Chapter 185

Chapter 185

After assimilating all the memories, Nan Yan massaged her aching forehead and took a deep breath to suppress the discomfort in her chest. Then, she opened her eyes and began to discreetly examine her surroundings.

Golden light illuminated the ivory marble floor, which was covered with an exquisite carpet, exuding a subtle opulence. The head supervisor was still earnestly giving instructions. Nan Yan perked up to catch a few words. Essentially, it was about how the guests this time were particularly important, so everyone needed to be attentive and avoid any unsavory behavior. The patrons in the private room were of high status, not someone they could casually approach. Their job was simply to serve them respectfully.

With the supervisor's reminders, Nan Yan rubbed her sore temples, finally understanding the current situation. It was at the beginning of the storyline where the male and female leads had separated due to an inexplicable misunderstanding. The heroine, Ruan Xiaoxiao, feeling guilty and ashamed, did not dare to try to reconcile. Meanwhile, the male lead had deepened his misconception and, after returning home alone, found it hard to let go of his overseas ex-girlfriend.

The two of them remained locked in this stalemate until, urged by his group of mischievous friends, Zhong Ling came to the club to unwind and simultaneously ponder the feasibility of their suggestion.

This time, the girls requested had to be attractive and refined, and Wen Nanyan, the original owner of her body, found herself included among those chosen to entertain guests due to her decent looks.

This was their first encounter.

Initially, Zhong Ling didn't have any particular impression of her. It was her particularly well-behaved and gentle demeanor that made her more pleasing to the eye, leading the young master Zhong to request her company again during his subsequent visits to the club.

To be honest, Wen Nanyan didn't harbor any romantic notions about this client at first. To her, he was just a good-looking male guest. Besides, patrons who came to such places were there for amusement and relaxation; she couldn't control others, so she focused on controlling herself.

It was unforeseen that a romantic game played by wealthy playboys would exhaust her physically and emotionally, ultimately leading such a gentle and ambitious young lady to a humiliating and tragic end.

Nan Yan mused, indeed, they were scoundrels.

But now, she had a game of her own to play!

The grand door to the top-floor private suite was pulled open from the outside, ushering in Nan Yan and around seven other young women.

As the door swung wide, the scene inside unfolded before them all, and the girls collectively exhaled in relief. These nightlife workers, not much older than teenagers, had dropped out of school early and had seen their fair share of people and debauchery in this environment. They had initially assumed the manager's grave warnings were due to a particularly demanding guest.

Yet, the moment the door swung open, it revealed no chaos or vulgarity typically associated with nightlife, nor did it expose the drunken antics and greasy demeanor of other patrons.

Bathed in a soft azure glow, seven or eight young men lounged on opulent, low-key sofas, all strikingly handsome. More importantly, their demeanor exuded an exceptional grace, betraying their pedigrees as well-bred scions from affluent families.

Their conversation continued unperturbed by the intrusion. Among them, the most outstanding was a man seated on the right side of the sofa, dressed in white, whose face was truly captivating.

He carried an elegant, refined aloofness, yet paradoxically, there was a rare, charming aristocratic air about him. This charm didn't stem from promiscuity, but rather a vintage aura, a quality that is increasingly scarce among the youth of today.

Such a person must have been nurtured with the most conventional upbringing, their family investing great expectations in him, thus grooming him into an exceptional and worthy successor.

In the private room, there were around seven or eight young patrons, and an equal number of "princesses" had arrived to attend them. In a blink of an eye, the floor manager nodded at the girls, and they entered the room one by one, all young and attractive.

None of them dared to be too selective; after all, they were the ones subject to being chosen, not the ones choosing their clients.

The girls, familiar with the routine, sat beside the men nearest to them, beginning their tasks of serving tea, pouring drinks, and slicing fruit plates.

Perhaps the more refined and sophisticated guests were less susceptible to the allure of beauty, or perhaps they simply didn't regard the girls in the establishment as worthy of their attention. According to the original storyline, these people didn't even spare a glance for the popular celebrities of the time, let alone these girls.

