Basement Level 1, Bulgari Hotel
The black Bentley Flying Spur idled by the elevator, its engine rumbling with a deep, steady growl.
“Click—click—click—” The rhythmic sound of high heels echoed through the parking garage as Lin Muxue sashayed back after seeing Zhao Yaqian onto the elevator.
Instead of getting into the car right away, she leaned against it and took a quick selfie, only then sliding into the rear right seat, enjoying the privilege of her private chauffeur.
She pulled out her phone and entered a group chat.
The group had only four members: herself and three university classmates currently living in Shanghai.
One of them, Cao Jingsi, had been her roommate, though they hadn’t spoken in years—even deleting each other from WeChat.
The truth was, none of the four had a great relationship, but thanks to Xiaoxue’s efforts, they’d been brought together. Each was curious to see if she really had "made it."
Glancing at the chat history, Lin Muxue chuckled softly.
In a pleasant tone, she said to the driver, “Take me to the Shami Building on Imperial East Road. I had a bit too much to drink tonight, so could you take the scenic route along the Bund? I’d like some fresh air.”
“Certainly, Ms. Lin!” The driver replied promptly.
The Bentley started up smoothly.
The scent of a premium fragrance filled the cabin. Lin Muxue crossed her legs, leaning back into the leather seat with a grin she couldn’t suppress.
She knew that Li Xinyi and the others had just finished dinner at a restaurant near the Bund and were now walking towards the bistro in the Shami Building.
It was the perfect time for the main character—her—to make her grand entrance.
As the car exited the parking garage, soft instrumental music played in the background.
Lin Muxue picked up the tablet in front of her, connecting it to her phone. She opened her cloud music app and searched for a playlist titled “Entrance.”
As the star of tonight’s show, her appearance naturally needed a fitting background score to enhance the "Empress Muxue" aura she envisioned.
Randomly selecting a song, she hit play.
“Dun dun dun—dun dun dun—”
An electrifying track blared through the cabin.
Up front, the driver, who had undergone professional training, involuntarily tightened his grip on the steering wheel, feeling a sudden surge of adrenaline.
Goodness! Isn’t this the theme song from The God of Gamblers? He felt an almost irresistible urge to stomp on the gas pedal.
Embarrassed, Lin Muxue hurriedly paused the music and resumed scrolling through her options.
The car crossed the Suzhou River, moving steadily forward.
The city lights danced against the car’s interior, illuminating Lin Muxue’s face as she finally settled on an elegant English ballad.
The gentle melody wafted through the Bentley’s high-end Naim audio system, wrapping the cabin in a serene ambiance.
Lin Muxue gazed out at the night scenery, her slightly tipsy expression tinged with a dreamy allure.
She wondered what surprise Tang Song had planned for tonight.
A handbag? Makeup? A dress? Jewelry?
Though the gift would undoubtedly be for Qianqian, she was eager to at least get a glimpse.
As the music played, the car turned onto Imperial East Road.
Lin Muxue straightened up, resting her right hand on the window armrest as she looked outside. From a distance, she spotted a few familiar figures by the roadside.
Her university classmates: Li Xinyi, Cao Jingsi, and Wang Mei.
“Driver, slow down a bit. I see some friends I’d like to greet.”
The car eased its speed as instructed.
Lin Muxue picked up her phone and dialed Li Xinyi’s number.
On the Sidewalk
“Sheesh, Lin Muxue is still such a poser after all this time,” Cao Jingsi snorted. “Talking about attending some Hermès private event. Most likely, she just found Roosevelt Club’s dinner prices too expensive and chickened out.”
“Heh, people like her are all over the place—vain, always trying to create some kind of persona.”
“Exactly. She even blocked us from her WeChat Moments. Isn’t it obvious she’s scared we’ll expose her embarrassing past?” Cao Jingsi scoffed, her disdain palpable.
Having been Lin Muxue’s roommate for three years, she knew her all too well.
