Jinyi stared at Jason Carter, her sapphire-blue eyes wide, unable to look away.
At that moment, he wasn't just handsome — he was blindingly charismatic.
The first time she saw Jason's photo online, she thought he was good-looking — clean-cut, elegant, a little mysterious. Then she saw his personal assistant, Olivia, casually shopping for luxury goods with a company credit card, and she realized Jason wasn't just good-looking — he was loaded.
Later, at the art gala, when she saw him sitting in the VIP section reserved for sponsors and major patrons, surrounded by executives twice his age treating him with respect — she knew he wasn't an ordinary man.
But now? Seeing him buy the Oceanview Grand Hotel, the most expensive property in the city, just because the manager refused him entry… her entire world tilted.
Her scalp tingled, her knees weakened, and her pulse quickened like a drumbeat in her ears.
At that moment, Jinyi didn't care how little she knew about him, or what secrets he might be hiding — she just wanted to throw herself into his arms and lose herself in the gravity of his presence.
Around her, several of her girlfriends were squealing, shaking Jinyi's arms, whispering frantically:
"Oh my God, Jinyi, he just bought the hotel! Do you understand what that means?""He's literally Bruce Wayne!""Girl, if you don't marry this man, I will!"
But Jinyi didn't hear them. Her entire being was locked on Jason — his calm posture, his effortless power, his quiet smirk.
His friend stood frozen, equally stunned.
They had known Jason had money. Mike had seen him drop millions on a yacht once, and Ivan once watched him buy a limited-edition piano like he was buying a sandwich.
But this? Buying an entire five-star hotel just for dinner? That wasn't "rich." That was mythical.
Mike was the first to find his voice."Bro… I feel like I don't even know you anymore."
Ivan whistled low. "Can I still call you 'bro,' or should I start saying 'Mr. Carter'?"
He tried to laugh but it came out strained. "You know what, man? I'll just start calling you Boss Jason. Sounds safer."
Jason chuckled, the corner of his mouth lifting."Didn't I already tell you I was a second-generation rich kid? Why are you all so surprised?"
The three exchanged glances, completely speechless.
Yeah — everyone says they're "second-generation rich." But there's a difference between having a few million in family assets and casually dropping hundreds of millions like pocket change.
Jason Carter wasn't just "rich." He was operating on a level that defied reason — a walking empire disguised as a man in a tailored suit.
Even Luce, who had always seen himself as Jason's rival, stood frozen.
He had been jealous — furious even — that Jinyi's attention was always drawn to Jason. He thought it was because of Jason's looks, his confidence, maybe his charm.
But now, seeing Jason buy an entire hotel on a whim, Luce's resentment began to fade — replaced with something else.
Admiration.
He finally understood: you can envy someone who's better than you. But when that person is so far above you that it's like comparing a candle to the sun… envy turns into awe.
Luce exhaled shakily, forcing a wry smile."Damn," he muttered under his breath. "If I were a girl, I'd fall for him too."
As the group followed Jason into the lobby of his new hotel, the staff bowed deeply, and the manager who had once blocked them now held the door with trembling hands.
And Jinyi?
Her heart was pounding. Her cheeks flushed.
She whispered softly to herself, almost trembling with excitement:
"Jason Carter… you're unbelievable."
Luce had finally come to terms with it. He exhaled slowly, his earlier pride dissolving into something else entirely — clarity.
Luce had always been ambitious, planning his career path from the day he entered college — he wanted to climb fast, make money, and build connections. But now, seeing Jason in person, calm and composed after casually buying the Oceanview Grand Hotel, he realized that this was what true power looked like.
"Maybe I'm not great at romance," he thought, "but when it comes to opportunity… I know when to grab it."
He replayed their earlier encounter in his head, relieved he hadn't mocked or crossed Jason at any point. Sure, he'd been cold, maybe distant, but not rude. That alone might save him — or even open a door.
So, while everyone else was still reeling, Luce made his move.
He stepped forward — one stride faster than the hotel manager — and reached the elevator first, pressing the button and holding the door for Jason with both hands.
Jason glanced at him, amused. His sharp eyes softened slightly, a flicker of approval crossing his expression.
"Smart guy," Jason said lightly.
It wasn't much — but to Luce, it was everything.
Jason had noticed him.
And to be noticed by a man like that… could mean the start of something life-changing.
Luce knew Jason had every reason to dislike him — after all, Jinyi had clearly fallen for Jason — but Jason hadn't been petty. He hadn't humiliated him, hadn't even looked down on him. Instead, he'd invited Luce along to dinner.
That meant one thing: Jason Carter wasn't just rich — he was magnanimous.
And that made him even more terrifying.
Meanwhile, Mike, Ivan, Sun, and Chenyang watched Luce's sudden change in attitude, jaws nearly hitting the floor.
This guy… was really bowing his head?
He wasn't even hiding it — smiling, polite, moving like a trained assistant around Jason.
Mike leaned close and whispered, "Bro, didn't he just say Jason stole his girl?"
Ivan muttered back, "Yeah, but I guess he realized… when a man's this rich, he doesn't steal your girl — your girl just walks over."
The others stifled a laugh, half in disbelief, half in resignation.
Jinyi, sitting beside Jason, stole a glance at Luce, but her eyes quickly returned to Jason, admiration flooding her face.
A man who could make even his rival yield gracefully? That wasn't just charm. That was authority.
Dinner at the Manhattan Royale was surreal.
Under Jason's casual orders, Olivia, his elegant assistant, quietly dismissed the arrogant manager who'd blocked them earlier.
"You can let him go," Jason said mildly, sipping his wine. "He's too proud for a man who's never built anything himself."
Olivia nodded and made a quick call. Within minutes, the manager was escorted away — politely, but permanently.
No one dared say a word.
The private dining hall they were seated in overlooked the glittering Manhattan skyline, the golden lights reflecting in the glass walls. Every dish that arrived looked like artwork, every bottle of wine cost more than an average person's monthly salary.
Jinyi sat close to Jason, smiling shyly as she cracked open crab legs and placed the meat on his plate.
When he reached for a napkin, she instinctively took it from him and wiped his hands gently, her cheeks glowing pink under the warm light.
Luce, sitting across from them, said nothing. Instead, when she reached for a scarf, he immediately passed it to her — silently, efficiently.
Jason noticed — and nodded slightly.
"Good," he thought. "He learns fast."
When dinner ended, Olivia had already arranged for transportation. A black Mercedes and a Maybach waited outside.
Jason and Jinyi naturally took the Rolls-Royce Cullinan — while the others followed behind in the Mercedes, still stunned into silence.
As they watched the Rolls pull away, Mike muttered, "Man… what do you think they're doing right now?"
Ivan shot him a glare. "Probably talking business, idiot."
But deep down, none of them believed that.
On the ride back, Mike turned to Luce.
"Hey, man… you okay? I didn't expect things to go down like that. I swear, if I'd known Jason was gonna—"
Luce waved him off, smiling faintly. "Don't worry about it. Honestly, it's fine."
"Fine?" Mike blinked.
"Yeah," Luce said, looking out the window. "Let's be real — I never stood a chance. But meeting Jason Carter… that's not a loss. That's fate."
He turned back to them, his tone serious now.
"You guys don't get it yet. A person might meet one true opportunity in their whole life. And if you miss it, it's gone forever."
He paused, his gaze calm but resolute.
"And Jason Carter… might just be the biggest opportunity we'll ever meet."
The car fell silent.
None of them could disagree.
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