Top-tier Nightscape Bar, the Cloud Pavilion private room, shielded from the deafening clamor downstairs.
Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows sprawled the city’s extravagant nightscape, neon lights bleeding into the darkness.
The air was thick with the rich aroma of cigars, the mellow scent of whiskey, and the careless indulgence of the elite.
At the center of the room, four men lounged on a massive circular sofa—each of them a name powerful enough to make the city tremble.
Gu Chengyu, heir to the Gu conglomerate and its future ruler, sat in the middle. His long legs, clad in tailored slacks, were casually crossed. He wore only a black dress shirt, the top two buttons undone to reveal a glimpse of his toned chest. A half-smoked cigar dangled between his fingers, his strikingly handsome face devoid of expression, radiating disinterest.
“Tsk, Chengyu.”
The speaker was Shen Que, the second son of the Shen media empire and one of the entertainment industry’s most influential backers.
“Our Young Master Gu, the untouchable king who turns the world with a flick of his wrist—has your own little canary finally pecked your eyes out?”
“Pfft—!”
Qin Yu, who had been cradling a young model in his arms, nearly spat out his drink. He turned to Gu Chengyu. “Seriously, Chengyu? Lin Shu? She dared?”
“Wasn’t she always the picture of obedience?”
The model in his arms giggled behind her hand, though her eyes flickered toward the silent, imposing man whose presence alone commanded the room.
Even Zhou Yu'an, seated in the corner on a single sofa, lifted his gaze. His gold-rimmed glasses lent him an air of refined detachment.
Gu Chengyu shot Shen Que a cold glance but said nothing.
He merely took a deep drag of his cigar, letting the acrid smoke swirl in his mouth before exhaling slowly.
The Shen family controlled a global entertainment empire, and as its heir, Shen Que had the sharpest ears for gossip.
Setting down his glass, he leaned forward, his smirk unapologetically smug. “Last night, at our Lan Court gathering, word got back to the starlet.”
“Tsk, those fresh-faced models the underlings sent over were practically dripping with youth.”
“Naturally, Chengyu had his fun—didn’t come home all night.”
Qin Yu frowned. “So what? That’s nothing new.”
Shen Que waved him off. “Here’s the thing. In the past, our lovely Lin Shu knew her place—kept her distance, never overstepped.”
“Wouldn’t even dare call too often, afraid of disturbing Young Master Gu’s mood.”
“But this time? Ha!”
He slapped his thigh, raising his voice. “This afternoon, she stormed straight into Chengyu’s office!”
“No tears, no tantrums—just one demand: she wanted out. Clean and simple.”
“And the best part?”
He deliberately drew out the pause, watching Gu Chengyu’s darkening expression before delivering the final blow. “She slapped a card on his desk! Said she’d pay every cent of the contract breach penalty—no discounts!”
“Chengyu, your little canary just bought her freedom. Wiped the slate clean!”
“Pfft—HAHAHA!”
Qin Yu couldn’t hold back his laughter, even shoving the model aside as he pointed at Gu Chengyu. “Damn, Chengyu! You? Getting paid off by a woman? By your own pet songbird?”
“Where does that leave the Young Master’s pride, huh?”
Gu Chengyu remembered the card thrust into his hand, the signed termination agreement.
When she’d handed them over, those beautiful eyes—always brimming with adoration and tenderness—had been stripped of their usual cautious devotion. All that remained was a calm, resolute detachment he didn’t recognize.
Qin Yu reined in his amusement, analyzing coolly. “Lin Shu’s playing the long game—retreating to advance.”
“Betting you still have a soft spot for her. Betting your pride can’t take the hit.”
“Then she’s miscalculated.” Zhou Yu'an spoke up. The Zhou family ruled the medical industry, and Zhou Yu'an himself exuded a refined gentleness.
But those who knew him understood the icy detachment beneath.
His voice was mild. “When has Chengyu ever lacked for beauties? Lin Shu is stunning, clever—but her background…”
He shook his head slightly, leaving the rest unsaid. The message was clear.
Gu Chengyu’s future marriage would be to a socialite of equal standing.
Lin Shu, no matter how famous, was just an actress.
Shen Que studied Gu Chengyu’s stormy expression, fanning the flames. “So, Chengyu—how’s it feel?”
“Getting bitten by the very bird you trained so well?”
Gu Chengyu crushed his cigar into the ashtray with finality.
He lifted his gaze, those sharp phoenix eyes sweeping over his three troublemaking friends before locking onto Shen Que.
His lips curled into an arrogant smirk, his voice low, laced with provoked irritation. “How does it feel?”
“She’s just a plaything.”
“A plaything?” Shen Que arched a brow, unconvinced.
“The whole circle knows she’s your favorite. Anyone who even looks at her has to weigh your wrath.”
“Now she pulls this stunt? It’s a slap in your face.”
“And let’s be real—where’d she get the guts? From you.”
Gu Chengyu leaned back, his innate arrogance on full display.
“Qin Yu’s right. Just a woman’s cheap trick to raise her value.”
“But if she wants to play, I’ll indulge her. Let’s see how far she can take it.”
He straightened, downing his glass of whiskey in one go.
His Adam’s apple bobbed enticingly, his voice dripping with predatory amusement. “Shen Que, care for a wager?”
“Two months. I’ll have her crawling back to me—begging.”
The room’s atmosphere crackled with excitement.
“Bet! Absolutely!” Qin Yu jumped in first, reveling in the chaos. “When has Chengyu ever lost? I’m backing him—name the stakes!”
Shen Que grinned like a fox, eyes gleaming. “Oh, we’re betting. But Chengyu, my price…”
“That South Bay land you just acquired. First dibs on the resort project partnership. Deal?”
“Done.”
[Content Warning.]
Transmigration into a novel.
The original male lead? A certified bastard—no surprises there.
If that’s not your cup of tea, steer clear.
The female lead isn’t Lin Shu—it’s her assistant.
Soft but fierce taming-the-beast trope.
Buckle up; it’s a wild ride.
Leave your brain at the door.
