Host! I told you to do a task! I didn't tell you to bbb.

"Did it have something added to it? An aphrodisiac or a sleeping potion?" Liu Yunshu asked with great interest as she looked at the glass of wine.

"Of course it's that kind of medicine! Just don't drink it!" Xiao Ba said anxiously.

"Then I'd be interested in having a drink." A hint of anticipation flashed in Liu Yunshu's eyes.

Lu Yan, I've added some serious ingredients, so don't disappoint me.

"After we drink this, can we leave?" Liu Yunshu took the glass of wine and gave the man a slight smile.

The man was captivated by her smile and nodded repeatedly, "Of course, whatever the beauty says goes."

"Sister! Don't drink it! Who knows what he put in it!" Liu Yunfan stepped forward to stop her.

"Hey! Don't talk nonsense! I'll sue you for defamation!"

Beauty, drink up! After you drink this, I guarantee you'll be as happy as an immortal.

The man looked Liu Yunshu up and down with his eyes. What a beauty! I, Old Zhu, have hit the jackpot today!

"It's understandable that your younger brother is worried," she said with a smile, looking at the man. "But this gentleman doesn't seem like the type to do anything underhanded, right?"

The man was flattered by her "doesn't seem like it," and patted his chest to assure her, "Of course! I, Zhu, am a respected figure in the underworld, how could I do such a despicable thing?"

How can something that's consensual be considered sordid?

Liu Yunfan wanted to say something more, but was stopped by a look from Liu Yunshu.

She tilted her head back, brought the wine to her lips, and drank it down in one gulp.

"Alright! Beautiful lady, you're so generous. Let's call it even for what happened earlier, but..."

The man rubbed his hands together, his eyes glued to Liu Yunshu, his tone becoming increasingly blatant: "Beautiful lady, you came alone? Why don't you come upstairs with us brothers? We have some good wine in my private room, I guarantee it'll be stronger than the one you're holding."

Liu Yunfan glared fiercely at this lewd, fat pig. "Can't you see a grown man like me? Are you blind?!"

An unnatural blush rose on Liu Yunshu's face, and waves of heat surged through her body. She gently gripped the bar counter, forcing herself to remain calm, and said, "No need, we have other things to do."

"Sister, what's wrong?" Liu Yunfan noticed her unusual behavior and anxiously helped her up.

"It's alright, let's go." Liu Yunshu forced a smile, but her legs felt a little weak.

Oh my, this medicine is so potent! What should I do? I really want to eat... Lu Yan!

Xiao Ba, realizing the host's thoughts, was speechless. This woman's mind was full of lewd nonsense!

"Hey, don't rush off!" The man blocked their way, grinning lewdly. "The beautiful lady doesn't seem to be feeling well. Why don't you come to my private room and rest for a bit?"

"Get out of my way!" Liu Yunfan shouted angrily, blocking his sister's path.

"Kid, don't be ungrateful!" The man's face darkened, and his henchmen immediately surrounded him.

Liu Yunfan's roommates also stepped forward to stand in front of the two of them, glaring angrily at the group of people.

With those guys around, they won't be able to hurt Yunfan's sister!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Second-floor private rooms.

Crystal chandeliers refracted mesmerizing light and shadow, while champagne and laughter mingled to create a lavish symphony.

Lu Yan sat alone in the dark corner, his slender fingers holding a wine glass. The amber liquid swirled gently in the glass, reflecting his cold profile.

He lowered his eyes, his emotions dark and unreadable, his mind filled with the image of that person—Liu Yunshu.

"All the beauties of the world are but dust, only your pure light surpasses the moonlight."

A deep voice rolled between his lips and teeth, sounding like self-mockery or a helpless sigh.

"Hey, Brother Lu, why are you hiding here all alone, drinking alone today?"

Shen Yi, holding a wine glass, plopped down next to him, grinning mischievously, "You wouldn't be... thinking about women, would you?"

"Are you very free?" Lu Yan looked up, a thin layer of drunkenness floating in his eyes, his voice slightly hoarse.

"I'm not idle, I just wanted to check on you since I saw you drinking alone and feeling down."

Lu Yan looked down at the wine glass in his hand. "I just thought it was noisy."

Shen Yi pursed his lips. He had never seen him complain about noise so much before.

Seeing Lu Yan's gloomy face, he clearly looked troubled by love.

He nudged his arm. "Looking at you, have you finally blossomed like an iron tree?"

Lu Yan's knuckles tightened slightly, and water droplets on the cup slid down his fingertips, wetting a corner of his dark trousers.

He didn't answer, but tilted his head back and took another swig of wine. As his Adam's apple bobbed, the emotions in his eyes deepened.