These guests seemed more engrossed in their own conversations than in the company of the group of young and beautiful ladies. Yet, there were some who were quite adept at charming, gently holding the princess by her waist and playfully twirling her fingers between his.

As fate would have it, Nanyan found herself seated beside the male lead, just as in her previous life.

However, she couldn't help but wonder if he was repelled by her, for when she sat down, she caught a fleeting glimpse of his handsome, slender brows furrowing slightly before returning to normal. It was so quick that she doubted if it had even happened.

Nanyan now understood that this time, she was most likely dealing with another cold and distant male lead.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a familiar figure across from her, hidden in the interplay of light and shadow. It was He Mian, a friend of the male lead, the man she remembered standing by the door smoking in her past life. Initially obscured by the shadows, his face was now clearly visible.

A cigarette rested between his fingers, unlit, his complexion coolly pale, with sharp, distinct features. His long legs were crossed, and he leaned back lazily against the sofa cushions.

In his arms, he held a beautiful girl sitting beside him. His slender fingers gently rested on her delicate waist, not doing anything excessive, yet exuding an alluring aura. He radiated a masculine charm, embodying the wild and wicked type of man.

Actually, quite a few girls found this sort of guy attractive - the bad boys with a touch of aloofness and dominance. They often imagined themselves as the ones who could tame such men, make them devoted solely to them. But more often than not, it was mere wishful thinking.

The girl in his embrace seemed to be losing her composure, blushing as she poured drinks. However, they, as professionals, knew their boundaries; admiration didn't necessarily lead to anything. No matter how captivating a man might be, money always held greater appeal.

Nan Yan merely gave them a fleeting glance. These guests clearly disliked being stared at or interrupted, and they certainly didn't want anyone to disrupt their conversation.

Nan Yan sat quietly beside, occasionally pouring wine for the guests nearby, appearing particularly gentle and composed.

Perhaps due to her constant demure demeanor and minimal interference, Zhong Ling hadn't even gotten a clear look at her face. But then again, his attention wasn't on her in the first place.

It wasn't until he sipped his wine and slightly lifted his head, glancing at his visibly excited group of friends across from him, that he frowned and asked, "This is the brilliant idea you all had? Doing something like this will make her regret it?"

The moment He Mian saw his friend's cold, impatient expression, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, a casual gesture that carried a hint of languid charm when performed by him.

"What's wrong? Zhong Ling, are you getting scared? We agreed on not leaving until we're drunk tonight, and you're already throwing in the towel?"

He couldn't help but chuckle, feeling mischievous. "Can't you tone down that serious demeanor of yours? Aren't you too proud to swallow your pride and apologize to her? I've told you before, girls, especially someone like Xiaoxiao, are prone to jealousy. Just find a pretty girl to give her a little nudge, and I bet she won't be able to hold out for more than a month."

His group of friends echoed in laughter, aware that they were deliberately goading him. Usually, Zhong Ling was rational and wouldn't take such comments to heart; he'd simply dismiss them as idle talk.

But lately, the stress from his breakup with Xiaoxiao seemed to have clouded his judgment. Their words struck a nerve deep within him.

Although he had agreed to follow their advice earlier, he hadn't expected to end up in this kind of situation. It wasn't about habit or being particularly refined; he just found himself, after spending so much time with Xiaoxiao, suppressing impulses that might provoke jealousy or cause her distress.

Over time, he visited such pleasure spots less frequently and even more sparingly sought the company of women. On the rare occasions that he did, it was merely for business entertainment with his associates.

But since he had already agreed, it wouldn't be appropriate for him to leave alone now. After all, they were all friends within the same social circle, and if he were to abruptly depart in such an unexplained manner, he would likely be the subject of their ridicule for a year or more.

Zhong Ling wasn't angered by the deliberate provocation; he didn't give it much thought. His face remained calm and composed as he turned to look at the friend who was laughing the loudest. He asked him peculiarly, "Are you really sure that this will work? The issue between Xiaoxiao and me isn't ordinary."

