Pawns in his game

The Next Morning

As the sun rose, Veil quietly slipped out, leaving behind a still-sleeping Alice. With Kai escorting him, he arrived at Veyport City University.

Classes resumed today, and now that his transfer was finalized, it was time for him to change battlefields.

After all, that fat sheep Caden Voss had gained many of his fateful encounters right here at Veyport City University.

He had barely stepped onto campus when he stumbled upon a commotion—a crowd gathered, voices raised.

"Asean, how many times do I have to tell you? I don't like you anymore! Stop pestering me already. I'm Viwan Young Master's girlfriend now!"

A girl in light makeup shoved away the arm of the boy clinging to her, her face full of disgust.

Completely disgusted.

The boy—Asean—was on his knees, eyes full of pain. "No, it can't be... You must've been forced into this, right? I'm not afraid, Fanyuan! I love you! If you're willing to be with me, I'll face anything with you, no matter how rough the road ahead!"

Fanyuan rolled her eyes. "What road? What future? You're just a broke nobody! You had to work two months of summer jobs just to buy me a phone, and you think I'd keep suffering with you?"

"Stop clinging to me. Just seeing your face pisses me off."

With a cold snort and another eye roll, she swayed her hips and walked off.

The students, seeing the show was over, began to scatter, their curiosity spent.

Only Asean remained, kneeling there in agony, tears streaming down his face.

He stayed like that for a long while before finally lifting his head, biting down hard on his lip. "No, Fanyuan, I don't believe it. You still love me—I know you do!"

Driven by that one-track belief, he got up, ready to go confront Viwan in person.

But just as he stood, a hand landed on his shoulder.

Startled, Asean turned around to see a stranger—Veil—whose presence was so composed and imposing that Asean instinctively looked away, lowering his voice. "Who… are you?"

Veil smiled warmly. "Doesn't matter who I am. But do you know who Fanyuan really is? She comes from a wealthy, powerful family."

Asean gritted his teeth. "I don't care what kind of family she's from. She's my girlfriend. I'll protect her no matter what. I believe she's being forced!"

...

Veil blinked. Was this guy for real?

He just told him she was from a powerful background, and yet Asean still insisted on smashing eggs against a rock. The next step would be to confront Viwan face-to-face, get humiliated and beaten, then get 'rescued' by Caden Voss and become his loyal little sidekick.

If it weren't for Asean's significance in the original plot and Veil's need for someone close to Caden Voss to act as a mole, he wouldn't waste a second on this idiot.

"Fine. I'll take you to see Fanyuan."

There was no way Veil was going to sacrifice such a useful future informant just for the sake of attending a few classes. Asean was the perfect recruit—naïve, emotionally driven, and bumping into him at just the right time.

If Veil left him alone, who knows when the fool might go rushing to Viwan, only to fall into Caden Voss's hands?

That would be a major loss.

He called Kai and told him to wait at the campus gate.

While walking, he booked a premium private room at a top-tier venue using his phone and set the appointment for the current hour.

Under Veil's nonstop coaxing and misleading kindness, Asean was soon dragged into the back seat of a black Bentley.

They left the university and headed straight for one of the wealthiest and most extravagant establishments in the city.

When they finally arrived and settled into the private room, Asean looked around nervously at the luxurious interior.

"Is… is this a high-end club?" he asked, gulping, clearly on edge.

Asean was still a sheltered young man. Even during his relationship with Fanyuan, the most intimate they'd gotten was holding hands—he had never even kissed her.

Places like this were completely foreign to him.

"I thought we were going to find Fanyuan. What are we doing here?" he asked, growing suspicious.

Knock knock.

A knock came from the door.

Then came a voice that made Asean freeze in shock.

"Excuse me, sir. May I come in?"

"Come in," Veil replied casually.

Click.

The door opened, and in walked Fanyuan—dressed in a sleek black uniform, carrying a silver briefcase, hips swaying delicately with each step.

Her head remained lowered until she reached the center of the room, then slowly lifted.

It was a masterfully timed entrance—subtle, elegant, with just the right amount of mystery. A technique she had picked up quickly in her new line of work.

Had this been just a regular room, she wouldn't have gone to the trouble.

But this was the Emperor Suite—a VIP-only room. The fact that it was booked during the day, when rates were even higher than the nighttime 8,888 special, told her that this was no ordinary customer.

But the moment she looked up and saw Veil—and Asean standing next to him—her eyes widened in disbelief.

"You?! What are you doing here?" both of them blurted out in unison.

They had only just parted ways a moment ago. Fanyuan never would have imagined she'd run into Asean in a place like this.

This was a place she never thought he could even afford to enter!

"Fanyuan, why are you here?" Asean asked, dazed and confused.

Even if he didn't want to admit it, Veil's earlier words now rang with truth.

The girl he loved… really was part of the 'rich crowd'?

"I'm sorry, sir. I... I can't serve this appointment today. Please excuse me," Fanyuan said quickly, lowering her head and trying to retreat.

But Veil wasn't about to let her escape that easily.

Money. That was clearly what this was about.

Why else would someone like her, who normally only worked night shifts, show up for a daytime appointment?

He took a black duffel bag from Kai and pulled out two neat stacks of hundred-dollar bills, tossing them directly onto Fanyuan.

Thud.

Fanyuan glanced down and instinctively swallowed.

Twenty thousand.

That was more than a month's salary for her.

She hadn't been working at this place long, and had little savings to her name. This much money already had her hesitating.

If Asean weren't present, she might not even think twice.

But reality wouldn't let her be so reckless.

She had just dumped Asean and hitched herself to Viwan. For a mere twenty grand, she'd be giving up a golden meal ticket? That wasn't worth it.

Before she could speak, Veil began pulling out more money, tossing stack after stack at her feet.

Thirty thousand.

Forty.

Fifty…

One hundred thousand.

"Is that enough?" Veil asked with a grin. "We can just have some fun. Nothing more."

For someone already working in this line of business, this was a massive payout. Even an amateur model, fresh out of school, would find this offer more than generous.

If Fanyuan hesitated further, Veil wouldn't mind upping the ante. After all, for someone like Asean—his future undercover agent—this was a price worth paying.

That said, as someone from a modern world, he still found this kind of "price hiking" repugnant.

Fanyuan finally looked up, her expression firm as she turned to Asean.

"What happens here today—you're not to tell anyone, understand?"

Even now, even after being fully exposed, Fanyuan still thought Asean wasn't worthy of her.

Asean nodded slowly, dumbstruck.

Fanyuan let down her hair, black waves cascading over her shoulders. She loosened her collar and gave Veil a sultry smile.

"So, dear guest… would you like to go first? Or shall all three of you join in?"

Veil. Kai. Asean. Three men in total.

Fanyuan wasn't trying to be cheeky—it was just that the money was that tempting.

Ten thousand? She'd never even seen that kind of cash in one go.

Even with Viwan, could she really count on getting that kind of money? And what if he dumped her tomorrow?

Money that's in your hand is the only thing you can trust.

If she stayed in this job too long, she might get caught anyway. Better to take the money and run.

"Him," Veil said, pointing at Asean. "You're not interested?"

Asean shook his head. His worldview had just shattered completely.

Before he could say anything, Fanyuan grabbed him by the wrist. "Come with me."

Without giving him time to refuse, she pulled him into the suite's private room.

This was the Emperor Suite—luxurious and spacious, complete with entertainment and rest areas.

Soon after, sounds began to emerge from within.