By the shimmering, rippling swimming pool, men and women frolicked and laughed.

Wrapped in youthful, thin clothes that fluttered and spread in the night wind, pulling along faint, silky threads of desire, searching and seeking. Once they smelled a compatible aura, they would, like spiders, wrap their prey tightly in silk, then wait for an opportunity to approach and slowly take a bite.

However, unlike an animal's preference for the scent of food, humans were obviously much more complex.

Physical appearance, fame and status, and even potential benefits to one's career could all become enhancers of charm.

Qin Chuan suddenly realized he was very different from before.

Several years ago, when he was in this kind of situation, his focus was always on women's figures and faces.

No matter how intelligent a man was, he was first and foremost a man, instinctively drawn to primal desires.

But now, faced with a whole venue of beautiful women, countless coquettish teases drifting into his ears, he actually felt a sense of weariness.

It was just playing along, each taking what they needed.

In fact, among his few friends who had known each other for a long time, only Shen Rui was still tirelessly indulging in this kind of entertainment.

Playing PUBG would be better.

Qin Chuan thought to himself, took out his phone, glanced at the full signal bars, and started connecting to Stimulating Battlefield.

In the eyes of outsiders, however, Qin Chuan was a unique sight.

He was slouched casually on the sofa by the floor-to-ceiling window, his posture relaxed. The background was a majority of men and women busy socializing, flirting, and hitting on each other, not bothering to hide the desire on their faces. The two scenes were separated into a world of their own, clearly distinct.

If not for Shen Rui's earlier warm intimacy toward Qin Chuan, some tactless or drunk person might have gone over to provoke or mock him. But many had just seen Shen Rui's attitude, which naturally eliminated any such low-level, standard-issue villains.

Some people had even made discreet inquiries, cleverly finding out Qin Chuan's background, and were now thinking about how to flawlessly orchestrate a perfect encounter.

Chi Yun also saw Qin Chuan.

She had pulled some strings and heard from Shen Rui that her ex-boyfriend would be coming. Only then did she drop the work she was doing, take a day off from her film set, and rush over.

In fact, the two of them hadn't seen each other since they broke up.

But Chi Yun was not without regret in her heart.

Qin Chuan's lifestyle was very regular; he spent most of his time on work. When he was dating Chi Yun, they didn't have much time for meals or vacations together, otherwise Chi Yun wouldn't have grown dissatisfied.

Although the Qins didn't dabble in the entertainment industry, Qin Chuan's friends, like Shen Rui, were heavily involved in the entertainment circle. Whether it was dating female stars and influencers or participating in some investments, with this connection, everyone would give Qin Chuan's girlfriend some face.

As the saying goes, 'if not for the monk's sake, then for the Buddha's.' Chi Yun had once privately complained that Qin Chuan lacked romance, didn't spend enough time with her, and wasn't as fun-loving as many others in the circle. But after they broke up, she couldn't help but start reminiscing about Qin Chuan's various good qualities.

At the very least, Qin Chuan wasn't like other second-generation rich kids who were just playing around; he had been serious about his relationship with Chi Yun, and that was exceptionally precious.

Chi Yun had imagined countless times: if she had just been a little more humble that day, hugged Qin Chuan and not let him leave, would they not have broken up?

At first, she thought he was just joking. Chi Yun had a bit of a temper herself, and after being so abruptly cold-shouldered by Qin Chuan, she thought she'd wait a few days for him to come and coax her. Who knew that when he said they were breaking up, he meant it. After that, he hadn't even sent a text, let alone called.

Only then did Chi Yun realize that Qin Chuan was serious.

On the way here, she had thought of many things to say, but the moment she saw Qin Chuan, all her words vanished into thin air.

Chi Yun stood at a distance, half-openly, half-secretly observing her ex-boyfriend whom she hadn't seen for over half a month. It wasn't until she saw someone go up to talk to Qin Chuan that she started walking over unhurriedly in her high heels.

Qin Chuan was endlessly annoyed.

He was playing a game either way, whether at home or here. The only difference was that here, he couldn't concentrate at all.

The old map had fewer item resources. He had just managed to pick up a Level 3 helmet and an AKM when a few people came over to greet him. Qin Chuan was distracted for a moment, and an enemy popped out from behind and blew his Level 3 helmet to bits.

If he had known, he might as well have stayed home and played to his heart's content.

"Qin Chuan."

