Volume One, Chapter One: The Service Was Excellent, Let's Meet Again Next Time

In the dimly lit room, the golden glow of the lamp spilled across the bed, illuminating two entwined figures.

Yu Mo's slender, fair arms looped around the man's powerful waist, her lustrous eyes shimmering with a drunken haze. Mu Shaozhou braced himself with his arms on either side of her head, gaze fixed intently on her slightly parted, rosy lips.

His narrow eyes narrowed further, his voice low and hoarse. "Are you sure you want this?"

Yu Mo pressed herself closer against him, her senses long since claimed by alcohol. She whispered softly in his ear.

"I do..."

The man stiffened.

Yu Mo didn't notice the muscle jumping in his brow.

He took off his gold-rimmed glasses and tossed them aside, lowering his thick lashes, his breath full of restraint and suppression.

"Say my name—Mu Shaozhou."

Yu Mo's long lashes fluttered, desire brimming in her eyes as she exhaled in a sweet, fragrant breath.

"Mu... Shao... zhou."

A faint smile tugged at the man's thin lips. His large hand gripped her soft waist as he crushed his mouth against hers in a deep, fervent kiss.

—

The next morning.

Gentle sunlight streamed across Yu Mo's pale cheek.

Her lashes quivered as she awoke.

Feeling the presence of the man beside her, her pupils contracted in shock.

Suppressing the urge to leap out of bed, Yu Mo squeezed her eyes shut and pressed a hand to her forehead.

Fragmented memories of the previous night flooded her mind.

The man turned in his sleep to face her. Wisps of hair fell over his handsome brow, and his sharply sculpted features radiated an otherworldly purity in repose.

Yu Mo was stunned.

Last night, she'd broken up with her boyfriend and gone to a bar. She hadn't expected to drink so much, let alone wake up in such a scenario.

She quietly slipped out of bed, gathering her clothes from the floor, and tiptoed toward the door in her heels.

"Planning to eat your fill and then run?" came a deep, lazy voice from behind.

Yu Mo turned, forcing a nonchalant smile to her lips.

She picked up her bag, rummaging through it only to find two hundred yuan in cash. She glanced at the man in the bed.

Are all the male hosts at bars this good-looking now?

His body and face were both exactly her type. Even the service was excellent.

It would be a pity not to book him again.

Mu Shaozhou arched his brows with mild amusement, lazily propping his chin in his hand.

"Want to find me again next time?"

Yu Mo froze, a little embarrassed at having her thoughts guessed so easily.

The man on the bed seemed faintly moved, his narrow black eyes narrowing even further.

He sat up, the sheet slipping to reveal his lean, toned torso. At the corner of his eye, a faint red mole quivered with his movement.

He unlocked his phone and tossed it to her.

"I'm always available."

Yu Mo tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and saved his number, marking the contact as "Pretty Boy."

—

Yu Mo went home to change into fresh clothes. Today was the Fu family's family banquet.

She stopped by the mall to buy gifts for Madam Fu and Grandfather Fu, then drove to the Fu residence.

At seventeen, Yu Mo had met Fu Yanting for the first time.

Since childhood, her lively and boisterous nature had kept her from being popular among her peers. But because of a single sentence from him—“Mo Mo is different”—she had liked him for six years and followed him for six years.

She never cared if others called her desperate; as long as Fu Yanting said the word, she would give him everything.

He liked girls who were pure and untouched by makeup.

So Yu Mo abandoned all her bright clothes and elaborate looks, wearing only the simple bracelet he gave her.

Fu Yanting was born with a hormonal deficiency. For over two years, Yu Mo spent three or four hours daily brewing traditional medicine for him, personally delivering it regardless of weather.

Those days were sweet for her; even chronic exhaustion couldn't dampen her spirits.

Fu Yanting's mother had always liked Yu Mo, treating her as the future daughter-in-law of the family.

Yu Mo had always believed she would marry into the Fu family.

Until Lin Hua appeared.

Lin Hua was a fellow student at Yu Mo's school.

Once, on her way to see Fu Yanting, Yu Mo gave Lin Hua a ride. She never imagined that single act would shatter her relationship with Fu Yanting.

Soon after, Fu Yanting began seeking out Lin Hua at school, meeting Yu Mo only in passing.

Yu Mo, hopeful, thought he was there for her, and the happiness lasted a long time.

But last night, when she brought freshly brewed medicine to Fu Yanting, she overheard him and Lin Hua in the throes of passion through the door.

She heard their conversation as well.

"Yu Mo is just a medical student—someone from her background, I would never marry her. She’ll never be part of the Fu family."

"But I'm also studying medicine," Lin Hua said.

"You're different. You're the long-lost daughter of the Chu family. Now that you've returned, your status is beyond compare."

"I’m not blind, Xiaohua. I’ll marry you. You’re the future mistress of the Fu family."

Six years of faith crumbled for Yu Mo.

She had believed that she was special to Fu Yanting. It turned out he'd always looked down on her.

Yu Mo pushed open the door and took a picture of the two.

"Fu Yanting, you drink the medicine I make to nurse your health, then fool around with another woman. We're done. I'll be billing you for six years of medical consultation."

She left without another word.

As her car entered the Fu family estate, Yu Mo's thoughts returned to the present.

She spotted Fu Yanting's car.

He got out, walked around to the passenger side, shielding Lin Hua's head as she got out to avoid her bumping it.

"Wait a moment," he said, crouching to wipe a spot from her heel with a tissue before standing and speaking to her tenderly, "Let’s go."

His attitude was overflowing with affection.

Yu Mo watched, feeling as if a needle had pierced her heart.

Regaining her composure, she approached them with a blank expression.

Fu Yanting glanced at her. Today, she was dressed less plainly than usual: her straight black hair had been styled into loose waves, and she wore a fitted red dress that hugged her graceful curves—a look that was impossible to ignore.

But Fu Yanting’s eyes held no trace of admiration, only deep impatience.

"Yu Mo, why are you still following us? Are you planning to crash the Fu family banquet?"

Lin Hua tugged gently at his sleeve. "Brother Yanting, Yu Mo is still family, after all."

Fu Yanting snorted, not even sparing Yu Mo a glance. "How is she family?"

He turned to Lin Hua, his voice immediately softening, treating her like a rare treasure. "Let’s go inside, Xiaohua. Don’t worry, I’m here."

He took Lin Hua’s hand and led her toward the main house.

Yu Mo, carrying her gifts, was already used to Fu Yanting’s coldness.

She called out to him, "Fu Yanting, are you planning to skip out on six years of consultation fees? If you don’t pay, I’ll have to mention it to Grandfather at the banquet."

Fu Yanting abruptly halted and glared back at her. "You wouldn’t dare!"

"Why wouldn’t I?"