Raindrops streaked the glass walls on the thirty-second floor of Arunika Hotel, where the city’s elite businessmen usually spent their nights with expensive drinks and games that never made the media.
Inside one of the VIP rooms, the atmosphere felt even hotter than the rain outside.
“Five billion!”
Bai Chenxuan tossed his final card onto the table.
“Checkmate.”
The room fell silent.
Several men in suits exchanged glances. No one dared to speak.
Lu Zeyan stared at the cards in front of him without expression. His fingers tapped lightly against the table before he leaned back into the black leather chair.
“Looks like Lady Luck isn’t on your side tonight, Zeyan.” Bai Chenxuan smiled smugly.
“Never thought I’d see you lose.”
Lu Zeyan lifted his glass, took a small sip of whiskey, then set it back down.
“What’s the penalty?”
Bai Chenxuan grinned. “There’s one.”
Every eye immediately turned toward him.
“One night.”
Lu Zeyan raised an eyebrow.
“With a woman.”
A few people chuckled.
Lu Zeyan’s expression remained blank.
“You know I’m not interested in this kind of game.”
“The rules were agreed on before we started.”
“Those are your rules.”
“But you went along with them.”
Lu Zeyan fell silent.
If it weren’t for his pride, he would have left ages ago.
Bai Chenxuan stood and smoothed his suit. “Come on.”
Music pounded through the nightclub one floor below the hotel. Colored lights spun rapidly as people danced without a care for the time.
Lu Zeyan walked at the front, his face cold. His hands were tucked into his trouser pockets. The sharpness of his gaze made everyone who crossed paths with him step aside.
“You just have to pick one.” Bai Chenxuan pointed toward the crowd. “Which one do you want?”
Lu Zeyan snorted softly. “Do you think women are merchandise?”
Bai Chenxuan laughed. “Tonight, everything has a price.”
The remark disgusted Lu Zeyan. He was about to turn and leave.
That was when a woman’s voice came from the corner of the room.
“Please... I really don’t have any money yet.”
Lu Zeyan stopped.
Near the corridor leading to the club’s back door, a young woman stood hugging a shabby cloth bag. She was still very young. Her face was beautiful without excessive makeup, and her eyes looked swollen from crying.
Two burly men stood in front of her.
“You think you can pay off a debt with tears?”
“I’m asking for one more week.”
“No.”
“I promise I’ll pay.”
“Your father made that same promise.”
The girl lowered her head. Her hands trembled.
Lu Zeyan watched her without realizing it.
“Your father lost at gambling.”
“Yes...”
“Your mother’s in the hospital. You’ll never be able to pay!!”
Tears spilled down the girl’s face. “Yes...”
“Then who’s going to pay now?”
The girl couldn’t answer.
Bai Chenxuan looked in the same direction. “She’s pretty.”
Lu Zeyan turned to him. “What?”
Bai Chenxuan gave him a faint, sly grin. “Want her?”
Lu Zeyan’s gaze instantly turned cold. “Don’t joke around!” Yet for some reason, his feet moved toward her instead.
Aneli felt her entire body go limp. Since morning, she had been running around trying to borrow money. She had gotten nowhere. The hospital had called three times already. Her mother’s surgery couldn’t be postponed any longer, while the debt collectors kept hounding her.
“Please...!” Her voice trembled. “I’ll definitely pay.”
One of the men grabbed her arm.
“There’s no such thing as later!!”
That was when a deep voice rang out.
“Let her go!!”
Everyone turned.
Lu Zeyan stood several steps behind them. His black suit looked expensive. His eyes were sharp. His cold aura transformed the atmosphere in an instant.
“Who the hell are you?” one of the debt collectors demanded.
Lu Zeyan didn’t answer. He simply pulled a black card from his wallet.
“How much is the debt?”
The two debt collectors exchanged glances.
“Five hundred million.”
Lu Zeyan nodded slowly.
“Here.”
Aneli’s eyes widened. “What?”
Lu Zeyan looked straight at Aneli. His expression was difficult to explain. Cold and sharp, yet strangely devoid of contempt.
“I’ll pay it,” Lu Zeyan said.
Aneli hurriedly shook her head. “No...” she refused. “I don’t need your pity.”
Lu Zeyan gave a faint smile. “I’m not pitying anyone.”
“Then why?” Aneli asked in confusion.
Lu Zeyan was silent for several seconds, as if arguing with himself. He hated the idea. He hated himself even more for suddenly thinking of doing it.
At last, he said quietly,
“One night.”
Aneli froze.
“I’ll pay off all your debts.”
The music continued pounding, but to Aneli, the world seemed to stop.
“What do you mean?”
“One night.” Lu Zeyan repeated it without emotion. “After that, it’s over.”
Aneli took a step back. Tears fell again.
“No...” Aneli refused. Her pride screamed at her. But the image of her mother kept appearing in her mind—her mother lying in the ICU, her mother who always said, “Never give up. I’ll be okay...”
Aneli’s body trembled. “I...”
Lu Zeyan turned his face away. The words that had just left his mouth disgusted him. Was this who he was now? Using money to buy someone’s decision?
The silence stretched on.
Aneli covered her face. Her sobs broke free.
“I just... want Mom to survive....”
Lu Zeyan stared at the floor. For some reason, his chest felt tight. For the first time in his life, money felt like a curse.
Several minutes passed.
Aneli wiped away her tears.
In a voice barely loud enough to hear, she said,
“...Okay.”
Lu Zeyan raised his head.
“But after tonight...” Aneli drew a deep breath. “...we don’t know each other.”
Lu Zeyan gave a short nod.
“Agreed.”
The trip to the hotel passed without a word. Aneli sat staring out the window. The city lights blurred behind the tears that kept filling her eyes, while Lu Zeyan focused on driving, occasionally glancing sideways.
Aneli tried to convince herself that this was only a transaction. Nothing more. But the voice in her heart kept whispering that she was making the biggest mistake of her life.
The car stopped. They got out without looking at each other. The elevator began moving upward. The numbers changed one by one. Neither of them spoke.
When they reached a suite, Lu Zeyan inserted the key card. The door opened slowly. He stepped aside to let her enter first.
Aneli bit her lower lip. Each step felt heavy.
The moment she entered, the door closed softly behind them.
Click.
The tiny sound rang out deafeningly.
The room lights dimmed. There were no more words. Only two wounded strangers standing in silence, carrying burdens that were worlds apart.
Aneli closed her eyes. Her breath caught. The air in the suite felt too stifling. Her heart seemed ready to leap out of her chest.
Meanwhile, Lu Zeyan stood frozen a few steps away. His jaw tightened, his eyes darkened. He hated himself for being unable to look away.
That night was no longer about an agreement.
“Trembling?” Lu Zeyan looked at Aneli’s fingers. “Are you cold or scared?”
“I’m not...” Aneli cut herself off, her voice breaking.
“Not what?” Lu Zeyan stepped forward. One step. “Not scared? Or don’t you want me here?”
Aneli backed away. Her back hit the wall.
“Sir... please keep your distance.”
“Distance?” Lu Zeyan laughed softly, without sound. “You’re the one who agreed to this.”
“That’s because... Mom...” Aneli’s tears fell.
“Don’t bring your mother into this.” Lu Zeyan’s whisper was heavy. “Right now, there’s only you and me.”
“Let me go.”
“If you really want to leave, then leave now.” Lu Zeyan kept his hands at his sides. “But if you stay here... don’t resist.”
Aneli closed her eyes.
“D-don’t.”
Lu Zeyan closed his eyes too.
“Too late.” His voice was hoarse. “You’ve already chosen.”