Chapter13

Golden Cicada Sheds Its Skin: Escape While You Can

Gong Youqi must have been angry and wasn't coming to her apartment anymore. Yu Xi pretended to reflect behind closed doors for a few days before resuming her usual leisurely shopping trips. She carefully watched her surroundings and didn't find anyone secretly following her, but she didn't dare be careless. She traveled light, as if just Browse, carrying only a small bag containing a few bank cards that held all her savings.

The large mall was having its anniversary sale today, and the entrance was teeming with customers drawn by discounts and gifts. Her sharp eyes were hidden behind dark sunglasses, concealing their shrewdness.

She entered the women's exclusive beauty salon through a side door and, as usual, pointed to the full-body essential oil massage service on the wall. After paying, she followed the staff member into a private room. Hm, she had three hours. Hopefully, that would be enough.

As soon as they entered the private changing room, Xiao Chuchu immediately stood up from the chair and threw herself into Yu Xi's arms, her eyes red.

Yu Xi didn't know what grievance her friend had suffered, but time was short, so she didn't ask. She just held Chuchu's hand and said, "Do you really want to leave?"

Chuchu's eyes showed painful struggle, but in the end, she nodded vigorously.

Yu Xi patted Chuchu's hand reassuringly: "Alright, a break might be good for both of you to see your hearts clearly."

"He has no heart at all..." Xiao Chuchu couldn't help but cry. "Even if he does, it will never be for me."

Yu Xi sighed, saying no more. She immediately had Xiao Chuchu change into clothes she had bought beforehand, then quickly touched up her makeup, instantly transforming her into someone unfamiliar in appearance and dress. She was glad her makeup skills were quite good. Finally, she asked, "Is everything okay on your end? Are you sure the driver isn't familiar with you?"

Chuchu nodded: "Things have been busy there recently. I originally asked to come alone, but he wasn't at ease and still arranged a driver for me. But I haven't seen him before; he's a new face."

Yu Xi hummed. Chuchu had always been a good girl. Gong Youkai probably wouldn't expect her to leave and never return, nor would he take any precautions.

She gave Chuchu her new number, a bank card, and an address, instructing her, "Go wait for me there first. If I don't make it in time, it might mean I couldn't leave. Don't contact me proactively." She hugged her, reluctantly watching her friend wipe away tears and leave.

Then, as usual, she wrapped herself in a blanket and went to her own private room for the service, chatting away with the masseuse. During this time, the masseuse took a call and subtly glanced at her. Yu Xi immediately smiled back, as if to say, "Tell that bodyguard brother not to worry, I'm still here."

After enjoying three hours, she didn't receive a call from Chuchu, confirming that she had safely gotten into a car and left Shanghai. She relaxed, went to the changing room, and put on her friend's clothes. With deliberate makeup, at first glance, she looked very much like Chuchu.

She exited the salon through another door and, as expected, saw the black car Chuchu had mentioned waiting. She pulled open the car door, got in, and mimicked Chuchu's tone, "Take me to the commercial street to look around."

The driver didn't notice anything unusual, politely nodded, and started the car.

Yu Xi was actually still nervous. She had swapped her original phone card and was ostentatiously impersonating Chuchu to escape the scene. When the car turned onto the street leading to the beauty salon's main entrance, she saw the man in the suit who had stopped her at the airport squeezing through the crowd, looking somewhat flustered, and entering the beauty salon.

She gently closed her eyes and smiled. If she really wanted to leave, it wasn't that difficult.

As they approached the commercial street, her heart pounded violently, feeling that freedom was within reach. The driver suddenly received a call, slowed down, and told her, "Miss, the leader said he has something urgent, and he wants me to take you straight back."

She immediately felt resentful but couldn't show it. She had no choice but to brace herself and say, "Okay," watching helplessly as the car drove towards the mysterious gang's headquarters.

Sigh, just a little bit more.

Her plan was to first help Chuchu escape, then she would impersonate Chuchu to escape the surveillance at the beauty salon. Since Gong Youkai wouldn't expect Chuchu to leave, he wouldn't restrict her freedom. She could stop at the commercial street, wander around the mall, and then casually get into a taxi to escape to another city. Leaving from another city without surveillance, or choosing to go abroad, would then be easy.

Unfortunately, Gong Youkai insisted she return immediately. Was Gong Youkai truly in an urgent situation, or had he received some news? Poor her, she was almost free. Still, she hadn't lost yet. At least Gong Youqi didn't know she was currently heading to his big brother's territory. She had to find a way to make Gong Youkai not reveal her whereabouts, and then figure out how to leave.

Her mind raced. She felt her lately idle brain cells slowly re-engaging. It was like returning to her days in Australia, constantly battling wits with strangers. Although she lost more often than she won, it was endlessly fun. But in her game with Young Master Gong, her role as a mere "vase" had made her too mentally sluggish. Aside from his tireless efforts to make her physically active, her mind had truly been idle for a long time.

Upon arriving at the You Gang headquarters, Yu Xi widened her eyes, curiously observing what Shanghai's largest triad looked like. She had imagined it to be a military base in a secret mountain tunnel in the suburbs, but it turned out to be a resort a bit far from the city center.

It was nestled by mountains and water, but it had no gang-like feel whatsoever. There were no sentries with machine guns guarding the gates, nor small soldiers patrolling in formation inside. It was quiet everywhere, truly like a serene place for leisure and vacation. Of course, she didn't spot the advanced electronic eyes hidden among the bushes and flowers.

The driver parked the car in the courtyard and politely said, "The leader is waiting for you in his room."

Yu Xi fretted. She had seen several small buildings along the way. How was she supposed to know which one Gong Youkai lived in?

As she was worrying, she saw a beautiful woman in black tight-fitting clothes and pants emerge from a nearby building. Her long hair was braided into a thick black plait, looking heroic and extraordinary. Seeing Yu Xi, she called out from a distance, "Chuchu, you're back."

Yu Xi quickly nodded, admiring the beauty. She adopted Chuchu's usual reserved smile, "Yes, I just went to the city."

"Heh heh, you just went out for a bit and the leader called you back, didn't he? He was distracted during the meeting just now, he must have been thinking about you." The woman with the long braid was slowly approaching, then suddenly stopped, entirely on guard. "You're not Chuchu!"

Yu Xi sighed, realizing she was exposed so quickly. She immediately feigned surprise and innocence, saying, "Miss, please don't make a fuss. I'm Chuchu's friend. Can you please take me to see Master Gong?"

