Chapter 1

As the lights began to shimmer, the night's revelry was just commencing. Li Yangchen had arranged to meet her friend, Wu Jiaxin, at the prestigious SOHO Club. Renowned as one of the finest establishments in Pengcheng, SOHO seamlessly blends leisure, entertainment, and business, making it the favored venue for high-profile figures to engage in both corporate dealings and heartfelt conversations.

Neither of them drove; instead, Wu Jiaxin ordered several bottles of fine wine, determined to drink until she was completely inebriated. Li Yangchen was taken aback by her bold proclamation and, before she could intervene, Wu Jiaxin had already placed the order. Knowing her friend for years, Li Yangchen quickly sensed that Wu Jiaxin was troubled.

"Jiaxin, you said this celebration is for my liberation from the trials of June, yet it seems you're drowning your sorrows in drink?" Li Yangchen teased.

After a sip of her drink, Wu Jiaxin lamented, "My cousin's husband is having an affair, and my cousin wants a divorce. They've been incessantly bothering me lately!"

"Is it really that serious?" Li Yangchen furrowed her brow in concern.

"Jiang Yang has cheated multiple times; there are countless hotel records. One of the women even brazenly posted videos to taunt my cousin. This time, my cousin is resolute about the divorce and has moved into a hotel. Jiang Yang can't find her and keeps coming to the yoga club looking for me," Wu Jiaxin expressed, her frustration evident.

Li Yangchen was familiar with Wu Jiaxin's cousin, Su Min, and her husband, Jiang Yang. They had socialized together a few times, and she remembered their college romance blossoming into a marriage as they ventured into business in Pengcheng, where they found some success.

"Businessmen can rarely be entirely faithful. They often engage in socializing, facing numerous temptations. It's impressive if some can resist the urge. My cousin used to turn a blind eye, believing Jiang Yang wouldn't casually cheat. Clearly, she was mistaken! Doesn't he fear catching something?" Wu Jiaxin took another sip, venting her frustrations about Jiang Yang.

"Ah, men are inherently driven by primal instincts. When they are driven by desire, they tend to disregard such concerns. Wouldn't you agree, Chenchen?" Wu Jiaxin turned to Li Yangchen.

"Actually, a man's loyalty does not stem from his physicality, but rather from his heart. Any man will respond to the allure of a seductive and experienced woman, but it comes down to whether his heart is committed to someone else. If he cherishes someone, thinking of her and wanting to remain faithful, he will be loyal. If he doesn't care for her, notions of fidelity become irrelevant. As long as there are women who bring them joy, they will indulge," Li Yangchen pondered aloud.

"Chenchen, as expected of a teacher, your insights are truly profound!" Wu Jiaxin patted Li Yangchen's shoulder.

Li Yangchen tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and inquired, "Does your cousin's husband agree to the divorce?"

"Of course not! He wants to maintain his affairs while keeping his home intact. But my cousin cannot accept such a marriage; she's seeking a divorce through her lawyer," Wu Jiaxin replied, downing another glass of wine.

After a moment of reflection, Li Yangchen suddenly recalled something. "I remember your yoga studio; didn't your cousin's husband invest in it?"

"Yes, my cousin said that when dividing assets for the divorce, she intends to reclaim the 15% stake Jiang Yang holds, ensuring no future ties to the business," Wu Jiaxin explained.

"Will he agree to that?" Li Yangchen questioned, sensing the difficulty.

"My cousin has hired Lawyer Sheng from Jin Cheng Law Firm, a renowned attorney specializing in high-profile divorces for wealthy wives. He's incredibly skilled and strategic, so I think she has a chance. Oh, let's not dwell on such unhappy matters tonight; we're here to celebrate your liberation from the torment of exams! Let's sing and drink!" With that, Wu Jiaxin headed off to select a song.

Wu Jiaxin, with her boisterous personality, had just moments ago appeared burdened by worries, but after a few glasses of wine, she transformed into a lively spirit, singing joyfully. After joining her in a rendition of "A Little Happiness," Li Yangchen's phone rang. Recognizing the number of the grade group leader, she stepped out of the private room to take the call.

The reception in the corridor outside the room was poor, so after ending the call, she retreated to the terrace at the end of the hall to return the call. Once her conversation with the group leader concluded, she lifted her gaze and noticed a couple whispering intimately nearby, something she had overlooked while on the phone.

Although the terrace was dimly lit, the man's face was discernible—it was Jiang Yang, the very husband Wu Jiaxin had been criticizing in the room. While the woman nestled against him was obscured in shadow, her delicate demeanor indicated she was certainly not Wu Jiaxin's cousin, Su Min.

Li Yangchen intended to leave quietly, but Jiang Yang spotted her and called out, "Yangchen, are you joining Jiaxin for some fun?" He patted the woman on the shoulder, signaling for her to step away.

"Hmm," Li Yangchen replied, having a vague understanding of his intent but opting for brevity.

"Just the right time—I need to speak with Jiaxin. Which room are you in?" Jiang Yang inquired arrogantly.

