Chapter 1
Hot.
From behind his sunglasses, Lan Shuting eyed the slender figure about twenty meters ahead, thinking.
Narrow waist, perky ass, long legs. A very short skirt, very high stilettos. Skin as fair and smooth as milk, with waves of hair cascading down to her waist, shimmering a faint wine-red under the sunlight.
She drew countless gazes. In the airport, men and women alike couldn’t help but steal glances at this stunning, unfamiliar beauty.
But to Lan Shuting, she was no stranger.
Stretching his long legs, he settled more comfortably—more lazily—into the airport lounge chair, his gaze never leaving the fiery woman’s back.
And she? She was fixated on another couple in the distance, completely oblivious to the onlookers.
Lan Shuting knew her.
Her name was Wei Min. Nearly every Chinese person and international student in the San Francisco area knew her.
Twenty-two years old, a new MBA student at Stanford. The Wei family had lived in San Francisco for two or three decades, and her father helmed the overseas headquarters of the Wei conglomerate. With a wealthy background, striking looks, and an impressive education, her blazing red sports car roaring down the streets was what many called “a must-see sight in San Francisco.”
With so many admirers, her every move was naturally under scrutiny. Her past boyfriends were no secret—who would keep dating Wei Min a secret? Of course, they’d announce it to the world the moment they got together. And right now, the man she was staring at so intently was her current boyfriend, Aaron.
It should have been a touching scene, but to Lan Shuting, something felt off.
Probably because… her boyfriend Aaron had his arm around a petite, adorable girl, occasionally brushing her hair or stealing a kiss on the cheek, every gesture dripping with affection.
Ah… how did it come to this? Lan Shuting yawned.
Was she here to “catch him in the act”? It didn’t seem like it. Twenty minutes had passed, and Wei Min stood frozen like a statue, unmoving, just watching the couple lost in their own world from afar.
Those stilettos were so thin, so high—yet she stood effortlessly for so long. Lan Shuting was genuinely impressed.
Then, those admirable legs began to move.
Her ankles were so delicate, like finely crafted art, her fair skin glowing faintly against the bright red heels… and she was walking this way.
Huh? Walking this way? Lan Shuting’s eyes flickered behind his sunglasses.
Only then did he realize he’d been so entranced by the beauty that he hadn’t noticed the boarding gates had opened. The long security lines had cleared, and passengers in the lounge were getting up to proceed.
His flight wasn’t for another half hour—no rush.
His gaze still followed the bombshell. Just human nature, right?
Wei Min ducked behind a pillar, deliberately hiding herself so her “current boyfriend” Aaron—one hand carrying light luggage, the other wrapped around his companion—wouldn’t see her.
But she was overthinking it. Aaron was too absorbed to notice anything around him. Even from this distance, Lan Shuting could see how glued he was to his companion, completely immersed in their sweet little world.
Once the target had walked past and disappeared, Wei Min stood there, dazed. For a long, long time, she didn’t move, as if she’d stopped breathing.
Airports were always stages for farewells. People came and went like silhouettes, weaving between them, against the backdrop of mechanical announcements declaring which flight was boarding, urging passengers to hurry.
Lan Shuting still hadn’t moved.
Until Wei Min suddenly turned and strode straight toward him.
Her long, wine-red hair billowed behind her like waves. She, too, wore sunglasses, hiding those dazzlingly bright eyes. Beneath her straight nose, her plump, cherry-red lips were pressed tight—whether suppressing anger or fighting back tears, who could tell?
Outwardly, nothing seemed amiss, but Lan Shuting’s muscles tensed slightly, his breathing quickened just a touch, as if bracing for a challenge—or perhaps anticipating something.
The fiery beauty approached, expressionless.
Sunglasses met sunglasses. Her gaze slid over him without pause.
Then—she suddenly stopped!
Looking down like a queen, Wei Min regarded Lan Shuting, who was still sprawled lazily in his seat.
Lan Shiting tilted his head slightly, looking back at her.