Chi Yun remembered Qin Chuan once saying that he loved the tone of her voice the most.

It carried the softness of the southern riverlands, yet it wasn't so soft that it could drip water. Rather, it was like the dew on the delicate petals of a budding flower in early summer.

Fresh and refined, far from the mortal world.

Chi Yun knew her own strengths. When filming, she used her original voice whenever possible, and this had already become a trademark of her fame.

Qin Chuan kept his head down, showing no reaction.

Chi Yun called out again.

This time, Qin Chuan slowly raised his head.

Seeing he had no intention of speaking first, Chi Yun could only say, "Are you okay?"

Qin Chuan grunted in acknowledgment and lowered his head again.

Chi Yun: ......

People were coming and going around them, and she could almost feel many curious or mocking gazes falling upon her.

Compared to the models and influencers Shen Rui had invited, Chi Yun was clearly on a different level.

If she hadn't been unable to contact Qin Chuan through any means, Chi Yun wouldn't have lowered herself to come here.

"I've missed you a lot."

Since she was already here, Chi Yun decided to get straight to the point.

She sat down gracefully beside Qin Chuan and said in a soft, gentle voice, "These past few days, you haven't answered your phone or replied to my messages, you even blocked me. Do you have any idea how anxious I was when I heard about the earthquake on the island, right after your team-building event there? But I just couldn't reach you! At that time, I kept thinking over and over, deeply regretting that I couldn't make you stay that day. Otherwise, you might not have gone there. Thank goodness you're okay, thank goodness..."

Chi Yun's voice grew lower and lower, even taking on a hint of a sob, and her eyes reddened.

But she kept her head down, so others couldn't see her clearly, nor could they hear what they were talking about.

"You're blocking the light," Qin Chuan said suddenly.

Chi Yun froze, not understanding what he was saying.

Qin Chuan reached out and pushed her head aside a little, allowing the light from above to fall on him again.

The game scene on his phone screen thus became brighter and clearer.

Chi Yun: ......

She desperately wanted to pick up the Chanel limited-edition handbag in her hand and smash it viciously against Qin Chuan's head until he was crying for his parents, or to snatch his phone and throw it directly into the pool outside, making Qin Chuan scream, lose his composure, and jump into the pool to retrieve it.

But she didn't dare.

Since she didn't dare, she could only swallow her anger silently and raise her head again with a gentle smile.

"Let's get back together. I love you so much, and you still love me too. To this day, I still don't know why you suddenly broke up with me. If I did something wrong, just tell me directly. Do we really need to be as polite as strangers? Qin Chuan—"

No one could resist Chi Yun's slightly coquettish tone, especially not men.

Qin Chuan finally put down his phone and looked Chi Yun in the eye.

Before she could be happy for even a second, she heard Qin Chuan say, "I've already made it very clear. We broke up. Chi Yun, you don't seem like the type to pester someone relentlessly."

His expression was cold, and his tone was even colder than his expression. From head to toe, he radiated an air of keeping others at a distance.

Chi Yun suppressed her anger. "Qin Chuan, we were, at the very least, a properly dating couple. Although I didn't make it public at first, that was my agent's idea. Besides, I didn't want to affect your normal life. You know how extreme some paparazzi can be. Are you really insisting on breaking up over such a small thing?"

"I didn't want to say it originally."

Qin Chuan said slowly. Chi Yun's heart skipped a beat. A bad premonition almost made her cover his mouth to stop him from speaking further, but the strong desire in her heart to know the reason held her hand back.

"For the sake of our past relationship, I also wanted us to part on good terms. Since you insist on asking, why don't you think about that dinner party before you filmed Highlands?"

Her anger instantly deflated, and Chi Yun's face turned pale.

"I don't care about your past, but I'm not so magnanimous as to watch my own girlfriend entertain men with drinks and remain indifferent... Hmm, no." Qin Chuan said mockingly, "Ex-girlfriend."

"We only had a few drinks. These are necessary social obligations in the industry. I'm your girlfriend, not the president's girlfriend. Otherwise, if you said the word, who would dare make me entertain them?" Chi Yun said, her breath quickening, her defense weak.

Qin Chuan gave a half-smile. "Just drinking?"

Chi Yun was like a hen with its neck squeezed, suddenly unable to make a sound.

She didn't need to ask where Qin Chuan got his information from; doing so would only be asking for humiliation.