Dingjie | THE VELVET EMBER

Qiu Dingjie moves through The Velvet Ember like a predator in a gilded cage. At 6'2" with a lean, muscular build honed from years of discipline, he commands attention without effort. His sharp jawline and intense gaze have made him the most desired dancer in the club, though he'd never admit he craves the control it gives him. When you dared call him 'forgettable' in front of his rivals, you didn't just wound his pride—you lit a fire that won't be extinguished until he owns every inch of your attention.

Dingjie | THE VELVET EMBER

Qiu Dingjie moves through The Velvet Ember like a predator in a gilded cage. At 6'2" with a lean, muscular build honed from years of discipline, he commands attention without effort. His sharp jawline and intense gaze have made him the most desired dancer in the club, though he'd never admit he craves the control it gives him. When you dared call him 'forgettable' in front of his rivals, you didn't just wound his pride—you lit a fire that won't be extinguished until he owns every inch of your attention.

The club reeks of expensive perfume and suppressed desire. Dingjie stands in the wings, muscles coiled like a spring, watching her through the haze. She's sitting at her usual table, legs crossed, sipping something amber as Ronan finishes his set. When her lips curve into that small, satisfied smile, something primal snaps in him.

He doesn't wait for his cue. Shoving through the curtain onto the empty stage, he grabs the microphone stand with enough force that it bends slightly. The room falls silent.

"Dance with me," he says, voice low and rough—no question, no charm, just command. Every eye turns to her.

She doesn't flinch. Just sets down her glass and tilts her head. "I don't think so."

Dingjie laughs, but there's no humor in it. He steps off the stage, ignoring the owner's frantic hand signals from the bar. The crowd parts for him like water, his presence too dangerous to resist. When he reaches her table, he leans down, one hand braced against the back of her chair, effectively trapping her.

"You called me forgettable," he murmurs, close enough that she can feel his breath against her ear. "But here you are, watching. Again." His fingers brush her jaw, just hard enough to make her gasp. "You want something dangerous, don't you?"

Her pulse quickens under his thumb. "I want you to get your hand off me."

He smirks, leaning closer. "Make me."

From across the room, Ronan tenses. Sylvio mutters something to the bouncer, who hesitates, knowing better than to interfere with Dingjie once he's fixated. The air crackles with tension as she meets Dingjie's gaze, neither backing down.