Chapter 508: Old trick, but always works.

"Where is this?" Shen Yan looked out the car window in confusion.

"Tianchao Club, a private club." Gao Dongxu parked the car, walked around to the passenger side, and opened the door for Shen Yan. "The environment is quite unique; I think you'll like it."

The vermilion-lacquered porch, the blue bricks and gray tiles, and the several dark red palace lanterns hanging under the eaves swaying gently in the evening breeze, casting a hazy glow. Shen Yan's breath caught in his throat.

She had only heard of such luxurious places hidden in the city before, but she never expected to have the opportunity to experience them today.

Stepping through the vermilion gate, a bright and spacious courtyard suddenly appears before you, with palace lanterns hanging high, winding corridors, and trees swaying gracefully in the night.

"This place is so big..." Shen Yan unconsciously tightened his grip on the bag strap.

Gao Dongxu chuckled, "Yes, this used to be a prince's mansion." He naturally reached out and gently placed his hand on Shen Yan's lower back. "Watch your step."

Normally, Shen Yan would have immediately avoided such intimate contact with a strange man. But at this moment, she was so shocked by the scene before her that she forgot to react, and even completely ignored the fact that Gao Dongxu's hand lingered for much longer than a polite offer of support.

"Young Master Gao, you've arrived." A middle-aged man in a Chinese-style stand-up collar suit quickly came forward, his face beaming and his tone full of flattery.

"Young Master Gao?" Shen Yan glanced sideways at the man beside her. The gentle smile he had shown her had vanished, replaced by a natural air of nobility.

"Old Zhao, this is Miss Shen. Is Tingyuxuan empty?" Gao Dongxu introduced.

"Hello, Ms. Shen. This side is open, please—" Manager Zhao immediately greeted Shen Yan with a smile, his warm attitude making her feel a little overwhelmed.

"Let's go." Gao Dongxu gently pushed Shen Yan's lower back and said with a smile and soft voice.

When Shen Yan noticed the injury on her waist, her pretty face flushed slightly, and she followed Manager Zhao, who was leading the way, with a shy and nervous demeanor.

They walked through winding corridors lined with meticulously manicured willows and peach trees, their branches rustling in the wind. Shen Yan felt as if he had traveled back in time to the mansion of some ancient noble family, and the man beside him was the master of this mansion.

"Tingyuxuan" is a private room located in a corner. Pushing open the door, you can see the antique Chinese furniture and the modern comfortable sofa blended together in a clever way. Famous ink paintings are hanging on the wall, and a bronze incense burner in the corner is emitting a faint sandalwood fragrance.

The most eye-catching feature in the private room is the artificial rockery and koi pond in one corner—a clear spring flows among the layered rocks, and three or five red koi swim leisurely. The sound of the water is sometimes like the tinkling of jade pendants, and sometimes like the pattering of drizzle. When you close your eyes and listen, you feel as if you are in a secluded valley.

"So, do you like it?" Gao Dongxu asked softly as he sat down on the sofa with Shen Yan.

"Luxurious and atmospheric," Shen Yan exclaimed sincerely, then added somewhat awkwardly, "I'd heard people talk about how luxurious these private clubs are before, but today I've truly seen it for myself."

A hint of a smile flashed in Gao Dongxu's eyes, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he said to Manager Zhao, who was always smiling, "Bring us a round of classic cocktails, some snacks, and some grilled meat."

"Alright, Mr. Gao, would you like a cigar?"

Gao Dongxu looked at Shen Yan and asked with a smile, "Do you mind if I smoke?"

“I don’t mind, my dad smokes too,” Shen Yan said with a smile, revealing his charming dimples and cute little tiger teeth.

To be honest, when she reached her peak of charm, she had her little tiger tooth removed. She was indeed very charming, sexy and beautiful, but she also lost her uniqueness and spirit.

"Then have one, please—" Gao Dongxu nodded to Manager Zhao and said.

