The door to the private lounge clicked shut, leaving only the two of them inside. The ambient glow of the room cast soft shadows across Ruolan's delicate features, highlighting the graceful curve of her jaw and the slight hesitation in her gaze.
Ye Xuan let the comfortable silence settle for a moment, letting the exclusivity of their situation sink in. Alone. Just the two of them.
'Perfect. Now, don't jump the gun. Let her adjust to the intimacy before you move in.' Wei Zhen's voice echoed in his mind, carrying the weight of experience. 'Women in positions like hers—privileged, refined, married to power—don't get much excitement. Give her that, and she'll start wanting more.'
Ye Xuan exhaled lightly, his expression relaxed, exuding a natural confidence. He shifted slightly, his arm resting against the couch as he glanced at Ruolan. "So, tell me," he began, voice smooth, "did you send your friend away, or did she just trust me to entertain you alone?"
Ruolan's fingers grazed the stem of her glass as she lifted it slightly, her gaze steady yet unreadable. "She thought I should experience this properly," she answered, taking a slow sip. "And I suppose I was a little curious."
'Bingo.' Wei Zhen hummed.
Ye Xuan smirked, leaning in just enough to shorten the distance between them but not enough to overwhelm. His gaze flickered briefly over the delicate dip of her collarbone and the soft way her silk dress clung to her curves before returning to her eyes. "Curiosity is a dangerous thing," he mused. "It can lead people into all sorts of unexpected situations."
Ruolan tilted her head slightly, meeting his gaze with a cool, unreadable expression. "And what kind of situation do you think I'm in right now?"
Ye Xuan chuckled, swirling his drink lazy. "That depends. If you were anyone else, I'd say a dangerous one." He let the words hang for a moment before adding, "But something tells me you don't let yourself get caught in situations you don't want."
Her lips curved, barely noticeable, but it was there. A ghost of amusement.
'Good. She's intrigued but guarded. Push just a little more; let her feel the tension without tipping it over.'
Ye Xuan let his fingers tap against the glass in his hand before setting it down, feigning thoughtfulness. "You know," he murmured, his voice lowering just slightly. "I can't tell if you're just being polite or if you're actually enjoying this."
Ruolan studied him for a long moment before placing her glass down. "Do you need me to answer that?"
Ye Xuan's smirk deepened. "No. I'd rather find out myself."
The air between them shifted slightly—just enough to be noticeable. Ruolan wasn't pulling away, nor was she giving in completely. It was a delicate balance, one that Ye Xuan had to maintain carefully.
'Perfect. Keep playing the game. Let her feel the thrill, the push and pull. If you keep this up, she'll be the one seeking you out next time.' Wei Zhen's voice was pleased.
Ye Xuan leaned back just a fraction, as if pulling away would make her want to lean in. "So, Ruolan," he said smoothly, "what exactly did your friend hope you'd experience tonight?"
Ruolan tapped her manicured nails lightly against the table, as if considering her answer. "I suppose... she wanted me to have fun."
Ye Xuan chuckled, his gaze unwavering. "And? Are you?"
Ruolan hesitated just a second too long. Just enough for Ye Xuan to see it.
And that was all the confirmation he needed.
As Lan Ruolan elegantly placed down her empty glass, she glanced at the clock on the private lounge wall. The night had passed faster than she expected. A slight hesitation flickered in her deep violet eyes before she shifted her gaze back to Ye Xuan, who met her look with a composed yet teasing smile.
"I should be going," she finally said, adjusting the hem of her sleek, dark-blue dress. The fabric hugged her curves, highlighting her refined figure without being overly revealing.
Ye Xuan, ever the gentleman—or at least pretending to be one—rose from his seat and nodded. "I hope you had a good time tonight, Miss Lan." His voice carried just the right amount of charm—not overbearing, not distant.
Ruolan's lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something more, but instead, she simply nodded before turning toward the exit. Her heels clicked softly against the polished floor, the rhythm steady and composed.
