The sleek black car stopped before a monumental structure that shimmered beneath the late morning sun. Its design was fluid—walls shaped like waves, giving the illusion that the building itself breathed serenity and opulence.
A cascading water feature framed the front, its surface embedded with floating orchids and faint blue light beneath the water, creating a tranquil but commanding impression.
The logo—Luminous Beauty Spa was etched in elegant silver calligraphy above the arched entrance, glowing softly like moonlight on polished stone.
Su Ning stepped out of the car gracefully, her slender frame drawing glances from passersby. Her hair fell like liquid night over her shoulders, and her violet jade earrings shimmered subtly as she walked in.
Inside, the reception hall was a vision of ethereal calm and wealth. White lotus chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their crystal petals catching every hint of light. The flooring was made with onyx tiles veined with silver and pale gold, smooth underfoot.
A misty scent of eucalyptus filled the air, mingled with faint undertones of rose and lemongrass. Gentle instrumental music floated throughout the space.
To the right, the skincare and aesthetic wing stretched along the first five floors—each level themed differently:
The first floor offered skin analysis chambers with transparent capsule pods and automated misting walls.
The second floor housed treatment rooms lined with cool slate walls and softly glowing floor panels.
The third floor catered to rejuvenation therapy, offering oxygen domes, face sculpting treatments, and gold-infused masks.
The fourth floor was dedicated to luxury bath rituals with deep mineral pools, while the fifth floor featured cosmetic consultation rooms and personalized skincare labs.
Above that, the Spa Retreat floors began private thermal suites, saunas made of aromatic cedar, floating salt chambers, and hydro-massage pools enclosed by glass screens that projected panoramic images of serene landscapes.
Higher still were the VIP lounges and executive wellness suites where the city's elite came for their weekly rejuvenation, shielded from the world by soundproof walls and strict confidentiality policies.
Su Ning walked to the reception desk, her expression serene. The receptionist greeted her politely, unaware of her identity, and handed her a guest card. She paid swiftly, her gestures precise, then headed to the elevator.
She walked into the elevator, as she got to the third floor, her attention was caught by a commotion at the far corner.
A girl around same age as her, heavily jeweled, and dressed in an embroidered pink blazer and mini skirt was snapping her fingers impatiently at a beautician kneeling to pick up the towel she had tossed. Her manicured nails glinted sharply under the lights, and her tone carried a cutting arrogance.
"Do you people not know how to treat VIPs here?" she barked. "I pay a fortune to use this spa, and you dare hand me a cold towel instead of warm? Useless!"
The beautician bowed repeatedly, apologizing. "I'm sorry, Miss Tang. I'll replace it immediately—"
Miss Tang sneered. "Forget it! Clearly, this spa hires from the streets now."
Su Ning's gaze lingered briefly before she turned away, uninterested. But Miss Tang, noticing the attention, turned sharply. Her eyes raked over Su Ning's outfit with dislike.
"Another wannabe rich girl," she muttered audibly, tossing her hair. "Thinking she belongs here just because she wears silk."
Su Ning didn't respond. She simply walked past her, eyes calm and posture regal. That calmness made Tang Mei frown. The girl's indifference pricked her pride.
"Hey!" Tang Mei snapped. "I'm talking to you!" She stepped forward, heels clacking. "Don't pretend you didn't hear me. People like you should learn to stay where you belong."
Su Ning stopped. Her voice, when she spoke, was light but icy.
"And why should I answer you just because you said so?"
The arrogance faltered for a split second under the weight of her tone, but Tang Mei pushed forward, flushed with irritation. "You—" She raised her hand to slap her.
Su Ning didn't move, but the air around her shifted sharply. The temperature seemed to drop. Her gaze lifted—calm, unhurried, and devastatingly cold.
A faint ripple of power pulsed through the air, like invisible pressure tightening around Tang's chest. The girl froze mid-motion, eyes widening, her wrist trembling. Her lips parted but no sound came out. Then her knees buckled, and she slumped onto the floor, pale and shaking.
"What... what are you…?" she stuttered.
By now, a small crowd had gathered. The head beautician, a woman in her late thirties with a perfectly styled bun and professional attire, hurried over. Her tone immediately aligned with the richest person present.
"What happened here?" She looked at Tang Mei, then at Su Ning. "You! What did you do to our VIP client?"
Su Ning remained silent, watching her coolly.
The head beautician straightened, crossing her arms. "Do you know who she is? Miss Tang is the heiress of Tang Corporation. If she complains about this, even our general manager will have to apologize!"
A few murmurs rippled through the onlookers, some in sympathy, others in disapproval.
One young beautician stepped forward hesitantly, the one originally assigned to Su Ning's treatment. Her voice trembled but she spoke clearly.
"Ma'am, it wasn't her fault. I saw everything. That lady insulted her and tried to slap her—"
The head beautician cut her off sharply. "Quiet! You think your words matter more than a VIP client's? Do you want to lose your job?"
The young beautician flinched but clenched her fists. "I'm just telling the truth."
