Shi Zhi didn’t plan on spending the night in the countryside.

She disliked following someone else’s rhythm and had already calculated her moves. If she could encounter Shen Jia and Yao Yao at the banquet simultaneously and settle everything in one go, then this matter could come to an end.

Both with Shen Jia, and her deal with Fu Xiling.

The summer heat was oppressive, and the string of exams had left her exhausted. Fu Xiling drove steadily, the air conditioning perfectly cooling the car, and the music was soothing. Unable to resist her fatigue, Shi Zhi dozed off for a while.

Her sleep was restless, haunted by dreams of the past:

A woman who had never had a smooth life, haggard and frail, her hair like a wild, unkempt mess. Though she weighed less than forty kilograms, she had a shocking strength as she gripped Shi Zhi’s shoulders tightly. “Never bow your head. A woman must never bow her head. Once you bow, it’s all over…”

Shi Zhi frowned as she woke, her eyes opening.

The car was driving through a dimly lit tunnel, the music from earlier now turned off.

Her small movement caught Fu Xiling’s attention. “Awake?”

“Yeah.”

“Want some water? There’s bottled water in the door pocket.”

Shi Zhi grabbed a bottle, twisted it open, and took a couple of sips. The car exited the tunnel, the sunlight outside already softer. She asked, “How much longer?”

“Almost there. Ten minutes.”

When they reached the destination, Shi Zhi realized she had underestimated the complexity of this resort project.

At the entrance, cars were lined up.

Six or seven men in security uniforms were stationed at the parking lot gate, meticulously checking each vehicle’s invitation and verifying the number of passengers.

Shi Zhi’s patience was limited, and she crossed her arms, growing more and more irritable as they waited. Finally, it was their turn.

Fu Xiling rolled down the window and handed over the invitation. After checking it, the security guard spoke into his radio, “Clear.” The gate arm lifted, and Fu Xiling drove into the parking lot.

The lot was filled with luxury cars. Nearby, a few large commercial vehicles had crews setting up video equipment, and some people were testing microphones.

“Are those reporters?” Shi Zhi asked.

“Ignore them. They’re hired by the organizers for publicity.”

Fu Xiling parked the car, unlocked the doors, and tilted his head toward her. “Let’s go.”

They checked in at the front desk. When Shi Zhi handed over her ID, she noticed Fu Xiling glance at it longer than necessary.

She shot him a questioning look, wondering what he was staring at.

But before she could ask, the hotel staff beat her to it, speaking warmly. “Mr. Fu, do you have any luggage? We can bring it to your room.”

“There are two gift boxes in the backseat. Please bring them over. Thank you.”

Fu Xiling registered the car’s plate number and handed over the keys, then led Shi Zhi onto a golf cart to ride up the hillside.

The villas were built on gentle slopes.

Some guests were already settled, their figures visible on outdoor terraces and through floor-to-ceiling windows. The invitation allowed attendees to bring family, and Shi Zhi noticed several scenes of harmonious families enjoying themselves.

Often, Shi Zhi thought the world was unfair.

Some people had it all: beauty, intelligence, a loving family, and thriving businesses. It was as if the universe had favored them in every way.

And one such person was sitting beside her, currently on a phone call.

The cart only carried Shi Zhi and Fu Xiling, so she clearly heard someone on the other end mention Yao Yao.

After hanging up, Fu Xiling said, “Yao Yao’s car got sideswiped on the highway. She’s arguing with the driver at fault and will probably be late.”

Shi Zhi nodded.

Fu Xiling continued, “The villas lower down are larger and closer to the banquet hall. They’re mostly assigned to major investors and veteran industry figures. Us juniors get placed at the very top…”

Shi Zhi had no interest in the social niceties of business and let his words go in one ear and out the other.

“So, Shen Jia—”

Fu Xiling deliberately paused when he noticed Shi Zhi’s absentminded nodding. He waited until she finally turned her gaze to him before curling his lips. “—is staying next door to us.”

