The Mind-Reading, Cold CEO vs. The Spoiled Beauty
In the courtyard outside the banquet hall of the Imperial Capital’s finest restaurant,
the elite of high society mingled, their laughter and clinking glasses weaving through the air like a symphony of privilege.
Seated casually on a chair, one young man stood out effortlessly.
His fair complexion and delicate features were accentuated by a bespoke white tuxedo, adorned with expensive accessories and a limited-edition watch.
From the tips of his perfectly styled hair to the manicured nails resting on his knee, he exuded an aura of arrogant refinement.
Legs crossed, champagne flute in hand,
he listened with lazy amusement as
three sycophantic young men fawned over him.
His eyes, naturally upturned at the corners,
always seemed to carry a hint of laughter—l
ike a crescent moon veiled in mist.
When something truly amused him, his lips would curl slightly,
transforming his entire expression into something dazzling,
as if the stars themselves had spilled into his gaze.
He was the kind of person who commanded attention simply by existing.
Wherever he went, he became the scene.
"Who is that?"
A young woman in an evening gown
whispered to her companion after accidentally locking eyes with him, her cheeks flushing.
"Is he a celebrity?"
Her friend scoffed, barely sparing him a glance.
"You don’t know him? That’s Tang Keyi—the infamous ‘Number One Wastrel of the Imperial Capital.’ Lives off the Tang family fortune, does nothing but party. Don’t tell me you’re actually interested?"
"Wait… the one who swore he’d stay single forever if he couldn’t marry Qin Zhiyan?"
The first woman blinked.
"I mean, it’s delusional, but you have to admire his dedication."
"Dedication? More like delusion."
Her companion sneered.
"Qin Zhiyan is the head of the Qin Empire—the most powerful man in the country. Gorgeous, ruthless, and so far out of Tang Keyi’s league it’s laughable. The audacity to publicly declare he’d marry him? The Tangs must be mortified."
"You know,"
a smooth voice cut in from behind them,
"for someone so visually offensive, you’re awfully bold about insulting others. If you aren’t worried about embarrassing your family, why should I be?"
The two women spun around, paling.
Tang Keyi stood there, champagne in hand, his smile razor-sharp.
The one who’d been trash-talking stammered, her face draining of color.
"I—I didn’t mean—"
"Apologize,"
the other woman hissed, bowing hastily.
"We’re so sorry, Young Master Tang!"
Keyi tilted his chin up, every inch the pampered young master.
"Since it’s Old Master Han’s birthday, I’ll let it slide. But if I ever hear you running your mouth again—"
He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a silken threat.
"—I don’t have a ‘gentlemanly’ bone in my body. Understood?"
The woman nodded frantically.
"Y-Yes! It won’t happen again!"
Then, as if flipping a switch, Keyi turned to the other woman and beamed.
"You, though—you get it. I am deeply devoted."
Her breath caught at his sudden charm, watching dazedly as he sauntered away.
Nearby, onlookers murmured:
"Tang Keyi’s arrogance is unreal. The Tangs have spoiled him rotten."
"True. But with four older brothers already dominating the business world, why wouldn’t they let him play around? Rumor is, after his parents died in that plane crash, and then the kidnapping… well, the Tangs coddle him like glass."
"Wait, kidnapping?"
"Shh! It’s taboo to mention. He supposedly has amnesia from the trauma. But yeah—found half-starved after two weeks. The Tangs never let him suffer again."
"Damn. No wonder he’s like this. Speaking of—any word if Qin Zhiyan is coming tonight?"
"He’s back in the capital. If he shows up…
" A grin. "
Imagine the fireworks between him and Tang Keyi."
Inside,
Keyi nearly collided with a familiar figure.
"Keyi! There you are!"
His best friend, Han Qiuqiu—a pretty, brown-haired menace—yanked him aside.
"Emergency! Qin Zhiyan is coming!"
Keyi’s champagne flute wobbled.
"What?! Since when?!"
"He landed last night. My dad just got the call—he’s on his way right now."
"Oh hell no."
Keyi, who feared nothing, looked genuinely panicked.
"I’m leaving."
Qiuqiu grabbed his arm.
"Too late! Everyone’s about to know. If you bolt, it’ll look like you’re scared of him. Your whole persona is ‘obsessed admirer’—you’re supposed to throw yourself at him!"
"I can’t!"
Keyi hissed.
"I’ve never even met him! My trash-talking was all theoretical!"
"Then enjoy your grandma’s next round of arranged marriages,"
Qiuqiu said flatly.
Keyi groaned.
"Qiuqiu, my dearest, most loyal friend—help me fake a sudden passion for you instead!"
"ABSOLUTELY NOT."
Qiuqiu recoiled.
"I refuse to be sacrificed to your grandmother’s matchmaking. Face it, Keyi—Qin Zhiyan is the only man in the empire she can’t force you to marry. For the sake of your freedom… act."
Keyi thought of his blissfully single, responsibility-free life.
Then sighed.
"Fine."
He squared his shoulders.
"Let the storm come."
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