“Sounds like they involve some technical skill. Let’s go take a look ourselves,” Yu Feibai suggested.

Hearing that Yu Feibai, despite being focused on chasing girls, wasn't completely consumed by it, Gao Dequan’s expression softened slightly. He shook his head. “I’ve been here before. I’ve already seen all that stuff. You two go ahead on your own. I’ll head to the tea house for a drink. When you’re done, you can find me, or just head straight back to your rooms.”

“Alright, Uncle De, take your time.”

As he spoke, as if afraid Gao Dequan might change his mind, Yu Feibai immediately dragged Wang Guan away in a hurry.

“He still can’t change that impatient nature of his.”

Gao Dequan shook his head, hands clasped behind his back, and sauntered towards the leisure tea house.

At that moment, Yu Feibai pulled Wang Guan into a corner and immediately broke into a grin. “Wang Guan, doesn’t it feel weird for two guys to go watch a movie? Anyone seeing us might think we have some kind of jiqing (intimate bond).”

Wang Guan sensed the particular meaning behind Yu Feibai’s smile and sighed, “I get it. You be careful. If Uncle De catches you, it has nothing to do with me.”

“Good brother, thank you.” Yu Feibai’s joy was evident as he slapped Wang Guan on the shoulder and disappeared around the corner in a few strides.

“Brother or not, the tendency for men to prioritize romance over friendship—that’s a common failing,” Wang Guan mumbled to himself.

Since he had agreed to cover for Yu Feibai’s pursuit, Wang Guan felt it would be improper to return to Gao Dequan. He decided to wander alone first. He took in the popular science presentation on the geological evolution of Longhu Mountain in the Mist Screen Cinema. Then, following the flow of people, Wang Guan headed toward the 4D theater, intending to see just how high-tech the 4D experience truly was.

“Wang Guan…”

After walking a dozen paces, Wang Guan suddenly heard someone calling his name from behind. He turned back with a degree of confusion and was momentarily stunned by what he saw.

“Wang Guan! It really is you! I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.”

Simultaneously, a young man, impeccably dressed in a suit, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, quite handsome and remarkably refined, approached with a beaming face and a cordial smile. “Long time no see. I never expected to run into you here.”

“Lin Hai!” Wang Guan was somewhat dazed. How could he possibly forget that this very person had caused him to plummet from the heights of joy over a promotion and raise straight into hell just half a month ago?

“It’s me. You seem to be doing alright, actually having the leisure time to travel,” Lin Hai nodded, his smile laced with deep mockery and derision.

“It’s alright.”

Wang Guan’s expression was flat, his reaction decidedly cool. Facing a bastard like Lin Hai, refraining from cursing him out or kicking him was already a testament to his forbearance and cultivation.

“Is that so?” Lin Hai frowned, inwardly annoyed. In his estimation, Wang Guan should have been furious and enraged upon seeing him. Even better, he’d hoped Wang Guan would cling to him, weeping profusely and begging for mercy in a servile manner. That would have given Lin Hai a sense of accomplishment. Yet, seeing Wang Guan’s unruffled demeanor made Lin Hai feel like a clown who had performed his entire act to no applause or praise, filling him with sudden, pent-up anger.

His temper rising, Lin Hai dropped his pretense, giving a cold smile and looking down with disdain. He murmured, “Wang Guan, have you never heard the saying about a dog meddling in a rat’s business? You regret it now, don’t you? Beg me. Just say the word, admit you were wrong, and I might give you a chance.”

Watching Lin Hai’s triumphant expression, Wang Guan said calmly, “I’ve only heard that the net of Heaven is vast; though it lets things slip, nothing escapes it. Those who do ill deeds will always face retribution.”

“Hmph, you don’t know what’s good for you.”

Lin Hai’s face instantly turned ashen upon hearing this. He straightened his tie, then suddenly forced a laugh. “Wang Guan, oh Wang Guan, it seems you haven’t learned your lesson. Believe it or not, with a single word from me, you could find yourself unable to establish a foothold in Cizhou ever again.”

“Who do you think you are, the Party Secretary or the Mayor of Cizhou?” Wang Guan couldn't help but chuckle lowly. “Or perhaps you think this is ancient times where you can ignore the law and cover the sky with one hand? Believe it or not, I can post these words online and have a swarm of netizens dox you. Let’s see if you’d still dare to be this arrogant then.”

“You… you just wait! In a few days, you’ll know if that’s true or not.”

Lin Hai’s face flushed red. He realized he didn't possess that level of influence, but he couldn't lose face. Even if he had to bluff, he had to maintain his appearance. With a show of menace that masked his internal fear, he delivered a final, hollow threat and then huffed away.

“Tiresome.”

Wang Guan found the encounter somewhat amusing. Perhaps his mindset had shifted; he didn’t hate Lin Hai as fiercely anymore. He genuinely felt Lin Hai resembled a clown putting on a monkey show for him. Did a tiger or a lion care about a dog barking nearby?

However, a fly buzzing in one's ear was always annoying. Wang Guan lost the desire to see the movie altogether. He turned and headed toward the elevators, planning to return to his room and watch TV.

After waiting a short while, the elevator doors opened. Just as Wang Guan was about to step inside, he saw a stunning beauty walking out to meet him.

Even though he was accustomed to seeing all sorts of beautiful women on screens in movies and online, at that moment, Wang Guan couldn’t help but lose focus for a few seconds.

In that fleeting glimpse, her exquisite features seemed to be imprinted in his mind. Her skin was as smooth and white as lard; beneath gracefully drawn eyebrows were a pair of dark, expressive eyes that sparkled with life and radiance. Her figure was graceful and curvaceous. Her snow-white blouse barely concealed the exquisite contours of her stunning body, while her black miniskirt delicately cinched her slender, willow-like waist.

Her long, beautiful legs were encased in sheer, flesh-toned stockings, and her delicate, jade-like feet stepped into high-heeled boots as she strolled forward. The sway, the beauty, the allure—it was impossible to describe with mere words, exuding an irresistible charm.

It couldn't be denied that, at that instant, Wang Guan felt a genuine flutter in his heart. As the two brushed past each other, a wisp of elegant, subtle fragrance drifted into his nose on the breeze.

Wang Guan managed to suppress the urge to take a deep breath, stepped into the elevator, and naturally turned to look back.

At the same time, Wang Guan noticed expressions of sheer astonishment on the faces of the men nearby. His own gaze involuntarily followed the beautiful woman behind him, watching her elegant stride, like a soft willow branch swaying, as she gradually moved further away.

Vaguely, Wang Guan felt a sense of familiarity with the scene. After racking his brain for a long moment, he finally recalled it: years ago, watching Director Feng’s If You Are the One in a cinema, the appearance of Chef Fan’s beautiful secretary seemed to match this exact attire.

“Ding…”

A moment later, the elevator light illuminated. Wang Guan snapped back to reality, let out a breath, and reached out to press his floor number. The television panel turned off, and the car ascended softly. In that enclosed space, Wang Guan could still faintly smell a trace of her delicate perfume.

It wasn't until he returned to his room and turned on the television, enduring several rounds of irritating commercials, that he finally cleared his head from that spellbound state.

“It seems I really need to find a girlfriend,” Wang Guan sighed quietly, inwardly ashamed of his weak willpower, yet his gaze drifted far away with a touch of wistfulness. ................................... The female lead's investigation is very important. Please participate actively, everyone. Finally, please bookmark and recommend this story.