Shi Zhi immediately caught on. “You set this up?”

“I pulled a few strings.” Fu Xiling smiled and gestured with his hand to indicate the distance. “It’s just a couple of villas away, slightly uphill.”

Despite his explanation, they didn’t see Shen Jia after checking into their villa.

When a hotel attendant brought up the gift boxes from Fu Xiling’s car, Shi Zhi happened to be downstairs. She opened the door to take them, glanced toward the villa Fu Xiling said belonged to Shen Jia, and noticed the lights were still off.

Upstairs, Fu Xiling had changed into a black formal suit and was leaning against the balcony railing, fastening his cufflinks. “Aren’t you going to try on the ‘battle armor’ I so carefully picked for you?”

Given Fu Xiling’s typically flashy style, Shi Zhi had low expectations for his so-called “battle armor.”

As she unwrapped the gift box, she braced herself. If it turned out to be a pink, princess-like gown, she would rather attend the banquet in a T-shirt and jeans.

“If it doesn’t suit me, I won’t wear it,” she said flatly.

“Just take a look first,” Fu Xiling replied.

The ribbon fell to the floor as Shi Zhi opened the lid.

Inside was a sleek, black, strappy evening gown and a pair of high heels. She pulled out the dress, gave it a quick once-over, and decided against further protest. Without a word, she went into the bathroom to change.

When she stepped out, she glanced up at the second floor.

Fu Xiling had his elbows resting on the railing, his eyes lowered as he quietly observed her.

To Fu Xiling, the Shi Zhi who had always been tense and forced smiles around Shen Jia was completely different from the Shi Zhi he saw now.

He much preferred this version of her.

She was stubborn and didn’t admit to liking things openly. Instead, she silently changed into the dress and tilted her head, showing it off with zero flirtation, her gaze sharp and almost provocative.

The gown had a high slit, revealing her long, fair legs with every step. Shi Zhi walked to the sofa, picked up the black satin heels, and, with one hand resting on the couch for support, bent her leg back to put them on.

She looked incredibly cool and irresistibly alluring.

Fu Xiling raised an eyebrow without a word.

When Shi Zhi glanced up at him again, he gave her a thumbs-up.

The banquet began at 8 PM, with entry starting at 6:30. Shi Zhi spotted Shen Jia shortly after arriving.

She didn’t know if Fu Xiling had manipulated the seating arrangements or if it was just fate, but Shen Jia was seated at the table next to theirs.

Earlier, Shi Zhi and Fu Xiling had agreed to present themselves as a couple, each with their own motivations for doing so.

Yao Yao still hadn’t arrived due to her car accident. Meanwhile, Shen Jia kept glancing at Shi Zhi, his expression complex, his shock slowly morphing into pain.

Shi Zhi knew exactly how to make Shen Jia feel worse.

But before she could act, Fu Xiling had already draped his arm over her chair back and leaned in close, speaking in an intimate, low tone: “What should we talk about?”

Shi Zhi gave him an amused look. “Where’s your precious Miss Yao Yao? Still not here?”

“Didn’t see her. Probably still not here,” Fu Xiling replied, gazing at her with feigned affection but teasing as usual. “Want me to recite some classical Chinese for you? I was pretty good at it back in high school.”

Shi Zhi jabbed him in the ribs. “If you’ve got nothing to say, sit properly!”

On stage, the host gave the opening speech while the invited reporters and photographers crowded the front. The heavily edited advertising slogans were long and tedious, making Shi Zhi drowsy. She excused herself to the restroom.

When she exited, Shen Jia was waiting outside.

He wore a crisp white suit and stood with his head bowed, lost in thought. When he saw Shi Zhi, he hurriedly stepped in front of her and grabbed her wrist. “Shi Zhi, can we talk?”

Shi Zhi remained calm. “What about?”

