Urban Villain: The Game of Wealth and Women

{Chapter: 87 Yan Ruyue's Concern and Pain!}

When Lin Yuan got home, he received a message from Yan Ruyue on WeChat inviting him to dinner that evening.

He glanced at the screen and saw the simple yet cautious message:

"Are you free tonight? Can we have a meal together? I want to tell you something."

A slight smile formed on Lin Yuan's lips as he tapped his reply.

"Okay."

---

At the same time, Yan Ruyue, who had been staring anxiously at her phone screen for nearly half an hour, suddenly breathed a sigh of relief the moment she saw Lin Yuan's response.

Her fingers, which had been gripping the phone tightly, slowly relaxed.

She had been worried—worried that he would ignore her again, that he would refuse, that he would brush her aside with his usual indifference.

But now that he had agreed, she felt a sense of joy she couldn't suppress, a strange yet exhilarating warmth spreading through her chest.

"He agreed… He really agreed."

Muttering to herself, Yan Ruyue turned her gaze toward the full-length mirror in front of her, carefully examining her reflection.

Her delicate hands instinctively reached for the dresses laid out on the bed, her mind spinning with indecision.

"This one? Or maybe this one?"

For the first time in a long while, she felt nervous about how she looked.

She had never been the type to obsess over her outfit before. Normally, whether she was going to the company, attending an event, or simply going out, she just ensured she looked neat and presentable. Comfort was always her priority.

But today was different.

Tonight's dinner felt important—far more significant than she could explain.

She wanted to look her best, to be alluring, to captivate Lin Yuan in a way she hadn't before.

Yan Ruyue bit her lip, her heart pounding as she carefully selected her attire for the evening.

---

That night.

Lin Yuan arrived at the restaurant Yan Ruyue had chosen.

The establishment was one of the most elegantly decorated venues in Jiangbei, renowned for its exquisite ambiance and top-tier service.

The moment he stepped inside, his sharp eyes quickly scanned the room.

Even in a restaurant filled with beautiful and wealthy patrons, it wasn't difficult to locate Yan Ruyue—because tonight, she stood out more than anyone else.

The place was frequented by celebrities, business elites, and socialites, each adorned with designer clothing, dazzling jewelry, and impeccable makeup.

Yet, despite all the elegance and charm surrounding her, Yan Ruyue outshined them all.

She wasn't just beautiful—she was breathtaking.

Tonight, she was different.

Her presence was overwhelming, exuding a radiance that was difficult to ignore.

Even though she simply sat there, quietly waiting, many of the men in the restaurant couldn't help but steal glances at her.

Lin Yuan observed her closely as he walked toward her table.

Under the soft glow of the restaurant's chandeliers, her flawless, porcelain-like skin seemed even more luminous.

Her beautiful, broad eyes sparkled like the stars, framed by long, thick eyelashes that fluttered slightly as if betraying a hint of nervousness.

Her well-defined eyebrows, her high-bridged nose, and her soft pink lips—every feature of hers was elegant, almost like a delicate painting.

But what caught Lin Yuan's attention the most was the dress she wore.

Unlike her usual sophisticated or business-like attire, tonight, Yan Ruyue had chosen a stunning rose-red off-shoulder dress.

It hugged her figure gracefully, enhancing her curves while giving her an air of sensuality that was both enchanting and refined.

It was a bold choice, completely different from her usual style.

For a woman known for her cold and distant demeanor, this transformation was striking.

Lin Yuan took his seat opposite her, and as he did, he noticed the slight shift in the atmosphere.

There was a brief moment of silence as many of the men in the restaurant sighed in disappointment, watching him sit across from her.

They had been admiring Yan Ruyue from afar, but now, their hopes were crushed.

However, upon getting a clear look at Lin Yuan, they knew they couldn't compete.

His flawless features, sharp aura, and effortless confidence were leagues beyond what any of them could match.

Meanwhile, the jealous women in the restaurant, who had initially been envious of Yan Ruyue's beauty, found their attention diverted.

Their eyes lingered on Lin Yuan, captivated by his striking looks and presence.

Ignoring the onlookers, Lin Yuan smiled slightly and said, "Miss Yan, you came early. Have you been waiting for me for a long time?"

Yan Ruyue's fingers tensed slightly as she met his gaze.

His words were casual, yet his presence made her heart race.

"No… I didn't wait too long…" She responded, her voice carrying a hint of nervousness.

Glancing at her phone, she realized that Lin Yuan had arrived exactly on time.

Yet, she had come early.

Before, it was always Lin Yuan who arrived first, always the one waiting for her.

Now, that had changed.

And for some reason, this shift made her feel a little… lost.

Lin Yuan studied her carefully, noticing subtle details beneath her flawless exterior.

Despite her impeccable appearance, there were signs that she hadn't been doing well.

Her eyes, though radiant, had a slight redness and swelling, as if she had cried for a long time.

Even with makeup covering it, Lin Yuan could see the traces of sadness she had tried to hide.

Her lips, soft and delicate as ever, were slightly torn—as if she had been biting them out of habit, lost in deep thought.

This wasn't just a matter of lack of sleep.

She had been emotionally distressed.

Even without asking, Lin Yuan understood the reason.

It must be because of what happened earlier today…

The air between them grew tense, the silence stretching longer than expected.

But Lin Yuan wasn't in a rush.

He could see the conflict in her eyes, the hesitation.

Eventually, Yan Ruyue broke the silence.

"Ah… When you were singing at Li Feifei's concert, I watched the live broadcast. You sang really well."

Lin Yuan's response was polite but distant. "Thank you."

Yan Ruyue bit her lip slightly before continuing, "The song you sang was so powerful. When did you learn to sing like that?"

Instead of answering directly, Lin Yuan tilted his head slightly and asked, "Does Miss Yan care about me?"

His smile was calm, but his words caught her off guard.

"I… I…" Yan Ruyue hesitated, struggling to find the right words.

Seeing her reaction, Lin Yuan smirked. "Miss Yan didn't think I could sing well before. Is this about the time I sang for you?"

Yan Ruyue froze for a moment before nodding.

She recalled how she had once despised Lin Yuan's terrible singing and how he had promised to improve.

Even though she knew he didn't do it for her, she still felt that, in some way, it was connected to her.

But Lin Yuan's next words shattered that thought.

"I improved my singing, but it had nothing to do with you."

Yan Ruyue's heart tightened.

His words cut deeper than she expected, and the look in her eyes dimmed with sadness.

Trying to steer the conversation, she forced a smile and said, "Oh, I remember… You play the piano well too, don't you?"

Lin Yuan nodded. "Yes, I do. But that also has nothing to do with Miss Yan."

His words were lighthearted, but the meaning behind them was heavy.

Yan Ruyue clenched her hands under the table, feeling an unfamiliar sense of helplessness creeping into her heart.

For the first time, she felt what it was like to be on the other side—to be the one chasing, to be the one struggling to close the distance between them.

And it was tormenting her.

*****

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