The braided woman still looked at her warily, asking, "Where's Chuchu?" She then cast a suspicious glance at the bewildered driver behind Yu Xi.

Yu Xi quickly said, "She asked me to deliver a message to Master Gong personally. Your leader will understand once he sees me."

Sigh, Gong Youkai would probably chop her in half when he saw her. Chuchu's escape was her doing; Master Gong would surely blame her for everything. There was no other way. She had to face him.

The braided woman thought for a moment before saying, "Follow me."

Yu Xi quickly followed, not forgetting to turn back and warn the stunned driver to keep everything confidential.

When Gong Youkai saw Yu Xi, he didn't even consider who she was. His face dark, he asked directly, "Where is she?"

Yu Xi swallowed hard, feeling breathless under his invisible aura. She glanced around, "Master Gong, I need to speak with you privately."

Gong Youkai's eyes remained fixed: "Liuli, you may go."

Once the room was cleared, Yu Xi relaxed slightly, coughed, and looked at Gong Youkai: "You don't recognize me?" They had, after all, dined together.

Gong Youkai stared for a few seconds, then raised an eyebrow: "You're Youqi's woman?"

She smiled: "More so, Chuchu's good sister."

"Where is she?"

Yu Xi thought for a moment and said, "Master Gong, Chuchu doesn't want to stay here."

Gong Youkai's face grew increasingly gloomy: "Where is she?"

Yu Xi braved the invisible pressure, stubbornly advocating for her friend: "She said she's had a terrible time here, not a single day of happiness."

"She said that?!" The lion was furious. He slammed his hand on the table, making it tremble.

Yu Xi quickly retreated a few steps, continuing to champion justice against the impending storm: "She said you, Master Gong, are too difficult to get along with, that you always hated her and treated her as a substitute for another woman, and that it's truly cruel. Why can't you let her go?" She decided to express everything Chuchu couldn't, to see Gong Youkai's reaction. In fact, she believed this domineering triad boss truly cared for Chuchu, evident from his subtle thoughtfulness towards her during their last meal together. However, she wasn't sure what insurmountable misunderstanding existed between them that made Chuchu so heartbroken and wanting to give up.

Gong Youkai finally couldn't hold back: "She said I'm cruel and difficult to get along with? Said I hated her and treated her as a substitute? Damn it, so she dared to run away like that?!"

Yu Xi became even more certain that this majestic lion's heart had indeed been conquered by a little lamb. Chuchu's tears had not been shed in vain.

Her wrist was suddenly grabbed. She cried out in pain. The lion showed no pity, his voice harsh as he asked, "Speak! Where is she hiding?!"

She couldn't help but sigh. Was this how the delicate Chuchu was bullied every day? No wonder she couldn't take it and had to leave. Compared to this lion who easily went berserk, the tiger by her side, who only occasionally flared up, was truly much gentler.

She gritted her teeth, looking at Master Gong, and bravely put forth the condition she had thought of: "If you want to see Chuchu, you have to agree to a few of my demands. Otherwise, even if you kill me, no one will be able to tell you her whereabouts. Of course, with your power, you'll eventually find her, but by then, some irreversible things might happen." Oh heaven, please let her hold on, hold on! Don't let her faint from fear so quickly. She was very afraid of dying. Please, Master Gong, don't actually take her life in a fit of rage.

Gong Youkai's eyes blazed with fire, almost incinerating her. Finally, he calmed down, grinding his teeth in compromise: "Speak!"

Yu Xi slowly pried his grip away, puffing on her pitiful, reddened wrist, and squeezed out a smile: "Don't get agitated, actually, the demands are very simple..."

Suddenly, a personal maid appeared beside the You Gang leader. No one knew the origin of this beautiful girl, nicknamed "Little Fish." Gong Youkai also warned them not to spread news of her presence in the gang.

Everyone had witnessed the leader spending almost all his time with the little mermaid for the past two days, exchanging glances but unable to uncover any inside information. Liuli, the only one present at the time, could only guess that Little Fish might be related to Chuchu. While this somewhat dispelled the widespread assumption that the leader had found a new love, without concrete evidence, numerous theories still circulated.

Evidence in Action:

Everyone held binoculars, peeking through the gaps in the drawn curtains. They saw the leader holding a piece of paper presented by Little Fish. The more he looked, the deeper his frown became. At one point, he angrily tore it up, but Little Fish smilingly produced another from behind her, whispering something to the leader, who then continued to read with a cold expression.

Regarding this, Yage, the head of the Meiji Hall, guessed: "That was the marriage guarantee the leader gave Little Fish before. It seems Little Fish might be an old flame of the leader who has come back."

Wang Xinlun, the head of the Lie Men, objected: "Damn it! Can there be multiple marriage guarantees? I think Little Fish personally drew a portrait for the leader, and the leader tore it up because he thought it wasn't as handsome as himself. Maybe the second one was more pleasing to the eye."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Everyone then tiptoed, wearing eavesdropping devices, hiding in the corner to listen, only to hear an angry roar: "You dare ask me to say such cheesy words!"

Gasps rippled through the group. A dozen ears stretched even longer than a rabbit's, continuing to listen.

Chuchu's pitifully delicate voice: "A little woman's heart is very fragile. After being treated so brutally by you, can't I even have a few sweet words to warm my heart?"

Everyone nodded, their gossipy faces, clearly understanding everything, exchanged knowing glances. Indeed, there was something going on.

After a while, they heard the normally cold and stoic leader's low voice: "I... I've always been to you... I li... Damn it, how can I say such words!"

Everyone excitedly held hands, lest they be too shocked to stand, and also careful not to make a sound as they quietly retreated. In truth, their hearts were churning like a storm. They had never imagined hearing the leader confess to a woman one day. They were now certain of Little Fish's place in the leader's heart, and secretly felt sorry for Xiao Chuchu.

They took off their listening devices, so they didn't hear the emotional female voice say, "Master Gong, if you had said those half-words earlier, Chuchu wouldn't have left."

In the main hall.

Qiu Yu Hall Master Liuli: "I still support Chuchu!"

Left Guardian Zuo Ming: "I always thought the leader liked Miss Xiao, but..." Through everyone's observations, they were no longer sure.

Even Duan Huiyan, the usually taciturn Master of the Chasing Wind Hall, exposed his hidden male gossip tendencies: "The facts are clear, the leader likes Little Fish."