As he spoke, he probably recalled the heated argument before he left, causing his usually composed long eyebrows to furrow slightly again. "This time, we fought fiercely. We're currently in a state of separation. In a fit of anger, I said we should break up, and she didn't try to stop me. I don't even know if she truly doesn't care anymore."

Speaking of which, Xiaoxiao was his first love. Their relationship developed naturally, and throughout his life, be it in academics, career, or relationships, everything had always gone smoothly for him. He had never encountered such setbacks or situations beyond his control. Thus, he couldn't help but feel somewhat weighed down by it all.

He always believed that Xiaoxiao loved him deeply, that their relationship was built on mutual affection. Infidelity was the farthest thing from his mind. Yet, he never expected to come across such messages on her phone.

The revelation was a blow he found hard to absorb.

He wasn't an irrational person; occasional fits of anger might lead to impulsiveness, but after rashly breaking up with her, he realized he couldn't let go of his girlfriend.

That's why he resorted to this desperate move.

In matters of the heart, he indeed lacked the experience of that scoundrel sitting opposite him. Thus, he tended to listen more, even though he knew their advice wasn't always sound. Lately, either out of anger or confusion, he inexplicably agreed to their ill-conceived plan.

Listening to their conversation, Nanyan couldn't recall if these individuals had mentioned such things before her in her previous life. Perhaps they might have dropped a few hints, but the original owner likely hadn't paid much attention. After all, she was always diligent in serving, and wouldn't deliberately remember what guests had said.

Moreover, she wasn't as quiet in her previous life. She had imitated other girls, engaging in conversation with Zhong Ling, albeit not excessively. She did initiate talk, but it was mostly trivial matters.

Hearing this, He Mian clapped his hands and chuckled, "Alright, relax. I'm much more experienced in these matters than you. It won't be any worse than your current situation. Besides, news like this takes time to spread. By then, I'll exaggerate it a little for you, ensuring that she'll take notice. Anyway, you're not leaving tonight. I've already prepared a guest room on the top floor."

As he spoke, he pushed the beautiful girl in his arms towards Zhong Ling. The girl, caught off guard, turned her head, confused, only to see the man opposite her flash a mischievous smile.

He raised an eyebrow at her, gesturing for her to sit next to Zhong Ling. "Sit on his lap. If you can end up in his arms tonight, I'll give you twenty thousand yuan."

At this remark, the few young men sitting nearby instantly perked up, probably eager to witness the downfall of this unattainable beauty. In a flash, they nudged the attractive girls beside them towards him.

"Tsks, He Mian, your approach is always more effective."

"Since that's the case, why don't you all join in?"

"Haha, whoever can make him smile tonight, I'll give them 100,000 yuan! Hurry, go, all of you, see who can land in his arms first."

His group of rowdy friends immediately egged them on. The previously ignored girls, now with newfound hope, eagerly pushed their way forward, all displaying an enthusiastic demeanor.

In their line of work, one couldn't afford to be too morally stringent, for they had to tolerate clients' whims and grievances. After all, earning money was no easy task, and the tips these gentlemen casually tossed were equivalent to a month's salary for them. This excitement was simply too hard to suppress for these girls.

Nan Yan, sitting beside him, continued peeling her oranges quietly. Upon hearing this, she didn't deliberately try to join in. What was wrong with her enjoying a few oranges? After finishing, she threw the peels into the trash can next to her.

Perhaps due to the commotion caused by the group, they laughed and squeezed over, soon surrounding Zhong Ling, pushing Nan Yan aside in the process. As one was pushed away, another would immediately cling on. Despite his usually calm demeanor, he was now growing increasingly irritated.

Spotting the girl calmly peeling oranges beside him, Zhong Ling took a deep breath and reached out to pull Nan Yan, who had been sitting quietly, into his arms. He wrapped his arm around her waist and settled her onto his lap.

His body was tense, clearly uncomfortable with such close contact with a stranger. However, he soon realized that the girl in his embrace was even more rigid than he was.