A few seconds passed…
“Lan Shuting?” Her lush red lips parted, voicing the uncertain question.
“Hello,” Lan Shuting replied lazily.
They did know each other—though only as acquaintances. The Bay Area wasn’t that big; friends overlapped, and they’d likely met at some gathering or party.
After confirming each other’s identities, they remained in their positions, locked in a silent standoff.
Another minute passed…
Wei Min seemed deep in thought, while Lan Shuting simply waited. Neither bothered with small talk.
Finally, those luscious lips parted again. “Are you boarding soon?”
“Not yet,” he answered casually.
Then, out of nowhere: “Want to grab a drink?”
Most people would’ve been stunned.
But Lan Shuting wasn’t most people. He just shrugged. “Sure.”
＊＊＊＊＊＊
Ten minutes later, they sat across from each other in an airport bar-restaurant.
A place like this didn’t have good alcohol, so their table held two cans of ice-cold beer. Wei Min casually tossed her sunglasses aside, grabbed the bottle, and tipped her head back for a long swig.
Gulp, gulp—like she was drinking water. Then, she exhaled sharply.
Bubbles and a slight burn rushed up her nose. She frowned.
Disgusting. She didn’t even like alcohol.
The young man across from her watched her bold move without reaction—not even a raised eyebrow.
Good. Saved her the trouble of explaining.
The dimly lit bar had a TV murmuring news in the background. Travelers chatted about weather, holidays, recent games. Wei Min’s gaze swept over it all, a haze of confusion clouding her mind.
What was she doing here?
Where had she come from? Where was she supposed to go?
What she’d just witnessed replayed in her mind—her “boyfriend” with another girl…
The intimacy left no room for doubt—they were a couple deeply in love. The problem was, Wei Min was supposed to be the one in his arms, boarding the plane together, wrapped in affection!
“...How about it?” Lan Shuting’s question reached her ears, but she only caught the last few words.
“What?” Wei Min blinked, forcing her scattered thoughts back.
Lan Shuting arched a brow. “I asked, what do you think of the spicy wings?”
Wei Min was dumbfounded. What kind of question was that?
But the aroma of the spicy wings from the next table—tangy, fiery—wafted over, undeniably tempting. Following Lan Shuting’s gaze, she felt a flicker of interest too.
“Just now...”
Her ears caught the tail end of his lazy, deep voice, and her heart clenched.
Lan Shuting must’ve seen everything. He knew Aaron—how could he have missed it?
An invisible shield rose around Wei Min. Her big, bright eyes locked onto the man across from her.
“What you saw was Aaron, yes.” Her voice was too loud, but she couldn’t help it—words spilled out like water. “You must be wondering who that girl was? Well, whoever she is, it’s none of your business!”
Her outburst drew glances from nearby patrons, curious about the stunning Asian girl’s sudden fury.
The man’s calm, unruffled face finally showed a flicker—a raised eyebrow.
“I meant, the server came by earlier. I already ordered.” Lan Shuting spoke slowly, utterly unbothered by her temper.
“Oh, uh...” The anger she’d mustered suddenly fizzled. Wei Min’s face flushed red with embarrassment.
Flustered, she grabbed the beer and took another reckless swig.
“Cough—” Predictably, she choked. Drinking so fast and so much—of course she’d choke.
Most men would’ve asked if she was okay or comforted her. But Lan Shuting wasn’t most men. He just watched with mild amusement as the beauty made a fool of herself.
Once her coughing subsided and she caught her breath, he finally spoke. “Want another beer?”
She shot him a glare. Her big eyes, bright and clear, sparkled like gemstones.
Then, her red lips parted…
“Sure. One more.”
The spicy wings and beer arrived together. Hot, fragrant wings paired with ice-cold beer—a match made in heaven. A leisurely afternoon with a beautiful companion—Lan Shuting was thoroughly enjoying himself.
So much so that he barely noticed the time. He hadn’t checked his watch once.
It was rare to see someone eat saucy wings so elegantly, but both of them had impeccable table manners. They ate in silence, polishing off the plate in no time.
