Not a price

She felt his grip on her hand, steady and unwavering, as if he already knew the answer. As if he was certain she wouldn't leave.

Guo Min's gaze flickered toward Yufan. He was tense, his jaw clenched, his dark eyes scanning her face for a hint of what she was thinking.

He wanted her to walk away. He wanted her to defy this arrangement, to not give in to Zihan's calculated games.

But Guo Min wasn't a fool.

This wasn't just about a forced engagement. It was about power. About control. And more than anything, it was about proving that no one—neither Zihan nor Yufan—would dictate her life.

A slow, almost defiant smile curved her lips.

Instead of pulling away, she tightened her grip on Zihan's hand.

"I don't walk away from a fight," she murmured, her voice cool and unshaken. "If you want to play this game, Zhu Zihan, let's see who wins."

Zihan's eyes darkened with amusement, his smirk deepening as he brought her hand to his lips in an arrogant display of possession.

"As expected," he murmured, his breath warm against her skin.

Yufan's expression darkened, his fists clenching at his sides. "Guo Min—"

She turned to him, her gaze sharp, unyielding. "I told you, Yufan. I don't need saving."

His nostrils flared, but he said nothing.

Zihan, pleased with the turn of events, wrapped an arm around her waist and turned to the crowd. His voice was smooth and controlled as he announced, "I suppose this makes it official, then. Since my fiancée has accepted the engagement, I expect to see you all at our wedding banquet soon."

Gasps erupted across the room.

Guo Min's lips parted slightly—she had expected him to play dirty, but this was faster than she anticipated.

Yufan's entire body tensed as if he was restraining himself from lunging at Zihan right there and then.

Zihan turned back to her, his voice dropping to a whisper only she could hear.

"You can still back out, Guo Min," he murmured, his fingers grazing the curve of her waist. "All you have to do is say the word."

She lifted her chin, her gaze unwavering. "I don't back down."

His smirk widened. "Then, sweetheart, let our love story begin."

Yufan sat in the dimly lit study of Paradise Celeste, his hands gripping the glass of whiskey so tightly that his knuckles turned white. The amber liquid swirled, mirroring the chaos in his chest.

She had said no.

A cold, undeniable no to him.

Not to Zihan. Not to this ridiculous engagement. But to him.

His head throbbed with frustration, a painful reminder that for the first time in his life, he had lost control over something—someone—he desperately wanted to keep.

The sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway before Wu Xiang burst through the door. His brows were furrowed, his usual playful demeanor replaced with concern.

"What the hell happened?" Xiang demanded, his sharp gaze scanning Yufan's face. "You stormed out like the devil himself was after you."

Yufan exhaled sharply, throwing back the whiskey in one gulp before slamming the glass onto the table. "Zihan announced their engagement. Publicly."

Xiang's lips parted slightly before pressing into a firm line. "And?"

"And she didn't refute it."

A beat of silence passed. Then Xiang sighed, dragging a hand down his face.

"Yufan, what did you expect? That she'd declare her undying love for you in front of hundreds of people? She's not the type."

Yufan's jaw clenched. "I wasn't expecting a confession. But I didn't expect her to just—accept it either."

"She didn't," Xiang countered. "She's playing the game."

Yufan let out a bitter laugh. "And what if she loses? What if, in the end, she actually chooses him?"

Xiang narrowed his eyes. "Then you fight for her."

Yufan remained silent.

Xiang folded his arms, stepping closer. "You think this is over just because she stood beside him tonight? Please. You're Yufan. The Commander General. The man who wins wars. Are you really going to let one announcement take her from you?"

Yufan's fingers twitched at his side.

"She's not a prize, Xiang."

"No," Xiang agreed, his voice firm. "But she's also not someone you let go without a fight."

Yufan exhaled, dragging a hand through his hair.

Xiang smirked. "Unless, of course, you're giving up."

Yufan's eyes flashed with something dangerous. "I never give up."