Yet, she soon relaxed, leaning softly against his chest without resistance. The girl was light and delicate, without any overpowering scent of cosmetics. She carried only a subtle fragrance of soap and a faint aroma of orange peel, a very clean scent indeed.

Zhong Ling's brows relaxed slightly. It wasn't as repellent as he had imagined when he picked it up.

Zhon Ling lowered his gaze instinctively and caught a glimpse of the girl with her head bowed. She was quiet, her eyebrows arched gently, and her eyelashes slightly downturned. The dense fringe cast a particularly curly shadow in the light, sweeping across the pale cheeks like a soft brushstroke.

He didn't give her face a thorough look, his gaze sweeping past as if he had merely fulfilled an unwelcome obligation.

Only then did he turn to the group of teasing friends beside him and impatiently address them.

"Enough, enough, I have company now. Quit it, I'll keep my word and stay for the night."

The crowd fell silent when they saw him embrace the girl tightly, his eyes carrying a deliberately flirtatious smile that men often exchanged. Then, they resumed their drinking game with him.

Zhong Ling had been coerced into consuming quite a bit of alcohol by his rowdy friends that evening. They seemed determined to repay him in kind for the mischief he'd pulled on them previously.

Time passed, and Zhong Ling reached his limit. He massaged his aching, swollen temples, his consciousness starting to blur.

Finally, his companions relented. Amidst the chorus of teasing, Nan Yan supported him upstairs to a private suite they had reserved beforehand.

During this interval, an amusing incident occurred. Perhaps it was because her composed and well-behaved demeanor tonight was endearing, making Young Master Zhong, who had his arm around her waist, feel less resistant towards her.

Thus, when other women approached, volunteering to escort him to his upstairs guest room, Zhong Ling promptly brushed them aside, drawing the girl in his arms even closer.

Nan Yan didn't object and remained tranquilly obedient.

As a result, everyone naturally understood the situation, wearing knowing smiles on their faces.

It seemed that Zhong Ling favored this quiet and submissive girl, which was quite different from his usual preferences.

Thus, Nanyan walked forward while supporting the drunken man. He seemed to have truly overindulged tonight; his steps were unsteady, and half of his weight leaned on her shoulder. Eventually, with the encouragement of the onlookers, she managed to guide him into the room.

Nanyan helped the man sit comfortably on the sofa. His breathing was heavy, so she softly called out to him, "Mr. Zhong," "Mr. Zhong, please sit for a while."

He kept his eyes closed, ignoring her.

Nanyan glanced at him. A few strands of hair fell across his forehead, and his head tilted slightly back, sinking into the soft cushions of the sofa. His Adam's apple was prominently visible, and a faint flush of intoxication colored his fair complexion.

The elegance and refinement he exuded earlier seemed to dissipate, as his thick eyelashes cast a shadow on his eyelids.

He remained in a semi-conscious state.

Nan Yan went to the bathroom to dampen a towel, gently wiping his face before smoothing out the pillow behind him. After completing these tasks,

she turned to leave. Just as she was about to go, she heard the man on the sofa call out to her:

"Wait a moment, don't leave just yet."

His voice was somewhat low, but it was distinct and clear.

Surprised, Nan Yan turned back to see the man on the sofa had, at some unseen moment, opened his eyes. His dark irises were calm and clear, illuminated by the soft white light that cast a glow on his refined profile. He was fully conscious, showing no sign of the intoxication he had displayed earlier in the private room.

Nan Yan paused for a few seconds, feeling a bit puzzled. She instinctively asked, "Mr. Zhong, it seems you weren't actually drunk?"

The man softly hummed in response.

He had no intention of explaining himself.

With fingers pressing against his temples, clearly indicating discomfort, he hadn't been drunk, but consuming so much alcohol was still uncomfortable.

Noticing his discomfort and hearing his request to stay, Nanyan turned around and approached him once more.

Observing his slender fingers persistently pressing against his forehead, Nanyan remained silent and instinctively reached out to massage him gently.

However, the moment her fingers touched his skin, they were abruptly swatted away by him.

