Honey, Open The Door. I Want To Give You The Room Key - Chapter 1

The nights in Luzhou were filled with the glitter of wine and the dazzle of lights. Tonight, the grand and luxurious Tiansheng Hotel had been entirely booked out.

Luzhou’s night was a blur of neon and revelry.

The opulent Tiansheng Hotel was closed to the public for a private event.

Liu Yu sat in the primary seat, looking down upon the crowd from her elevated position.

She wore a simple black suit over a high-collared, thin sweater. Her gaze was sharp, and she sat in quiet stillness. From time to time, people would approach to offer a toast, to which she would respond with a polite, faint smile: “My stomach hasn’t been well lately, so I won’t be drinking today. Please, help yourself.”

Each guest would leave in high spirits. Even though Liu Yu hadn’t so much as reached out to touch her glass, they felt honored by the exchange.

The hall was brilliantly lit. Everyone was busy networking, discussing business deals, and pitching projects.

A smile lingered on Liu Yu’s lips, though it carried little genuine warmth. She was only there to give face to the host of the banquet; it was a matter of mutual professional courtesy.

As Liu Yu’s gaze swept over the dozens of banquet tables below, someone suddenly caught her eye. That person stood out as a splash of color amidst the noisy, chaotic crowd. She possessed the unique aura of a mature woman, yet carried herself with a cold, distant detachment, even when she smiled.

Liu Yu narrowed her eyes to get a better look. The woman wore a long dress with a crisscross halter neckline. Black diamonds were embedded along the collar, framing her collarbones and neck in a cross formation that showcased a perfect, sexy shoulder line. Under the hall lights, the hollows of her shoulders were subtly alluring, radiating a powerful sexual tension.

That sense of allure and tension reached its peak the moment she turned around. With her flowing, spreading skirt and graceful silhouette, Liu Yu felt a sudden dryness in her throat and instinctively swallowed. She picked up her water glass, taking a sip to mask her reaction.

Her gaze, however, subconsciously slid downward, fixing onto that slender, supple waist. The dress clung perfectly to her curves, accentuating her exquisite form.

The slim, fishtail silhouette of the skirt fanned out like waves. Every step she took was as nimble and enchanting as a mermaid, outlining a flawless physique.

Liu Yu, who had originally intended to stay only briefly, no longer wanted to leave. She narrowed her eyes, deciding to wait right there for the woman to come up and offer a toast.

While making her rounds, Lou Qingshuang felt a domineering gaze fixed upon her. It was different from the others; this look possessed a deep sense of possessiveness and an underlying, subtle curiosity. Lou Qingshuang frowned in annoyance. Taking advantage of a toast, she glanced toward the source out of the corner of her eye, only to see someone who sent a jolt of alarm through her heart.

How could it be her!

Lou Qingshuang’s eyelashes fluttered nervously for a moment. This person would not be as easy to dismiss as the others.

Her business partner took her hand, signaling her to move on to the next person with potential project links.

Liu Yu sipped her warm water intermittently, her eyes frequently drifting back to the woman. She waited at her table for a long time before the other woman finally gathered her skirts and approached to toast. This section consisted of four tables, all occupied by people of immense power and status.

Lou Qingshuang approached with her partner, her eyes sparkling with what looked like a hint of intoxication.

To expand their business, Lou Qingshuang and her partner had already consumed a fair amount of alcohol. After taking a sip of mineral water handed to them by an assistant, they put on perfect smiles and headed toward the head table.

They went to the head table first to toast the circle of local business tycoons.

By the time they arrived, Lou Qingshuang’s face was flushed pink and her eyes were misty. Many men were admiring her openly or covertly, but Liu Yu was not among them. Liu Yu swept a cold gaze across the room, and everyone instantly retracted their wandering eyes.

Liu Yu sat waiting for the toast. Although Lou Qingshuang had been drinking, her mind remained clear. She deliberately leaned forward and took a few steps closer, her soft, inviting red lips parting slightly. “Chairwoman Liu, I toast—”

Before she could finish, her high heel stepped on a wine cork someone had dropped. Her body pitched forward, and she fell directly toward Liu Yu. Red wine splashed all over Liu Yu’s clothes.

