Empire of Desire: An Alpha’s Financial Reign - Chapter 45

After picking up Jiang Nuan from Europe, she received a distressing call from her friends. Standing at the entrance of the bar, Jiang Nuan was momentarily dazed by the dazzling neon lights and the deafening music pulsing through the air.

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d stepped into a place like this. Ever since taking charge of the five-star hotel project under the Jiang Group, her life had been a whirlwind of meetings and business trips—socializing with friends had become a rare luxury.

Inside the bar, Qin Hao and a group of old friends were already waiting in a booth. When they spotted Jiang Nuan, they excitedly waved her over. Seated among them, watching the dancing crowd and the table full of fruit platters, chips, and drinks, she found herself amused. It had been so long—hadn’t she once loved this kind of lively scene, playing and laughing with friends?

Raising his glass, Qin Hao playfully teased, “Miss Jiang, you’re so cold-hearted. We’ve called you countless times before you finally showed up. Have we lost our charm?”

Jiang Nuan looked at him with a smile. “How could I dare? I’ve just been swamped lately. Now that I’m here, don’t accuse me like that.”

Qin Hao grinned and handed her a glass. “Then prove your sincerity with three drinks. No backing out!” With that, the familiar peer pressure kicked in—Jiang Nuan hadn’t been out in ages, and her friends weren’t going to let her off easily.

As the music grew louder and the booth buzzed with energy, Jiang Nuan set down her glass, stood up, and made her way to the dance floor.

Immersed in the crowd, she moved to the beat, her long hair dancing under the lights. Her smile was radiant, her eyes sparkled—she looked as if she had rediscovered a piece of herself long forgotten.

Later that night, during a break from the chaos, Jiang Nuan stepped away to call Han Zaijing, asking her to pick her up.

She drove to the bar.

As she entered, the blaring music immediately hit her. Squinting, she scanned the crowd until she spotted her in a booth near the stage. Navigating her way through the throng, a drunk girl stumbled and fell into her arms. He steadied her, then gently let her go. The girl blushed and hurried off.

Finally reaching Jiang Nuan, Han Zaijing noticed her expression—she didn’t look too happy.

Squatting down beside her, she brushed her hair behind her ear and asked gently, “Are you okay? Want me to say hi to your friends and take you home?”

Jiang Nuan pouted. “No need. They’re all crazy. Let’s go—we both need to get out of here.”

Supporting her by the waist, Han Zaijing helped her to her feet. Jiang Nuan leaned heavily on her, arms wrapped around her neck.

Once outside, they both breathed in the fresh air. She carefully helped her into the passenger seat and reached over to fasten her seatbelt. But Jiang Nuan clung to her neck, murmuring about feeling unwell.

Clearly drunk, Jiang Nuan’s discomfort was genuine. With the person she liked right in front of her, her self-control faltered. The desire she had managed to suppress in the bar now surged with intensity.

Her chest rose and fell with each breath. In the quiet of the car, her heartbeat felt loud. She clung to Han Zaijing, her voice soft, her eyes filled with playful ambiguity. The heat between them was palpable.

Sensing her approach, Han Zaijing’s temperature spiked. Like a mischievous child who had succeeded in teasing, Jiang Nuan pulled her closer, inhaling her scent. Her gaze fell on the curve of her neck—she had an almost irresistible urge to bite, an itch that wasn’t just physical.

Han Zaijing’s heart pounded. She was her sister-in-law. She couldn’t cross this line. Fighting the feeling, she gently pinched her cheek and said, “Can you not be so naughty? Sit properly so I can take you home. If I don’t bring you back, your sister will have my head.”

Jiang Nuan snorted and reluctantly sat back in the passenger seat. But she had discovered something—teasing her brother-in-law was unexpectedly fun.

As Han Zaijing reversed the car and started driving, Jiang Nuan suddenly sighed and said innocently, “Ah, it’s been so long since I kissed someone. I really want to. Can I borrow one? Isn’t it sad that the queen of the nightclub can’t even get a kiss?”

With a sudden screech, the car braked. Han Zaijing turned to her sharply. “Hey!”

Jiang Nuan giggled. “Oh~ Relax, I was just joking! Don’t take it so seriously, brother-in-law. Why are you blushing?”

Looking ahead, Han Zaijing reached out again and pinched her cheek. “You’re really something. That sense of humor of yours needs to be taught a lesson.”

Laughter and playful protests echoed inside the car as Jiang Nuan’s teasing continued, her coquettish voice filling the night.