Luo Lan, the White Gate Master, still under house arrest, secretly snuck out: "This needs more thought."

So, the few of them split into "Protect Chuchu Faction" and "Eat (supporting the 'support' faction) Fish Faction," bickering and arguing, creating quite a lively scene.

Yu Xi lay sprawled on the bed, hugging a pillow, guessing she had eaten too much during the day and couldn't sleep.

Staying in Chuchu's room, everything was provided. After two days with Gong Youkai, she found him to be a man who was tough on the outside but soft on the inside. As long as you stroked the lion's fur the right way, it was actually easy to get along with this lion. Unfortunately, with Chuchu's kind and timid nature, she wouldn't know how to use tactics or act. She simply tried to reason and confront the lion, no wonder they both harbored such deep grudges.

Gong Youkai had basically agreed to her requests, promising to give Chuchu a week to calm down and think, but he had definitely already impatiently sent people to secretly search for her. She had even kindly written a "Guide to Taming Chuchu," listing Chuchu's personality, preferences, and how the lion could win the little lamb's heart. To prevent the lion from tearing up the secret manual in a fit of rage, she even made several copies and plastered them on the bedside and corners of the lion's bedroom walls for him to read and remember at any time.

Then, she gave the lion a training lesson on how to please a lamb, trying every soft and hard tactic to make him try to express his inner thoughts. Chuchu was also a conservative, so someone always had to express themselves first for there to be a breakthrough.

Sometimes, she would laugh at Master Gong's tsundere behavior, but then her mind would suddenly drift to another tsundere tiger, and she would feel a little dejected. She didn't regret leaving, but perhaps, there was a tiny bit of regret that she no longer had an employer who offered high commissions.

Her demands originally included Gong Youkai directly sending her abroad, but Master Gong wouldn't let her leave without seeing Chuchu return with his own eyes. So she simply hid in the You Gang seeking protection, asking Master Gong to keep her hiding place a secret and to help her gauge the situation outside.

Gong Youkai thought about it and decided he didn't want to meddle in his brother's affairs. Given that Xiao Chuchu had seemingly solemnly promised not to reveal her hiding place outside the You Gang, she felt at ease staying. According to the information Master Gong gathered, Gong Youqi didn't seem to be looking for her these past two days. Or perhaps, he didn't care at all, and the bodyguard's initial panic was just a show; he was merely angry that she dared to defy his warning and escape.

She was always easygoing, just waiting for Master Gong to bring Chuchu back before she continued her studies in Australia.

After days of wheedling, coaxing, and presumptuously acting as Master Gong's love consultant, always monopolizing his room to give him lectures whenever he was resting from gang affairs, one day, while she was enthusiastically teaching the flowers' meanings to Master Gong, who was lying in bed with his eyes closed, Gong Youkai got up to answer a call, his eyes gleaming with hidden joy.

"Hey, you found Chuchu?" Yu Xi asked with a smile. She had only been pressured into revealing that Chuchu had gone to Nanjing. The fact that he could scour such a large city within a week showed that the triad's methods were not to be underestimated.

Gong Youkai gave her a cold glance, but his tone wasn't bad: "She came back herself."

"Huh?" She was surprised. Was Chuchu worried about her, or had she figured things out herself? But Chuchu had voluntarily returned, no wonder the lion was in a good mood.

"Well, Chuchu's coming back. How about you prepare to send me abroad?" Even though Gong Youqi didn't seem to be actively looking for her, just in case.

Gong Youkai narrowed his eyes: "You've been eating and living here for free for a few days. Don't you plan to leave some kind of return?"

Sure enough... a triad boss never does business at a loss. She sat on the edge of the bed and leaned towards the handsome lion, sniffing for any advantage. "Oh, do you want me to stay and host your wedding with Chuchu?"

The lion unceremoniously flicked her outstretched paw: "The wedding doesn't require your concern. The gang's anniversary celebration is at the beginning of next month. Since you also performed at Xinyue, you can help plan the program and host the ceremony."

She froze for a moment: "Why me? I don't know anything."

"The gang's anniversary is once every three years. The one in charge last time was called to the underworld to plan a year ago due to a conflict between gangs. You don't have to worry about the specific details, just discuss it with Yage of the Meiji Hall. The gang doesn't have many women, and we need a master of ceremonies."

Yu Xi understood, and slyly smiled: "If I help you, I should at least get some sweet reward, right?"

Gong Youkai looked at her, not quite smiling: "I think I forgot to tell you, although Youqi hasn't openly searched, he secretly wants to throw a certain little fish who dared to provoke him and then absconded directly into a pot of boiling oil."

She blinked, immediately switching to an innocent, bewildered expression, looking left and right: "Oh, Master Gong, uh, the weather is so nice today. I suddenly remembered I've been eating too many sweets lately and have indigestion. It's more important to go discuss serious matters with Brother Yage."

Gong Youkai watched her walk out nonchalantly, arms crossed, and a faint smile touched his lips. It seemed this woman was much more interesting than Youqi's love at first sight.

This year's You Gang anniversary celebration was truly unique. It abandoned the old routine of various hall and gate masters leading everyone in reciting gang rules and then drinking themselves into a frenzy. Instead, it surprisingly began with an artistic program, followed by a formal wrestling competition. The combination of culture and combat left a deep impression, making it arguably the most talked-about celebration in the gang's history.

Before planning, Yu Xi first consulted Yage, the head of the Meiji Hall, who managed the gang's logistics, to understand past celebrations. She loudly declared the previous routine of tedious recitations and drinking contests as celebrations to be utterly boring. After thinking it over, she discussed it with Yage for an entire night. Both agreed to innovate and reform.

She had initially wanted to hire a few song and dance troupes but then felt that a bunch of rough, unrefined men wouldn't appreciate such artistic things. She also didn't want to simply set up a casino in the main hall and let a group of people gamble and fight. After a night of deliberation, she finally came up with an original and self-produced entertainment activity.

A week's time was limited, but it didn't affect Yu Xi's personality of thriving under pressure. Thus, at the celebration a week later, the You Gang's main hall stage presented a spectacular costumed fairy tale play, "Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf." Due to limited space, live broadcasts were simultaneously shown in the halls of each branch.

