Walking out of the Prince host club, the night in Osaka grew denser.
Mei Xiang’s heart felt even heavier, suffocated by her stepmother’s lies and betrayal.
"Head to the Ritz-Carlton," she said to the driver.
During the trip, both remained silent.
Mei Xiang watched the scenery rapidly receding outside the window, lost in thought.
She didn’t understand why her stepmother would do such things.
Her father had provided her with a wealthy life and comfortable living conditions, yet she continued to encroach upon the Xingye family’s assets, even the cause of her father’s death seemed to be related to this woman.
Could money truly be more important than family?
Upon arrival at the Ritz-Carlton hotel, Chen Cheng and Mei Xiang went directly to the front desk.
"Hello, has this lady checked in?" Mei Xiang asked, showing her phone.
"I’m sorry, we cannot disclose guest room information," the staff politely refused.
This place was certainly not like a host club where money could solve the problem of information asymmetry.
Mei Xiang pondered for a moment, then made a call and stepped aside.
After chattering on the phone for a while, she came back and said, "Brother Cheng, let’s wait."
Time passed by the second, and although people came and went in the grand lobby of the Ritz-Carlton, no one noticed Chen Cheng and Mei Xiang anxiously waiting in the corner.
About ten minutes later, the revolving door made a "swoosh" sound, and a girl in a classic black Chanel suit walked in.
Her black and shiny shoulder-length hair shone with a healthy luster under the lights.
Her delicate makeup accentuated her fair skin, and her red lips added a touch of allure.
The girl was followed by two black-clad bodyguards, tall and stern, closely guarding her side.
Different from Mei Xiang’s sweetness, the girl of similar age had an aura all over her, a confidence bestowed by her family background.
She walked straight up to Chen Cheng and Mei Xiang, took off her sunglasses, revealing a pair of deep and sharp eyes.
"Xiao Nai!" Mei Xiang hurriedly walked up.
The two hugged intimately, and then Xiao Nai noticed Chen Cheng standing next to Mei Xiang, "Who is this?"
"He is my... boyfriend, Chen Cheng," Mei Xiang introduced, "Brother Cheng, this is Sanki Xiaonai, my best friend."
Sanki Xiaonai nodded slightly, scanned Chen Cheng from top to bottom without responding.
Turning around, she took Mei Xiang’s hand and went back to the front desk, tapping the counter, "Yahata Reina, which room is she in?"
Sanki Xiaonai’s tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.
The receptionist, seemingly intimidated by her presence, hesitated before coming back to reality.
"I don’t want to repeat myself," Xiao Nai coldly interrupted him, her tone laced with impatience.
The staff member broke out in a cold sweat, glanced up briefly, and hastily said, "I’ll check right away."
"Presidential suite, room 1808."
"Lead the way," she commanded the staff member, her tone leaving no room for refusal.
The staff member didn’t dare to delay and quickly stepped out from behind the counter, leading Sanki Xiaonai and Mei Xiang towards the elevator.
Chen Cheng followed behind them, curious about this suddenly emerging girl and which powerful family she belonged to.
The elevator swiftly reached the floor, and upon arriving in front of room 1808, without waiting for the greeter to knock, Xiao Nai gave the door several firm raps.
Shortly, the door opened.
Through the gap, Chen Cheng saw not Yahata Reina as expected, but a middle-aged man in a bath towel, slightly overweight.
His hair was dripping wet, obviously fresh out of the shower.
He looked puzzledly at the five people outside his door and the sheepish attendant beside them.
"What’s the matter?" the man asked impatiently.
Xiao Nai ignored him and walked straight into the room. Mei Xiang followed, and Chen Cheng also entered.
After a moment of confusion, the man finally reacted, shouting, "Hey! What are you doing?"
Xiao Nai surveyed the room with a piercing gaze and asked coldly, "Where is Yahata Reina?"
Now noticing Xiao Nai’s authoritative aura and the towering bodyguards behind her, his demeanor softened somewhat.
"Who... who are you?" he stammered.
"I’m asking you, where is Yahata Reina?" Xiao Nai repeated, her tone even colder.
The man’s eyes darted around, avoiding her gaze, "You... I... don’t know."
"You don’t know?" Xiao Nai scoffed, "Are you sure?"
Her bodyguard stepped forward, standing in front of the man, his towering presence pressing down on him.
The man stepped back, turning pale, "I really don’t know, you’ve got the wrong room."
"Wrong room?" Xiao Nai turned to the attendant that had brought them up.
"Miss Sanki, definitely not!"
Unable to hold back any longer, Mei Xiang stepped forward, "Yahata Reina, where is she?"
The man clearly recognized Mei Xiang; it was evident from his look.
Before he could finish, a voice came from within the suite, "Hang Sheng, who is it?"
Everyone’s eyes turned in unison toward the source of the voice—the inner chamber of the suite.
A moment of silence was broken by a figure slowly emerging from the inner room.
She was dressed in a silky nightgown, with her long hair draped over her shoulders, her face showing a trace of languor and weariness as if just awakened.
Seeing the scene before her, she was visibly startled, with a flicker of panic and unease in her eyes.