"Miss Zixuan, hello! I never expected you'd attend tonight's gala. Hahaha!"

A tall, square-jawed middle-aged man with a boisterous demeanor strode over, towering a full head above Yichen.

"Hello, Mr. Yu Guoan," Zixuan replied politely, clearly acquainted with him. Her movements were elegant and poised, yet they struck Yichen as strangely unfamiliar—he'd never seen this side of her.

"Hahaha! I never imagined the formidable Miss Zixuan could also be so pure and charming. If I were twenty years younger, I might've joined your legion of admirers!"

"Heh, you're joking."

"No, no—I'm serious. Among the young people I know, nearly everyone who's met you has become your admirer. Even my son is no exception. Ah, but he's hopeless—utterly unworthy of you."

"Your son is an excellent young man. I'm sure he'll find someone even more remarkable."

"Haha, if he heard that, he'd be heartbroken for days. And who might this young man be?"

Caught off guard by Yu Guoan's sudden attention, Yichen stammered, "Y-you! I'm her brother, Lin Yichen."

"Oh! So you're little brother to big sister Zixuan. For a moment, I thought you were her boyfriend. Hahaha!" Yu Guoan boomed. Zixuan's cheeks flushed slightly.

"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself—I'm Yu Guoan, chairman of Tianheng Group. We met through some fortunate circumstances." He extended a hand to Yichen. Internally, Yichen reeled: Tianheng dominated real estate, ranking among China's top developers. Three years ago, Yu Guoan had been the nation's richest man; even now, he likely remained in the top five. Yichen hesitated a beat before shaking his hand.

Facing Yu Guoan, Yichen felt utterly insignificant. He glanced at Zixuan—she moved in the same circles as titans like this. A wave of smallness washed over him.

"By the way, where are you working, little brother Yichen? Helping Miss Zixuan manage Skyvoid Group?"

Yichen found the words hard to utter. "I—I'm a sophomore at Skyvoid Academy."

Yu Guoan paused, then laughed heartily. "Ah, I'm getting old! Of course you're still studying at your age. Skyvoid Academy is elite—only one percent get in. Truly impressive!"

True, Skyvoid Academy admitted only the best. But Yichen had entered solely through Zixuan's influence. Though he worked hard and maintained average grades, shame burned through him—he wished he could vanish.

He forced a calm expression, hiding his turmoil.

Yu Guoan kept chatting with Zixuan, leaving Yichen sidelined. He drifted away to grab food, watching them from afar.

Popping grapes into his mouth one by one, he observed Zixuan. She laughed lightly, every gesture refined—a polished, upper-crust lady.

More leaders joined their circle. Yichen had lived with Zixuan for years; he thought he knew her best. In his memory, she only smiled genuinely for him, cold and distant to others. Even her chat with Zheng Hong had been about Yichen himself.

Zixuan raised a slender hand to cover her mouth, shoulders trembling with soft laughter, her eyes sparkling with ease.

A nameless loneliness gripped Yichen. Pain spread through his chest.

*(I never really knew her. She smiles like this for others too.)*

Perhaps this was the real Zixuan—and he’d been the one chaining her down.

Greedy.

The word fit him perfectly. He’d had the world’s most beautiful person’s love, yet craved more. Blind to his own chains, he’d dreamed of binding her forever.

Every smile she gave him now felt like reluctant duty—a sister’s forced affection. He was the true villain.

*(Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!)*

He cursed inwardly. So unfair. Why? Why?

Grabbing a glass of red wine, he gulped it down.

Fire spread through his throat and chest, dulling the ache.

A waiter passed with a bottle. Yichen snatched it, filled his glass, and drained it.

"Sir?" The waiter stared in surprise.

Yichen glared, his face twisted. The waiter scurried away.

As Yichen kept drinking, a stunning girl approached. She wore a crimson backless gown, its tight fabric showcasing her voluptuous figure and deep cleavage. Fair skin glowed against golden hair, and her red lips curved into a seductive smile.

"Handsome, what's got you drowning your sorrows alone?"

Tipsy, Yichen shot her a glare. "None of your business." He drank again.

She blinked in surprise, then smiled. "Drinking solo is boring. Let me join you?"

Lonely and impulsive, Yichen nodded.

"Yichen? What are you doing? You've had too much!"

Zixuan appeared just as the girl led him toward the terrace. She’d stayed with Yu Guoan—one of the few businessmen she respected, and the only one who knew her true identity. She’d been watching Yichen, but guests blocked her view. Seeing a stranger approach him sparked unease. Now, his flushed face and unsteady stance made her blame the girl. She frowned at her and reached for Yichen—but he suddenly lunged forward.

"Sister... sister... sister..."

He clung tightly, his full weight pressing on her, mumbling her name drunkenly. Startled, Zixuan’s cheeks reddened. She gently held him back; even she felt shy under so many eyes.

"Really, why drink so much all at once?"

"Sister... don’t go... don’t go..."

"Fool, I won’t leave." She patted his back.

He hugged her harder. Zixuan sensed his deep anxiety. As she debated taking him home, a force yanked him away.

"You kid! What are you doing?!"

"Grab him! He’s drunk and violent! Chairwoman Lin, is he hurt you?"

Two security guards pinned Yichen to the floor. One looked up at Zixuan.