Liu Yu reached out to catch her. The polite distance between them vanished instantly as Lou Qingshuang pressed against Liu Yu’s arm.

Inadvertently, Liu Yu caught the scent of an alluring rose fragrance. Her nose twitched, and her eyes narrowed. Leaning down, she whispered into Lou Qingshuang’s ear: “Your pheromones are leaking. You should go put on a new patch.”

Lou Qingshuang looked up at her in shock. She had taken a blocking injection; it should have been impossible for her pheromones to leak. Furthermore, she was engaged—the engagement ring was right there on her finger.

While no one was looking, Liu Yu’s fingertips slipped a room card into Lou Qingshuang’s small handbag. She maintained a warm yet authoritative smile, her gaze full of deep meaning. “I look forward to our cooperation.”

With that, Liu Yu let go. The entire process was so swift that no one gave it a second thought.

Lou Qingshuang watched as the woman walked away, not even giving her a chance to apologize or say thank you. An eerie sense of discomfort settled in her heart.

Meanwhile, Liu Yu had already left the venue, followed by her bodyguards and assistants.

Lou Qingshuang continued to wear a smile, exchanging pleasantries and introducing her company’s business. It wasn’t until the banquet was nearly over that she and her partner finally left the hotel.

Both women sat in the car, exhausted, waiting for the driver to take them home.

“Qingshuang, what did Chairwoman Liu say to you today?” Her college classmate and current partner, Bai Wan, looked at her curiously.

Lou Qingshuang leaned her head against the car window, looking drained. “Nothing much. She told me to be careful and said she looked forward to working with us,” she replied, sticking to a half-truth.

“Really? Even a tiny favor from Chairwoman Liu would be enough for our small company to soar,” Bai Wan said in awe.

“Mhm,” Lou Qingshuang replied listlessly.

Watching the city lights blur past the window, she decided she didn’t want to spread word of the encounter. It would only bring endless trouble, especially since Shen Yue was waiting for her at home. At the thought of Shen Yue, a smile finally appeared on Lou Qingshuang’s face.

Shen Yue was also a college classmate. They had been together for two years, though they spent much of that time apart. Shen Yue didn’t live in Luzhou; she worked in the capital and only returned occasionally to see her.

However, thinking about how Shen Yue always wanted to do “something” before the wedding troubled Lou Qingshuang. She wasn’t enthusiastic about such matters. Luckily, her mother was at home today.

Liu Yu stood before a floor-to-ceiling window, watching the traffic below move like tiny ants from dozens of stories up. She hadn’t turned on the lights; the neon glow from outside was bright enough.

Liu Yu waited in the hotel for four hours, but Lou Qingshuang never showed up. A cool, thin smile played on her lips, and a trace of amusement flickered in her eyes.

Back at home, Lou Qingshuang chatted and embraced her fiancée, never even opening her handbag.

Shen Yue looked at her fiancée, desire stirring in her heart, yet she held it back. The best things had to be saved for last. Her gaze was deeply possessive. Lou Qingshuang raised a hand to cover Shen Yue’s eyes, whispering, “Go to sleep. I need to go check on my mother.”

“Alright.” Shen Yue took her hand, kissed her knuckles, and reluctantly let her fiancée go to tend to her mother.

Lou Qingshuang felt a surge of relief. She was exhausted and didn’t want to deal with anyone tonight. Fortunately, Shen Yue would be leaving early tomorrow morning.

They had been dating since university. Shen Yue had always respected her, knowing she took physical intimacy very seriously and intended to wait until marriage.

By midnight, Liu Yu had received a full dossier on Lou Qingshuang. She flipped through the pages one by one, finally stopping at the section mentioning that Lou Qingshuang had a fiancée of two years whom she loved dearly.

Liu Yu narrowed her eyes at the photo of the woman smiling brightly and sweetly at another person. Her fingertip slid across the photo, making a soft rustling sound.

