Yun Anan’s slender back went rigid. She turned her head slowly, her gaze falling on Huo Siqing at the foot of the stairs. A bitter laugh escaped her. “Huo Siqing, we’re not even divorced yet. Are you that desperate to humiliate me?” Before Huo Siqing, his handsome face a mask of cold indifference, could answer, Qi Lan’s shrill voice cut in. “What curse did our Huo family bring upon ourselves to marry a shameless woman like you, sleeping around with anyone and everyone? Coming home at this hour every day—who have you been out seducing? Have you no shame at all?” The sharp, cruel words stung Yun Anan’s ears. Even though she had been lashed by Qi Lan’s baseless accusations countless times, a familiar spasm of pain still seized her heart every time she heard them. She was on the verge of snapping, her lips parting to retort, when Huo Siqing cut her off, his voice deceptively mild. “Go upstairs.” Just like that, all the fight drained out of Yun Anan, leaving her deflated. She pressed her lips together, walked into the bedroom, and shut the door behind her—only to find Yun Xinyue, in a wheelchair, rummaging through her wardrobe. “What are you doing in my room?” Yun Anan stopped short, her brow furrowing. Yun Xinyue had more color in her cheeks than she had a few days ago; she’d clearly been well taken care of. She feigned surprise at seeing Yun Anan, then her lips curved into a soft smile. “Sister, I didn’t bring enough clothes, so I was hoping to borrow some of yours. You don’t mind, do you?” Yun Anan didn’t buy the excuse for a second. *She’s just waiting for Huo Siqing.* In no mood to waste words on her, Yun Anan strode over and shut the wardrobe doors. “I do mind,” she said, her voice flat. “Please leave.” “Oh, is my sister angry?” Yun Xinyue’s smile grew sweeter, more provocative. “For the past few days, sister, while you’ve been away, I’ve been using your room, enjoying the attention of your husband. And it seems even your mother-in-law prefers me.” “You see, sister? A replacement is just a replacement. It can never compare to the original.” “That’s right,” Yun Anan replied, a smile touching her lips, though it didn't reach her eyes. “And when a replacement is so desperate to be the other woman, who am I to stop her?” Even though Yun Xinyue knew Yun Anan hadn’t meant it in the way she feared, the word “replacement” still sent a jolt of panic through her. “We’ll see about that.” With that, Yun Xinyue wheeled herself out of the room. Yun Anan found it strange. She had caught a flicker of guilt in Yun Xinyue’s expression but couldn’t figure out what she had to feel guilty about. The chime of a text message broke the silence. Yun Anan came back to herself and looked down at her phone. It was a job offer from Jinbi, the capital’s most renowned entertainment club, famous not only for its prime location and exorbitant prices but for its mysterious and powerful owner. Yun Anan had chosen to apply there precisely because of its reputation for discretion and the excellent terms it offered to classical musicians. All she had to do was show up at seven each evening, play pieces requested by the guests, and she could usually leave by ten-thirty. For Yun Anan, who spent her days preparing medicines at a small clinic, the job was a perfect fit. Yun Anan texted back her acceptance and clutched the phone, letting out a long, slow breath of relief. Huo Siqing never came to the room. As Yun Anan drifted off to sleep, her gaze on the wall grew dim. *He’s probably next door,* she thought, *with Yun Xinyue...* The next day, not wanting to see anything she shouldn’t, Yun Anan left early for the clinic. Just like the past few days, the clinic was empty. Undiscouraged, Yun Anan stocked the newly extracted medicinal tinctures, then hurried over to Jinbi. After changing, Yun Anan was led by the manager to the twelfth floor. Twelve private rooms, partitioned by ornate screens, encircled a central dais where her instrument for the evening was waiting. Dressed in a snow-white cheongsam embroidered with black bamboo, Yun Anan walked to the guzheng and gracefully took her seat.