The business restaurant Chen Wei chose was called "Azure Pavilion"—elegant but not ostentatious, the perfect place for professional meetings that could become something more.
Lin Yue sat across from him, her posture perfect, every movement calculated and graceful. As she reviewed the menu, Chen Wei took the opportunity to really look at her.
[System Analysis: Lin Yue]
[Age: 26]
[Background: Top entertainment lawyer, graduated from Beijing Law School, daughter of Lin Corporation CEO, known for her sharp mind and ice-cold professional demeanor]
[Relationship Status: Single - Focused on career, hasn't dated seriously in 3 years]
[Favorability: 25/100 (Neutral Professional)]
[Note: Difficult target. Values competence, intelligence, and ambition above all else. Romance will require proving yourself worthy.]
"So, Mr. Chen," Lin Yue said, setting down her menu. "Tell me how a twenty-one-year-old university student acquires an entertainment company overnight. I'm genuinely curious."
Her tone was professional, but Chen Wei caught the hint of personal interest beneath it.
"Call me Chen Wei, please. And it's simple—I saw an opportunity and took it," he said, leaning back with natural confidence. "Zhou Feng needed capital and direction. I provided both. Sometimes the best investments are the ones others overlook because they're too focused on the risks."
"And you're not afraid of risks?" Lin Yue asked, her eyes studying him intently.
"I'm terrified of them," Chen Wei admitted with a slight smile. "But I'm more afraid of looking back years from now and wondering 'what if.' Life's too short to play it safe."
[Silver Tongue Effect: +15% favorability]
[Lin Yue Favorability: 25/100 → 40/100]
Something flickered in Lin Yue's eyes—surprise, maybe respect. "That's... unusually mature for someone your age."
"I had a very educational week," Chen Wei said, thinking about everything that had happened since the breakup.
Their food arrived—delicate appetizers, perfectly prepared main courses. As they ate, the conversation shifted from pure business to something more personal.
"So what does your family think about you buying a company instead of finishing university?" Lin Yue asked, taking a sip of wine.
"They don't know yet," Chen Wei admitted. "My parents run a small convenience store. They'd probably have a heart attack if I told them. What about you? Does your family approve of your career?"
Lin Yue's expression became guarded. "My father wanted me to join the family business—Lin Corporation. He thinks entertainment law is 'beneath' me. We haven't spoken properly in two years."
There was pain in her voice, carefully hidden but present.
"That must be difficult," Chen Wei said softly. "Having to choose between your dreams and your family's expectations."
Lin Yue looked surprised. "Most people tell me I should just do what my father says. That family is more important than career."
"Most people are wrong," Chen Wei said firmly. "You became a top entertainment lawyer through your own talent and hard work. That's something to be proud of, not ashamed. Your father will realize that eventually. And if he doesn't, that's his loss, not yours."
[Emotional Connection Established!]
[Lin Yue Favorability: 40/100 → 55/100]
[Status: Professionally Interested → Personally Intrigued]
Lin Yue stared at him for a long moment, her ice-cold professional mask cracking slightly. "You're very different from what I expected, Chen Wei."
"Good different or bad different?"
"I haven't decided yet," she said, but there was a small smile playing at her lips. "But I think I'd like to find out."
Their eyes met across the table, and for a moment, the busy restaurant faded away. Chen Wei felt something electric in the air between them—not the easy warmth he'd felt with Xiao Yue, but something more challenging, more intense.
Lin Yue was the first to break eye contact, clearing her throat. "So, about Tang Xin's contract..."
They spent the next hour discussing business, but the tone had shifted. It was still professional, but now there were lingering glances, accidental touches when reaching for documents, moments where their knees brushed under the table.
"I'll need to review all of Starlight Entertainment's current contracts," Lin Yue said as they finished their meal. "If you're serious about expanding, we need to make sure your artists are properly protected and compensated."
