The Skytower under the night sky was the most dazzling pearl in the crown of the sleepless city, Modu.
And at this moment, the revolving restaurant at the top of the tower had transformed into Xiao Fan's self-proclaimed temple of love.
He was dressed in an immaculate white suit, like a prince from a fairy tale.
He stood on a carpet made of ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine roses, with soft, fragrant petals under his feet, and behind him was a dazzling sea of lights overlooking the entire city.
The active 'Romantic Aura' made him feel incredibly good about himself.
He took a deep breath; the rich scent of roses, mixed with the smell of money, filled his lungs, making him feel a euphoria he had never experienced before.
He firmly believed that even if Jiang Lian didn't like this scene tonight, she definitely wouldn't hate it.
At the very least, she would accept his gift and complete the system's mission!
Just then, a slight commotion came from the restaurant's entrance.
A fiery red figure, like a walking flame, slowly entered, guided by a waiter.
Jiang Lian had arrived.
She was wearing a simply cut fiery red evening gown, revealing her gracefully shaped shoulders and collarbones, with her dazzling red hair slightly curled and casually draped behind her.
That exquisitely proud face, however, was currently covered with a layer of frost.
When she stepped into the restaurant and saw the sea of roses covering the floor, the disgust in her proud eyes almost overflowed.
The overwhelmingly sickening floral scent made her stomach churn.
Was this what this man named Xiao Fan considered "romance"?
Did... he not have a nose?
How could anyone eat with such a strong floral scent?
However, Xiao Fan was completely oblivious to Jiang Lian's icy expression; his eyes held only admiration and a fervent possessiveness.
He looked at Jiang Lian as if he was looking at a priceless treasure about to be claimed by him.
He snapped his fingers with a flourish.
The Italian violinist, who had been ready for a long time, immediately placed the violin on his shoulder and drew the bow, and a melodious tune began to play.
It started with a world-famous piece, and his skill was undeniably proficient.
"Miss Jiang, do you like it? All of this, I prepared for you!"
Xiao Fan took a step, walking towards Jiang Lian with what he believed was deep affection.
He spread his arms as if to embrace the whole world, and also the goddess in his eyes.
Jiang Lian looked at his face, which was plastered with "be touched, rush into my arms," and felt a wave of nausea.
She coldly uttered a few words, each like an ice pick.
"This perfectly demonstrates what 'noisy' means."
Xiao Fan's smile instantly froze.
His facial muscles twitched, and he almost thought he had misheard.
Noisy?
How was that possible!
This was the most luxurious romance in the world!
Which woman could refuse?
[Ding! Detected negative emotion from target Goddess: Disgust +100!]
[Warning! 'Romantic Aura' effect is rapidly diminishing!]
The system's cold prompt was like a bucket of cold water poured on Xiao Fan's fervent heart.
But he still refused to believe it, attributing everything to Jiang Lian's feigned reserve.
Right! It must be like this!
She must still be somewhat swayed internally, just putting on a brave face!
Just as he was about to say something more to salvage the situation.
"Creak--"
Another door of the restaurant was respectfully opened from the outside by a waiter.
Two figures, bathed in soft light, slowly entered.
Walking in front was Lu Cheng.
He was still dressed in a discreet black tuxedo, his steps unhurried.
And on his arm was a woman in a moon-white long dress.
Anya.
She wore no makeup today, yet her elegance and sophistication surpassed any heavy makeup.
Her expressive eyes at this moment held only the figure of the man beside her; together, they formed a picture of an immortal couple, enough to dim all other paintings in the world.
They merely stood there, yet they stole all the light in the entire space.
"It's you again!"
The moment Xiao Fan saw Lu Cheng, his pupils suddenly constricted, and bloodshot veins again filled his eyes, as if he had seen a ghost!
The humiliation at the auction, the intense pain of the electric shock, at this moment, transformed into overwhelming jealousy and fear, exploding within him!
How could he be here?!
How could he be here?
On the other side, the moment Jiang Lian saw Lu Cheng appear, her normally calm heart suddenly skipped a beat.
In her cold phoenix eyes, a ripple and wave appeared, which she herself hadn't noticed, yet were truly there.
So... her sixth sense was real.
He really came.
For some reason, when she saw Lu Cheng appear, the irritation and disgust caused by Xiao Fan miraculously subsided.
It was as if this man was naturally meant to appear in such a place.
And the clown before her was merely a clumsy actor warming up the stage for him.
Lu Cheng's gaze, from beginning to end, did not linger on Xiao Fan or Jiang Lian for even a second.
As if they, along with the roses scattered everywhere, were merely insignificant backdrops in the restaurant.
He walked directly to the center of the restaurant, to the spot with the best and most central view, and sat down.
Only then, as if just noticing there were other people in the restaurant, did he casually say to the restaurant manager, who had been bowing and waiting beside him.
"You may begin."
"Yes, Mr. Lu."
The manager bowed respectfully, his attitude more devout than if he were facing royalty.
The manager turned his head and made a polite 'please' gesture to the petrified Xiao Fan and the complex-faced Jiang Lian.
"Excuse me, both of you."
"Tonight, this restaurant has been fully booked by Mr. Lu, so please move along."
Xiao Fan was completely dumbfounded.
He had clearly paid in full!
Booked the entire evening!
"What do you mean?!"
Coming back to his senses, Xiao Fan roared in anger, his distorted face making him look like a mad dog whose tail had been stepped on.
"I paid! This is a breach of contract! I'll sue you!"
Facing his roar, the manager's face still held a perfectly professional smile, but within that smile was a hint of faint pity.
He spoke slowly, in an understated, factual tone.
"Sir, I think you may have misunderstood."
"Mr. Lu is our boss."
"So, strictly speaking, Mr. Lu is now your landlord."
"He has the right to decide whether to continue renting the venue to you."
Boom--!!!
Xiao Fan was struck by lightning, freezing in place, his brain completely crashed.
Land... landlord?
He bought... the other party didn't even bother to play the bidding game with him, but instead directly... flipped the table!
Shining golden orbs appeared around the manager... [Scorn +200!]
[Pity +300!]
[Mockery +500!]
[Ding! Host has suffered a devastating mental blow, gaining a new title: 'Best Backdrop'!]
[Title Effect: Your presence will automatically decrease by 99%, you will not be noticed by others!]
Xiao Fan's system interface was completely flooded with a series of prompts full of endless sarcasm!
Meanwhile, a completely different, beautiful melody resounded in Lu Cheng's mind.
Lu Cheng no longer paid attention to Xiao Fan, who had completely turned into a stone sculpture.
He looked at Anya beside him, his eyes filled with a gentle smile.
"Master An?"
"How about playing a piece for me?"
Anya's face blossomed into an intoxicating smile.
She nodded gently and took out her violin from her portable case.
No sheet music, no accompaniment.
She simply closed her eyes, placed the violin on her shoulder, and gently drew the bow.
The next second, an ethereal, pure melody, as if it could cleanse the soul, flowed from her fingertips.
The sound of the violin made the Italian violinist from before immediately stop his playing... If his violin music was an expensive commodity, then Anya's violin music at this moment was priceless art.
It was speaking, whispering, depicting a deep resonance of souls that belonged only to her and Lu Cheng.
At this moment, the entire restaurant seemed to transform into their world.
Jiang Lian stared blankly at this scene, watching the international music queen smiling like a little girl in front of Lu Cheng, watching the man with a doting expression, enjoying it all.
For the first time, her heart felt a hint of... envy, which she herself hadn't even noticed.