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Later that night, a group of Shanghai's elites gathered in a private room at Jade Dynasty Lounge.

Inside, the walls were draped in sumptuous crimson silk and adorned with vintage Chinese embroidery depicting ancient tales of prosperity and wisdom. Luminous red lanterns swayed from the ceiling, casting a warm, ruby glow over the occupants.

Amid the low pulsing beat of the music, a random voice called, "A'Qian, you really think you've found her this time?" The crowd quietened as they looked at the man in question.

Li Qian raised his eyes to the speaker and replied with a cold, "En."

Li Qian had never hidden his interests from his friends, and they were all well aware of his yearning for a face from the past.

Yuan Ming raised a glass with a sarcastic smirk. "Look at you, A'Qian. You've been searching for a ghost for so long I can hardly believe you still think she exists."

Li Qian sharpened his eyes at his oldest friend but did not respond. Yuan Ming sat back in his chair and sipped from his glass. He couldn't help but keep poking, not entirely understanding the feelings pricking his heart.

"Once you find your little fairy, what will the rest of us do, huh?" He scoffed to the room at large. "Your mind has been set on her so long I worry your friends will fall to the wayside." He laughed lightly, avoiding eye contact with the man across from him. Vaguely uncomfortable titters echoed from the other occupants in the room.

The door to the private room stood ajar, and a slim shadow had halted just before entering at hearing Yuan Ming's words. Ling Xue stood captivated as she waited for the man's reply.

Ling Xue had been friends with Li Qian and Yuan Ming from the start and was considered the childhood sweetheart of Yuan Ming. Her heart, however, had always been drawn to the brooding, cold phoenix eyes of Li Qian, which seemed to hold ancient secrets in their depths. While she was aware of his 'dream girl,' Ling Xue had never taken it to heart as she considered her a fantasy never to appear. Deep in her bones, she knew Li Qian would be hers if she stuck by his side long enough.

As she waited motionless, her ebony hair cascading like a silken waterfall down her back, she couldn't help but narrow her almond eyes. The longer he paused, the more her heart quailed.

Unable to stand it any longer, she burst into the room. Happy cries met her entrance, "Ah, Xue'er's finally here!"

She laughed and whirled to the couch where Li Qian was comfortably sipping his wine. Ling Xue had always been confident with her looks and personality; what was there to worry about? She took in Li Qian's cold demeanor, and her heart calmed. She was a beautiful, successful, and wealthy young woman; who was this little mystery girl to her?

"A'Qian, you came to my birthday party," she smiled and sat, leaving at least one cushion between them as Li Qian preferred.

Li Qian finally turned his head to the pretty woman just sitting down. The ice in his eyes melted slightly, and he replied, "Of course, I couldn't miss your twenty-fourth birthday party."

That was all, but Ling Xue beamed in satisfaction. Her attention turned to the other friends in the room as someone turned the music up. Knowing he was here was enough for Ling Xue to relax and enjoy her party.

Li Qian stayed just long enough to give Ling Xue face, but his heart was focused on his upcoming trip. His friendship with Yuan Ming and Ling Xue was legendary in their circle; they'd practically been raised together from diapers. Although Yuan Ming's initially gentle personality had seemed to veer towards the slightly competitive and jealous side lately, Li Qian brushed it off as growing pains and familial pressures.

He was also well aware of Yuan Ming's sticky relationship with Ling Xue; however, she seemed unwilling to commit to him. Yuan Ming's eyes were always on Ling Xue, while Ling Xue couldn't tear her eyes from Li Qian. From their early years, Li Qian saw right through the warm and wandering gaze that invited him to make a move, and he was vigilant to keep a respectful distance from her because of it.

Let them sort out their own relationship, and Yuan Ming to hold onto her if he dared. Li Qian had other dreams to fulfill.