“Xuan Yanyu, twenty-two years of age. Heir to the Xuan Group.”

“The Xuan Group operates across multiple industries, holding a leading position in each. It is the preeminent conglomerate of Yuzhao Prefecture.”

Yan Yunning pressed her lips together. The Xuan Group — it was an entity even more formidable than her own family. It was the kind of power that commanded the involuntary respect of others. Even the revenue of a single subsidiary was something no competitor could match.

Further down, additional information indicated: “Xuan Yanyu. The son that Old Master Xuan has doted upon since childhood. He has an elder sister, Xuan Zhaoyrang, and a younger sister, Xuan Zhaoran.”

Yan Yunning’s pupils contracted. The hand gripping the mouse was trembling. It seemed there was no longer any way to deceive herself — he was the Xuan Xixi she knew.

She scrolled further down and her gaze landed on a photograph. A man in a white dress shirt, his collar unbuttoned by several buttons to reveal fair collarbones, was holding a wine glass in a lazy, unhurried manner, clinking it against Qi Qingchen’s.

Behind him stood Ye Chen, Ye’an, and Ye Jian.

At this point, it was truly impossible to deceive herself any longer. Yan Yunning did not know whether she ought to feel glad.

He was her Xuan Xixi, and yet he was not her Xuan Xixi.

Further below: six months ago, he had begun a relationship with a girlfriend, who was now more than four months along with child. They were deeply in love. According to the information, they had known each other since university.

Just as her brother had said — had it not been for the car accident, Xuan Yanyu would have married his girlfriend by now.

Yan Yunning fought through the ache in her chest and scrolled down once more. The latest posts read:

“Young Master Xuan got into a car accident rushing to accompany his girlfriend to her prenatal check-up. His girlfriend must have been so distraught — but thankfully, Young Master Xuan has woken up.”

“Ha.” Yan Yunning bit her lip. Her tears flowed, impossible to control.

She had been played.

Fafa!!!

No wonder that once, while she was in the book, she had asked Xuan Yanyu whether he had a bed companion. Fafa had said he did and told her to believe it.

It turned out there was no bed companion — there was… there was a girlfriend!!

Before she left, Fafa had said there was a surprise waiting. Was this the surprise Fafa had spoken of?

What a wonderful surprise indeed!!!

Fafa had said Xuan Yanyu would not remember her and would live well. She had thought he would live well within the book. As it turned out, that was not what was meant — Xuan Yanyu simply did not remember anything from within the book.

He did not remember…

He had… had a girlfriend…

Had… had a baby on the way…

Yan Yunning curled into herself in the chair, the pain so acute she could not breathe. She wrapped her arms around herself and broke into heaving, inconsolable sobs, her eyes utterly devoid of light.

Her small, delicate frame was hunched pitifully in the chair, like a helpless child.

——

Six days later.

In a high-end music lounge with thunderous sound, the top-floor private room was strikingly quiet by comparison. A group of men in well-tailored suits and women dressed with refined elegance gathered there, celebrating Xuan Yanyu’s recovery from his coma.

“Oh wow — besides Bai Yue, Sisi, Zhijing, Zhibai, An’nian, Ruoyi, and Jingzhi’s group, pretty much everyone is here.” Mu Heng raised his glass and clinked it against Xuan Yanyu’s. “Congratulations on your recovery, Yuege.”

“No — A’yu just woke up. Best if he doesn’t drink.” Shiyao’s voice was soft and gentle as she took the glass from Xuan Yanyu’s hand and set it on the table.

“Right, right, right — we should listen to Miss Shi.” Mu Heng smiled and rubbed his head. “I forgot Yuege just woke up and can’t drink.”

Since Yuege did not allow them to call Shiyao “sister-in-law,” they had always addressed her as “Miss Shi.”

“Yuege, Master Guosi said the story he wrote was pretty wild. What roles did I and Chuchu play in it? In the story, was I a prince of the first rank, a regent, or an emperor?” Xie Yan laughed and raised his glass to clink it against Mu Heng’s.

Nan Chu was also a little curious — had she chased Xie Yan for three years in the story before finally winning him over?

Had she also been the one to propose to Xie Yan??

Xuan Yanyu lit a cigarette, bit it between his lips, and said indifferently, “Don’t know. If anyone brings it up again, get out.”

