Jian Huan hadn't grown up in the Jian family, so she hadn't been indoctrinated with their patriarchal ways. The thought of her fiancé sleeping with someone else sickened her to her core; there was no way she could ever bring herself to fawn over him. What happened with Lou Xiao the day before had been impulsive, but it was more than that—it was a desperate bid for a safety net. She’d hoped that if her secret ever came to light, Lou Xiao might, for the sake of their fleeting affair, help her out just once. Little did she know, that safety net was not only full of holes, it was actively dangerous. The thought of the jacket he’d left behind made her whole body ache with furious regret. For the past six months, she had meticulously mimicked the real Fourth Miss Jian, terrified of making a single misstep. She’d become quiet and reserved, censoring every word, every glance. If it hadn't been for yesterday's encounter with Lou Xiao, she would have been prepared to live out her days tucked away inside this borrowed shell. But Lou Xiao’s arrival had brutally ripped her right out of it. Taking a deep breath, Jian Huan sat up straighter. Even if she had to be an imposter for the rest of her life, she wouldn't be a lamb to the slaughter. Still, Lou Xiao was far too dangerous. She had to stay away from him. Her attempt to borrow his power had failed, and all she’d managed to do was stir up a hornet’s nest. - The Lou Residence Jian Huan was helping a few of the maids set the dining table, arranging the wine glasses. Just as she was about to place a wide-mouthed glass at the head of the table, a hand gently stopped her. “We’re not having red wine today. You’ll get an earful for setting out Bordeaux glasses.” Jian Huan looked up. The woman had a gentle face and a warm, inviting smile that instantly put people at ease. She introduced herself naturally, “I’m Yun Jing. You can just call me Sister-in-law.” “Sister-in-law.” Yun Jing had someone bring over a set of Louis XIII snifters and began placing them with Jian Huan. As they worked, Jian Huan felt a persistent gaze on her. She glanced up and saw Jiang Ziying, who was clinging to the arm of Lou Jingyang’s mother—her own aunt, Jiang Yalian—chatting intimately. Every so often, Jiang Ziying would gesture in her direction. Jian Huan suddenly recalled that just before she’d gone to fetch the glasses, Jiang Ziying had been leaving the kitchen. *Heh. Looks like someone was deliberately trying to make me look like a fool.* Yun Jing noticed her gaze and smiled. “Ziying grew up with Fifth Uncle and Aunt. Jingyang dotes on her, too, just like a real sister.” A smirk touched Jian Huan’s lips. *A real sister? Right. Do brothers normally sleep with their “real” sisters?* But there was no need to air their dirty laundry to an outsider. She just smiled and continued with her work. Once everyone was seated, Old Master Lou was helped to the head of the table by a maid. The moment he sat down, the room fell silent. He scanned the table. “Where is Lou Xiao?” At the mention of his name, Jian Huan shifted uncomfortably, earning a sharp glare from Lou Jingyang beside her. The man in the wheelchair to her right chuckled. “Second Brother isn’t someone we can just summon. Perhaps you should extend the invitation yourself, Grandfather.” Old Master Lou’s face instantly darkened, his drooping eyelids hiding a simmering fury. “That monster.” As soon as the words left his mouth, a mocking voice cut through the silence. “Well, well, Old Master. Speaking ill of others behind their back isn’t good for your health.” Lou Xiao strode in from the doorway. Well over six feet tall, his presence was overwhelming. For this family dinner, everyone else had been treading on eggshells, subtly trying to curry favor with the old man. Hearing such a brazen remark, Jian Huan, who had just taken a sip of water, choked. Her stifled coughs drew an intensely displeased look from Lou Jingyang. He hissed under his breath, “Are you trying to embarrass me?” In the time it took Jian Huan to take another sip of water, Lou Xiao had sauntered over and carelessly dragged out the only empty chair. Unlike the others, who sat ramrod straight, he slumped into his seat, his gaze lingering for a few seconds on Jian Huan, who was trying to make herself invisible, before turning back to the old man. Old Master Lou’s expression was thunderous. Just as everyone expected him to erupt, he reined in his anger. “Where have you been? Why are you so late?” Lou Xiao picked up a glass of liquor from the table and took a swig. “Where have I been? Let me think.” His eyes swept over the man in the wheelchair across from him. “I was just dealing with some unfortunate soul who betrayed me. He was paid to spy on me, so I had to gouge out his eyes. Shoved the dagger into his eye socket, gave it a little twist, and the blood just… *squirted* out, all over my hand…” He gestured as he spoke, his eyes glinting with bloodlust. “Enough!” Old Master Lou barked. Disgusted expressions appeared on the faces around the table. The women covered their mouths with their napkins, looking as if they were about to be sick. Lou Xiao’s gaze was scornful. Every single one of them had hands dirtier than a sewer, yet they all insisted on putting on this holier-than-thou act. Amidst the sea of contemptuous and fearful glances, only one pair of eyes remained clear and detached, as if she were a world away. Lou Xiao watched Jian Huan with growing interest, then raised his glass to her in a toast. The gesture was casual, but for Jian Huan, the one it was directed at, it was a lightning strike. The hairs on her arms stood on end. In the next second, every eye at the table swiveled in her direction, including Old Master Lou’s. The patriarch’s aura was chilling, his gaze so intense it felt tangible, pressing down on her until she could barely breathe. Jian Huan’s breath caught in her throat. Her heart hammered against her ribs, threatening to leap out of her throat. Just as panic was about to overwhelm her, Lou Jingyang, beside her, stood up. He tentatively raised his own glass, a stiff, ingratiating smile on his face. “Second Brother.” It was an understandable mistake. Lou Xiao typically held everyone in contempt; why would he possibly toast Jian Huan, a woman from a second-rate family that was barely clinging to its status? In the circles of truly powerful families, the Jians, who were known for trading their daughters to secure their position, were considered rather tacky. Lou Jingyang’s body blocked Lou Xiao’s line of sight. Not daring to wait for a response, he tilted his head back and downed his glass in one go. Hiding behind him, Jian Huan let out a shuddering exhale, the ache in her chest from holding her breath almost unbearable. But she had barely managed to draw in half a breath when Lou Xiao’s voice rang out again. “Sister-in-law, don’t you recognize me?” Jian Huan’s heart stopped dead. She was consumed by a tidal wave of regret for ever provoking this demon. There was no escape. She had no choice but to stand, raise her glass, and force an expression of calm dignity. “Second Master Lou.” Now even Lou Jingyang was stunned. Jian Huan knew Lou Xiao? Even Old Master Lou had to use a family dinner as a pretense to see him. How could she possibly have the connections to know him? Jian Huan stood rigid under the weight of a dozen probing gazes, fighting to keep her expression neutral. *Don’t look guilty*, she told herself. *The more you panic, the more they’ll see.* The people at this table were as sharp as wolves; even the slightest crack in her composure would be pried open and ripped apart. Old Master Lou’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. He asked Lou Xiao, “You two know each other?” Jian Huan didn’t dare move a muscle. To maintain her composure, she gripped her glass so tightly her knuckles turned white, nearly shattering the delicate stem. If it had been anyone else, she wouldn't have worried about them revealing their sordid encounter. But this was Lou Xiao. The more chaos he caused, the more delighted he was. Unfortunately, it was too late for regrets. All she could do was pray that, for once in his life, Lou Xiao would act like a decent human being and give her a way out.