A cold shadow fell over the glittering world of online influence. Days after their collaboration, the male streamer, Curry, found himself at the epicenter of a storm. The top searches buzzed not with praise, but with furious complaints: the fruit delivered by his endorsements was rotten. It was a scandal that threatened to unravel reputations, yet, as quickly as it ignited, the flames were doused. The trending topic vanished, suppressed by an unseen hand. Xia Yue watched, her fingers hovering uselessly over her screen, a sense of profound helplessness washing over her.

Is this the insidious grip of capital? she mused, a chill running down her spine. Even the roar of public opinion, a force she believed sacrosanct, could be silenced, manipulated, erased. The realization gnawed at her, pulling her into a deeper, more unsettling line of thought. A heavy cloak of disquiet settled upon her shoulders, dampening her usual vibrant spirit.

Zhi Sister, her faithful companion, noticed the shift. 'Mistress, has something troubled your heart?' she asked, her voice laced with concern. Xia Yue sighed, the weight of her newfound understanding pressing down. 'I have merely witnessed how some souls, in their relentless pursuit of gold, willingly cast aside their conscience.' She didn't wait for comfort, though. With a visible effort, she straightened her posture, a flicker of her resolve returning. 'Forget them, Zhi Sister. Their shadows will not darken my day. I have an appointment later, so I won't be returning for dinner tonight.'

'As you wish,' Zhi Sister replied, a lingering worry in her gaze.

Xia Yue sought the familiar solace of Fen Yue's company. Their plan was simple: a spa retreat, preceded by a comforting meal and a diverting film. They navigated the evening, a fragile sense of normalcy beginning to mend Xia Yue's ruffled spirits. As they emerged from the cinematic darkness, laughter still echoing between them, a sharp, unfamiliar voice pierced the air.

'Yo, who's this? Still daring to show your face in public?'

Xia Yue turned, her brow furrowed in confusion. A woman stood before them, a striking figure with fiery red lips, an opulent cascade of big curly hair, and a dress that clung to her form, demanding attention. She possessed a certain bold beauty, yet her demeanor hinted at a lack of foresight. Xia Yue strained her memory, trying to place the face, but it remained stubbornly blank.

'You are...?' Xia Yue began, her voice trailing off.

The woman’s expression hardened, a storm brewing in her eyes. 'You truly don't remember me?'

Xia Yue felt a flush creep up her neck. 'Should I?' The words felt clumsy, ill-fitting for the sudden tension.

With a dramatic inhale, the woman delivered her pronouncement. 'I am the new artist under Brother Jian. He spoke of you, Xia Yue. Said you were utterly useless, after so many years, still a nameless shadow. He has, quite simply, abandoned you.'

Xia Yue appraised her, a flicker of recognition mixed with pity. Ah, so this was the latest unfortunate soul to fall under Brother Jian’s sway. A sense of caution, an instinct born of her own bitter experiences, compelled her to offer a warning. 'Brother Jian is not a man to trust. He will—'

'Hmph!' The woman cut her off, rolling her eyes with disdain. 'Brother Jian has already told me everything I need to know. You need not waste your breath sowing discord.'

Xia Yue could only stare, a silent acknowledgment of the futility of her attempt. Fine, she decided. Let the storm break where it may. The woman glanced at her wrist, a glint of self-importance in her eyes. 'Well, I have more important matters to attend to. I won't squander any more time here.'

And with that, she swept away, leaving Xia Yue and Fen Yue standing in a bewildered silence. Xia Yue's mouth twitched. 'Xiang, what exactly was the point of that?' Fen Yue merely shook her head, a knowing smile playing on her lips. 'She probably just holds a deep dislike for you.' Xia Yue nodded, a private thought blooming. Indeed, heaven’s balance was often cruel. Beauty, it seemed, often came at the cost of intelligence. She touched her own cheek, a sly grin spreading. Thankfully, she was blessed with both. Hahaha!

Their spa session stretched into a luxurious escape, culminating in a complete makeover. By the time they emerged, the world outside was cloaked in the velvety embrace of night. Xia Yue found herself captivated by her reflection in the mirror, an almost obsessive gaze.

