Tensions & Temptations

An Evening of Elegance

The city skyline glowed in the distance as Joshua's sleek Bugatti cruised through Shanghai's bustling streets. The destination: The Starlight Lounge, an exclusive rooftop club renowned for its breathtaking views, live performances, and elite clientele. Tonight, Joshua had planned a relaxing evening with Jia Yi—a well-deserved escape after the chaos of recent days.

Dressed in a sleek, figure-hugging black dress, Jia Yi sat in the passenger seat, her long, flowing hair cascading down her shoulders. She looked stunning, yet there was an unmistakable hint of possessiveness in her eyes.

"You've been so busy lately," she murmured, glancing at him. "I was starting to think you were avoiding me."

Joshua chuckled, reaching over to gently tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "Avoid you? Impossible. I'd rather spend my time with you than deal with corporate headaches."

Jia Yi's lips curled into a satisfied smile, but deep inside, she knew it wasn't just business taking up his time—there were other women circling around him, and she wasn't blind to it.

A Familiar Face at the Lounge

The moment they stepped into The Starlight Lounge, the warm ambiance of golden chandeliers, smooth jazz, and the murmur of high society conversations surrounded them.

But just as Jia Yi was about to fully relax, a familiar, melodic voice rang through the air.

"Good evening, everyone~ This next song is dedicated to a very special guest in the audience tonight."

Joshua's eyes flickered toward the stage where Sung En stood, holding a microphone.

She was breathtaking in a silver gown, her signature silver-white hair shimmering under the lights. As the music started, her eyes locked onto Joshua's, a teasing smile playing at her lips.

Jia Yi's grip on Joshua's arm tightened immediately.

"You've got to be kidding me," she whispered, her tone sharp.

Joshua chuckled inwardly, enjoying Jia Yi's rare moments of possessiveness.

Sung En's voice carried through the lounge, soft yet powerful, each lyric laced with an unmistakable challenge directed at Jia Yi.

"Is it wrong to want something that shines,

Even if it isn't mine?

Do I fight or do I stay,

When my heart is pulling me your way?"

Jia Yi narrowed her eyes, quickly catching the meaning behind Sung En's choice of song.

Joshua, meanwhile, found himself amused. She's doing this on purpose.

As the song ended, Sung En stepped off the stage and made her way directly to their table, her confident smile unwavering.

"Chairman Lim," she greeted sweetly, ignoring Jia Yi completely. "I wasn't expecting to see you here tonight."

"Likewise," Joshua responded smoothly. "That was a beautiful performance."

"Of course it was," she teased, leaning in slightly. "I was singing for you, after all."

Jia Yi's smile twitched, her fingers digging into Joshua's wrist under the table.

"Oh? You were singing for my boyfriend?" Jia Yi's voice was saccharine sweet, but Joshua could feel the warning beneath her words.

Sung En feigned innocence, tilting her head. "Boyfriend? Hmm… I don't remember hearing an official announcement."

Jia Yi's face darkened slightly, and Joshua had to intervene before things escalated.

"Alright, alright," he chuckled, placing a calm hand over Jia Yi's. "You two will have plenty of time to get to know each other."

Sung En smirked, clearly enjoying Jia Yi's frustration.

"Actually, you're right. In fact…" Sung En's eyes flickered toward the entrance, where an elegant woman in a pristine white dress was just stepping in. "There's someone else you might want to say hello to."

Jia Yi and Joshua turned just in time to see Bai Lianhua gracefully making her way toward them.

A New Rivalry Begins

Bai Lianhua's entrance was impossible to ignore.

With long, silky black hair, porcelain skin, and an aura of serene elegance, she looked as untouchable as a goddess. Unlike Jia Yi's fiery energy or Sung En's teasing confidence, Bai Lianhua carried herself with quiet grace, as if she never needed to fight for attention—it simply came to her.

Jia Yi's mood immediately soured further.

Not another one…

"Joshua," Bai Lianhua greeted softly, her voice as smooth as flowing water. "It's good to see you again."

Joshua stood up to shake her hand. "Lianhua, I didn't expect you to be here tonight."

She gave a soft, knowing smile. "I was invited. But now that I'm here… I think my time will be much more interesting."

Jia Yi felt a surge of irritation. Unlike Sung En, who openly provoked her, Bai Lianhua didn't need to. Her mere presence was enough to make Jia Yi feel like she was losing ground.

Sung En, catching Jia Yi's rising jealousy, grinned mischievously.

"This is quite the gathering, isn't it?" she mused, taking a sip of her wine. "What are the odds that all of us would end up here tonight?"

Jia Yi crossed her arms. "Yeah… what are the odds?"

Joshua sighed internally, realizing that the battlefield had shifted. Tonight's war wasn't fought with money or power—it was being waged with glances, subtle taunts, and jealous tension.

He should've seen this coming.

A Shadow Watches from Afar

Across the lounge, seated in a VIP booth, a pair of dark eyes burned with resentment.

Lu Zhenfeng.

He gritted his teeth as he watched Bai Lianhua smiling warmly at Joshua, as if the two shared some intimate understanding.

"That bastard…" Lu Zhenfeng muttered, his grip tightening around his glass.

One of his subordinates leaned in cautiously. "Young Master Lu, should we intervene?"

Lu Zhenfeng exhaled slowly, calming his anger. "No. Not yet. But Joshua Lim… he's going to regret crossing paths with me."

His lips curled into a cruel smirk as a plan began forming in his mind.

Tonight, Joshua might have the attention of Shanghai's most coveted women, but soon, he would realize that not all enemies fought in the open.

Some battles were fought in the shadows.

[Current Favorability Points]

• Jia Yi: 92 Points (Possessive & Jealous, but still in love)

• Sung En: 75 Points (Playful, but growing attached)

• Bai Lianhua: 60 Points (Intrigued by Joshua's rise)

[Recent System Rewards]

• New Skill Unlocked: Social Dominance (Increases charisma and ability to control social dynamics effortlessly)

• New Asset: 200 Million Yen Investment in Lim Group (Boosting corporate influence)

• Attribute Points: +10 in Charisma & Influence

Joshua sighed, realizing that tonight would be more exhausting than any business deal.

He could handle hostile takeovers and corporate wars, but navigating the battlefield of women's emotions?

That… was the real challenge.

To be continued…