The moment the words left Xiao Cheng's lips, Shen Lan recoiled, taking two steps back, her expression guarded. "Please, Mr. Xiao, don't joke. A man with your looks and status could have any woman he wants. Why toy with me? Besides, this is between Lu Yunfan and me. I'd appreciate it if you stayed out of it." They were in a relatively secluded spot, but Xiao Cheng was a magnet for attention wherever he went. Shen Lan had no desire to be caught in his orbit. Her eyes flickered to the red handprint on his left cheek. She lowered her voice. "You should probably cover that. If anyone sees it… who knows what kind of gossip will start." And with that, Shen Lan turned and practically fled. The sheer haste of her retreat, as if she couldn't stand to be near him a second longer, caused Xiao Cheng's face to darken. "Liu Lin, am I that repulsive?" Standing behind him, Liu Lin remarked dryly, "Your reputation out there is… admittedly, quite terrible." Xiao Cheng was notorious in J-City for being someone you didn't cross. Prone to unpredictable, debilitating headaches that triggered a volatile temper, he was known to be ruthless—even to his own family—and utterly merciless. When a tyrant suddenly shows kindness, anyone would suspect ulterior motives. No wonder Miss Shen was so terrified. Liu Lin produced a compact from his pocket and offered it. "Mr. Xiao, shall we cover up that handprint?" Xiao Cheng shot a strange look at the small case in his hand. "You carry this stuff around with you?" "It's a gift I was planning to give my girlfriend." The smugly blissful "you're-single-so-you-wouldn't-get-it" look on Liu Lin's face made Xiao Cheng's blood boil. Sensing he'd pushed his luck, Liu Lin quickly held the compact out again. "Mr. Xiao, Miss Shen already has a hard enough time at the Lu family residence. You wouldn't want to cause more trouble for her, would you?" Xiao Cheng scoffed, his gaze arrogant. "Do I look like the kind of person who worries about others?" Liu Lin froze. He really wasn't. It was a good day when this man *didn't* cause trouble. He was about to put the compact away when a large, well-defined hand appeared before him. "Give it here." Liu Lin grinned and quickly handed it over. Xiao Cheng clumsily dabbed at the mark on his face before tossing the compact back to him. Then he pulled out his phone and transferred a sum of money to Liu Lin. Liu Lin's face lit up as he saw the string of zeros. "See? I knew those rumors were wrong. Mr. Xiao is clearly a kind and generous man. I don't know who's spreading all those lies." "Shut up." The tips of Xiao Cheng's ears turned slightly red. He pressed his lips together as he watched Shen Lan's retreating figure. Just a few words from Lu Yunfan had brought her to the verge of tears. If she got dragged into trouble because of the mark on his face, who knew how badly she'd cry. She was plain enough as it was; crying would only make her uglier. "Brother Xiao Cheng!" A cheerful voice called out, but Xiao Cheng frowned instinctively, finding the tone sharp and grating. He turned to see Lu Yunqing running toward them, lifting the hem of her pink dress. With her fair skin, she had the look of a naive, sheltered girl. But Xiao Cheng’s mind involuntarily drifted to Shen Lan. They were the same age, yet she lived with such cautious restraint, carrying herself with an air of profound loneliness and sorrow, as if she were worn down by a thousand invisible wounds. Such was the difference between a cherished daughter and a ward. Xiao Cheng’s features were sharp and cold, his gaze piercing. "When did you start sharing my surname, Miss Lu? I don't recall having a sister." Lu Yunqing's smile froze on her face. She stammered, awkwardly correcting herself, "M-Mr. Xiao." Her perfume was cloyingly sweet; just the scent of it was enough to give him a headache. Xiao Cheng gave a dismissive nod and walked away with Liu Lin, leaving her no opportunity to get closer. His disdain was palpable. Lu Yunqing stomped her foot in frustration and turned to Tao Lan. "Mom, didn't you say he drank that wine?" Tao Lan was just as baffled. "I saw him drink it with my own eyes. This shouldn't be happening." The drug was potent. The smallest drop should have been enough to send a man into a frenzy of desire. Something was definitely wrong with Xiao Cheng’s reaction. "Don't worry, Mom will think of something else..." Lu Yunqing gazed at Xiao Cheng’s departing figure, her expression one of pure obsession. "Mom, he’s the only one for me. If I can't marry Xiao Cheng, I'll never marry anyone!" Tao Lan rubbed her temples, vexed. Half the women in J-City wanted to marry Xiao Cheng, but everyone knew he was notoriously difficult—aloof with women, with a violent, unpredictable temper. Now that this plan had failed, Xiao Cheng would be on his guard. Who knew when they'd get another chance. "Ladies and gentlemen..." Mr. Lu’s voice boomed through the microphone, filling the entire ballroom. Forgetting all about Xiao Cheng, Tao Lan quickly pulled her daughter toward the stage. Lu Yunfan did the same, taking Shen Lan’s arm to present the image of a loving couple to the public. "Let go of me!" Shen Lan hissed, snatching her arm away. A wave of nausea rolled in her stomach at the thought of where Lu Yunfan's hands had just been—all over Zhou Xinran. Anger flared in Lu Yunfan as she pulled away. It was the same inexplicable irritation he’d felt when she’d demanded he break off the engagement. "You think I want to touch you? My father is about to announce our engagement. You know what to say and what not to say, don't you?" Shen Lan’s brow furrowed. Her current revulsion for this marriage was as strong as her previous anticipation had been. But she had no choice. Whatever. It wasn't as if Lu Yunfan actually intended to marry her anyway. She'd just have to endure it, like a dog bite. Numbly, Shen Lan waited for Mr. Lu to make the announcement. "We've gathered you all here tonight to celebrate two happy occasions. First, my son, Yunfan, has made a full recovery and will soon be taking over the Lu Corporation. He is still new to this, so I hope you will all offer him your guidance. Second, during Yunfan's illness, we were blessed with Shen Lan's devoted care. Although the Shen family has fallen on hard times, this marriage is one we…" "Mr. Xiao! Mr. Xiao, what's wrong?" A panicked voice suddenly cut through Mr. Lu's speech. A wave of gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd as the guests saw what was happening. Xiao Cheng had collapsed to the floor, his face deathly pale. He was clutching his stomach, his brow deeply furrowed in what appeared to be excruciating pain.