Chapter 102 The False Nine-Point Goddess

Moreover, there was a distinct hierarchy inside and outside this club. Outside, it resembled more a karaoke bar, with open-air private rooms filled with second-generation rich kids and scantily clad beauties of all kinds. Yet inside the building, it was much quieter—both the staff and guests were impeccably dressed and spoke with refined manners, a stark contrast to the wild abandon outside.

Upon reaching the second floor, a woman in a black swan dress approached. “Zhang Yi, Lin Fan, you’ve arrived?” Lin Fan took a quick glance; Tang Guo was even more attractive than she had been in college. But after seeing so many beautiful women, he could tell at a glance that Tang Guo had undergone cosmetic surgery. She had never been a true goddess—her original beauty was at most an 8.2 out of 10, but with surgical enhancements she could reach a 9. In reality, though, her looks remained an 8. It was her style and aura that made her seem like a goddess.

After exchanging pleasantries, Tang Guo took Zhang Yi by the arm and walked ahead, leaving Lin Fan behind. “I can’t believe you’re actually with Lin Fan. What are you thinking? Even if he owns a company now, he can’t compare to the last guy, can he?” “Seriously, are you really planning to stay with him? Even if you admire him, your family might not approve.” Tang Guo, like the village gossip, bombarded Zhang Yi with questions.

Zhang Yi wasn’t naive; she could tell Tang Guo looked down on Lin Fan. After Zhang Yi had confided in Tang Guo about their relationship, Tang Guo had advised her to be rational, not emotional—to be realistic. After all, Lin Fan’s family situation had been common knowledge among their classmates.

Lin Fan, walking behind them, heard everything clearly. He understood Tang Guo’s personality—straightforward and blunt. Besides, Zhang Yi wasn’t particularly close to Tang Guo anymore; their relationship was no longer as intimate as it had been in college.

Soon, Tang Guo led them into a massive suite. The décor was lavish, antique, dazzling—almost unreal. For a moment, Lin Fan felt as if he were a prince returning to his own palace. After all, the club was adjacent to a national 4A scenic area, and its style was modeled after an ancient royal residence. Even the waitstaff were dressed in cheongsam-like uniforms, resembling traditional maids.

“Let me introduce you—this is my boyfriend, Zhong Xingnan…” Tang Guo sat beside a man with a portly build, decked out in designer brands, his face elegant and refined. On the sofa nearby, there were two other couples, whom Tang Guo also introduced.

Zhong Xingnan?

Hearing the name, Lin Fan felt a twinge of familiarity; he seemed to have heard it somewhere before. The three other men present all cast admiring and intrigued glances at Zhang Yi, who was wearing a burgundy evening gown. Lin Fan was well accustomed to such looks. Zhang Yi was the only true goddess in the room, a solid nine out of ten, and with her haute couture dress, she carried the aura of a celebrity. The other three women, no matter how well dressed, were only superficially attractive.

After Lin Fan and Zhang Yi took their seats, Zhong Xingnan suddenly reached out to shake Zhang Yi’s hand. “Zhang Yi, are you an actress? You have the aura of Princess Yushu from ‘The Myth’—may I shake your hand?” “Sorry, I’m really not an actress, I just happen to resemble her a little. You flatter me…” Zhang Yi shook his hand politely.

Out of the corner of his eye, Lin Fan noticed a hint of jealousy flash in Tang Guo’s eyes, though her smile remained forced. At that moment, he recalled where he had heard Zhong Xingnan’s name before.

After tipping Miao Tiantian ten million, Lin Fan had been invited to join an exclusive group—a circle reserved for patrons who had tipped over five million. Since his ten-million tip, he had mostly lurked, occasionally logging in to watch live streams. He often saw the wealthy members discussing gossip and the backgrounds of other big spenders. Zhong Xingnan was also in the patron group—a rare member who had tipped over ten million on Starlight Live.

He remembered hearing that Zhong Xingnan was the son of the chairman of Zhongyi Group, ranked among the top ten companies in Su City—a true elite second-generation heir. Su City was a first-tier city, though not as large as Hang City. Zhongyi Group ranked among the top ten in Su City, but wouldn’t even make the top thirty in Hang City. The family behind Zhong Xingnan was considered top-tier in Su City, but only first-rate in Hang City.

People like Su Juanmo and Wang Silai, heirs to the Su and Wang families in Hang City, were super-rich second-generation elites. Compared to them, Zhong Xingnan would have to lower his status by a notch. The Jiang family he met that afternoon claimed assets of five billion, but that was merely the company’s market cap; real wealth depended on profits.

The Jiang family’s companies produced electrical equipment and electronic components, bringing in annual profits of just two or three hundred million. Zhongyi Group, on the other hand, was a true behemoth, involved in mining and collaborating with state-owned enterprises. Its market value reached fifty billion, with unimaginable profits.

In plain terms, Zhong Xingnan was indeed a super-rich heir in Su City. But with companies so deeply involved with state-owned enterprises and mining, there were bound to be plenty of hidden dealings. The money they earned from the market far exceeded what appeared on their financial reports. Su Juanmo had mentioned as much to him.

More importantly, Lin Fan had heard rumors about Zhong Xingnan in the patron group. He had kept numerous actresses and internet celebrities, indulging in all sorts of wild exploits. Yet few scandals could be found about him online—his reputation circulated only within small circles.

On Starlight Live, Zhong Xingnan went by the nickname “Lighting Up the Stars,” known as Star Brother. Not only had he tipped over ten million on Starlight Live, he had spent vast sums on other platforms as well—reportedly over a hundred million in total. On the way over, Zhang Yi had mentioned that Tang Guo herself was a small-time streamer. It was easy to guess how Tang Guo had ended up with Zhong Xingnan.

Soon, Zhang Yi was happily chatting with everyone, the conversation growing ever livelier. Lin Fan, however, felt completely out of place. First, he had nothing in common with anyone—the women discussed celebrity gossip, designer clothes, or cosmetics. Second, the other three men ignored him entirely; his looks and demeanor marked him as an ordinary person. Zhong Xingnan and the others were elite heirs from Su City, while Lin Fan, a country bumpkin, lowered the room’s prestige. They couldn’t disdain him enough.

He chose to sit alone in the corner, fiddling with his phone. After an hour, the group decided to head outside for barbecue. By then, the other three men had disappeared, leaving Lin Fan and the four women.

“Maybe I should just head back on my own. I don’t really fit in here…”

“By the way, if you care at all about Tang Guo as a friend, try to advise her—don’t get too close to Zhong Xingnan. He’s a real playboy; I’ve heard some rumors about him…”