Regarding this matter, Wang Zhuo had not only pondered it himself but had also discussed it with others countless times. The outcome of these discussions was naturally scientific, reasonable, and logical: "Why else would creation be so miraculous?

And the things humanity has invented in pursuit of progress and happiness are truly innumerable. The person who first conceived of this kind of game was certainly not a genius, but merely happened to be in the right place at the right time, because something so wonderful is easily discovered; it requires no teaching at all." Seeing An Qi looking like she needed to get to the bottom of everything, Wang Zhuo let out a chuckle: "Why would I debate this with you?

Aren't we getting off track?" "Can't win an argument, so you change the subject?" An Qi huffed, "It’s all those women without principles who have spoiled you lot. If it were me, you could dream on!" This remark instantly stoked Wang Zhuo's competitive spirit.

He regarded her with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, thinking, So, all the women in the world aren't reserved enough, and only you are the paragon of virtue? "Listen," he said with a light, teasing smile, "let's not speak too absolutely, shall we?

Haven't you heard the saying? If you aren't the fish, how can you know the fish's joy?

You haven't experienced it yourself, so what right do you have to point fingers at others?" An Qi was momentarily speechless, suddenly realizing that debating this topic with Wang Zhuo was fundamentally the wrong move. Setting aside right or wrong, her very gender placed her at a disadvantage, because the topic was whether women should perform that mortifying service for men with their mouths!

Wang Zhuo smiled triumphantly. Clearly, An Qi was another woman whose thinking had been skewed by an overcorrection of the "gender equality" concept—believing that men and women should be equal even in sex, and that women shouldn't please men in such a shameful manner.

But why hadn't she considered that some things are inherently unequal? Men never have to deal with menstruation, yet the price they pay is an average lifespan three to six years shorter than women's.

Equality, fairness? Perhaps such things exist, but a woman can bear at most ten or twenty children in a lifetime, while a man, theoretically, could father thousands.

This shows that many things are inherently unfair and cannot be solved merely by shouting slogans! Seeing An Qi, her face flushed crimson yet still ready to fight to the bitter end, Wang Zhuo cheerfully waved his hand: "You just take too much for granted.

Didn't the Chairman say it? No investigation, no right to speak.

Take your sister, for example—she was proactive, she volunteered. Don't believe me?

Go ask her yourself." An Qi's eyes snapped wide, and she spat out, "How could I possibly ask her about such a thing?!" Wang Zhuo teased mischievously, "Then how come you’re so full of energy discussing it with me?" "Lecherous," An Qi glared at him resentfully, then tilted her head back and downed the rest of the red wine in her glass. Wang Zhuo shrugged nonchalantly.

I won't stoop to your level, he thought. Who was it that dragged the conversation this way in the first place?

Now I lose the debate and get called lewd. By now, An Qi was about seventy percent drunk.

Seeing Wang Zhuo sitting there serenely, occasionally taking a light sip of his beer, as if nothing had happened, her emotions were tumultuous and complex. She knew she held a fondness for this man, but her rational mind warned her absolutely not to get entangled with this troublesome fellow—not just because of his ambiguous relationship with her sister, but because he severely failed to meet her standards for a companion; he clearly didn't know the meaning of "maintaining propriety!" In truth, An Qi’s judgment of Wang Zhuo was somewhat unfair.

At least when Fei Long brought back 'gifts' from Japan some time ago, Wang Zhuo had declined them all, not even touching the fingers of those adult film stars. Wang Zhuo only got involved with respectable women—perhaps Qu Jingyou and Yang Ru were two exceptions, but if anyone brought them up, Director Wang would vehemently deny it, shamelessly claiming he was merely teaching them a lesson in that manner.

In fact, Qu Jingyou and Yang Ru were indeed taught a lesson, but compared to the rewards Wang Zhuo later bestowed upon them, that lesson was far too light. And, to be fair, Wang Zhuo was quite appreciative of the privileges beauties often enjoyed, so the benefits Qu Jingyou and Yang Ru later gained far outweighed the humiliation Wang Zhuo initially subjected them to.

There’s no need to elaborate on Qu Jingyou; she controlled the entire North American market for Life Ark, enough for her to amass a fortune. As for Yang Ru’s family, though they paid a heavy price of billions of RMB in the stock market for crossing Wang Zhuo, Yang Ru personally benefited from the misfortune, acquiring the golden ticket to Life Ark's Western European market!

Sometimes, Wang Zhuo thought about it and felt he had been too lenient with them. But men sometimes enjoy being contrary; they had fully satisfied Wang Zhuo's desire for conquest, so he generously let them profit alongside him.

This was giving them a sweet reward after a harsh warning. An Qi drank her melancholy in silence, reflecting on her failed relationships and career setbacks since graduating from university.

The more she thought, the more unfair fate seemed to her, and she let out a silent sigh of self-pity. Drunken Concubine, Smiling Bao Si, Sick Xi Shi, Vicious Daji.