Shen Yi's eyes lit up, and he leaned even closer: "Really? Tell me quickly, which family's daughter has our young master Lu so captivated?"

Lu Yan avoided his probing gaze, tilted his head back and took another gulp of wine. His Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice was hoarse with the smell of alcohol: "Don't make wild guesses."

"I'm not just guessing," Shen Yi said with a mischievous smile. "Your look and tone just now clearly indicated you have someone in your heart. Tell me, maybe I know them?"

Lu Yan frowned unhappily. "You? You even know her? Humph!"

Seeing his expression, Shen Yi became even more excited: "Let me guess who it is? That long-haired beauty from the last art exhibition? Or the rich girl who flirted with you at the party?"

A hint of impatience flashed in Lu Yan's eyes. How could those ordinary women be worthy of comparing themselves to her?

He didn't reply, but his gaze involuntarily drifted to the window, as if he could see the unsettling figure through the dim light.

He put down his glass, his voice low and deep: "I'm leaving."

"Hey, don't rush off!" Shen Yi quickly got up and followed. "You always wear your heart on your sleeve, can't you even ask?"

Lu Yan ignored him and walked straight out. However, as soon as he stepped out of the private room, a commotion arose downstairs.

Interspersed with the familiar sounds of arguing. He paused, his brows furrowing unconsciously; that voice… sounded exactly like Liu Yunshu's.

Shen Yi followed him and looked down in the direction of his gaze: "What's wrong? It sounds like they're arguing downstairs."

Lu Yan didn't respond, and took a long stride towards the stairwell.

My heart skipped a few beats for no reason, and my fingertips turned slightly white from the force I exerted.

He hurried downstairs, weaved through the crowded throng, and immediately spotted Liu Yunshu surrounded in the middle.

Her face was flushed, and she leaned against the bar, breathing slightly heavily. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, indicating that she was not in good condition.

The fat, big-eared man reached out to touch her, and Liu Yunfan, her eyes red, stood in front of him, but was pushed back a few steps by his henchmen.

Lu Yan frowned, thinking unhappily: What a useless man!

"Let her go!"

Lu Yan's voice was like ice, carrying a terrifying chill.

He strode over and pulled Liu Yunshu into his arms.

The man paused for a moment, then said arrogantly, "Who are you? Mind your own business..."

Before she could finish speaking, she was so frightened by Lu Yan's icy gaze that she swallowed her words back.

Lu Yan didn't look at him, but looked down at Liu Yunshu in his arms. Her forehead was pressed against his chest, her breathing was a little rapid, and her voice was breathless: "Lu Yan..."

That soft call was like a feather tickling my heart, or like a needle pricking me hard.

Lu Yan's heart clenched instantly. When he looked down, he saw her reddened eyes, filled with anger and heartache.

"Xiao Ba, he's here." Liu Yunshu chuckled inwardly, but her body softened as she leaned closer to Lu Yan. "Looks like my medicine wasn't a waste of time."

Xiao Ba: "..." Host, you really will do anything to hook a man!

Lu Yan didn't realize her thoughts, assuming that she had been bullied and the drug was taking effect, and that the atmosphere around her was frighteningly low.

He looked up at the man, his voice as cold as the dead of winter: "Did you drug the wine she drank?"

The man was intimidated by his imposing manner and stammered, "I...I didn't..."

"Search." Lu Yan uttered a single word, and Shen Yi, who had followed, immediately understood and gave a wink to the bodyguard behind him.

A short while later, the bodyguard found a small packet of white powder in the man's pocket.

"The evidence is conclusive, and you still dare to argue?" Shen Yi threw the powder on the table. "I'm calling the police now, let them judge this!"

The man's face turned deathly pale instantly, and he knelt down with a thud: "Brother, spare me! I was blind and didn't recognize your greatness. Please, have mercy on me this time!"

Lu Yan ignored him, picked up the limp Liu Yunshu in his arms, and said to Liu Yunfan, "Keep an eye on your friend. Leave this to Shen Yi."

After saying that, he carried Liu Yunshu through the crowd and walked out.

"Hey! Where are you taking my sister?" Liu Yunfan caught up with them.

Sister? Could it be…

Lu Yan was overjoyed and tightened his grip on Liu Yunshu's hand.

"Don't worry, I'll take good care of her."

The person in his arms was very light, her breath brushing against his neck, carrying a faint scent of alcohol and her unique fragrance, wrapping around him like vines, making his heart beat erratically.

Liu Yunshu leaned against him, a triumphant smile playing on her lips. "Lu Yan, I'm finally going to get my hands on your food."