Xie Yan: “……”

Nan Chu: “……”

Seeing that Xuan Yanyu was growing impatient, Mu Heng quickly changed the subject. “Zhibai’s group is overseas and couldn’t make it back. But Jingzhi is right here in Chaxi City — why didn’t he come?”

“His little sister came back from her trip. Jingzhi said he wanted to keep her company.” Yun Ze set down his glass and casually tossed a cigarette butt into the trash bin.

Xuan Yanyu tapped his cigarette idly with his index finger and replied in a lazy, unhurried tone, “Yan Yunning?”

Yun Ze was mildly surprised. “Yes — Yuege, you know her?”

Xuan Yanyu curved his lips slightly. “I’ve seen her a few times. Quite pretty.”

In Jingzhi’s office — time after time, that girl had never once spared him a proper glance, her eyes fixed entirely on the red envelope notifications on Jingzhi’s phone.

Next time she went to Jingzhi’s office, he would absolutely have to make a bit of a scene and get her to notice him. No one had ever ignored him so many times like that.

Not taken him seriously at all.

Mu Heng glanced at Shiyao — here was Yuege, right in front of Shiyao, complimenting another girl’s looks. Was that… was that really appropriate?

“Call Jingzhi. Today is a celebration of my recovery — if he doesn’t come, don’t bother joining any gatherings in the future.” Xuan Yanyu exhaled a ring of smoke, pressed out his cigarette, and then suddenly smiled. “If he can’t bear to leave his sister, he can bring her along.”

“Understood, Yuege.” Yun Ze pulled his phone from his trouser pocket, scrolled through his contacts, and dialed Yan Jingzhi’s number.

Shiyao’s brow furrowed slightly.

Lou Ao and Jiang Xian exchanged a glance and, in perfect unison, pulled out their phones and started typing rapidly.

Lou Ao: 【What is going on? Why did Yuege suddenly take an interest and invite Jingzhi’s sister over? Doesn’t he hate having unfamiliar faces at gatherings?】

Jiang Xian: 【Yuege just said he’s seen Jingzhi’s sister before! She’s not really a stranger anymore!!!】

Lou Ao: 【Shiyao is right there!!!】

Jiang Xian: 【???】

Lou Ao: 【!!!】

“A’yu-gege, you can’t drink alcohol — but fruit juice should be fine, right?” Pei Shufang smiled sweetly. She picked up the juice and poured his glass full, then clinked her cup against his. “Have just one sip.”

Xuan Yanyu raised an eyebrow. His elegantly boned hand lifted the glass and he took a light sip.

Pei Shufang raised her chin with a triumphant glance toward Shiyao.

Pei Shuluo, who had witnessed the whole thing, walked over with a slight limp and patted her on the head. “Have one with your second brother too.”

Pei Shufang pouted. “Why would I — your ankle isn’t even fully healed yet and you’re thinking about drinking?”

“Tsk. Didn’t you just say you can’t drink but you can have juice? Pour me some.” Pei Shuluo tapped his glass.

“Oh, alright.” Pei Shufang puffed out her cheeks and poured Pei Shuluo’s glass full.

“Luo — that ankle still hasn’t healed?” Pei Qingyan looked at Pei Shuluo’s bandaged foot with barely concealed delight.

Xuan Yanyu’s hand stilled slightly against the rotating wine glass. Hearing Pei Qingyan’s voice, he was inexplicably annoyed — as though the man had snatched away something very important from him.

“Stop gloating. My second brother’s ankle is not something that won’t heal.” Pei Shufang glared at Pei Qingyan.

“Alright, alright — I won’t say another word, Miss Pei. This humble one should not have gloated.” Pei Qingyan tilted his head toward Pei Shufang, raised his glass, and drained it in one go.

Pei Shufang pursed her lips.

“Want to play a game? Who’s in?” Mu Shiqing hollered out.

“Sure — what are we playing?” Yan Zhiyi and Pei Shunian crowded over.

Shiyao’s eyes dimmed as she lowered her head. Nan Chu and Wen Wanyu sat together talking. Pei Shufang looked down on her family background. The others in the room were all greeting her only as a courtesy to A’yu.

It seemed… this circle… was very difficult… very difficult… to fit into.