Afterward, another beer to cut the grease…
By the time Lan Shuting snapped out of it, the lady across from him had downed three beers and was reaching for a fourth. His own can was only half-finished.
“You’re not going to get drunk, are you?” He decided to ask.
“It’s just beer. How could I get drunk?” Wei Min propped her chin on her hand, answering listlessly.
Yet when they left the bar, she staggered. Lan Shuting, who’d seemed so lazy earlier, moved swiftly to steady her, preventing a fall.
“Careful,” his low, pleasant voice murmured by her ear. “How are you getting back?”
“The same way I came. My car’s in the parking lot.” Wei Min forced a smile. “Thanks for keeping me company. Shouldn’t you be boarding soon?”
Ah… Lan Shuting finally remembered his flight.
About ten minutes ago, it had taken off without him.
“It’s fine. There’s another one,” he said lightly.
“You think flying is like hailing a cab?” Wei Min laughed, her cheeks faintly flushed from the alcohol, her fair skin glowing like fresh milk. She shot him another glance.
Most men would’ve been dizzy and disoriented under the gaze of such a vibrant beauty. But, as always, Lan Shuting wasn’t most men. His grip on her arm remained steady—not to cop a feel, but because he feared she’d trip or twist an ankle if he let go. Those stilettos required serious skill and focus to navigate.
Just like her high-performance sports car.
“You said your car’s in the parking lot?” His brows furrowed slightly. “You’re driving back yourself?”
Wei Min nodded.
Lan Shuting’s frown deepened. “No.”
His sudden firm refusal confused and irked her, as if he doubted her capability.
Her delicate chin lifted. “Then what am I supposed to do?”
His answering gaze was thoughtful. After a few seconds, he made a decision.
＊＊＊＊＊＊
Twenty minutes later, Wei Min’s fiery red sports car sped down the highway, leaving the airport behind.
Don’t drink and drive—so the one behind the wheel wasn’t the slightly tipsy Wei Min, but the very sober Lan Shuting.
He was decent about it, insisting only that she not drive, without lecturing further. Perfect, because Wei Min wasn’t in the mood to talk.
Alcohol hadn’t numbed her nerves—maybe she hadn’t drunk enough. The sharp ache in her chest hadn’t eased at all.
Really, it wasn’t a big deal. Just a cheating boyfriend—something countless people had dealt with throughout history. It wasn’t even unexpected—just confirmation of long-held suspicions.
So why did it still hurt so much? Why did it feel so hard to breathe?
The Bay Area’s damp, heavy air rushed past. Even in daylight, there was a hint of fog—not ideal for speeding. But she’d always loved the wind roaring in her ears, loved driving fast, chasing the thrill of speed.
Today was different. The lazy young master beside her drove just as lazily—moderate speed, no lane-cutting, treating the aggressive sports car like a sedate sedan.
Wei Min didn’t care. Right now, she didn’t want to think, didn’t want to talk, didn’t want to face the humiliating, heart-wrenching truth…
But she knew what awaited her. If she broke up with Aaron, friends would ask, maybe even pity her. The thought of their sympathetic stares made her suffocate.
Her parents would worry and scold her—they always assumed she was too wild, too flighty, too unstable to make things last. Never mind that she’d been with Aaron for three years. Was that not enough stability?
Her brother would probably give her that icy look and say she deserved it!
In this world, only her best friend, Xiaoshuang—like a sister to her—would comfort her. But even that was impossible now. Over a month ago, after graduation, Xiaoshuang had quietly left. They were no longer roommates, no longer inseparable…
Even if Xiaoshuang were here, Wei Min wasn’t sure she’d confide in her. Facing gentle, sweet Xiaoshuang would only remind Wei Min how ungentle, how unsweet she was herself!
But even if she was wild, even if she was reckless—did that mean she deserved this?
Even if she was domineering, even if she loved to party—who could say she hadn’t been sincere with her boyfriend?
Tears, long overdue, suddenly spilled over. It was so abrupt that even Wei Min was startled.