“I don’t know what lies Fu Xiling might’ve told you, but you need to know he doesn’t have good intentions! It’s not what you think between me and Tao Jia—I didn’t…”

Shen Jia rarely showed such emotion. But the more agitated he became, the calmer Shi Zhi felt.

“Oh? So it was Fu Xiling who wrote those comments on Tao Jia’s Weibo? Fu Xiling who hid Tao Jia from me? And Fu Xiling who couldn’t decide who he truly liked? Is that what you’re saying?”

Shen Jia opened his mouth but only managed to ask, “When did you meet him?”

“The day of your birthday.”

Shi Zhi began to deliver her heartless blow, counting the ways Fu Xiling surpassed Shen Jia. “Fu Xiling is better looking than you, smarter than you, and richer than you…”

Just then, a light chuckle sounded from beside her.

Shi Zhi didn’t notice Fu Xiling had approached, leaning against the wall, clearly enjoying the drama.

She shot him a subtle glare, signaling him to keep quiet.

Fu Xiling slowly walked over. “Well, I guess we could say it was love at first sight. Shi Zhi was hesitant at first, but you weren’t honest with her, made her sad. You know, you’re sort of the matchmaker here. How about we throw you a party at our wedding?”

Fu Xiling was taller than Shen Jia by a head, and with his sharp demeanor, standing next to Shi Zhi, casting a mocking smile, it was clear who had the upper hand.

He looked down at Shen Jia and said, “So, when are you going to let go of my girlfriend?”

Shi Zhi pulled her hand away and gave Shen Jia an apologetic smile as Fu Xiling casually put his arm around her shoulder and led her away.

Shen Jia seemed to finally stabilize himself. “Fu Xiling, Shi Zhi doesn’t like guys like you.”

Fu Xiling paused, but only replied, “That’s none of your concern. Oh, and please tell Tao Jia to stop texting and calling me. Thanks.”

After working together for so long, Shi Zhi finally voiced her assessment of her business partner: “I realize you’re much more ruthless than I am.”

Fu Xiling took it as a compliment and laughed. “I’m flattered.”

“You just called me what?”

“Shi Zhi.”

“If I hear you say that again, I’ll take action.”

In the banquet hall, an industry insider was giving a speech about the resort project and how it aimed to create a new type of hotel that would bring people closer to nature…

Shi Zhi had no appetite, hardly touching the mountain delicacies and seafood. Fu Xiling asked, “Tired of sitting?”

Shi Zhi frowned and retorted, “Is Miss Yao Yao still not here?”

“No need to wait for her. Let’s go. I’ll take you back to your room.”

As they left, she glanced over at Shen Jia’s table.

One seat was empty. After their brief encounter outside the restroom, it seemed Shen Jia hadn’t returned to the banquet.

Back at the villa, Shi Zhi stood on the outdoor terrace, looking toward the villa where Shen Jia was staying.

Fu Xiling came up beside her, watching for a moment before speaking. “Don’t even think about going back to him. I’ve given up all chances of doing business with Shen Jia just to work with you.”

“Aren’t you in the same industry?”

“Not every peer is a competitor. In business, there are no permanent enemies.”

The lights in Shen Jia’s villa flickered on.

Shen Jia paused in his steps, looking in their direction from a distance.

Shi Zhi asked Fu Xiling, “Do you really care about offending potential future business partners?”

“I don’t. There are plenty of business partners. What’s the matter?”

Shi Zhi didn’t answer. She gripped Fu Xiling’s sleeve, moved closer, and flirtatiously raised her hand to undo a button on his shirt collar.

Fu Xiling, with his back to Shen Jia, saw the reflection of their movements in the floor-to-ceiling window and realized what Shi Zhi was hinting at.

“Are you sure you’re not getting back together with Shen Jia?”

Shi Zhi responded with a soft “Mm.”

“Then don’t move. I’ll handle it.”

Suddenly, Fu Xiling pulled her into his embrace, his gaze deep as he looked into her eyes before lowering his head and leaning in.