Zhong Xiran’s heart lurched as she lifted her gaze to him. The cold, white light from the ceiling poured down, illuminating his narrow, sharp eyes. Her grip on her phone tightened, and despite herself, tears welled up and spilled from her eyes. Fearing an audience, she tilted her head back slightly, struggling to hold them in. She had never imagined that in this whole affair, the one person to defend her would be Qi Sinian. And yet, among all the members of the Zhong family, her own parents included, not a single one had spoken up for her. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Yu Shulan was Zhong Xiran’s mother; disciplining her daughter was her right. But the words had come from Qi Sinian, and who would dare refute him? Qi Sinian rarely visited the Zhong family, and while always distant, he had never been anything but polite. This was the first time he had been so blunt with Yu Shulan. With so many people watching, her face flushed then paled in humiliation. After a moment, Zhong Guangcai pulled Yu Shulan back. “She’s a grown woman,” he chided. “Stop nagging her.” He then turned to Qi Sinian. “Sinian, we were in the wrong here. I apologize to you on Xixi’s behalf.” “Apologize for what?” Qi Sinian’s voice was flat. “I was the one who told her to meet Huo Xin.” A collective gasp went through the room. Another shock jolted Zhong Xiran. She stared blankly at Qi Sinian—why… why would he say that? Qi Sinian’s tone was even, as if he were discussing something utterly mundane. “I told her to go and make a clean break, to return what needed returning.” “My people were waiting right outside. She was in the private room for no more than twelve minutes from start to finish. What could she possibly have done?” This was clearly not what anyone had expected. Zhong Guangcai froze for a moment before realizing something was off. If that were the case, Zhong Xiran would have said so herself long ago; there would have been no need for Qi Sinian to bring it up now. For him to come all this way just to say this in front of everyone… A smile immediately broke across Zhong Guangcai’s face, and he let out a visible sigh of relief. “So that’s how it was. It’s all my fault. I’ve been so frantic these past two days, I completely forgot to let Xixi explain.” He turned to Zhong Xiran with an air of good humor. “And you, Xixi, it’s one thing to keep your everyday worries bottled up, but how could you hide something this important from us?” Everyone knew it was a performance, but no one would dare call it out. Qi Sinian held out a hand to Zhong Xiran. “Come here.” He had often said “Come here” to her before, but always with a tone that was indifferent, casual, commanding. And he had never once reached for her. For the first time, Zhong Xiran loved hearing those two words from him. She slowly walked toward him. In front of everyone, Qi Sinian took her hand. “I’ve been tied up in closed-door negotiations for a chip acquisition these past few days, so my phone’s been off,” he said evenly. “You’ve always been understanding. I trust you won’t hold it against me.” Zhong Xiran felt a flush of shame. She shook her head. “Of course not.” His palm was warm, and that warmth traveled up her arm and settled deep in her chest. It was as if her heart, which had been floating in a void, had finally found its anchor. Qi Sinian didn’t even bother to lift his eyes. “Since it was all a misunderstanding, we’ll be leaving now.” “You’re already here,” Zhong Guangcai said quickly. “Stay for dinner before you go.” Qi Sinian raised his eyes, his cold gaze sweeping over every person in the room. The gesture was deliberate, and Zhong Guangcai instantly understood it as an expression of his displeasure. As expected, Qi Sinian’s voice was cool. “No, thanks. I prefer the quiet.” “Of course, of course. Next time you have a free moment, we’ll have a proper family dinner, just us.” Qi Sinian gave a noncommittal response. He was about to lead Zhong Xiran out the door when Zhong Guangcai’s phone rang. It was the residential community’s security office, reporting that a horde of reporters had gathered at the main gate, demanding to interview Qi Sinian. Qi Sinian’s expression hardened. He had only just gotten back. For the press to have caught the scent this quickly, someone must have tipped them off the moment he left the resort. A cold smirk touched his lips. Zhong Xiran looked at him, her expression a mix of worry and guilt. Qi Sinian was notoriously private, rarely even attending business functions. Now, because of