Chapter 10: The Art of Appearances

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In the private exhibition hall of the Haiyuan Art Foundation, soft music trickled through the air like incense. The marble floors gleamed beneath golden lighting, and every wall was adorned with abstract paintings and elegant calligraphy scrolls—none of which bore prices.

If you had to ask, you didn't belong.

The event was invitation-only, known quietly among those with old money and deep roots. No media. No fanfare. Just murmurs between families that held entire industries behind them.

Tonight marked Li Chen's first public step into their world.

And waiting for him was Shen Lihua.

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She arrived before him.

Wearing a long black dress that hugged her figure like a tailored whisper, high slit revealing toned legs, heels clicking softly as she moved. Her hair was swept up into a loose chignon, a single jade pin the only ornament. She wore no necklace, but didn't need one—her collarbone alone was enough to draw attention.

Eyes followed her across the room.

They didn't know who she was, but they knew she belonged.

She held a glass of dry white wine in one hand, the other tucked casually against her waist, as if everything around her was already familiar.

And then she turned.

Saw him.

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Li Chen entered without fanfare—black shirt, tailored slacks, no logo, no flash.

Yet everyone looked.

He walked like someone who knew the ground would move for him.

Shen Lihua stepped forward before the host could.

"Mr. Li," she said softly.

Their eyes met for the first time.

"Ms. Shen," he replied.

She extended her hand.

He took it—warm, slender, firm.

"Shall we walk?" she asked.

He nodded.

And just like that, two shadows moved through the heart of China's silent elite.

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They passed paintings worth millions, wine glasses clinking softly in the background.

She led him to the quieter northern wing, where fewer eyes lingered.

"I've reviewed your offshore assets, hidden companies, and family holdings," she said. "Your structure is… elegant. Too elegant for someone without a political background."

"I prefer not to be noticed," he said.

"You're failing at that," she replied.

He glanced at her.

"You don't belong in the background," she said. "And neither do I."

She stopped beside a large sculpture—twisted metal, frozen like a dying flame.

She looked at him fully now.

"Why summon me?"

"Because I need someone who can make the world believe in a man who doesn't officially exist."

"And in return?" she asked.

"I'll give you a place no one can ever take."

She stared at him for a long time.

Then her lips curved.

"You're more dangerous than you look."

"You haven't seen enough of me yet."

She laughed softly.

And for the first time in a long time, she let someone else lead.

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They left the exhibition together, no hands held, no words spoken.

But the silence between them said everything.

Outside, the private car waited. Shen Lihua opened the rear door for him herself.

He stepped inside.

She followed.

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That night, back at the villa, the others had begun to sense a shift.

Zhao Yuwei noticed it first—how his calls were shorter, his tone quieter.

Su Ruyin saw his smile fade faster.

Xiaoyan felt the distance.

And Su Mei, watching her son from the second-floor balcony, wondered how long she could remain close before the world finally noticed what they had become.

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At midnight, the main doors opened again.

Shen Lihua entered the villa like it had always been hers.

She didn't need a tour. She had the floor plans memorized already.

Li Chen waited for her in the study.

He was reading.

She didn't knock.

Just stepped inside, removed her heels, and sat across from him.

"Five reporters asked about you tonight," she said.

"I trust you handled them."

"I made them forget you existed."

He closed the book.

She leaned forward slightly.

"You have something none of them understand."

"What?"

"A quiet hunger," she said. "A man who doesn't take. He lets others give willingly."

Her eyes held his. "And it makes us crave you more."

He stood slowly.

Walked around the desk.

She didn't move.

When he touched her cheek, her breath caught.

When he kissed her, she closed her eyes.

And when he whispered, "You're mine," she didn't resist.

She nodded.

"Yes."

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The next morning, the entire villa felt different.

Shen Lihua took breakfast in the garden with Su Ruyin, both of them trading careful glances behind their smiles.

Zhao Yuwei brought financial reports to the patio but couldn't focus—her pen tapped without rhythm.

Xiaoyan watched from the pool as Li Chen returned from his walk, Shen Lihua's coat draped over his arm.

And Su Mei?

She stood in the doorway of the kitchen, apron on, hands wet from washing vegetables—but her eyes said everything.

He had changed again.

And he wasn't finished.

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Later that day, the summoning system pulsed.

> [DING!] New Summon Available:

Name: Su Ya, 32

Occupation: Forensic analyst – Independent contract intelligence division

Status: Married. Maiden name: Su. Maternal cousin, discreet relationship potential.

Li Chen narrowed his eyes.

Another Su.

Another layer of blood and memory and closeness.

He closed the notification without hesitation.

They were already coming to him.

Now it was time to build around them.

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[End of Chapter 10]