"I've already made all the money I need—why would I waste my time going to some fancy banquet?"
Jason Liu had no connections with the rich and powerful people at those kinds of events. He didn't care about making small talk with them either.
Sure, if it was someone like Rebs, the true giants of the business world, he would've jumped at the chance. But someone like him? A nobody? There was no way those big shots would even look at him, let alone speak to him. He didn't have the qualifications to even stand near them.
So, he made up his mind—he wasn't going to the banquet.
Back in his hotel room, he received a WeChat message from Lin Xiaohan asking about the auction that night.
Lin Xiaohan: How was the auction tonight?
Jason Liu: Not bad at all. A lot of rare items were up for sale. Most of them sold for a ton of money. I'm sure the auction made a killing tonight.
Lin Xiaohan: You didn't buy anything?
Jason Liu: I'm not really into collecting antiques. I didn't see anything I liked, so I didn't make any bids.
Lin Xiaohan: Haha, then I guess you just went for fun.
Lin Xiaohan: Are you heading back to Zheng City tomorrow?
Jason Liu: Yeah, I think so. If there's nothing else to do, I'll probably go back.
Lin Xiaohan: Why the rush? You're in the Capital! It's the National Day holiday. You've been working so hard—why not take a real break?
Jason Liu: I've been around during the day. Visited the Bund, the Pearl Tower, Tianzifang, the pedestrian streets… All in all, it's been pretty nice. But honestly? I'm just a little tired now.
Lin Xiaohan: You're not really going back tomorrow, are you? If you've got no plans, come to Sanya! Sunshine, beaches, and lots of pretty girls in bikinis. Don't tell me you're already tempted?
Jason Liu: Are you wearing a bikini? Because honestly, I don't want to look at anyone else. I just want to look at you. None of them could compare to you.
Jason Liu imagined Lin Xiaohan in a bikini, playing by the beach with her friend Jiang Chuchu. Earlier today, he had been hanging out with Qiqi, and she was youthful, beautiful, and full of life. The thought alone filled him with energy. He'd been single for more than twenty years—this kind of temptation was dangerous.
He quickly closed his eyes and forced himself to calm down. To shake off the heat rising in his chest, he imagined the face of famous internet meme queen known more for her, well, unique looks.
The moment her image popped into his head, it was like holy water had been splashed on a demon.
His thoughts shrank back immediately.
Jason had been planning to just chill, maybe make himself some dinner like he used to. But now that he was no longer just some broke guy eating instant noodles after work, things had changed. He was rich now—a young and successful billionaire. Cooking for himself suddenly felt a little… beneath him.
He looked at his right hand, face serious.
Was it time to retire his hand?
Yes, that hand.
The one he'd relied on for twenty years. His legendary "unicorn arm"—the so-called stunt he'd mastered over countless lonely nights.
He had to think carefully. This was about his health—both physical and mental.
But this arm had been there through the dark times. It had history. Memories. Was it really okay to just seal it away?
No, it wasn't just about loss. He was no longer that forever-single guy. Lin Xiaohan was already waiting for him.
He had to move on.
He couldn't keep relying on this arm. What if people found out he was worth billions and still needed self-service? That would be a disgrace! What if he became worth ten or even a hundred billion in the future? Would he still need to please himself with his own hand?
Absolutely not.
He made up his mind—it was sealed.
Even as he said goodbye to his old companion, he felt a strange mix of emotion. Nostalgia. Sadness. But also excitement.
He pictured Lin Xiaohan and Qiqi hugging in real life—two in bikinis, sunlight glinting off the waves. He thought about that beautiful beach, the warm sea, and maybe a night filled with passion.
Jason Liu grinned like an idiot. He was completely lost in fantasy.
Meanwhile, in her hotel room in Sanya, Lin Xiaohan had just been swayed by his bold message.
"They aren't even half as sweet-talking as you," she thought, blushing hard. For a moment, she was sure this dense guy had finally become enlightened.
But ten minutes passed.
No reply.
Nothing.
Goddess Lin pouted in frustration. "Can't you focus when you're chatting with a girl? I'm sitting here holding my phone like an idiot!"
She smacked her pillow a few times, pretending it was his head.
Still annoyed, she typed more messages.
Lin Xiaohan: Why aren't you replying?
Lin Xiaohan: Are you in the shower or something?
Lin Xiaohan: 😠😠
Jason Liu, still lost in fantasy, had no idea she was already mad. It wasn't until his phone buzzed again that he finally snapped out of it.
He looked at the screen—three angry messages. And a 20-minute gap between his last reply and hers. No wonder she was upset.
To recover, he quickly went into damage control mode.
His fingers moved like those of a stroke patient typing one letter at a time.
Jason Liu: Sorry, Xiaohan. I went to the bathroom and didn't see your messages.
Classic excuse. The ol' "toilet trip" always worked.
Lin Xiaohan stared at her screen. "More than ten minutes? In the bathroom?" She tried not to think about it too much, but her mind went to some unwholesome places.
Lin Xiaohan: It's fine. So… are you coming to Sanya tomorrow? You can swim, lie under an umbrella, drink cool coconut juice—it's nice here!
After sending the message, she stared at her phone with hope in her eyes.
If he came, it would be their first real vacation together!
Her parents would be there too, but that didn't matter. It was a good start.
If they got used to traveling together now, wouldn't it be easier to sneak away for a private trip later?
Giggling at her own thoughts, her cheeks turned slightly red.
Jason, meanwhile, was still stuck on the image of her in a bikini. Swimming together. Lying under the sun. Sharing coconut juice. Maybe sneaking peeks at some exotic beauties walking past...
No! He shook his head.
Forget about "sneaking peeks."
With someone as stunning as Lin Xiaohan beside him, why would he look at anyone else?
That would be low. Scummy.
"I, Jason Liu, am not that kind of man!"
Or… am I?
A hypocrite?
A cowardly, fake gentleman?
------------------------
For Advance chapters visit : patreon.com/Mythic_Muse