“Now, please welcome the Huaguo regional head of the Will family from the States—Miss Avril Will!”

Xu Yinuo had just offered a few polished pleasantries, his hand sweeping like a ribbon under the lights as he gestured to the wings.

Applause rose like a soft tide, and a beauty stepped out from backstage like dawn over water.

Her golden waves of hair glinted like sunlight on sand; her black gown fell like midnight silk; a firm edge sat in her brows, softened by a spring-bright smile.

Eyes across the hall were drawn like moths to a candle, admiration pooling like warm wine—except for Gu Xin and Meng Yuting, whose gazes stayed cool as frost.

They looked at the golden-haired woman, then at each other, a shared memory floating up like smoke after a fire.

After Tang Ke’s “sacrifice,” their mission had been to slip into the Will family like shadows, where they’d seen her but never measured her Anomaly Power’s level or nature.

“Didn’t expect this amusement island to be funded by her family,” Meng Yuting murmured, her voice low as a reed flute.

“Mm… me neither,” Gu Xin said, a crease in her brow like a drawn bow. “Don’t move yet. Let’s see what they’re after. Maybe it’s just business.”

“Mm.”

“Hello, everyone. I’m Avril Will—just call me Avril,” she said, her tone smooth as a river stone. “You can hear it in my accent—I’m of mixed heritage.”

“My mother’s from Huaguo. I love this beautiful place like a garden in bloom, so I’m happy to serve as our family’s Huaguo head.”

“I hope, in the days ahead, to build more bridges with all you talents, like paths across water.”

“Miss Avril, you’re too kind. All right, let’s enjoy the banquet,” Xu Yinuo said, his smile bright as a lantern.

Music flowed back in like a gentle stream. Conversations bubbled like warm springs, as Xu Yinuo and Avril stepped down and clinked glasses with key guests like wind-chimes.

“The Will family… never heard of them. Sis, you know them?” Meng Xiaoxiao asked, curiosity flickering like a firefly.

“Mm… I’ve heard of them abroad,” Meng Yuting said, voice steady as deep water. “In the States, they’re powerful, yet low-key. Didn’t expect them to invest in Huaguo.”

“Oh… I see.”

“All right—let’s not overthink their business,” Ye Yiyi said, lifting her glass like a clear moon. “It’s a rare holiday. Let’s play.”

“Okay!”

While the girls were laughing like bells, a figure in a red dress glided toward them like a stroke of cinnabar—Xu Yinuo.

“You beauties look like you’re having a great time,” he said, smiling with a fox’s ease.

The air around the table shifted like weather. Anger simmered in Tang Coco like a hot ember—because of last night. A chill edged Ye Yiyi’s gaze like frost—because of the morning. The other three held a quiet admiration like starlight—because of what just happened.

“What do you want?” Ye Yiyi spoke first, her tone sharp as a blade.

“Heh… still mad, Yiyi?” Xu Yinuo’s smile curved like a cat’s tail. “Last night, we actually didn’t do anything.”

“Coco’s resistance was strong—like a locked door. Right, little Coco?”

“You—” The spark in Ye Yiyi’s eyes flared like flint; she knew he was baiting her.

“Uh? Last night with Coco? What happened?” Meng Xiaoxiao blinked, confusion fluttering like a startled bird.

Gu Xin and Meng Yuting traded a glance, dots connecting like constellations.

“It’s nothing. Eat,” Tang Coco said, shooting Xu Yinuo a look like a thrown dagger, then nudging Meng Xiaoxiao toward the plates like a shepherd.

“Then… beautiful Miss Tang Coco,” Xu Yinuo bowed, his hand extended like a crescent. “May I have this dance?”

“Uh…” Exasperation sketched across Coco’s face like ink lines; what on earth was he aiming for?

“I’ll dance with you,” Ye Yiyi cut in, her hand landing on his like a falling leaf that chooses its spot.

“…,” Xu Yinuo faltered for a breath, surprise flashing like a fish under water, then accepted with a practiced smile.

Hand in hand, they moved to the hall’s center as the music shifted to elegance like silk unfurling.

Both were born to wealth; the steps came easy like muscle memory, and with the music’s current, they flowed into the dance.

Xu Yinuo watched Ye Yiyi, his smile warm as candlelight; he hadn’t expected the stubborn girl to dance for Tang Coco’s sake.

Ye Yiyi’s face stayed calm as a stone in rain; whatever happened, she wouldn’t let him win.

People around them saw two beauties wheeling like swallows and found partners of their own, the floor blooming like a garden.

In another corner, Avril sat alone, savoring her wine like dusk on the tongue; handsome men drifted over like tides, and she declined each with a smile like cool jade.

Her eyes stayed locked on another corner, focused as a hawk on a single point.

When the moment felt ripe, she finished her red wine in one smooth line like sunset draining the sky, set down the glass, and walked with grace like a willow toward her target.

Gu Xin and Meng Yuting had been watching her path like trackers on snow; when Avril turned toward them, their nerves tightened like strings.

“Watch first,” Gu Xin whispered, her words light as mist.

“Mm.”

Tang Coco, tugged by Meng Xiaoxiao, was busy with the feast like a child at a fair, and noticed nothing.

“This beautiful lady,” Avril stopped beside them, voice warm as velvet, “may I have this dance?”

“Mm?” Tang Coco stared, bewilderment rising like fog; why had Avril suddenly sought her out?

The onlookers around them rippled with surprise like wind over wheat—first because Avril, who’d refused so many, now invited someone, and second because the girl she’d chosen was stunning.

Faces turned, and shock lit their eyes like sparks; this beauty was no less radiant than tonight’s star, Avril.

“Miss, you’re truly adorable,” Avril said with a smile like moonlight on water. “Will you accept my invitation?”