10: Chapter 10: The Alluring Beauty Enters the Game: Triggering the Side Quest "Phoenix Returns to Its Nest"

The noise in the private room had quieted down for less than three minutes after those three women left.

From outside the heavy soundproof door, a faint, crisp clicking of high heels could be heard.

The sound approached from afar, unhurried and steady, as if each step landed on a precise beat.

Immediately after, "Knock, knock, knock," three rhythmic, perfectly-weighted knocks sounded.

Before Shen Du could respond, the carved wooden door of the private room was slowly pushed open.

Sister Hong, in her purple cheongsam, stepped inside with her graceful figure.

Almost the instant she stepped into the room.

An aura belonging to a mature woman naturally swept across the entire private room.

Sweeping away the remaining traces of cheap perfume and powder.

With a perfectly poised smile on her face, her gaze locked directly onto Shen Du in the main seat, and she spoke softly:

"Young Master Shen, my subordinates didn't know the rules and ruined your mood. Red Phoenix has come specifically to apologize to you."

Shen Du, leaning against the leather sofa, felt a flicker of imperceptible surprise in his eyes upon hearing this.

The innocent woman from earlier had made up an excuse to flee in panic.

Shen Du had originally thought they couldn't get any information out of him and had retreated in the face of difficulties, having been called back by Wei Ziang to report.

But he never expected that.

Just after those few left, their boss would actually step into the game so decisively herself.

Just as Shen Du sat up slightly, meeting Red Phoenix's gaze, preparing to respond.

Deep in his mind, the long-absent, emotionless mechanical voice of the "Outsider God-Tier Tycoon System" rang out abruptly:

[Ding! The prerequisites for "Era Dividend: Choose One of Three" have been met. Options have been locked and changed to "Choose One of Two"!]

[Special high-value target detected. Triggering new additional side quest: 'Phoenix Returns to the Nest'!]

[Quest Content: Take down Red Phoenix. Completing it will unlock a new mysterious reward. There is no penalty for failing this side quest!]

Listening to the prompts echoing in his mind, Shen Du narrowed his eyes slightly.

His brain raced.

The system had given him one million in cash as startup capital right from the start.

This so-called "Era Dividend" reward could absolutely not be as simple as just handing out money.

It was highly likely to be a massive and highly profitable industry chain.

The series of flawless maneuvers today at Lanting Mansion had already successfully turned his persona as a "top-tier rich second generation" into an established fact.

That was how the prerequisites were naturally met.

However, the quest requirements did not clearly state how to define the criteria for "taking down" her.

Shen Du maintained his posture, leaning against the sofa, his gaze sweeping imperceptibly over Red Phoenix, who was walking towards him.

He calculated inwardly: Was it her body, or her heart?

If it was just craving her body, with his current appearance and aura, it might not be difficult to succeed with some half-reluctant cooperation.

But if the system required conquering her "heart."

Then it would definitely not be an easy task to completely subdue a woman who had spent years struggling and climbing in the top-tier entertainment venues of Magic City, having seen it all.

It was absolutely not an easy thing.

Throwing money at a woman of her level was the most ineffective method.

In the few seconds that Shen Du was quickly calculating in his mind and briefly dazed by the system's series of prompts.

Red Phoenix had already arrived in front of the main seat, her high heels clicking with every graceful step.

She didn't sit on the empty single sofa nearby.

Instead, she naturally sat down on the leather sofa right next to Shen Du.

The distance between the two was instantly closed.

A high-end, not-at-all cloying scent of orchids washed over him, instantly lingering at the tip of Shen Du's nose.

Seemingly noticing Shen Du's "distraction" for those few seconds, Red Phoenix turned slightly.

Those alluring fox-like eyes, carrying a depth of worldly wisdom and probing intent, parted her red lips slightly.

She used a voice that was both penetrating and carried a touch of lazy charm to rouse Shen Du from his thoughts:

"Young Master Shen, have you had too much to drink..."

She leaned forward slightly, her tone carrying a hint of perfectly-measured resentment: "Or could it be that you are not satisfied with me, Red Phoenix?"

Awakened by this high-end orchid scent and her voice.

Plus the system's clear prompt that there was no penalty for failing this additional side quest.

Shen Du instantly made a decision in his heart.

His eyes instantly regained their clarity, without a trace of the awkwardness of being caught.

He naturally raised his right hand and wrapped his arm directly around Red Phoenix's slender waist.

"My apologies."

Shen Du's expression was calm, his gaze meeting those fox-like eyes, as he found an impeccable excuse for his distraction just now:

"Perhaps it's because I haven't seen a beauty with such superior appearance and temperament as you in a long time. I was momentarily dazed."

Except for the fact that the real reason for being "dazed" was the system prompt.

The first half of the compliment was something Shen Du definitely didn't lie about.

Looking at her closely at this moment, he more clearly captured the lethality of this femme fatale.

Red Phoenix only wore extremely light makeup.

But those delicate features combined with the charm accumulated over time were enough to make those so-called A-list celebrities and models outside pale in comparison.

Along the arm wrapped around her waist, Shen Du could faintly perceive the well-proportioned figure hidden beneath the purple cheongsam.

And his gaze lowered slightly.

Those legs, crossed together and wrapped in nude-colored stockings, were even more naturally perfect, exuding a mature charm.

Though the waist-holding gesture seemed slightly aggressive, Shen Du acted as if he knew the rules very well.

His hand, resting on Red Phoenix's waist, was perfectly measured.

It was just naturally placed there, without any unnecessary rubbing or small movements that would carry a frivolous meaning.

Shen Du keenly perceived that, faced with this kind of possessive yet boundary-respecting probing.

A flicker of imperceptible appreciation flashed in the depths of Red Phoenix's eyes.

She did not reach out to push away the arm around her waist.

Instead, she smiled faintly, going with the flow.

Allowing the warmth belonging to a young man to be transmitted through the thin silk cheongsam.

"It seems that Young Master Shen is quite satisfied with Red Phoenix."

Red Phoenix naturally extended her fair fingers.

Picking up a wine glass from the marble coffee table in front of her, she added golden Perrier-Jouët to her glass and Shen Du's.

She handed one of the glasses to Shen Du, her fox-like eyes shifting slightly, carrying a sense of balanced composure:

"Then let Phoenix properly have another drink with Young Master Shen."

Just as Red Phoenix was about to lift the glass of Perrier-Jouët, which exuded the fragrance of flowers and fruits, to her lips.

Shen Du suddenly raised the hand that had been resting on the back of the sofa, his fingers gently pressing down on her slender wrist as she held the glass.

Feeling the warmth and irresistible force coming from her wrist.

Red Phoenix's movements paused slightly, and she lifted those alluring eyes, looking at Shen Du with a hint of confusion.