Gu Minxing, cigarette in hand, acted as if he hadn't heard a thing. Everyone in the room knew the score when it came to Gu Minxing and Lin Ruan. It was pure lust, just a bit of fun. Still, he *had* slept with her, and that recent photo she’d posted—a subtle jab—made it clear they weren’t done yet. No man wants another guy touching a woman he’s still involved with; it’s tantamount to being cheated on. And for a man like Gu Minxing, it was out of the question. But his lack of reaction now left them all guessing. Not everyone in the private room knew the whole story between them. The man who spoke up didn’t, and neither did the one who answered him. “Zhou Haishan? You think Lin Ruan would stoop that low? You must’ve seen it wrong.” “That waist? There isn’t another one like it in all of Jiangcheng. I couldn’t mistake it.” “Tsk. Sounds like you and Lin Ruan’s waist are well-acquainted.” “You bet. I’ve had my hands on it countless times—in my dreams.” Raunchy banter like this was standard fare. But today’s target was different. Those in the know fell silent, their eyes fixed on Gu Minxing. They were all curious to see how much Lin Ruan was really worth to him. After all, Lin Ruan was a walking siren, and more than a few men in that room coveted her. They were just waiting for Lin Shanshan to return from her competition and finalize her engagement to Gu Minxing, hoping they could have their turn with her then. That’s right—just a turn. No one would ever marry a notorious ‘lame girl’. Gu Minxing finished his cigarette, crushing the butt into the ashtray. He rose, smoothed down his suit jacket, and announced flatly, “I’m heading to the restroom.” His voice was so devoid of emotion, it made them wonder if he was truly just heading to the restroom. When Gu Minxing reached the other room, he found Lin Ruan had just shattered a bottle over Zhou Haishan’s head. Blood was streaming down Zhou Haishan’s face as he roared that he was going to kill her. Gu Minxing stood calmly in the doorway. “Kill who?” he asked, his voice low and steady. Zhou Haishan’s bluster vanished the moment he saw Gu Minxing. Clutching his bleeding head, he fell silent. In all of Jiangcheng, no one dared to cross Gu Minxing. The men in Zhou Haishan's room had been ready to teach Lin Ruan a lesson, but now that Gu Minxing was here, they froze. Everyone knew he was engaged to marry her sister, Lin Shanshan. With Gu Minxing shielding her now, no one dared to stop them. They could only watch helplessly as Gu Minxing led her away. Only after they were gone did someone in the room finally remember. “Quick, call an ambulance!” ….. In the car, Lin Ruan was shaken and indignant. She sank her teeth into Gu Minxing’s arm, her voice muffled. “Why didn’t you answer my call? Do you have any idea what almost happened to me back there?” Gu Minxing drove on, letting her bite, seemingly immune to the pain. Unsatisfied, Lin Ruan let go. “I don’t care. You owe me.” “What do you want?” When it came to problems money could solve, Gu Minxing never hesitated. Lin Ruan made an audacious demand. “I want ‘Fanxing’.” ‘Fanxing’ was the name of a large, franchised flower shop. Gu Minxing scoffed. “That’s your family’s business. Why are you asking me for it?” “If you want to give it to me,” Lin Ruan said, “you’ll find a way.” He didn’t even glance at her, his voice cold. “A million. Take it or leave it.” Lin Ruan’s hand shot out. “Done.” Seeing her jump at the money so eagerly, a flicker of derision crossed his eyes. “You’ll have the check tomorrow,” he said. Gu Minxing dropped Lin Ruan off outside her villa and drove away. She clicked her way home on her high heels. As she entered the living room, she found Ge Wei waiting for her. “So you finally decided to come home?” Ge Wei’s face was a thundercloud, her expression venomous. Lin Ruan was completely unfazed. “Where else would I go?” Ge Wei was spoiling for a fight. She sneered. “Who knows where you’ve been? You’re so good at wrapping men around your finger. I wouldn’t be surprised if you just crawled out of some man’s bed.” Lin Ruan smiled, a single eyebrow arching in defiance. “You know,” she said, her tone deliberately provocative, “you might be right. I just climbed out of your precious future son-in-law’s bed.” That was all it took. Ge Wei lost her composure, pointing a trembling finger at Lin Ruan. “Take a good look at yourself! You think a man like Minxing would ever want *you*?” “That’s not for you to decide. Maybe… I’m just his type.”