Six years later. In the bustling heart of Di Du’s central business district, an interview played across a massive LED screen— “Recently, SY Group went public on the New York Stock Exchange. It took only six years for SY to transform from a startup into a corporate behemoth. Its controlling shareholder and CEO, Bo Hanshi, has become a living legend on the NYSE, gracing the cover of *Time* magazine just last week. Today, we are honored to have Mr. Bo Hanshi with us to discuss how he single-handedly built SY into a business empire over these past six years.” Shoulders slumped in defeat, Qiao Yu emerged from the IFC Tower, resume in hand, only to look up and see the brilliant man on the screen. He wore a cool gray suit, a black shirt, and a silver-gray tie knotted impeccably at his throat. His skin was pale, his features handsome and sharp. His long, slender hands, with their well-defined knuckles, rested casually on his lap. He faced the camera with an air of relaxed confidence, a polite, detached smile gracing his severe features. He exuded the calm authority of a man in power—composed, poised, and utterly unattainable. In response to the host's question, he answered simply. He said: “Hate.” The host, thinking he was joking, pressed on. She had fought tooth and nail to land an interview with a man like Bo Hanshi and wasn't about to let the opportunity for a sensational topic slip by. She posed a particularly sharp question: “Rumor has it, Mr. Bo, that you spent time in prison six years ago, framed by your first love. I’m a little curious… is there any truth to that?” The question hung in the air, and the atmosphere in the studio instantly turned ice-cold. Bo Hanshi remained seated, poised and unflappable, his handsome face a placid mask. But a murderous glint flashed in his eyes. He slowly, deliberately, buttoned his suit jacket, rose to his feet, and left them with an inscrutable remark: “Sometimes, curiosity isn't a good thing.” … Standing across the street, Qiao Yu felt her back go rigid, the color draining from her face. Six years. Time had sculpted Bo Hanshi into the perfect man of power, deepening his complexities and tempering his reserve. As for his sordid past, that chapter was closed. Now, any mention of that humiliating time only served to wrap the business prodigy in a veil of greater mystery. People have always been drawn to power, and something both powerful and mysterious was irresistible. The gossiping public would likely just sigh and say: *Bo Hanshi’s first love must have been blind as a bat! She must be kicking herself.* Qiao Yu let out a mocking laugh. Oh, she regretted it. Every single day, every single night for the past six years, she had been drowning in regret. But now, she and Bo Hanshi were worlds apart. She had just been fired from Di Du TV, told she had offended someone she couldn’t afford to offend. She’d spent the day desperately searching for another job, only to be rejected at every turn. That powerful, untouchable person… it had to be Bo Hanshi. He still hated her. But Qiao Yu didn’t hate him. This was her just deserts. She deserved it. Except, Xiao Xiangsi was about to start first grade, and she couldn't even scrape together the ten thousand bucks for tuition. Rent was due at the end of the month… The thought of all the expenses made her head spin. Money, money, money. Where was she going to get it? She pulled a business card from her purse—one her best friend, Nan Chu, had given her. Fusheng Nightclub, Manager Li. Thankfully, she still had a good voice. She could sing at the nightclub part-time to make some extra cash. She’d resisted before, held back by some worthless pride. But now, when she couldn't even support her child, what did it matter? The “Young Miss of the Qiao family,” the “TV host”—all that pride was useless. … 8:00 PM. Fusheng Nightclub. Inside the luxurious VIP Room 888. “That damn host today, she's got a death wish. Of all the things to bring up! His cursed ex-girlfriend! Jiang, we have to do something about her!” “Already taken care of. I made a call, she’s been fired. It's Hanshi's birthday today. Don't bring up this crap when he gets here.” “Who'd dare? I don't have the guts! That Qiao... ugh! Just saying her name is bad luck! She's his ultimate trigger.” The two men talking were SY Group’s Lu Zhilv and Jiang Yuchuan, Bo Hanshi’s two closest friends. A few moments later, Bo Hanshi arrived, flanked by two bodyguards in black suits. Lu Zhilv slung an arm around Bo Hanshi’s shoulders. “It's your birthday, man, crack a smile! Jiang and I decorated this whole room for you! Surprise!” The man glanced at the balloons and streamers filling the room, his expression cold. He sat down on the sofa and crossed his long legs. “It's just another birthday. Nothing to celebrate.” “Look at you, so young, yet interested in nothing… I'm gonna order you a gorgeous girl tonight, help you loosen up!” Jiang Yuchuan teased, “You think the boss is as horny as you are? Hanshi, I actually did prepare a surprise for you tonight…” Before he could finish, there was a knock on the door of Room 888. “Hello, I'm the singer Mr. Jiang requested. May I come in?” Jiang Yuchuan grinned. “Speak of the devil, the surprise is here. Come in!” With a soft click, the door opened. Qiao Yu walked in, cradling a violin. The room was dimly lit, but as she looked up, her gaze locked with a pair of dark eyes in the corner. The instant their eyes met, the blood in Qiao Yu’s veins seemed to freeze and flow backward. Her feet felt nailed to the floor, unable to move forward, unable to retreat. She could only stand there, numb and awkward, meeting those frosty, piercing black eyes. Not only was Qiao Yu stunned, but Lu Zhilv was also speechless for a long moment. When he recovered, he let out a sneer. “Well, well, if it isn't Qiao Yu, the great Young Miss of the Xizhou Qiao family! What happened to your TV host gig? Why are you singing in a place like this?” In the corner, Bo Hanshi sat, impossibly regal, watching Lu Zhilv humiliate her as if he were a complete stranger. There was not a flicker of emotion on his handsome face; his gaze was that of someone who had never known her. Like they were strangers… this was it. *Six years, Bo Hanshi. Long time no see.* She never imagined their reunion would be here. He, the honored guest, and she, the hired entertainment. Qiao Yu dug her nails into her palm, the sharp sting of pain bringing her back to her senses. She forced a meaningless smile. “Mr. Lu is here to spend money, and I'm here to earn it. Of course, if the clients don't want to see me, I'll leave immediately. I apologize for ruining your evening.” Her spine was ramrod straight, but she lowered her head, bowing a full ninety degrees. She didn’t want trouble. And she certainly didn’t want to provoke Bo Hanshi again. Just as Qiao Yu clutched her violin and turned to leave… The silent man in the dark corner finally spoke, his voice like cold steel. “Stop.”