James learned a lot from hanging out with Cody Jenkins, the rich second-generation heir.
For example, he finally discovered that there were two types of KTVs.
One was the traditional mass-market karaoke (called Pure KTV), and the other was a high-end, multi-functional type called Business KTV, or simply "Biz K."
Unlike the seedy nightclubs of the past, Biz KTVs were much more sophisticated, upscale, and, of course, expensive.
Cody took James to one such Biz KTV, where the private room was massive, complete with a dance floor and a DJ booth.
The marketing manager, who clearly knew Cody well, brought over a busload of "performers" for them to choose from.
James scanned the group. While there weren't any "goddess-tier" women, they were all stylishly dressed, beautiful, and exuded charm.
Thinking it over, James realized it made sense.
Goddess-tier women had always been beautiful from a young age. They never lacked admirers and suitors, so even if they fell on hard times, they wouldn't end up working in nightclubs.
However, his assumptions weren't entirely correct.
High-ranking women were often too reserved, lacked the right energy, and struggled to create an engaging atmosphere.
They'd end up sitting awkwardly, waiting for the clients to lead the interaction. And before long, they'd leave the profession altogether.
This is why marketing managers rarely brought them out.
Cody picked two girls for himself and helped James select three.
The women were warm and lively, their group dances were energetic, and their performances were captivating.
The games they played had high stakes, usually involving physical punishments.
At one point, a younger girl lost a card game and had to rip off her partner's socks.
It was... entertaining, to say the least.
James was offered many drinks. The girls were beautiful, their voices sweet, and their laughter infectious.
When the night ended, James had to be half-carried home by Jay Johnson.
As they left, one phrase from Cody Jenkins lingered in his mind:
"Don't forget, there's a rooftop pool party this weekend. Make sure you come."
James felt a small surge of anticipation.
But to be honest, he never quite felt at home in such places.
It was like he couldn't fully integrate into that world.
Aside from drinking, there was really only... more drinking.
The girls seemed to be having a great time, though.
As for James, with no particular desires or ulterior motives, he simply sat back and drank quietly, keeping his composure and observing the scene.
He spent the night smoking cigars and drinking all kinds of foreign liquor.
By the end of it, his stomach was churning, and every organ in his body seemed to be protesting.
If he kept this up for even half a month, he'd be completely ruined.
The night's tab came to over $20,000, but Cody Jenkins insisted on covering it.
James didn't argue. It wasn't a huge amount, and he figured he could find a way to repay him later.
Back at home, James collapsed onto his bed, feeling absolutely miserable.
Dizzy and nauseous, he found himself wishing desperately for superhuman strength.
And along with that wish came thoughts of Tailsa.
When someone is drunk and alone, they tend to become emotional and dwell on regrets.
Tailsa was James's biggest regret at the moment.
He pulled out his phone, found her name in his contacts, and hesitated for a while before sending her a simple message:
"I miss you."
After sending it, he stared at his phone screen, waiting anxiously for a reply.
One minute passed...
Five minutes passed...
James checked the time. It was 12:30 AM.
With a sigh, he figured she must have gone to bed.
Good girls usually went to bed early, after all.
James closed his eyes and tried to force himself to sleep.
Just as he was drifting off, his phone buzzed.
His heart raced as he unlocked the screen.
It was her.
Tailsa: "Hmph."
Even in text form, James could imagine her pouting with her lips pursed.
It was such a familiar feeling.
James couldn't help but smile. He quickly replied:
"Don't be mad, sweetheart."
Tailsa: "I am mad!"
Tailsa had gone to bed at 11 PM, but because she and James had been in a cold war recently, she couldn't stop overthinking and had trouble sleeping.
She was terrified that this fight might become permanent, or worse, that James had found someone else and no longer wanted her.
Over the past two days, her spirits had dropped significantly, and she hadn't been sleeping well.
When her phone chimed earlier, she had been too tired to check it.
But a voice in her head kept nagging: What if it's him?
That thought kept spinning in her mind until she finally gave in, turned on her phone, dimmed the brightness, and squinted at the screen.