"Of course. Why don't you come by the office tomorrow morning? I'll give you full access to everything," Chen Wei said, then added with a slight smile, "And maybe afterward, I could show you something interesting. If you're free."
Lin Yue raised an eyebrow. "Something interesting?"
"I recently acquired a property in Jianghai Bay. It needs a woman's touch—interior design advice. You seem like someone with excellent taste."
It was a bold move, inviting her to his villa on their first meeting. But Chen Wei's instincts told him that Lin Yue respected boldness.
She studied him for a moment, then smiled—a real, genuine smile that transformed her face. "You're quite forward, aren't you?"
"Life's too short for games," Chen Wei said, echoing his earlier words.
"Tomorrow at 9:00 AM for business," Lin Yue said, standing. "And we'll see about the property tour. If you impress me with your company management, I might consider it."
As Chen Wei paid the bill (¥3,850 for lunch, which he barely noticed now), Lin Yue handed him her business card.
"My personal number is on the back," she said quietly. "In case you need to discuss... business matters outside office hours."
Their fingers brushed as he took the card, and Chen Wei felt that electric spark again.
[Lin Yue Favorability: 55/100 → 68/100]
[Status: Personally Intrigued → Romantically Interested (Suppressed)]
[Note: She's fighting her attraction because of your age and professional relationship. Continue proving yourself to overcome her resistance.]
After Lin Yue left in her own car—a sleek Porsche Panamera—Chen Wei sat in his Mercedes for a moment, processing what had just happened.
Two women in his life now. Xiao Yue, warm and genuine, who made him feel comfortable and accepted. And Lin Yue, challenging and intense, who made him want to prove himself worthy.
His phone buzzed. A message from Xiao Yue.
Xiao Yue: "I've been thinking about you all day 😊 Is it weird that I already miss talking to you?"
Chen Wei smiled, his heart warming. He typed back quickly.
Chen Wei: "Not weird at all. I've been thinking about you too. What time do you finish class today?"
Xiao Yue: "4:00 PM. Why?"
Chen Wei: "Pick you up? I want to show you something special."
Xiao Yue: "Mysterious! Okay! I'll send you the address!"
Chen Wei checked the time: 2:30 PM. He had an hour and a half. Enough time to go back to the villa, change, and maybe pick up something nice for Xiao Yue.
As he drove toward the luxury shopping district, his phone rang. Unknown number.
"Hello?"
"Chen Wei?" A female voice, young, nervous. "This is Tang Xin. I'm... I'm one of the artists at Starlight Entertainment. Mr. Zhou told me you're the new owner?"
Tang Xin. The rising star that Lin Yue wanted to represent. Chen Wei's Business Genius skill immediately provided information.
[Tang Xin: Age 22, aspiring actress, talented but insecure, currently underpaid and underutilized, has potential to be A-list with proper management]
"Yes, that's correct. Is everything alright, Miss Tang?"
"I... I was hoping we could meet. To discuss my contract and future with the company. Mr. Zhou always said he'd get me better roles, but..." Her voice trailed off, uncertain.
"But he never delivered," Chen Wei finished gently. "I understand. How about tomorrow afternoon? Say, 2:00 PM at the office?"
"Really? You'd meet with me personally?" She sounded shocked.
"Of course. You're one of our most valuable assets, Miss Tang. I want all our artists to feel heard and supported. See you tomorrow."
After hanging up, Chen Wei smiled. Tomorrow was shaping up to be busy—Lin Yue in the morning, Tang Xin in the afternoon. His empire was already expanding.
[4:00 PM - Jianghai Teachers' College]
Chen Wei waited outside the main building, leaning against his Mercedes. Several students were staring—a luxury car wasn't common at a teachers' college.
When Xiao Yue emerged from the building with two girlfriends, she froze mid-conversation, her eyes going wide.
"Chen Wei?!" She hurried over, her friends trailing behind with curious expressions. "Is this... this is your car?"