Xiang grinned. "Good. Then get ready, General. Because Zhu Zihan may have made his move tonight—but this is far from over."

NEXT MORNING.

The atmosphere inside Paradise Celeste was thick with unspoken words, the kind that carried the weight of tension heavy enough to snap at any moment.

Three men sat in the lavishly furnished lounge, yet it was clear that two of them were anything but relaxed.

Yang Yufan and Zhu Zihan sat across from each other, their gazes locked in a silent battle of dominance, neither willing to look away first.

Wu Xiang, ever the mediator, leaned back against the plush leather couch, swirling his whiskey lazily in his glass as he watched the brewing storm with mild amusement.

"Are you two seriously going to do this so early in the morning?" he finally drawled, raising a brow. "It's too damn early for this kind of hostility."

Neither Yufan nor Zihan responded.

Xiang sighed dramatically. "Fine. Be my guests. Stare at each other like lovers in a tragic drama. Just don't start throwing punches—I don't want to redecorate."

Yufan finally broke the silence. His voice was calm, too calm. "Why didn't you tell me before making the announcement?"

Zihan leaned back in his chair, smirking slightly. "Would it have changed anything?"

Yufan's jaw tightened. "It would've been a courtesy."

Zihan scoffed. "Courtesy? Since when do we need to ask permission to pursue a woman?"

Wu Xiang clicked his tongue, sensing the shift in energy. "Now, now, let's not turn this into something ugly. Guo Min is neither of your property."

Zihan smirked. "She might not be, but she's my fiancée now."

The air crackled with tension.

Yufan's fingers dug into the armrest of his chair, but he forced himself to remain composed. "An arranged engagement," he corrected, voice steely. "That doesn't mean she chose you."

Zihan's expression darkened slightly, but he didn't let it show. "And yet, she didn't object."

That hit its mark.

Yufan clenched his fists, his mind flashing back to the night before—the way Guo Min had stood beside Zihan, silent but composed, her expression unreadable.

He knew her well enough to tell she wasn't happy, but why hadn't she refused?

"Then let's make this interesting," Yufan said, his voice smooth, dangerous. "Let's see if she stays by your side willingly."

Zihan's lips curled into a challenging smile. "I was hoping you'd say that."

Wu Xiang groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Great. A full-blown love war before breakfast. You two seriously need hobbies."

Neither of them laughed.

The weight of unspoken words hung heavy in the room.

Yufan leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his sharp gaze locked onto Zihan's. "You think a ring on her finger means you've won?" His voice was calm, yet there was an edge to it—a warning.

Zihan smirked, swirling his drink before taking a slow sip. "It means I'm one step ahead of you."

Yufan exhaled sharply through his nose, suppressing the heat rising in his chest. His mind replayed every moment of the engagement announcement—the way Guo Min stood beside Zihan, poised but distant. She hadn't looked at him once.

He had been too late.

Or maybe she had already chosen.

No.

That wasn't possible. Guo Min was many things—fierce, independent, and untouchable—but complacent wasn't one of them. If she had wanted Zihan, she would have made that clear.

Something wasn't right.

Wu Xiang finally set down his glass, letting out an exaggerated sigh. "Alright, I've had enough of this pissing contest. We all know Guo Min isn't the type to be controlled. If you two are going to play this game, at least don't insult her intelligence by thinking you can 'win' her like some damn prize."

Silence.

Zihan tilted his head slightly, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Oh, I'm well aware. She's not a prize—but someone I intend to keep."

Yufan clenched his fists. "She's not yours."

"She will be."

The two men stared at each other, the tension suffocating.

Wu Xiang shook his head. "You two are insufferable." He stood, stretching lazily. "Well, enjoy your testosterone-fueled standoff. I, on the other hand, have a company to run and actresses to flirt with. Keep me updated on the soap opera."

With that, he walked out, leaving behind two men caught in a silent war.