Nan Jiaojiao's eyes flashed for a moment before she regained her composure, her voice cold, "Thank you."
A masquerade ball?
Shen Shichu was solely focused on networking; he wouldn't be interested in arranging such an event.
She looked up at Ye Shiqing, who was arm in arm with him, a handsome man and a beautiful woman, mingling through the crowd, close and uninhibited.
Nan Jiaojiao curved her lips slightly, put on her mask, took a glass of champagne, and went to the third floor.
Bo Yanching and Yan Chi's attendance was an unexpected pleasure that evening; many were waiting outside the private room, holding glasses of wine, hoping to get a glimpse of the two magnates, feeling it would bring honor to their ancestors even to be seen by them.
Nan Jiaojiao scanned the room and, to her surprise, spotted Shen Shichu's father in the crowd.
By seniority, Father Shen and Bo Yanching were of equal standing, and they were related by marriage; he shouldn't have had to wait outside.
Someone looking for a laugh asked loudly, "President Shen is waiting outside too?"
Shen Hai had already lost face; he should have been the highest status person of the evening, enjoying the flattery of others, yet he had been shut out by Bo Yanching.
He was annoyed but didn't dare to show his dissatisfaction, given the allure of meeting Bo Yanching face to face was too great.
"I didn't tell Yanqing I was coming up; he's low-key and dislikes the commotion. After all, I am the host and should at least come up to greet," he said.
The people around him were all too shrewd, and everyone was waiting to be summoned. They knew exactly what Shen Hai was like; Bo Yanching probably didn't even recognize him as a relative, yet there he was, pretending to take the high road.
"Really? Then why doesn't President Shen give Third Master Bo a call? Maybe he would let you in," someone suggested.
Father Shen smiled awkwardly, "I'd better not. I just came to have a look; best not to disturb him."
He played the magnanimous part, telling everyone to eat and drink well, but the moment he turned around, he nearly crushed the wine glass in his hand.
The jeers and taunts from behind—although he heard them, he dared not react.
Nan Jiaojiao moved to the side, unnoticed by Shen Hai.
She had come to find Bo Yanching, and the current situation was clearly not a good time.
When she turned to leave, everything in front of her suddenly went dark.
Someone with a microphone excitedly shouted, "Everyone, it's Blackout for Three Minutes!"
The initially anxious crowd calmed down and then erupted into cheers.
'Blackout for Three Minutes' was a game among young people; during these three minutes, you could do whatever you wanted, and once the lights came on, everyone agreed to not hold anyone accountable.
Right next to her, a couple immediately embraced and kissed against the wall.
Nan Jiaojiao moved aside, and behind her came the faint sound of a door opening; then, her wrist was gripped. She instinctively tried to break free, but the person let go and instead wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her inward. She collided with the man's chest and smelled a familiar, classic scent in his breath.
And then she was quiet.
She was led into a room, the door closed, her chin lifted by his cool hand, and a kiss descended, nearly swallowing her breath.
They kissed as they walked inside, then suddenly she was lifted off the ground, her legs raised and resting on his hips.
After sitting down, the position became even more suggestive.
Nan Jiaojiao came to her senses, pressed tightly at the waist; the man held her there with both hands, seating her back down.
"Bo, Bo Yanching?"
The man laughed softly, mixed with low, husky breaths, "So timid, yet you dare come up and seduce me?"
Nan Jiaojiao turned her face away, defying, "Who's seducing whom!"
There was only one VIP room on the third floor; Bo Yanching and Yan Chi occupied it. Who would dare to posture, when those waiting outside the door could see the extent of Third Master Bo's face?
Bo Yanching twisted a strand of her hair behind her ear, his hand lingering to gently rub her earlobe, his husky voice asking, "Do you want it?"