Unshaken, Unbothered?

Li Yichen had mastered the art of indifference.

From the moment he took control of Li Group, he learned that emotions were a liability, weaknesses that others could exploit. He had spent years cultivating an aura of cold detachment, ensuring that no one—not his rivals, not his so-called allies, and certainly not women—could ever read him.

And yet.

As he stepped back into the ballroom, his sharp gaze instinctively searched for Ruolan.

She stood near the terrace, engaged in conversation with Jiang Wei.

His fingers twitched, but his expression remained impassive.

"I don't play games."

He had said those words to Jiang Wei, and he meant them.

So why was he still standing here, watching her?

Mo Zixuan appeared at his side, his whiskey glass swirling in lazy circles. "Impressive."

Yichen didn't look at him. "What is?"

Zixuan smirked. "How you're keeping that blank face of yours when Jiang Wei is standing just a little too close to your assistant."

Yichen finally turned his head, meeting Zixuan's gaze with cool detachment. "I don't care."

Zixuan hummed, clearly amused. "Of course you don't." He took a sip of his drink. "And yet, here you are, watching them."

Yichen's gaze flickered back toward Ruolan. She was laughing—softly, the kind of laugh that most men would find charming. Jiang Wei certainly seemed entertained.

A flicker of something unidentifiable stirred in his chest.

Zixuan chuckled. "You know, it'd be a shame if someone like Jiang Wei decided to actually pursue her."

Yichen exhaled slowly, his voice calm. "She's free to do whatever she wants."

"Hm. If you say so."

Across the room, Ruolan sighed as Jiang Wei leaned against the railing beside her.

"I don't understand why you're still here," she muttered.

Jiang Wei smirked. "Can't I enjoy an evening with an old friend?"

"We are not friends."

"Cold, Ruolan. You used to be much sweeter."

She scoffed. "That was before I learned my lesson."

He studied her for a moment before smiling. "Alright. No more teasing." He glanced toward the crowd. "But tell me something, Ruolan… what exactly is your relationship with Li Yichen?"

She blinked, caught off guard. "He's my boss."

Jiang Wei tilted his head, as if unconvinced. "Is that all?"

Ruolan frowned. "Yes. What else would it be?"

Jiang Wei let out a soft chuckle. "Interesting."

She narrowed her eyes. "What's interesting?"

He shrugged. "Nothing. Just that… for a man who never lets anyone close, Li Yichen seems awfully aware of you."

Ruolan rolled her eyes. "You're imagining things."

"Am I?"

She huffed. "Yes. You are."

Jiang Wei smirked, but before he could say anything else, another voice cut in.

"Ruolan."

Her head snapped up.

Yichen stood there, his cold, chiseled features as unreadable as ever. His presence commanded immediate attention, and for the first time that night, Jiang Wei's smirk faltered slightly.

Ruolan blinked. "Oh, Yichen. I was just—"

"It's time to leave," he said simply, his voice smooth but firm.

Ruolan hesitated. "But the event isn't—"

"Now."

She frowned but relented.

Jiang Wei, however, merely chuckled. "Leaving so soon?"

Yichen's gaze flicked to him, cool and unreadable. "I have no reason to stay."

Jiang Wei's smirk returned. "How efficient. No small talk, no unnecessary words. You really are the perfect CEO, aren't you?"

Yichen didn't respond, nor did he give any indication that Jiang Wei's words meant anything to him. His face remained as composed as ever.

Ruolan sighed. "Jiang Wei, I'll see you—"

Yichen turned and walked away, expecting her to follow.

She did.

As they exited the ballroom, Ruolan cast him a quick glance. "You didn't have to do that."

"Do what?" His tone was neutral.

"Interrupt."

"I don't recall interrupting anything important."

Ruolan huffed. "You're impossible."

He didn't respond.

Because if he did, he wasn't sure what he would say.

Unshaken, Yet Restless

Back in the ballroom, Jiang Wei watched their retreating figures, an amused gleam in his eyes.

Mo Zixuan took a sip of his drink. "You're playing with fire."

Jiang Wei smirked. "And that's the fun part, isn't it?"

Zixuan hummed. "Don't get your hopes up. Yichen isn't the type to react."

Jiang Wei chuckled. "Maybe not now."

He glanced toward the exit, his smirk deepening.

"But we'll see."