The gala was hosted by a luxury jewelry brand.
Black-tie only. Champagne fountains. Velvet everything.
Xu Yinyin arrived in a floor-length crimson gown that clung to her body like silk poured on a goddess.
Red lips. Diamond earrings. An attitude that said: I am the main event.
Lu Zeyan had come straight from a board meeting, already irritated.
Then he saw her.
Standing under the chandelier.
Laughing.
With him.
Enter: The Threat – Ji Chenrui
Tall. Suave. Billionaire tech heir.
Ji Chenrui had that annoyingly perfect vibe:
Open collar. Lazy grin. Hands-in-pocket charm.
The kind of man who didn't need to try… but still made women lean closer.
He held two drinks and handed one to Yinyin.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Lu," he said, eyes twinkling, "I'm not here to steal your title. Just your time."
She grinned. "Finally, someone with manners."
Zeyan saw red.
Let the Jealousy Games Begin
Zeyan walked over, cold and sharp.
"Yinyin."
She turned. Smiled like trouble.
"Husband," she purred. "You remember Ji Chenrui?"
"Unfortunately," Zeyan said, flat.
Chenrui sipped his wine. "You've been ignoring your wife, Zeyan. I had to keep her company."
"Didn't realize my wife needed entertaining."
"She doesn't," Yinyin said cheerfully. "But attention is healthy."
Zeyan's jaw clenched. "Can I speak to you. Now."
She sipped her drink. "I'm mingling."
He leaned down, voice low. "You're provoking me."
She raised an eyebrow. "What are you going to do? Fire me? Divorce me? Or finally admit you care?"
The air between them snapped tight.
Later That Night
He didn't speak in the car.
She stretched lazily beside him. "You're quiet."
"You were flirting," he said coldly.
"I was breathing," she shot back.
Pause.
He turned to her.
"I don't like people touching what's mine."
She blinked. "So I'm a thing now?"
"You know what I mean."
She leaned closer.
"Then say what I am to you."
He stared at her lips.
But said nothing.
She smirked.
"Thought so."
But He Couldn't Sleep That Night
He kept replaying it — the way Chenrui looked at her, like she was art. The way she smiled back.
And the most dangerous thought kept creeping in:
What if one day… she chooses someone who actually says what he feels?