Wang Zhuo was eagerly anticipating what sparks might fly when Ning Yao and Ruan Mingqing finally met face-to-face.

Ning Yao had climbed from rags to riches, transforming herself into a beloved celebrity through sheer hard work. In contrast, Ruan Mingqing came from privileged beginnings as the daughter-in-law of the prestigious Huake University president. Now running her own cosmetics company, she'd long since carved out an impressive position in society.

Ning Yao recognized Ruan Mingqing - though not by name - from that fateful night's clandestine encounter which remained etched vividly in her memory. The reverse was also true; Ruan had watched nearly every film and television show starring Ning Yao, both as actress and director.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Wang Zhuo and Ning Yao set out together. Meanwhile across town, Ruan Mingqing awaited their arrival with equal anticipation. From Wang's vague phone description of "a special friend", she optimistically assumed this dinner would culminate in a quiet reunion once that mysterious acquaintance departed.

Ning Yao had her own expectations entirely unrelated to social small talk - the next painting Wang Zhuo promised to unveil held far more fascination for her than any potential romantic entanglements.

Urban traffic patterns baffled economists. Even if gas prices spiked to twenty yuan per liter, Beijing's rush hour gridlock would persist undeterred. With so many luxury cars and wealthy drivers unbothered by fuel costs, congestion was inevitable. Their journey proved no different - Ning Yao drove cautiously without cutting through lanes or speeding up.

Arriving just before peak traffic arrived was a narrow victory. The restaurant they sought bore the name "Former Imperial Son-in-Law", supposedly founded by a cook who once married into royalty. These types of exclusive eateries remained common in Beijing's old quarters, serving only pre-booked tables for traditional elites and longtime patrons.

Their host upon arrival proved as unhelpful as he was young - a acne-scarred apprentice barely managing to direct them toward "East Room Three" before returning to his phone chat. Wang Zhuo and Ning Yao exchanged wry glances at this unique service style.

The restaurant occupied an alleyway courtyard with two miniature stone lions guarding the entrance, its inner garden about thirty square meters accommodating electric carts. Scanning through walls revealed only twelve private dining rooms in total.

Inside East Room Three, Ruan Mingqing stood by a hand-painted wall mural murmuring the poem beneath it. At 168cm, her figure rivaled Ning Yao's with slender curves and well-proportioned curves accentuated today by a rare touch of makeup - pale foundation highlighting porcelain-like skin. The white silk dress she wore emphasized her elegance like a blooming lily in full bloom.

Wang Zhuo noted striking similarities between the two women: long flowing hair, identical heights, and equally captivating figures despite different body types. Age discrepancies dissolved as well; though Ning Yao technically held a three-year advantage, her youthful beauty made comparisons futile. The only distinction lay in Ruan's seven-year-old daughter versus Ning's childless status due to career demands.

When Wang Zhuo entered with Ning Yao trailing behind, Ruan turned toward him beaming - until her eyes locked onto the woman at his back. Both women froze mid-step, surprise written clearly on their faces before either could react.

"Is that really you, Ning Yao?!" Ruan's exclamation rang out delightedly as she gestured between them. "Wang Zhuo, why didn't you warn me about this wonderful surprise?"

Ning offered an awkward smile while mentally cursing Wang for his mischief. She shifted her foot slightly to discreetly kick him under the table.

"I use your skincare products," Ruan said cheerfully, pulling out a chair for them at the four-seater dining table.

Small porcelain bowls delivered first courses through narrow pathways between tables. As they settled into conversation about traffic patterns and weather, both women subtly sized each other up with equal measures of curiosity and comparison.

Ning's questions about Wang's relationship with Ruan revealed their separate worlds - one rooted in Beijing's elite circles versus her own Jiangzhou connections. Yet the real revelation came when Ruan mentioned her late husband.

"His life-debt to me was unfulfilled," she said casually as they began eating from shared small plates, "though his legacy continues through other means."

Ning nearly choked on a piece of mandarin fish while silently calculating how long ago this tragedy might have occurred. The discussion shifted toward cosmetics as Ruan praised Ning's products with genuine enthusiasm.

Wang observed their banter carefully - though the women chatted amiably about trivialities, his presence remained crucial in maintaining harmony. He harbored a mischievous plan to share that fateful night's secret at Karaoke later, curious how both would react when discovering Ning had once been an uninvited voyeur.

Unlike most men who'd keep such encounters hidden, Wang Zhuo reveled in creating controlled chaos - provided no one felt truly harmed. While he found Ruan and Ning equally fascinating as individuals, pairing them together required caution. Though each could tolerate his liberties during private moments, neither would likely accept sharing him despite their independent natures.

After dinner they headed straight to 3rd Street Village's "Century Sound" Karaoke lounge booked in advance by Ruan. This entertainment district attracted an eclectic mix of expats and local elites, its night scene humming with both serious revelers and those merely passing through.

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