"Youyou, VIP lounge on the top floor. Mr. Lu wants to see you."
I had just finished a grueling four-hour car show and was leaning against the wall, massaging my numb feet after kicking off my high heels, when Brother Wang called for me.
I’m a model—a rookie who just signed with Haoran Entertainment two days ago. Car shows, art modeling, print shoots—I take whatever gigs come my way, bottom of the food chain.
Mr. Lu, our company’s big boss, is none other than Lu Ran.
Brother Wang’s words made me freeze. Why would the CEO want to see me?
"Hurry up, what’s taking so long?" Brother Wang shot me an impatient glare.
Not daring to delay, I scrambled to grab my heels and slipped into the elevator. By the time I reached the VIP lounge, I hastily slipped my shoes back on and knocked.
"Come in." A deep, raspy voice answered.
I took a deep breath and pushed the door open—only to be met with a scene that made my stomach lurch. My first instinct was to bolt.
But as I turned to leave, the bodyguard outside gave me a firm shove, sending me stumbling into the room. The heavy door slammed shut behind me with a resounding thud.
The lounge was dimly lit, thick with cigarette smoke that stung my throat and made me cough. Through the haze, I could make out shadowy figures entangled on the couches, accompanied by the sickening sound of heavy panting.
"Come here." Lu Ran’s icy command cut through the air from where he sat at the center of the long sofa.
Gritting my teeth, I forced myself forward. But as I got closer, I realized with horror that a man and woman were locked in an intimate embrace right beside him—those obscene noises were coming from them.
My nerves snapped. Goosebumps erupted across my skin as I stumbled back two steps, eyes wide with shock and revulsion.
My stomach churned with disgust—how...how could someone be so shameless?!
Just as I stood frozen in shock, a soft chuckle came from the dark corner. It was a pleasant voice, clear and magnetic, sounding youthful. Despite the chaotic surroundings, his tone was oddly soothing.
I looked up but could barely make out his figure in the shadows. Yet, inexplicably, I felt his gaze fixed on me.
Lu Ran tilted his head and muttered something under his breath. The man remained silent, his presence somehow more imposing than Lu Ran's.
Like an idiot, I stood there awkwardly for several minutes until Lu Ran crooked his finger at me and patted the empty spot beside him.
Relieved, I hurried over.
To his right sat that revolting couple, so I deliberately took the seat on his left instead. A flicker of surprise crossed Lu Ran's eyes, but he didn't object.
"President Lu, who's this? Aren't you gonna introduce her?" someone teased the moment I settled onto the couch.
I sat stiffly, stealing nervous glances at Lu Ran's expression. This was my first time in such a situation, and I had no idea how to react.
"This is my little sister, Youyou. Still young, still naive," Lu Ran said cheerfully, then casually slung an arm around my shoulders.
With a forceful tug of his arm, I felt myself lurch forward, collapsing against him. The lingering scent of tobacco instantly filled my nostrils.
For a moment, my limbs froze. A chaotic flood of memories surged before my eyes, vivid enough to make my scalp prickle.
Several seconds passed in stunned silence before my mind suddenly exploded with a deafening buzz. My entire body trembled violently, as if jolted by an electric current.
Without thinking, I shoved him away, bolting upright and slapping him hard across the face.
The sharp *crack* of the blow silenced the entire private room.
Glasses paused mid-air, even the couple entangled in the corner froze in shock.
Standing helplessly by the sofa, I stared at Lu Ran’s suddenly icy expression, a chill creeping up my spine from my toes.
*I must be out of my mind—I just hit Lu Ran!*
"L-Lu… President Lu…" I stammered, scrambling for an excuse.
A light chuckle cut me off. "President Lu, this little sister of yours—Youyou, was it? She’s got quite the temper." My words died in my throat.
Lu Ran tilted his head slightly toward the shadowed figure on his left. "Apologies for the embarrassment, Brother Cheng." Then his frigid gaze locked onto me. "Apologize to Brother Cheng. Now."
Only now did the full weight of my recklessness hit me.
With so many people here, Lu Ran could crush me with a snap of his fingers—yet I’d dared to strike him!
"B-Brother Cheng… I-I’m sorry. Please forgive me." Trembling, I took the glass Lu Ran thrust at me. One sip sent me into a coughing fit.
"Finish it." His voice was merciless, his eyes ruthless.
My heart skipped a beat. Gritting my teeth, I took a swig but immediately choked, spraying liquor all over his tailored suit jacket.
"Seriously, Mr. Lu, what kind of trash did you pick?" A scrawny guy suddenly piped up from Lu Ran's right side, eyeing me with disdain. "You think our Brother Cheng can be fooled this easily?" He smirked, adding, "Guess even the people you train aren't worth much."
With every word, Lu Ran's expression darkened. By the time the guy finished, his face was stormy, his razor-sharp gaze slicing across me.
"Mr... Mr. Lu..." I stammered, looking up at him with pleading eyes. "I... I'm just a small-time model... I... I can't handle alcohol..."
Before I could finish, a sharp pain shot through my scalp as Lu Ran viciously yanked my hair, slamming me onto the floor. His fingers dug into my jaw, forcing my mouth open.
