LHKE Ch 1

Shen Li pushed open the door to the private room filled with laughter and stepped into the kaleidoscope of lights, a gentle smile on his face. “Mr.Lu, what brings you here today?”

The man sitting on the sofa, chatting with someone, stood up with a smile. He grabbed a full, untouched glass of wine and handed it to Shen Li. “My cousin just returned from abroad, so we arranged a gathering to welcome him.”

“Cousin?” Shen Li downed the drink in one go. A server followed behind him, neatly stacking several boxes of alcohol by the coffee table before bowing and leaving.

“Lu Changting, the heir of the Lu family group, appointed by Old Master Lu himself,” said Jiang Chifeng, who was sitting nearby. He stood up and passed another glass of wine to Shen Li with a playful tone, “It’s been a while. You should have a drink with me.”

Lu Changxu added to Jiang Chifeng’s words: “He hasn’t arrived yet, sit down and have a couple of drinks. I’ll introduce him to you later.”

“Gujiu” was the largest high-end bar in S City, frequented by the wealthy and powerful, be they from business, politics, or other circles. As the owner of “Gujiu,” Shen Li had extensive connections, and befriending him was nothing but beneficial to the Lu family’s business.

The Lu family had a vast empire, and conflicts over inheritance were not unheard of. However, Lu Changxu managed the business of “Wangjang Tower,” a restaurant line with a well-established management system, and the money they made could last several lifetimes. As a result, Lu Changxu had no interest in power struggles. Moreover, since he and Lu Changting were close in age and had a good relationship, he was very satisfied with Lu Changting being chosen as the heir.

Lu Changting had only been back in the country for less than a month and had just taken over the Lu Group, so it was inevitable that some people would try to trip him up. The more people he met in the business world, the more support he could gain.

When the man heard the name “Lu Changting,” a gleam of light flashed in his clear eyes but quickly faded. He smiled, maintaining his usual composure, and greeted everyone in the room.

The private room was filled with prominent figures—some self-made, others from powerful families. None could be slighted.

After the greetings, Shen Li looked toward Jiang Chifeng. “Why don’t I see President Wei?”

Jiang Chifeng smiled. “He’s on a business trip.”

“Aren’t you afraid he’ll give you a hard time when he finds out you came to Gujiu without him?”

Jiang Chifeng had a close personal relationship with Shen Li and loved lively atmospheres. He used to frequent “Gujiu,” but after starting his relationship with Wei Wenxing, his visits had become rare.

“Cough.” Jiang Chifeng cleared his throat and picked up a strawberry from the fruit platter, feeding it to Shen Li’s mouth. “Hush money.”

He knew Shen Li’s remark was just teasing, so he wasn’t worried about Shen Li telling Wei Wenxing. Besides, today’s gathering was for Lu Changting’s homecoming, a perfectly justifiable reason, so there was nothing to fear.

As the strawberry reached his lips, Shen Li slightly parted them and bit into it.

Someone pushed open the door. The man’s sharp features were half-hidden in the interplay of light and shadow, carrying the chilly breeze of early spring and a cold aura. “I’m late.”

Shen Li licked his lips as the sweetness of the strawberry rolled from his mouth down to his stomach.

The private room was well-heated. Lu Changting took off his thick black coat and hung it on the coat rack by the door.

Lu Changxu greeted him with a smile, “Changting,” and then stood up to pour him a drink.

Lu Changting gave the room a quick scan. There were people he recognized and some he didn’t. But since everyone was gathered here today, it was clear he would have to deal with them in the future, so he straightforwardly downed three drinks as a self-punishment.

“Chu Jinghong, Fu Jiashu, Chen Xingye, Xiao Yao… no need for me to introduce them, right?”

“This is President Jiang of Changrong Real Estate, President Li of Shangshan Entertainment, President Mu of Zhizhen Technology…” Lu Changxu introduced everyone, pausing to take a sip of wine to wet his throat before continuing, “And this is President Jiang Chifeng of Fanning Group, and the owner of Gujiu, Shen Li.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Lu Changting toasted everyone.

Most of the people in the room were from prestigious families or older, seasoned in the business world, with the inevitable polish and cunning of those shaped by time. They all had hidden agendas, and though they smiled, no one’s true intentions were visible.

Only Jiang Chifeng and Shen Li stood off to the side, speaking softly and laughing. Even though they were in the same room as everyone else, it felt like they were separate, making them hard to ignore.

Lu Changting knew of Jiang Chifeng and the Jiang family, but he hadn’t interacted with him before. As for the owner of “Gujiu”… recalling the scene when he entered, he couldn’t help but glance at Shen Li again.

The young bar owner had eyes that sparkled like scattered stars. He seemed to be someone who laughed often, his smile effortlessly emerging with each blink, though he seemed unaware of it.

Perhaps it was the alcohol, but his lips appeared slightly moist, soft, and supple. The hand holding the glass was slender and pale, with the cuff of his sleeve rolled up to reveal part of his forearm. On his wrist was a simple red string.

Realizing it was impolite to stare, Lu Changting lowered his gaze and stopped looking.

Shen Li hadn’t noticed being watched. He kept his head slightly lowered, his peripheral vision catching sight of Lu Changting’s Adam’s apple as he swallowed his drink. His eyes fell, and he downed another glass of wine.

Shen Li was always at ease in such social settings, but tonight, he seemed a bit disinterested and spoke less than usual. Unintentionally, his gaze would linger on Lu Changting.

