"Dad, this Bo Jinxiu you're talking about... you don't mean the heir to the Bo family, do you? The richest family in the country?" The old man nodded. "The very same." Yan Feng's father sighed, a look of resignation on his face. "That's a tall order. He's the prince of Jingcheng's high society, a world away from us here in Rongcheng. Besides, the gap between the Yan and Bo families is just too vast. How could we possibly get in with them?" It was common knowledge that the Bo family was the wealthiest in the nation, with its numerous branches and complex lineage. Bo Jinxiu was Old Master Bo's son from his later years, his handpicked successor. But the man was notoriously private; the public didn't even know what he looked like. No one knew why the old master had suddenly brought him up. The old man continued, "The Bo family bought the land for the Paradise Resort project a long time ago. According to an inside source, Old Master Bo has given Jinxiu full authority over it. If the Yan Corporation can catch his eye when he's selecting a construction firm, our chances will be much better." "Dad, that's a long shot. So many people are trying to cozy up to the Bo family. If we just show up in Jingcheng, we probably won't even get to see him." "Who said anything about going to Jingcheng? Bo Jinxiu is right here in Rongcheng. In fact, I've heard he's been living here for three years." Yan Feng frowned as well. "He's the prince of Jingcheng's elite. It would make sense for him to visit Rongcheng to inspect the resort project, but why would he settle down here for three years?" "Old Mrs. Bo is from Rongcheng. She came here three years ago to recuperate from an illness, and Bo Jinxiu came with her. It's a well-kept secret. For the past three years, they've been living at the Lushan Estate in Rongcheng." The Lushan Estate was a villa built into the mountainside in the South District. It was the only residence on the entire mountain, and for years, it was rumored to belong to a reclusive billionaire. No one had imagined it was a Bo family asset. "Dad, if this is a secret, how did you find out?" Yan Feng's mother couldn't help but ask. "It *was* a secret. But now, everyone knows. Because tomorrow is the old lady's seventieth birthday, and against all odds, our Yan family has received two invitations." "It's not just the Bo family. All the prominent families in Rongcheng have received an invitation. I imagine that after living here for so long, Old Mrs. Bo is willing to lower her guard and build some goodwill." "Regardless, this is our chance. It's why I had you come back to the country on such short notice, Ah Feng." With that, the old man produced two invitation cards. "Ah Feng, Ciyou, you two will attend Old Mrs. Bo's birthday banquet tomorrow night. Prepare a fine gift, and make sure you get noticed by Bo Jinxiu. If you can manage to exchange a few words, even better." "Alright, alright, no more shop talk at the dinner table," Yan Feng's mother interjected, seizing the opportunity. "I've already prepared the room. Both of you will sleep in the master bedroom tonight. Now that you're back, it's time you two had a child." Jiang Ciyou had always had her own room in the Yan family home. Even after the wedding, she had continued to stay in her small room, never moving into their shared master bedroom. "I have something to do tonight. I need to go out," Yan Feng said, his tone flat. His mother slammed her chopsticks on the table. "Go out? To see that little fox? If you dare leave Ciyou to sleep alone tonight, I'll have that vixen skinned alive." "Mom, don't do anything crazy." "Just watch me." Jiang Ciyou said nothing, sipping her fish maw and chicken soup as she watched the drama unfold. Honestly, it was impossible to say she had completely let go. After all, at the lowest point in her life, the two people she trusted most had brutally betrayed her. She had hated them, had sought her own wild revenge. But time had worn down the sharp edges of her heart. Now, she could watch the show with a detached amusement, like an outsider. She didn't even know when she had finally moved on. Still, she was curious to see just how far Yan Feng would go for Xia Ling. In the bedroom, an unspoken silence hung between them. Yan Feng was on the balcony, on the phone with Xia Ling. He had been placating her for half an hour, and Jiang Ciyou could still hear the faint sounds of her whimpering through the phone. Yet, Yan Feng's patience seemed endless. Jiang Ciyou couldn't help but recall that in all the time they had dated, he had never once soothed her with such patience. They were too familiar with each other. So familiar that the first time he'd tried to kiss her, she had burst out laughing at his reddening ears. "Jiang Xiaoyou! What are you laughing at?" a younger, mortified Yan Feng had demanded. "I look at your mouth and all I can think of is that time in kindergarten when we poked a beehive. A bee stung your lips and they swelled up like sausages. And those ears... you looked absolutely ridiculous." Jiang Ciyou had doubled over with laughter, while Yan Feng fumed. After that, he never initiated a kiss again. In their two years of officially dating, she'd never even had her first kiss. It was, she had to admit, a bit of a failure. If she hadn't met *him*, Jiang Ciyou might have reached the age of twenty-three without ever knowing what a kiss felt like. An image of his devastatingly handsome, almost demonic face surfaced in her mind. And the rakish, passionate way he looked when he kissed her. He was like a male fox spirit reincarnated, born to steal souls. Jiang Ciyou smiled. It had only been three hours since their breakup, and she was already starting to miss him. She picked up her phone and scrolled to his number. The contact name was saved as "The Gigolo." Jiang Ciyou was shocked to realize that after sleeping with the man for three years, she didn't even know his real name. But she couldn't entirely blame herself. They only ever met at night, and their meetings always got straight to the point. In the throes of passion, they called each other "baby" or "darling." Jiang Ciyou suddenly felt like a real cad, the kind who walks away without a backward glance. As she was lost in thought, her phone buzzed. The caller ID displayed: "The Gigolo." Jiang Ciyou stared at the screen for a few seconds before finally answering. "Miss me already? It's barely been any time," she purred. Her voice was naturally sultry, soft and sweet, enough to make a man's heart melt. There was a moment of silence on the other end. Then, a deep voice, tinged with restraint, came through. "Where are you right now?" "At home, of course." "Come over now. Green Meadow Villa. I need to see you." She idly twisted a strand of her hair, her voice deliberately casual. "Can't. Like I said, my husband's back. I have to play the good wife tonight." "Jiang Ciyou, you are not to sleep with him." The man's voice was clearly losing its composure. "Oh, come on, don't be dramatic. If you're not happy with the breakup fee, I can throw in a shop for you. With that, you won't have to work at the Black Horse Club anymore." "Jiang Ciyou, I don't care about any of that! Do you even know who I am?" "It doesn't matter who you are. We're over." In stark contrast to the man's rising anger, her voice remained soft and gentle, as if she were placating a child. Just then, Yan Feng finished his call and stepped into the room from the balcony. A deliberate, sweet smile spread across Jiang Ciyou's face. "Well, my husband's here now. You should get some sleep." The man on the other end roared, "Jiang Ciyou, don't you dare hang up—" *Click.* She ended the call. For good measure, she switched her phone to Do Not Disturb and placed it facedown on the balcony railing. Yan Feng glanced at her, frowning. "Whose call was that?" Jiang Ciyou's smile was radiant. "My boyfriend's."