"Okay, Mr. Gao, please feel free to call me if you need anything else." Manager Zhao smiled, gave a slight bow, and left.

Shen Yan noticed that Manager Zhao consistently addressed Gao Dongxu as "Young Master Gao," his attitude bordering on humility. She couldn't help but wonder about Gao Dongxu's true identity.

"What are you thinking about?" Gao Dongxu's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"It's nothing, it's just..." Shen Yan's beautiful eyes sparkled with a strange light as she hesitated, "Why do they all call you 'Young Master Gao'?"

Gao Dongxu smiled slightly: "It's just a common way of addressing people in this industry, don't worry about it."

High-profile, luxurious, pretentious, showcasing one's wealth and status... An ancient and simple way of courting, yet it has always been a breath of fresh air, navigating between bustling cities and noisy online worlds. Don't underestimate its old-fashioned nature; it never fails to touch hearts, bringing a knowing smile and stirring emotions.

Shen Yan smiled sweetly, her beautiful eyes sparkling, "Like the Four Young Masters of Beijing?"

Gao Dongxu's lips twitched, and he said with a wry smile, "Now that you mention it, I feel like anyone who calls me Young Master Gao is insulting me."

Shen Yan was slightly taken aback, then covered his mouth and chuckled, while also sensing Gao Dongxu's disdain for the so-called "Four Young Masters of Beijing".

"It seems you're more than just an antique shop owner."

"Hehe, it's not too complicated. I have a relative who's an official..." Gao Dongxu said with a smile.

Two exquisite cocktails were served at just the right time. Shen Yan's cocktail was a dreamy pale purple, with a small edible orchid adorning the rim.

"Try it," Gao Dongxu gestured. "This is their signature dish; it should suit your taste."

Shen Yan took a careful sip. It was sweet with a subtle fruity aroma, and although the alcohol content was low, it was rich in flavor. "It's so delicious!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening in delight.

She looked up and met Gao Dongxu's burning gaze, her heart skipping a beat. Outside the window, a koi carp leaped out of the lotus pond, the soft sound of water rippling outwards.

"Your smile is so beautiful—"

Looking at Shen Yan's face, Gao Dongxu sincerely praised him, saying that his features were as exquisite as a painting, his eyes were bright and sparkling, and his smile was as sweet as honey. His expression was radiant, making it impossible to look away.

Her dimples and cute little tiger teeth, in particular, make her smile look especially pure and lovely.

Shen Yan blushed shyly and gave him a charming glance. Her eyes were like hooks, piercing his heart. The corners of her eyes were slightly upturned, carrying a hint of coquettishness. Her eyes were truly full of charm.

"How do you usually flirt with girls?"

Hearing Shen Yan's teasing, Gao Dongxu laughed and said, "Where would I have the time and opportunity? I'm busy all day long, and I have to fly all over the country to buy goods in various antique markets. The people I deal with are mostly middle-aged people and old men."

Seeing Gao Dongxu explaining to her so seriously, Shen Yan quickly said softly, "I was just joking, don't take it to heart..."

"Hehe, it's nothing..."

Just then, another waiter brought in two cocktails and pastries. Nuts walked in, put them down, and respectfully nodded to indicate that he was leaving.

“This is called ‘Chang’an Moon,’ made with osmanthus wine as a base.” Gao Dongxu pushed a glass of golden-hued cocktail in front of Shen Yan. “Would you like to try it?”

"You're not trying to get me drunk, are you?" Shen Yan asked with a light smile, her beautiful eyes wide.

"If a woman doesn't get drunk, a man has no chance..." Gao Dongxu said, looking at the giggling Shen Yan, "I hope you can pretend to be drunk and give me a chance."

"Hmph, dream on..." Shen Yan gave a coquettish huff, rolling her eyes with a charming glare.

. . . . . .

