The club doors swung shut behind Lin Feng, sealing away the thrum of bass and clinking glasses. Neon lights reflected off wet pavement as he inhaled—cigarette smoke, expensive perfume, and that unmistakable tension of money changing hands.
Su Yuyan had been polished as ever during dinner, but her questions had teeth. Every laugh measured. Every glance a test.
She's still sizing me up.
A notification pinged between his temples like a migraine.
[Ding!]
[Urgent Spending Challenge: Burn cash in 30 mins or lose 5% favorability.]
[Reward: ???]
[Penalty: Su Yuyan thinks you're boring. Good luck recovering from that.]
Lin Feng's grip tightened on his phone. "Seriously? Now?"
The System's reply dripped with sarcasm:
[What's wrong? Scared to flash that black card?]
Across the street, a commotion erupted. A woman in a dress sharp enough to draw blood was eviscerating a trembling manager with just her tone.
"—overbooked? Do I look like someone who accepts apologies as currency?"
Xia Yuhan.
Even half-drunk finance bros knew her rep: the "Ice Queen of Influencers." No amount of money impressed her unless it came with a brain attached.
Lin Feng's pulse spiked.
Option 1: Walk away. Lose points with Su Yuyan.
Option 2: Do something stupid.
He chose stupid.
"Problem?" Lin Feng shouldered past the manager, smelling the man's panic-sweat. "I'll cover a better suite."
Xia Yuhan's gaze slid over him like a credit check. "And you are?"
"The guy fixing your night." He pulled out his phone, thumb hovering over a number he'd never called. "Grand Orchid. Presidential suite."
Silence. Even the valet froze.
That suite cost more than most cars parked out front.
The line connected. A voice purred: "Mr. Lin. Always a pleasure."
(Since when did they know his name?)
"Suite for tonight," he said, voice steady.
"Champagne preference? We have your usual—"
"Surprise me." He hung up before his luck ran out.
Xia Yuhan's manicured finger tapped her clutch. Once. Twice.
[Ding!]
[Challenge Complete!]
[Xia Yuhan: +8% (She likes audacity.)]
[Su Yuyan (???): +3% (Who's watching you?)]
As the valet brought Xia's car around, Lin Feng caught a flicker of movement in the club's upstairs window—a silhouette too familiar.
Su Yuyan.
The System chuckled in his skull:
[Told you this would be fun.]