I'm sorry, but your fiancé loves me.

After Yun Muqian rejected Zhou Yao, she thought he would give up.

After all, she had made it very clear that day—she had no intention of dating, no interest in it, and didn't even leave him an out by saying "we'll talk about it later."

But Zhou Yao, probably spoiled by his family since childhood, has a personality that means he has to get what he wants, and he won't turn back even if he hits a wall.

The next day, he started bringing her breakfast and placing it on her workstation, along with a cup of coffee with a small smiley face written on the cup in marker.

She had thought it through very clearly—she didn't intend to accept Zhou Yao's feelings, but she also didn't intend to break ties with him.

The Zhou family has deep roots in this city, and Zhou Yao is the only son of the Zhou family. In the future, when she wants to move around in the world of fame and fortune, having someone like Zhou Yao by her side will make many things much easier.

Besides, with Zhou Yao around, she can better understand the Zhou family's background.

As for Qin Qihan, she didn't plan to let him know.

Qin Qihan seemed indifferent to everything, but Yun Muqian gradually figured out his temperament. Whenever it came to her, he would ask about even the slightest discrepancy.

When Qin Qihan had a falling out with Zhou Yao last time, she explained that she and Zhou Yao were just having normal interactions. Qin Qihan had clearly stated that she was not allowed to have any further contact with him, and she had agreed to that.

If he knew that she was still in contact with Zhou Yao in private, even if it was just normal contact, he would overthink it.

It's better to avoid trouble; she needs to learn to stand on her own two feet.

So she started trying to attend some events alone.

She rarely went to banquets, parties, or charity galas alone before; most of the time she went with Qin Qihan.

But it's actually more convenient for her when she's not around.

When she was in the world of fame and fortune, she met a mature and steady man named Shen Xubai. Not only did he buy her a luxury car as soon as they met, but he also cared about her a lot.

He would tell her what clothes she needed to wear and what to prepare in advance for occasions like this.

She could tell he was interested in her, but she wasn't in a hurry to commit; she simply enjoyed the benefits that a wealthy and powerful man brought her.

He called her Little Cat, and he really did treat her like a kitten, pampering and supporting her. All she had to do was spend time with him for a meal once a week.

He also said that she would amaze everyone sooner or later, and he firmly believed it.

Qin Qihan has been busy with company matters these past few days, so she attended a real estate industry banquet, wearing a dark green velvet dress, her hair up, revealing a section of her slender white neck.

She walked around the crowd, greeted a few familiar faces, and then took a glass of champagne to the corner terrace for some fresh air.

Shen Xubai told her that she should frequently appear in such places and become a member of this circle. Over time, resources and money would flow to her.

The night breeze was a bit chilly, so she pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders. Just as she was about to turn back, she caught a glimpse of someone out of the corner of her eye.

The man was walking towards her from the direction of the banquet hall. He walked through the crowd and was wearing a light gray suit jacket. Yun Muqian recognized him—Chi Qiusheng.

Why did she think he came here to find her? Because he spotted her in the crowd at a glance.

He stopped two steps away from her when he reached her:

"haven't seen you for a long time."

The last time they met was at a high school reunion, but she concealed her identity. She was actually quite surprised that Chi Qiusheng was waiting for her.

"Mr. Chi." She nodded slightly and smiled. "You've come too."

"Hmm." He glanced at the champagne glass in her hand. "Alone?"

"right."

Chi Qiusheng didn't ask any further questions. Her gaze fell on the night view outside the terrace. After a few seconds of silence, she looked up at his profile. Years had passed, but he was still as handsome as ever.

Then he spoke: "Where are you from?"

Yun Muqian paused for a moment, holding her wine glass, but asked in a light tone, "Why are you suddenly asking this?"

"Just curious," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"I felt like I recognized you when I heard you speak last time."

"My hometown is in the south," she said, making up a place on the spot, "a small city you wouldn't even know."

He asked some detailed questions, leaning against the balcony railing, looking at her sideways, his posture very casual, as if they had had many such conversations before.

She felt uneasy, as if he had seen right through her.

