Seeing Luo Yunyan hang up, Luo Yunjin—who had come to find her—walked over. “Jie, it’s time to eat.”

“Alright, I’m coming.” Luo Yunyan smiled.

The two walked side by side. After a moment of hesitation, Luo Yunjin asked, “Jie, just now I heard you say something about a kid and medical fees… Did something happen?”

“Oh, that? Nothing serious. I was just joking with a friend—some old fossil pretending to be a kid.”

Luo Yunjin nodded without asking further, but he couldn’t help thinking:
What kind of friend doesn’t even have five thousand yuan? Must be one of those freeloading bad influences. Tch.

---

At the dinner table, Grandpa Luo asked, “Yanyan, any thoughts about the timing for your homecoming banquet?”

Luo Yunyan paused, then replied, “Grandpa, anytime works for me.”

“How about next Saturday? Will that give you enough time?” he asked, gaze meaningful.

“No problem at all. I’ve never hosted a banquet before though—sorry for the trouble, everyone.”

Grandma Luo clapped her hands decisively. “Great, then it’s settled—next Saturday at the old house. I’ll make sure our precious darling’s party is stunning! Everyone better clear their schedules for that day.”

Everyone at the table nodded obediently. Say no? What are you, suicidal?

“This needs to be a grand event,” Grandpa Luo continued. “Even second-tier families should be invited. You all handle the guest list.”

“I’ll take care of that,” said her aunt. “I’m the freest one in the family right now. Yanyan, do you want to invite any of your own friends?”

“A few, yes. Just give me five or six blank invitations. Thanks, Auntie.”

“Alright, I’ll finalize the design tonight and get you the blanks tomorrow.”

---

That night, everyone stayed over at the Luo family’s old mansion.

Luo Yunyan had just finished washing up and was lounging on the bed when she saw a new message from Gu Shilin.

Her lips curled into a mischievous grin, and she hit him with a video call.

It connected almost immediately. On the other side of the screen was Gu Shilin, still in a suit, sitting in what looked like a study.

“Pretty Boy, working this late?” she teased.

The girl on screen was lying sideways on her bed, hair tousled, her bare arm glowing under the warm lamplight. Gu Shilin’s gaze darkened slightly.

“I’m clearing my schedule. So I can have time for a date with Miss Luo tomorrow.”

Luo Yunyan pouted. “So it’s my fault now? Poor you, forced to work overtime.”

“Of course not. I’m just slow. But I wanted to see you sooner.” His deep gaze locked onto hers through the screen.

“And besides,” she added sharply, “this isn’t a date—it’s your way of apologizing for scaring me!”

Luo Yunyan always took the inch and demanded a mile.

Gu Shilin raised a brow. “So you’ve agreed to give me your time tomorrow?”

Crap! She cursed herself inwardly. Total trap! These CEO types really were all black-hearted.
(Except her. She was just a hands-off owner.)

“Ahem… I guess I can do you the favor of having lunch with you.” Her eyes shifted guiltily.

“Then I’m honored, Your Grace. Shall I pick you up?”

Luo Yunyan twirled a lock of hair with a smirk. “Can’t wait to see me?”

“Yes. Can I?”

“Nah, I’ve got some business in the afternoon. I’ll meet you at the restaurant after I’m done.”

Gu Shilin rubbed his nose, slightly awkward. “You won’t be able to get in on your own. I reserved a place that requires me to escort guests personally. How about you come to Gu Group after you’re done?”

Bro, are you even listening to yourself?!
You look like a full-blown scam artist. You think I’m buying this?

When Luo Yunyan didn’t answer and just stared at him, he leaned closer to the camera.

“Pretty please?”

Tsk. Trying to charm her now?
This face of his… seriously addictive.

“Fine, we’ll see. I’ll let you know when I’m done. If I finish early, I’ll swing by.”

Gu Shilin propped his chin up and nodded. “I’ll wait for you at the office.”

“Alright, I’m done talking to you. You should sleep early. You’re getting old—stay up too late and you’ll get ugly and bald. Night night, Pretty Boy~”

And with a quick tap, she hung up.

Gu Shilin stared at the darkened screen, lost in thought.
Old?
Sure, she was 19, and he was six years older. Technically… okay, maybe a little old.
But his face was still hot, right? He wasn’t going bald either!
Forget it. Sleep. The paperwork? Leave it to Chu Moxuan.

---

The next afternoon, Luo Yunyan took her sleek black sports car out for a spin.

She arrived at a tea house and pushed open the private room door.

Inside sat a dignified, middle-aged man whose powerful aura immediately softened into a blooming smile when he saw her.

“Stole this fine Maojian from the old man himself. Give it a try.” He poured her a cup while speaking.

Luo Yunyan tapped the table three times with her index and middle fingers—an etiquette gesture of gratitude—then lifted the cup and sipped.

Fresh, mellow, and slightly bitter. Quality tea indeed.

“Not bad. You didn’t get your ass kicked, I take it?”

The man didn’t react to the tea-tapping gesture. She had saved his life once—he’d clung to her shamelessly since then to become this barely-justified cross-generation friend.
Back when she’d served tea to his old man, the latter had returned her courtesy as an equal.
This guy? He was lucky to be treated as a peer.

“I told him it was for you. No way he’d say anything.”

…So she was the excuse now?
Was there even two ounces of tea in that cup?

“You should cut down on this green tea. Don’t pretend you don’t know your own health issues.”

He coughed and changed the subject. “When did you get back? Didn’t even tell me. If the old man hadn’t mentioned it, I’d still be in the dark.”

“A couple of days ago. He’s the one who’s been tailing me.”

“Never thought… you’d be a Luo.” The man sighed. “If you hadn’t been kidnapped back then—”

“If I hadn’t,” Luo Yunyan cut him off, “maybe I’d never have gotten this far. Maybe I wouldn’t have met you either.”

The man was momentarily choked up. A complicated mix of pain and awe stirred in his eyes.

“True enough. I guess the Luo family will throw a big banquet? Set the date yet?”

She pulled two invitations from her bag and handed them over. “Next Saturday. At the Luo family’s old mansion. Make sure you show—and bring a few people. As for the old man? Better he stays home. I don’t want him throwing off my game.”

“…What’s that supposed to mean?” He froze. “Are you planning to blow up your own party? Did the Luo family mistreat you?”

“No, they’ve been wonderful. But as for the rest—I’ll fill you in later.”

She downed the last sip of tea and stood. “I’m off.”

Glancing at the time, she saw there was still a good window.

Perfect. Time to drop in on Gu Group.

She sent Gu Shilin a message, then stepped on the gas.

(End of Chapter)