Xiao Cheng’s gaze shifted, landing on the woman in his arms. A long black dress swallowed her figure. Thick, straight-cut bangs obscured her forehead, and a pair of dowdy, black-framed glasses hid her eyes. All he could make out was a sharply pointed chin, bloodless lips, and a sallow complexion utterly devoid of allure. Frumpy and dull, indeed. And yet, even as the thought crossed his mind, Xiao Cheng found himself pressing closer, greedily drinking in her scent. Outside the cave, Zhou Xinran leaned against Lu Yunfan’s chest, a dark glint in her eyes. “I’ve already waited four years. I have no intention of waiting another four. But I do have an idea.” “I’m listening.” “That degenerate, Shi Wei, the second son of the Shi family? He’ll sleep with anyone. You find a way to get him into bed with Shen Lan, then we’ll catch them in the act. We’ll call in some reporters, splash it all over the news. She’ll be the one at fault, and you’ll be able to walk away clean…” Zhou Xinran’s expression was eager, but her eyes fell on Lu Yunfan and she faltered. His brow was furrowed in displeasure. She quickly fell silent, asking cautiously, “Are you angry?” Lu Yunfan loosened his tie with a frustrated tug. “No… It’s just… As much as I can’t stand Shen Lan, this is going too far. Let’s drop it for now. We’ve been out here a long time. The guests will start to wonder if we don’t head back.” Zhou Xinran bit her lip, her eyes flashing with resentment, but she kept her voice meek. “Alright.” As their footsteps faded, the tension that had held Shen Lan rigid finally snapped. She summoned every ounce of her strength and shoved Xiao Cheng away. He slammed hard against the stone wall, a low grunt escaping him. But the pain in his back was nothing compared to the agony in his head. With her scent gone, a splitting headache tore through Xiao Cheng’s skull. Veins bulged at his temples, and with a slight clench of his fist, the prayer beads around his wrist shattered, scattering across the ground. The cool moonlight spilled over his black suit, a shadow as dark and impenetrable as ink, radiating a sinister aura. Terrified, Shen Lan scrambled back, but Xiao Cheng shot out a hand, grabbing her wrist and yanking her back into his arms. The moment her scent enveloped him again, the pain in his head began to recede. “What perfume are you wearing?” Xiao Cheng’s eyes were dark, simmering with a dangerous energy, and his tone was laced with menace. Her own eyes wide with fear, Shen Lan shook her head, her voice trembling. “I’m… I’m not wearing any perfume…” “Impossible!” Xiao Cheng cut her off, his voice certain. “You have the scent of medicinal herbs on you. I suggest you tell me the truth, or else…” A thought seemed to strike her, and she blurted out, “I made a medicinal broth for Lu Yunfan. Could it be that?” It didn’t feel right, but Xiao Cheng couldn't pinpoint why. The heat coursing through him and the throbbing in his head urged him closer, ever closer to her. Seeing him lean in again, Shen Lan gritted her teeth and, without a second thought, slapped him hard across the face. She hadn’t dared to make a scene before, afraid of being discovered by the other two. But she’d be damned if she let him take advantage of her now. While Xiao Cheng was still stunned, she pushed him away with all her might and bolted from the back garden like a frightened rabbit. His face dark, Xiao Cheng stepped out of the grotto and glared at a large tree nearby. “Come out!” A few seconds later, a handsome young man emerged from behind the trunk. Liu Lin approached with an awkward smile. “Mr. Xiao, I didn't see a thing.” “Shut up!” Xiao Cheng bit out, holding out his hand. “The medicine?” Liu Lin quickly fished a small box from his pocket and produced two pills. “This one is for your headaches, and this is the antidote for the aphrodisiac. It wasn't easy to get.” Xiao Cheng tossed the pills into his mouth and swallowed. A few minutes passed before the discomfort finally subsided. His eyes turned icy, his voice sharp. “Did you find out who was behind the aphrodisiac?” Turning to business, Liu Lin’s expression grew serious. “It was Mrs. Lu, Tao Lan.” “Lu Yunfan’s mother?” “Yes. She has her sights set on you as a son-in-law. She wanted to force your hand with her daughter.” As the hostess of the banquet, it would have been simple for Tao Lan to arrange it. No matter how cautious Xiao Cheng was, he had fallen into her trap. The potent drug had triggered his chronic headaches, forcing him to send Liu Lin for the antidote while he took refuge in the grotto, only to stumble upon a rather enlightening drama. Xiao Cheng let out a cold laugh. He was about to erupt when a thought occurred to him, and a slow smile spread across his lips. The moment Liu Lin saw that look, he knew someone was in for a world of pain. Sure enough, the next thing he heard was Xiao Cheng saying, “The Lu family schemed against me. Don’t you think I’m owed a little compensation?” Liu Lin cautiously reminded him, “Mr. Xiao, Shen Lan is Lu Yunfan’s fiancée…” Xiao Cheng raised an eyebrow, his low voice humming with a manic edge. “So what? There’s nothing I want that I can’t have.” “Besides,” he added, “there’s no guarantee this engagement party will proceed as planned.” “Mr. Xiao, what are you going to do?” Liu Lin asked, his heart sinking with dread. Xiao Cheng’s voice was calm. “You’ll see.” Sighing, Liu Lin went back into the cave. He switched on his phone’s flashlight and began picking up the scattered prayer beads one by one. “Mr. Xiao, these were a special blessing from the old madam. This is the only string like it in the world. You don’t know your own strength—you crushed half of them. I don’t know if the remaining ones will be enough to help with your headaches.” Xiao Cheng glanced at the beads in Liu Lin’s palm, his mind drifting back to the unique scent on Shen Lan’s skin. The furrow in his brow smoothed out. “I won’t be needing these anymore. I’ve found a new way to manage the pain.” Liu Lin lifted his phone, the flashlight beam illuminating Xiao Cheng’s face. He let out a sudden gasp. “Mr. Xiao, your mouth!” His mouth? Puzzled, Xiao Cheng raised a hand to his lips. He stared at the faint, yellowish powder on his fingertips and fell silent. After a long moment, a soft chuckle escaped him, the possessive glint in his eyes deepening. “Things just got much more interesting.”