Since the actors were chosen by drawing lots, Yu Xi, who drew the Big Bad Wolf, and Luo Lan, who drew Little Red Riding Hood, didn't want to swap their roles, so they just changed the names. The content was also altered beyond recognition, becoming a tear-jerking love story where the Little Gray Wolf falls in love at first sight with the Big Red "Maiden," giving up meat for vegetarianism and overcoming countless hardships to finally live in seclusion in the mountains. As for Wang Xinlun, the head of the Lie Men, who played the hunter with a butcher's knife, and Liao Yixuan, the head of the Bingzheng Hall, who played the "frail and benevolent" grandmother, they both became villains in the eyes of the crowd, ruining a beautiful marriage. Their popularity among You Gang members remained at the bottom for a long time afterward.

After drawing many tears from the brave men, Yu Xi originally planned a solo song for Chuchu. However, the domineering Gong Youkai had already pulled Chuchu away, claiming that Chuchu could only sing for him from now on. There was no choice but to directly notify the selected contestants from each hall and branch to begin the wrestling tournament. This combative event was more popular with the triad members who were constantly wielding knives and guns. People continuously came up to challenge, and it continued until night.

Yu Xi had no interest in the rough-and-tumble events and was chatting with Chuchu in the room. She had already explained to Gong Youkai that Chuchu had actually fallen in love with him, and her departure was due to him hurting her feelings. At that time, after Chuchu left Shanghai and didn't wait for Yu Xi, she was worried that Gong Youkai would take his anger out on her friend, so she returned anxiously after a few days. After that, she and Gong Youkai disappeared for two days. No one knew what happened during those two days, but when they returned on the third day, everyone noticed that their relationship seemed to have changed.

Xiao Chuchu's face was consistently flushed with joy, and Gong Youkai, when facing the beautiful woman, had an added depth in his eyes, something called "deep affection." Only then did everyone realize that the "Little Fish" had actually been a spy for Chuchu. Everyone was happy to see the leader's affections settled, especially Luo Lan, who had developed quite a liking for Little Fish during their performance together. He was beaming. Everyone, unaware of the truth, even suspected he was the long-lost older brother of the orphan Xiao Chuchu, acting as if his own sister were getting married.

"Chuchu, what exactly did Master Gong say to you?" Yu Xi was very curious to know how the lion confessed to the little lamb during those two days.

Xiao Chuchu's face flushed again. She lowered her head and mumbled for a long time before finally revealing, "He took me to a place."

"Where?" What place could be so enchanting? A honeymoon suite?

"Qingyuan."

"Qingyuan" was actually just a private villa, but when Xiao Chuchu first saw it, she was so surprised she couldn't speak. Hundreds of square meters of lawn were completely planted with roses of various colors. She felt "Rose Garden" would be a more fitting name. Those fiery red, light pink, sea blue, and snow-white roses, vibrant and budding, wound around trellises, adorning the white wooden house in the middle of the flowerbed like a dream.

Gong Youkai looked at the woman who had returned by his side. After days of nagging from Yu Xi, that "little fish," he had only confirmed two things: first, that the person Xiao Chuchu actually liked was him. Second, he cared more about Xiao Chuchu than he had imagined. Perhaps they had misunderstood each other before, causing each other pain. As for Yu Xi's methods of making him boldly express his love, he felt they were unsuitable. He had been a taciturn gang leader for too long and no longer understood romance. In the end, he used subtle hints.

"Do you like it?" he asked faintly.

Xiao Chuchu nodded, moved. She had expected to face an even bigger storm upon returning, but he wasn't rough with her at all, not even angry. She didn't know how Yu Xi had managed it, but he seemed to have truly changed. Was there a chance for the love he had always rejected from her?

"If you like them, they're all yours," he said bluntly. Though he couldn't utter overly saccharine words, he knew she would understand.

"All... for me?" She froze. Did this whole garden of roses mean she was beginning to occupy a place in his heart?

"Mm." Gong Youkai replied nonchalantly, his hand in his pocket clenched tightly. She should understand, right?

Chuchu faced him, lowered her head, and softly asked, "Gong Youkai, do you... like me?" But before waiting for his answer, she turned around. "Never mind, don't say it. I'm afraid it's not the answer I want."

Staring at a half-open pink rose, she bit her lip and declared her love: "I like you. Whether you like me or not, I just want you to know that I'm not that Xiaorou. I don't know what happened between you two, but she's not by your side anymore, and I want to stay and be with you instead of her..." Her voice grew softer and softer. She was afraid of hearing his disdainful mockery, afraid of him raging that Xiaorou was irreplaceable.

Silence hung in the air behind her for a long time. Then, two hands slowly rested on her shoulders, turning her body so she could see his face, usually so imposing and stern, now gleaming with an unusual light in his eyes.

Then she heard his voice, gentle for the first time: "I brought you here, gave you so many flowers. Don't you understand what I mean?" That "fish" said women would understand if he just gave them roses. He had sent so many people to choose this place, precisely so she would understand at a glance.

And Chuchu understood. In fact, she knew that he, like her, wasn't good at expressing himself. But she was grateful that he could use this method to express his inner thoughts. Whether love was spoken or not didn't matter. She never cared about sweet words. As long as he cared about her and genuinely wanted her to stay, even if it wasn't yet love, she would give her all.

He leaned down and tasted her excited tears; they were so sweet.

Having roughly understood how the two had fallen in love, Yu Xi felt that all she had left for her friend was to offer her blessings. For the past few days, Chuchu was probably too pampered to get out of bed, which was why Master Gong didn't want her to perform on stage. Knowing she disliked crowds, he even excused her from the evening gang banquet.

Yu Xi maliciously warned: "Chuchu, make sure to tell the lion to take it easy, lest you end up walking down the aisle with him while pregnant."

Xiao Chuchu was speechless, but as her friend's teasing laughter faded, she slowly touched her stomach, blushing, thinking to herself: If I could bear him a child, it would be a happy thing.

The You Gang had been established for nearly twenty years. Aside from the Left and Right Guardians, who acted as strategists and advised the leader without directly managing affairs, the other three main Gates and four Halls operated with a division of labor. The White, Dark, and Fiery Gates managed external gang affairs, while the Meiji, Autumn Jade, Chasing Wind, and Bingzheng Halls handled internal matters. At this moment, the Gate Masters and Hall Masters sat on either side of a long table, awaiting the leader's speech.

Yu Xi followed Gong Youkai into the great hall. This time, she had performed a great service for the gang's anniversary celebration. Gong Youkai, in a show of respect, personally invited her to take a seat. She thought happily that it seemed she would now have a prominent triad backer.

