Chapter 15: He’s Here

The girl leading the group was Tang Qiner, heiress of the Tang family—one of Jing City’s prominent clans.

In her early twenties, with impeccable makeup and a slightly raised chin, she radiated a pride and scrutiny that were hard to ignore.

Si Tiantian looked up and found her vaguely familiar.
She seemed to be a schoolmate—not particularly close—but Si Tiantian clearly remembered the way she used to look at her: eyes full of undisguised jealousy and disdain. It had left a lasting impression.

The other girls who entered also immediately noticed Si Tiantian and Gu Yazhi sitting gracefully in the VIP lounge, both stunning and poised.

Tang Qiner’s eyes narrowed the moment she saw that overly dazzling figure—Si Tiantian. Again.

Back in school, she had already resented her—just because Si Tiantian was prettier and more popular. Though she came from a powerful family herself, she had always felt second-best next to Si Tiantian’s effortlessly beautiful face. Even when she was named school belle, people whispered that she wasn’t as beautiful as “the transfer girl.”

Her looks may seem impressive now, but who knows if she was just putting on a show? In Jing City’s real social circles, no one had even heard of the Si family. Probably just another nouveau riche family trying to climb up by leveraging a pretty face.

Now seeing Si Tiantian sitting comfortably in Only’s VIP area, leisurely picking out jewelry that even she, Tang Qiner, had to think twice about, made her blood boil.

Can she even afford this? The cheapest piece here starts in the seven-figure range. Probably just here for some selfies and a social media post to show off.

She raised her voice on purpose, striding over with her clique in tow and stopping just a few steps away from Si Tiantian and Gu Yazhi. Turning to the store manager with feigned surprise, she sneered:

“Manager Shirley, when did Only start going for a more ‘inclusive’ route? Letting any stray cat or dog in for a look around? Be careful or it might cheapen the experience for your long-time clients like us.”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it wasn’t quiet either—just enough for everyone in the VIP section to hear loud and clear.

A thin layer of sweat appeared on Shirley’s forehead. Tang Qiner was notorious for being arrogant, but she was also a valued customer. Not someone Only could afford to offend.

Still, Shirley kept her professional smile perfectly in place and gave a polite bow:

“Miss Tang, you must be joking. At Only, all customers are treated equally. These two ladies are also our honored guests.”

She subtly shot an apologetic glance at Si Tiantian and Gu Yazhi, but her heart was pounding. She dreaded a confrontation between the two parties.

Si Tiantian’s mood, previously lifted by admiring the jewelry, was instantly soured. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly.

This Tang girl wasn’t even trying to hide her hostility. Her words were a blatant attempt to say Si Tiantian didn’t belong here.

Growing up, her father and brother had always treated her like a princess, shielding her from this kind of overt mockery.
And now? In her handbag were several black cards—any one of them could buy out this entire store.

Gu Yazhi, being the fiery one, was about to rise and snap back, “What did you just say—”

“Zhizhi.”
Si Tiantian gently pressed her hand and shook her head.

Arguing with someone like this would only drag her down to their level.

Just then, the light near the store entrance suddenly dimmed, as if a shadow had swept over the room.

Several tall figures stepped inside, one after another.

At the front was a man in a perfectly tailored dark suit. His features were sharp and elegant, like they were carved by an artist—cold, defined, breathtaking. But more than his appearance, it was his aura—imposing and suffocating—that demanded everyone’s attention.

His eyes were sharp enough to pierce glass, scanning the room with quiet intensity.

——He was here.

It was indeed Li Hanye, followed closely behind by Yan Chengyang, whose face wore his signature gleeful “just here for the drama” grin.

Shirley blinked, momentarily stunned. Once she recognized who had entered, her professional smile instantly transformed into one of near-fawning reverence, laced with disbelief and excitement.

She practically abandoned Tang Qiner and half-jogged toward them, her voice trembling with nerves and awe:
“Master… Master Han! You… you’ve come in person? Please, this way, inside!”

Her previously polite demeanor toward Tang Qiner was now a whole different level of deference.

Tang Qiner’s smug smile froze in place.
She stared at the man being ushered in like royalty—Li Hanye.

Li Hanye?!

The pride she wore on her face collapsed in an instant, replaced by disbelief.
That was the Li Hanye—heir to the Li family, rumored to control half of Jing City’s economy, an icy, elite powerhouse. The cold-blooded king of the business world.

Yet the man only gave Shirley a cool, perfunctory “mm.” His eyes swept across the store in a flash and landed directly on the quiet figure in the corner—Si Tiantian.

His girl was dressed beautifully today, delicate and radiant. The moment he saw her, his heart skipped a beat.

But then he caught sight of the small furrow in her brows, and the sulking Tang Qiner standing nearby.
His gaze darkened.

Yan Chengyang followed lazily, eyes darting between Li Hanye, Si Tiantian, and the color-drained Tang Qiner. His grin widened.

Aha. I knew it. No way Iceberg Han came all the way here just to “inspect” some jewelry shop. This isn’t a coincidence—this is a full-blown rescue mission. Hero saves beauty? More like casually drops in and annihilates the enemy with presence alone. What a show! Totally worth skipping golf today.

Tang Qiner never imagined she’d run into Li Hanye here.

Her heart thudded wildly—half from a secret crush, half from panic.
She instinctively adjusted her hair and clothes, trying to show her best side. Her tone softened instantly, her voice laced with affected sweetness and surprise:

“Master Han, what brings you here today?”

But Li Hanye didn’t even glance at her.
No acknowledgement, not even the slightest twitch of an eyelid.

He strode right past her as if she were made of air.

Tang Qiner’s smile froze, her cheeks drained of color. Embarrassment and shame rushed to the surface, and she wanted nothing more than to sink into the floor.
The amused glances from the surrounding onlookers made everything ten times worse.

Li Hanye’s long legs closed the distance in a few strides. He stopped before Si Tiantian and gazed down at her furrowed brow. The cold edge in his eyes melted into something gentle and warm. His voice was low and deep, with a hint of concern hidden beneath the calm:

“What’s wrong? Who upset you?”

His towering figure enveloped her completely, shielding her from all the stares and malice around them.

Si Tiantian hadn’t expected him to appear so suddenly.
His familiar scent and that overwhelming presence made her heart skip.

She lifted her head and met his eyes—sharp, focused, with her reflection shining clearly within them. As if she were the only one he could see. The irritation caused by Tang Qiner slowly faded.

She shook her head gently, her voice soft and cottony:
“It’s nothing. Just looking around.”

“Mn.” Li Hanye replied, then casually glanced at the glittering jewelry in the display case before looking back at her.

“Which one do you like? I’ll buy it for you.”
His tone was calm, yet the commanding air left no room for refusal.

Standing off to the side, Gu Yazhi’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. She looked at Si Tiantian, then at Li Hanye—who exuded dominance from every pore—and then at the thoroughly humiliated Tang Qiner, whose face was turning red, then pale, then green.

She was practically dancing with glee in her heart.
This twist! Too satisfying!

She sneakily elbowed Si Tiantian and gave her a wink, her entire face screaming, “Girl, this is better than a drama!”