The man beside her probably wouldn’t notice—he seemed focused on driving… Through her blurry vision, she stole a glance at him.
Only to see Lan Shuting, one hand on the wheel, the other already reaching for the tissue box. He pulled out two and handed them to her.
“Is your place off this exit?” He didn’t ask about her tears, didn’t offer comfort—just gave her space, only asking directions in that calm voice.
“N-not yet,” she choked out.
Lan Shuting knew where the Wei family lived—he’d been to parties at their home—but he didn’t argue or question. If Wei Min said keep driving, he kept driving.
Wei Min cried freely. The wind howled, the engine roared—she didn’t have to hold back. She sobbed until she was gasping, just short of pounding her chest and wailing, “Why, why, why?”
Why… did love always hurt so much?
They raced down Highway 5, tears streaming down her face.
Four and a half hours later, they reached Los Angeles.
They’d stopped for gas and a break along the way. By then, she’d cried herself hoarse, her eyes swollen like walnuts, her hair a tangled mess. In the gas station restroom, the reflection in the mirror made her heartache flare anew.
What beauty? She looked like a madwoman!
“Wah—” Sobbing, she splashed water on her face. If she was going to be a wreck, she might as well go all out.
Lan Shuting didn’t seem to mind. When she emerged, dripping wet, he didn’t even blink.
“Turning back?” Leaning against the car, sipping an iced Coke he’d just bought, he glanced at the darkening sky and asked casually.
Wei Min thought for a moment, then shook her head hard.
Wet eyes, wet face, wet bangs… She looked like a puppy that had fallen into a pond—utterly pitiful.
Lan Shuting sighed.
“Then get in. Where to?”
“Anywhere.” Her voice was hoarse, lifeless. “Just keep driving.”
She truly didn’t care where they went. Even if Lan Shuting planned to murder her and dump her body on the roadside, it didn’t matter. Whether she was inconveniencing him, whether she had things to do—she didn’t want to think anymore.
Whatever. Anything was fine.
Back on the highway, after what felt like forever, Wei Min realized Lan Shuting had draped his thin jacket over her. A can of Coke sat in the cup holder beside her, along with bread and crackers. Soft jazz played in the car.
Outside, night had fallen. The highway stretched endlessly ahead, as if it had no end.
The man beside her remained silent—yet seemed at ease. He handled the wheel with practiced ease, unhurried, unbothered by destination, as if where they were going didn’t matter at all.
“Where are we going?” Wei Min finally asked. Her voice was still raspy—like a duck’s.
“You said anywhere,” Lan Shuting glanced at her, lips quirking lazily. “I’m just driving forward, like you said.”
“Oh.” She responded absently, but couldn’t help studying the driver’s profile.
Because she’d just noticed—Lan Shuting had dimples when he smiled!
Was she insane? At a time like this, noticing someone’s dimples?
But… somehow, that lazy, carefree smile carried a strange power, as if nothing in the world could trouble him, as if there was no need to worry about anything.
If only she could be like that…
“Something wrong?” Lan Shuting knew she was staring.
“N-no.” Wei Min straightened, guiltily. “I just thought… Lan Shuting, you’re actually pretty handsome.”
The dimples appeared again as he smiled. “Thanks.”
“And you’re a good person.”
“I know.”
Silence settled for a few minutes, filled only by the engine’s low growl.
“Then…” The lady’s slender finger tapped her plump lips. Her bright, slightly swollen eyes blinked. “Do you want to have a one-night stand with me?”
Lan Shuting didn’t react dramatically. His posture didn’t change—he just kept driving steadily, only glancing at her.
“You got money?” he asked.
Wei Min was stunned. “You want money? Are you an escort?”
“Are you a client?” he shot back sharply.
Only then did she catch the hint of displeasure in his tone. Immediately, she pressed her lips together and turned to gaze out at the endless night.
Lan Shuting’s blunt refusal was the last straw.
Men—go to hell!
She swore she’d never, ever get involved with another man again!