She saw Master Gong sitting at the head of the table, with three empty seats beside him. She couldn't help but wonder who the third seat was for, besides Zuo Ming and herself. Suddenly, she remembered she hadn't met the supposedly mysterious Right Guardian, so that seat must be reserved for him.

She politely motioned Zuo Ming to the seat on the left. He's the Left Guardian, after all, so he naturally sits on the left. She herself sat next to him, so she could get a clear look at the Right Guardian.

Everyone was seated, but the Right Guardian still hadn't appeared. Yu Xi muttered to herself about his showmanship. Why wasn't Master Gong, the leader, getting angry? Everyone else seemed used to it.

Gong Youkai said a few symbolic words, then told everyone to start eating.

Yu Xi quietly asked Luo Lan, who was on her other side, "Is your Right Guardian absent tonight?"

Luo Lan, knowing Yu Xi's curiosity, patiently explained, "He was supposed to come, but since he hasn't shown up, he probably couldn't make it. He's often absent, everyone's used to it."

Yu Xi's old habit flared up again: "Hehe, is the Right Guardian as handsome as you?" If he wasn't a handsome man, it didn't matter.

Luo Lan chuckled: "No."

Seeing the disappointment in Little Fish's eyes, he smiled and explained, "Not like me, he's much more handsome than me."

Yu Xi's eyes lit up again: "Do you have a picture?"

Gong Youkai, at the head of the table, coughed softly, giving her a cold glance, signaling that in such a solemn setting, one should be polite during a meal and not behave like a little sparrow.

She immediately sat up straight, her eyes darting around. Then she sweetly suggested, "Master Gong, this atmosphere is too serious. Everyone must have lost their appetite. How about we play a game?" Since the daytime program had been overturned, why not try something new for the dinner as well? After staying with the You Gang for a while, she realized that everyone was exceptionally meticulous at work, but in their daily lives, they had no triad airs at all and were very easy to get along with, which greatly changed Yu Xi's impression of the underworld.

Immediately, several people agreed, feeling that dining at the gang banquet strictly according to the old rules, like royal nobles, really wasn't like the underworld.

Gong Youkai raised an eyebrow: "What game?" This woman really couldn't sit still. He then subtly glanced at the seat to his right. Was he really not coming?

Yu Xi excitedly suggested, "Let's all propose something! Drumming and passing the flower? Clap-seven? Little Bee? Rock-paper-scissors works too." It was a rare chance to have fun; it's better to enjoy it with everyone.

As everyone was brainstorming, a voice suddenly came from the inner hall: "How about I suggest a game?"

"Right Guardian?" several voices rang out simultaneously.

Yu Xi, however, almost fell out of her chair. That voice... The Right Guardian?

Luo Lan steadied her, secretly chuckling: "Just hearing his voice shocked you like this?"

The person who walked out from around the corner made Yu Xi wish she could die. How could he, he, he be the Right Guardian? She had always thought the Left Guardian was surnamed Zuo, so maybe the Right Guardian was surnamed Right. Cold sweat. What to do? She definitely wouldn't survive the night.

She shot a resentful look at Gong Youkai, who shrugged: "I didn't reveal your whereabouts to any 'outside' personnel." He kept his word; Youqi was an 'inside' member, and he had given her enough face by only informing his brother to come watch the show just before the celebration.

No one else understood the leader's words. Gong Youqi nonchalantly took his seat under everyone's gaze, greeting everyone as if he didn't know Yu Xi.

Liuli tilted her head, looking up at her crush, her joy barely concealed by her composure: "Right Guardian, long time no see."

Gong Youqi responded faintly, then finally turned his gaze to the little fish, whose face was full of misery and whose body was trembling. He pulled at the corner of his mouth: "I hear this little fish contributed a lot to this anniversary celebration. I had to come and pay my respects."

If his big brother hadn't told him last night that there was a good show at the anniversary celebration that he'd regret missing, he would never have imagined this fish would be hiding out in the You Gang. No wonder he had turned Shanghai upside down, sending people to guard airports and train stations without a single lead.

Luo Lan asked kindly, "Little Fish, why do you look so pale?"

"I... I'm just too excited to see the Right Guardian..." Wuwu, cunning Master Gong, she definitely had to expose him thoroughly in front of Chuchu.

Gong Youqi smiled slightly, his expression extremely gentle: "Are you disappointed after seeing me?"

She pitifully bit her lower lip, clutching the edge of the table, nodding through unshed tears then immediately shaking her head: "Not disappointed, not disappointed... Truly, peerless in charm, more handsome than Pan An." She couldn't escape. Her wide eyes desperately sent out signals for mercy.

Aside from Gong Youkai, no one else understood the hidden currents between the two. Yage reminded, "Right Guardian, what game are you proposing?"

Gong Youqi ignored her plea, glancing at the neatly cut sashimi on the table. His star-like eyes gleamed: "There's a game everyone should be familiar with. It allows you to punish liars however you want—make them stand all night, throw them into a snake pit, or even dismember them."

With each punishment he mentioned, Yu Xi's face grew paler. He wouldn't actually be that ruthless, would he? But, she never thought he was a triad member either. If she had known, even with dozens of guts, she wouldn't have played games with him. He could just casually cut her up if he was displeased. Did he usually carry a gun in his pocket? Oh, why didn't she check? She didn't want to end up as a plate of sashimi on the table...

Liao Yixuan, the head of the Bingzheng Hall, who managed internal gang discipline, asked doubtfully, "Isn't that punishment only used for traitors in the gang?"

Everyone looked at each other, puzzled. They didn't understand what kind of game this was, and they didn't believe anyone present had betrayed the You Gang. They remembered that two years ago, it was the Right Guardian who discovered that the former Autumn Jade Hall Master was colluding with an outside gang. He then single-handedly infiltrated the enemy gang to find evidence and, coincidentally, rescued the current Hall Master, Liuli.

Gong Youkai took a sip of wine, breaking the silence: "Youqi, don't scare everyone." It was a rare triennial anniversary celebration; messing it up further would be a waste of the food on the table. Besides, he wanted to finish early and go see someone.

Yu Xi trembled as she spoke: "Uh... Right Guardian, the game you mentioned seems very similar to 'truth or dare.' But the punishments don't seem that severe; it should just be for everyone to have fun and prank each other." A reversal, she had to reverse it. She absolutely didn't want severe punishments involved.

