Lu Hanting was no stranger to the perfumes women wore, but the cloying, artificial scents always repulsed him. The fragrance drifting from this girl, however, was different. It was captivating. Lu Hanting unbuckled his seatbelt and asked in a low voice, “What perfume are you wearing?” Perfume? Xia Xiwan shook her head. “I’m not wearing any.” “Then how do you smell so…” Lu Hanting lifted his head, but he froze mid-motion. As he did, his lips brushed gently against Xia Xiwan’s. A thin veil was all that separated them, and in that unguarded moment, they kissed. Xia Xiwan’s long lashes fluttered. This was… her first kiss. Lu Hanting pulled back quickly. His deep, narrow eyes swept over her lips, hidden behind the veil, and he swallowed hard. “I apologize,” he said, his voice low. “Unless… you want a chance to kiss me back?” Xia Xiwan stared at him. “I think… I should slap you.” A smirk played on Lu Hanting’s thin lips, and a magnetic, amused chuckle rumbled in his throat. Xia Xiwan pushed open the passenger door. “I’m leaving.” “My name is Lu Hanting.” Xia Xiwan didn’t give it much thought, offering only a noncommittal “Mhm.” She couldn’t care less about his name right now; all she wanted was to see her grandfather. “Got it, Mr. Lu. Goodbye.” Standing outside the car, Xia Xiwan gave him a small wave. She was wearing a red sweater, and as she waved, it rode up slightly, revealing a sliver of her slender waist. Lu Hanting’s fingers, resting on the steering wheel, traced a slow circle. He wondered if that waist was slender enough for his hand to wrap around. “I have a meeting, but I’ll come pick you up later.” “There’s no need—” But before Xia Xiwan could finish her refusal, the luxury car had already sped away. ... Upstairs, Xia Xiaodie had witnessed the entire scene. Well, well. That Xia Xiwan acted all prim and proper, but she’d only been married a day and was already hooking up with another man. Xia Xiaodie’s gaze fell on the luxury car. It was nice, but not top-of-the-line. But that license plate… She’d never seen one like it, but she’d heard her friends talk about it. A plate like that was insane—it meant you could do whatever you wanted in all of Haicheng. How could some random guy Xia Xiwan picked up have a plate like that? Xia Xiaodie figured she must be mistaken. She rubbed her eyes and looked again, but the car was gone. She must have seen it wrong. She rushed downstairs just in time to see Xia Xiwan. “Xia Xiwan!” she shouted with a laugh. “Who was that man who just dropped you off? I didn’t realize you were so desperate you had to keep a boy toy!” Boy toy? Lu Hanting? An image of Lu Hanting’s handsome, chiseled face appeared in Xia Xiwan’s mind—his commanding presence, a mix of mature restraint and raw dominance. She couldn’t possibly connect him with the term “boy toy.” She wondered what acceptance speech the “boy toy” Lu Hanting might give for such an award. “Where’s Grandpa? I need to see him.” Xia Xiwan bypassed Xia Xiaodie and headed upstairs. In an upstairs room, Grandpa Xia lay on the bed. He had been in a coma for ten years, long since declared to be in a vegetative state by the doctors. In the Xia family, aside from her mother, Grandpa Xia was the person who had loved her most. Ten years ago, when she was only nine, her mother had died from an illness. One day, she woke to find herself at the top of the stairs while her grandfather lay in a pool of blood at the bottom. Her father, Xia Zhenguo, and the maids rushed in. No matter how she tried to explain, they all insisted that she had pushed him. Later, Xia Zhenguo brought in a fortune teller who claimed she was a curse, an ill-omened star whose presence brought calamity to those around her. And so, overnight, Xia Zhenguo sent his nine-year-old daughter to the countryside, cutting off all contact. It was only later that Xia Xiwan learned her father had been having an affair all along. He had ended up in bed with the famous actress Li Yulan and even had two daughters with her—the older of whom, Xia Yanyan, was even older than she was. Xia Xiwan had used this arranged marriage as a pretense to return, determined to uncover the truth of what happened all those years ago. Xia Xiwan checked Grandpa Xia’s pulse, then took out a set of silver needles and inserted them into his acupuncture points. After putting the needles away, she tucked the blanket around him. “Don’t worry, Grandpa,” she whispered. “I will heal you. You’ll wake up very soon.” ... In the kitchen. Xia Xiaodie found Li Yulan. “Mom, I have to tell you something! Xia Xiwan was just dropped off by a man—a boy toy she’s keeping!” Li Yulan was preparing bird’s nest soup. She paused, surprised. “She’s already keeping a boy toy? What a shameless creature.” “Mom, who are you making the soup for?” “For Xia Xiwan.” “What? Mom, did I hear you right?” “Don’t be so hasty. I put something in it. At the wedding yesterday, that Mr. Wang took a liking to Xia Xiwan. She’s got a nice figure; she can be a plaything for these old bosses. Once I get some compromising photos of her, she’ll have no choice but to obey me.” Xia Xiaodie gave her a thumbs-up in admiration. “Mom, you’re a genius! I’m going to the bakery to buy a cake. I’ll be back later to watch the show!” Li Yulan brought the soup out. Just then, Xia Xiwan came downstairs. “Xiwan,” Li Yulan called out sweetly. “I made some bird’s nest soup just for you. Come and have some.” Li Yulan made her soup? Could she really eat this? A small smile played on Xia Xiwan’s lips. She walked confidently into the dining room, took the spoon, and ate a few mouthfuls. Then, with an air of pure innocence, she smiled. “This is delicious, Auntie. Thank you.” “You’re welcome. If you like it, finish it all.” *Idiot*, Li Yulan cursed inwardly, forcing a smile. A moment later, Xia Xiwan’s vision blurred. “Auntie,” she slurred, “what did you… give me?” She slumped forward onto the table. Li Yulan sneered and ordered someone to carry Xia Xiwan to a room upstairs. ... Soon, a portly, sleazy-looking middle-aged man hurried over, his excitement palpable. “Mrs. Xia, where is she? Did you get her?” “Mr. Wang, Xia Xiwan is in the room,” Li Yulan said with a smile. “The drug will keep her out for two hours. You can take your time and… enjoy yourself.” “Mrs. Xia, you’ve done a fine job.” Mr. Wang scurried toward the room. But Li Yulan grabbed his arm. “Mr. Wang, you promised you would invest in Xia Medical…” At the wedding banquet yesterday, Mr. Wang had been captivated by Xia Xiwan’s delicate and stunning figure, so he had struck a deal with Li Yulan. “Don’t you worry, Mrs. Xia. I’m a man of my word.” With that, Mr. Wang hurried into the room. ... Inside, Mr. Wang practically drooled at the sight of Xia Xiwan lying on the bed. He hastily tore off his clothes and lunged for her. “Little beauty, here I come!”