The night passed quietly too quietly.As if everything that had happened… had been erased by morning.Sunlight filtered through the curtains, soft and indifferent and just like every other day—
Nuan sent a message.Simple. Routine.
Nothing special.Nothing emotional.
Just the same message she always sent.
As if last night had never existed but for Yuxuan—
Nothing felt the same.He stared at the message for a long time.His thumb hovered over the screen.
Type...
Delete....
Pause....
Lock......
No reply.
By the time he reached the office of VANTHÉ Entertainment, his expression had already returned to its usual calm.
Cold.Sharp.Controlled.To everyone else—
He was the same CEO as always but inside
Something was off.The moment he stepped into his office, files greeted him like an endless wall.Work that usually took his full attention now felt distant.Unimportant.
His phone lay beside him.
Silent.
He picked it up checked then put it down.
Picked it up again.Still nothing.A faint crease formed between his brows.
Did she not notice?
His thoughts began to shift or… did she notice… and simply not care?
His fingers tapped lightly against the desk.
Does it really not matter whether I reply or not?.A bitter thought followed.Am I that insignificant to her?
The door opened and Nuan walked in.
She looked composed professional.
Just slightly tense—but not enough for anyone else to notice.She greeted the staff outside with her usual warmth.
Smiled.
Spoke normally.
Then walked straight toward him.
Yuxuan watched her approach from a distance.His gaze steady unblinking.
Now she'll say it.Now she'll explain.He straightened slightly.Prepared himself.
Reset everything.Then a knock interrupted him.
" Come in."
The door opened and Nuan walked in "Sir, a complication has arisen."
Silence.
No hesitation no awkwardness no mention of last night.Yuxuan's expression didn't change.But something in his chest tightened.
" What happened?" he asked calmly.Nuan stepped forward—but stopped at a respectful distance.
" Linyue has refused the assignment,"she said." We tried negotiating, but it didn't work."
A small pause.
However, there's a chance he might agree if you speak to him personally.
Still nothing.
So I've booked a table for two at Hotel 'X' this evening,she continued.If you meet him directly, there's a strong possibility of success.She extended a file toward him.
"All the details are inside."
Yuxuan stared at her carefully.That was it.
No explanation no acknowledgment no reaction.A quiet realization settled in.She didn't even notice.
His silence....
His message....
Last night nothing mattered for her." I see," he said finally.His voice was calm.
Too calm.
If everything is arranged, then that's fine.
Nuan nodded and turned.She took a step closer " Don't come any closer."
The words came out sharp sudden.Nuan stopped.Her brows knitted slightly.Not hurt.
Just confused."I don't want to hear anything right now " ,Yuxuan added, looking away.
For a second she simply looked at him.
As if trying to understand what just
happened.Then without questioning she adjusted her grip on the file and extended it again, keeping distance this time.
" Sir, please review it when you have time."
Her tone remained steady.I'll take my leave. There's still work pending.And just like that
She left.
The door closed softly.Yuxuan leaned back in his chair.His gaze unfocused.So that's how it is…A faint, bitter smile touched his lips.I really overestimated everything.
Outside—
Nuan sat at her desk working.Typing.
Reviewing files.Her phone lay beside her.
Silent.
She glanced at it once just once.Then looked away.Back inside—Yuxuan's thoughts refused to settle.Maybe I misunderstood.Maybe it never meant anything to her.His grip tightened slightly.
Then—
A signal from outside.Nuan gestured.
" Check your mobile."
Yuxuan frowned and picked it up.
A message.
A number.
>This is Linyue's contact. I've shared your number. She might call in the next few minutes—please answer.
That was it.Something inside him snapped.
Not loudly but enough.
" Come in."
His voice was firm now.Nuan entered again.
The moment she stepped in Yuxuan stood.
Walked past her and pressed a button.
The glass walls turned opaque.The room closed in.Nuan blinked.
"What happened, Sir?"
Yuxuan turned slowly.His eyes were no longer calm. " That's enough, Nuan."
She frowned slightly."What do you mean?"
" Aren't you going to say anything about yesterday?"
Silence.
Nuan looked at him genuinely confused.
" About what?"
That answer hit harder than anger.Yuxuan let out a quiet breath.His jaw tightened.
" About last night."
Nuan blinked.
Then—
A small, almost incredulous laugh escaped her. " You're still thinking about that?"
His gaze sharpened.
" But you didn't even like the kiss,"she continued.So why are you overthinking it?
" Not that."
This time his voice dropped.Nuan tilted her head slightly. " Then what?"
A pause.
"Nothing else happened."
Silence fell heavy.Yuxuan stepped closer slowly.Stopping just a step away from her.
" Then tell me,"he said quietly,what exactly did it mean to you?
For the first time Nuan hesitated.Just for a second but she recovered quickly.It didn't mean anything complicated,she replied.
"It was just a kiss."
Just a kiss.The words echoed.Something in Yuxuan's expression shifted.Subtly but completely.He let out a short breath.
Almost like a laugh but without humor.
" I see."
He stepped back distance restored.His voice returned to normal cold."Forget it."
Nuan studied him.There was something different now.Something she couldn't quite define.But she didn't push. " Alright."
And she left.
The door closed again.This time the silence felt heavier.Moments later the office erupted.
Voices rose.
Excited.
Shocked.
" Did you see this?! ,This is crazy!,No way—this can't be real!"
Yuxuan stepped out. " What happened?"
An employee rushed over, holding a phone.
" Sir, look at this!"
He took it glanced at the screen and froze.
"Sir, it's trending everywhere right now!"
Headline:
Top Star Wang Zihan Spotted with a girl Dating Rumors Explode Online.
Below it—
blurred photo.
unclear face
A roadside restaurant.
Late night.
Same car.
Same table.
And one picture— " Hands intertwined."
Yuxuan's expression darkened instantly.
Yuxuan's grip tightened around the phone.
Across the office nuan stood still.Her eyes fixed on the screen.For the first time—
Her calm expression cracked.A flicker of something passed through her eyes.Too quick to name.Yuxuan noticed ,Then he didn't look away.Instead—
He stepped closer.Just enough for his voice to reach her alone.Low.Calm.Dangerously quiet. " Just a kiss, right?"
Nuan froze.
His gaze held hers unmoving.Then tell me,he added softly, "why does this bother you?"
Silence.
And for the first time nuan had no immediate answer.