"Madam, the Fourth Young Master is here." "What?" Yun Jing froze. Why would Lou Jinnian show up now? She glanced at Jian Huan. "Take her upstairs. Don't let her make a sound." Jian Huan was dragged away, a hand clamped over her mouth. Just as she was pulled around the bend of the staircase, a cheerful male voice drifted up from downstairs. "Sister-in-law." The arrival of a visitor sent a surge of adrenaline through Jian Huan, and she began to struggle violently, refusing to let the bodyguards force her into a guest room. Fearing they'd make a scene, the bodyguards could only pin her to the floor. Downstairs, Yun Jing’s voice was gentle. "Jinnian, what brings you here?" Lou Jinnian was all smiles. "I came to see Elder Brother. Is he around?" "You just missed him. He's out." "Is that so?" Lou Jinnian’s eyes subtly scanned the surroundings, his gaze finally landing on a woman's shoe abandoned on the stairs. He feigned distress. "Damn. I came to borrow something from him. It's urgent." Yun Jing hesitated. "What do you need? I can have someone bring it to you later." "Oh, that's far too much trouble for you, Sister-in-law. I'll just pop up to his study and grab it myself." Before Yun Jing could agree, Lou Jinnian was already heading up the stairs. "Hey, Fourth Brother—" "..." On the second floor, Lou Jinnian’s eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Jian Huan, pinned by guards with her mouth covered. Yun Jing, who had followed him up, had a face like thunder. Jian Huan watched their lips move, but she couldn't make out a word they were saying. Right now, she was like a fish gasping on dry land—hot, thirsty. A tingling itch crawled up from the base of her spine, inch by inch, seeping into the very marrow of her bones. It was enough to drive a person mad. Through the haze, Jian Huan felt someone lift her into their arms and start walking out. She clung to his neck unconsciously, the coolness of his skin a blessed relief. Just as she tried to touch him again, her wrist was caught. A teasing voice followed. "Ah, can't have that. If I laid a hand on you, the Second Master would kill me." Lou Jinnian carried Jian Huan back to her room and laid her on the bed, folding his arms as he muttered to himself. "The Second Master only told me to get you out. My mission is accomplished." Second Master… Hearing those two words, the blood that was already burning in Jian Huan’s veins felt like it had been set ablaze. She even found herself yearning for the bruising grip of Lou Xiao's arms, for the sweat that dripped from his neck, for the sound of his ragged breaths. Jian Huan’s torment intensified. Her consciousness slipping, she murmured, "Second Master... help me again." Lou Jinnian, who had been about to leave, stopped in his tracks. He turned back, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. From the way she said that... had they slept together? His interest piqued, Lou Jinnian pulled up a chair by the bed and made a call. "Hey, Second Brother. I've brought her back to Meiyuan." "Mm." Seeing Lou Xiao’s indifference, Lou Jinnian raised an eyebrow. Had he guessed wrong? He pressed on. "She's back, but they gave her something. It's a strong dose." "Oh?" Lou Xiao's voice was languid. "Then call Lou Jingyang over to sleep with her." Lou Jingyang was her fiancé; calling him was the proper thing to do. Lou Jinnian cast a pitying glance at Jian Huan on the bed. It seemed his dear Second Brother didn't care about her that much after all. "Alright. I'll go get Lou Jingyang." "No... don't... don't call him..." Jian Huan’s voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz, but her refusal was clear. Lou Jinnian simply switched the call to speaker and pushed the phone into her hand, his tone alight with the thrill of watching a good show. "Then you tell him yourself." Jian Huan's eyes couldn't focus. A fragile, weeping quality entered her voice as she cried out, "Second Master..." "..." Her cry sent a chill down Lou Xiao’s spine, and a vein throbbed at his temple. He let out a low curse, his voice tight with frustration. "Don't fucking call me that."