Bai Yang stood by the car, pondering when to send Fu Mingyu’s luggage up.

He had only said “later,” and Bai Yang didn’t know how long this “later” meant, or why he needed this “later.”

Bai Yang checked his watch. Nearly twenty minutes had passed since Fu Mingyu got out of the car—that should be enough, right?

So he asked the driver to open the trunk.

But just as he removed the suitcase, he saw Fu Mingyu walking out of the main entrance.

Even in the night, his ashen face was visible, and his strides were large as if he couldn’t wait to leave this place.

Bai Yang instinctively stepped back, pressing against the car, and asked, “Director Fu, did you forget something?”

“Back to Lake Light Mansion.”

He only said these few words, making Bai Yang feel uneasy as he hurried to open the car door.

Fu Mingyu didn’t get in immediately. Bai Yang looked back and saw him standing by the roadside, lighting a cigarette.

Fu Mingyu wasn’t a heavy smoker—a pack of cigarettes would last him more than half a month, and he rarely smoked in public places.

Bai Yang thought that over these two weeks, he had rushed from Lin City to Paris, with a stop in Seychelles, before making his way back to Jiang City. His sleep was severely insufficient; perhaps he was truly exhausted.

Yet in the night, with the small flame flickering, Fu Mingyu’s expression didn’t relax.

An hour later, the car drove into Lake Light Mansion.

The car gradually slowed down along the lakeside road. Streetlights rippled in the glistening water, and magnolia flowers on the branches hung their heads, seemingly about to fall.

Fu Mingyu opened the window. Gusts of evening breeze blew in, and his expression finally eased somewhat.

Auntie Luo came out to open the door, welcoming Fu Mingyu inside.

“You haven’t been back for over half a month. Madam was still talking about you this morning.”

Fu Mingyu looked around but didn’t see the mother who had been mentioning him. Instead, a golden retriever bounded over.

After bending down to pet it a couple of times, Fu Mingyu looked up and asked, “Where’s Madam?”

Auntie Luo immediately explained, “There’s an exhibition opening at the gallery today with an after-party. Madam hasn’t returned yet.”

“Mm.”

By the time Fu Mingyu finished taking a shower upstairs, He Lanxiang had returned.

With one hand holding up the hem of her silk evening gown and the other removing pigeon egg-sized earrings, she glanced at Fu Mingyu as they passed each other on the stairs.

“Come to the dining room for a late supper with me in a bit.”

She left after saying this, like an empress dowager issuing orders.

Fu Mingyu had also planned to eat something.

When he reached the dining room, the table was already set with light porridge and side dishes suited to his taste.

Soon after, He Lanxiang came downstairs, having taken down her updo changed her clothes, and sat directly across from Fu Mingyu.

“What exactly happened with Yan An?”

“What do you mean ‘what happened’?”

Fu Mingyu looked up, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and said, “It’s been a month already. Why are you still asking about this?”

He Lanxiang stirred her spoon, not taking a bite. Despite trying hard to conceal it, the gossip-hungry gleam in her eyes shone through.

“I heard at the banquet that his girlfriend is some minor internet celebrity. I heard she’s been cursing him online lately, saying he cheated and had an affair. Is that what happened?”

Fu Mingyu instantly lost his appetite. He put down his spoon and said flatly, “I’m not sure, and besides, she’s his ex-girlfriend.”

“Oh, right, they must have broken up after all this drama.”

He Lanxiang knew Fu Mingyu wanted to leave, so she frowned, “Sit properly. How long has it been since you’ve been home? Can’t you chat with me for a while?”

“Go ahead.”

He Lanxiang was dissatisfied with Fu Mingyu’s attitude, but he was her flesh and blood—what could she do?

“I feel that Yan An, this child, probably wouldn’t go that far. But with the girl causing such a scene, he must bear some responsibility. He must have treated her poorly or had some ambiguous relationship with another girl.”

