The two figures, each carrying the invisible weight of a "ghost fetus," clinked their glasses delicately before each took a sip of their drinks.
"Do you know the owner of this place?" Catwoman asked casually, casting a sidelong glance at the man with whom she'd been conversing. His eyes, filled with an unspoken warning, seemed to plead, "Mom, steer clear."
Ye Chen shook his head, "I'm not familiar. I was invited by someone else."
"Oh? And who would that be? A girlfriend, perhaps?" Catwoman teased, a surge of delight welling within her. After their long, drawn-out verbal sparring, she finally felt she had gained the upper hand.
But Ye Chen was not so easily seduced by her bait this time. A man of the world, he had long been initiated into the social game, working various jobs and mingling with a colorful array of personalities. His adaptability was second to none.
He replied smoothly, "Yes, but I'm afraid I don't quite know where she's hiding at the moment."
Catwoman's brow furrowed momentarily, and she absentmindedly grazed her earlobe while taking another sip of her wine. Internally, she couldn't help but scoff, "Who is this girlfriend of yours? How brazen."
Yet, she said aloud, "Aren't you worried your girlfriend might see you flirting with other women?"
Ye Chen shrugged, dismissing her concerns. "Not at all. She's likely busy chatting up another guy. We both enjoy our little escapades."
It was pure fabrication, a whimsical fabrication at best. Did he truly possess such flirting finesse? In Catwoman's mind, the answer was a resounding no.
Her long lashes fluttered as she replied, "Is that so? I didn't imagine you were such an adventurous soul. By the way, what do you do for a living?"
"Actually, I'm an actor," Ye Chen disclosed casually.
Catwoman let out a genuine laugh, unable to suppress her amusement. "An actor? How interesting! I'd love to know what productions you've been in." Oh please, spare me the theatrics—next, you'll be claiming to pilot an airplane!
Revelling in the moment, Ye Chen leaned closer, his shoulder brushing against Catwoman's arm. In a low voice that sent a thrill down her spine, he said, "I can't divulge everything. I've starred in numerous major productions. Once you know my name, it'll spoil the fun. After all, we're just here to unwind and enjoy ourselves, right? Better not to reveal our identities."
"Not familiar? Oh, I already know—haha! Who would have guessed you're typically so prim? But with a mask in place, you've transformed into quite the... charming rogue."
Deep inside, Catwoman chuckled to herself, but a hint of discomfort washed over her as he leaned in closer, his warm breath grazing her earlobe. Was this kid really such a smooth talker? It's no wonder he snagged a girl upon entering the venue, even if the connection fizzled out in the end.
Unfazed, she replied, "I'd genuinely love to see your work—if the opportunity arises."
"Should the stars align, my next project is about a boxer who finds love with a female anti-fan. The script feels a tad cliché, to be honest. I'm contemplating if I should take it," Ye Chen elaborated, his tone half-serious.
"Really? It sounds rather intriguing. Why wouldn't you consider it?" Catwoman remarked as she raised her glass toward him once more.
Inside, Ye Chen smirked at Catwoman's undeterred demeanor. Did she think she could outplay him? Her poker face was impressive but surprisingly charming.
"Because it sounds utterly absurd. However, I must admit the heroine needs to be as stunning as you. That might sway my decision."
"Is that so?" Catwoman's laughter came effortlessly, her amusement genuine. "I'm neither an actress nor a boxing enthusiast—how could I ever portray a heroine?"
By now, Lisa's sisters, well aware of Catwoman's stature, observed in disbelief as Annie engaged in light-hearted banter with a man, laughter punctuating their exchange. They pondered if he could possibly be Dan Steven. After all, he once captivated audiences in "Tang Dun Zhuang Yuan."
Without hesitation, they interjected. "Hi there! Hello, today is Lisa's birthday party!"
Lisa led the charge, enthusiasm radiating from her. Her friends quickly chimed in, eager to draw closer to Catwoman's intriguing companion.
Sensing the misunderstanding, Catwoman stepped in, "Wait a moment! Don't you dare approach him. He's not who you're guessing."
She then retrieved a slice of cake, surprisingly emphatic. "I assure you, he is not Dan. Please, step aside—I'm engaged at the moment."
"Really?" They gazed, incredulous, eyeing Catwoman's earnestness and deducing it was rooted in something deeper.
"Is this the mysterious guest you mentioned? Wow, look at him!" They exchanged glances, their intrigue palpable.
Ye Chen, amidst this whirlwind, found there was no filtering their womanly scrutiny.
"Just ignore the hullabaloo!" Catwoman interjected, extending an arm as if to shield him from their probing stares. "Stay back and let us have some fun. We're not causing problems, promise!"
Their curiosity escalated, but they knew to respect Catwoman's wishes. However, their interpretation of "fun" carried a completely different undertone than Catwoman's playful banter.
As if choreographed, Ye Chen saw Catwoman tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her movements deliberate and confident as she approached him once again.
"What's the story here? Why not introduce me to your friends? I haven't had the chance to wish the lovely lady a happy birthday yet!"
With effortless grace, Catwoman greeted him, "Ah, they simply mistook you for someone else. There are so many wearing Zeus masks tonight."
