao Da even felt a bit smug. So he did have something in common with those aristocratic young masters after all…