“Well, who do we have here? So it’s Shen He after all.”

 

A soft, delicate voice cut in, accompanied by the sharp click-click-click of high heels, sounding oddly out of place in the private room filled with music.

 

Su Hao and Shen He both looked up at the same time. Standing there was Miss Li, dressed in a cropped, midriff-baring top and jeans, one hand on her hip, smiling at them.

 

She was quite tall, her figure casting a shadow over them. Even so, there was something sharp and prickly about her presence. Rather than looking at both of them, her gaze was clearly focused on Su Hao, studying her with a subtle, undisguised scrutiny.

 

Behind her—

 

There were two men.

 

Su Hao’s eyes shifted, landing on Zhou Yang. He frowned, then, a few seconds later, called out, “Li Xiu, come out.”

 

“I’m just coming in to say hello,” Li Xiu replied sweetly, turning back with a coquettish tone—one soft enough to melt a man’s heart.

 

Li Yi frowned. “What are you doing? Ruining someone else’s date?”

 

His tone wasn’t friendly either.

 

Shen He shot Li Xiu a hard look, then quickly said, “Brother Zhou Yang, Brother Li Yi, are you here to play ball too?”

 

“Yeah, just here to have some fun,” Zhou Yang replied as he walked in. He stopped by the coffee table, bent down to flick ash into the ashtray, then straightened up with a cigarette between his lips, narrowing his eyes at Li Xiu.

 

Only then did Li Xiu seem to realize that when he told her to leave, he hadn’t been joking.

 

Her back stiffened slightly.

 

For a moment, the atmosphere turned awkward.

 

Until Shen He suddenly had an idea. “Brother Zhou Yang, why don’t you all stay and play with us?”

 

Zhou Yang lifted his eyes and looked at Shen He. After a moment, he curled his lips into a smile. “You serious?”

 

He saw straight through Shen He’s little scheme.

 

Shen He laughed loudly, slapping the pool table as his earlier irritation vanished. “Yeah, stay and play together. Oh—this is Su Hao.”

 

He introduced her to Li Yi.

 

Li Yi walked over to open a bottle, cigarette in hand. “Su Hao, nice to meet you.”

 

He looked at her.

 

Su Hao nodded politely. “Nice to meet you too.”

 

The man had a buzz cut. Because his shirt buttons weren’t fully done up, a scar near his collarbone was faintly visible. He gave off a cold, hardened aura.

 

They were all part of Zhou Yang’s circle.

 

Su Hao withdrew her gaze and stood quietly beside Shen He. Zhou Yang stubbed out his cigarette, rolled up his sleeves, walked over, and picked up a cue.

 

“I’ll rack the balls for you,” Li Xiu said excitedly.

 

After speaking, she glanced at Zhou Yang, as if seeking his approval.

 

Leaning against the table, Zhou Yang shot her a sideways look and chuckled. “Go ahead. Why are you looking at me?”

 

Li Xiu visibly relaxed and quickly began racking the balls. Her movements were professional, her legs long and straight like a model’s. After finishing, she looked at Zhou Yang expectantly, as if waiting for praise.

 

Zhou Yang snorted—but didn’t compliment her.

 

Shen He leaned toward Su Hao and whispered, “See? Brother Zhou Yang’s always like this. Wherever he goes, women throw themselves at him. Even spicy little peppers turn into clingy vines around him.”

 

Su Hao smiled faintly but didn’t respond.

 

She didn’t quite know how to. This man had always had a way of making women throw themselves into the fire for him.

 

“Are you cold, Haohao?” Shen He asked suddenly.

 

Standing so close, he noticed goosebumps rising on her exposed skin. Su Hao shook her head. “No. The game’s about to start—good luck.”

 

“Mm! I will!” Shen He’s brows lifted with confidence as he tightened his grip on the cue. “You have to cheer for me.”

 

Su Hao nodded. “Okay.”

 

Her voice was gentle, soft and soothing in the private room—like birdsong, impossible to ignore.

 

At her quiet “okay”—

 

Bang.

 

Zhou Yang broke, sinking two balls at once.

 

Li Xiu’s eyes sparkled. “That was amazing!”

 

Zhou Yang straightened and walked over. Su Hao was standing at the corner of the table, cue in hand, and instinctively stepped back.