'What's wrong?' Fen Yue asked, a hint of amusement in her tone.

'I am simply too beautiful,' Xia Yue declared, a playful arrogance in her voice. Fen Yue merely rolled her eyes, a gesture of fond exasperation.

'Come on,' Fen Yue announced, a mischievous glint in her eyes. 'I know a place. A truly exceptional place.' Xia Yue followed, her curiosity piqued. The 'nice place,' however, turned out to be a bar, unlike any she had ever imagined. This was not just any establishment; it was a sanctuary for the elite, a realm accessible only to those bearing the coveted membership card, the truly rich and powerful.

For Xia Yue, it was a step into an unknown world, a first-time experience in both her current and previous existence. She clung closely to Fen Yue as they ventured deeper into the opulent, dimly lit interior. The air thrummed with subdued music, a tapestry of handsome faces and alluring figures weaving through the elegant crowd. Then, her eyes snagged on a familiar face, a ghost from a past she’d rather forget: her cheap ex-boyfriend. She recoiled, quickly averting her gaze, burying her face slightly behind Fen Yue. Experience, she knew, dictated that fools were best avoided.

They settled into a secluded private room. A waiter, impeccably dressed and radiating an aura of refined charm, approached them softly. 'What may I get for the two ladies tonight?'

Xia Yue’s eyes widened, her internal monologue erupting. Holy crap! Are all the waiters here this handsome?

With this kind of looks, he's even better than some traffic celebs. And that figure! Broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs. Ah, I'm dead! At a nearby table, in an adjacent private room, Sha Hao felt an inexplicable jolt. A familiar voice, clear as a bell in his mind, cut through the ambient hum of the bar. How was it possible? He frowned, a growing certainty chilling him. Though he hadn’t subjected it to rigorous scientific testing, one truth resonated within him: Xia Yue had to be near.

His mental listener continued, its audacity almost comical. I wonder if there are any male models here, hehehe. . . . . . The lecherous thought ignited a spark of irritation in Sha Hao. He couldn’t sit still. He rose, his gaze sweeping the luxurious room, a hunter tracking his prey.

Fu Fangyu, lounging nearby with an air of languid grace, lazily lifted his eyelids. 'What’s wrong?' he inquired, his voice a smooth murmur.

'Looking for someone,' Sha Hao replied, his focus unwavering.

Moments later, his eyes locked onto Xia Yue. His long legs carried him across the floor with purposeful strides. By then, Xia Yue had already succumbed to the seductive influence of the alcohol, a faint blush staining her cheeks.

'Xiang,' she slurred, her words slightly unfocused, 'you truly are my bestie. I’ve never touched abs before. I must touch some before I die. . . .'

Fen Yue, a look of playful disgust on her face, gently pushed Xia Yue away. 'Don’t seek immortality through such means.'

Xia Yue whimpered. 'Wahhh, I don’t care! I just want to touch abs, I must touch abs!' Fen Yue felt a pang of regret. She hadn't anticipated Xia Yue's surprisingly low alcohol tolerance. One drink, and her friend was already dissolving into drunken nonsense.

Just then, a figure approached. When Fen Yue’s eyes focused, a gasp escaped her lips. Sha Hao! What was he doing here? And if Sha Hao was here, then where was... Her heart began to pound, a frantic rhythm that momentarily eclipsed all other thoughts. In that instant of startled distraction, she failed to notice Xia Yue’s next move.

In her hazy, inebriated state, Xia Yue perceived an exceptionally handsome young man. Her mind, singular in its focus, was consumed by the idea of abs. Without a moment's hesitation, she pounced, her hands reaching out, fumbling, touching.

'Handsome, let me touch your abs?'

Sha Hao’s face instantly darkened, a storm gathering in his eyes. He swiftly disentangled himself, hauling Xia Yue away from him.