Gong Youqi picked up a piece of sashimi, chewing it slowly, making Yu Xi break out in a cold sweat. Then he finally said, "Oh, I must have remembered wrong. Let's just play 'truth or dare.'"

Others who understood the game immediately responded, and the atmosphere became cheerful again.

Yu Xi wiped a bead of sweat, laughing awkwardly: "Everyone, take your time playing. I suddenly feel dizzy, I'm going to rest first."

Luo Lan asked with concern, "What's wrong? Should I call the gang's doctor to check on you?"

"No, no need, I'm just a little tired."

Gong Youqi's gaze made her hair stand on end: "Little Fish can rest, but the game starts with you. You can leave after you play."

Everyone agreed, even flattering her with compliments like, "You're the biggest contributor today, you must play!" Yu Xi, in despair, could only force a dry laugh.

Gong Youqi didn't give her time to wait, saying directly, "Then I'll ask the first question." His cold eyes unblinkingly stared at her: "Little Fish, you'd better think carefully whether you choose truth or dare. If you choose dare, the punishment will be at my discretion."

Yu Xi swallowed hard and answered without thinking, "I choose truth." How could she let him punish her? She would be dead without a trace. No matter what question he asked, there was no lie detector on site, so she could answer freely.

Everyone watched with interest, wondering what interesting question the Right Guardian would ask.

Gong Youqi had already guessed her thoughts and cut off her escape route: "Swear that if you don't tell the truth, the consequences will also be at my discretion."

She flinched guiltily, and obediently swore. Gong Youqi, you're ruthless, you're the most ruthless! Even if she swore, who would know if she didn't tell the truth? Hmph!

Just as a sliver of hope remained in her heart, she heard him ask in a relaxed tone: "Little Fish, my question is: Have you ever done anything to wrong me? If you answer yes, the result will also be at my discretion."

Ah, it's dark... Why is everything dark before her eyes...?

This tiger was even craftier than a fox!! If she answered yes, she was at his mercy; if she answered no, it was clearly a lie, so she was at his mercy; if she didn't answer, she would be punished, still at his mercy... This deceiver had clearly set a trap, waiting for her to fall into it.

Fine, it's a one-way street, she accepted it.

So, under everyone's watchful eyes, Yu Xi reluctantly stood up, her voice weak and evasive, "I... when plating, don't sprinkle cilantro. I don't like that taste."

Everyone looked confused.

Gong Youqi slowly stood up too, walked to her side, and gently pulled her into his embrace, saying very softly, "It's commendable that you have such awareness."

She was on the verge of tears. Finally, she cast a pleading glance at Master Gong. Gong Youkai looked at his brother, whose eyes screamed "I will not give up," then at her with an "I'm helpless too" expression, plus a sympathetic "you're on your own."

Yu Xi was utterly despairing. She slumped into Gong Youqi's arms, letting him half-embrace her. The two elegantly exited under the still-confused gazes of the crowd. After a moment of silence, Wang Xinlun couldn't help but ask, "Can someone tell me what just happened?"

Everyone looked at each other. Gong Youkai raised his wine glass, inviting everyone to continue, "Let's continue, no need to wait." He paused before explaining, "Youqi went to make sashimi."

Although the small building belonging to the You Gang's Right Guardian had long been unused, it was still regularly cleaned. That night, according to those with ears to hear, the Right Guardian's room light stayed on all night. At times, piercing screams of a woman would emanate, sometimes chilling, mad laughter, and other times, desperate pleas for mercy.

Those unaware secretly dubbed the building "Ghost House." Those in the know, such as the heads of various halls and gates, while sympathizing with the little fish who had somehow offended the Right Guardian, also couldn't help but feel a new sense of awe towards the usually capable and mysterious Right Guardian. Even Liuli repeatedly scrutinized herself, wondering if the charming, handsome man she had always admired was truly so merciless towards women.

Early the next morning, Xiao Chuchu, who hadn't slept well all night, quickly sent Gong Youkai away and rushed to visit her friend. Last night, listening to Yu Xi's unbearable screams, she, like everyone else, for a moment truly feared opening the door and seeing her friend covered in wounds. She had also pleaded with Gong Youkai for help all night, but Master Gong calmly said, "When Youqi gets stubborn, I can't intervene." But he was certain his brother wouldn't go too far.

Chuchu thought, she had also run away before, why couldn't Young Master Gong forgive Yu Xi? Unfortunately, she didn't understand. She had run away for love, and it was just a misunderstanding with Gong Youkai. Yu Xi's escape, however, was a repeated challenge to Gong Youqi's authority as her employer. Gong Youqi had warned her, forgiven her, but she kept defying him, pushing him to his limit.

Xiao Chuchu entered the small building belonging to Gong Youqi. Thankfully, he, being a diligent deputy director, had already gone to work early in the morning. She knocked on the door; no sound. Her heart fluttered, she twisted the doorknob open, and anxiously whispered, "Xi Xi, Xi Xi!"

The bulge under the thin quilt on the bed slowly moved, and a head wriggled out.

A weak voice, thin as a mosquito's buzz: "Chuchu, I'm still alive."

Xiao Chuchu hurried over, looking at her friend's exhausted, dark-rimmed eyes, which seemed to have not closed all night. Her long hair was scattered on the pillow, and her face looked extremely haggard. She was both shocked and heartbroken.

Yu Xi half-opened her eyes, stretched out bare arms from under the quilt, grabbed Chuchu, and cried hoarsely: "He's truly a demon, wuwu... Chuchu, I was scared to death."

The lingering bruises and red marks on her slender wrists made Xiao Chuchu turn pale with fright. She quickly gripped Yu Xi's hands: "Xi Xi, did he hit you or assault you? How could... how could he do this to you..."

Without waiting for Yu Xi to answer, she gently lifted the quilt herself, checking for evidence of torture on her friend's body. Her eyes widened to find Yu Xi's body pristine, without any wounds, not even a single hickey.

"...Xi Xi, what did he do to you?"

Yu Xi cried and vented for a while, then raised her tear-filled eyes, feeling wronged. She truly didn't want to relive the most unbearable night of her life.

Gong Youqi had tightly held her waist as he entered the room. Before the "execution," he granted her one last bit of mercy: "Go, ten minutes to wash up."

Yu Xi trembled in the bathroom for ten minutes. Before she even finished showering, he opened the door. Her screams were useless. She was dripping wet as he lifted her out. He took a bath towel and roughly, unceremoniously dried her body, then led her towards the bedroom.