 

Zhou Yang’s peripheral vision swept over her unintentionally. Under the warm orange lighting, the softness in her brows hadn’t yet faded. Her eyes looked as if they were soaked in water, glimmering faintly.

 

Their gazes met—just for a brief instant.

 

He stood there, chalking his cue. Then he bent down and struck.

 

Bang.

 

Another ball dropped.

 

Li Xiu clapped again excitedly. “Zhou Yang, you’re incredible!”

 

Her voice was sweet and proud, brimming with admiration.

 

On the other side, Shen He clicked his tongue, resting his cue against the table. “Brother Zhou Yang, don’t play too well. Leave me a chance—or you’ll regret it.”

 

He turned to Su Hao, looking like a puppy begging for encouragement. “Right, Haohao?”

 

Su Hao smiled and praised him generously. “Yes. You played really well just now.”

 

Zhou Yang had already moved to the other side. He swung again—two more balls dropped in quick succession. He swept the table cleanly.

 

Li Xiu watched him with starry eyes, full of worship.

 

Shen He leaned against the screen, chatting with Su Hao. Zhou Yang showed no mercy, and Shen He didn’t mind.

 

After all, Su Hao would comfort him.

 

As long as Su Hao thought he played well, that was enough.

 

His utterly content, as-long-as-I-have-Su-Hao expression made Li Yi laugh.

 

Li Yi sat on the coffee table, drinking. “Shen He, you’re basically just showing off to us, aren’t you?”

 

Shen He shot back cheerfully, “Yep, you caught me!”

 

“Oh, impressive,” Li Yi laughed.

 

He turned to Zhou Yang. Zhou Yang paused, cue in hand, didn’t take the shot. He leaned the cue against the table and lit a cigarette.

 

Li Yi said, “Zhou Yang, you’re really indulging Young Master Shen’s vanity.”

 

When Shen He invited them to play, that had been his plan all along. Zhou Yang had seen through it immediately, yet still came in.

 

To be fair, Zhou Yang was indeed taking good care of this junior—perhaps even playing matchmaker for the first time, hoping for a perfect ending.

 

But if that was the case, why not let him win a little? Why insist on clearing the table?

 

Zhou Yang lifted his head and sat sideways on the table, tapping the white ball with his finger.

 

Thud.

 

The ball dropped.

 

He looked toward Shen He, who had been chatting with Su Hao the whole time, and smiled lazily. “Come on. Your turn. Best if you clear it in one go.”

 

“Huh?” Shen He froze for a second, then quickly grabbed his cue—instinctively pulling Su Hao by the wrist.

 

Su Hao was startled and didn’t manage to pull away, following him to the table.

 

Shen He smiled at her. “Cheer for me—like Li Xiu does.”

 

Su Hao subconsciously glanced at Li Xiu standing beside Zhou Yang. Li Xiu raised her brows, her eyes full of provocation—that bold confidence, as flamboyant as the car she drove.

 

She was constantly clinging to Zhou Yang, acting like a spoiled girl.

 

Completely different from Su Hao.

 

Su Hao smiled slightly and lowered her voice. “I can’t do that. I can only cheer for you quietly.”

 

Her hair carried a faint fragrance as she leaned closer, strands falling forward.

 

Shen He caught the scent. His hand trembled slightly as he lowered his voice too. “That’s exactly what I like. Your quiet cheering—it’s perfect.”

 

Su Hao paused.

 

Then laughed softly.

 

“Mm.”

 

That single sound was filled with quiet satisfaction.

 

Everyone there heard it.

 

Soft and light.

 

Not as sweetly coquettish as Li Xiu’s, but gentle enough to melt—like a kitten’s paw brushing past and pulling back.

 

With Su Hao’s encouragement, Shen He resolved to clear the table. His skills weren’t as good as Zhou Yang’s, but not far off either.

 

If he focused, he could do it.

 

Zhou Yang leaned against the cabinet, smoking, while Li Xiu kept chattering beside him. He took the wine glass, lowered his head, and took a sip.

 

The red liquid seemed to faintly reflect a pair of eyes shimmering with moisture.

 

………

 

When they left the Starlight Club, it was already quite late.