As soon as the door shut behind her, Ye Xuan exhaled and slumped back into his seat, a smirk playing on his lips. "Not bad for a first night, huh?"
Wei Zhen's voice hummed in his ear. 'You have potential, but you're still leagues away from being a true charmer. That woman? She wasn't completely indifferent to you—but you need to work on tightening that thread of curiosity she has.'
Before Ye Xuan could respond, the door swung open again, and Luo Wei entered, whistling low. "Damn, bro. You really pulled it off. She was clearly intrigued."
Just as Ye Xuan was about to brush it off, a new voice echoed through the room. Smooth, sultry, and laced with amusement.
"Well, well. You certainly exceeded my expectations."
The men turned toward the doorway, where a stunning woman leaned casually against the frame. Madam Xia Jingyi.
Dressed in a deep red cheongsam with a thigh-high slit, her presence was commanding. Her long, wine-red hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing a face that was both mature and seductive. She had sharp, fox-like eyes and a beauty mark just beneath the corner of her lips, making her smile all the more enticing.
She took slow, deliberate steps inside, her high heels barely making a sound. "A newbie performing this well on his first night? That's rare." She tilted her head, her gaze sweeping over Ye Xuan. "I had my doubts when Luo Wei brought you in, but..." Her lips curled slightly. "You might actually be worth keeping around."
Ye Xuan met her gaze evenly. He wasn't sure whether she was testing him or genuinely impressed. Either way, he had no intention of showing weakness. "I don't plan on being just 'kept around,' Madam Xia," he replied smoothly. "I plan on standing out."
Xia Jingyi chuckled, clearly entertained by his confidence. "Good. Then let's see how far you can go."
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving behind the faint scent of expensive perfume.
As the door clicked shut, Luo Wei elbowed Ye Xuan playfully. "Bro, you just got noticed by Madam Xia herself. If you play your cards right, you'll be moving up fast."
Ye Xuan simply smirked. Moving up, huh?
That was exactly what he planned to do.
Ye Xuan's night continued smoothly after Lan Ruolan left. As he returned to the main lounge, the boss lady—Madam Xu—watched him with an amused smile.
"Not bad for your first night, Ye Xuan," she remarked, her red-painted lips curling slightly. "You handled yourself well. Keep this up, and you might just be one of my top earners soon."
Her praise wasn't given lightly, and the other hosts glanced over, some with curiosity, others with mild envy.
But Ye Xuan didn't have time to dwell on it. Soon, he was called to attend to two more ladies, both stunning in their own right.
The first was Mei Ling, a woman in her late twenties with long, wavy platinum blonde hair and a confident smile. She had the air of someone used to being in control but had come here to let loose. The second was Qiao Xin, a vibrant young woman with auburn locks and a playful glint in her eyes. She was more relaxed, clearly here for fun rather than deep conversation.
Unlike before, Ye Xuan fully stepped into his role, utilizing techniques he had rapidly absorbed from both Wei Zhen's whispered guidance and his own instincts.
1) Personalized Attention: Instead of generic compliments, he tailored his approach.
2) Subtle Touch and Proximity: He wasn't overbearing, but he knew when to lean in slightly when speaking, making it feel like the conversation was just for them. When pouring a drink, he let his fingers briefly brush against theirs, testing the waters.
3) Mirroring and Playfulness: He adapted to their energy. When Mei Ling kept a confident tone, he responded with challenges, making her engage deeper. When Qiao Xin laughed, he leaned into light teasing, making her want to keep talking.
4) Reading the Room: When Mei Ling's eyes lingered a bit longer and Qiao Xin bit her lip after one of his remarks, Ye Xuan knew he was getting into their heads, making them anticipate what he would say next.
By the time their session ended, both women left with lingering glances and smiles that hinted at future meetings.
As he watched them leave, Wei Zhen's voice murmured in the back of his mind:'Not bad, boy... but you're still only scratching the surface. Let's see how far you can take this.'