At eight in the evening, the city outside was ablaze with lights, while Su Zhaotang had just arrived at Nightfall in her pink, limited-edition Mercedes-Benz.
Nightfall was the most upscale bar and entertainment venue in the capital, lavishly decorated to the point of overwhelming extravagance. Entry required a membership card, obtainable only with a monthly spending threshold of over 500,000 yuan. As such, its primary clientele consisted of wealthy young heirs, socialites, and high-level executives from various industries.
Su Zhaotang had just stepped out of her car, handing the keys to the valet standing at the entrance to have it parked. As she walked in, she texted Zhao Xi.
The hem of her qipao dress swayed gently, ending mid-calf to reveal a slender, jade-like ankle. She wore a pair of C-brand’s latest black stilettos, her slender waist and graceful curves swaying with each step. Paired with a face that seemed kissed by angels, anyone who saw her couldn’t help but marvel at such a rare beauty.
Inside the hall, the lively atmosphere pulsed with vibrant lights and exhilarating music that stirred the soul.
Su Zhaotang made her way to the private room Zhao Xi had sent her. Pushing the door open, she finally shut out the bustling noise from outside, and the conversations inside paused as everyone turned to look.
Zhao Xi was the first to react, rushing over excitedly to wrap her in a tight hug, exclaiming, “Ahhh, Zhaozhao, you’re finally back! If you hadn’t returned, I’d have been left all alone, and my life would’ve been as dull as stagnant water!”
Su Zhaotang couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s dramatic outburst. She gently pried Zhao Xi’s arms away, picked up the limited-edition handbag beside her, and playfully tapped Zhao Xi with it. “You have the nerve to say that! You never once came to visit me abroad all this time—just video-called me every day saying you missed me. Seems to me you were having plenty of fun here with all your girlfriends!”
With a feigned pout and a coquettish glare that was impossible to resist, Su Zhaotang pretended to be displeased.
“Alright, alright, you’re back now. You’ll be staying in the country from now on, right, my dear designer?” Zhao Xi asked.
Su Zhaotang nodded in perfect agreement. “Yes, I’m not leaving again. I’ll be staying here.”
With that, Zhao Xi pulled her over to sit on the sofa in the private room.
Su Zhaotang picked up the glass of rainbow-colored soda left for her on the table. Its icy chill and vibrant hues made it look almost like a work of art, almost too beautiful to drink. She took a small sip, savoring the cool, sweet sensation as it slid down her throat.
Glancing around, she saw several other women seated nearby, many of whom were close friends from high school. They all seemed exceptionally excited about her return, eagerly pulling her into reminiscences of their school days.
Though it appeared to be a simple reunion, the conversation was subtly laced with mentions of family businesses and interests. After all, in this circle, conversations were rarely purely innocent.
Su Zhaotang listened with a smile, skillfully deflecting and responding with tactful ambiguity. The atmosphere remained harmonious as everyone exchanged pleasantries—in this world, no one slaps a smiling face.
When the time felt right, Su Zhaotang caught Zhao Xi’s eye with a meaningful glance. Zhao Xi immediately took the cue. “Alright, I need to use the restroom. Zhaozhao, come with me!”
She then pulled Su Zhaotang out of the private room.
As soon as they stepped outside, Su Zhaotang leaned back against the wall, her entire body seeming to relax at once.
Her beautiful eyes narrowed sharply.
“Zhao Xiaoxi, you little rascal, the moment you come back you give me work to do. Playing dumb with them is exhausting, you know?”
“Hey hey, my bad, darling. They heard you were back and insisted I bring them along. I couldn’t refuse!”
Zhao Xi held her hand, swaying it back and forth as she pleaded for forgiveness.
“Alright, I’m heading to the restroom now. You go ahead and keep them company.”
With that, Su Zhaotang slung her small bag over her shoulder and leisurely made her way to find the restroom.
As Su Zhaotang emerged from the restroom, a young man across the hallway caught her attention.
His fair, smooth complexion revealed a sharply defined, handsome face. His deep, dark eyes and tall, straight nose all exuded an air of nobility and elegance. Combined with his 188 cm height, his presence was almost overwhelming.
She noticed him holding a cigarette between his fingers, smoke slowly curling from his lips, carrying a cold, aloof allure that felt both noble and unapproachable.
After a moment of stunned admiration, Su Zhaotang suppressed her inner excitement and walked past him with a calm, unaffected expression. She wondered to herself, since when did Beijing have someone like this?
Meanwhile, Zhou Lingjing narrowed his eyes, observing the girl who had just passed by him. Though she appeared composed on the surface, the faint blush on her ears betrayed her inner turmoil.
For some reason, a thought crossed his mind. He lowered his head with a light chuckle and flicked the ash from his cigarette.
When Zhou Lingjing returned to the booth where his group of friends was seated, one of his childhood friends, Lin Sheng, excitedly waved him over.
“Lingjing, you have no idea! I just saw an incredibly beautiful woman outside. Judging by my years of experience in Beijing, she’s an absolute stunner. How have I never noticed her before?”
Lin Sheng slapped his thigh in excitement.
Zhou Lingjing looked at him with exasperation. “Don’t act like you’ve never seen a woman before.”
Unconvinced, Lin Sheng knew he was considered quite handsome himself. He decided that if he saw that woman again, he would definitely ask for her contact information.
“Alright, alright. I know you’re the aloof, reserved type. But if you don’t start looking for someone soon, your mom is going to worry herself sick.”
After hearing this, Zhou Lingjing calmly swirled the glass of red wine in his slender, strong fingers, watching the deep red liquid swirl thoughtfully. He replied with a composed expression,
“No need for Young Master Lin to worry about that matter.”
After the small gathering ended, Zhou Lingjing drove his sports car back to his villa in the southern part of the city center that evening. It was a standalone garden villa covering over a thousand square meters, surrounded by meticulously maintained rare trees and flowers. The environment was elegant and secluded, with a current market price of several hundred thousand per square meter. The residents here were all influential and wealthy individuals.
After parking the car, he entered the villa. Zhou Lingjing changed his shoes, went to the kitchen to make himself a glass of lemon water, then carried it to the sofa to sober up.
Lin Yi, who had taken care of him since childhood, saw he had returned. Noticing him sitting quietly, head lowered as he swirled the glass of lemon water in his hand, lost in thought, she approached with concern.
Her face filled with worry as she asked, “What’s wrong, Lingjing? Are you feeling unwell? It’s rare to see you drinking lemon water.”
Zhou Lingjing replied, “It’s nothing, just thinking about something. You should get some rest early, Lin Yi.”
With that, he carried the water toward his room. His long, strong fingers retrieved his phone from his suit pants, and he dialed his assistant.
“Good evening, Mr. Zhou,” Lu Tezhu answered the phone.
“Mm. I need you to look into someone for me.”
Actually, Zhou Lingjing just wanted to confirm whether the speculation in his heart was correct. After all, so many years had passed, and he truly didn’t dare to be certain. It was just that there was a hint of familiarity in the eyes and brows.
If it really was that little dumpling from back then…