 

Su Hao bent down to get into the car, the door closing as the window rolled up. She picked up her phone to check the time.

 

The driver’s door opened. Shen He got in, lowering his head as he sent a voice message. “Brother Zhou Yang, thank you.”

 

His gratitude was sincere.

 

Su Hao looked out the window.

 

Over the course of the evening, she had understood clearly what Shen He was thanking him for.

 

Zhou Yang had deliberately held back, giving Shen He plenty of chances to shine. It seemed that, as a first-time matchmaker, he really wanted to hand in a good result.

 

In the past, she would never have imagined that one day, the man she had once loved so deeply would introduce her to another man—and do it so thoughtfully.

 

She glanced at Shen He.

 

And thought—

 

She should thank Zhou Yang too, for his care.

 

The car moved smoothly along the road. Soft music played quietly inside.

 

The moonlight was beautiful tonight. Together with the streetlights, beams of light occasionally swept across her face, then faded back into darkness.

 

Shen He glanced at Su Hao’s profile, feeling her gentleness seep straight into his heart.

 

Reluctance stirred.

 

“Haohao, my flight is tomorrow.”

 

Su Hao snapped back to attention and looked at him, smiling. “Mm. We’ll keep in touch on WeChat.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Their relationship was still undefined. Shen He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, feeling anxious—but then thought, It’s fine. We can start as friends. No rush.

 

The car arrived at Huahui Residential Area. Since parking wasn’t allowed, Su Hao got out.

 

She bent down and said goodbye. Shen He turned and reached into the back seat, pulling out a bouquet of roses and handing it to her.

 

Su Hao froze for a second, then accepted it. Resting her chin lightly against the roses, she looked like a flower spirit.

 

“Thank you.”

 

What a gentle woman.

 

Shen He coughed several times. “Anyway, remember to message me. Once I’m done, I’ll come to Licheng.”

 

“Sure. You still owe me a meal.”

 

“Right! I still owe you dinner.” Shen He was overjoyed—she’d left him a chance to invite her again. The faint melancholy vanished instantly.

 

A car horn sounded behind them.

 

Su Hao straightened up and watched the black Mercedes drive away. Only then did she turn and head upstairs.

 

Back home, she placed the roses in a vase, then grabbed her pajamas and went to shower.

 

Afterward, she poured herself a glass of milk and sat on the sofa, picking up her phone.

 

Shen He: I’m home.

 

Su Hao: Okay. Good night.

 

Shen He: Good night.

 

Just as she was about to exit the app, another message appeared in her WeChat list.

 

She paused.

 

T: I heard you went to Licheng?

 

Su Hao: Yes. How are things in France?

 

T: Very good. Keep going.

 

Su Hao: You too.

 

……………

 

The black Mercedes disappeared into the night.

 

Only then did Zhou Yang, Li Yi, and Li Xiu walk out.

 

Zhou Yang loosened his collar slightly, glancing toward the valet. The valet immediately ran off to fetch the car.

 

Li Xiu looked in the direction the black car had gone, then turned to the lazy, charming man beside her. “Zhou Yang… who exactly is this Su Hao? Her going to your company—was that arranged by you too?”

 

Zhou Yang glanced at her and smiled. “What do you think?”

 

Once again, no answer.

 

Li Xiu stomped her foot. “I’m just asking! You never answer me.”

 

She was practically molded after Zhou Yang’s usual type—bold, playful, fiery, sharp, coquettish.

 

In the past six months, many women had pursued Zhou Yang. Only she had received even a bit of response, though he still hadn’t agreed to anything.

 

She felt she could keep going.

 

Zhou Yang saw through her probing and smiled leisurely.

 

Li Xiu blushed under his gaze.

 

What am I even nervous about? she thought.

 

That Su Hao—she wasn’t even his type.

 

A black Hummer pulled up and stopped at the entrance.

 

The three of them went down the steps. Zhou Yang walked around to the driver’s side and opened the door, about to get in—

 

When his phone buzzed.

 

He glanced down.

 

Two messages.

 

Shen He: Brother Zhou Yang, thank you.
Shen He: Oh my god, Haohao smells so good—soft and fragrant!!

 

A few seconds later—

 

Zhou Yang: Oh?

 

Another second passed.

 

Zhou Yang: You hugged her?