Chapter 23: Another Japanese Lover?!

Country K was in an uproar.

No—scratch that. The entire nation was in chaos.

Meanwhile, across the sea, China wasn't faring any better.

The cause? A single photo.

What seemed like an ordinary snapshot taken by a Japanese bystander at Sapporo Airport had, within hours, turned into a national sensation. The picture depicted a strikingly handsome man and a breathtakingly beautiful woman standing side by side, their presence impossible to ignore.

At first, the photographer had no clue who they were. They simply assumed the pair were foreign celebrities and, out of curiosity, uploaded the image online, hoping someone would recognize them.

The reaction was immediate.

Because the man in the photo?

He was unmistakably Ethan Li.

The Ethan Li.

The ruthless, untouchable business tycoon whose name alone commanded fear and respect.

But what truly sent shockwaves across the internet wasn't just his presence—it was the woman standing beside him.

Who was she?

The media went into a frenzy, social media exploded, and news outlets scrambled to find out.

[THE DEVIL HAS A LOVER IN JAPAN?!]

Headlines dominated newspapers, magazines, and every digital platform.

The situation bore an uncanny resemblance to the recent rumors about Lillie Bai, who was also suspected of having a secret romance in Japan. But this time, it wasn't just speculation—there was actual photographic evidence. Hundreds of pictures flooded the internet, yet not a single source could identify the mysterious woman.

However, one thing was clear—she was stunning.

Even with a simple outfit, her elegance was undeniable. Some netizens even dared to compare her to Ping Xiaoyue, the reigning A-list actress under HL Entertainment.

But the verdict was unanimous: Ping Xiaoyue paled in comparison.

Inside the headquarters of Sunrise Media, Ping Xiaoyue sat in her private office, staring at her phone with an expression so dark it could summon a storm. The pressure of her grip was so intense that the screen cracked under her fingers.

Her assistant hovered nearby, eyes flickering between the broken phone and Ping Xiaoyue face, treading carefully. "Yue'er, there's no need to take this so seriously. These gossip stories are never reliable. That woman just happened to be standing near Mr. Li—she's a nobody."

Another staff member chimed in, eager to please. "Exactly! How could they even compare some nameless woman to you? They must be blind."

"She's probably just a desperate social climber, basking in Mr. Li's presence for attention," another added dismissively.

"Miss Ping, don't waste your energy thinking about her. You are the true goddess here."

"That's right! You're the princess of the Ping family! That woman? She's nothing."

The room quickly filled with sycophantic voices, each one inflating Ping Xiaoyue's already fragile ego.

Their words were sharp, but ultimately meaningless—like dull knives incapable of cutting anything.

If only they knew.

If only they realized that the woman they were slandering wasn't just a random nobody.

If only they understood that she was someone just as powerful—if not more—than Ethan Li himself.

They would be praying for their lives.

Because only a fool would dare speak against the She-Devil.

Ping Xiaoyue scoffed, flipping her hair with exaggerated confidence. "Hmph! You're all right. Whoever that woman is, she's irrelevant."

How blissfully ignorant she was.

At the Bai Ancestral Estate, Bai Wuqing sat in his study, his grip tightening around the newspaper until its edges crumpled. His sharp eyes bore into the front-page photo, his mind churning with unspoken thoughts.

"This… Little Flower is in Japan… with that boy?" His voice wavered between disbelief and suspicion.

Beside him, Eliana Clark let out a delighted hum. "Isn't this wonderful? Their relationship is finally progressing."

"Wonderful?!" Bai Wuqing shot up from his chair, slamming the paper onto the table. "My poor Little Flower is trapped with a beast! God knows what he'll do to her!"

In his mind, a horrifying image took shape—a ruthless wolf, Ethan Li, cornering a delicate, innocent rabbit, Lillie Bai, in the depths of a dark forest, poised to devour her whole. At least at the Tranquil Villa, she had Butler Tian and the Bai family's loyal servants watching over her. But now? She was in enemy territory.

"No, no! My Little Flower, wait for grandpa! I'll come save you from that rogue—ACK!"

A firm smack landed on the back of his head.

Eliana Clark withdrew her hand, unimpressed. "Sit down, you old fool."

Bai Wuqing clutched his head, wincing. "Dear wife," he whimpered, "why did you hit me? Your poor husband is innocent!"

His wife sighed, leveling him with a look.

Bai Wuqing fell silent immediately.

But inside, he was crying.

This wife is a tyrant.

Domestic abuse! Battered husband!

Someone, call for help!