Lai Hui’s body trembled slightly as she looked at him; his face and eyes clearly indicated he was just saying it casually. He did it on purpose, saying the exact same thing he had said seven years ago… Back then, she was a high school sophomore, a girl in her prime, under the moonlight. That night, the bright moon emerged from the clouds. Lai Hui, a young girl in the prime of her youth, sat under an osmanthus tree. The rich fragrance swirled in the air as she watched a figure running on the playground, counting silently: one lap, two laps, three laps, four laps… After the fourth lap, the agile figure slowed down, wiped the sweat from his forehead with his shirt, casually draped it over his shoulder, and was about to leave. “Xie Jiayi!” Lai Hui cupped her hands around her mouth like a megaphone and shouted. “Lai Hui?” Xie Jiayi sprinted over to her. The moonlight fell on his clear eyes, making them sparkle. “What’s up?” “Uh…” Lai Hui scratched her head. “Well…” Her face flushed red, she closed her eyes, and took the plunge. “I like you! Will you say yes?” Xie Jiayi was stunned. This time, it wasn’t a love letter or someone else conveying the message; it was direct, face-to-face, waiting for his response. For a moment, he almost forgot how to speak; his throat seemed incapable of producing sound. The night was silent, the moonlight like water, softly undulating in the darkness… “Let me think about it for a few days!” Xie Jiayi said before dashing towards the school gate, leaving the blushing Lai Hui and the scent of osmanthus behind. Lai Hui felt a tightness in her chest; despite gathering all her courage, her success rate wasn’t much higher than writing a love letter. She moved her steps reluctantly, but Xie Jiayi, who had already run off, returned. He bent over, catching his breath. “It’s too late; I’ll walk you home!” The bluestone alley was so quiet that only the sound of his bicycle could be heard. The dilapidated old houses exuded the flavor of time. Lai Hui, sitting on the back, clutched his faded jacket, her bottom aching from the bumpy ride. She always remembered that the moon was round that night! The bluestone alley, the dilapidated old houses, the bicycle—things long buried like ashes, now exhumed, were startling. Lai Hui lowered her eyes, clenched her fists behind her, about to refuse… “My woman isn’t for others to escort!” Lai Hui turned her head to see Zhou Yuqian standing beside her at some point, adding to her confusion. These two, oh heavens! How could these two be together? “I thought Mr. Zhou had left his lady alone. As a business partner, it’s only right that I ensure your companion’s safe return!” Business? Oh heavens! Lai Hui watched Xie Jiayi speak with calm politeness, digging up ashes was not scary enough; even if she were buried alive now, it wouldn’t be as shocking as their collaboration! “Thank you for your kindness!” Zhou Yuqian responded faintly, his tone devoid of any gratitude. His gaze swept over Lai Hui. “Aren’t you leaving?” He then turned and walked away. “Bye!” Lai Hui hurriedly said her farewells and followed Zhou Yuqian out the back door. She had many questions, her heart was filled with them, making her feel suffocated, to the point where she felt an urge to jump off the bike. But she sat properly and quietly on the back seat, glancing at Zhou Yuqian who was resting his eyes. Better not to wake him, at least not until she understood the whole story. Self-preservation was the best strategy. If they were collaborating, so be it; if they were to clash, let them. Lai Hui just needed to be a good mistress! Having made up her mind, she also closed her eyes, but her mind kept replaying the scene from four years ago… In the luxurious villa’s hall, the view outside the window was of a serene mountain lake. Xie Jiayi gripped Lai Hui’s shoulders, questioning her harshly, “Is this why you transferred? To become someone else’s mistress?” “Yes!” Lai Hui lowered her gaze, unable to face him. She hadn’t expected Xie Jiayi to find her, and even less expected him to look so haggard from searching for her. That day, during their argument, he had said such harsh words about breaking up, even… “Why become someone else’s mistress? What about me? What am I supposed to do?” His grip on her shoulders tightened, causing Lai Hui to frown in pain but she bit her lip, making no sound. “We’re breaking up!” After a long silence, she looked up and said, not wanting to break up, but he had initiated it, leaving her no choice. Feelings could still be cherished, but her dying mother couldn’t wait. “You know I didn’t really want to break up…” “Enough, what’s done is done. I’m already someone else’s mistress; don’t entangle yourself further!” Lai Hui struggled hard, his fingers scraping her skin, making her wince. “From now on, find someone suitable for you, and I’ll be my mistress; we’ll go our separate ways!” “Go our separate ways?” Xie Jiayi dropped his empty hands, his tone turning pleading, “It’s not that simple. After three years, we’re supposed to go our separate ways? Lai Hui, I won’t always be a student. I’ll earn money too. Don’t demean yourself. Leave here, go back to your old school, okay?” “But you’re still a poor student now! I don’t have time to wait for you to get rich!” Lai Hui turned away, her harsh words finally spoken. She wiped her face, her finger catching a sparkling tear. “Then why did you choose me, a poor student? Why did you sleep with me? Why didn’t you keep your purity to sell for a better price?” Xie Jiayi, as if pricked by countless needles, lost all sense of reason, his words sharper, “Lai Hui, you’re really despicable!” “Slap!” A loud slap echoed, and Lai Hui withdrew her stinging hand. “This slap is for you. Remember, you proposed the breakup, and you slapped me! And that day, I didn’t call you despicable!” “What’s all this commotion about?” Zhou Yuqian entered from the foyer, followed by three bodyguards in black. “Nothing! Just an old high school friend!” Lai Hui wiped away her tears, expressionless. Zhou Yuqian gave Xie Jiayi a disdainful look. “Finish your reunion and leave early!” With that, he turned to enter the elevator. Xie Jiayi quickly blocked his path. “Lai Hui is my girlfriend; without my consent, she can’t be your mistress! And don’t think having money means you can steal someone’s woman!” Zhou Yuqian didn’t even bother to look up, speaking calmly, “She signed a contract for five million plus a house worth two million, total value seven million. The penalty for breach is triple that amount. Can you come up with twenty million to discuss her ownership?” The young and proud Xie Jiayi couldn’t bear this insult. He pushed Zhou Yuqian, but to no effect, as the bodyguards had already stepped forward to restrain him. “Deal with him like the last intruder!” Zhou Yuqian was about to turn away when he added, “Drag him out!”
At the command of Zhou Yuqian, the bodyguards forcibly escorted Xie Jiayi out of the hall. Lai Hui was shocked and horrified by the news; she had never imagined that Zhou Yuqian could be so cruel, but there was no time for further thought as two bodyguards surrounded Xie Jiayi and began to beat him mercilessly. The shouts and curses echoed into the hall. In her anxiety, she rushed to Zhou Yuqian and rebuked him, “Stop beating him like that! Zhou Yuqian, how can you just beat someone up? Do you hear me? Tell them to stop!”
“Let him spend a couple of days in the hospital!” Zhou Yuqian casually instructed the bodyguards standing by the door.