These were the notorious femme fatales of ancient China. When they displayed their beauty in such guises, King You of Zhou lit the beacon fires for a lark, Li Longji lavished all his affection on one woman, Fu Cha was defeated when his hundred thousand elite troops defected, and Wu Sangui launched his rebellion for the sake of a beautiful woman.

There are countless similar examples in history. While An Qi’s current display of sorrow might not make it into the annals of history, it was incredibly easy for Wang Zhuo to feel his heart flutter and experience a pang of pity!

Why else would they say men enjoy being contrary? The moment they see a beautiful woman in distress, or when she displays a look of utter helplessness, they forget their own names—a desire to protect wells up spontaneously.

Many people commit mistakes under this impulse, then blame it on "Impulse is the devil..." failing to realize the impulse stems from that instinct to cherish the delicate, an instinct almost innate. An Qi’s words still echoed in his ears; the one who tied the bell must untie it.

Wang Zhuo suddenly had an impulsive thought: why not just sit down and talk it out with her? But how to start the conversation?

Asking directly would be too presumptuous. Wang Zhuo’s eyes darted around, and he found an idea.

"I heard you went on a blind date recently?" he asked casually, while replacing An Qi's dry red wine with a milder peach wine. An Qi glanced at him, saying with a half-smile, "That's true.

Thanks for caring." Wang Zhuo gave a faint smile: "I also heard you've been on quite a few, but you never liked any of them. Is that right?" An Qi let out an impatient huff: "Yes, so what if my standards are high?" "It doesn't mean much, I just want to give you a warning." Wang Zhuo gazed at her, his face radiating a smile: "Don't use me as your standard of comparison.

The person who fits your criteria might not have even been born yet." An Qi was momentarily stunned, then glared at Wang Zhuo with a mix of exasperation and amusement, saying sharply, "You really are insufferably boastful. I always thought the lid of the cafeteria pot was big enough, but I just realized your face is even bigger!" Wang Zhuo chuckled dryly: "Say what you like.

I'm just giving a heads-up." An Qi let out a dismissive scoff, but the awkwardness and fluster in her expression betrayed her chaotic emotions. "If it’s too hard, then stop forcing yourself," Wang Zhuo gently patted the hand she had placed on the table, then stood up and walked out.

The sound of the door closing behind him, tears finally began to flow uncontrollably from An Qi’s eyes. Unrequited love is a difficult thing, she thought self-mockingly—this must be what they call a silent ending.

"Swish." Just as she was about to let out her tears fully, the door opened again. She quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks and asked with forced composure, "Why are you back?" "Came back to see if you were crying," Wang Zhuo laughed.

An Qi was both embarrassed and annoyed, saying sharply, "Are you even a man? You have no grace whatsoever." "Who says I lack grace?" Wang Zhuo walked over with a cheerful grin, sat down beside her, and handed her a box of tissues: "I went out to find these for you.

Were they useful?" This man really deserves a beating! An Qi shot him a fierce glare, snatched the tissues, and quickly pulled out several to blow her nose.

"So useless. The moment I turned my back, you reddened your eyes," Wang Zhuo teased.

"Make sure they don't notice later, or they'll think I did something to you!" "You?" An Qi snorted disdainfully, staring at him with a challenging look. This challenge wasn't actually looking down on Wang Zhuo; it was just a woman's means of self-protection.

Although An Qi had been a police officer and her combat skills were considerable, how could she compare to Wang Zhuo, who had earned the nickname 'Action Instructor' back in high school? A hedgehog bristles its quills not because it intends to attack, but as a means of defense.

In plain terms, it admits fear of the opponent; it’s admitting defeat! Wang Zhuo smiled faintly, finding this woman even more endearing, especially her puffed-up appearance, which bore a surprising resemblance to the expression of the deskmate he had in school when she was teased—sitting side-by-side like this truly gave him the feeling of having his old deskmate back.

"The lights seem too bright," he suddenly said without thinking. As An Qi was about to ask what he meant, she suddenly noticed the lights in the bar room slowly dimming.

"Should be a bit darker, right?" Wang Zhuo winked at her with a mischievous smile. As soon as the words left his mouth, the lights dimmed considerably again, and gentle, wave-like streams of light began to undulate slowly through the room.

An Qi suddenly grabbed Wang Zhuo’s arm, but found his hand empty; there was no remote control or anything similar. She huffed, "Stop acting mysterious.

What trick are you pulling?" An unusual light flickered in Wang Zhuo's eyes: "I have an even more powerful magic. Would you like to see it?" An Qi realized her heart rate was uncontrollably accelerating.

Wang Zhuo seemed to have transformed into a magnet, deeply captivating her. His gaze was so profound and expressive, speaking volumes of his own impulse and desire, yet simultaneously so omniscient, as if he could see through her very core just by looking into her eyes.

Oh no, this is bad! An Qi secretly thought.

Just as she was about to break away from Wang Zhuo's strangely enchanting gaze, she suddenly perceived a fleeting, elusive shimmer within his eyes. Then, the entire world seemed to vanish, leaving only the two of them.