Su Ning's gaze softened faintly at the girl's courage. Without another word, she turned and said coolly, "My appointment. I'm late."
Ignoring the chaos behind her, she followed the young beautician to the treatment suites. The onlookers whispered as she left, some admiring her composure, others sneering, assuming she would be banned soon enough.
Later…
The spa treatment was calm and silent. The fragrance of cherry blossoms filled the air as warm oil was gently massaged into her skin. The beautician worked in silence, still visibly shaken by the earlier confrontation. When Su Ning finally sat up, her skin glowed faintly, and her aura felt impossibly composed.
"You did well," Su Ning said softly as she dressed. "What's your name?"
"Qing Lin," the beautician replied, bowing. "I—I'm sorry about earlier. That girl is a regular. Most people don't dare cross her."
Su Ning smiled faintly. "You were brave out there, thanks for standing up for me."
Her tone was calm, but it carried a quiet power that made Qing Lin straighten with newfound confidence. Su Ning paid, left a generous tip, and sent a message to Zhou Meng.
'I've arrived.'
As Su Ning exited the treatment room, she barely took two steps before she was stopped. Tang Mei was back, this time, flanked by six bodyguards in black suits.
"Well, well," Tang Mei smirked. "Leaving already? Not until we finish our conversation."
The atmosphere shifted. Customers nearby pretended not to watch, but eyes flicked toward the confrontation.
Tang Mei tilted her head. "Teach her some manners," she ordered lazily.
Before the guards could take a step, the elevator doors behind them slid open with a soft chime.
"Stop!" a sharp, panicked voice called.
Zhou Meng, the Managing director of Luminous Beauty Spa, strode out quickly. Her expression changed the moment she saw Su Ning standing there. She froze, then hurried forward, ignoring Tang Mei entirely and bowed deeply before Su Ning.
"President Su! My apologies for the delay, I didn't know you were already here."
Tang Mei blinked, confusion twisting into outrage. "President?"
Zhou Meng straightened slightly, her tone firm. "Miss Su Ning is the owner of Luminous Beauty Spa."
The entire lobby fell silent.
Tang Mei's face changed in disbelief. Even the bodyguards hesitated, unsure of what to do. The head beautician, who had just arrived to witness the scene, nearly dropped the tablet she was holding. Her face paled.
Su Ning turned her gaze towards Tang Mei, calm and emotionless. "You wanted to teach me manners, didn't you?"
Tang's throat went dry. "I—I didn't know—"
"You didn't need to," Su Ning replied coldly. "I treat people based on their behavior, not their titles."
She turned slightly to Zhou Meng. "Remove her VIP membership. Blacklist her from all Luminous branches all over the country."
"Yes, President Su." Zhou Meng immediately typed on her tablet, her assistant beside her confirming the update.
Tang Mei gasped. "You can't do this! My father—"
"You're welcome to tell him," Su Ning interrupted softly, her tone razor sharp. "And let him know that next time, he should teach you discipline before you represent his name."
Tang's face burned red with humiliation. She stomped her foot, shouting for her guards to leave with her as she turned and stormed out of the spa.
The silence that followed was thick.
Then Su Ning turned her gaze to the head beautician, whose hands were trembling.
"I see you like to side with power," Su Ning said evenly. "I don't need that here."
The woman's eyes widened. "President Su, please! I've worked here for five years—"
"You should have learned integrity by now, then," Su Ning cut in. "You're dismissed."
Zhou Meng nodded once and made the call. Security arrived within minutes. The woman's protests echoed briefly, but no one dared to speak for her.
Su Ning then turned to Qing Lin, who stood frozen near the door, disbelief and worry warring on her face.
"Miss Qing," Su Ning said softly, "I admire people who have courage."
"President Su—?" Qing Lin's voice wavered.
Su Ning's lips curved faintly. "From now on, you're the new head beautician. A raise of two hundred thousand yuan will be added to your salary."
For a long moment, Qing Lin didn't move. Then tears filled her eyes as she bowed deeply, voice breaking.
"Thank you, President Su! Thank you so much!"
Her colleagues gaped, some with envy, others with genuine respect. The atmosphere shifted—what had once been arrogance and gossip turned into awe. Everyone bowed as Su Ning walked past.
As Su Ning approached the elevator, Zhou Meng fell into step beside her, still visibly shaken by how quickly the situation had unfolded. The elevator doors slid open, and they stepped inside.
"President Su," Zhou Meng said softly, "that was… remarkable."
Su Ning's reflection in the mirrored elevator doors smiled faintly. "Luminous should treat all clients equally regardless of their position or status."
Zhou Meng nodded in admiration. "Shall we head to my office, President Su?"
Su Ning's eyes glimmered with quiet amusement. "Yes. Let's see how well the spa has been running."
The elevator ascended in silence, leaving behind whispers and stunned faces below, people who would never forget the moment they realized that the calm, elegant young woman they had mocked was, in truth, the hidden boss of Luminous Beauty Spa.