"Give me your best wine." The man demanded.

His dark hair was neatly styled, framing a face that appeared to be in its prime - likely in his late twenties. The expensive suit he wore accentuate his broad shoulders and lean frame perfectly. Despite his youthful appearance, there was an undeniable aura of power and confidence exuded from him, commanding the attention of everyone in his vicinity.

"Right away, sir." The delicate waitress gracefully poured the recommended wine, presenting it to the customer with a practiced flourish. 

He couldn't help but lingered his eyes on her face, her hands and the curve of her body. His gaze was intense and unwavering as if trying to register something onto the woman. 

He brought the glass to his lips, and she watched as he savored the aroma before taking a delicate sip. "Exquisite," he murmured, his voice smooth and rich. "This is an excellent choice." 

Wen Yinlin responded with a warm smile, her voice soft and inviting. "I'm delighted to hear that. Please, enjoy your meal, sir. I'll be here to attend to your needs anytime." She dipped her head in a polite bow before turning to leave, her heart racing beneath her composed exterior. 

An hour later, Yinlin was summoned back to the table, informed that the customer had specifically requested her presence. As she approached, he looked up, a satisfied smile playing on his handsome features.

"Your service has truly elevated my dining experience tonight," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "In fact, I find myself craving more of your... attention."

With a casual motion, he produced a hotel keycard, placing it on the table before her. Yinlin's eyes widened as she realized the implications behind his words.

"Would you care to continue your 'service'... in a more private setting?" he asked, his gaze piercing and full of dark promise. 

Yinlin froze for a moment, taken aback by the bold proposition from the wealthy young man. Her eyes widened slightly as she processed his words, glancing down at the hotel keycard sitting innocently on the table between them.

A mix of emotions swirled within her - surprise, unease, and a hint of intrigue. As a single mother struggling to make ends meet, the promise of extra money was certainly tempting. But was she really considering this? Selling her body to a stranger, no matter how affluent, just to make a quick cash?

Yinlin swallowed hard, her mind racing. She knew all too well the harsh realities of life, the difficult choices mothers like herself often faced to provide for their children. But something about this man's arrogance rubbed her the wrong way. Did he think he could just buy her dignity like one of his expensive suits?

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to meet his eyes steadily. "I'm not sure what you mean, sir," she replied carefully, her voice soft but firm. "My job is to serve guests like yourself. I don't...I mean, I couldn't possibly... do such a thing with a guest."

Her words trailed off uncertainly as she fidgeted with the hem of her skirt, conflict etched on her delicate features. Would he push further or take the hint that she wasn't interested in his crude offer? Yinlin held her breath, waiting to see how this encounter would unfold. 

"Is that so?" He responded curtly. A flicker of annoyance crossed his face before he schooled his features into a mask of indifference. "Are you playing hard to get?"

Yinlin raised her brows at the sudden change in his tone. "Excuse me?" 

The man's brows furrowed at the woman's attempt to act like she didn't know him. It was almost insulting. Did she really not remember him? The wealthy, powerful Xu Tao? Or was this some sort of game she was playing? 

"Wen Yinlin," he said slowly, enunciating her name clearly. "It's me, Xu Tao. From Shi Hui high school. Surely you haven't forgotten your old... classmate, have you?"

He leaned back in his chair, appraising her with a critical eye. Even in her plain waitress uniform, Yinlin was still breathtaking - silky black hair, flawless skin, lithe figure. But there was a weariness in her eyes that hadn't been there before, a hardness that spoke of a life less fortunate than his own. 

Yinlin wore a confused expression. "I apologize, sir. But I don't have any recollection about anyone name Xu Tao." She responded respectfully. 

Tao's eyes narrowed as Yinlin insisted she had no memory of him. Could it be possible that she truly didn't recognize him after all these years? Or was this some ploy to make him chase after her? He found it hard to believe that she could have completely forgotten the Xu conglomerate's heir from their school, the one everyone whispered about behind closed doors. The one who...

"Come now, Yinlin," he purred, his voice dripping with condescension. "Don't tell me you've gone and forgotten little old me. I'm hurt." He leaned back, crossing his arms. "And here I thought we had a connection back in school. Or perhaps..." His gaze raked over her body shamelessly. "You're simply playing hard to get?" 

Yinlin's brows deeply furrowed. "I'm sorry, sir, but I don't recall anyone named Xu Tao." Her words were sincere, her mind drawing a complete blank at the mention of his name. "I think you have mistaken me for someone else." she said softly, her voice tinged with uncertainty. 

Xu Tao let out a hearty laugh before narrowing his eyes, a flicker of anger passing over his handsome features. He leaned forward, his voice low and intense. "Don't play games with me, Wen Yinlin. We both know who I am. We have history, and I'm not about to let you forget it. Perhaps you're deliberately avoiding me. Is that it, Yinlin? Did you not want me to find you here? As a measly waitress?" 

Irritation began to nestle inside her.

Who does he even think he is? She had never known such a rude and disrespectful man of this caliber in her life. How unlucky she would be if she did.

"I'm truly sorry, sir, but I don't recall ever meeting you before. I know I'm just a measly waitress, but I would remember someone like you." She bit her lip nervously, hoping her response didn't anger him further. "I have to go back to my job now, my apologies if I've offended you in any way." 

With that said Yinlin bowed her head and immediately took her leave, but his hand shot out, grasping her wrist in a firm grip. "No, I won't let this go. You owe me an explanation. Why are you lying about not knowing me?" 

Xu Tao's heart raced as he waited for her response. Part of him wondered if she was truly clueless about their history, but another part refused to accept that. No, there had to be more to this story. And he was determined to uncover the truth, no matter what it took. 

Yinlin yanked her arm away from Tao's grasp, her eyes flashing with a mix of confusion and irritation at his persistence. "I'm sorry, but I really don't know you," she insisted, her voice firm despite the tremble in her hands. "I would remember someone like you, trust me."

Tao's lips thinned, his frustration mounting. How could she not remember him? The countless hours they had spent together during their teenage years, making childish promises of future together? The time he spent memorizing every detail of her face, her smile, her laugh? It was impossible that she could have forgotten him so completely. 

Or was it?

A nagging doubt crept into Tao's mind. What if Yinlin truly had no recollection of their past encounters? What if, to her, he was nothing more than a faceless customer, a wealthy investor with a sense of entitlement?

The thought filled him with a strange mix of anger and humiliation. He was Tao Xu, the golden boy of Shi Hui High School, the man who could have any woman he desired. And yet here he was, being rejected by his old flame who couldn't even bother to remember him. 

He needed to find out what happened to her all these years.