As the two opened up and chatted more and more happily, Shen Yan lost count of how many drinks she had had that night. Each glass had a poetic name, and each one was as sweet and smooth as fruit juice. She took the glass, her fingertips inadvertently brushing against Gao Dongxu's hand, and that small patch of skin instantly felt hot as if it had been burned.

"It's delicious." Shen Yan squinted her eyes, unaware that her voice had taken on a slightly coquettish tone.

Gao Dongxu's gaze lingered for a few seconds on the large "conscience" logo outlined by the white turtleneck, then he casually raised his glass: "To the moonlight tonight."

Outside the window, a bright moon indeed hung in the courtyard of the siheyuan (traditional courtyard house). The cool moonlight blended with the warm yellow light from the interior, casting a hazy filter over everything. Shen Yan vaguely felt that the silhouette of the man in front of him became even more profound and captivating in the halo of light.

"What time is it?" Shen Yan suddenly asked, his voice slightly soft due to the alcohol.

Gao Dongxu glanced at his watch: "11:40." He frowned slightly. "You have to go to work tomorrow?"

Shen Yan nodded, a movement that made her feel dizzy. She then realized she might have drunk too much; the aftereffects of the sweet cocktail were quietly taking hold. As she tried to stand, her knees buckled, and she nearly fell.

"Be careful." Gao Dongxu quickly stood up, firmly supporting her arm with one hand and naturally wrapping his other arm around her waist. Shen Yan could smell the faint sandalwood scent on him, mixed with the aroma of tobacco, creating a dizzying masculine pheromone.

"I'm fine," Shen Yan said, but her body betrayed her by leaning against Gao Dongxu. Reason told her she should keep her distance, but the alcohol dissolved her guard, and that warm embrace was just too comfortable.

Gao Dongxu looked down at the girl in his arms, her cheeks flushed, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. "I'll take you home," he said, his voice a few decibels lower than usual.

Before calling Fu Gui to drive over, Gao Dongxu carefully wrapped a scarf around Shen Yan's neck. The night wind was cold, and Shen Yan unconsciously leaned closer to Gao Dongxu. Manager Zhao of the club respectfully watched them leave.

The black Land Rover silently glided to the door. Fugui got out and opened the door for the two of them.

The car's interior felt cramped due to the silence. Shen Yan leaned back in the leather seat, feeling as if the whole world was gently spinning. The fact that Gao Dongxu was sitting less than thirty centimeters away made her heart race.

"Address?" Gao Dongxu asked, his voice close to his ear.

Shen Yan gave the name of the apartment complex where she rented a place, and immediately felt embarrassed. It has to be said, her world was vastly different from Gao Dongxu's.

"Near Chaoyang Park, the environment is quite nice." Gao Dongxu's words cleverly diffused her embarrassment. He didn't mention the quality of the residential area, but instead talked about how good the greenery in that area was.

The car drove smoothly, and Shen Yan's drunkenness gradually took hold. Her head unconsciously tilted to one side, eventually resting on Gao Dongxu's shoulder. Half-asleep, she felt fingers gently brushing through her hair, as tenderly as if handling a precious jewel.

"We've arrived." Gao Dongxu gently shook her delicate body, his tender voice waking her up.

Shen Yan opened her eyes and found herself almost nestled in Gao Dongxu's arms, instantly blushing with embarrassment. She hurriedly sat up straight, but the sudden movement made her dizzy again.

"Slow down." Gao Dongxu helped her upstairs. "I'll take you upstairs."

"No, no need..." Shen Yan said shyly, her pretty face flushed.

"I'm going upstairs to use the restroom." Gao Dongxu had already broken into the penalty area and was just one step away from scoring; he wasn't going to miss the opportunity.

To reiterate, if Shen Yan can accept the love at first sight of a struggling young man from Beijing, he can naturally accept the love at first sight of a rich and handsome man like himself.

He's going to sleep soundly tonight; even Jesus can't save her!
(End of this chapter)

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