But why are they afraid to admit it?

"Where did you read your books before?" he asked again.

"I studied at an ordinary university within the province," she said.

She picked up her glass, took a sip, and gently changed the subject, "Why did you come alone today? Didn't you bring a female companion?"

"No," he said, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. "I usually come alone."

He fell silent after saying that. They stood side by side on the terrace. When the night breeze blew by, she smelled a faint fragrance on him, just like when she followed behind him in high school and smelled the scent carried by the wind.

Yun Muqian wasn't sure if she was overthinking it, but she felt that the questions Chi Qiusheng had asked earlier seemed like he was testing her.

But all the information she provided was false; it was all made up on the spot and had nothing to do with her true background.

She steadied her wine glass, suppressed her unease, and turned to smile at him.

"Mr. Chi, are you that interested in me?"

She spoke in a half-joking tone, as if she were just saying it casually.

Chi Qiusheng turned to look at her, and unlike the others who praised her appearance, he said, "You're very interesting."

As the banquet progressed into its later stages, Yun Muqian drank quite a bit of alcohol.

She wasn't a very good drinker to begin with, and tonight, because she had something on her mind, Chi Qiusheng's vague questions distracted her, and she unknowingly drank a few more glasses than usual.

When the show ended, she was already a little unsteady on her feet.

She stood at the hotel entrance waiting for her car. A gust of night wind made her stomach churn, and she quickly grabbed a nearby pillar to steady herself.

A hand reached out from the side and gently supported her arm.

"Drunk on drinks?" Chi Qiusheng's voice came from above her, unhurried and calm.

She looked up at him, but his image was already double. She blinked, trying to focus her gaze.

"It's okay... I called a car."

"It's not safe for you to go home alone like this," he said, his tone still gentle. "I'll take you."

She wanted to refuse, but her tongue got tied when she tried to speak.

She was indeed unsteady on her feet, and even if she got into the car, it was questionable whether she could walk back by herself.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Chi Qiusheng gently tugged at her arm: "Let's go, my car is over there."

In the end, she got into the car with him despite being unconscious. All the way, she leaned against the car window with her eyes closed, and the lights outside the window turned into a blurry red-orange-yellow through her eyelids.

She heard Chi Qiusheng say something, but his voice was very low. She didn't hear it clearly, nor did she have the strength to ask.

But for some reason, she started crying. Perhaps it was the alcohol, or perhaps it was the scene before her that she had always dreamed of having.

When the car stopped, she groggily opened her eyes and turned to look at him: "Where is this?"

"This is my home," Chi Qiusheng said. "I don't know the address of where you're staying, but you can stay here for the night. There's a bed in the guest room."

Her mind went blank for a few moments, and she felt that there seemed to be nothing wrong with this logic.

She followed him upstairs. Chi Qiusheng's home was very clean, and there were many books in the living room.

He led her to the door of the guest room, pushed it open, and there was indeed a made-up bed inside, with a small table lamp on the bedside table, casting a warm yellow light.

"The bathroom is at the end of the hallway outside, and there are new toothbrushes and towels," he said. "Just call me if you need anything; I'm right next door."

She was so tired that she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

When I woke up again, it was already daylight.

Sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains. She lay on the bed, stunned for a few seconds, before slowly recalling what had happened last night—the banquet, Chi Qiusheng, her drinking too much, and then coming to his house.

She sat up and found that she was still wearing the same dark green velvet dress from last night, only it was a little wrinkled.

She tidied her hair, pushed open the door, and went out.

There was movement in the living room. She looked in the direction of the sound and saw Chi Qiusheng standing behind the bar counter in the open kitchen.

He changed his clothes, wearing a dark gray cotton T-shirt and loose black trousers. His hair was unkempt, with a few strands hanging down his forehead.

He was holding a coffee pot and pouring coffee into two cups.

Hearing her footsteps, he looked up at her, his gaze calm: "Awake?"

Yun Muqian stood in the living room, somewhat awkwardly smoothing a strand of hair behind her ear: "Um... thank you for your help last night."