The ornament in her hair was knocked into a tangled mess. The woman who had been the center of attention just moments before was now pale and disheveled, a pathetic sight. “Shanshan!” Mu Xinyue cried, rushing onto the stage. But even in her supposed worry, she didn’t forget Mu Xia. Deliberately aiming, she slammed her shoulder into Mu Xia, shoving her aside. Mu Xia was wearing four-inch heels and standing right at the edge of the makeshift stage. The sudden, forceful shove sent her stumbling, her body pitching off the edge of the stage… But she reacted instantly, throwing her hands up to shield her head. That way, even if she fell, she wouldn't risk a head injury. Yet, to Mu Xia's surprise, the impact never came. A strong hand steadied her slender back while another arm wrapped firmly around her waist, lifting her clean off the stage and onto the floor below. Once her feet were planted firmly on the ground, Mu Xia instinctively turned to see who owned those hands. She found herself looking up into a handsome, icy face, its brow furrowed in a frown. "Wearing heels that high," he said, his voice low, "are you trying to break your neck?" It's not like she picked them out herself! Mu Xia opened her mouth to argue but held her tongue. He had meant well, after all. If it hadn't been for him, she would have taken a nasty fall. Swallowing her retort, she was just about to thank him when Situ Hai bustled over. “My darling daughter! Are you alright? Your father was about to catch you, but it seems Mr. Ye was a step ahead of me… He treats you so well!” Situ Hai’s tone was laden with meaning, his face a mask of concern. He didn’t spare a single glance for Situ Qingshan, who was being carried upstairs by a crowd of people. A flicker of amusement stirred in Mu Xia’s heart. Her father… for a second there, she almost believed he was a doting, loving parent. Mu Xia truly couldn’t understand why her mother, who was described as so perfect in the files, would have chosen a man like Situ Hai. Figuring that out was another reason she had returned; something felt off. There had to be a secret she didn't know. “I’m fine, Father. You should go upstairs and check on my sister. She just fainted so suddenly… I hope it’s not anything serious.” Mu Xia’s expression was gentle and calm, betraying none of her disgust for Situ Hai. She played the part of the perfect, obedient daughter. Situ Hai was immensely pleased with her. He must have been blessed in a past life to have gained such a flawless daughter! “You’re right,” Situ Hai said quickly. “I’ll go check on your sister and leave you two alone. Mr. Ye, please, make yourself at home!” Ye Sijue's brow furrowed. *His home?* As if the Situ family was worthy. His eyes swept over Mu Xia, but in the end, he refrained from saying anything scathing to Situ Hai. Once Situ Hai was gone, Ye Sijue finally spoke. “I didn’t come for some party. I’ve waited this long just to confirm one last time: are you sure there isn’t any wish you want granted?” Mu Xia felt a little exasperated. The truth was, before returning to the country, she had only investigated the ins and outs of the Situ family and knew little about the current economic landscape. But the Ye family’s reputation preceded them; no investigation was needed. And judging by the reactions of the guests and Situ Hai, it was clear that Ye Sijue was a major figure in the country. But as far as she could remember, she hadn't done anything special back on the island—just what anyone with a bit of medical knowledge would have done. Except for… that night they spent together. But that was something she preferred to forget, to pretend it had never happened. “Ye Sijue,” Mu Xia said, her tone firm and earnest, “I appreciate the thought, but I really don’t need anything.” If there was something she wanted, she was more than capable of getting it herself. The phrase “rely on others” didn’t exist in her vocabulary. Ye Sijue's perpetually knitted brow tightened even further. “Woman, do you have any idea what you’re turning down?” An unlimited wish from him was something countless people could only dream of, yet this foolish woman kept rejecting him, again and again. He wanted to pry open her skull and see if her brain was made of mush. Seeing his expression, Mu Xia, for some reason, found his dead-serious insistence on granting her a wish to be a little… funny. She shrugged. “And what exactly am I turning down? My one true love? Also, my name isn’t ‘Woman’.” “Then what is it?” “It’s… Shanshan.” Shanshan was her nickname, given to her by her adoptive parents abroad. “I see. You still haven’t told me your wish.” Mu Xia decided to joke her way out of it. “If you’re so intent on repaying me,” she said lightly, “why don’t you… offer yourself in marriage?” “…” Now it was Ye Sijue’s turn to be speechless, his handsome face a canvas of complex emotions. The atmosphere grew heavy. Mu Xia cleared her throat to break the tension. “I was kidding. So let's just forget it. I don’t need anything.” “I accept,” Ye Sijue said suddenly. “What?” Mu Xia didn’t follow. “Accept what?” Ye Sijue’s impassive expression returned. “Your wish,” he stated. “It is something I must discuss seriously with my family. This is not a decision I can make alone.” “Wait…” Mu Xia’s eyes widened in disbelief and frustration. “You didn’t actually take me seriously, did you? I told you, it was a joke!” “Sometimes, jokes are just truths in disguise.” “But I was really, truly joking! I’m not interested in you!” A rare flicker of confusion appeared in Ye Sijue's eyes. “Why not? Every girl in Jingdu wants to marry me.” “Well, I’m not one of them!” “In any case… I will give you my answer later. I’m leaving now.” Ye Sijue turned and walked away, clearly not believing that her joke was just a joke. As soon as he left, the bodyguards who had been waiting in the corner fell in step behind him. “Hey! Stop, we need to talk this out!” Seeing him actually leave, Mu Xia hurried after him, only to be blocked by the bodyguards. “Apologies, miss, but you can go no further.” “No, I have to clear things up with him!” The bodyguards didn't budge. It was obvious that without Ye Sijue's permission, no one was getting near him. This explained why, despite so many of the young women here admiring him and the men wanting to curry favor, not a single person had actually dared to approach him. Mu Xia could only watch helplessly as Ye Sijue boarded a helicopter and left. She groaned in frustration. Did that man really take her joke seriously? But the annoyance quickly faded. No normal person would take that seriously. Offer himself in marriage? What century was this? No one nowadays would genuinely consider marrying someone just to repay a debt of gratitude. He must have been joking back, just in his own characteristic style—so deadpan and serious that she almost fell for it. Mu Xia pouted. She had actually been played by that guy’s prank. With that thought, Mu Xia pushed the absurd conversation from her mind and instead turned her attention to her surroundings, her eyes sweeping over the grand manor that had once belonged to the Mu family. What on earth had happened to make a family as prominent as the Mus vanish, to be so completely replaced by the Situs?