Chapter 13

Ruan Ning flinched as if she'd been burned, her ears and neck flushing crimson.

Wait—had Bu Chen really been looking at her?

She gathered her courage and risked a glance. Seeing Bu Chen exchange flirtatious looks with the beauty, she finally let out a breath.

The crowd was chanting "Kiss! Kiss!" Bu Chen gazed at the beauty with deep affection, and she returned the look just as tenderly. Their eyes practically spun into silken threads, making Ruan Ning blush to the roots of her hair.

The beauty deliberately slowed her movements, trailing her hand languidly up Bu Chen's chest like a lush, passionate rose inching toward full bloom. The distance between their noses shrank... Ruan Ning shut her eyes in embarrassment, not daring to watch, and cursed him inwardly as a player.

Just as those glossy red lips hovered a breath away from Bu Chen's, a voice cut through:

"Time's up."

Bu Chen leaned back nimbly, draping himself against the sofa, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "Sorry, my lovely lady. As much as I hate to part with you... next."

The beauty was stunned. Weren't they just lost in each other's eyes? How could he flip his mood so fast? She tried to loop her arms around his neck, but Bu Chen turned her down again.

Aaron was bitterly disappointed. "Seriously, bro? What's going on in that head of yours? She's practically handing you a kiss on a silver platter and you're refusing?"

Bu Chen's voice was sleek and seductive, carrying a hint of apology—though the wicked grin on his face betrayed little remorse.

"I give everyone exactly five minutes. I'm sorry, miss, but your time is up."

"You—!" The beauty's expression twisted beyond control. She slammed her glass onto the table, shoved away from Bu Chen, and stormed off in fury.

Aaron: "?"

Bu Chen wore an innocent smile. "There are so many lovely girls in the world, and I can't bear to let any of them feel neglected. So everyone gets five minutes. Isn't that fair?"

Aaron had nothing to say. He grabbed his coat and made for the exit. "Are you possessed tonight or something? If you don't want to play, fine. I'm going home to catch up on sleep. Don't call me before noon tomorrow."

He'd only taken a few steps when he suddenly spotted Ruan Ning near the booth and froze.

Sometimes an old hand at the game is chasing a certain feeling. Pretty, sexy girls showed up every day, but a truly distinctive presence was rare.

Ruan Ning stood there like a bright, clear full moon glimpsed after a night of dazzling, gaudy blossoms—Aaron was captivated, utterly transfixed.

His mind was full of the image of Ruan Ning standing in the crowd, anxiously rubbing her arms. After a moment's thought, he turned around, tossed his coat back onto the sofa, and slunk back into the booth.

Bu Chen stretched out his long leg to block him, amusement in his eyes. "Is it already tomorrow night?"

Aaron dropped into his seat and took a big gulp of wine. "So what? I changed my mind and don't want to leave anymore. Got a problem?"

Bu Chen nodded approvingly. "You know my rules well. But one drink isn't enough to cover that."

Ruan Ning had no idea she'd caught someone's attention. She was focused on reviewing the techniques the instructor had taught her. The line grew shorter and shorter, and soon it was her turn. She walked calmly up to the wine table, took a deep breath, raised her glass, and turned in a circle toward the booth. "Thank you, young masters."

Then she spoke to Bu Chen alone: "Thank you, Master Bu."

"You're welcome."

Bu Chen lounged lazily on the sofa, loosening his whole body with the air of a host. His amber eyes narrowed like glass wrapped in light, the corners of his eyes tilting up faintly with a tipsy, teasing smile.

Ruan Ning's gaze froze, and she repeated dryly, "Thank you, Master Bu."

She'd already glimpsed the power of those electric eyes while waiting in line—every girl who met his gaze blushed and looked away. But it wasn't until that instant of direct eye contact that she truly understood the seduction of a bad man.

For someone who changed girlfriends more often than he changed clothes, Bu Chen's gaze was somehow deep enough to pull you in, as if you were the only person in the world.

"You're welcome. Have fun tonight, alright?"

Bu Chen smiled as he watched Ruan Ning flounder, and kindly added a word of reassurance.

Ruan Ning quickly looked away, her cheeks warming. So this was what it meant to meet a true master—all her tricks scattered like sand in the wind, useless.

Aaron had been waiting impatiently for Ruan Ning. Before she'd even finished her toast, he barged in. "Haha, you're nervous! That's cute. Come on over and hang with us."

Aaron was tall and burly, blocking Ruan Ning like a mountain, isolating her from everything around her and forcing her to face his blatant, unabashed stare.

Ruan Ning felt intensely uncomfortable under his gaze and nearly blurted out, "Sorry, I already have plans with friends."

Aaron acted like he hadn't heard, and said enthusiastically, "Perfect. Call your friends over too. The more the merrier—stick with me and I promise you'll have a blast."

"Huh?"

Ruan Ning hadn't expected him to push so hard. Flustered, she glanced at the sofa. Bu Chen sat there calmly, like a complete outsider.

Summoning an unexpected bit of courage, Ruan Ning repeated herself seriously: "Really, it's fine. We'll just do our own thing. Thank you, though."

The moment the words left her mouth, the air froze for a few seconds. Almost everyone around swiveled their heads to stare at Ruan Ning as if she were some kind of anomaly—did someone actually dare refuse Bu Chen's invitation?! The people nearby covered their mouths and whispered among themselves, and passing waiters even set down their trays and stood on tiptoe to see who was so ungrateful for their good fortune.

