Fate.

If someone had mentioned that word to Lu Bochen before this party, he would have laughed it off. He never believed in fate; he believed that everything could be achieved through intelligence and hard work.

Only those who refuse to strive blame things on destiny. Only the most passive people believe in fate, and only the foolish believe in the existence of gods.

He, Lu Bochen, was neither passive nor foolish. He was a rebel against fate, a fallen angel defying God.

He mocked fate.

But perhaps his arrogance angered the god of fate, who sent a woman to punish him, disrupting his smooth life!

That night, after finishing his work, Lu Bochen drove straight to the “Hongjing Enterprise Group” office building in the eastern district.

Under the “Hongjing” umbrella were companies involved in construction, electronics, and finance, making it the Yin family’s main business investment. Although the family had always held a high share of “Hongjing,” they had previously shown little interest in business affairs, mostly holding honorary board positions and waiting to collect dividends each year. It wasn’t until Yin Shiyu stepped back from politics and took over as the group’s chairman that they began to involve themselves in actual business operations.

Carrying the title of the chairman’s son, Yin Fanya never acted arrogantly. He started from the bottom and worked his way up, contributing significantly to the group. His promotion to general manager was well-deserved recognition of his abilities.

Since he was going specifically to congratulate someone, it would be inappropriate not to bring a gift. Although he was sure Tianyu had prepared something, it wouldn’t carry the same sincerity as a gift he picked himself. Fanya had always doted on his sister, so as her husband, Bochen felt he should make a good impression.

As he pondered, he caught sight of a luxury boutique sign out of the corner of his eye. He slowed down, turned his head, and glanced at the store’s window display.

That one glance would set waves in his heart.

He saw a woman standing outside the window—a woman of stunning beauty and a graceful figure, wearing a red dress that clung to her like flames. She stood tall and proud, like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

She lowered her lashes slightly, lighting a cigarette. The white cigarette between her cherry-red lips created an exquisite and sensual visual effect.

She smoked unhurriedly.

Without realizing it, Lu Bochen stopped his car and rolled down the window.

Sensing his gaze, she raised her eyes slightly, sending a sharp, clear look his way.

His heart skipped a beat.

Never had any woman dared to look at him like that—with a gaze so challenging, so haughty, as if she were questioning his audacity to stare at her!

What an arrogant woman.

He squinted, watching her leisurely smoke half the cigarette before extinguishing it and turning to enter the store.

He got out of his car and followed her inside, telling himself it wasn’t because he wanted another look at her, but because he needed to buy a gift for his brother-in-law.

Once inside, the sales assistant recognized him as the popular young legislator and eagerly greeted him with enthusiasm.

He split his attention between chatting with the assistant while choosing a gift and keeping his gaze on the woman in the red dress.

She picked up a few ties, carefully comparing their patterns and colors under the light. Her focused expression made his chest tighten slightly.

She must be buying gifts for her lover. Ties are too personal for a woman to choose for an ordinary male friend.

Moreover, she didn’t just pick ties; she also selected matching tie clips and cufflinks, personally supervising the packaging.

She paid with a card and waited for the cashier to process the transaction, while he hurriedly bought a tastefully designed leather business card holder and a delicate keychain.

“Excuse me, is this for you personally?”

“No, it’s a gift.”

“Would you like a small card? We can provide one.”

“Yes, please. Thank you.” He gave the salesgirl his signature smile.

The salesgirl’s eyes brightened as she handed him a card. He leaned on the counter and took out a pen to write.

Suddenly, a strange, unsettling fragrance wafted over. Lu Bochen couldn’t describe the scent but knew it was quite disturbing.

The disturbing scent.

He turned in frustration to see the woman in red casually leaning on the counter across from him, taking the pen from the salesgirl and writing her card.

Once again, she sensed his gaze, turned her exquisitely beautiful face towards him, and looked at him with her cool, watery eyes.

His breath caught. Her face was mere inches from his, and her skin’s delicacy exceeded his imagination. The icy, chilly aura she exuded was unexpected.

How could she appear like a passionate flame while exuding such coldness? How could a woman embody such contrasting qualities?

She looked at him for a long time, then her gaze fell to his card.

“It seems our gifts are for the same person,” she murmured, her voice as hoarse and charming as he had guessed.

He took a deep breath. “Do you know Fanya?”

She didn’t reply, only smiled—a faint, dreamy smile that bewildered him.

Something seemed to grip his throat. “Who are you to him?”

“I’m Fanya’s special assistant,” her voice, both magnetic and teasing, tingled his eardrums. “And also his—girlfriend.”

Girlfriend!

A strange shiver ran down Lu Bochen’s spine in waves, and he furrowed his brow.

For some reason, the last three words seemed to carry a strong sense of provocation, as if issuing a challenge—

A challenge from fate.