Liu Hui watched his old friends. Though they'd been apart for years, the scene before him felt exactly like their past gatherings—unchanged in every detail. A warm sense of peace and contentment surged through him.

Liu sipped his drink quietly while Yue Wang and Mei Peng were already deep into carousing with their respective companions. They sang modified versions of classic songs that had been twisted into vulgar ditties. When Yue Wang collapsed from exhaustion, Miss Ping went outside to fetch food for him.

Feeling a bit parched, Liu went to the restroom. Upon returning, he overheard Hua and Ping discussing: "Ping, don't you understand? Our position makes any relationship with that young man impossible. Let go before it ruins you."

"But I truly love him," Ping whispered, "I can't even imagine life without his visits."

"Child, you're too naive about human nature. He's only drawn to your beauty now. When boredom sets in, he'll abandon you."

"I know that. But while he's with me, let him enjoy himself. Maybe then he'll remember me someday."

Hua sighed, "You foolish girl... we're just prostitutes. Our kind never gets happy endings mixing with clients. Even if you retire from this life, the elite will never accept us. This Yue Wang comes from a Hong Kong aristocratic family worth billions—they can't have even casual ties with someone like you. Listen to me and forget him while you're still young enough to build real wealth. If you truly want out, old Zhao who visits regularly is a better choice. He's not handsome but genuinely cares for you."

"I appreciate your concern, Hua," Ping said gently.

"Fine then. You'll regret this someday."

"I've been outside long enough. Time to go back inside," Ping announced.

"Alright. Wait—you're paying again? That Yue Wang is a thief in more ways than one..." Hua shook her head as Ping disappeared into the club.

Reentering the private room, Miss Ping brought grapes for Yue Wang who devoured them with vulgar affection. She smiled through his crude advances while Yue Wang laughed lewdly.

After two hours of revelry, they paid the bill. Liu noticed the invoice didn't include Ping's secret purchase of fruit—Yue Wang hadn't even offered to take her out.

As they parted ways, Ping clung to Yue Wang's hand until he kissed her goodbye, "You sly thing, come feed my desires again when time permits."

In their car, Yue Wang boasted, "See? My Hong Kong madam status remains strong. Watch how she lingers before we part!"

Liu frowned, "Fourth Brother, don't toy with that girl's feelings. She seems genuinely attached to you."

Yue Wang laughed triumphantly, "You noticed too! This is what makes me special—I conquer not just their bodies but their hearts."

"Remember to leave room for others," Liu warned. "These women already suffer enough from this life. Don't add insult to injury by exploiting them like this. Promise you'll never return here."

"But Liu Second Brother, why the sudden moralizing?" Yue Wang asked.

"It's nothing," Liu dismissed, frustrated by his friend's stubbornness.

The next morning at work, Liu found Huxian wandering his office.

"Xian'er, have more questions for me?" he teased as she approached.

"Have you read today's newspapers lately?" she asked.

"No, what happened?" Liu had been too exhausted from training to check news after returning home.

"Read them yourself," she said, placing a stack of papers on his desk.

Curious, Liu picked up the front page: "Super Rich Liu Hui's Secret Romance Exposed—Public Apology Aims to Win Back Fiancee."

Articles detailed every word he'd spoken at yesterday's press conference. Alongside photos and biographical snippets about Liang Jingyue—the very woman he hadn't named himself.

He flipped through other papers, each bearing similar headlines from different angles.

Throwing the newspapers aside, Liu mused, "I underestimated media power. At least now Jingyue might see this... if she chooses to contact me."

Seeing his silence, Huxian pressed, "Is all this true? Did you really have a girlfriend?"

"Yes," Liu confirmed, pointing at Liang's photo on the paper. "Her name was Liang Jingyue before we parted ways over misunderstandings."

"She must be stunning," Huxian sighed wistfully.

"Enough gossip about your boss," Liu chided sternly.

Wait—where were my snacks and tea?" he suddenly noticed nothing on his desk, calling her back.

"These are personal treats I prepare myself," she said coldly. "I don't feel up for it today."

Sensing her menstrual cycle was coming, he muttered, "How much more could a woman possibly want?"

To his surprise, Huxian overheard and slammed files onto the desk, "I'm unwell today and need to leave early." She stormed out before Liu could respond.

Stunned by this unprecedented absence request from such a dedicated employee, Liu found himself already missing her—not just for the snacks and tea, but for her sharp administrative skills.

As he sorted through mountains of paperwork alone, he called his group president Jiang to urgently request a new secretary.

The door soon knocked—Li Lian entered with a professional eight-tooth smile. "President Liu, I'm Li Lian from President Jiang's team assigned as your temporary assistant."

Liu recognized her immediately, having once seen her at the reception desk before she became an executive secretary.

"Sort these documents for me," he instructed.

While Li Lian began organizing papers, Sales Director Li Zhi arrived with Lu Yufeng and Wang Yuanyan to finalize their pharmaceutical partnership. The negotiations were already settled between Liu and Lu—the specifics now required signature from both parties' representatives.

The Chinese pharmaceutical company showed exceptional goodwill in multiple concessions, resulting in a swift agreement. After signing the contract, payments totaling eleven hundred million dollars—including one billion for goods and one hundred million deposit—were immediately transferred to Starlight Group's account.

Li Lian observed the entire negotiation process but struggled with independent decision-making despite her efficient typing skills. Liu found himself spending more time clarifying priorities than before, missing Huxian's intuitive organizational talents even more now.

Later that afternoon, Liu spotted Chen Changsheng loitering near his office and pulled him inside, "Chen Director, what are you hiding?"

"After some careful maneuvering," Chen revealed excitedly, "I've brought together nine families as promised. They're already at the company."

"Needn't be so nervous," Liu chuckled at Chen's cautious demeanor.

"This requires discretion," Chen explained before launching into details about secretly transporting fifty-five elderly scientists and their families from mainland China to Hong Kong through security measures. These retirees specialized in battery technology, engine design, submarine engineering, classical garden architecture, steel manufacturing, computer science, polymer materials, energy weapons, and aviation research respectively.

"Most are bedridden but mentally sharp," Chen reported. "They believe they can resume scientific work after rejuvenation treatment."

Liu approved the housing arrangement at Starlight's newly renovated staff dormitory before remembering something important:

"Chen Director!" Liu burst into laughter when he realized Chen was anxiously waiting for his promised science institute construction.

"What is it now?"

"You forgot about my research facility!" Chen exclaimed. "The rejuvenated scientists are ready, and I've been patient all this time—"

"Of course not," Liu interrupted with a smile. "I've already instructed the Starlight Construction Team to select land and draft blueprints. Ten hundred million dollars has also been transferred into your account for immediate use."

Chen's eyes widened at this unprecedented funding generosity compared to his previous bureaucratic struggles securing meager grants.

"Your private office and dedicated administrative assistant are ready too," Liu added, calling Jiang Lu to accompany Chen on his first day as institute director.

After Chen left, Liu exhaled in relief. The successful recruitment of these elderly scientists validated his vision for a self-controlled research institution. By investing heavily—including the yet-unreleased rejuvenation formula—Liu was planting scientific seeds that would rapidly blossom into formidable forces essential to his grand plans.