To her shock, it really was James.
She was so excited that she wanted to reply with: I miss you too.
But then she remembered how he'd been MIA for the past few days, probably out partying, and her excitement turned to anger.
Tailsa: "You ignored me for three days, and now you say you miss me?!"
Although James was a bit drunk, his growing experience in relationships helped him avoid saying something dumb like, I was wrong.
Instead, he dodged the topic and let his emotions speak.
James: "I had a bit to drink tonight, and all I could think about was you."
Tailsa felt her anger waver.
She knew that when a guy drinks, the first person they call or text is usually the one they care about most.
She believed him. Her anger softened significantly, though her tone remained slightly sarcastic.
Tailsa: "Oh, so drinking gives you the right to ignore me for three days and then say you miss me?"
James: "I know I was wrong, but these past three days I've been working on something very important."
Tailsa: "Work stuff?"
James: "It's something that could affect my entire future. If I succeed, I'll be able to live a happy life from now on."
Her anger vanished completely.
It was obviously a big deal.
A man working on such a significant project, drinking himself into a stupor over it, while she was here throwing a tantrumâshe felt terrible for being so unreasonable.
She sent him a voice message, full of guilt:
Tailsa (voice message): "I'm sorry, big brother. I was being too selfish."
James didn't fully understand why she was apologizing, but in his drunken state, he didn't think too much about it.
James: "As long as you're not mad, that's all that matters. Tomorrow, I'll take you somewhere special."
Tailsa: "Okay. You've been drinking, so get some rest. Do you need me to come take care of you?"
James: "No need. You get some sleep too. Goodnight."
Tailsa: "Goodnight, big brother. I miss you too."
James stared at her message and smiled like an idiot.
Despite it being almost 1 AM, he picked up his phone and called Winnie Morgan.
"Hello, Ms. Morgan? How's the... villa coming along?"
Winnie Morgan, groggy from being woken up, quickly snapped to attention when she realized it was her boss.
"Everything will be ready by tomorrow. My plan is to do a trial run firstâset everything up and run through the process. If you're available, I'd love for you to come check it out. If everything's good, it should be ready for the day after tomorrowâ"
"I can't wait until the day after tomorrow," James interrupted.
"I'll come by tomorrow at noon to take a look. If everything checks out, I'll bring Tailsa over in the evening. Make sure everything's ready to go."
"Understood, sir. Shall I prepare a diamond ring?"
James hesitated for a moment before gritting his teeth and saying, "Get one for around a million RMB. Just in case."
The next day at noon, the weather was perfect.
The sun was shining, the breeze was gentle, and the air felt just right.
The No. 9 villa in the Four Seasons Garden Estate of New York City was bustling with activity.
The exterior of the villa had been freshly painted, making it look brand new and stand out from the surrounding homes.
A massive hot air balloon floated overhead, with a banner hanging below it.
The old iron gate had been replaced with a festive balloon arch.
The courtyard was full of extras and atmosphere setters.
Some sat or squatted in groups, eating boxed lunches.
"Rich people in New York are insane. If they're spending this much on a proposal, imagine what their wedding would costâmillions?"
"I'm so jealous of today's leading lady. If my boyfriend proposed like this, I'd marry him even if he didn't have a house."
"With this kind of money, there's no way he doesn't have a house. I heard the guy is even gifting her this villa."
"No way!"
As they chatted, someone from the event planning team ran over with a megaphone.
"Alright, break time's over! The boss will be here soon to inspect the venue. Clean up your lunch boxes and get into your positions from this morning's rehearsal. Start the music, turn on the screens, but hold off on the flowers and confettiâwe don't want to clean it up twice!"
Within minutes, everyone had tidied up and positioned themselves by the banquet tables, sneaking glances at the entrance in anticipation of seeing the wealthy homeowner.
Some of the male actors couldn't help but speculate.
"If he's a handsome guy, there's no need for all this flashy stuff to win a girl over."
"Bet he's some overweight, greasy, balding uncle."