At that moment, her phone buzzed with an incoming call from Wu Jiaxin, which Jiang Yang also noticed. Before Li Yangchen could answer, Jiang Yang snatched the phone from her hand, bellowing, "Wu Jiaxin, you tell me where Su Min is right now! … You tell her divorce is out of the question! … Tell her to come home immediately!"

Li Yangchen rolled her eyes at this man who seemed to justify his infidelity and reached for her phone, saying, "Give my phone back!"

But before she could retrieve it, Wu Jiaxin's side of the conversation must have incited Jiang Yang's fury, as he abruptly hurled the phone against the wall.

With a loud crash, Li Yangchen stood in shock. Just as she was about to speak, the sound of a lighter flicked open, followed by the scent of smoke wafting through the air. This sudden noise snapped both Li Yangchen and Jiang Yang back to reality, and they turned to see a man in a VIP room emerging with a cigarette in his mouth.

Dressed in a sleek black shirt and light gray trousers, the man's well-tailored attire projected an aura of height and composure. The casually rolled-up sleeves and open collar perfectly highlighted his elegance and sophistication, exuding the charm of a mature man in every gesture.

With one hand in his pocket and the other holding the cigarette, he walked towards them with a leisurely, powerful stride.

Once Jiang Yang recognized him, his initial surprise morphed into a beaming smile as he greeted the man.

"Mr. Mo…"

His tone dripped with deference, in stark contrast to the arrogance he had just displayed.

The man's demeanor and attire radiated affluence, and Jiang Yang's sycophantic attitude reinforced the notion that this individual held a significant status in Pengcheng's business circles.

"Mr. Mo, what brings you here?" Jiang Yang stammered, desperately seeking conversation.

After Jiang Yang's question, the man responded with a cold snort, clearly unamused. He pointed at the door to the private room with the hand holding the cigarette and smiled at Jiang Yang, saying, "What does Mr. Jiang think I am here for? To witness you throw a woman's phone?"

This remark left Jiang Yang visibly flustered, his face a blend of embarrassment and discomfort. It was evident that the man had overheard everything that transpired between Jiang Yang and Li Yangchen, adding to his humiliation, leaving him with nothing to say but a forced, awkward laugh.

Ignoring Jiang Yang, the man's gaze briefly lingered on Li Yangchen before he strode down the stairs with confidence.

At that moment, Wu Jiaxin emerged from the private room and hurried toward Li Yangchen, who was standing at the end of the corridor on the terrace.

"Chenchen, are you alright?" Wu Jiaxin asked, her voice laced with concern as she clutched Li Yangchen's arm.

Li Yangchen pointed to her phone on the ground, its screen shattered. "I'm fine, but I fear my phone is beyond repair."

Wu Jiaxin directed her ire toward Jiang Yang, shouting, "You, Jiang! You've been harassing me daily, and I've tolerated it, but now you've gone and destroyed my friend's phone! If you don't compensate, I won't let this go!" She was ready to pounce on Jiang Yang, but Li Yangchen promptly restrained her.

"It's just a phone. Can I not afford to replace it? Wu Jiaxin, go back and tell Su Min that divorce is not an option!" Jiang Yang retorted, tossing a wad of cash toward Wu Jiaxin before adjusting his tie and striding away.

Wu Jiaxin attempted to chase after him, but Li Yangchen held her back. "Jiaxin, this is a public venue; we shouldn't stoop to his level. But do remind your sister that men like Jiang Yang can be volatile. When cornered, they may resort to desperate measures, so tread carefully." As she spoke, Li Yangchen picked up the phone, discovering not only was the screen broken, but it also would not power on.

Wu Jiaxin counted the compensation Jiang Yang had thrown her way—exactly 5,000. "Chenchen, I'm so sorry! I'll accompany you to buy a new one later."

"It's nearly eleven; the stores are closed. Let's do it tomorrow," Li Yangchen suggested.

"Alright, I'll come by your place at nine in the morning," Wu Jiaxin replied, belching slightly from the alcohol.

What began as a delightful gathering had soured due to the earlier chaos, and both women lost the desire to linger. They returned to the private room to gather their belongings before heading home.

Having consumed a fair amount of alcohol, Wu Jiaxin became ill before they even left the room. Li Yangchen led her to the restroom to freshen up, then summoned a taxi using a rideshare app before proceeding to settle the bill.

As they made their way to the parking lot, waiting for their cab, Li Yangchen spotted the man referred to as "Mr. Mo," leaning against a Bentley, smoking.

With a cigarette delicately pinched between his long fingers, his posture was relaxed and languid, yet he emanated a commanding presence. The striking man, exhaling wisps of smoke, effortlessly drew attention, especially alongside the luxury vehicle.

Li Yangchen chose not to linger. Once their taxi arrived, she helped Wu Jiaxin into the vehicle.

Earlier, while traversing the parking lot, Mo Yiyan had taken note of her—the woman he had briefly encountered in the corridor. Under the glow of the streetlights, she appeared radiant with fair skin and a graceful demeanor, dressed in a pink dress that complemented her soft, charming features. Her hair was simply tied back, with strands clinging to her cheeks due to perspiration, adding an alluring quality to her appearance.