He was going to use force again! Yu Xi thought instinctively, clutching the doorknob tightly, refusing to go in. The 'fearless of death' spirit she had on the way back was long gone. She begged miserably, "Young Master Gong, please... I really know I was wrong..."

Gong Youqi remained unmoved. With a slight pull, he peeled her hands away, then simply lifted her and tossed her onto the soft, large bed. He looked down at her, his voice icy: "Which way do you want to die?"

She clutched the thin quilt around herself, her bright eyes blinking timidly as she replied, "Can I... choose to die of old age?"

A faint flicker in his dark eyes, the expression in his eye corner that hadn't had time to show was quickly masked. He snorted, "Still playing smart."

Yu Xi noticed his attitude had softened slightly and quickly seized the opportunity to continue repenting: "Young Master Gong, I regretted leaving right after I did. These past few days, I've actually missed you a lot."

"Missed me?" He leaned in, his hand gently stroking her delicate face, a touch of warmth slowly entering his eyes: "You missed me?"

Yu Xi quickly nodded frantically, her wide eyes filled with sincerity: "Every night, I missed you. In my dreams, I missed you. During the day, I missed you. I even missed you while eating."

Gong Youqi's eyes flickered. He instantly withdrew his hand, stood up, and glared coldly at her: "I almost forgot you're so good at acting, but unfortunately, you overdo it. It's like adding feet to a snake—too much, and it's worse than not enough."

She wished she could bite off her own tongue. It was true that talking too much led to mistakes and one shouldn't exaggerate. She also felt a bit wronged; actually, she truly had missed him, she just exaggerated a bit to make him happy. But thinking of Gong Youqi's intelligence, any further explanation from her would only be an excuse.

Seeing her wronged expression, about to speak but hesitating, he slowly bent down, pulled her hands together above her head, turned her chin, stared at her for a few seconds, and finally kissed those long-missed, soft lips.

Yu Xi closed her eyes, responding to him intently. She had initially intended to use her actions to prove that she truly missed him, but gradually, she truly lost herself, immersed in his surprisingly tender and lingering long kiss. His tongue teased and played with her little clitoris, exploring with great skill. His slightly heavy breathing even made her heart throb. Heavens, was she subconsciously craving him too?

At this thought, her consciousness suddenly cleared. She opened her eyes and found him still staring at her from so close. Meeting her gaze, his dark eyes narrowed, pulling back his desire for more, and decisively ended the kiss.

But then he gently licked her ear, whispering, "My words always seem to go in one ear and out the other for you. Since you enjoy challenging my patience so much, I suppose I'll have to teach you a profound lesson to make you remember."

Yu Xi's heart skipped a beat. He had already stood up, casually pulled the quilt off her, and stood by the bed, thoughtfully surveying her flawless, alluring body.

She wanted to resist, only to find that she had been so absorbed in the kiss that her hands had unknowingly been tied to the headboard. Her heart jumped in alarm, and she struggled frantically, crying out, "Young Master Gong..."

Gong Youqi looked at her twisting, pale body, his eyes darkening, his Adam's apple moving. He frowned and found two more leather belts to secure her feet to the foot of the bed. To her, who was screaming "Help," he calmly said, "Want someone else to come save you? Fine, I'll personally invite someone. Do you want Luo Lan or someone else?"

Yu Xi immediately shut her mouth, shaking her head frantically. Who could she call to appreciate her currently unpresentable state? But her heart couldn't stop panicking. What method would he use to punish her this time?

Seeing her close her mouth, he gently stroked her face, saying warmly, "Your body is still so attractive to me, but you've always loved to play. Tonight, we'll play something different, something that will definitely leave a deep impression on you."

Yu Xi watched him walk into the living room and return with a... feather duster. Her body trembled uncontrollably, her eyes wide with terror: "You... you're going to hit me..."

He looked at the implement in his hand and shrugged at her: "I never hit women. This is just a feather used as a game prop."

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he picked the longest, stiffest, most colorful feather. He lightly brushed it under her armpit, and with satisfaction, watched her fair body shiver. He then moved it to her flat, smooth lower abdomen, sweeping it in circles, watching her giggle and shriek involuntarily.

He pecked her lips: "How is it? Are you satisfied with this punishment? Do you know, though I really want to slice you into sashimi and plate you, I'm still very reluctant to harm your alluring body. Little Fish, it's been a long time since I've heard your laughter. Let me enjoy it to the fullest tonight."

Yu Xi, uncontrolled, giggled under the feather's tickling. Her body, fixed to the bed, struggled desperately to evade but had nowhere to escape. Under his torture, she laughed and shrieked, then grimaced and pleaded for mercy: "Young Master Gong, let me go... haha... I'll never dare to leave your side again, I truly swear... hehe, no, please, I'm ticklish... ah, help me... hehe, haha..."

She didn't know how she endured that long night. She had never imagined that making someone laugh could be the cruelest form of punishment, and that what made her willingly surrender was merely a single feather.

Gong Youqi actually stayed up all night with her, looking energetic, ceaselessly waving that feather and touching every inch of her skin. From the beginning, she struggled, screamed, and laughed wildly under the teasing. Later, she was so tormented that her laughter turned hoarse, and she cried for mercy. Yet, Gong Youqi seemed determined, ignoring her pleas, focusing only on finding the most sensitive parts of her body.

Yu Xi gradually ran out of strength. The leather belts binding her wrists tightened with every struggle. Sweat and tears mingled on her tear-streaked face, and her messy hair clung to her forehead. Finally, she was so exhausted she couldn't even make a sound, only trembling slightly and moaning silently as the feather brushed against her skin.

As dawn approached, Gong Youqi finally stopped. He looked at the smooth, beautiful mermaid on the bed, who had been tormented into a sweat-soaked, semi-conscious state, completely unresponsive. His dark eyes softened, and the hidden pity surfaced. He untied the belts on her body, frowned, and gently rubbed the red marks on her wrists and ankles. Then he picked her up and carried her into the bathroom.

He filled the tub and gently placed her in, then undressed himself and sat behind her, holding her unconscious body. He cradled her gently, nuzzling her cheek as he murmured, "Don't blame me... It's your fault for always being so disobedient." He had no choice but to use such an unforgettable form of punishment to make her remember.

While gently washing her, he softly kissed her fragrant skin, which he had missed for so long, yet still felt the deeply buried longing within him. If he hadn't taken the medicine beforehand, how could he have stared at her alluring body all night without reacting?

