10

When Yan Qingyao awoke, she noticed the bedding had been changed, though the room still lay in shambles. A maid had tried to enter earlier to tidy up, but Yan had driven her away. She stared blankly for a while, then finally called the maid back in.

"Ma'am, is there something you need?" the maid asked nervously, head bowed.

Yan Qingyao asked calmly, "Was there a woman in the young master's room?"

"A woman? No, ma'am." The maid looked genuinely confused.

Yan Qingyao said nothing. After a moment of silence, she dismissed the maid with a wave of her hand.

She remembered that woman's eyes—clear, bright, and resolute. There was strength beneath that calm, a quiet power that refused to yield. She was beautiful, untouched by pretense, the kind of beauty that seemed unspoiled by the world.

Who was she?

Shen Chi had been back for days now, but came and went early, leaving little trace. Rong Qian had barely seen him. Shen Yi, meanwhile, remained in his room as usual, studying quietly.

Just when Rong Qian thought she'd be stuck in that room forever, an unexpected opportunity arrived.

That evening, Shen Yi informed her, "Tonight, I'm going with my father to a banquet."

"A banquet?" Rong Qian's eyes lit up instantly. "You mean we're going out?!"

Shen Yi glanced at her. "Not we. Me."

"Says who? I'm coming with you."

"How?"

"Oh, ye of little faith." Rong Qian grinned mischievously. "I've got my ways."

He looked at her, stunned for a moment. She glowed with such warmth and light, it was hard to imagine her belonging to any world but the sunlit one.

Later, once father and son had driven off in the sleek black car, Yan Qingyao emerged from her room and made her way to Shen Yi's. She checked under the bed, in the wardrobe, the storage closets—nothing. No trace of the woman she thought she saw.

Meanwhile, in the car, Shen Yi sat silent, anxiety coiling in his chest. Had Rong Qian made it out safely? Where was she now? Had she been caught?

Children are poor liars.

Shen Chi cast a sidelong glance at his son. "What are you worried about?"

Shen Yi loosened his tightly clenched fists and lowered his head. "I'm afraid of you."

"Pathetic." Shen Chi's tone was sharp as a blade. He lit a cigarette, rolled down the window, and exhaled a cloud of smoke before saying, "Embarrass me out there, and I'll make sure you regret it when we get back."

"…Okay." Shen Yi's voice was barely audible.

The banquet took place in a grand castle. Cameras lined the red carpet, their flashes sparking like fireworks as the Lamborghini Miura rolled to a halt. Shen Chi stepped out with Shen Yi in tow, the two cutting identical silhouettes—cold, aloof, carved from the same mold.

Inside, Shen Yi was ushered toward a group of children his age—miniature princes and princesses dressed in finery. But he sat alone in a corner, detached from their games. His eyes scanned the crowd, hoping—searching—for someone.

She wasn't there.

His shoulders dropped.

And just when he was convinced she hadn't come, a maid approached, offering him a glass of juice.

"I don't want it," Shen Yi said coldly. "Take it away."

"You dare refuse a drink I brought you myself?"

That voice—he looked up. Rong Qian stood before him in a maid's outfit, hands on her hips, face fierce and mock-threatening. "Drink. Now."

He blinked, then looked away, then back again, as if needing to be sure it was truly her.

"What?" she teased. "Don't recognize me?" She glanced down—nothing had changed that much. Her hair was down, a playful cat-ear headband atop her head, and the short maid's outfit showed off her long legs. With a face like hers, she could wear a burlap sack and still turn heads.

Shen Yi took the juice, sipped obediently, then asked, "How did you get in?"

"Don't ask. Took everything I had." She waved it off dramatically.

They sat together in the corner as she animatedly recounted her adventure sneaking in. Her eyes sparkled, her expressions vivid. Shen Yi, watching her, found himself smiling for the first time all night.

Shen Chi, meanwhile, sipped red wine as he negotiated with several Americans. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Shen Yi no longer alone. He was speaking with a maid—and not just speaking, but engaged, relaxed.

Shen Chi narrowed his eyes. That wasn't like his son.

Just as he was about to approach, someone called out to him, drawing him away.

Rong Qian exhaled in relief. She'd been tracking Shen Chi's movements all evening. When his eyes locked on her corner, she'd prepared to flee—but luck was on her side.

"What's wrong?" Shen Yi asked.

"Nothing," she replied, smiling.

"May I sit here?"

A warm voice broke the moment. Rong Qian looked up to see a well-dressed man in his thirties approaching, his smile gentle and elegant. He asked Shen Yi the question, but sat down before waiting for permission.

He wore a tailored suit, his features refined, his demeanor calm—charming in that effortless, well-bred way. A typical gentleman.

Rong Qian gave him a once-over. He noticed, but wasn't fazed—clearly used to being scrutinized.

"You're Shen Yi, right?" the man asked.

Shen Yi gave no response.

"I'm Xu Zhiwei," the man said kindly. "An old friend of your mother's."

Rong Qian's eyes widened. Xu Zhiwei? So this was the man Yan Qingyao had loved?

Shen Yi's brows drew together. He clearly recognized the name.

"I have a letter," Xu Zhiwei said gently. "I'd like you to give it to your mother. But your father must not know about it. Will you help me?"

Shen Yi's frown deepened, but before he could answer, Rong Qian cut in sharply. "What do you want from him?"

"And you are…?" Xu Zhiwei asked.

"That's not your concern," she said coolly. Her tone was firm, commanding. "I asked you a question. Answer it."

Years of interrogating suspects had honed her presence—Xu Zhiwei could feel it. She wasn't just another pretty face. There was steel in her eyes.

Interesting, he thought. A rare woman.

But Shen Yi didn't like Xu Zhiwei's gaze lingering on her. His voice was cold. "Why should I help you?"

Xu Zhiwei turned back to him. "Can we speak somewhere quieter?"

He didn't have much time—Shen Chi could return any moment.

Shen Yi instinctively looked at Rong Qian. She met his eyes, searching. This was his choice.

"You decide," she said softly.

And so he went.

Rong Qian followed, as always. That was why she came—to stay by his side.