Fen Yue, abruptly snapped back to full sobriety by the sudden scene, felt a surge of fear. In their rarefied circle, who didn't know Sha Hao's formidable reputation? To offend him was to invite catastrophe. 'President Sha, I am so sorry. My friend is—'

'I’m not that drunk. . . .' Xia Yue mumbled, struggling to cling onto Sha Hao, a determined glint in her eyes.

'Xia Yue!' Fen Yue exclaimed, exasperated.

'President Sha knows my friend?' A familiar voice, laced with a smooth, amused tone, floated from nearby. Fen Yue turned, her eyes widening. It was indeed him.

Fu Fangyu, observing the bizarre tableau, felt a flicker of intrigue. Though he couldn’t pinpoint the exact nature of their relationship, it was clear that the woman clinging to Sha Hao was no ordinary acquaintance. Sha Hao, after all, rarely permitted women such proximity.

Fu Fangyu blinked his Qiu blossom eyes, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. He addressed Fen Yue directly, a deliberate charm in his voice. 'They seem to know each other quite well. Perhaps it’s best if we don’t disturb their… reunion.' Fen Yue hesitated, her thoughts a jumble. Yet, this was the first time Fu Fangyu had spoken to her directly, his words a siren song. A blush crept up her cheeks. Considering Sha Hao’s formidable presence, she reasoned, he likely wouldn’t harm Xia Yue. With a shy nod, she allowed herself to be led by Fu Fangyu back to their private room, close enough to observe the unfolding drama.

Fen Yue, now safely ensconced, quickly summoned a waiter and ordered a hangover soup, a small gesture of concern for her friend. Only then did she relax, engaging in quiet conversation with Fu Fangyu, while keeping a watchful eye on the unfolding scene.

Sha Hao’s face, meanwhile, had darkened to the color of storm-laden coal. 'Xia Yue!' he barked, his voice low and dangerous. 'Look at me! Look at who I am!'

Xia Yue forced her eyes open, her vision slowly clearing. As the world sharpened into focus, even the lingering effects of alcohol seemed to dissipate under the sheer shock of recognition. 'Sugar daddy!' she blurted out, the nickname slipping past her lips.

A cold, mirthless laugh escaped Sha Hao. 'Sobered up? If you’ve sobered up, then let go.' Xia Yue hiccupped, a sound of belated mortification. Only then did she realize her arms were wrapped tightly around Sha Hao’s waist. The thought of potentially losing two hundred million dollars jolted her, making her leap back almost three meters.

'Hear my explanation!' she pleaded, her voice a rush of panic.

Sha Hao loosened his tie, the gesture a silent testament to the near suffocation he had just endured. 'You have three minutes,' he stated, his voice devoid of warmth.

Xia Yue’s gaze darted around, searching for an escape. 'You wouldn’t believe me if I said this was my first time here, would you?' she mumbled, her internal monologue a flurry of self-recrimination and lingering desire. Damn it, caught the first time I came here. I'm never coming again.

Wuwuwu, I think I touched abs just now but forgot what it felt like. If only I could touch again. . . . Hearing her regretful, almost yearning thoughts, Sha Hao felt a surge of bewildered anger. Even now, amidst the impending crisis, her mind fixated on abs!

The hangover soup arrived, a steaming beacon of clarity. Xia Yue gulped it down, and the last vestiges of her inebriation evaporated, leaving behind a stark, mortifying reality. My god, what had she done? She curled her toes in acute embarrassment, feeling as though she could scratch out a three-bedroom apartment from the sheer intensity of her mortification.

'Um. . . . sorry about that. . . . I didn’t know my alcohol tolerance was so bad. . . .' she mumbled, avoiding his piercing gaze.

Her mind, however, offered a defiant retort. Sigh, no one would probably believe me if I said I could drink thousands of cups without getting drunk in my past life. . . . Sha Hao’s eyes narrowed, a profound shift occurring in his perception. 'Past life?' he murmured, the words echoing with an unsettling implication. Could it be? Could she also have reincarnated? No, he remembered, last time she spoke of it as a 'description from a book'. Sha Hao, a man utterly unfamiliar with the esoteric world of online novels, was left to grapple with the profound mystery of her words, a new, unsettling layer added to the enigma that was Xia Yue.