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Chapter 13 – Ex-Husband vs ……

Hou Ximing could hardly believe what he was seeing.

Just like Wei Xun, he never gave anyone a ride on his motorcycle. His reason, though, was purely practical—carrying someone on the back was exhausting and threw off his balance and control.

Besides, it wasn’t about who sat behind him that made him look cool. What mattered was the bike itself and his riding skills.

Among their group, only he and Wei Xun never gave rides, so naturally, they were considered the kings of mountain racing. Every time they rode, it was a battle to see who was faster, who leaned into turns more skillfully.

Bringing someone along? That only messed with your cool factor!

And yet, today, his best buddy had betrayed him.

Not only had he ditched his usual combat-style racing bike for one that was all looks and no substance, but he’d also used flashy tricks—ones they usually scoffed at—to impress a girl. Hou Ximing couldn’t bear to watch.

He always knew the power of a “white moonlight” crush, but this was the first time he’d felt it this deeply—it made him question everything.

Cao Ying came over and patted him on the shoulder, consoling him, “Take it easy. After all, that girl was already riding on Wei Xun’s back seat back when you didn’t even know how to ride.”

Hou Ximing: “…”

…Fair point.

Hearing this, Fu Yuanxi raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Oh? So that girl just now was Wei Xun’s legendary white moonlight?”

Cao Ying snapped his fingers. “That’s right.”

Fu Yuanxi, always one to enjoy the drama, got even more entertained recalling Wei Xun’s uncharacteristic behavior just now.

He slipped on his gloves and walked toward his bike, saying cheerfully, “Don’t just stand there, Ximing. Let’s go see how this plays out.”

Watching him, Hou Ximing’s mouth twitched. His brain told him not to be a third wheel and get himself killed, but his feet still followed.

Since Wei Xun was off flirting, the title of “King of the Mountain Roads” was up for grabs, right?

The two hopped on their motorcycles and, with the low growl of engines, sped off from the hotel, chasing after Wei Xun.

—

Not long after Wei Xun left with Que Wanshu, Xu Zhiyan finally snapped out of it.

Wait a minute, wasn’t her bestie just going to step out for a moment? How did she get kidnapped by Wei Xun?!

Frustrated but helpless, she had the valet take her car home and stayed put to wait for Zhang Luyang.

Didn’t he say he was almost there? Why wasn’t he here yet?

Annoyed, she scrolled through their chat window. When she glanced up, her eyes locked with Huo Haicheng’s.

Why was he still here?

Her expression instantly darkened. “What are you looking at?”

Huo Haicheng smiled helplessly, clearly asking for a slap. “It’s autumn already, why are you still so fiery? Besides, if you hadn’t looked at me, how would you know I was looking at you?”

Caught off guard, Xu Zhiyan choked on her own anger and got even more pissed.

She was usually quick with a comeback—witty, even—but somehow she always fumbled when facing Huo Haicheng. It wasn’t until later, thinking things over, that she’d rage over all the great comebacks she could have said.

Now was no different. Even though she was fuming, she couldn’t think of anything to say. All she could do was glare at him with all her might, like that would help her win the standoff.

But Huo Haicheng remained unaffected and even reached out to flick her forehead. “Stop glaring. Your eyes might fall out.”

Xu Zhiyan: “…”

ARGH! This bastard! How dare he touch her!

Just as she was about to explode, a voice rang out before she could speak:

“Holy sh*t!”

She turned to see Zhang Pingkang—who had been joking around with a group of rich boys just moments ago—now pale-faced and darting behind the tallest guy around: Huo Haicheng. He looked like he’d seen a ghost.

Following his gaze, a sleek Maybach with a sequential license plate was approaching and finally pulled up in front of Xu Zhiyan.

The rear window rolled down, revealing a sharply handsome face.

The man in the car was in a tailored suit. He looked young—early thirties—handsome and refined. But when he glanced out the window, there was an undeniable air of pressure about him.

Zhang Luyang surveyed the crowd outside the car. His eyes finally landed on Xu Zhiyan, the closest person to him.

“Why aren’t you waiting inside?” he asked.

“You said you were almost here,” she replied. The hotel manager came forward to open the car door, and Xu Zhiyan lifted her skirt slightly and got in.

Zhang Luyang turned to her, his gaze sweeping over her lowered brows and tight lips. He immediately sensed that his fiancée wasn’t in a good mood.

