Pampered by Short-Lived Bigshot

The new moon had just risen, its faint halo and sparse stars sketching out the silhouettes of the mountains in the distance like the deepest, most profound ink painting.

In the desolation of the distance, the atmosphere inside the car was even more oppressive and suffocating. The people from the Huo Family, seated in the driver and front passenger seats, glanced towards the back.

The neon lights outside cast the man's features in an even more sharp and profound relief.

Their eyes lowered to their wristwatches; it was nearly eleven. They had been waiting outside the KTV for about two hours.

Upon arrival, they had inquired at the front desk. A company gathering; a group of people in uniform, very conspicuous. The waiter had a strong impression—as they had booked a private room for three hours and hadn't left yet—so they continued to wait outside.

"My Lord, why don't we give Miss Shen a call? It is indeed very late." They had her contact information; there was no need to wait outside so miserably.

After speaking, they received no response, so the people from the Huo Family remained silent.

Before long, they saw a group of people start to trickle out. Shen Shuci's company issued uniforms with distinctive markings, so when observing them leave, the front passenger from the Huo Family immediately perked up.

Plenty of designated drivers gathered at the entrance of the KTV. Many had drunk quite a bit this evening, calling ride-hailing services, and then departed one after the other. Soon, there were hardly a few people left at the entrance.

"Xiaoshen, where do you live? I'll take you home." The man speaking to Shen Shuci was around forty years old.

Shen Shuci's appearance was not particularly pretty, but she had an obstinate air, and her smile was like the rippling of spring water, charming and delicate. Many single men in the office couldn't help giving her a second glance.

A young man had been waiting beside her, but seeing the older man speak, he begrudgingly said his farewells, "Xiaoshen, Manager Fan, I'll be off then. See you tomorrow."

Everyone was not oblivious and swiftly conjured various excuses to leave, leaving only Shen Shuci and Manager Fan at the entrance.

"Manager Fan, there's no need, you've drunk quite a bit tonight as well. Head back early and rest. My home is quite close to here, I'll just take a taxi," said Shen Shuci, walking towards a corner of the road.

"It's not easy to get a taxi at this hour..." True, several taxis had been parked at the entrance of the KTV, but as a crowd surged out, the taxis were snapped up quickly.

The area was populated with businesses, but entertainment venues were scarce. At this hour, there were no cars on the road, and even fewer pedestrians passed by.

"No worries, I'll call a car." Shen Shuci, though new to the job market, was not naive.

During the meal, Manager Fan had tried, subtly and not so subtly, to ply her with drink. But there were higher-ranking leaders present, so he couldn't act too outrageously. However, his conversation still bordered on the improper.

Wanting to drive her home at this time? The intention was clear.

This scene was thoroughly observed by the people in the car from the Huo Family, but their car was parked in a secluded spot, and the deep night, coupled with the dim street lights, meant Shen Shuci didn't notice them.

"My Lord, that man has been following Miss Shen the entire time, what is he trying to do?"

"By his age, he's old enough to be her father. That's really sleazy."

"Should we go over?"

The man didn't speak but simply opened the car door and stepped out. The people from the Huo Family hurriedly followed.

...

Meanwhile, Shen Shuci had reached the roadside and was calling for a car on her phone.

"Xiaoshen, it's not safe for a girl to take a taxi alone so late at night. Come on, get in my car." Manager Fan had moved closer, and his boozy breath mixed with a strange odor was deeply uncomfortable.

They were now closer than what could be considered a safe distance. Shen Shuci clenched her jaw compulsively, gripping her bag tightly in her hand, her whole body tensed.

"I noticed you right when you joined the company, not many young people like you have such drive."

"You're at the age to have a boyfriend, aren't you? Do you live with him?"

Shen Shuci frowned and remained silent.

Manager Fan, having drunk quite a bit, grew bolder with her silence.

They say Western culture is open; he figured Shen Shuci was likely easy-going. His eyes became greedier, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he couldn't help but belch from the alcohol, its smell instantly hitting Shen Shuci's face, making her brow furrow in disgust.

At that moment, a taxi approached from afar, and from a distance, the driver saw Shen Shuci. Considering there was no one else on the roadside but the two of them, he naturally assumed they were together and didn't overthink it.

Deep into the night, a man and woman waiting for a car together—he presumed they might share some relationship.