"Why are you so reluctant to let me go?"
Mu Yue Ran crossed her legs, her skirt riding up to reveal a smooth, fair thigh glimmering under the lights. Propping her chin on one hand, she tilted her head toward Mu Shuanghua. This was the first time since her rebirth that she’d truly looked at Mu Shuanghua from her brother’s perspective—even though they now appeared the same age.
Mu Shuanghua didn’t hesitate. "Because I’m deeply curious about you," she answered instantly. Her eyes sparkled with lively intelligence as she slowly reached out a hand, only to freeze halfway and let it drop limply. "I don’t understand why I care so much about you," she continued softly. "Why I always spot you instantly in a sea of faces. I need to stay close to figure you out."
It was true—but she left out the most crucial part: she saw her brother’s shadow in Mu Yue Ran. Yet she refused to admit it. Because...
*No one could ever replace Mu Yueran.*
*What a ruthlessly possessive thing to say,* Mu Yue Ran thought. Anyone else would’ve found it utterly bizarre—maybe even called her crazy. But Mu Yue Ran couldn’t bring herself to say that. She had to face the truth she’d long ignored: Mu Shuanghua had never tried to forget her. Not for a single second. Otherwise, her tombstone wouldn’t bear the words "My Beloved Brother."
*But what should I do now...?*
"It’s just a phone number! No big deal!" Mu Yue Ran suddenly shifted tone, slapping Mu Shuanghua’s shoulder playfully with a bright smile. "You helped me so much—I owe you dinner!" Startled by the abrupt change, Mu Shuanghua fumbled for her phone to save the number.
After accepting the contact request, Mu Yue Ran noticed the security guards had moved away. *Time’s up.* She yanked open the car door, slung the sack containing Yuchuge over her shoulder, and jumped out. "I’m off—thanks for tonight, Miss Mu!" Before Mu Shuanghua could reply, she bolted like a startled deer from the parking lot. Watching her vanish for the third time, a gloomy haze settled over Mu Shuanghua’s heart.
Yet the moment she saw the new contact on her screen—*Mu Yue Ran*—her mood lifted like dawn breaking. Settling back in the dark car, she stared at the chat window, murmuring to herself: "Dinner with me... when exactly...?"
---
Mu Yue Ran had thirty seconds left. She sprinted to the pre-scouted spot, dragging Yuchuge through walls, trees, and bushes. With seconds to spare, they slipped past House of Yu’s perimeter and out of camera range.
Collapsing into her roadside car, Mu Yue Ran gasped for breath, utterly spent. She eyed the sack on the passenger seat, swallowed hard, and carefully untied it. Yuchuge’s head emerged, expression as blank and unchanged as before. After checking her thoroughly for injuries, Mu Yue Ran finally exhaled.
"Whew. Escaping that gilded cage with you wasn’t easy." She leaned back, catching her reflection in the rearview mirror. Gone was the radiant beauty—now she was disheveled, hair wild, her new gown shredded by branches like rags. She looked like a miner fresh from a coal pit. Beside her, Yuchuge remained pristine, not a speck of dirt on her. Mu Yue Ran chuckled, playfully smudging Yuchuge’s nose with her finger. "Now *that’s* how a fallen noble lady should look."
Yuchuge blinked, confused but leaving the smudge untouched. Grinning, Mu Yue Ran started the engine and merged into traffic. "Hold tight, kidnapper—I’m taking you home."
---
Chaos reigned at House of Yu. When a maid brought Yuchuge’s dinner, she found an empty bed. Reporting this to Madam Yu earned her a stinging slap and a roar: "How could you lose her?! With guards everywhere?!"
House of Yu’s shame couldn’t leak out—not with Li Feng watching like a hawk. Madam Yu feared this might ruin the engagement or become blackmail fodder. She ordered a silent search. "She’s still on the estate! She’s never stepped beyond our gates in her life!" Her teeth ground together like she wanted to devour Yuchuge alive. "Search everywhere! Turn this house upside down if you must!"
But Li Feng had to be placated first. Smoothing her expression into a businesslike smile, Madam Yu returned to his side.
Li Feng sipped tea, then casually remarked, "Your household seems unusually noisy tonight. Trouble?"
"Just overwhelmed guests," Madam Yu chirped, forcing a laugh. "We never expected our daughter to be so popular—invitations ran out!" She covered her mouth, giggling. Li Feng joined in, slapping the table. "Your daughter *is* stunning. I’m honored she chose me."
*Who cared about Yuchuge’s real feelings anyway?*
"Li Gongzi is truly exceptional," Madam Yu gushed. "Our daughter will live comfortably with you—no hardship at all."
"Of course!" Li Feng boomed. "I’ll treat Miss Yu exactly as House of Yu does. No less."
