You Mingxu knew this was a feeling he had never given her when he was Yu Yingjun—this was a real man attempting to kiss a woman.

After a while, his lips moved away. His eyes lacked their usual surge of desire, showing only clear, gentle light as he softly asked, “Do you want me to get drunk?”

If you need me to, I will drink. Let me become Yu Yingjun, let me forget everything again. So you can embrace the version of me you want without any insecurity, doubt, or hesitation.

You Mingxu’s nose suddenly stung as tears welled up. She shook her head, her voice slightly hoarse: “I want you to remember.”

Yin Feng felt a constricting pain in his chest. He pulled her into his embrace again, stroking her long hair. “Give me a little more time.”

“How much longer?”

He remained silent.

“A month? Three months? A year? Three years?” You Mingxu pressed.

Her words carried a hint of petulance. This was the first time Yin Feng had seen her act so coquettishly. His heart softened, and he blurted out, “Let’s start with thirty years.”

You Mingxu fell silent, and so did he. After holding her for a while longer, she pushed him away and lifted her chin. “Go clean up.”

Surprisingly, Yin Feng showed no displeasure. He rose to clear the dishes, his long, fair fingers handling the task with practiced ease. In the kitchen, he turned on the tap and washed the dishes.

You Mingxu leaned back on the sofa, absently watching TV as the night deepened outside. On such a night, in such a home, she thought his words would stir up emotions within her, but instead, she found herself enveloped in comfortable tranquility.

When he emerged from washing dishes, he had already put on his coat. Their eyes met as he walked to the sofa, stroked her hair, and bent down to kiss her head, saying, “Good night.”

As Yin Feng opened the door, You Mingxu said, “Don’t drive after drinking.”

Yin Feng smiled and said, “Tuya is downstairs.”

After he closed the door, his footsteps gradually faded away. The night had grown deep, and You Mingxu sat lost in thought, her mind full of his gestures, expressions, and words. Though still that cool, profound man, today he had shown warmth.

—

That same night, it was already late when Luo Yu returned home after meeting Xing Jifu.

Having shared drinks with his boss, he felt a pleasant tipsiness, and because he had finally achieved the goal he’d pursued for years, a lingering smile played on his lips as he opened his door.

But the room was cold and empty. The spacious house was as quiet as a tomb, with only moonlight streaming through the windows.

He rubbed his dizzy forehead and turned on the lights.

After showering, he felt more clearheaded and calm. Sitting on the sofa, he brewed a pot of green tea and drank slowly. Looking up inadvertently, he saw the already tidied master bedroom.

There hadn’t been much to tidy—besides the necessary furniture, it was already empty.

Would she take the bait?

Luo Yu smiled.

Would she walk into his carefully laid trap?

He lifted his tea and took a small sip.

In this game of chess, how many were the players? From an unknown small-time lawyer to his current position—envied and despised by all. How many had used him, and how many had he used in return?

This play was particularly grand. He might even have to stake his life on it.

But if You Mingxu weren’t on this path, he would probably be much lonelier.

So from that day when she accidentally stumbled into a corner of his deep web, he had no choice but to keep her in the palm of his hand.

—

Though Luo Yu often suffered from insomnia, he slept well that night. His dreams were hazy yet gentle. He seemed to keep seeing that faint patch of moonlight on the floor by the bedside.

Upon waking, yesterday’s satisfaction, desire, and slight anxiety all fell back into place. He returned to being that calm, shrewd, universally despised black lawyer he’d been for years. No, he was more than just a lawyer now.

He had become the sharpest and most effective claw of the invisible empire.

Following Xing Jifu’s instructions from the night before, Luo Yu spent the entire day adjusting, arranging, planning, and holding secret discussions. Around three in the afternoon, while directing some subordinates in covert operations, he received a text message.

He glanced at it and fell silent.

His subordinates, noticing his change in expression, asked, “Boss, what’s wrong?”

Luo Yu put away his phone and smiled. “Nothing.” After a pause, seemingly unable to contain himself, he added with a grin, “Your sister-in-law is moving into my place today.”

The message on his phone was from You Mingxu: “Moving to your place in an hour.”

The news about Luo Yu finding a beautiful policewoman had spread throughout the gang. They weren’t afraid of the police, and all thought Luo Yu was incredibly impressive. Hearing his announcement now, they all smiled.

Luo Yu pointed to one man and said, “Take two others and wait at my place. Help sister-in-law move in. Tell her I’m tied up but will submit to her judgment tonight. Report back when it’s done.”

Luo Yu truly couldn’t leave—several groups of subordinates were still waiting to see him. The chosen subordinate quickly agreed and hurried off to win the sister-in-law’s favor.

So when You Mingxu arrived with the moving company at Luo Yu’s building, she found three young men eagerly waiting. She had met them before and didn’t bother with pleasantries. After their greetings, they took over the moving tasks, directing the movers up and down.

You Mingxu went straight into Luo Yu’s home.

It was both what she had imagined and not quite. A three-bedroom apartment in a high-security, upscale community, decorated in extremely minimalist cool tones—refined yet empty. It was exactly the kind of place a single man his age would have, though more restrained and understated than the man himself.

The subordinates had given You Mingxu a complete set of keys to the entire apartment. She didn’t hesitate to tour the place, including Luo Yu’s bedroom, though the drawers were locked, revealing nothing. Unfazed, she went to the study where some documents lay on the desk. She briefly examined them—some legal, some potentially illegal, but all cases the police were already aware of. She noticed a safe in the corner and checked the key ring, but naturally found no key for it.

No rush—now that she had entered his lair, there would be plenty of time.

However, You Mingxu didn’t expect to find anything significant. Since Luo Yu had prepared for her to move in, anything she could see would be within his control.

After the subordinates finished moving, they left. You Mingxu stayed a while longer before going downstairs, noting that no one was watching her, and quickly slipped into an adjacent building.

She took the elevator to a high floor and knocked on a specific door. It opened to reveal Xu Mengshan, who glanced behind her before letting her in.

This was an empty apartment in the complex, secretly requisitioned by the police. It was almost directly opposite Luo Yu’s home.