Xia Tingwan was an adopted daughter of the Huo family and had not changed her surname.
Additionally, she was a student of Pei Yan’s mother, Xuan Hong, an internationally renowned fashion designer.
Hence, the two shared an extraordinary bond.
10 PM, outside Moonlight.
Pei Yan hadn’t wanted to come here initially, fearing she might run into Li Yueting.
But then she thought, since they had already broken up, what did it matter if they crossed paths?
Xia Tingwan, with her hair styled in a princess half-updo, rushed over as soon as she spotted Pei Yan.
“Little Yu’er, I’ve missed you so much,” Xia Tingwan hugged her coquettishly.
Pei Yan’s childhood nickname was Yu’er, given because she was as adorable as jade and snow since infancy, endearing her to all the elders who affectionately called her “Little Yu’er.”
The ones who used it most were her grandparents, along with Xia Tingwan.
“I’ve missed you too. You’ve been away with my mom for so long this time—it’s great you’re finally back.”
Xia Tingwan: “The teacher hasn’t returned yet, but she will soon. I came back as soon as I heard about your breakup.”
Pei Yan wrapped an arm around her shoulder: “So you’re here to comfort me? Aren’t you afraid your brother will come looking for you here?”
Xia Tingwan: “…Well, let’s keep this between us—heaven knows, earth knows, you know, and I know.”
Pei Yan grinned slyly and held out her hand; the two shared a high-five in the air.
However, after searching around Moonlight for a while, they couldn’t find the entrance and ended up being led in by someone passing by.
This place was a paradise for releasing stress—the air thick with the scent of alcohol, young men and women swaying their hips to the music, while dizzying lights flickered over them, creating an atmosphere of wild abandon.
Pei Yan wore a dark gray sequined bustier top paired with a matching feather-trimmed miniskirt.
Since her foot hadn’t fully healed, she had come in slippers.
Still, standing at 167 cm, she was about the same height as Xia Tingwan in heels.
Both carried an air of elegance, clearly young ladies from wealthy families.
Coupled with their striking looks, they drew attention the moment they entered.
After settling into their seats, they were repeatedly approached by people trying to strike up conversations, but they turned each one down.
A large atmosphere event was scheduled for midnight, so Pei Yan and Xia Tingwan sat in their booth drinking for a while.
For two hours, Pei Yan vented about Li Yueting nonstop.
Xia Tingwan was the most enthusiastic listener, wearing an expression that said, “My bestie has finally escaped that monster’s clutches,” occasionally shaking her fist in shared indignation.
Up in a second-floor booth, Moonlight’s owner, Gu Jingyi, noticed Pei Yan downstairs.
Damn! Isn’t that the Second Miss Pei?
Gu Jingyi snapped a photo with his phone, then lazily sank into the sofa to compose a message.
Fu Huaizhou had just finished showering and was about to sleep when his phone buzzed abruptly.
Drying his hair, he picked up his phone and saw a message from Gu Jingyi in the WeChat group named “Sui River’s Top Bachelors.”
The group included Fu Huaizhou, Gu Jingyi, Shen Ji, and, well… Sun Peng.
Fu Huaizhou and Gu Jingyi were childhood friends; Shen Ji and Fu Huaizhou had studied abroad together; and Sun Peng’s older brother had married Gu Jingyi’s sister.
In short, the relationships among these four were somewhat complicated.
【Brother Fu, what are you up to?】
Before Fu Huaizhou could reply, the other two had already vomited a rainbow of teasing responses.
Fu Huaizhou replied: 【Spit it out if you have something to say.】
Gu Jingyi smugly sent a photo in the group.
Fu Huaizhou opened the original image, then immediately tossed his towel onto the bed.
Ten minutes later, his black Aventador SVJ shot out of his private residence like an arrow from a bow.