Zhong Ling opened his eyes, clearly unprepared for the girl's sudden proximity. His force was too strong; he hadn't controlled it well, landing the slap right on the back of her delicate, fair hand. A vivid red mark soon appeared on it.

Zhong Ling's expression paused slightly, revealing a hint of embarrassment. Nonetheless, he quickly recomposed himself.

He had never been fond of unfamiliar people invading his personal space with physical contact.

However, he now realized that the girl in front of him had no ill intentions; it was his own overreaction.

Nan Yan instinctively withdrew her hand.

Upon hearing a soft hiss escape her lips, Zhong Ling inferred that she must be in some pain. Yet, the girl remained bowed, uttering no complaints.

He glanced at her again, his gaze resting on the back of her hand. The mark was particularly noticeable against her fair skin.

Zhong Ling was not the type of man to bully women; his upbringing would never permit him to show disrespect to a lady without good reason. However, his action just now had indeed been unintentional.

Thus, the atmosphere in the room turned somewhat quiet.

Nan Yan noticed the discomfort on his face and, to ease the awkwardness, she shook her head at him and chuckled softly. "Mr. Zhong, please don't worry about it. I know you didn't mean it. It was my fault for not speaking up. But may I ask why you're preventing me from leaving?"

As she spoke, a hint of confusion flickered in her eyes.

She was well aware of why this man wouldn't let her leave, but she maintained a look of puzzlement on her face.

Zhong Ling was aware that she was changing the subject, so he followed her lead and said, "My friends can be quite troublesome. If you were to leave now, they'd surely intercept you downstairs. In that case, they might send someone even more troublesome to bother me."

He wasn't afraid of anything else but trouble.

That group of people had caused him countless headaches since childhood. He knew their nature like the back of his hand. If they sent a more persistent girl to hound him, it could lead to even more vexing situations.

As Zhong Ling pondered this, he couldn't help but add to the person beside him, "Stay in here a bit longer. I won't do anything to you. Besides, I apologize for accidentally hitting you just now. If it hurts too much, I'll arrange for someone to settle any medical expenses later."

This person spoke with a rational tone, maintaining a business-like demeanor throughout without uttering a single unnecessary word.

A hint of surprise flickered in Nan Yan's eyes. Stunned by the man's apologetic and amiable demeanor, she was momentarily at a loss. However, she quickly regained her composure.

Shaking her head, she said, "No need, it was just a minor incident, Mr. Zhong. There's no need to take it so seriously. It was my mistake to begin with, so there's no need for you to compensate me."

Zhong Ling, feeling no particular emotional fluctuation, casually replied, "Alright, then find a spot to rest as you wish. Don't worry about me."

Observing him frown, his face reflecting annoyance, yet his eyes revealing no genuine disdain, Nan Yan's expression softened. She asked, "If Mr. Zhong is not willing to participate, why not be honest with your friends? They seem to be considerate of your feelings and genuinely treat you as a friend."

Zhong Ling didn't take the remark to heart.

He didn't even glance at Nanyan.

Leaning back, he slouched into the sofa, adopting a casual and leisurely posture, indicating his desire to unwind. He merely murmured, "It's not as simple as you think."

His demeanor clearly signaled that he didn't wish to engage in further conversation. A perceptive server would have sensed this and kept silent. Thus, Nanyan wisely ceased her inquiries.

Observing his slightly flushed face, probably due to the alcohol kicking in, she noticed a delicate flush on his fair, jade-like complexion. She promptly turned to fetch a basin of warm water, dampened a towel, and passed it to him.

This time, she was well-prepared. She called out his name in advance. Zhong Ling opened his eyes to see a warm towel, wrung dry, offered to him. He hesitated for a moment before reaching out to take it.

Their silent exchange created an unspoken harmony between them, dispelling the initial awkwardness.

As Zhong Ling wiped his face, the warmth of the towel induced a sense of drowsy comfort. His initial wariness and defensiveness towards this stranger began to soften.

Nan Yan's quiet and obedient demeanor particularly contributed to his relaxed state of mind.

