Volume One, Chapter 80: The Male Host of Si City

A dreamless night.

The next morning, Sang Wan woke early, organized her materials, and headed to the restaurant with her bag slung over her shoulder.

Just as she was preparing to leave after breakfast, she ran into Lou Ye stepping out of the elevator.

“President Lou…”

Engineer Chen, standing nearby, greeted him with a smile, nudging Sang Wan discreetly.

Though he didn’t know why the big boss had come, his presence alone was the best news. At the very least, it meant that the Siheng City project had caught his attention.

Whether or not the design would eventually be entrusted to him and Sang Wan, at least they’d had a chance to show their faces in front of the big boss—a valuable opportunity in itself.

Catching on, Sang Wan greeted him as well, “President Lou!”

“Morning,” Lou Ye nodded.

He was clearly in a bad mood.

His gaze briefly passed over Sang Wan’s refreshed face—obviously well-rested.

Lou Ye turned and walked away.

Sang Wan was left puzzled.

Was this… frustration from unsatisfied desire? Or had he been so busy all night that he’d slept poorly?

Just then, Sang Wan’s expression brightened as she caught sight of someone. “Yang Yan?”

“Miss Sang…” Yang Yan greeted her with a smile.

Lively voices sounded from behind them.

Yang Yan explained that he was a local, and began telling Sang Wan about the fun spots and delicious food to try in Siheng City.

Sang Wan replied with a polite smile, promising to explore if she had time.

Thinking of her nonchalant “President Lou” just now, acting as if she barely knew him in public…

Lou Ye stopped and turned.

Sang Wan noticed immediately. “Assistant Yang, you’d better get to work! See you!” she said, stepping into the elevator.

Lou Ye: …

Did she think he was some sort of monster? Was he really that intimidating?

If he’d known, he would have just slept with her that night—scared her out of her wits!

The morning was spent in meetings at the branch office.

In the afternoon, he went to inspect the land.

He didn’t see Sang Wan all day.

But the more he thought about how he’d gone hungry the night before, while Sang Wan—who’d promised to take charge of his dinners from then on—had personally pushed him toward another woman, the angrier he became.

Madam Zhang was right after all: the more beautiful a woman, the more likely she is to deceive you.

The branch office general manager spent the entire day on edge.

The evening before, at the welcome banquet, the big boss had seemed so easygoing—amiable and approachable, drinks flowing and words kind.

No sign at all of that deep, unfathomable persona of legend.

Yet overnight, he’d become grim, exuding a chilling aura, as if he might devour someone at the slightest provocation.

Fortunately, the nerve-wracking day was nearly over.

“President Lou, there’s a great private restaurant in Old Street,” the branch manager suggested. “It’s right above Siheng’s Old River Street. After dinner, you can take a stroll or a boat ride to enjoy the night view—it’s really lovely.”

Lou Ye turned to Yang Yan. “Aren’t you from here? What’s worth seeing?”

Repeating what he’d said to Sang Wan earlier, Yang Yan added, “The private restaurant General Manager Yue mentioned is a local institution. Dinner there, followed by a walk along Old Street or a river tour, would be perfect.”

“Alright, let’s go there,” Lou Ye agreed.

Manager Yue breathed a sigh of relief and cast Yang Yan a grateful glance.

Then Lou Ye turned back to Yang Yan. “Since we’re in your hometown and work is over, you’re free to go.”

Was this… a holiday?

He’d been wondering why President Lou brought him instead of his regular assistant. Now, with this gesture, Yang Yan’s gratitude toward Lou Ye deepened.

“Thank you, President Lou! If you need anything, just call me,” Yang Yan said, then left.

All Lou Ye could think about was how to confront Sang Wan for breaking her promise after dinner.

Yet when he entered the private room, Sang Wan was nowhere to be found.

Instead, there were four of them—himself and three senior managers from the Siheng branch—a disguised business dinner.

After the meal, Lou Ye went to the restroom.

As he opened the door to leave, he overheard Manager Yue on the phone, “Make sure to take good care of Engineer Chen and Engineer Sang… Sea Palace? Xiao Nie, look after them well!”

Sea Palace?

Just the name didn’t sound like a proper place.

Lou Ye shut the door and called Yang Yan. “What is Sea Palace?”

There was a moment’s silence on the other end.

Lou Ye seemed to have guessed already. “Speak.”

“President Lou…” Yang Yan tried to choose his words carefully, “Sea Palace is Siheng’s most exclusive private club, known for its spectacular shows. All the city’s wealthy gather there, and it’s the first choice for entertaining guests or VIPs.”

“And?”

“They have the most handsome and beautiful hosts.”

…

So that Miss Nie, unable to charm him, had taken Sang Wan to Sea Palace to be entertained by Siheng’s most attractive male hosts?

Excellent.

In the capital, she’d gone to bars to watch handsome men strut their stuff, counting abs.

Now in Siheng, she was off to sample the city’s male hosts.

Sang Wan’s life after divorce was certainly colorful!

As the car pulled away from the private restaurant, Lou Ye instructed the driver, “Sea Palace.”

…

In a private room on the second floor of Sea Palace, Sang Wan was pressed into a sofa, sitting uneasily.

“Sister Sang, tonight is a personal treat—not on the company tab. My treat!” Nie Ruyuan, beside her, looked like a regular, her manicured finger tapping the touchscreen as she quickly ordered wine and fruit platters.

The door opened again and in swept a line of tall, long-legged young men.

All dressed in white shirts and black trousers.

Each one was exceedingly handsome.

Had she been drinking, Sang Wan might have thought she was dreaming, a judge on some talent show.

“Sister Sang, which one do you like?”

“Uh… None of them.”

“Don’t be nervous! Earning money is for enjoyment, after all… They’ll just chat with you, maybe give you a massage, help you relax. Men make money and keep mistresses or lovers; all we’re doing is getting a massage. If anything, we’re getting the short end of the stick.”

Sang Wan had to admit she made a fair point.

But Sang Wan dared not respond.

Nie Ruyuan scanned the group. “You, you, and you…”

As if trained for this, the three selected men moved—two to Sang Wan’s side, one to Nie Ruyuan’s.

The rest exited the room without a glance.

On either side, the two handsome men drew near; one offered her a drink, the other began to massage her shoulders and neck.

Sang Wan stood up, wanting to leave. “Manager Nie…”

Her words trailed off.

Nie Ruyuan was whispering closely to the male host by her side, her lips nearly brushing his face.

The host turned with a smile, capturing her lips with his.

Sang Wan glanced away quickly.

She couldn’t leave, but staying felt awkward.

She took the glass offered by the young man beside her and blocked the other’s hand as he reached to give her a massage. “No, thank you. You can go.”

“Miss…” The young man looked anxious. “If we’re sent away after being chosen, it’s assumed we’ve offended the guest. The supervisor will dock our pay.”

Um…

“Then go keep her company,” Sang Wan pointed to Nie Ruyuan.

Obediently, the young man moved to the other sofa.

Sang Wan turned to find the one on her left gazing at her, aggrieved.

Within arm’s reach, one offering a drink, the other ready to massage.

With Nie Ruyuan already enjoying herself, the trio was complete—no room for anyone else.

Outside the bright window, the festivities on the first floor had begun.

The thumping music was just like that night at “Nightfall.”

Sang Wan’s eyes brightened. “Well… will you have a drink with me, then?”