"Told you a lot has happened," Chen Wei said with a grin. He opened the passenger door for her. "Come on, I have something to show you."
Xiao Yue's friends were whispering excitedly, but she ignored them, sliding into the passenger seat with a dazed expression.
As Chen Wei drove away from the campus, Xiao Yue turned to him. "Okay, what is going on? Last night you were at Tianxiang Pavilion in an expensive suit. Now you have a Mercedes? Chen Wei, seriously, what happened?"
"Remember how I said I got very lucky?" Chen Wei said, glancing at her. "It kept getting luckier. I made some investments. They paid off. Really well."
"Some investments," Xiao Yue repeated, running her hand over the leather seat. "Chen Wei, this car costs like... I don't even know. A lot."
"Want to see something even more impressive?"
Twenty minutes later, they pulled up to the Jianghai Bay villa. Xiao Yue's jaw literally dropped.
"This is... where are we?"
"Home," Chen Wei said simply, getting out and opening her door. "Well, my new home. As of this morning."
He led her inside, and Xiao Yue's reaction was everything he'd hoped for. She wandered through the villa like she was in a dream, touching things tentatively as if afraid they might disappear.
"Chen Wei," she whispered when they reached the master bedroom with its panoramic city view. "This is insane. How can you afford... any of this?"
Instead of answering, Chen Wei took her hand gently and led her to the rooftop terrace. The sun was setting over Jianghai, painting the sky in shades of gold and pink.
"Xiao Yue, two days ago, I was at the lowest point of my life," Chen Wei said, still holding her hand. "Liu Meng dumped me, I had no money, no prospects, nothing. And then something changed. The universe, fate, luck—whatever you want to call it—gave me a second chance."
He turned to face her, their hands still intertwined.
"But you know what the best part of this whole crazy situation is?" Chen Wei continued softly. "It's not the money or the house or any of this. It's meeting you. Having coffee with someone who sees me as a person, not a wallet. Someone who's kind and genuine and working hard for her dreams."
[Xiao Yue Favorability: 87/100 → 95/100]
[Status: Romantically Attracted → Deeply Falling For You]
Xiao Yue's eyes were glistening. "Chen Wei..."
"I know this is fast," he said. "We barely know each other. But I feel something real with you. Something I never felt with Liu Meng, even after two years. And I wanted you to see all of this, to know that I'm not hiding anything from you."
"You're overwhelming," Xiao Yue said with a small laugh, wiping at her eyes. "Yesterday you were a college student. Today you're... this. It's a lot to process."
"I know. And if it's too much, I understand—"
Xiao Yue stepped closer, cutting him off. "I didn't say I didn't like it."
They were inches apart now, the setting sun casting a warm glow over everything. Chen Wei could see the flecks of gold in her brown eyes, the slight flush on her cheeks.
"Chen Wei," she said softly. "Can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
"Last night, when that girl—Liu Meng—looked at you in the restaurant... are you over her? Really over her?"
"Completely," Chen Wei said without hesitation. "She wanted someone rich. I've become that. But I don't want her anymore. I want someone who would have wanted me even when I had nothing."
"Someone like me?" Xiao Yue whispered.
"Exactly like you."
Xiao Yue rose on her toes and kissed him—soft, tentative at first, then deeper as Chen Wei pulled her closer. The city lights began to twinkle below them as the sun disappeared, but neither noticed.
When they finally broke apart, both slightly breathless, Xiao Yue rested her forehead against his.
"This is crazy," she murmured. "I've never felt like this so fast."
"Me neither," Chen Wei admitted.
[Congratulations! Intimate Moment Achieved with Xiao Yue!]
[Xiao Yue Favorability: 95/100 → 98/100]
[Relationship Status Upgraded: Romantic Interest → Girlfriend (Unofficial)]
[Reward: +5 Charisma, +3 Emotional Intelligence, Passive Buff "Lover's Luck" (Slight increase in fortune when thinking of her)]
They spent the next hour on the rooftop, talking and kissing, watching the city lights grow brighter. Xiao Yue told him about her childhood, her dreams of teaching, her fears about money. Chen Wei shared carefully edited versions of his past few days, making her laugh with stories about Wang Lei's reactions.