Just as he allowed himself to unwind, with his eyes closed, preparing for a brief respite, he suddenly heard the voice of the girl beside him.

"Is Mr. Zhong troubled by matters of the heart?"

Perhaps it was the alcohol clouding his judgment, but he blinked, his gaze landing on the lady sitting beside him.

Nan Yan seemed to sense what he was about to ask and let out a soft laugh. Her smile was subtle, carrying a gentle professionalism. Before he could voice his question, she volunteered an answer,

"I've been working here for a while. Actually, many guests come to places like this to drown their sorrows when they're unhappy."

"Most of those people are dealing with relationship issues. Those struggling financially or having job troubles are less likely to seek solace in alcohol."

As Nan Yan spoke, her gaze shifted back to Zhong Ling on the sofa, still wearing that gentle, faint smile. "Mr. Zhong doesn't seem like someone in need of money, and your work probably goes smoothly as well. Apart from the unhappiness caused by your emotional matters, there shouldn't be anything else troubling you. Besides, I overheard what your friend said in the private room just now."

Nan Yan sat quietly on a stool nearby as she spoke, gently washing the warm towel in her hands. When her soft, compliant gaze met Zhong Ling's, their eyes locked.

Perhaps her words piqued Zhong Ling's interest slightly, for his gaze finally landed on her face. It was the first time tonight that he gave her a serious look.

She was a very pretty girl, gentle and clean-cut.

Her eyebrows arched slightly. Since she had been looking down with her eyes lowered, one wouldn't have noticed that her eyelids naturally curled slightly at the corners. There was a light red mole near the outer corner of her eyebrow, adding a touch of allure. With her fair skin, the small mole was even more noticeable.

She appeared to have applied a subtle touch of makeup, her lips radiating a delicate rouge hue.

Her lustrous black hair, smooth and obedient, was styled into a low ponytail at the nape of her neck. Perhaps intentionally, the style seemed more mature, yet the slight plumpness on her cheeks betrayed her youth, making it evident to Zhong Lin that she wasn't particularly old.

Her appearance appealed to many people's aesthetics; a look that most men would find attractive. She resembled those fleeting glimpses of an enchanting girl on the basketball court during one's school days.

She exuded gentleness and purity without an air of aloofness. Such was likely the prototype of the crush that stirred many hearts - the unassuming girl from their adolescence.

He too had once been smitten by such a girl, perhaps moved by a casual offering of water from a young lady on the basketball court, which had made his heart skip a beat. Yet, his infatuation shattered when he saw her effortlessly navigating between several boys. Eventually, his affections evolved towards a girl who truly suited him.

Yet now, a significant issue had arisen between him and Xiaoxiao.

As Zhong Ling pondered this, his heart sank, and his brows knitted together without his noticing. His scrutinizing gaze gradually softened.

When Nan Yan noticed his furrowed brow, she extended the towel in her hand to him.

A hint of hesitation flickered in her eyes, as if she was contemplating whether or not to voice her thoughts.

After a moment of silence, she smiled gently and said, "Mr. Zhong, actually, I don't quite agree with what your friend said."

Nanyan's tone was gentle, even when expressing disagreement, it didn't come across as offensive.

Zhong Ling's thoughts, tangled in confusion, were pulled back. He instinctively asked, "What did you say?"

Nanyan remained calm, with a hint of warmth in her expression. "It's about Mr. He asking you to find a new girlfriend to provoke your ex."

This statement cleared Zhong Ling's thoughts significantly.

She looked up at him. Gently laughing towards the man on the sofa, though her smile still carried the professionalism of her work, she said, "Emotions aren't tools for casual experimentation, Mr. Zhong. Have you considered what would happen if your ex took it seriously and truly gave up on you? How would you proceed then?"

"Actually, I can tell that Mr. Zhong must hold your ex-girlfriend in high regard. The breakup was probably an impulsive decision, but afterwards, you might have regretted it, right?"

"But at a time like this, you can't bring yourself to reach out to her, so the situation remains unresolved, am I correct?"

