9:00 PM.
As the daytime clamor faded, Modu—the city so many young people dreamed of—began to reveal a side few ever see.
A world of neon lights and drunken extravagance.
They say Modu belongs to everyone during the day.
But once night fell, it belonged only to those at the very top of the pyramid.
The 24th floor of Pu Hui Mansion. M1NT.
As one of Modu's most exclusive clubs, the bar operated on a members-only basis with a shareholder buy-in.
The buy-in started at 100,000 Hong Kong Dollars, with no upper limit.
Furthermore, prospective members had to pass a rigorous screening. Social status, profession, and even lifestyle were all heavily scrutinized by the board.
Of course, the perks were well worth the price of admission.
Concierge services, yacht parties, luxurious banquets…
These were just the basics. Many more exclusive events were too discreet to be mentioned publicly.
However, ordinary people could still get in—as long as they could handle the prices.
CHIME—!
To the crisp chime of a bell above the door, Qin Yuenan entered.
Tonight, she had shed her usual business attire for a look brimming with personality.
A matte black blazer over a silk top, paired with high-waisted, slightly flared trousers.
Her aloof aura, combined with her exquisite features and graceful figure, instantly drew the eye of nearly everyone in the room.
Everyone here was an elite in their respective field, worldly and experienced.
For that very reason, their gazes—a mixture of admiration and desire—followed her, each man itching to make a move.
A woman who seemed unattainable was often the one who most stirred a man's desire for conquest.
"Over here!"
Just as Qin Yuenan was scanning her surroundings, someone stood up and waved from a corner of the outdoor terrace.
The woman wore a purple, form-fitting dress that clung to her graceful figure. Her aura was exceptional.
Qin Yuenan walked straight over, dropped her bag on the table, and sank wearily into an armchair.
"What's up?"
"Do I need a reason to see you?"
The woman smiled faintly and snapped her fingers. A waiter approached almost immediately.
"Ms. Zhao, what can I get for you?"
"A margarita for our President Qin. It's her favorite."
"I drove, so I'm not drinking."
Qin Yuenan turned to the waiter.
"Can you make me a virgin version? And not too sweet, please."
"Of course, Ms. Qin."
After the waiter left, Zhao Jianing rested her chin on her hand, a smile playing on her lips as she watched Qin Yuenan.
"So, you know why I asked you here?"
"Spit it out."
"I have a new boyfriend."
Zhao Jianing pulled out her phone and showed Qin Yuenan a photo of a strikingly handsome man.
"Here. He's an Ivy League grad with a master's degree. Nine-figure net worth. His parents are in component manufacturing, and the family is debt-free. So? What do you think?"
"Not bad."
Qin Yuenan was long used to her best friend changing boyfriends, so her expression remained nonchalant.
This earned her a reproachful look from Zhao Jianing.
"Why aren't you more concerned about me! Aren't you worried I'll get my heart broken by some scumbag?"
"You?"
The usually stoic Qin Yuenan was suddenly amused.
"He'd be lucky if you don't play *him*."
"Is that really how you see me? I'm so hurt! Our friendship is over!"
Zhao Jianing downed a large mouthful of her drink and then suddenly lowered her voice.
"Have you thought about finding a boyfriend? I could set you up!"
"Not interested."
"Oh, come on! Don't be such a bore!"
Looking at Qin Yuenan's stunning, yet ice-cold, beautiful face, Zhao Jianing couldn't help but feel it was a waste.
"Nannan, you're twenty-eight! Stop pouring everything into your career and wasting the best years of your youth!"
"Men don't care how much money you have! They only care about your age, your body, and your looks!"
"You're holding two aces and you're not even playing them. What in the world are you waiting for?"
"…"
Qin Yuenan fell silent under Zhao Jianing's lecture.
When the waiter delivered her drink, she swirled it in her glass before asking softly.
"What does being in love feel like?"
"It's pure joy, of course!"
Sensing that Qin Yuenan was wavering, Zhao Jianing said excitedly.
"When you're with him, you feel happy, joyful, completely carefree. You can't help but look at him. You're captivated by his personality, drawn to everything about him. *That's* being in love!"
"…"
After hearing her best friend's explanation, an image of Lin Shen inexplicably surfaced in Qin Yuenan's mind. She quickly took a sip of her mocktail to quell the sudden turmoil inside her.
Zhao Jianing, sensing an opening, pressed her advantage.
"So, want me to introduce you to a few great guys? You can take your pick."
"No need."
"Then why ask what being in love feels like?"
Zhao Jianing was puzzled for a moment, but then a realization dawned on her, and her eyes lit up.
"Don't tell me… you have a crush on someone?"
THUD—!
Qin Yuenan slammed her glass down on the table and denied it coldly.
"I don't."
"I don't believe you."
Zhao Jianing and Qin Yuenan were college roommates. They'd been friends for nearly a decade; of course she knew her inside and out.
"Whenever we've talked about this stuff before, you've always been completely silent. This is the first time you've ever asked a follow-up question. Did you really think I wouldn't notice?"
"…"
As if her most shameful secret had been exposed, Qin Yuenan's heart began to race.
She averted her gaze, taking continuous sips of her mocktail to soothe her frayed nerves.
Seeing her reaction, Zhao Jianing's face filled with disbelief.
"No way, Nannan! I was right?!"
"I said I don't."
"Alright, alright. If you say so."
Zhao Jianing knew Qin Yuenan's personality, so she decided to try a more indirect approach.
"But I'll tell you right now, you're not going to attract any guys acting like that."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Qin Yuenan's brow furrowed, and Zhao Jianing said, her tone full of exasperation.
"Putting aside that prickly, ice-queen vibe of yours, just look at your outfit! Any guy who sees you dressed like this will run for the hills. Who's going to chase after you?!"
"You have such a great body! You should be wearing form-fitting clothes, showing a little leg, a little cleavage. Seductive without being trashy—that's true elegance!"
"Long legs in black stockings, a killer waist… what man wouldn't be completely captivated?"
"Ridiculous."
Qin Yuenan scoffed, her gaze lost in the forest of skyscrapers outside.
At this, Zhao Jianing sighed in resignation.
"So you're planning to be single forever?"
"…"
Qin Yuenan was silent for a long moment. The question had stumped her.
A mischievous grin spread across Zhao Jianing's face as an idea seemed to strike her.
"There's nothing wrong with being single. So many people are choosing not to get married these days. Living a carefree life on your own can be much happier."
"But! Don't you want to experience the kind of pleasure that's unique to women?"
'The kind of pleasure that's unique to women?'
Qin Yuenan froze.
Seeing her reaction, Zhao Jianing leaned in and whispered into her ear, her charming smile suddenly turning a bit lecherous.
「A moment later.」
"Ow!"
Looking thoroughly flustered and annoyed, Qin Yuenan reached out and pinched Zhao Jianing's cheek hard.
"Keep talking like that and I'll shut you up myself!"
"What do you mean, 'like that'? It's a fact!"
Zhao Jianing argued back, clutching her stinging cheek.
"A man is the best beauty treatment there is—that's scientifically proven! And if you find one who's good in bed, the pleasure is so intense you won't be able to get enough!"