Sweat beaded on Ruan Ning's forehead. She knew this was the mission the System had given her, but only when it actually happened did she realize how much this pushed past her introverted nature.

Aaron's face darkened. "Do you have any idea who we are—"

The other young masters in the booth chimed in, coaxing her.

"What are you afraid of, gorgeous? We're not bad guys."

"Come have a drink with us. Don't overthink it—just have fun."

How could she not overthink?

Before coming, Ruan Ning had done her research. There was an unwritten rule at Seductive Summer: if a girl agreed to drink with you, it was implied she'd let you take her home.

Ruan Ning's heart raced. She'd only come to scout the place. She wasn't ready to sacrifice more than that.

"No thanks, I appreciate it, but maybe next time." Ruan Ning forced a smile.

Remembering they were all powerful young heirs, her voice softened further, hoping to decline tactfully without offending anyone.

But Aaron wouldn't take no for an answer. He even reached out to grab her. "Come on, I'm being sincere here. Just give me a little face—I'm only asking you for a drink. What, you think I'd hurt you?"

"No, don't..." Ruan Ning recoiled reflexively, yanking her arm away.

Aaron was thoroughly provoked. "Don't refuse a toast only to drink a penalty—"

His gaze suddenly turned cold, revealing the arrogance of the wealthy. Ruan Ning shivered. "I-I'm sorry... but I really can't..."

Around them, people silently sweated for Ruan Ning. Aaron was the son of an oil tycoon—unless you wanted to ruin your life, you didn't cross him. Ruan Ning had publicly embarrassed him again and again tonight; she couldn't be in for anything good.

Ruan Ning thought of this too. She let out a sigh and said quietly, "Fine then..."

"What a pity we came at the wrong time. Since this young lady isn't comfortable, let her go."

Just as Ruan Ning was about to give in, Bu Chen's crisp, magnetic voice cut through the crowd. Everyone gasped—had Master Bu just spoken up?

Bu Chen's light-reflecting eyes narrowed, a smile seeming to spread through them, his gaze lingering on Ruan Ning. "It's a bit of a shame, but miss, would you save me a spot at table number one next time?"

He spoke so gently and sincerely it hardly sounded like it came from a notorious playboy.

Aaron shouted in disbelief, "Bu! What are you saying? I've been eyeing her all night, and you're just letting her go like that?"

Ruan Ning's thoughts were in chaos as her gaze darted between Bu Chen and Aaron, the two young masters. One was threatening and menacing; the other was gentlemanly and considerate. Both were people she couldn't afford to offend. She was at a loss for whose side to take.

Bu Chen smiled faintly at Aaron. "You know me by now—I never force a woman."

His tone carried his usual elegance and composure, eclipsing Aaron's blazing anger. Aaron turned his face away in defiance.

Bu Chen gestured with his eyes toward a direction, and the packed booth immediately parted to clear a wide path, like a blade of light slicing through the gloom.

"Thank you!" Ruan Ning was still shaken, but she felt a flicker of gratitude toward the infamous Bu Chen, then fled without looking back.

Aaron watched helplessly as the girl he'd set his heart on slipped away, and shouted at Bu Chen.

"What the hell is wrong with you tonight?"

"She's the only one I liked all night, and you just let her go!"

"I'm not like you—I don't do the whole gentleman act! She's the one I wanted. Why'd you have to interfere?"

Bu Chen took an elegant sip of his wine and replied in his usual half-mocking, half-joking tone: "That's a big fuss over nothing. Seductive Summer never runs out of beautiful women."

When Ruan Ning ran out, a cool breeze hit her face, and she shivered.

It had all felt like a dream. The ruthless Bu Chen hadn't blamed her for disrespecting him—instead, he'd let her go?

Once she'd calmed down, Ruan Ning recalled how she'd refused Bu Chen in front of everyone, and nearly passed out from fright.

Who was Bu Chen? At the debutante balls, even the entire upper crust combined couldn't do a thing to him. Dealing with her probably wouldn't require lifting a finger. There was no way he'd let her go without paying some price.

Uneasy, she snuck back to the booth to check.

The group in the booth was in high spirits, bursting with laughter. Ruan Ning pushed through the crowd to peek—the booth was now packed with seductive beauties, and Bu Chen was sitting among them, playing games and handing out tips.

Stack after stack of hundred-yuan bills were tucked into wine glasses. Whoever came, they got one. Waiters who got tips eagerly crouched on the floor to pour tea, massage legs, and hand out tissues, while the beauties clapped and laughed, scrambling to stuff the cash into their bags, laughter rising and falling in waves.

So her refusal earlier was just a ripple on a lake—the booth was as lively as ever, as if nothing had happened.

Now Ruan Ning understood completely. Bu Chen hadn't helped her out of kindness; he simply hadn't taken her seriously at all.

It was her lucky break, really. In the world of the rich, if you said no, plenty of others would say yes. So Bu Chen wouldn't bother with a nobody like her.

Finally, Ruan Ning dragged her weary body home, lamenting that her scouting mission had failed because of her cowardice. The instructor from her seduction class comforted her, saying that men who frequented nightclubs never remembered what girls looked like—if she just tried harder, she'd have another chance to start over. The instructor then broke down the lesson points and fed them to her bit by bit, meticulously teaching her again.

This time, Ruan Ning listened with absolute focus.

Before she knew it, Saturday night—the night of the mission—arrived. Ruan Ning sat at her vanity, carefully tracing her brows stroke by stroke.

She silently resolved: this time, she would cast aside her pride, her hesitation, her wavering. She would not stop until she achieved her goal.