The Infamous Shanghai Playboy

Morning Intimacy – Su Yan's Clinginess

The soft glow of the morning sun seeped through the curtains of Su Yan's bedroom, casting golden rays over the silk sheets. Beneath them, a familiar warmth stirred as Joshua slowly awoke, feeling the delicate weight of Su Yan resting against his chest.

His lips curled into a smirk as he ran his fingers through her tousled red hair. "Wake up, sleeping beauty."

A soft groan escaped Su Yan as she shifted, pressing her face deeper into his chest. "Mmm… five more minutes."

Joshua chuckled, wrapping an arm around her waist. "You know if I let you sleep for five more minutes, you'll ask for another five… and then another."

Su Yan peeked one eye open and smirked playfully. "And if I do?"

Joshua leaned down, his lips ghosting over her ear. "Then I might just have to find another way to wake you up."

Her cheeks flushed slightly, but instead of pulling away, she tightened her grip around his torso, snuggling even closer. "I don't want you to leave just yet…"

Joshua raised an eyebrow. "You're awfully clingy today."

Su Yan pouted slightly but didn't let go. "Well, I'm enjoying my boyfriend's company. Can't I be a little greedy? You're always busy, so I have to make the most of the time we get."

Joshua's smirk softened as he cupped her cheek, tilting her chin up. "No matter how busy I am, my girl always comes first."

Su Yan blinked at him before rolling onto her back dramatically. "That's dangerous, Joshua. If you keep spoiling me like this, I'll get addicted."

Joshua chuckled. "Then I'll just have to take responsibility."

They lingered in bed for a while longer before finally getting up for breakfast. As they ate, Joshua checked his phone, preparing for the day ahead.

Just as he was about to leave, he noticed Su Yan staring at her phone, her playful demeanor suddenly shifting into something more serious.

"Joshua…" she called out, turning the screen toward him. "You might want to see this."

Joshua took the phone from her and glanced at the screen.

[Breaking News: 'The Infamous Shanghai Playboy' – Joshua Lim's Multiple Relationships Exposed!]

The article contained several leaked paparazzi shots:

• Joshua and Jia Yi holding hands at Horizon Hill.

• Joshua and Su Yan on their intimate dinner date.

• Joshua escorting Xin Er to his Bugatti after the reunion.

• Joshua dancing with Bai Lian Hua at the gala.

• Joshua and Sung En on their date.

Joshua smirked, setting the phone down. "About time."

Su Yan blinked at him. "That's all you have to say?"

Joshua took a sip of his coffee. "What else is there? It's true."

Su Yan let out an exasperated sigh before smirking. "You're unbelievable."

Joshua leaned in, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're not mad?"

Su Yan tilted her head, studying him. Then she smirked. "As long as you don't forget about me, and when it's just the two of us, you make me feel like I'm your only one… then I don't care what the world says."

Joshua chuckled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "That's a promise."

Satisfied, Su Yan grinned. "Good. Now go handle your mess, Shanghai Playboy."

Joshua groaned. "Great. Now you're saying it too?"

She laughed, pushing him toward the door.

Office Showdown – The Women's Reactions

As Joshua arrived at his office, he was surprised to see Jia Yi already sitting inside, flipping through a newspaper with a smirk.

She looked up as he walked in, casually placing the newspaper down on his desk. "Well, well, look who finally showed up."

Joshua scratched the back of his head. "Heeey… baby."

Jia Yi tapped the bold headline on the newspaper. "'The Infamous Shanghai Playboy'? That's quite the reputation you've built for yourself."

Joshua winced. "They really went with that title, huh?"

Jia Yi slowly stood and walked over, placing her hands on his chest. "I know there are other women besides me. I accepted that. But, Joshua…" She met his gaze, her voice softening. "Just promise me one thing—don't ever make me feel like I'm just one of many. I need to feel special in your heart."

Joshua tilted her chin up and kissed her softly. "You'll always be special, Jia Yi. That's a promise."

Before she could respond—

The door swung open again.

Bai Lian Hua stepped inside, her expression unreadable.

"Joshua… what do I mean to you?"

Joshua's expression didn't waver. "You are Bai Lian Hua—the woman who stands as my equal. You're not just another name in my empire, you're a part of it."

Bai Lian Hua studied him for a moment before nodding. "That's what I wanted to hear."

Then the door burst open again.

A trembling Xin Er stood there, her face pale, her eyes red-rimmed.

"J-Joshua…"

Joshua's chest tightened.

She glanced at Jia Yi and Bai Lian Hua before turning back to him. "Was everything you said to me a lie?"

Joshua stepped forward. "Xin Er—"

She shook her head, stepping back. "Did you ever love me? Or was I just… a plaything to you?"

Joshua felt his heart twist. "You were never just—"

She let out a shaky breath. "I… I need to be alone right now."

Before he could stop her, she turned and left in tears.

Silence hung in the room.

Then, Jia Yi casually sipped her coffee. "Well… that went well."

Joshua sighed. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

Jia Yi smirked. "A little."

Sung En's Call & The Press Conference

Joshua's phone rang. Sung En.

"Joshua~" she teased. "The infamous Shanghai Playboy. Sounds kinda sexy."

Joshua groaned. "You too?"

She giggled. "What? Now I just have to work harder to make myself your number one girl."

Joshua flushed red, caught completely off guard.

At the press conference, reporters expected Joshua to deny the scandal.

Instead, he leaned forward and smirked.

"It's true."

Gasps filled the room.

"And so what if it is?" Joshua continued. "I love, care for, and respect all of them."

Then, with a cold, knowing smile, he added—

"At least I'm not like a certain coward who leaked this anonymously."

Li Wei, watching from home, clenched his fists in anger.

Aftermath & Public Reaction

📌 Some girls online: "If I had a guy like him, I wouldn't mind sharing!"

📌 Some guys: "This is UNFAIR. How is one man winning this much?!"

📌 Public Opinion Shift: +10% Favorable Toward Joshua Lim

📌 [System Notification]

✔ Xin Er Favorability -5 → (Total: 85) [Status: Seeds of Doubt]

✔ Jia Yi, Bai Lian Hua, and Sung En Favorability +3

Joshua smirked.

Game on.