Zhong Ling was surprised by the clarity with which she perceived the situation. Based solely on snippets overheard in the private room and his subsequent behavior, she had accurately guessed the dynamics between him and Xiaoxiao.

His gaze toward Nanyan became more earnest. Perhaps due to the pent-up emotions he'd been bottling up without anyone to confide in, the presence of a girl who could so accurately read his thoughts made him open up more than usual.

"Hmm... You're spot on. I indeed can't swallow my pride to approach her. If you were in my shoes, what would you do?"

Nanyan pondered for a moment with her head tilted, then lifted her gaze to look at Zhong Ling across from her. Her voice remained calm as she said, "In the end, it all depends on Mr. Zhong himself."

"Mr. Zhong might consider asking yourself how deeply you truly care for your ex-girlfriend. Face is merely a temporary concern. If you genuinely cherish your girlfriend and envision a future where you marry her to spend the rest of your life together, then your girlfriend is already your family. Compromising a little in front of your family and losing some face is insignificant in the grand scheme of things."

Zhong Ling remained silent, likely taken aback by her words.

Upon closer reflection, what she said seemed reasonable. If he were to marry Xiaoxiao, they would indeed become family, and losing face among family members was not a significant issue.

But the barrier in his heart was something he could not overcome at present.

The mistake his girlfriend had made wasn't a trivial one; it was a breach of principle. She hadn't even been willing to tell him the truth and was still defending that man. How could he possibly tolerate that?

Yet, he was curious about how this girl in front of him would think.

Looking at her, Zhong Ling couldn't help but ask, "What if she was the one who made the mistake first?"

Nan Yan shook her head upon hearing this and smiled softly, saying, "Everyone makes mistakes, Mr. Zhong. You can't condemn someone for a single mistake they made. Besides, people who make mistakes deserve a chance to repent. Furthermore, are you so certain that the mistake was intentionally committed? Perhaps there were reasons or hardships behind it?"

Reasons? Hardships?

How could he fathom the complexity behind such an issue?

She chose to break up with him rather than reveal what had happened that night. What was he supposed to make of that?

Upon hearing this, Zhong Ling fell silent again. He knew that the girl's words held much truth, far more substantial than the empty advice from his group of friends.

But he had given Xiao Xiao opportunities. He had asked her repeatedly, yet she remained silent. Her persistent withholding of information only led him to believe that she was protecting that man.

After a moment of thought, he posed another question, "What if the mistake she made was a matter of principle?"

Nanyan seemed to pause slightly before she spoke with a tinge of helplessness, "Well, it depends on whether this mistake holds more weight in your heart than your affection for your ex-girlfriend. As you said, if you can't tolerate a fundamental mistake from your girlfriend, how could you expect her to accept that you're dating someone new just to provoke her? Isn't that also a fundamental breach of trust? Mr. Zhong, this is clearly retaliation."

Retaliation?

So he had been thinking of revenge all along?

That didn't seem too far off the mark; resentment had indeed been simmering within him.

Perhaps her words had struck a chord with Zhong Ling, for he was momentarily stunned and fell into a long silence.

When he finally recovered from the impact of her words, his gaze fell back onto the girl before him. He suddenly asked, "What's your real name?"

Her name?

Nan Yan didn't give it much thought and replied honestly, "My name is Jasmine. My badge number is twenty-four."

Zhon Ling found it somewhat amusing for an unknown reason. He shook his head and added, "No, I'm asking for your true name, not the pseudonym you use at the club."

This response from Nan Yan startled her slightly, perhaps due to the subtle shift in his demeanor. She was briefly taken aback but didn't hesitate for long before softly saying,

"My surname is Wen. I'm called Wen Nanyan."

"Wen Nanyan."

Zhong Ling repeated her name without thinking and didn't add anything else. Instead, he offered her a warm smile, "Hmm, a lovely name. I'll remember you."

His tone was casual, carrying no hidden meaning.

Nan Yan didn't overthink it; instead, a slight curve formed at the corners of her lips, returning a gentle and subtle smile.

...

Heh heh, if I couldn't remember the name in my previous life, surely I can do so in this one.