Chapter 4 Dressing to Impress

The next moment, he walked in front of me and suddenly bent down. His tall figure immediately loomed over me, causing me to jump up from the sofa in surprise, trying to avoid his deep, seemingly all-seeing eyes.

He curled his lips into a smile, a low laugh escaping him, his eyes filled with the knowing maturity of someone who had seen and understood much more than I had. The young man I had once known, eight years older than me, had now evolved into a man who had mingled in the business world for years. His understanding of the world far surpassed mine, so how could he not see through the small gossiping thoughts I was trying to hide?

"I don't have a girlfriend. Your room is on the third floor. Go rest and adjust to the time difference," he said, his voice calm, and then he turned and walked to the study, his back relaxed and confident. Though his presence now exuded the poise of an experienced businessman, there was still a trace of the youth I had once known.

At that time, I wasn't very familiar with the situation in the country and didn't realize that my dad's company had started selling off stocks. In hindsight, I now understood that not only Shen Ji Bai, but also Lin Xi and Shen Jin, probably knew about my family's situation back then.

The next day, Shen Ji Bai handed me a card with no spending limit, saying it was from my dad.

"My dad? Suddenly being this generous? I've been getting the same fixed living allowance all these years!" I stared at Shen Ji Bai in disbelief. "Hasn't he always told me to learn financial planning? Why is he suddenly changing his philosophy?"

Shen Ji Bai gave me a look of someone just fulfilling a task. "Well, the condition is that you behave. If you cause trouble, I'll tell him, and he'll take the card back anytime."

"Ah, I'll behave! I'll behave! Just don't tell on me, I'll listen to whatever you say!" I took the card, acting submissively, and carefully tucked it into the small lambskin bag I was planning to take to the club that night.

Compared to my solitary, self-reliant life abroad, living at Shen Ji Bai's house was an absolute luxury.

I slept during the day and went out at night, while he followed a strict routine; I ate carelessly, and he didn't even bat an eye. After all, it wasn't his money I was spending—what did he care?

Occasionally, on weekends, there would be business forums or corporate banquets at his place, and Shen Ji Bai always generously took me along. Unknowingly, I started picking up a lot from those experiences.

Every time I watched him sitting on the couch, legs casually crossed, talking to various high-profile figures, I couldn't help but wonder what he had been through all these years to become so powerful—mature, composed, understanding of human nature, and yet sharp in thought.

Days passed peacefully, and I thought I could continue living a carefree life as a wealthy, irresponsible second-generation rich kid, without a care in the world.

But all of that changed because of Shen Jin and his so-called "welcome party."

That night, he spent a fortune renting out a huge bar and invited half the city's population. According to him, since I was new back in the country and unfamiliar with things, throwing a party was the fastest way to mix in and build connections.

"Is this really necessary… to go this big?" I hesitated. Though I fancied myself worldly, it still felt overly extravagant to me.

Shen Jin, lounging with his legs crossed and absorbed in his game, barely looked up. "Tch, you're so picky now. I've already booked the venue and sent out the invites. Just show up on time, no more complaining."

The party turned out to be a grand event, with everyone dressed to the nines.

Lin Xi ordered that I had to capture the essence of a lead role that night and not let anyone steal the spotlight. She dragged me around all day to pick out a dress.

In the end, I chose a nude pink strapless gown with a soft sheen, which made my skin look even more porcelain. The waist-cinching and back-exposing design accentuated my figure, making it look curvier.

"This is it, Li Li!" Lin Xi exclaimed, circling around me in satisfaction. "Wear this, and I guarantee you'll have ten flirtations at least tonight!"

I looked at myself in the mirror, feeling both satisfied and a little nervous. The dress was undeniably stunning, but it also made me feel exposed. I wasn't used to being the center of attention, and the thought of all those eyes on me made my stomach churn.

"Do I really have to wear this?" I asked Lin Xi hesitantly.

"You're kidding, right?" she replied, rolling her eyes. "You look like a goddess in this dress. Trust me, you'll thank me later."

When we arrived at the party, it was already in full swing. The bar was packed with people, the music was deafening, and the lights were dazzling. Shen Jin greeted us at the entrance, a mischievous grin on his face.

"Li Li! You're finally here!" he exclaimed, pulling me into a hug. "You look amazing!"

I smiled awkwardly, feeling a little overwhelmed by the crowd and the noise.

As the night went on, I found myself being introduced to countless people, most of whom I couldn't remember five minutes later. Lin Xi was right—my dress did attract a lot of attention, and I received more compliments and flirtations than I could count.

But despite the lively atmosphere, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Maybe it was the way some people looked at me, as if they were sizing me up. Or maybe it was the fact that Shen Ji Bai wasn't there.

I had expected him to show up, even if just for a little while. But as the hours passed and he remained absent, I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment.

By the end of the night, I was exhausted. Lin Xi and Shen Jin were still going strong, but I decided to call it a night.

As I stepped outside, the cool night air hit me, and I took a deep breath, grateful for the quiet.

That's when I saw him.

Shen Ji Bai was leaning against his car, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, surprised.

"I came to pick you up," he replied simply.

For a moment, I didn't know what to say. His presence was both comforting and unsettling, and I couldn't help but wonder if he had been watching me the whole time.

As we drove back to his house, the silence between us was heavy. I wanted to ask him why he hadn't come to the party, but I couldn't bring myself to break the silence.

When we finally arrived, he turned to me and said, "You looked beautiful tonight."

His words caught me off guard, and I felt my cheeks heat up.

"Thanks," I mumbled, avoiding his gaze.

But as I got out of the car and walked toward the house, I couldn't help but smile. For all his flaws, Shen Ji Bai had a way of making me feel special, even when I didn't want to admit it.