Chapter 16: Is This Girl Clueless?

"Zijian, where have you been? Where are the photos? Let me take a look first," Shang Kexin said with a beaming smile as she slid into the seat next to him, her tone warm and familiar.

Photos? The corner of Xu Zijian's mouth twitched visibly as he cast an uneasy glance at Lan Nian.

Noticing his odd reaction, Shang Kexin's eyebrows fluttered slightly before she smoothly deflected, "No problem. Keep shooting, I'll just cherry-pick a few later."

Observing their easy banter, Xin Wen suddenly had an epiphany. "Oh, so she's your ex—" he started to joke, but caught the flicker of awkwardness on Shang Kexin's face. Quickly backpedaling, he laughed at himself, "Kexin, A'jian, I guess introductions aren't necessary here."

Kexin? Lan Nian's body suddenly stiffened. Such a familiar nickname, and it came so quickly?

"You don't need to, but I think I should introduce everyone properly," Xu Zijian said, pulling the stunned Lan Nian closer with a natural air. "Lan Nian, my former junior disciple... and someone truly precious in my life."

Precious enough to cost me tens of thousands in medical bills!

Xin Wen and Shang Kexin exchanged surprised glances, the atmosphere suddenly tinged with awkwardness.

Just then, Shang Keyu—the evening's main attraction—bounced over, circling Xin Wen and Lan Nian with unapologetic scrutiny before wrinkling her nose disdainfully.

"Meh, not that special. Sis, why are you so obsessed? And seriously, this auntie's got zero curves—what's there to worry about?"

"What?!" Shang Kexin's cheeks flushed crimson as she sputtered, "Don't talk nonsense, you little brat!"

"Hey! I'm sixteen, not a kid anymore!" Shang Keyu protested indignantly.

"Pfft, sure. Apart from being disrespectful, tactless, and shameless, you're definitely mature," Xu Zijian sneered dismissively. The spoiled second young lady's reputation as a brat really lives up to the hype!

"You..." Shang Keyu, who'd never been spoken to like this before, felt her fair complexion flushing crimson, her body trembling with rage. In a fit of frustration, she grabbed a wine glass from the neighboring table and flung its contents straight into Xu Zijian's face!

Splash! The deep red liquid trickled down his striking mixed-race features like blood. But instead of panicking, he...

"Unique gift, princess. I'm honored," he said with a calm, devastatingly charming smile.

"???" Shang Keyu froze mid-tantrum. Those sharp eyes of hers flickered with a mix of surprise and something like admiration.

This was so hot!

The rebellious heiress was sick of boys groveling at her feet. Now this arrogant, charismatic hottie with zero filter? Total game-changer.

"Then why be such a jerk to me?!" she demanded, voice suddenly softening in a way that surprised even herself.

"Didn't you already punish me? I'd say we're even," he smirked, though his eyes held a cold edge beneath the charming facade. If not for the crowd, this little princess would've already seen his true colors.

"Um..." Shang Keyu stammered, clearly thrown off by his unpredictable playbook.

"Keyu, enough. Dad's calling you," Shang Keyin intervened, shooting an apologetic glance at Xu Zijian. "Zijian, I'm sorry about Keyu. She's—"

"Whatever. Wasn't planning on entertaining her anyway," he cut her off brusquely, slumping back into his seat to drown his irritation in alcohol.

Shang Keyin awkwardly froze, then let out a resigned sigh—clearly used to his antics. Turning to Xin Wen with a smile, she said, "Wen, let's continue where I left off earlier."

Xin Wen hesitated for a moment, his eyes lingering on Lan Nian as if he wanted to say something... But in the end, he silently followed Shang Kexin away with a clouded expression, taking with him the unspoken tension hanging between them.

"Hey, you better not get caught up in his games," Xu Zijian sneered, breaking the silence. "Xin Wen's specialty is making women fall for him without lifting a finger. Don't tell me you're gonna be another notch on his bedpost?"

Lan Nian rolled her eyes. "Still hungover from last night? That drink wasn't strong enough to sober you up?" she retorted, stifling a laugh at his disheveled state. "He didn't even look at you, yet here you are throwing a tantrum like a toddler."

"I was just teaching that stuck-up bitch a lesson," Xu Zijian huffed, puffing out his chest. "Anyone who disses you is gonna answer to me."

Lan Nian choked back a laugh. Stuck-up? Yeah, that's rich coming from you, she thought. Birds of a feather repel each other, I guess.

"Here," Xu Zijian suddenly pulled out a sleek little camera from his pocket, wearing a Cheshire cat grin.

Lan Nian snatched it from him. "Smart move—saved your ass from a beating. What sneaky little—" Her voice cut off as she flipped through the photos. "YOU DIDN'T—!"

Lan Nian half-laughed, half-mortified as she scrolled through the camera roll. Every photo was her: mouth stuffed with squid, drooling over skewers, clawing at a plate of food like a wild animal, and that idiotic deer-in-headlights look she'd had at the party.

"Seriously? You're showing me this crap and expecting gratitude?" she sputtered. "Your 'photography skills' are as messed up as your brain."

"Admit it, you're touched," Xu Zijian waggled his eyebrows. "Just say the word and I'll accept a marriage proposal as payment."

"Oh I'll propose something alright," she growled, balling her fists. "A knuckle sandwich!"

"Careful," he dodged playfully, "I'll think you're flirting."

She burst out laughing despite herself, her smile lighting up the room. Xu Zijian's heart skipped a beat—he'd do anything to keep that sparkle in her eyes.

Damn it, is she really that oblivious? How could she not see his ulterior motives?

Not far away, Xin Wen, who was talking in a low voice with Shang Kexin, cast a glance over here and was so furious that he felt like his lungs were about to explode.