“We’re staying at the residence tonight.” Jian Huan froze, her hand halfway into the sleeve of her coat. “Why?” Considering Jian Huan had been on her best behavior all day, Lou Jingyang begrudgingly offered an explanation. “Grandpa gave us that generous gift, so my parents want us to stay for a couple of days. It can’t hurt to spend some time with him.” Lou Jingyang was texting, his gaze softening with affection as he stared at the screen. But the moment he looked up, his expression soured back to impatience. “Alright, I’ve got things to do. You can head over to the Plum Courtyard on your own.” Besides the Old Master Lou’s main courtyard, the Lou family residence was divided into North and South annexes, as well as four smaller courtyards named Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum. The North and South annexes were closest to the old master’s main building; currently, only the eldest son, Lou Cheng, and his family resided in the South Annex. As for Lou Jingyang’s family, the fifth branch, they lived in the Plum Courtyard. As a servant led her there, Jian Huan noticed a flurry of activity in the Bamboo Courtyard, which was separated from them by a small garden. She asked casually, “Isn’t the Bamboo Courtyard empty?” “In response, Young Madam, the Second Master is staying over tonight. He’s in there.” Jian Huan went rigid. Her previous encounters with Lou Xiao had left her so shaken that the mere mention of his name sent a jolt of anxiety through her. “Young Madam?” Jian Huan snapped back to reality. “It’s nothing. You can go.” “Yes, madam.” After the servant left, Jian Huan gazed toward the Bamboo Courtyard. It was just for one night. As long as she didn’t leave the Plum Courtyard, she should be fine. - “What? The security guard quit?” Jiang Ziying was baffled by the phone call. “Did he say why?” “Well, I’m not sure. He just said he was going back to his hometown. Left without even collecting his final paycheck.” Jiang Ziying found it bizarre. Why would he just up and quit? She glanced at her handbag, which held the suit jacket from last night. She had looked up the brand yesterday and the price was astronomical. It wasn’t a standard model either, but a high-end custom piece. That, combined with the guard’s sudden resignation, only strengthened her suspicion. This jacket wasn’t, as Jian Huan claimed, something she had intentionally left behind. It had been left by a man. She immediately took a photo of the jacket and sent it to a friend whose family was in the fashion business, asking her to trace the buyer. Her friend promised to get back to her within three days. A thrill of excitement ran through Jiang Ziying. If she could prove Jian Huan had a man on the side, she’d have her wrapped around her little finger. “What are you thinking about?” Jiang Ziying was so lost in thought she didn’t even notice Lou Jingyang’s arrival. “You scared me!” “Don’t worry, I’ll make it better.” Lou Jingyang pulled her onto his lap, his hands beginning to roam. Jiang Ziying pouted. “Aren’t you afraid she’ll find out?” “So what if she does? What man is ever satisfied with just one woman? She comes from the Jian family; she should understand that better than anyone.” “So, you won’t be satisfied with just me?” she whined. Lou Jingyang’s hands moved over her. “You just take good care of me, and you’ll be the only one I need.” … Jian Huan emerged from her shower to find Lou Jingyang in the room and quickly turned her back to him. If he’d bothered to look at her for even a second, he would have seen the marks another man had left on her skin. The irony was, he was too busy on his phone, flirting with his precious cousin just a wall away, to pay her any mind. Clutching the collar of her robe tightly to hide her neck, Jian Huan turned, her voice cold. “What are you doing in here?” Lou Jingyang looked up, irritated. Seeing her guarded expression, a flicker of anger ignited within him. What’s with the act? Just yesterday she was begging him to sleep with her, and now she was putting on this virtuous maiden routine? Who was she trying to fool? “This is my house. Do I need to report my whereabouts to you? You think I want to be in the same room as you? If it weren’t for keeping up appearances, I wouldn’t even spare you a glance!” Lou Jingyang didn’t even realize that beneath his anger was a sliver of resentment at her indifference. Just because she caught him with Ziying, she was going to give him this attitude? Unbelievable! He hadn’t even called her out for following him. Besides, what man wasn’t a little promiscuous? It was hardly a big deal when it was all in the family. As the thought crossed his mind, he said it aloud. Hearing his twisted logic, Jian Huan looked at him with a ghost of a smile. “So it’s acceptable as long as it’s ‘in the family’?” “Of course!” Her voice was laced with meaning. “I see. In that case, I hope you remember what you said today.” The argument ended on a sour note, with Lou Jingyang storming out and slamming the door. No doubt he was heading straight to Jiang Ziying’s room. Jian Huan was happy for the peace. After drying her hair, she had just laid down on the bed when a sharp pain shot through her back. She checked in the mirror; the wound had started oozing blood again after getting wet. If she didn’t treat it, it would surely be infected by morning. Jian Huan threw on a coat and went downstairs to look for a first-aid kit. She wasn’t familiar with the Plum Courtyard and couldn’t find one after a quick search of the living room, so she decided to go outside and ask a servant. The night air was cool, and Jian Huan shivered as soon as she stepped out of the small building. Her slippers crunched on the stone path, tiny pebbles getting caught in their soles. The silence was so profound she could hear the wind whispering, and a sudden sense of unease crept over her. When she had arrived during the day, the Lou residence had been bustling with people and patrolled by tight security. Now, there wasn't a soul in sight. Just as she was thinking this, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Her body reacted before her mind could, and Jian Huan ducked behind a moon gate, where a stone sculpture offered just enough cover. The second she was hidden, four or five unfamiliar men appeared. In the dim light, they spoke in hushed tones. “Where’d he go?” “I swear I saw him head for the Plum Courtyard.” From the shadows, Jian Huan saw the dark gleam of gun barrels in their hands and clamped a hand over her mouth. Aware that the courtyard was occupied, they gave it only a cursory search before leaving, afraid of alerting the fifth branch of the family. When silence returned to the Plum Courtyard, Jian Huan’s legs felt weak. A cold sweat she hadn’t noticed before drenched her, seeping into the wound on her back and making it burn with a fresh, stinging pain. After that ordeal, she’d lost all interest in finding medicine. She was lucky to be alive. Just as she was about to leave, a sound came from behind her. The hairs on her neck stood up. Jian Huan turned stiffly, terrified it was one of the men’s accomplices. In a dark corner, a man sat on the ground, clutching his stomach. His deep-set, predatory eyes, like a panther’s, were locked on her. The moment she saw Lou Xiao, she spun around to leave without a second thought. “Even injured,” the man’s voice was a low, murderous snarl, “I can still kill you.” Resigned, Jian Huan walked back, forcing a smile. “Second Master Lou, what can I do for you?” He scoffed at her cowardly display. “Not running away anymore?” “What are you talking about, Second Master? How could I ever abandon you? I was just looking for a first-aid kit, that’s all.” Lou Xiao’s interest deepened at how quickly she could change her tune. It was obvious she’d been about to leave him to his fate, yet now she had the gall to spin an excuse. Her hypocrisy was so blatant it was almost amusing. “Get over here and help me up.”