her, he was being forced into the glare of the flashbulbs. None of this would have happened if she hadn't insisted on pursuing some so-called “closure.” Her eyes were bright, shimmering with moisture. Qi Sinian thought she was afraid. He threaded his fingers through hers, their hands interlocking. “Don’t be afraid,” he said, as if to soothe her. “I’ll handle this.” Once in the car, a knot of anxiety tightened in Zhong Xiran’s stomach. Not for herself, but for Qi Sinian. Though, on second thought, she wasn’t sure what she was so nervous about. Qi Sinian would surely handle it with ease. She moistened her dry lips and unlocked her phone, wanting to see the situation online. She was met with a firestorm of mockery from netizens. “This woman is definitely the manipulative ‘innocent’ type, you don’t even have to think about it.” “I’m on the fringes of their circle, and let me tell you, when Qi Sinian married Zhong Xiran, nobody thought it would last…” “He has to divorce her. Who could stand being humiliated so publicly?” “Think about it. Why would Huo Xin suddenly say something like that if she hadn’t been in contact with him all along? Is he stupid?” “She’s a delusional romantic, a total fool. After divorcing Qi Sinian, her chances of ever marrying into a wealthy family again are zero…” The car slowly approached the main gate. Zhong Xiran put her phone away and looked at Qi Sinian. The light was dim, and his face was lost in shadow, his expression unreadable. The community gates opened, and a swarm of reporters surged forward. Even though Zhong Xiran was a director and had seen similar scenes in the entertainment industry, it was the first time she had been at the center of one. She found it utterly dramatic. Qi Sinian motioned for the driver to stop. As the car halted, Qi Sinian said, “Wait here.” Zhong Xiran instinctively grabbed his hand. Qi Sinian turned back. Summoning her courage, Zhong Xiran said, “I’m coming with you.” She had caused this mess; she couldn’t let him face it alone. Qi Sinian’s voice was devoid of emotion. “Have you thought about what you’re going to tell them?” Zhong Xiran faltered. Before she could answer, Qi Sinian had pushed the door open and stepped out. A blast of biting winter wind swept into the car, and she suddenly felt a deep chill. The door slammed shut, cutting off the cold as if it had just been a figment of her imagination. Flashbulbs instantly bleached the area as bright as day. Zhong Xiran stared out the tinted window. The reporters shoved their microphones in Qi Sinian’s face. The car blocked out most of the sound, leaving only a faint, chaotic murmur. Zhong Xiran lowered the window by an inch. The noise flooded in like a tidal wave, a torrent of questions. “Mr. Qi, will you be divorcing your wife?” “What are your thoughts on your wife meeting with Mr. Huo?” “…” Qi Sinian’s face was calm, his composure absolute. “We will not be divorcing.” “She informed me about her meeting with Mr. Huo, of course.” “As for what they discussed, that is my wife’s private matter, and it’s not my place to say.” A reporter called out, “Is Mrs. Qi in the car? Could she come out and say a few words?” Qi Sinian began, “My wife is not available—” Before he could finish, Zhong Xiran pushed her door open and stepped out. The reporters instantly turned their microphones on her. Qi Sinian paused for a fraction of a second, then pushed through the crowd to her side. With one hand, he blocked the cameras being shoved in her face while his other arm wrapped around her, pulling her into his side in a purely protective gesture. Zhong Xiran looked up at the reporters. “It’s true that I met with Mr. Huo, to return some old belongings. My conscience is clear. I have done nothing to wrong my husband.” Her gaze shifted to Qi Sinian. “And I want to thank my husband for his trust and respect.” Qi Sinian looked mildly surprised. A cold wind gusted past, and Zhong Xiran shivered. Qi Sinian tightened his hold, pulling her closer into his embrace. The moment was instantly captured by a dozen cameras. Qi Sinian waited, letting the reporters get their shot. Then his eyes locked onto one particular camera, as if speaking through the lens to someone watching. “If you truly love a person, you don’t throw them to the wolves.” He adjusted the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose, the lenses reflecting a cold, faint glint of light. “My wife and I share a deep bond, one that can withstand any test. Mr. Huo is welcome to try his best and see if he can steal her away.”