Shengshi Hotel
One of the best five-star hotels in the bustling city of Shanghai.
Its decor was opulent and grand, embracing top-tier international service standards, with several top chefs overseeing the kitchen.
However, the prices were exorbitant, far beyond the reach of ordinary folks. Simply stepping in and ordering a plate of fried rice could cost upwards of a thousand units of currency.
Today, a woman entered Shengshi Hotel.
She is extraordinarily beautiful, with a face so stunning it could captivate a nation. Her figure is voluptuous, her deep cleavage and lifted posterior strain her professional attire to its limits.
One could say she is an extraordinary beauty.
Walking down the street, she commands a 100% turn-back rate.
But her icy demeanor made her seem unapproachable.
She was Xiao Mingyue.
Originally, she was the heiress of a small family.
Through her iron-like determination and sharp business acumen, she had built a pharmaceutical company worth billions, rightfully earning her the title of a young and domineering CEO.
Today, she had only one purpose in coming here: to have a talk with Xu Hao.
She have had enough.
Every day he sent her flowers, asked her out, becoming a constant annoyance.
Her heart was entirely dedicated to her career now; there was no room for romance.
Even if she were to consider a relationship in the future, she would never choose someone like Xu Hao, a rich second-generation with no ambition who spent his days chasing women.
At first, she tolerated it.
After all, Xu Hao's family background was monumental to say the least.
But just yesterday, she discovered a hidden listening device in her office, and that was the last straw.
...
Time ticked away.
Gradually, Xiao Mingyue's patience wore thin. In the past, it was others who had to wait for her. But now, she had been waiting for half an hour, and he hadn't shown up yet. Xu Hao's relentless pursuit would have probably caused him to rush over as soon as she hung up the phone. So what was going on?
"Click—"
In her bewilderment, the door opened, revealing Xu Hao.
Xiao Mingyue was momentarily taken aback.
Xu Hao seemed different.
He had been handsome before, but now he exuded a certain charm, becoming even more attractive.
She shook her head, wondering why she had such a ridiculous thought.
"Xu Hao, we're not suitable..."
Since Xu Hao had arrived, Xiao Mingyue got straight to the point.
"Wait a minute, I'm a bit hungry. Let's eat first," Xu Hao interrupted.
Xiao Mingyue opened her mouth, her brows furrowed.
Soon enough, exquisite dishes arrived at their table, each one a signature specialty of the hotel, each worth thousands.
"Xu Hao, I'm telling you, I won't like you..."
As Xu Hao casually picked up his chopsticks and began eating, Xiao Mingyue's brows furrowed even more tightly.
Her time was precious, and she didn't have time to waste here with Xu Hao.
But once again, she was interrupted.
"If there's something, we can discuss it later."
Another half-hour passed.
Xu Hao wiped his mouth with a napkin, lit a cigarette, and looked at her with a sidelong glance.
"If there's something, just say it. I have business to attend to, and I don't want to waste time here."
[Ding! You've gained 234 points of Xiao Mingyue's anger emotion…]
Xiao Mingyue was infuriated.
First, she had to wait here for half an hour. Then she had to sit awkwardly while he ate, and after finishing his meal, he said he was busy with other matters.
What did that make her?
As if she had nothing better to do than waste her time?
While angry, she was also somewhat puzzled.
The Xu Hao of the past would have relished the chance to talk with her more. What had changed?
Could he really have let go?
Somehow, she felt relieved yet simultaneously experienced a sense of profound loss.
"You are also a CEO of a company. Please stop your childish behavior; I don't want to lose respect for you."
"Additionally, I have no plans to marry at the moment. Even if I were to consider someone in the future, it wouldn't be you." Xiao Mingyue's words were nothing short of blunt.
Xu Hao remained unfazed, as if her words weren't directed at him at all.
He continued to quietly smoke his cigarette.
Through the haze of smoke, he stared at this Ice Queen of a CEO, and a cold atmosphere began to spread.
Xiao Mingyue was somewhat puzzled.
She had considered how Xu Hao might react upon hearing her refusal. Begging pitifully for another chance from her.
Lashing out in impotent rage, saying he never wanted to see her again.
The only thing she hadn't considered was that he would remain so composed.
"I really don't understand—coming from a small family, who gave you the audacity to speak to me like this?"
"Is it because of the multi-billion-dollar company you've single-handedly built?"
After a pause, Xu Hao finally spoke, voicing the question that had been lingering in his mind.
Xiao Mingyue's eyebrows furrowed deeply, a sense of foreboding rising within her.
Xu Hao's behavior today was definitely off.
As the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate, she was certainly not foolish.
She was well aware of Xu Hao's family background.
What did he mean by his words?
Was he trying to use his family's influence to overpower her?
This was a society governed by law; would he dare to act so recklessly?
"You... what do you mean by saying that?"
"What do I mean? Haha..."
Xu Hao began to laugh.
Slowly rising from his seat, he walked up to Xiao Mingyue and raised his hand to strike.
Slap—
His hand landed on Xiao Mingyue's face.
A bright red imprint quickly formed on her stunning visage.
Xiao Mingyue was stunned.
She covered her cheek with her hand, staring dumbfounded at Xu Hao.
Since childhood, she had been raised with a golden spoon in her mouth.
Her family had always treasured her like the apple of their eye, afraid she might get hurt or lost.
As she grew up, her talents in business allowed her to quickly rise to the position of CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company.
With her extraordinary beauty, she had been pursued by countless people, her suitors stretching from the imperial capital to Magic City.
She had never been slapped or scolded before.
Let alone getting slapped so blatantly like this.
Coming back to her senses, she looked at Xu Hao with outrage:
"You… you actually hit me?"
[Ding! You've gained 1000 points of Xiao Mingyue's anger emotion...]
Little did Xiao Mingyue know, Xu Hao nodded and raised his hand again.
"How about you feel it once more?"
Swish—
Xiao Mingyue quickly stepped back, covering her cheeks with both hands, terror in her eyes.
"Heh..."
Xu Hao approached step by step, while she retreated, until she was cornered against the wall.
Xu Hao slowly leaned in, and Xiao Mingyue's expression grew increasingly terrified.
"Exhale—"
Instead of hitting her, Xu Hao exhaled a puff of smoke onto Xiao Mingyue's face.
[Ding! You've gained 678 points of Xiao Mingyue's fear emotion…]
"Cough, cough..."
The acrid smoke made Xiao Mingyue cough involuntarily.
His low voice echoed in her ears.
"I'm just trying to give you a wake-up call. The world is a big place, and there are people you can't afford to offend."
"And if you do offend them, you must bear the corresponding consequences..."