The laughs flowed easily, drinks exchanged, and the ambiance thickened with camaraderie.
As they chatted, the world around them blurred. Ye Chen's capacity for alcohol was limited, yet Catwoman expertly steered the evening, each glass filling the space between them.
As guests reveled under the dim lighting of the lavish villa, Ye Chen and Catwoman nestled into their own cozy corner, lost in conversation.
"Wait a minute," Catwoman teased playfully, "didn't you mention having a girlfriend? Where is she hiding?"
Ye Chen dismissed her question with a wave, "Leave her be. Let's just enjoy the evening."
A haze of intoxication enveloped them as they both flirted with the edges of reality. Suddenly, Ye Chen felt a tingling on his cheek—a fragrant presence permeated the space between them.
It became painfully obvious as Catwoman leaned in closer, her warm breath stirring his senses. "Do you know the essence behind my mask?" she inquired, playful intrigue coloring her tone.
Ye Chen, lost in the moment, stole a kiss, surprise etched across Catwoman's features.
But, she quickly regrouped, wrapping her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss that had started in a daring gesture.
The dance of lips ignited something electric, charged by the wine, the flickering lights, and the intoxicating solitude of their shared moment.
Yet, just as their connection deepened, chaos erupted. The bright lights flooded the space and a cake emerged. Singing erupted, abruptly severing their intimacy and dragging them back into the collective gaze of the party.
"Wooo..."
Cheers and laughter erupted around them, amplifying the unexpected spectacle.
Amidst a chorus of excitement, Catwoman composed herself, brushing her hair back into place as she stood to lead the celebratory gathering in song, masterfully diffusing the awkwardness that had enveloped the room.
As the chorus of "Happy Birthday" rang out, Catwoman leaned in to whisper, "I suggest you find your seat and be calm now."
Though half-awake and half-drunk, Ye Chen complied, easing back into the moment, suddenly aware of the shifting atmosphere.
The night had morphed into something he hadn't anticipated. Was he merely looking to amuse himself with a "female netizen"? It appeared their roles had evolved into something far spicier.
The vibe was electric, yet the momentum was abruptly interrupted again, making it challenging to recapture the initial magic.
As the night waned on, Ye Chen found himself embarking on yet another round of drinking—losing himself to the fun of it all.
When the drunken exhilaration subsided, Catwoman orchestrated the evening, ensuring he got home safe with the help of Lisa. She had her commitments, being the star of the night, and had to spend time with her friend whom she hadn't seen in months.
Waking up the next day felt surreal, resembling a vivid dream. He sifted through his phone messages, half-expecting to see something from Catwoman, but found nothing. Chuckling at the whimsy of it all, he glanced at a missed call from Dana.
"Ye Chen, Connor has agreed to the fight."
Instantly, elation surged within him, banishing any sense of gloom that lingered.
"Fantastic! When and where?" Ye Chen's excitement brimmed as he sat upright in bed.
"Three months from now, in New York," Dana said, her tone one of caution. "But there's a catch—Connor's been out for a while, and weight loss could be a concern."
"Not an issue. Whatever the poundage, I'm in." Ye Chen's determination was unwavering.
It had been six months since he had signaled any interest in a match, but waiting was out of the question now.
Dana's voice brightened through the phone, "This fight has the potential to be a money-maker. You both must get in on the hype—it could rival the Khabib vs. Connor match."
"Great! When do we officially promote it?" Ye Chen was filled with anticipation.
While he had recently pocketed a substantial amount from his last professional bout, it paled in comparison to the notoriety and esteem he could gain from this match.
Dana, sensing his eagerness, obliged, "Don't worry. We'll let Connor announce it first, making it seem like a personal grudge match rather than just another UFC event."
Ye Chen pondered this strategy, impressed by its brilliance. Catapulting Connor's announcement into the spotlight, framing it as a personal vendetta, would crank up public interest.
Amid rising buzz over recent UFC decisions, it would be crucial to keep things fresh and exciting. This match could skyrocket both their profiles and rekindle public interest.
Later that evening, Connor shared a video that lit up social media.
As his children played gleefully, Connor's voice boomed in the background, mocking, "I've noticed many mice chirping about Ye Chen beneath my posts. Who is this 'supernova'? Is he really that formidable? He's boasting about 'defeating a few losers'? Well, I'm the king of the ring—there's no question about it."
In an explosive moment, he threw a punch at a balloon displaying Ye Chen's image, bursting it before howling laughter enveloped the scene.
"Duna, set the stage! I'm returning to crush this little mouse in the ring. I'm still the undisputed champion." His charisma commanded attention, showcasing his impeccable physique and flaunting confidence.
The video erupted online, sending shockwaves through the fighting community, fueling eagerness and envy alike. All eyes turned to Ye Chen as anticipation enveloped the prospects of a monumental showdown.
While countless fighters had sought Connor's attention, it wasn't until someone like Ye Chen came into the picture that Connor took the bait.
An air of disbelief fell over many—wasn't the arena meant for him? Why was he now after Ye Chen?
Each fighter, once overlooked, marveled at the sudden shift.
They couldn't believe their ears; this wasn't just a fight—it was the clash of titans.