Chapter 1: The Man Who Returned

[Location: City A — International Airport | Time: 6:45 PM | Weather: Rainy]

The roar of jet engines faded into the distance as Xu Yichen stepped through the sliding glass doors of the airport, his black leather shoes clicking sharply against the wet marble floor. Rain lashed against the wide windows, casting long shadows in the fluorescent light. His tailored black trench coat was dry, untouched by the storm outside—his assistant had ensured he passed through the VIP exit unnoticed.

His dark eyes, cool and unfathomable, scanned the city that once belonged to his past. To memories buried deep. To the woman who once walked away.

"You have an hour before the board meeting, sir," his assistant's voice chimed through the earpiece.

"Understood. Tell them not to wait."

Outside, the city seemed unchanged—glass towers piercing the clouds, glowing signs bleeding neon into the drizzle. But he was no longer the man who had left this place five years ago. He hadn't left in silence—he was discarded. Unwanted.

Xu Yichen was back. Not for revenge. For closure.

[Location: Chen Family Villa | Time: 7:30 PM]

Chen Yao stared at the crisp white envelope on the mahogany table. Her hand trembled as she picked it up. Inside were fresh divorce papers. Again.

Her name was signed already—in familiar, emotionless ink. Xu Yichen.

"It's been years, and now he shows up again?" she whispered to herself, unable to stop her thoughts from spiraling. "No explanations. No message. Just this?"

She remembered the day he walked out. Her pride had flared. Her anger had won. But when she turned to call him back—he was already gone.

Her mother entered the room with a sigh, fixing her pearls in the mirror.

"You should sign them," she said coldly. "He's moved on. You should too. Don't embarrass the family further."

"Moved on?" Chen Yao scoffed. "He never even said goodbye."

But the truth stung. She had never said goodbye either.

[Location: Xu Corporation HQ — Boardroom | Time: 8:00 PM]

The heavy mahogany doors opened to dead silence. The board members stood as Xu Yichen entered. Some gasped. Others exchanged bewildered glances.

He hadn't aged—at least, not in the way they expected. Sharper jawline. Colder gaze. Even more commanding.

"As of today," he announced, unbuttoning his coat with precision, "I'm reclaiming what is rightfully mine. Effective immediately, I am your new CEO."

A few murmurs of protest rose, but none dared interrupt him.

"That seat belongs to Du Haoran now!" someone dared to say.

Xu Yichen glanced toward the man sitting at the far end—Du Haoran, smug and arrogant.

"Not anymore," he said simply, sliding a folder onto the table.

Inside was the original shareholder agreement—signed and sealed. There was no room for challenge. No one had defended him five years ago. Now, they would all answer to him.

[Location: Penthouse Suite — Later That Night | Time: 11:15 PM]

He stood by the window, watching the city lights blur through the rain. A faded photograph slipped from his coat pocket and fluttered to the floor.

Two people in the frame. A younger him. A woman who wasn't Chen Yao. Her face was partially torn, but the memory clung tightly to him.

"I never wanted to come back," he murmured.

"But I can't forgive without finishing what I started."

He picked up the photo and stared at it, his expression unreadable.

A soft notification chimed. A message flashed on his phone screen:

Unknown Number: You shouldn't have returned.

He stared at it, unmoving, as lightning flashed across the skyline.

[End of Chapter 1]