Fu Mingyu gave a perfunctory “mm.”

He Lanxiang continued, “I heard that girl has one or two hundred thousand followers. This won’t end well. Your Uncle Yan is very angry now. This incident has affected the company’s image. On one hand, he’s sidelining Yan An; on the other, he’s not letting that girl off either—they’re heading to court. If it truly is defamation, then this girl is in trouble. Sigh, you young people, can’t you just talk things out? Why make such an ugly scene?”

The person across from her didn’t even respond with an “mm” this time.

He lowered his eyes, his gaze fixed on the bowl in front of him, seemingly deep in thought.

“Forget it, talking to you is so dull.” He Lanxiang covered her mouth as she yawned. “Where’s my gift?”

Fu Mingyu raised his chin, indicating that He Lanxiang should look at the cabinet behind her.

“At least you still have me in your heart.”

He Lanxiang rose and walked to the shelf, first noticing an exquisite velvet box with the embroidered letters “Piaget.”

Opening it, she found it was the Golden Oasis high jewelry she had wanted.

After having Auntie Luo take the box away, she noticed another package beside it.

The box was small. She casually opened it to find a pearl bracelet on black velvet, delicate and lustrous, quite exquisite.

She loved jewelry and could naturally tell these were natural pearls from the early 90s.

“Is this for me too?”

Fu Mingyu glanced at her, quickly averting his gaze.

“Take it if you like it.”

With that, He Lanxiang understood completely.

She closed the box and lazily walked toward the stairs. “I’m not going to take something meant for someone else.”

Halfway up, she leaned against the railing and looked down. “There’s a Barcelona Art Exhibition at the convention center tomorrow morning. Aren’t you free? Come with me.”

“No time.”

“Hmph.”

Meanwhile, most of the lights at Ming Chen Apartments were still on.

Ruan Sixian took a bath, so comfortable that she wanted to fall asleep in the tub.

If not for the doorbell ringing, she truly wouldn’t have wanted to get out of the bathtub.

Not knowing who would come so late, Ruan Sixian hurriedly put on her clothes, wrapped her hair in a drying cap, and quickly checked the monitor.

It was Yan An, surprisingly.

At this hour, at her home—it was somewhat awkward.

But considering he was a person of some standing, Ruan Sixian still opened the door.

“Director Yan?”

Yan An stood at the door with a smile. “Why so formal calling me Director Yan? That’s too distant. You can call me by my name.”

Ruan Sixian nodded. “Is there something you need?”

“Nothing in particular.” Yan An said, “I went to Italy a few days ago, right? Just got back tonight and brought you a little gift.”

As he spoke, he revealed what he’d been hiding behind his back.

Without opening it, Ruan Sixian knew from the logo that it was an expensive luxury jewelry piece.

Ruan Sixian tried to decline, but after several back-and-forths, Yan An simply stepped inside and placed the box on her entryway table.

“It’s just a small token. If you don’t accept this, you’re not giving me face.”

“…”

Ruan Sixian remained silent. Yan An had nothing else to say either. After asking a few questions about her recent situation, which Ruan Sixian answered one by one, he left, seeing that she had no intention of even inviting him in for a drink of water.

Ruan Sixian closed the door and looked at the jewelry box. Yan An’s approach of constantly giving gifts as a way of pursuing her gave her a headache.

She had been seriously considering him, but his behavior made Ruan Sixian feel somewhat stuck.

She dried her hair, fell onto the bed, and tossed and turned twice, but had no desire to sleep.

She recalled how Fu Mingyu had been angered by her earlier today.

At that time, he hadn’t said anything. Even though he was so angry his blood seemed to flow backward, he had only stared at her for a few seconds before turning and striding away.

Perhaps it was the night making her lethargic, or maybe the bath making her drowsy, but Ruan Sixian’s nerves gradually relaxed.

For a moment, Ruan Sixian wondered if she had been too harsh today.