Countless guesses flashed through his mind, but his face remained calm. A few seconds later, he looked away and turned to the window.

“Pingkang.”

The named man flinched and peeked out from behind Huo Haicheng. “…Bro.”

Zhang Luyang’s tone was neutral, revealing nothing. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to Yunshan with some friends to enjoy the view,” Zhang Pingkang replied with a flattering smile. “Didn’t expect to run into Sister Zhiyan!”

Inside the car, Xu Zhiyan rolled her eyes but said nothing.

“Really?” Zhang Luyang knew all too well what his brother was like. His eyes scanned the rest of the group.

Every one of the young rich boys straightened up under his gaze, feeling intense pressure.

Though these guys were heirs of wealthy families, they were still relatively junior in their family businesses, lacking authority or experience.

Zhang Luyang, by contrast, was a third-generation heir like them—but already Vice Chairman of the Yunan Group at just 32. With his father Zhang Ruiming’s declining health, much of the company’s affairs now rested on his shoulders.

He was widely seen as the heir apparent—and possibly the next chairman before 40.

In the hierarchy of “rich kids,” Zhang Pingkang and his friends were just spoiled brats. Zhang Luyang was the kind their parents hoped they would grow up to become.

Apart from him, only Wei Jin and Xu Zhisen were in that same elite tier.

Maybe it was due to his high position, but Zhang Luyang exuded a natural authority. Though he was only slightly older than them, he gave off the same kind of oppressive aura as their own fathers.

The rich kids who were laughing moments ago now stood stiff and silent. Their female companions followed suit, nervously eyeing Zhang Luyang.

The only two people unaffected were Huo Haicheng and Cao Ying.

Cao Ying, the youngest of four brothers, was used to dealing with older siblings. As a bold socialite, he wasn’t shy at all and could chat up anyone—including Zhang Luyang.

“Brother Luyang,” he greeted cheerily, making Zhang Pingkang look at him like he’d seen a ghost.

As for Huo Haicheng—

He didn’t look at Zhang Luyang. Instead, his eyes passed through the half-open car window to glance at Xu Zhiyan.

From that angle, he could only see the side of her face. She was typing on her phone, her expression alternating between frustrated and furious.

He could easily guess she was ranting to Que Wanshu about Wei Xun and warning her to watch out for her unhinged ex.

That thought made him smile.

But in the next second, his smile froze.

Zhang Luyang suddenly leaned toward Xu Zhiyan, effectively blocking Huo Haicheng’s view of her. At the same time, he stared straight at Huo Haicheng—or maybe at Zhang Pingkang behind him.

Before Huo Haicheng could figure it out, Zhang Luyang said calmly, “Pingkang, go home early. Don’t party until midnight again.”

Then he rolled up the window, and the black Maybach slowly drove off.

The oppressive atmosphere finally lifted, and Cao Ying let out a breath of relief.

“Wow,” he muttered, moving beside Huo Haicheng. “Her fiancé is intense. No wonder he’s the famed heir of Yunan Group.”

Sure, Wei Xun was moody and antisocial, but at least he didn’t lash out unless you touched his bottom line.

Zhang Luyang, though… he seemed calm and composed but felt like a walking minefield. Step on the wrong spot, and you might not even know how you died.

“Total landmine of a guy,” Cao Ying whispered.

Coming from someone like him—who had grown up half in the entertainment industry—his judgment carried weight.

“I don’t get it,” he added. “Why would a straightforward girl like Xu Zhiyan get engaged to a guy like that? Their families don’t even have much business overlap.”

He looked at Huo Haicheng. “What do you think?”

Huo Haicheng lowered his eyes, remembering Zhang Luyang’s earlier look. Then, unexpectedly, he chuckled.

Heh. Engaged, huh…?

—

And just as Huo Haicheng guessed, Xu Zhiyan was currently texting her bestie—warning her about her creepy ex and cursing out Wei Xun for “kidnapping” her friend.

After angrily typing her heart out, she shut her phone and leaned back, preparing to nap.

Then the man beside her asked, “The guy standing next to Pingkang—was he the second young master of Tongzhou Group?”

Xu Zhiyan froze. After a moment, she realized he meant Huo Haicheng.

She frowned. “Yeah… that’s him. Why are you asking about him?”

Zhang Luyang didn’t miss the change in her expression.

She was so easy to read—so open and unguarded—that he barely had to ask before she gave him all the answers with her face.

After a pause, he smiled faintly.

“No reason. Just curious.”

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