Many people were watching Lu Changting, each with their own thoughts. But Shen Li’s gaze was calm, with a hint of intensity. Jiang Chifeng had never seen Shen Li look at anyone so seriously.

It piqued his curiosity, but with Lu Changting as the star of the evening, Jiang Chifeng couldn’t slip away to ask. He could only watch as Shen Li had a few drinks before quietly leaving the room.

The crowd around Lu Changting didn’t thin out. No one knew how much they had drunk, but as the night wore on, the atmosphere grew more lively. The room was filled with the scent of alcohol and tobacco. Loosening another button on his collar, Lu Changting got up to go to the bathroom.

Though there was a bathroom in the private room, he wanted some fresh air and followed the signs to the restroom outside.

It had been a long time since Lu Changting had drunk this much, and his stomach was starting to hurt. His throat burned, and he reeked of alcohol, feeling like he’d just climbed out of a wine vat.

After relieving himself, he stood at the sink, cupping cold water in his hand and splashing it on his face.

After three or four splashes, he finally felt somewhat clearer. He wiped his face, leaned against the wall, and hunched over slightly, trying to ease the discomfort in his stomach.

Hearing footsteps, he glanced up. It was the owner of “Gujiu”—what was his name again?

Shen Li called to him, his tone polite, “Mr. Lu, are you okay?”

Lu Changting straightened up, his face expressionless as he forced himself to stand tall. “I’m fine.”

Despite his words, the man’s face was flushed from drinking, his shirt collar was wide open, and part of it was damp from water. A few strands of hair, styled neatly back earlier, were now slightly wet and disheveled. He didn’t look fine at all.

Since Lu Changting insisted he was okay, Shen Li didn’t press further. He entered the bathroom, as if the question had just been a passing remark.

Once Shen Li left, Lu Changting finally exhaled, relaxing his tense shoulders and returning to the private room.

He had barely sat down when several servers entered, carrying trays of honey grapefruit tea, which they placed on the crowded coffee table.

It was nearing midnight. By this point, most of the guests were drunk. When the tea arrived, no one hesitated to help themselves.

Many of the people in the room were regulars at “Gujiu,” but this was the first time they had received such a courtesy. Jiang Chifeng murmured, “Since when did Gujiu’s honey grapefruit tea get so sweet…”

Fu Jiashu downed a large gulp, desperate for relief. “I was dying of thirst. Changxu, you’re so thoughtful.”

“That wasn’t me,” Lu Changxu joked. “Whoever ordered it, it’s on their tab.”

“The boss said it’s on the house,” the server replied with a smile, gesturing for them to enjoy.

Xiao Yao took a sip, frowning slightly at the overwhelming sweetness. “This is a real treat—Shen Li must’ve put in a lot of sugar.”

The room burst into laughter. As Lu Changting held his cup of honey grapefruit tea, he thought of Shen Li’s earlier question, “Are you okay?” His expression grew distant. Realizing he was overthinking it, his furrowed brows slowly relaxed as he took a sip.

The air was fragrant and sweet, with warmth that spread through the stomach, bringing comfort.

After one o’clock, people in the private room began to gradually leave. Half an hour later, only a few familiar faces who already knew each other remained. They continued drinking and chatting, going through another round of lively toasts.

With so much alcohol consumed, the room was filled with drunkards. In the end, Shen Li and the servers helped send people to their drivers’ cars, making two trips. When he returned to the room, only Lu Changxu and his brother Lu Changting were left.

Shen Li handed Lu Changxu over to two servers to assist him, while he supported Lu Changting himself. He draped a coat over Lu Changting and helped him walk slowly behind the others.

Lu Changting was heavily intoxicated. With the night deepening, drowsiness hit him hard, and his eyelids felt heavy. He didn’t even have the strength to open his eyes and see who was supporting him. All he could detect was a faint woody fragrance, like a mix of cedar and tobacco—subtle and comforting.

Relaxing, he let the weight of his body lean on the other person’s shoulder. Tilting his head, he leaned in and sniffed the scent more closely.

Shen Li halted his steps, hesitating as he softly called out, “Mr. Lu?”

Lu Changting’s lips were dangerously close to Shen Li’s neck, his warm breath brushing against the skin there, sending a scorching heat that made Shen Li almost lose his grip.

They had already exited the bar, and the cold night wind blew against them. For a fleeting moment, Lu Changting’s mind cleared, and with restrained clarity, he realized how inappropriate his actions had been. He let out a soft “hmm,” his voice hoarse as he apologized, “Sorry.”

Then he added, “Thank you.”

Lu Changting turned his head away, and Shen Li let out a breath of relief before crouching down to help him into the car.

Lu Changting still hadn’t opened his eyes. He merely adjusted himself into a more comfortable position, his head leaning against the soft cushion of the seat, while his long legs stretched out boldly across the car.

Shen Li watched him, his gaze softening.

His eyes roamed greedily over Lu Changting’s face, sliding from his brow to his nose and finally to his lips.

His fingers trembled slightly as he raised his hand, but in the end, he didn’t dare to let it fall. With great restraint, he withdrew his hand, hiding it behind his back. He reminded the driver to drive carefully, then closed the car door and stepped back.

Even after the car disappeared into the night, Shen Li stood there, staring blankly.

After a long time, he came back to his senses and looked down at his palm.

The young man stretched his hand toward the air, slowly curling his arm inward, as if making a gesture of embracing someone.

He let out a low chuckle, laughing at his own foolishness. Then he turned around and, step by step, walked back toward the still-bustling bar.