The scruffy-looking rock band exited the stage, and immediately after, the lights dimmed as a group of stylishly dressed handsome men appeared on the small platform.
Upbeat music started playing, and the seven men began dancing in perfect sync.
Sang Ning widened her eyes, scanning each one of them before turning back to Ji Yan. "Where's Shi Mu?"
Ji Yan, who was excitedly recording the performance on her phone, glanced at Sang Ning. "Shi Mu?"
Sang Ning: "I thought you arranged for Shi Mu to perform."
Where was the promised surprise?
"Shi Mu’s too expensive. Couldn’t afford him."
"..."
Ji Yan pulled her down to sit. "Come on, last year we might’ve been able to book him, but this year he’s blown up as a top-tier star—his schedule’s packed! This new boy group is just as exciting!"
Suddenly, the crowd erupted in screams.
The men shrugged off their jackets and tossed them aside, revealing either white tank tops or sheer white shirts underneath, all of which accentuated their toned physiques.
The lead dancer in the center spun into the spotlight and yanked at the black tie around his neck.
After three sharp tugs, he finally pulled it free and wrapped it around his arm.
The audience screamed again.
Ji Yan excitedly slapped Sang Ning’s arm. "Aren’t they hot? Aren’t they?"
Sang Ning’s eyes widened. So that’s how ties could be used?
She’d learned something new today.
Gu Xingchen and the others heard the commotion and came over to check it out.
"Damn, again? Ji Yan’s obsessed with this stuff—I’ve never met a woman thirstier than her!" Gu Xingchen grumbled.
Ruan Xiaotang smirked. "Are you just upset because she’s not interested in you?"
Gu Xingchen bristled. "What nonsense! I just can’t stand her constantly indulging in this kind of indecent entertainment!"
Pei Songhan chuckled. "It’s her birthday today. Cut her some slack."
As he spoke, his gaze drifted past Ji Yan and landed on the girl beside her.
She was watching the performance intently, unlike Ji Yan’s wild enthusiasm—her focus was almost academic, as if she were in a lecture.
Pei Songhan suddenly recalled their brief exchange earlier. It had seemed casual, yet there was something probing beneath the surface.
Was it just his imagination?
She didn’t strike him as the scheming type.
After two dance numbers, the boy group bowed in unison. "Hello everyone, we’re SonicBlaze!"
The crowd roared with applause. "Amazing!"
Sang Ning immediately joined in, clapping enthusiastically.
Ji Yan stood up, beaming. "Everyone here’s a friend—let’s all have fun together!"
The seven members stepped off the stage and raised their glasses. "Thank you for the invitation, Miss Ji. A toast to your birthday!"
Ji Yan quickly pulled Sang Ning up. "Come on, let’s all drink together!"
Sang Ning picked up a cocktail and was about to clink glasses when a voice cut through the noise.
"Third Young Master He is here?"
Ji Yan nearly thought she’d misheard. "Who’s here?"
Sang Ning turned and saw the main door swing open as He Siyu strode in. He was dressed in a sleek silver-gray suit, more formal than usual, giving him an uncharacteristically icy demeanor.
Or maybe he was just in a bad mood.
Ji Yan gaped. "He Siyu? What are you doing here?"
He never attended these kinds of gatherings—and she certainly hadn’t invited him.
He Siyu’s eyes flicked imperceptibly toward the row of male performers before he replied coolly, "To celebrate your birthday."
The chill in his voice made Ji Yan shudder. It felt less like a birthday greeting and more like a death sentence.
Gu Xingchen bounded over, laughing. "I invited him! Since we’re all here, and Songhan just got back, I thought we should all hang out!"
"Then let’s party! There’s plenty of space!" Ji Yan quickly regained her excitement.
The momentarily awkward atmosphere dissolved back into lively chatter.
The boy group members tactfully took their leave. "We’ll head out now, Sister Ji. We’ve got another schedule tonight."