Mo Yiyan's gaze followed the departing taxi, his eyes narrowing slightly.

With Wu Jiaxin intoxicated, Li Yangchen took her back to her home to care for her.

Three years prior, after earning her master's degree, she had joined Z Middle School in Pengcheng as a teacher. Her father had purchased a modest apartment for her nearby in the Seasons Garden community—two bedrooms and a living room, with ample natural light and a park in front, plus a bustling commercial street behind. In the precious real estate market of Pengcheng, it was considered an upscale residence.

The following morning, after breakfast, they went to Shun Dian to buy a new phone. Li Yangchen selected one identical to her previous device. Although the money Jiang Yang had given yesterday was insufficient to cover the cost of a new phone, Wu Jiaxin offered to make up the difference. However, Li Yangchen declined; after years of friendship, such a minor issue was not worth fretting over.

After purchasing the phone, Wu Jiaxin returned to her yoga studio to prepare for her classes.

Once home, Li Yangchen inserted her SIM card into the new phone, powered it on, and checked for missed calls and notifications on WeChat.

She noticed a message from Qi Feng, the former president of the student council from her university, sent that morning.

Qi Feng mentioned that he was in Pengcheng on a business trip and wished to arrange a dinner tomorrow evening with another vice president who also worked in the city, inquiring whether she was available.

She was well-acquainted with both Qi Feng and the vice president, having learned a great deal from them during their time in the student council together. With the results of the college entrance examination yet to be announced and no assignments to grade, she had ample free time and readily agreed to the invitation.

The dining venue was a prestigious Chinese restaurant, one Li Yangchen seldom visited. Upon her arrival, she provided the room information to the receptionist at the entrance, and a dedicated waiter soon escorted her inside.

As the grand double doors were pushed open, Li Yangchen immediately spotted a man seated on the sofa in the private room, smoking. In an instant, she recognized Mr. Mo, whom she had encountered at the SOHO establishment. Today, he wore a light-colored suit and was absorbed in his phone, his dark hair casting a subtle shadow on his skin.

Since she did not see any familiar faces, she briefly wondered if the waiter had led her to the wrong room.

The commotion drew the attention of the occupants inside, and the man turned his gaze toward the door. His eyes narrowed when they fell upon Li Yangchen. Just as she was about to pull out her phone to contact Qi Feng, she heard someone call her name.

"Yangchen, you've arrived!" a deep voice pulled her focus back. She shifted her gaze away from Mo Yiyan to the man striding toward her from the terrace—the very host of tonight's gathering, her senior, Qi Feng.

Having just finished a call on the terrace, Qi Feng spotted Li Yangchen at the door of the private room.

He approached her with a smile, introducing her to Mo Yiyan, saying, "This is Li Yangchen, my junior from university; she works as a teacher at Z Middle School."

He then turned to introduce Mo Yiyan, "My cousin, Mo Yiyan, conducts business in Pengcheng."

Li Yangchen offered a polite nod in acknowledgment.

Mo Yiyan's lips curved slightly upwards as he reciprocated her greeting with a nod.

Qi Feng then informed Li Yangchen, "Xiao Zeng just called; his wife was in a rear-end collision. He's currently at the traffic police station handling the situation, so he likely won't make it tonight." Xiao Zeng was the vice president of the student council.

"Is she injured?" Li Yangchen asked, concern evident in her voice.

"She's fine. The last time he came, you were busy with your exam preparations, and now he faces another mishap. It's not easy to coordinate a dinner with you all!" Qi Feng said with a hint of regret. After a pause, he turned to Mo Yiyan. "Cousin, you don't have any appointments later, do you? If you're free, why not join us for dinner? I ordered some of the restaurant's specialty dishes yesterday. Since Xiao Zeng isn't coming, you can keep me company for a drink!"

Mo Yiyan took a puff of his cigarette, nodded nonchalantly, and after finishing it, stepped into the restroom.

Once everyone was present, Qi Feng beckoned the waiter to serve the dishes.

"Before you arrived, I was discussing some collaborative projects with my cousin. He happened to be nearby this afternoon, so I invited him here," Qi Feng explained to Li Yangchen the reason for Mo Yiyan's presence in the private room when it was empty. "He's a man of few words and may appear somewhat serious, but there's no need for you to feel awkward around him!" Qi Feng was concerned that the presence of an unfamiliar face might make Li Yangchen uncomfortable.

"Of course, it's not an issue," Li Yangchen replied with a smile, indicating her ease.

At that moment, Mo Yiyan emerged from the restroom and caught sight of Li Yangchen, who was radiating warmth with her bright smile. When she smiled, the corners of her lips formed a delicate curve, resembling a small parenthesis.

Li Yangchen glanced up just as she noticed Mo Yiyan's gaze directed her way.

Qi Feng also noticed Mo Yiyan and gestured for him to take a seat.