Coming from a poor family, Lin Muxue used to work as a part-time model in college. At one event, a recruiter openly mocked her for her unfashionable and tacky outfit, leaving her humiliated. The story spread widely among their peers.
Though her looks were undeniably striking, it only made her the target of more ridicule from classmates who frequently brought up the incident to tease her.
Later, she bought a knockoff luxury outfit for another event, only to be publicly called out by a rich girl. The humiliation left her crestfallen for a while, after which she became obsessed with appearances.
Post-graduation, rumors circulated that she’d landed a high-paying finance job and was living the high life.
But they didn’t believe it for a second.
From what they remembered of Lin Muxue’s abilities in college, she’d be lucky to manage accounting, let alone finance.
As the three continued their tirade, Li Xinyi’s phone suddenly rang.
Seeing the caller ID, she raised a finger to her lips for silence. “It’s Lin Muxue.”
She answered cheerfully, “Hey, Muxue! Where are you? We’re almost at Cofo Bistro.”
“Oh?” Lin Muxue’s voice sounded faintly amused. “I’m in the car. Can you see me?”
Turning back toward the street, Li Xinyi scanned the road and spotted a black Bentley slowly approaching.
The other two, curious, also turned to look.
“Hello, ladies! Good evening! I’m He Xing, Xinyi’s friend. Just call me Ah Xing. Welcome to our little bistro,” he said with a friendly smile.
Ah Xing wore a loose printed cotton shirt paired with washed denim jeans, his outfit giving off a casual and trendy vibe.
Wang Mei gave him a thumbs-up, praising, “Ah Xing, your folk song earlier was amazing!”
Li Xinyi added with a proud smile, “Of course! He’s a professional singer.”
“Oh, don’t flatter me—I’m just a struggling artist,” Ah Xing replied modestly before sliding into the seat beside Li Xinyi. His gaze soon fell on Lin Muxue, seated across from him.
He had a good eye for details, and from her elegant outfit and accessories, he could tell she wasn’t just anybody.
She stood out far more than the three flight attendants, not only in looks and figure but, most importantly, in her aura—cool, refined, and intellectual.
Immediately intrigued, he turned his full attention to her.
Noticing his expression, Li Xinyi felt a subtle pang of jealousy. Her tone became slightly stiff as she explained, “She’s a university classmate—Lin Muxue. She’s here in Shanghai for an event, so we’re meeting up.”
“Oh? Lin Muxue? What a beautiful name,” Ah Xing said, scooting his chair slightly closer, clearly about to continue his attempt to charm her.
But just then, a deep, magnetic male voice interrupted.
“Good evening, Xiaoxue. Mind if we join you for a drink?”
Everyone looked up to see a young man wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap standing nearby.
“Xu An?” Lin Muxue’s eyebrows arched slightly, surprise flickering across her face.
Smiling, Xu An removed his sunglasses and gave her a playful wink. “What a coincidence. I was dining nearby with friends and saw your post on Moments, so I figured I’d drop by.”
Li Xinyi’s gaze shifted, and she quickly chimed in, “Muxue, is he your friend? Why not have him join us for a drink?”
“Sure, have a seat,” Lin Muxue said calmly, though internally, she couldn’t resist a slight urge to flaunt.
After Xu An sat down, she raised her glass and asked casually, “Not filming lately?”
Shrugging, Xu An poured himself a glass of red wine and replied in a lighthearted tone, “Had an audition today for Chasing the Sunset. I landed a supporting role—not the lead, but it’s a major production.”
“Chasing the Sunset?” Li Xinyi’s eyes lit up with excitement. “You mean the movie with Li Chengyang and Song Shiyu?”
“Exactly, that one.” Xu An raised his brows with a proud grin.
The film, based on a bestselling novel, was a highly anticipated project. Li Chengyang and Song Shiyu were two of the hottest idols at the moment, and the movie’s production had been all over the internet.
