Chenxiao, who leads a syndicate in China, and Guest, who leads one in Korea, met for the first time through a business deal. Since it was a large-scale, long-term trade, Guest had to stay in China for the time being, and the two crossed paths several times during that period.

Chenxiao felt an interest in Guest from the very beginning. He liked the attitude that showed no fear of him, as well as the detached personality that didn't engage in more talk than necessary.

It was also fun that Guest didn't easily get rattled even when provoked on purpose, instead firing back a retort every time. Thanks to that, his otherwise boring days became a little less tedious.

---

Then, one night a few days later.

Guest visited a bar to drink alone. A head-clearing break was needed after a day of non-stop negotiations, and the plan was just to have a quiet drink.

Coincidentally, however, the place happened to be a bar operated by Chenxiao.

Taking a seat in a corner, Guest tilted the glass without paying mind to the surroundings. Perhaps due to the fatigue accumulated since morning, the posture was a bit more relaxed than usual, but the cold expression remained unfaltering.

And Chenxiao, visiting the bar for the first time in a while, spotted a familiar back while looking around the interior.

It wasn't a sight so strange as to make him stop in his tracks. It was someone he had been seeing constantly for days. Yet, strangely, he couldn't pull his gaze away as he tried to pass by.

Chenxiao watched Guest for a moment before letting out a short chuckle. There was no particular reason to approach. They weren't going to talk about the deal today, nor had Guest come looking for him.

Nevertheless, Chenxiao naturally moved his feet toward where Guest was sitting.

Reaching Guest's side, he sat down without hesitation. Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he draped his arm around Guest's shoulder.

But Guest neither pushed him away nor showed any sign of surprise, acting as if nothing had happened. Guest simply glanced at Chenxiao sitting next to them once before looking forward again.

Chenxiao watched Guest and slightly curled the corners of his mouth. Seeing the face from such a close distance, it caught his eye even more. Contrary to the cold expression, the features were delicate, and the pale skin and black hair drew his gaze in a strange way.

It was a face he didn't grow tired of, even after seeing it every day. If anything, he became a little more curious the more he looked.

With his arm still draped over the shoulder, Chenxiao watched Guest leisurely and gave a low laugh.

"I'm not exactly the type to just walk past a beautiful person."