Ji Yan nodded eagerly. "Of course, of course! Thanks for performing today!"
Sang Ning lingered behind, sniffing her cocktail—orange-flavored.
She took a sip. Tasty.
He Siyu glanced at her again. Sensing his gaze, she smiled politely. "Mr. He, what a coincidence."
He narrowed his eyes. This was the third time he’d heard her say "what a coincidence."
Her tone was the same as always, yet something about it felt different now.
"Quite the coincidence," He Siyu replied flatly.
Sang Ning blinked. He seemed displeased.
Pei Songhan stepped forward. "Siyu."
Only then did He Siyu turn to him. "When did you get back?"
"Just two days ago. I’ve been meaning to catch up, but you’ve been busy. Since Ji Yan’s birthday lined up, I figured I’d see everyone at once," Pei Songhan said with a smile.
Gu Xingchen slung an arm around them. "Come on, let’s grab drinks!"
He ushered them toward the bar.
He Siyu’s gaze lingered briefly on Sang Ning as Ji Yan pulled her back to the couch, where she was now chatting animatedly with others.
"You never come to these things. What changed today?" Pei Songhan asked.
"Just passing by."
He Siyu looked away, accepting a glass of whiskey from the bartender.
"Did you see my post?"
Half an hour ago, Gu Xingchen had shared a photo of the party on social media.
Gu Xingchen grinned. "You came because you saw Pei Songhan, didn’t you?"
He Siyu took a sip of his drink, neither confirming nor denying.
Pei Songhan chuckled. "I didn’t realize I held such sway with Third Young Master He."
He Siyu smoothly changed the subject. "How long are you staying this time?"
"Indefinitely."
Pei Songhan paused, his smile fading slightly. "The wedding’s coming up, after all."
He Siyu replied absently, "I’ll be there for the celebration."
"I heard your grandmother’s been arranging matches for you. Any plans to settle down?"
He Siyu’s fingers tightened around his glass. Instinctively, his eyes flicked toward Sang Ning.
She was deep in conversation with Ji Yan and the others, not sparing him a glance.
He turned back coldly. "No."
Over by the stage, Ji Yan was still buzzing. "Aren’t they amazing? This group’s going to blow up next year—I guarantee it!"
Sang Ning nodded. "They really are."
She leaned back into the couch, pulling out her phone to slowly search for "SonicBlaze."
After her original account got exposed, she’d switched to a burner.
After three minutes of deliberation, she unfollowed Shi Mu.
Then she hit follow on SonicBlaze’s page.
Tucking her phone away, she suddenly felt stifled. Seeing Ji Yan engrossed in conversation, she quietly slipped out to the balcony for some air.
Night had fallen, and the mansion’s exterior was bathed in dazzling lights, bright as day. She rested her hands on the railing and took a deep breath, instantly feeling better.
"Having fun?"
A low voice came from behind.
Sang Ning turned around and saw He Siyu walking toward her.
She curved her lips into a smile. "I'm having a great time."
It was her first time attending such a lively party, and everything felt fresh and exciting.
He Siyu's gaze cooled slightly. "I can tell."
She was clearly enjoying herself—surrounded by male celebrities and idol group members, indulging in the moment.
A wave of irritation surged in He Siyu's chest, yet he had no outlet for it, leaving him restless and annoyed.
To make matters worse, the woman before him seemed completely oblivious, unaffected by his mood.
Frustrated, he tugged at his tie, his expression darkening. "Instead of wasting time fooling around, you could’ve visited Grandma."
Sang Ning’s eyes lingered on his right hand—the one adjusting the tie—his fingers slender and well-defined. She stared, momentarily lost in thought.
He Siyu, caught off guard by her intense gaze, felt his heartbeat stutter unexpectedly. His movements stilled, and the anger simmering inside him inexplicably faded.
His tone remained stiff. "Are you even listening to me?"