The next day, after seeing Shen Yue off, Lou Qingshuang opened her handbag to tidy up and found a room card that didn’t belong to her.

Her breath hitched as she looked at it. Her fingers gripped the card tightly; only one person could have slipped it in.

Lou Qingshuang pursed her lips, her brow furrowed with a mix of conflict and disgust. Even in this state, she was exceptionally beautiful—biting her lip, her foxlike eyes were captivating.

Ultimately, she threw the card into the trash, deciding to pretend it never happened. She resolved to go out less and avoid contact with others. Besides, someone as high and mighty as Liu Yu wouldn’t have the time to bother with a “small fry” like her. Her job didn’t usually require much socializing anyway.

Lou Qingshuang was a technical researcher. She was responsible for the core technology of a beauty company and usually didn’t need to network, but this recent expansion required her to explain the core tech herself.

Hopefully, we won’t cross paths again, she thought.

Unfortunately, her hope was destined to be shattered.

When Liu Yu didn’t see the woman show up, she felt a lingering itch in her mind. With a quick turn of her thoughts, a plan formed. When the Luzhou Beauty Competition took place, Lou Qingshuang would have to appear.

Countless large companies would participate in this competition, and even more merchants would attend to observe and purchase products. It was the perfect opportunity to make a name for oneself in the industry.

The beauty company under Liu Yu’s conglomerate happened to be the host of the event. As a special guest, she would appear at the very end, and her name was currently being kept hidden. Lou Qingshuang, as the technical lead of a participating company, was required to give presentations.

To see the beauty, Liu Yu didn’t mind killing three birds with one stone.

Lou Qingshuang and Bai Wan’s new company was primarily promoting a skincare product: “Essence of Water.”

The preliminary rounds were bustling with crowds and distributors from all over. As a striking beauty, Lou Qingshuang attracted many young women—Omegas, Betas, and even many Alphas. They gathered around to hear her explain the strengths and weaknesses of her products.

“Our Essence of Water is best suited for those with sensitive skin…”

Liu Yu stood on the second floor, observing the woman. Her posture was elegant, and her demeanor was calm and composed.

“Chairwoman, would you like me to invite her up for a cup of tea?” her assistant asked perceptively.

“Not yet.” A shallow smile graced Liu Yu’s face. It was only the beginning. The other woman hadn’t invested enough yet. Once she had put everything into this, Liu Yu would extend the invitation. For the sake of her company and her products, the woman would have no choice but to accept.

Seeing that things were proceeding according to plan, Liu Yu turned to leave. She wanted to wait for the rabbit to walk into the cage step by step. That was where the fun was.

The assistant stood respectfully to the side, understanding the implication. Although she could have used more direct methods, Liu Yu preferred the posture of a hunter playing with its prey. Perhaps, the assistant thought, this was just the boss’s personal quirk.

Lou Qingshuang had a fiancée she loved. If Liu Yu used too much external force, it might only strengthen their bond. Liu Yu wasn’t interested in being a wingman.

She wanted Lou Qingshuang to become her lover willingly.

While giving her presentation, Lou Qingshuang felt a sudden chill crawl up her spine, as if she were being watched by a vicious hound. She used the presentation as a cover to scan for that malicious gaze but saw no one.

Her friend Bai Wan noticed her distraction. “What’s wrong?” she asked softly, walking over with a tube of hand cream.

“I feel like someone is watching me.” Lou Qingshuang was highly sensitive to being stared at.

Bai Wan glanced around; it seemed like everyone was staring at Lou Qingshuang. “Go take a break, I’ll take over the explanation.” Bai Wan waved her off to go rest inside.

As Lou Qingshuang stepped away, the feeling of being watched vanished. She let out a sigh of relief. It had been a long time since she had felt a gaze that intense.

By the time her anxiety began to settle, Liu Yu was already gone.

Liu Yu had instructed her subordinates to ensure the fairness of the competition. Lou Qingshuang’s company products would have no trouble passing the first few rounds.

As for what would happen after that… that remained to be seen.