For example, she would take the chance when speaking to Zhou Wang to pretend to unintentionally place her fair hands on Zhou Wang’s thigh, rubbing lightly. Or when wanting to say something to him, she would gently hold one side of his cheek, and her jeans-clad tight legs were inching closer to Zhou Wang, only a hair’s breadth away from being draped over him...

This isn’t just what she believes; it’s blatant seduction!

This made Qu Peining increasingly angry, but she didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t just outrightly scold Zhou Wang, could she?

In frustration, Qu Peining wanted to look away, to save herself the aggravation. But she worried that if she shifted her gaze, what if the two did something even more outrageous?

Feeling internally agitated, Qu Peining could only lift her glass and down the cocktail in one gulp.

She had to admit, since she had been sipping lightly before, this sudden swig made her feel a starkly different spiciness. Yet, unexpectedly, her pent-up frustration seemed to ease a bit...

So, is this the correct way to experience alcohol?

Feeling as though she had a revelation, Qu Peining was about to pick up the decanter to pour herself another glass of Martell when, as the couch beside her sank, she frowned and looked up, only to see Jiang Mubai plopping down next to her.

"Hello, Sister, I’m Jiang Mubai, a DJ... What’s your name, Sister?"

This caught Qu Peining somewhat off guard. Although she despised Jiang Mubai’s actions, the truth was she hardly knew her. Faced with Jiang Mubai’s sweet smile, for a moment, Qu Peining didn’t know how to respond.

"...Qu Peining."

After hesitating, Qu Peining eventually spoke her name, albeit with a somewhat distant demeanor.

"Wow, Sister, your name sounds so lovely!"

Jiang Mubai first praised her, and when Qu Peining seemed somewhat at a loss again, Jiang Mubai leaned a bit closer to ask, "Sister, can I quietly ask you a question?"

Seeing Jiang Mubai’s seemingly cautious look, afraid of offending her, Qu Peining felt a jolt inside.

Perhaps... This girl isn’t as bad as she imagined?

Thinking this, Qu Peining’s expression softened a bit, and she nodded slightly, saying, "Go ahead and ask."

"I wanted to ask, what’s your relationship with Zhou Wang, Mr. Zhou?"

"We are..."

Qu Peining hadn’t expected Jiang Mubai to ask this. She was momentarily speechless but finally responded normally, "We’re friends."

"Really? Have you known each other long?"

Jiang Mubai seemed relieved as she continued to ask.

"Not long... Why do you ask?"

Seeing Jiang Mubai’s seemingly relaxed manner, Qu Peining felt uncomfortable and frowned as she countered.

"Because I like Mr. Zhou!"

Jiang Mubai giggled, "I was even thinking, if Sister Peining you and Mr. Zhou have something going on, then I could only back off... After all, Sister Peining, you’re so beautiful. I feel you and Mr. Zhou actually look more like a couple!"

"You..."

Qu Peining’s mouth opened, momentarily speechless.

She hadn’t anticipated Jiang Mubai to frankly admit her interest in Zhou Wang, and she couldn’t refute what Jiang Mubai said.

But then, should she just let her really go and flirt with Zhou Wang?

Fortunately, Qu Peining remembered something and hurriedly tried to salvage the situation, "Although I’m just friends with him, his girlfriend is a very close friend of mine, like a bestie." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Now, that’s a bit strange."

Who would have guessed Jiang Mubai would express confusion at this point?

"What’s strange?"

"The thing is, if that’s the case, why are you and Mr. Zhou at a nightclub alone together? Usually, a man and a woman who come to places like this typically have some interest in each other..."

Qu Peining really wanted to counter, but she was speechless once more.

Although she wasn’t familiar with places like nightclubs, from what she observed since arriving, what Jiang Mubai said seemed to be true...

After all, she had seen more than one couple openly flirting, and those men and women jumping about together seemed to have very enthusiastic glances at each other.

So, what Jiang Mubai said is likely true.

Ordinary friends wouldn’t come to places like this together.

This made Qu Peining, who was already feeling guilty, even more unsure of how to answer Jiang Mubai’s question. Luckily, Jiang Mubai wasn’t insisting on an answer and soon giggled as she changed the subject:

"I know Mr. Zhou has a girlfriend, but I don’t mind... Besides, since his girlfriend isn’t here, why can’t I temporarily fill in for her?"

How could she laugh whilst saying something so shameless?

The faint goodwill that Qu Peining had just felt towards Jiang Mubai vanished instantly, but what infuriated her even more was Jiang Mubai’s next sentence.

"Sister Peining, could you help me out?"

"I... help you?"

Qu Peining was utterly absurd.

Yet Jiang Mubai seemed ignorant, as she casually leaned closer to say, "Sister Peining, I plan to play a game with Mr. Zhou and then get him drunk. You don’t need to do anything. I see you’re also not much of a drinker, so just have a rest, thank you, Sister!"

Before Qu Peining could say anything, Jiang Mubai had already stood up and returned to Zhou Wang’s side, and before sitting down, she even winked at Qu Peining, as if they’d reached some sort of tacit agreement.

Then, Jiang Mubai leaned in and began speaking softly to Zhou Wang.

Qu Peining instinctively felt that she was inviting Zhou Wang to play a game with her, and unsure of what to do, Qu Peining could only hope that Zhou Wang would refuse.

Initially, she did see Zhou Wang shaking his head, but soon after, she saw Zhou Wang hesitating and looking in her direction.

Then, she saw Jiang Mubai pointing at her, shaking her head with a smile. Although Qu Peining couldn’t hear, she seemed to understand Jiang Mubai’s intention—

"This Sister isn’t playing, how about just the two of us?"

Indeed, Qu Peining could even imagine Jiang Mubai’s overly sweet, affected voice.

Then, in Qu Peining’s indignant gaze, Zhou Wang seemed to agree, and she saw Jiang Mubai pick up the dice cup and shift her position to sit even closer to Zhou Wang—

No, she couldn’t just do nothing.

Originally, if Jiang Mubai hadn’t come over and said all that, maybe Qu Peining would have managed to endure it. But precisely because Jiang Mubai came over to discuss it with her beforehand, Qu Peining felt that if she did nothing, then she would be letting down... her senior.

Yes, letting down her senior.

Finding yet another reason for herself, Qu Peining couldn’t help but stand up, and amidst Zhou Wang’s "surprised" gaze, she sat down beside him as well.

Their distance instantly closed, although not as close as initially, it was still just a fist or two apart.

Under Zhou Wang’s questioning gaze, Qu Peining, blushing, had to force herself to say, "You... you guys are playing what, I’m a bit bored too, let’s play together."

Qu Peining didn’t actually have many ideas. She just thought, since Jiang Mubai wouldn’t let her join, she had to do the opposite, in any case, she couldn’t let this seductive girl succeed so easily.

From an angle Qu Peining couldn’t see, Jiang Mubai had a knowing smile as she glanced at Zhou Wang, as if saying...

The fish has taken the bait.

Zhou Wang merely chuckled, Jiang Mubai’s direct "challenge" to Qu Peining, followed by a possible series of tactics, were essentially summed up in four words... "catfish effect".

"By introducing external competitors or stimuli, to activate the internal individual’s vitality."

When Qu Peining’s self-assumed balance was disrupted, the events of tonight were destined to head towards a new, unknown direction...

"Alright, let’s play together, do you know how to play Liar’s Dice?"

Zhou Wang’s mind was turning, but his expression remained normal, as he picked up the dice cup and smilingly asked Qu Peining.