"So your roommate lives here now too?" Xiao Yue asked, cuddled against his side.
"Yeah, but he's at class right now. And his room is on the opposite side of the house," Chen Wei said with a slight grin.
Xiao Yue blushed. "I wasn't... I didn't mean..."
"I know," Chen Wei said, kissing her forehead. "But for the record, you're welcome here anytime. I want you to feel comfortable here. This isn't just my place—it's ours, if you want it to be."
"Ours," Xiao Yue repeated softly, testing the word. "I like that."
As the evening grew darker, Chen Wei ordered dinner—high-end delivery from a restaurant Xiao Yue had never even heard of. They ate in the dining room, Xiao Yue still looking around in wonder.
"I need to tell my parents about you," she said suddenly.
Chen Wei paused mid-bite. "Your parents?"
"Yeah. They're very traditional. They'll want to meet the guy I'm..." She blushed again. "The guy I'm seeing. Is that okay?"
"Of course," Chen Wei said, though internally he was nervous. Meeting parents was serious. But looking at Xiao Yue's hopeful expression, he knew he wanted this. Wanted her. "When?"
"Maybe this weekend? They run a small restaurant. Nothing fancy like what you're used to now, but the food is amazing and—"
"I'd love to," Chen Wei interrupted gently. "Xiao Yue, I don't care about fancy. I care about you. If your parents are important to you, then they're important to me."
[Xiao Yue Favorability: 98/100 → 100/100]
[Relationship Status: Girlfriend (Official)]
[Achievement Unlocked: First Official Girlfriend!]
[Reward: Special Skill "Romantic Insight" - Better understand women's emotions and desires]
[System Note: Congratulations, Host. Xiao Yue is now completely yours. Treat her well, and she will support you through everything.]
Xiao Yue's eyes filled with tears again. "How are you so perfect?"
"I'm not perfect," Chen Wei said, taking her hand across the table. "I'm just a guy who got really lucky—twice. Once with money, and once with you."
She stood up, walked around the table, and kissed him again—longer this time, more passionate. When they broke apart, she was smiling through her tears.
"I need to go soon," she said reluctantly. "Early class tomorrow. But... can I see you tomorrow night?"
"I'm all yours," Chen Wei promised.
He drove her back to her apartment—a modest place she shared with two roommates—and walked her to the door.
"Text me when you get home safe?" Xiao Yue said, though Chen Wei's villa was only twenty minutes away.
"Promise," he said, stealing one more kiss.
As he drove home, Chen Wei felt something he hadn't felt in years: genuine happiness. Not the temporary high of spending money or the satisfaction of business success, but real, deep contentment.
His phone buzzed. A message from Lin Yue.
Lin Yue: "I've been thinking about our lunch. You're intriguing, Chen Wei. Most young entrepreneurs are all talk. But you seem different. I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Both the business... and perhaps the property tour. - LY"
Chen Wei smiled. Two very different women, both interested in him. The system had warned him this might happen, but he hadn't expected it so soon.
[System Notice: You now have two romantic interests. Managing multiple relationships requires care, honesty, and respect. The system will not reward dishonesty or manipulation.]
[Xiao Yue: Official Girlfriend - Requires regular attention and emotional connection]
[Lin Yue: Romantic Interest - Requires professional success and personal challenge]
[Warning: If relationships are handled poorly, you will lose favorability and potentially face consequences.]
Chen Wei understood. He wasn't building a harem of women who didn't know about each other. He needed to be smart about this, honest about his intentions.
But for tonight, he had Xiao Yue—sweet, genuine Xiao Yue—who loved him for who he was, not what he had.
And tomorrow, he'd face Lin Yue's challenges and prove himself worthy.