Xiao Zhan was already a figure that every major family wanted to befriend, making him the center of attention. Many people had heard that due to Xiao Ling’s care for him in childhood, Xiao Zhan had always treated Feng Ruiran differently.

But now, seeing the matching styles of their outfits and the way Xiao Zhan stood protectively behind the young man, it was clear—this person’s position in Xiao Zhan’s heart was far more significant than they had assumed.

The guests, all shrewd and observant, exchanged glances. Many began to consider introducing their younger generation to Bai Rui. If they could befriend him, perhaps they could also gain Xiao Zhan’s favor.

Bai Rui scanned the hall, slightly surprised to spot the female lead, Jiang Peipei. 

She had come with Feng Yuzheng. By status alone, Jiang Peipei shouldn’t have been able to attend such a gathering. For Feng Yuzheng to willingly bring her here… Bai Rui had to admit he was impressed by the woman’s ability.

Given how much attention he and Xiao Zhan attracted, Jiang Peipei soon noticed Bai Rui as well. The moment she recognized him, a flash of resentment passed through her eyes.

She still remembered how he had completely humiliated her when they first met.

But before she could dwell on it further, a chilling voice sent a shiver down her spine. 

“Who are you looking at with that expression?”

The icy tone made Jiang Peipei’s body stiffen. She turned to meet Feng Yuzheng’s dark, brooding gaze and quickly shook her head, trying to suppress the unease creeping up her spine.

Feng Yuzheng snorted coldly.

“Don’t look at Ruiran with such eyes—you don’t deserve to! Don’t forget why you were brought here today.” 

Hearing this, Jiang Peipei took a deep breath and nodded.

She hadn’t been doing well lately. She had thought that getting involved with Feng Yuzheng would elevate her status, but she soon realized that he merely saw her as an outlet for his desires. Every time he touched her, he would cover her face with a cloth and even call out his brother’s name—he was a complete pervert.

At first, she had wanted to argue with Feng Yuzheng about it, but he had beaten her up, calling her nothing more than a cheap woman who had climbed into his bed.

But Jiang Peipei couldn’t let go. This man was her stepping stone into high society, and more importantly, this time, Feng Yuzheng had given her an opportunity—an opportunity to seduce the head of the Xiao family, Xiao Zhan.

Her eyes scanned the banquet hall, searching, until they landed on the man standing beside Bai Rui. That towering figure, exuding an aura almost divine, immediately captured all of Jiang Peipei’s attention.

Just by looking at his imposing presence and the way the people around him reacted to him, Jiang Peipei knew that this man must be someone of immense status. She absentmindedly tugged on Feng Yuzheng’s sleeve, her eyes locked onto Xiao Zhan as she asked:

“President Feng, who is that man?” 

Feng Yuzheng turned his head and saw Xiao Zhan standing protectively close to Bai Rui. His eyes darkened as he replied coldly.

“He is Xiao Zhan, the head of the Xiao family.” 

“The head of the Xiao family!” 

Jiang Peipei silently repeated the words in her mind. She had, of course, heard of the Xiao family’s prestige in Z Country, and Xiao Zhan was its leader. The thought of having such a man fall at her feet made a fiery ambition surge in her eyes.

If she could marry this man, wouldn’t she become the mistress of the Xiao family? Wealth, power—everything would be within her grasp. And on top of that, she hadn’t expected Xiao Zhan to be so stunningly handsome.

Just imagining him holding her sent a dizzying thrill through her. A man this perfect was the only one worthy of her love.

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhan’s attention was entirely focused on his beloved. He watched Bai Rui navigate the banquet with effortless charm. Before long, a crowd had gathered around him. Xiao Zhan felt both pride and jealousy—pride in his lover’s brilliance, but displeasure at the way others were looking at him.

Especially those wealthy young ladies—seeing Bai Rui’s striking looks, their eyes gleamed like wolves spotting fresh meat. Watching Bai Rui effortlessly coax laughter from them with just a few casual remarks, Xiao Zhan’s expression darkened, and jealousy consumed him.

The air around them suddenly grew cold, and the eerie shift in atmosphere was impossible for Bai Rui to ignore. After exchanging a few more polite words, he pulled away the man who was constantly emitting an icy aura.

Finding a quiet corner, Bai Rui picked up a glass of fruit juice from the table and handed it to Xiao Zhan. He smiled helplessly.

“You’ve been freezing the entire room—are you trying to give everyone frostbite?” 

Xiao Zhan pursed his lips in grievance.

“But all those women were looking at you!”

Bai Rui couldn’t help but laugh at Xiao Zhan’s words. The truth was, those women had approached him mainly as a way to get closer to Xiao Zhan. Even though they had been speaking to him, their eyes had been fixed on the man beside him the entire time.

But Xiao Zhan, being completely oblivious to their signals, hadn’t given them the slightest attention. He was clearly not the type to be tender toward admirers. And perhaps because of that, Bai Rui found himself in an excellent mood. 

“When we get back, we’re getting married.” 

Xiao Zhan issued the statement with unwavering certainty. 

Bai Rui glanced at the dark night sky outside and raised an eyebrow at him.

Xiao Zhan’s expression grew even darker.

“Then tomorrow. Tomorrow we’ll fly to Y Country and get our marriage certificate. Otherwise, I won’t feel at ease!” 

“What are you so worried about? Do you really think I’d run off with someone else?” 

Bai Rui took a sip of red wine, then deliberately licked his lip in front of Xiao Zhan. 

Xiao Zhan’s gaze instantly turned fiery. He clenched his fists tightly, barely restraining the urge to pull the young man into his arms right then and there.

“Xiao Ran, if you keep tempting me like this… I really won’t be able to hold back.”