Gu Jingyi looked puzzled: 【Where is everyone?】
Sun Peng: 【Is that Pei Yan?】
Gu Jingyi: 【Mhm!】
Sun Peng: 【Damn! She’s so hot.】
Shen Ji: 【I’d advise deleting that, unless you want to die tomorrow.】
Sun Peng: 【Hehe, let me take another look.】
Shen Ji: 【Take care!】
Gu Jingyi: 【Hey, Peng, hands off the lady—she’s our brother’s woman.】
Sun Peng: 【Has Brother Fu caught up with the second Miss Pei?】
Gu Jingyi: 【Uh… no!】
Sun Peng: 【Then how can you call her our brother’s woman?】
Shen Ji: 【Even though you make sense, Huaizhou’s fists don’t.】
Gu Jingyi: 【Or do you think he’s blind? Can’t see what’s in the group chat?】
Gu Jingyi: 【Holy shit! Am I seeing things? Why do I see Fu Huaizhou?】
Shen Ji: 【??? Did he take a rocket?】
Fu Huaizhou was dressed entirely in black. His black shirt, reflecting the colorful lights, exuded a stern and imposing aura, much like the man himself.
“Put your hands up!”
With the MC’s shout, everyone on the dance floor raised their arms high, their bodies swaying to the rhythm of the music.
Pei Yan hadn’t relaxed in a long time and stood in a corner, gently swaying.
Her long, black curly hair resembled waves lapping slowly on a beach.
After two hours of drinking, she was already disoriented.
The alcohol fermented inside her, transforming entirely into joyful, passionate energy that drove her to sway freely.
Xia Tingwan didn’t know how to dance properly and bounced on both feet like a child.
Pei Yan found it hilarious.
“Xiao Yu’er, are you happy?” Xia Tingwan hooked her arm around Pei Yan’s neck and shouted.
The laughter in Pei Yan’s eyes sparkled like countless stars. She nodded and said, “Now I understand why Li Yueting likes coming here.”
Fu Huaizhou unconsciously furrowed his brows as he searched for her.
According to the photo Gu Jingyi had sent, he hadn’t seen her in the booth.
Gu Jingyi waved at him and pointed toward the dance floor.
Fu Huaizhou’s expression darkened as he watched men and women swaying and brushing against each other.
His sharp gaze pierced through the crowd and instantly spotted Pei Yan in the corner.
Her arms were slightly raised, keeping time with the music, her skin appearing even more porcelain-like under the lights.
Her shoulders, long legs, and waist—so slender it could be covered with one hand—were all exposed, making his eyes ache.
Two men approached Pei Yan, and Fu Huaizhou’s lips tightened into a stern line.
Li Yueting had the advantage of being a childhood friend, but what right did these men have?
Pei Yan happily swung her arms; since she couldn’t use her feet too vigorously, she compensated with her hands.
Xia Tingwan’s phone kept ringing incessantly. Feeling the vibration, she stopped dancing and, seeing the caller ID, nearly dropped her phone in fright.
Pei Yan leaned in: “What’s wrong? Keep dancing.”
Xia Tingwan’s smile was uglier than a cry: “It’s my brother calling.”
Pei Yan paused: “Then what do we do? Are you going to answer it?”
Xia Tingwan didn’t know either. The call soon ended because no one picked up.
The next second, a text message sealed her fate.
Reading the words “Come out, I’m outside,” her legs went weak.
“X-Xiao Yu’er, I might have to go. Come out with me, please? For your sake, my brother might spare my life.”
Pei Yan shuddered: “No way, your brother is too cold. I can’t handle him.”
“Xiao Yu’er.” Xia Tingwan was on the verge of tears.
Pei Yan held out for two seconds, then her heart softened.
But before she could agree, a man suddenly appeared behind Xia Tingwan.
Pei Yan instinctively swallowed and, lacking courage, turned away.
Just like that, Xia Tingwan was taken away by her brother.
Pei Yan suddenly felt bored and retreated from the crowd.
Her slipper accidentally stepped on someone, and she quickly apologized, “Sorry, you… why are you here?”
When she looked up and saw Fu Huaizhou, she froze momentarily.
Fu Huaizhou countered, “I’ve never seen you at Moonlight before. Did you come alone?”
Pei Yan sighed, “My drinking buddy was taken away by their meddling family.”
Noticing her dazed expression, Fu Huaizhou said, “You’ve had quite a bit to drink. Let me take you home?”
“Who wants to go home?” Pei Yan leaned against the railing as she headed to the second floor. “Tonight, we drink until we drop.”
Fu Huaizhou had no choice but to follow her like a bodyguard.
But just as they reached the entrance to the second floor, they ran into a group of Li Yueting’s dubious friends.