Chapter 15: These Curls Ain’t For You, Bitch

"Wait—what?" Lian's brain short-circuited. This was the arrogant half-breed who'd fought her over candied hawthorn on a stick? What was his name again? Xu Zijian?

Stay calm. Stay calm. She darted panicked glances around the garden—thankfully, no one had witnessed her meltdown.

Xu Zijian. That name had lived rent-free in her brain for a decade. Back when her dad ran the martial arts studio, this guy had been the most infuriating student. Two years older, he'd tormented her nonstop—once even swiped her precious strawberry milk bread right out of her hands!

Fed up, little Lian had secretly begged her older brother An Ye to teach her moves. Then she'd lured Xu Zijian to a secluded ditch, ready to kick his ass. Instead of fighting back, the coward had yelled "Master's here!" and stolen her first kiss while she'd looked away. The result? One very pissed-off girl shoving him face-first into the murky water.

"From Dad's only lecture ever, I knew you got messed up bad..." Lian mumbled, still refusing to meet his eyes. But she'd been too stubborn to apologize back then. The Xu family had skipped town soon after, leaving that kiss-shaped scar in her memory.

Now she couldn't reconcile the scrappy little punk who'd stolen her snacks with this sleek, smoldering half-breed hottie in front of her.

"You're still such a…" She struggled for the right word. "…punchable face." It was the same insult she'd hurled at him daily back then.

"Wow, originality isn't your strong suit, huh?" Xu Zijian teased, but his grin softened when he saw her blush. He held up his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay! I admit I was a dick for stealing your candied hawthorn and feeding it to the neighbor's dog. But seriously—how'd you end up with Wen?"

Wen? Lian's eyes narrowed. He was on nickname terms with Xin Wen?

"Actually, she's with me because I'm the only one who can handle her sass," a cool voice interjected from behind. Lian spun to find Xin Wen leaning against a marble pillar, his expression stormier than a monsoon. His eyes sliced between her and Xu Zijian like laser beams.

Xu Zijian just laughed, clapping Xin Wen hard on the back. "Still territorial as ever, huh? Nice upgrade from your usual arm candy… though short hair's a bold look." He winked at Lian. "No shade, babe. Just saying, I miss the pigtails."

Xin Wen's jaw ticked. "Cut the crap. When'd you get back?"

"Last night. And before you ask—" Xu Zijian jerked his thumb toward the mansion, "—your ex invited me. Classy move, by the way."

Lian felt Xin Wen's glare burn into her temple. Ignoring him, she stepped toward Xu Zijian. "We need to talk. Alone."

Xu Zijian draped an arm around her shoulders, smirking at Xin Wen. "Don't worry, old friend. I'll bring her back… eventually."

Xu Zijian's dark eyes flickered with surprise as he watched Lian brush past him to follow Xin Wen. But the sight of his old friend's clenched jaw? That made his lips twitch with pure glee. So the ice prince did have a weakness after all.

He sauntered over, draping an arm around her shoulders like they were old lovers. "Missed me that much, huh?" he murmured against her ear, breath warm. "Couldn't resist dragging me into your little lovers' quarrel?"

Lian tilted her face up, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, I definitely missed you…" she purred, trailing a finger down his chest. His smirk widened—until her next words hit like a bucket of ice water. "…about as much as I miss stepping in dogshit."

His arm dropped like a stone. "Ouch."

She flashed him a grin that was all teeth. "Save the flirty crap for your Instagram models, Jian. I'm here to work."

Xin Wen's low laugh rumbled behind them. "Told you she's got claws," he said, clapping Xu Zijian on the back none-too-gently. "Now stop hitting on my employee before I remind you why they call me 'the Iceman.'"

Lian rolled her eyes, but couldn't suppress her smile as she walked away. Some things never changed—like these two alpha idiots circling each other like sharks. And honestly? It was kind of hot.

Xu Zijian's smirk faded, his gaze suddenly intense as he grabbed her wrist. "Mark my words, Nian," he said lowly, his voice rough as gravel. "One day you'll beg me to let you grow those curls out… just so I can wrap them around my fist."

She yanked her arm back, unimpressed. "Keep dreaming, Romeo."

Stalking back into the party, Lian immediately felt the temperature drop. Xin Wen stood by the bar, his jaw clenched so tight she worried his teeth might shatter. His eyes burned holes through her dress as she approached.

"What did you say to him?" he demanded, voice deceptively calm.

"Just told him how much better he looks with a jawline now," she lied sweetly, plucking a champagne flute from a passing tray. "Though the personality's still… underwhelming."

Xin Wen's fingers dug into his glass. "You're playing with fire," he warned, stepping closer. The scent of his cologne—smoky and intoxicating—wrapped around her. "That man's not some boytoy. He's a shark who eats girls like you for breakfast."

She tilted her chin up, meeting his icy stare head-on. "Good thing I've got teeth too," she whispered, brushing past him. "And I bite back."

Behind her, she heard the distinct sound of expensive crystal shattering.

"That counts as hot? Please—he doesn't hold a candle to me," Xin Wen shot back immediately, his tone dead serious.

Lian just stared at him, her expression a mix of amusement and disbelief.