Bai Rui blinked innocently, lightly teasing Xiao Zhan’s palm with his fingers before leaning in close to whisper in his ear.

“If you hold back, there’ll be a reward when we get home.” 

Xiao Zhan’s breath hitched, and he nearly lost control, wanting nothing more than to drag the young man back home and punish him thoroughly. But seeing Bai Rui’s mischievous smile and twinkling eyes, he could only sigh indulgently in his heart.

Not far from them, Jiang Peipei was hiding in the shadows, closely observing their intimate exchange. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but the way they gazed at each other with undisguised affection made her grit her teeth in jealousy.

So that was why… That was why Feng Yuzheng had said Xiao Zhan always paid special attention to Feng Ruiran. It turned out their relationship was like this!

Her eyes narrowed as she recalled how Feng Ruiran had humiliated her that day. So what if he looked good? In the end, he was still just a man. A plaything at best. Sooner or later, Xiao Zhan would need a woman to bear his children and continue the family line.

Thinking of this, Jiang Peipei sneered at Bai Rui, already envisioning the scene of him being abandoned by Xiao Zhan. But then, a thought struck her, and she was suddenly delighted. Now that she knew their secret, she could put it to good use.

Bai Rui, however, had been monitoring her every move through Lao Hei. The way Jiang Peipei was staring at Xiao Zhan was too blatant—he couldn’t ignore it even if he wanted to.

Originally, as long as the so-called female lead didn’t actively approach them, Bai Rui had no intention of doing anything to her. But now that she dared to set her sights on his man? Bai Rui suppressed the fury rising in his chest, a flash of red light flickering in his eyes.

“Xiao Rui, calm down!”

Inside his consciousness, Lao Hei’s urgent voice rang out.

Since arriving in this world, Lao Hei had never seen Bai Rui’s pupils turn red before—this was a sign of his rage and impending corruption. In the past, every time Bai Rui’s eyes flashed red in a small world, it usually meant that world was on the verge of destruction.

However, in this world, Bai Rui’s methods had been unexpectedly gentle—he hadn’t shown the usual bloodthirsty brutality of destroying worlds. Lao Hei knew that this change was entirely because of Xiao Zhan’s presence.

But now, because Jiang Peipei coveted Xiao Zhan, Bai Rui was once again showing signs of his darker side.

“Don’t worry, I won’t kill her. As long as Xiao Zhan is here, I’ll keep her alive.”

Bai Rui glanced at Xiao Zhan beside him, his eyes finally softening with tenderness.

Yet Lao Hei could hear the underlying meaning in Bai Rui’s words. As long as Xiao Zhan is here, I won’t destroy the world. But if Xiao Zhan were gone, then Bai Rui would definitely kill Jiang Peipei and bring ruin upon this world.

But Xiao Zhan was just a person from a small world—he was different from Bai Rui. He would age. He would die. Lao Hei didn’t dare to imagine what Bai Rui would do once Xiao Zhan was no longer around. For the first time, he felt that not stopping Bai Rui from getting together with Xiao Zhan might have been a mistake.

At this moment, Bai Rui had no idea what Lao Hei was thinking. He excused himself to the restroom, temporarily leaving Xiao Zhan’s side.

Sure enough, when Bai Rui stepped out of the restroom, he ran into Jiang Peipei.

Today, Jiang Peipei was dressed in luxurious attire. Her face, which could usually only be considered delicate, had been carefully made up, giving her a touch of glamour. She swayed gracefully as she walked up to Bai Rui, smiling as she spoke.

“Second Young Master Feng, long time no see!” 

Bai Rui took out a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped his fingertips as if dusting off some nonexistent dirt, then lazily lifted his gaze and said indifferently, 

“Who are you?”

Jiang Peipei’s smile froze. Seeing Bai Rui’s arrogant demeanor, her resentment deepened.

“Second Young Master Feng, how quickly you forget people. I’m Jiang Peipei. We’ve met before.”

“Oh?”

Bai Rui dragged out the syllable in a long, drawn-out tone.

“Now I remember—you’re the woman who climbed into my big brother’s bed when he was drunk. So, what do you want?”

Jiang Peipei seemed to have expected Bai Rui to mock her. Instead of getting angry, she merely gave a fake smile and said, 

“Since we’re both people who climb into beds, let’s not judge each other, shall we? Second Young Master Feng, tell me—how does it feel to climb into the Xiao family head’s bed?”

Bai Rui let out a scornful laugh, not even bothering to glance at her. He stepped past Jiang Peipei, intent on leaving. But before he could go far, she hurriedly blocked his way, gritting her teeth as she spoke.

“Wait!” Jiang Peipei called out again. “Second Young Master Feng, surely you wouldn’t want your father and older brother to know about your relationship with Xiao Zhan, would you? The Feng family is a household name. If word got out that their second young master was lowly enough to climb into a man’s bed, well… I don’t need to tell you what would happen to you, do I?”

Bai Rui stopped in his tracks, turning to fix Jiang Peipei with a piercingly cold stare.

Jiang Peipei, mistaking his silence for hesitation, felt a surge of satisfaction. She ignored his expression and continued speaking as if she were holding all the cards.

“Xiao Zhan is the head of the Xiao family. Eventually, he will have to continue the family line. Even if you think your love is true, powerful families like his would never allow their leader to have a same-sex partner. Instead of waiting for him to marry a noblewoman and push you aside, why don’t we work together? If I become the mistress of the Xiao family, no one will interfere with your private relationship, and I’ll secure my place in high society. Second Young Master Feng, what do you think?”

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TN:

Jiang Peipei obviously wants to die 🥲