In the bustling city of K, atop the most luxurious, platinum-rated five-star hotel, a grand banquet hall shimmered with golden splendor. The room was alive with the clinking of glasses and the mingling of the elite.
Lu Qishuang, dressed in a sleek black server's uniform, stood in the most secluded corner of the hall, holding a tray. She discreetly tested the hidden microphone on her bowtie—her essential tool for the night.
The occasion was a celebratory banquet for Yuan Yixue, the city's rising star in the art world. At just 24, Yuan was the current darling of the media giant YM Group, with every newspaper and magazine vying for a scoop on her rumored romance with Xi Ruiteng.
Disguised as a server, Lu Qishuang had infiltrated the event, hoping to snap some candid photos for a quick buck.
"Mr. Xi, you're finally here! I've been waiting for you..." A sugary voice suddenly reached Lu's ears, sending shivers down her spine and nearly causing her to drop the tray.
She glanced over to see Yuan Yixue, alluring and delicate, clinging to the arm of the strikingly handsome Xi Ruiteng. Her head rested coyly against his shoulder, her ample cleavage barely contained.
"Keep your distance," Xi said coolly, his expression unreadable as he subtly withdrew his arm, creating space between them. He then gestured towards Lu, "You, come here."
Lu's heart skipped a beat.
Oh no!
She’s about to be discovered!
Lu Qishuang kept her head down, her heart pounding as she inched forward step by step. The man before her exuded an air of refined elegance, his presence cold and aloof, as if he were untouchable. He reached for a glass of champagne from the tray she held almost level with her head, his movements deliberate and detached. His eyes flicked toward her briefly, a silent command for her to leave.
Xi Ruiteng sipped his drink, lost in thought. For a fleeting moment, when he had first caught sight of the unremarkable server, he had thought he’d seen *her*—someone who had long been gone, as if risen from the dead.
Lu Qishuang turned away, exhaling a quiet sigh of relief. Clutching the tray, she hurried off, her steps quick and furtive.
Yuan Yixue watched her suspiciously, her brow furrowing as she noticed the girl’s shifty demeanor. Without hesitation, she clicked her heels and strode after her.
“Stop right there!”
Lu Qishuang froze, her body tensing. She didn’t dare turn around.
Yuan Yixue circled around to face her, leaning in with a smirk as she scrutinized her. “Well, well, if it isn’t the proud Miss Lu Qishuang of the illustrious Lu family,” she sneered. “What’s this? Dressing up as a server for some kind of role-play?”
Lu Qishuang blinked, caught off guard, and forced an awkward smile. “Xiaoxue, congratulations. I heard you’ve become a renowned artist.”
Yuan Yixue’s lips curled in disdain, her expression darkening. “Cut the act, Lu Qishuang. Who needs your fake congratulations? Look at you—pathetic. I heard your family’s fallen on hard times. Your father’s got some kidney disease, hasn’t he? Ha! You’re nothing but bad luck. Don’t you dare spread it to me. Get out of here!”
No!
If she got kicked out, how would she manage to snap that headline-worthy photo? She hadn’t captured a single story this month, and if she failed to submit anything today, she’d lose her bonus entirely. How would she pay for her father’s medical bills then?
"Yixue… please, don’t make me leave. I really need this job. For the sake of our past friendship, let me stay here? I’m desperate for money…" Lu Qishuang swallowed her pride, her voice trembling with desperation as she pleaded.
"Money?" Yuan Yixue sneered, her tone dripping with disdain. "Lu Qishuang, how much do you even make as a server here in one night? A hundred? Two hundred? And for that pittance, you’re groveling like this?"
The once-proud Lu Qishuang, now begging her? Yuan Yixue couldn’t help but let out a haughty laugh. Then, an idea struck her, and she feigned a magnanimous tone. "Since you’re begging so earnestly, I’ll cut to the chase. Do me a favor, and not only will I let the hotel pay you for tonight’s work, but I’ll also give you an extra three thousand. Deal?"
"What kind of favor?" Lu Qishuang’s eyes lit up at the mention of money, though she carefully masked her true intentions. She couldn’t let Yuan Yixue suspect she was here to secretly take photos.
Yuan Yixue turned her back to Lu Qishuang, rummaging through her clutch before pulling out a small packet of powder. She poured it into a champagne glass on the tray, giving it a quick swirl. Turning back, she pointed toward Xi Ruiteng, who was surrounded by a crowd not far away. "Take this glass to Xi Ruiteng. Make sure he drinks it."
"Just this one glass?" Lu Qishuang frowned, suspicion creeping in. How could a single glass of champagne be worth three thousand? She hesitated, unmoving.
"What? Not willing to do it?" Yuan Yixue snapped, her patience wearing thin. "Do you want the money, or do you want to be thrown out right now?"
"I want the money!"
Lu Qishuang had no choice; she couldn't afford to lose this job.
"Humph. Look at you now, all shabby and pathetic. Don't you dare tell anyone you know me. I can't bear the embarrassment," Yuan Yixue sneered.
Holding the tray, Lu Qishuang walked towards the center of the banquet hall. She heard Yuan Yixue's mocking words behind her but could only endure them, unable to retort.
Yuan Yixue, holding a champagne glass, watched Lu Qishuang's back with a sinister gaze. She had already reserved the presidential suite on this floor. As soon as Xi Ruiteng drank the spiked wine and felt the effects, she would go over to support him, and then they would naturally let nature take its course...
This man was hers!
Thinking of this, Yuan Yixue confidently curled the corner of her lips.
Meanwhile—
Lu Qishuang, somewhat dazed, approached Xi Ruiteng with the tray: "Mr. Xi, your glass is empty. Would you like me to get you another one?"