When he reached her sensitive areas, he saw her still twitching and moaning reflexively. He sighed, got up, pulled a large bath towel from the rack, wrapped her in it, and carried her to the bed. He carefully dried her off, pulled the thin blanket over her, and only after seeing her lovable little face finally settle into peace did he go to the bathroom to wash up himself.

Lying in the jacuzzi, he closed his eyes, slightly tired, yet let out a sigh of relief.

He had finally found her.

But he couldn't understand if he was happy or more troubled. For the past half month, he had been irritable. At first, her disappearance had only angered him; he wanted to give her a good thrashing to see if she always wanted to go against him. Lying alone in the bed filled with her scent late at night, he found himself ridiculously feeling a hint of baseless loneliness.

That loneliness made him realize that women were indeed like drugs; once addicted, it was hard to quit. When attending a certain banquet, he casually picked a beautiful woman from the public relations department for company, but the feeling was always off. His mind kept recalling the playful laughter and coquettishness of that "seductive woman," even causing him to get distracted at the banquet.

That night, when Lu Renjie, Su Yingran's male companion, asked him about Yu Xi's whereabouts, he felt a strange sense of relief, glad that the woman hadn't run to Lu Renjie for help. But where on earth had she damnably hidden, making him search all over Shanghai without a trace?

Yingran said she was ready to confess her feelings for Xue Han, who was soon returning. He knew he was happy, but his heart didn't feel the anticipated excitement, as if it were merely a tiny joy of finally fulfilling a long-held wish.

He reminded himself that he should celebrate the new progress in his two-year relationship. Yet, at the moment he embraced Yingran, his mind conjured an image of that fresh, pretty face in the sunlight, waving goodbye to him and saying, "Congratulations to you both, I just happen to need a new game partner."

But, he wouldn't allow it.

Even if he and Yingran could be together openly, he should be the one to break the contract first. She had no right to leave on her own. Until he personally tore up the contract, she was still his mistress, and she should stay by his side. This was a matter of his authority as her sugar daddy, and she was not allowed to defy him.

With this firm thought, he had another reason why he should find her sooner: it concerned a man's dignity. He had not personally given the word, so he would absolutely not allow her to leave.

Gong Youqi walked out of the bathroom, checked the time, and then quietly slipped into bed, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

The half-asleep Yu Xi was startled awake, too tired and sleepy to struggle, she could only stiffen in his embrace, trembling softly. She hoarsely said, "Please, Young Master Gong, no more feather dusters... I'll be good and obedient from now on, truly."

He turned her body, pressing his forehead against hers: "Learned your lesson? A single feather subdued you?"

Yu Xi nodded frantically, tears instantly welling up: "That kind of punishment is worse than turning me into sashimi." The fact proved that one feather had made her wish she could die but couldn't, more lethal than a thousand sharp swords.

He moved his lips, kissed away her tears, yet curled a smile: "If you want, how about I continue making sashimi tonight?"

She wailed, weakly flailing her limbs: "No, no, I don't want to become a snack for your drinks." He truly terrified her. This cruel, bloodless method had left an unforgettable mark on her heart, for life.

Gong Youqi circled her with his body, holding her tightly, and chuckled softly, "I hope you've truly come to your senses. How could I bear to turn you into a dish?" Feeling her relax slightly, he added, "Actually, I still prefer the method of eating you alive."

The person in his arms turned into a stiff fish again. He softened, patting her back to comfort her, "As long as you truly admit your mistake, there's still room for discussion."

He asked for her promise again: "Won't run away again?"

She nodded repeatedly. After a night of torture, the path of "private escape" had been sealed off by herself.

"Will you be obedient?"

She continued to nod vigorously. She apologized, but she really couldn't emulate the indomitable spirit of Minister Wen Tianxiang. A single feather had already made her life a living hell. God knew how this demon, this Satan in the guise of a gentlemanly handsome man, whose heart was darker than ink and whose intentions were deeply hidden, would skin, dismember, suck her blood, and consume her marrow next.

She was truly scared. It was better to be a good child first, endure the humiliation, and wait. A gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after three years.

He kissed her half-dry long hair, smiling gently: "That's a good girl. I hope you mean what you say." Finally, he relaxed, "I have to go to work in a little while. There's an important meeting today that I can't miss, otherwise I'd stay and keep you company."

Yu Xi sniffled, truly grateful for that meeting, wishing he had important meetings every day, for twenty-four hours a day.

"Close your eyes, sleep." As soon as he finished speaking, she had already obediently closed her eyes, her long eyelashes still damp with tears and trembling slightly, curled up in his arms, unmoving.

He chuckled: "Relax your body. It seems I've become a tyrant in your eyes now."

She pouted, burying her head in his chest, not wanting him to see her lip-read words: "You're more tyrannical than a tyrant! Change your name to 'Gong Tyrant'!" And he specifically chose a feather for torture; he must want to turn her into "Gong Tyrant Chicken"!

And he held her even tighter, as if the lingering gloom in his heart these past few days had suddenly vanished like clouds and smoke.

After closing his eyes for a short while, Gong Youqi reluctantly prepared to get up for work. At this moment, she was curled up in his arms, deeply asleep. He assumed she must have been physically exhausted after his night of punishment.

As he left, he pulled the silk quilt over her. Seeing the bruises on her wrists, his heart ached for a moment. Sleeping so peacefully, she truly looked like an innocent princess, yet she only temporarily belonged to him. One day, she would eventually be taken away by some unknown prince, hidden in a castle unknown to him, making her impossible to find again.

And his castle, his palace, already had the name of its mistress carved into it.

For a moment, his heart churned like thunder.

He quietly looked at her for a while. As he walked out of the room, his eyes were as deep as the sea.

He had always thought Yingran was enough for this lifetime. He had always thought he would only love one woman in his life.

But he was wrong.

He had always detested her for being money-driven and heartless. He had always questioned why he would be attracted to a woman who was so eager to curry favor.

Yet at this moment, he was so grateful that she was a gold-digger who could be kept with money. As long as he didn't terminate the contract, she could potentially belong to him forever.

He knew he couldn't give up Yingran; that was a testament to his faithfulness in love. If she could be bought with money, he wanted her to be his permanent mistress. She had quietly occupied a corner within him, whether as a man's physiological need or as an entertaining distraction, he simply didn't want her to leave again.

Yes, he couldn't let go.