The room was still buzzing from the last round.
Yara Lu's temper had already reached its peak—she had thought she could humiliate Celia, yet the tables had turned, leaving her the butt of everyone's whispers.
"This Miss Lu is terrible at games! Who would dare play with her again?" someone muttered, and laughter rippled softly through the crowd.
Yara's face turned stiff, her pride wounded beyond measure. She clenched her fists, her glare settling on Celia with undisguised hatred.
Celia, however, only curved her lips in an almost mocking smile, then let her gaze drift toward Nathaniel Fu.
The man sat with his head lowered, smoke curling from the cigarette between his fingers. His face was calm, unreadable, as though the scene had nothing to do with him.
Suppressing a quiet sigh, Celia turned to Xia Xiaofu. "Xiao Fu, I'm going to the restroom."
"Mm, go ahead," Xia Xiaofu replied.
Celia rose gracefully and walked out, her silhouette swallowed by the shadows of the hallway.
The game continued into its third round.
"This Miss Lu is terrible at games! Who would dare play with her again?" someone whispered, and laughter rippled quietly around the circle.
Yara Lu's face darkened. She had clearly taken the initiative in the last round, yet Celia had managed to outwit her once again. Grinding her teeth, she shot Celia a glare full of resentment.
Celia only curved her lips into a faint, teasing smile, her gaze sliding briefly toward Nathaniel Fu.
The man sat with his head slightly lowered, a cigarette loosely pinched between his fingers. Smoke drifted lazily in the air, but he never once looked her way.
Suppressing a quiet sigh, Celia leaned closer to Xia Xiaofu. "Xiao Fu, I'm going to the restroom."
"Mm, go ahead," Xia Xiaofu replied.
Celia left the room, and the game resumed.
The bottle spun across the floor, finally stopping with its neck pointing at Xia Ling and its tail toward Xia Xiaofu.
Xia Ling's eyes lit up. She had been waiting for this chance. "Sister," she said with a sly smile, "let's play a dare this time."
Xia Xiaofu's eyes narrowed. She already sensed mischief. "What kind of dare?"
"Whoever walks in next," Xia Ling said sweetly, her tone dripping with malice, "you have to share a close dance with him."
The crowd stirred.
"A close dance?" someone gasped.
"Miss Xia really dares to play," another whispered with a laugh.
The air grew charged with anticipation. All eyes turned toward Xia Xiaofu, waiting for her decision.
Xia Xiaofu was never one to flinch. Rising gracefully, she smoothed her dress and gave a cool nod. "Fine. I'll wait by the door."
She walked to the entrance, her slender figure outlined by the soft neon glow.
Excitement rippled through the crowd. Whoever stepped inside next would be envied by all.
Yara Lu smirked, folding her arms. "Watch. It'll be some ugly guy. Then let's see how dignified she looks."
Xia Ling chuckled. "Ugly? Maybe not. But imagine if it's some wrinkled old man—now that would be entertaining."
The two exchanged malicious grins. Xia Ling quickly unlocked her phone, ready to capture the scene on video. Once Jin Han saw footage of Xia Xiaofu dancing in another man's arms, he would surely cast her aside.
Just then, the heavy door of the underground bar swung open with a sharp bang. A gust of icy air swept in, carrying with it the tall silhouette of a man.
"Look!" someone exclaimed, eyes wide. "It's Master Jin! Master Jin is here!"
Jin Han.
The room fell silent.
Yara Lu's smirk froze instantly, the color draining from her cheeks. Xia Ling's hand shook so badly she nearly dropped her phone.
Why him? Of all people, why Jin Han?
Xia Xiaofu's heart skipped a beat. She blinked in disbelief, momentarily rooted to the spot. She hadn't expected her own husband—the man who had vanished from her life two years ago—to be the one to appear now.
Since their wedding, they had only met a handful of times. He had left soon after, disappearing for years. And yet here he was, his features sharper, more breathtaking than she remembered.
Jin Han's black overcoat was dusted with frost, his tall frame exuding an aura of quiet dominance. Broad shoulders carried an air of nobility, while his presence was cold and unyielding, like the winter night itself. His refined, aristocratic bearing silenced the room, making it impossible to look away.
When his gaze landed on Xia Xiaofu, he paused. The corner of his lips lifted in the faintest curve. "So… Mrs. Jin is welcoming me in person?"
Xia Xiaofu's breath caught. For a moment, her heart wanted to snap back—Who would ever welcome you?—but her lips curved into a graceful smile instead. She stepped forward, her movements fluid and poised, her voice soft as silk.
"Yes, Mr. Jin," she said lightly. "I'm here to greet you—and I've prepared a special welcome."
His eyes glimmered as they locked onto her. Tonight, under the glow of the lights, her beauty seemed even more radiant, her charm impossible to ignore. His voice dropped lower. "Oh? And what kind of welcome is that?"
Xia Xiaofu didn't answer. Instead, she let her body respond.
Music pulsed in the background as she drew close, her lithe figure pressing against his tall frame. With one fluid step, she began to dance.
Gasps erupted around them.
Her body moved like water, soft yet irresistibly enticing. Each sway brought her closer, her slender arms wrapping lightly around him. She was heat and flame, roses and fire, twining herself against him with natural grace.
Jin Han stiffened, caught between shock and something darker stirring within him. She moved like a ribbon of flame, her warmth searing against his cool composure.
In that moment, the distance of two years collapsed. This was no longer the aloof wife he had all but forgotten, but a woman who burned with life, captivating and unrestrained.
For the first time in years, Jin Han felt his composure slip—and in his eyes, a dangerous fire began to burn.