Wang Mei, clearly intrigued, exclaimed, “No wonder you looked familiar—are you an actor?”
“Yep. I’m currently playing the second male lead in Plum Blossoms Before Snowfall, which is airing now.”
“No way!” Wang Mei stood up in shock. “I’ve watched commentary videos about that drama—you’re Zhang... Zhang...”
“Zhang Chengjun,” Lin Muxue interjected with a soft chuckle.
“Yes! Zhang Chengjun!” Wang Mei clapped her hands, her face full of excitement.
Learning that Xu An was a legitimate actor and public figure made Li Xinyi and Cao Jingsi’s views on Lin Muxue shift dramatically.
Their university classmate had clearly climbed high in life—her social circle alone was leagues above theirs.
“Ding ding ding—” The sound of clinking glasses rang out as the atmosphere grew warm and lively.
Lin Muxue alternated between glancing at her classmates, now visibly uneasy and nervous, and the dazzling night view outside.
Her heart felt light and unburdened. A longstanding chip on her shoulder had been lifted, leaving her mind open and free.
As the soft music in the bistro played again, Lin Muxue, slightly tipsy, carried her crystal wine glass and her Hermès bag to the small balcony.
She gazed at the blend of old-fashioned red-brick buildings and neon-lit skyscrapers outside—a scene that melded modernity with vintage charm.
Behind her, the sound of footsteps approached.
Ah Xing appeared with a tray in hand. “The view on this street is amazing. It’s a great place for a drink. Muxue, you absolutely must try our house-made yuzu wine,” he said, opening a bottle of the yellow-hued fruit wine.
Xu An raised a brow and extended his glass. “Let me try it too.”
He had come here with a clear goal in mind—to leave a lasting impression on Lin Muxue.
After all, she had connections to executives at Tang Zong Entertainment. Winning her over could secure his career trajectory.
Taking a sip of the chilled yuzu wine, Xu An remarked softly, “By the way, Xiaoxue, I’m also a singer. My album will be out next year. If you have a favorite song, I can sing it for you right here.”
“Thanks, but no need. The song playing now is lovely,” Lin Muxue replied, her tone indifferent as she leaned lightly against the black railing of the balcony.
「♪ BGM: Who stole my heart, leaving me unable to tell night from day...」
The fitted black off-shoulder dress she wore accentuated her graceful curves, showcasing her figure beautifully.
The hem of her dress fluttered gently in the night breeze, making her look like a black blossom swaying in the moonlight.
The Streets Near Shami Building
Hands in their pockets, Li Zhixi and Tang Song strolled leisurely down the vintage street.
The dim, amber glow of the streetlights stretched their shadows long across the pavement.
“People say this is one of the most beautiful roads in Shanghai,” Li Zhixi said, his tone wistful. “It’s a blend of history and modernity, leading straight to the Bund and the Huangpu River... That building over there is the Shami Building. It’s over a hundred years old...”
As he spoke, he tilted his head to admire the stunning Baroque-style architecture of the building.
But then, his expression froze.
A deep flush spread across his face as he vigorously patted Tang Song’s shoulder.
“Look! Up there on the second-floor balcony—absolute stunner! Damn, she’s a total goddess, like a celebrity!”
Hearing the mention of a beautiful woman, Tang Song paused mid-step, curious. He followed Li Zhixi’s gaze.
Amid the intricate curves of the building’s sculpted facade stood a strikingly alluring figure.
She leaned casually against the railing, her slender fingers holding a wine glass, her expression cool and indifferent.
Standing beside her were two men, one of whom looked particularly familiar.
Apparently catching something in her peripheral vision, Lin Muxue glanced downward.
Her gaze locked with Tang Song’s.
Her composed expression instantly shattered.
Frozen in place, she stared blankly at the man who had suddenly appeared below.
What does it feel like to be caught in the middle of pretending to be impressive? Asking for a friend… and it’s urgent!
