Volume 1, Chapter 9: The Nightlife Begins

At ten o’clock in the evening, a black Maybach slowly pulled up beneath a high-end apartment building in the city center.

Lu Lie glanced sideways at the woman leaning back in her seat, her eyes tightly shut.

He wanted to reach out and hold her, but suddenly, she opened her eyes. “Are we here? I’m getting off. Thank you.”

Gu Xingnian pushed open the car door and stepped out.

Lu Lie also got out, calling softly, “Nian Nian.”

She turned back. “Senior Brother, is there something else?”

He fought hard to suppress the surge of emotions in his heart, transforming them into a few tender words: “Get some rest early.”

“Mm, you too.”

Gu Xingnian smiled brightly and walked straight into the apartment building without looking back, soon disappearing under the bright lights.

Back home, the hallway light flickered on as she entered.

She kicked off her high heels and, without even changing clothes, headed straight to her study.

She opened the seemingly ordinary but actually extraordinary laptop.

Her fingers flew over the keyboard, instantly bringing up a complex series of codes and medical terms on the screen.

Her gaze was sharp and focused, a stark contrast to the quiet, timid image she usually wore.

The glow from the screen flickered softly across her face.

In the search bar, she quickly typed a line—

“Old Madam Huo, mid-stage lung cancer, latest treatment plans and clinical data analysis…”

The next day, the sun shone just right, and the breeze was gentle.

Sheng Weiwei burst in with excitement; even before stepping inside, her voice was heard.

“Nian Nian! I’m back! Mom made a loving lunch; you have to try it. Airplane meals are simply inhumane!”

Gu Xingnian put down the medical book in her hands, looking helplessly at Sheng Weiwei, who had already rushed over and was clinging to her.

“You just got back and didn’t rest at all before coming here.”

Sheng Weiwei released her grip, holding Gu Xingnian’s face seriously as she examined her. “Hmm, you look good, recovering well. You’ll be able to go shopping with me this afternoon.”

Gu Xingnian smiled. “You only think about shopping. How was your trip? Did you close the deal with the client?”

Sheng Weiwei patted her chest proudly. “You should know who was in charge. I went to Ning City—my uncle is the mayor there. There’s no client I can’t handle.”

After saying this, she winked triumphantly.

Gu Xingnian patted her forehead in resignation. “I hope you won’t let your uncle down in the future.”

Sheng Weiwei pouted. “It’s all Dad’s fault for refusing to have a third child. Now the family’s heavy burden is all on me.”

Gu Xingnian rolled her eyes and led her toward the dining table. “What delicious food did Godmother make for me?”

“All your favorites: pineapple ribs, shredded chicken balls, veal, and clear soup.”

Just looking at it whetted Gu Xingnian’s appetite. Godmother’s cooking could conquer the world. “Godmother is the best.”

Suddenly, Sheng Weiwei’s mood shifted as she mentioned, “Once I have everything ready, I’m going to Madrid in Country A.”

Gu Xingnian paused, then looked at her seriously. “When the time comes, I’ll go with you.”

“Mm, drink your soup.” Sheng Weiwei nodded and smiled.

Gu Xingnian knew Madrid was a sore spot for the Sheng family. Five years ago, Sheng Weiwei’s brother, Sheng Tingxiao, had an accident there—a massive explosion—his body was never found. The Sheng family had sent people searching for years, but after five years without news, no one dared mention it again.

Thus, the weight of the Sheng family’s business empire fell on Sheng Weiwei’s shoulders. Her father had arranged for a business manager to help her gain experience first.

As they drank soup together, Gu Xingnian suddenly asked, “By the way, Weiwei, I heard the Huo family’s old madam is ill. Do you know anything about it?”

“Old Madam Huo?” Sheng Weiwei put down her spoon, her eyes reflecting something more. “You mean Huo Chenyuan’s grandmother?”

“Yeah, I heard from Huo Chenyuan before—something wrong with her lungs.”

Sheng Weiwei thought for a moment. “She’s actually very healthy, very kind. I even went to celebrate her birthday when I was little.”

A trace of nostalgia appeared on her face.

“But in recent years, the old lady has been recuperating at the old family estate, living in seclusion. Ordinary people hardly get to see her.” Sheng Weiwei’s eyes suddenly lit up as if recalling something. “Hey, why don’t you help her?”

That was exactly what Gu Xingnian had in mind. “But I have to see her in person—and it can’t be too obvious.”

“Oh! The old madam’s birthday is at the end of the month. The Huo family is worried about her tiring herself out, so they won’t make a big fuss, but they’ll privately invite some close friends to gather. We can go together then!”

Gu Xingnian’s heart stirred, and she nodded toward Sheng Weiwei. “Alright.”

The two happily ate their meal, when suddenly Sheng Weiwei’s phone rang, flashing a photo—a picture of Gu Shaoheng with a young rising star, passionately kissing.

Sheng Weiwei flicked the phone coldly and muttered two words: “Stud. His taste is getting worse and worse.”

Gu Xingnian glanced over, concerned. “Are you okay?”

Sheng Weiwei put down her spoon and smiled brightly. “Do I look like someone who cares? You’re giving Gu Shaoheng too much credit. To me, he’s just a name—nothing at all.”

She pointed to her heart, her clear eyes calm and unruffled.

Though the two grew up together and their families arranged their engagement when they turned eighteen, Gu Shaoheng’s constant womanizing over the years had long sealed his fate in Sheng Weiwei’s eyes.

She was determined to work hard now, waiting until she held the power to announce the breakup. It wasn’t yet time to tear ties with the Gu family.

Seeing her like this, Gu Xingnian naturally didn’t worry about her.

“Who sent you that?”

“No idea. One photo every month, more regular than clockwork, and each one different. The earlier ones were all hot international models; now they’ve downgraded to second-tier celebrities. Tsk tsk.”

Sheng Weiwei shook her head disdainfully as she scrolled through the pictures.

Gu Xingnian suddenly smiled. “Give me the IP address. I’ll have someone track it.”

Sheng Weiwei hurriedly crossed her hands in an X. “No way. A free detective is too good to pass up. My leverage is increasing by the day.”

She wasn’t about to lose such a good advantage.

“Fine, suit yourself.”

Seeing that Sheng Weiwei could take it lightly, Gu Xingnian felt relieved.

After finishing their meal and resting for a while, Gu Xingnian retreated to her study. During this time, Lu Lie called to invite her out to dinner.

She politely declined, saying she was a bit tired today.

That evening, Sheng Weiwei dragged her out after changing into a striking outfit.

Youth is precious; wasting it by staying indoors was a betrayal of their time.

Dressed provocatively, Sheng Weiwei was fully on fire tonight, radiating an aura that screamed “I’m here to turn heads.”

Gu Xingnian was no less dazzling; with her elegant features and tall figure, lightly made up and clad in a fiery red gown, she was impossible to ignore.

By seven in the evening, they arrived at a bustling boxing gym in the city center.

Gu Xingnian looked up at the sign in disbelief—it read “Unbelievable Boxing Gym.”

She pointed at the neon-lit, hemispherical building before them.

“You think I’m the type to play drinking games or truth or dare? This is my secret base. Tonight, I’ll show you something eye-opening.”

Sheng Weiwei flashed a VIP card and easily gained entry.