Thinking calmly, Fu Mingyu was only helping her carry her flight case, and as for touching her hand, it was probably truly accidental.

After all, he was a person of standing; however bad he might be, he wouldn’t go that far.

But she couldn’t help it. She wasn’t usually a person with a bad temper, but whenever she saw Fu Mingyu, she would always explode at the slightest provocation.

Ruan Sixian thought it must be his problem.

She turned over again, and her phone made a “ding” sound.

Seeing that the message was from Fu Mingyu, Ruan Sixian’s heart skipped a beat.

[Fu Mingyu]: What are your plans for tomorrow during the day?

What did that mean?

Had Fu Mingyu belatedly awakened and finally decided to invite her to his office for a chat?

[Ruan Sixian]: Very busy.

[Fu Mingyu]: You’re on leave for the next two days.

Since you know, why ask me?

[Ruan Sixian]: Can’t I be busy on my days off? I need to run, work out, and practice boxing.

After sending this, Ruan Sixian thought for a moment and added another line.

[Ruan Sixian]: In case anyone else tries to touch me inappropriately, I won’t need the police to handle it—I can solve it myself.

The other side remained silent for quite a while. Ruan Sixian thought he might have died of anger.

Half a minute later, he sent a voice message.

“Ruan Sixian, I’ll say it one last time: today was not intentional!”

Judging from his tone, he was quite angry. Ruan Sixian felt strangely happy, curled her lips, and replied with a “.”

Whether his phone exploded or he exploded with anger, there were no more messages. Ruan Sixian gradually fell asleep.

The next day, the alarm rang on time. After washing up, Ruan Sixian put on her workout clothes tied her hair, and prepared to go out for a run.

While changing shoes by the door, she heard someone talking outside.

Thinking it might be neighbors, she didn’t pay attention, finished putting on her shoes, and opened the door—only to see a man and a woman standing right in front of her apartment.

The two were holding phones in their hands. When they saw Ruan Sixian open the door, their voices abruptly stopped, and they froze for a moment.

The change happened in that instant.

Before Ruan Sixian could react, the two suddenly raised their phones and rushed forward.

“Where’s Yan An? Come out! Yan An! Come out right now!”

Completely caught off guard, Ruan Sixian was pushed aside. Only when she saw the two people rush into her home did she react?

“What are you doing?”

She took two steps to catch up. “Who are you? Are you sick? Get out!”

These two came prepared, with a clear division of labor.

The man was responsible for blocking Ruan Sixian, while the woman was responsible for rushing in with her phone to record.

Watching helplessly as the woman pushed open her bedroom door, Ruan Sixian was powerless.

The physical disparity between men and women was simply too great; she couldn’t break free from the man’s grip.

“I’m calling the police!”

Though she said this, her phone was still in the bedroom, and Ruan Sixian couldn’t get to it.

The woman kicked open the bedroom door with great force, shouting into the room: “Yan An!”

After shouting, she paused, seeing only a neatly made bed inside.

At this point, even if Ruan Sixian were a fool, she would know what these two were here for.

Furious, she used all her strength to break free, but the man exerted his strength and directly pushed Ruan Sixian to the ground.

Her thigh hit the coffee table. Ruan Sixian inhaled sharply from the pain, unable to get up, while the woman had already started opening her wardrobe.

“Yan An! Are you in here?!”

“Are you sick or something?!”

Ruan Sixian struggled to get up, but the man came to hold her down again.

However, before his hand could grab Ruan Sixian, a strong, sudden pain shot through his side. In a flash, it felt as if his internal organs were about to explode.

He fell to the ground, seeing stars. Looking back, he saw the man who had kicked him with a cold expression, his gaze as deep as an abyss.

Their eyes met for just a second before Fu Mingyu looked away, crouching down to extend his hand to Ruan Sixian, his lips curled in what seemed like a mocking smile.

“Didn’t you say you could solve it yourself?”