"This... Anna-jie, your family’s place is just too..."

Jiang Fan stared through the car window at the sprawling estate whose size defied estimation. Just walking from the gate to her villa would take half an hour.

He’d expected her family wasn’t ordinary, but reality still dwarfed his imagination. Mu Yuli’s home had been the most luxurious he’d ever seen—yet it paled beside Anna’s. It wasn’t that Mu Yuli’s wealth was lesser; he knew she disliked extravagance. But the sight instinctively invited comparison.

"You think it’s too big too, right?" Anna chuckled beside him in the car driven by a butler-like man. "I used to think only the innermost villa was ours. Didn’t know this whole area belonged to us." She smiled at Jiang Fan. "But from today, it’s your home too."

"Easier said than felt..." Jiang Fan murmured. This felt unreal. The fate he’d struggled against for lifetimes—was it really ending so easily in this cycle?

"Totally normal," Anna soothed. "Habits take time. No rush." Her words didn’t ease his hidden worries, but he offered a slight smile. "I’ll try."

*Stop overthinking.*

The car sped smoothly—Anna must’ve instructed the butler to rush them home. Time was tight; reuniting Jiang Fan with his mother mattered most.

When they stopped, two rows of servants flanked the villa’s entrance. A red carpet stretched down the path. *Almost needs a banner and fanfare,* Jiang Fan thought, cringing. He hated such displays. *They all know about me already.*

What would he say to *her*? How would she react?

Amid Chinese greetings, Anna pulled him inside. The scene felt less like "welcoming the young masters home" and more like "congratulating the newlyweds." *Ridiculous.* If Mu Yuli found out—

Jiang Fan shuddered. His second chance at life wasn’t a joke.

At the grand doors, he took deep breaths. His tension wasn’t about meeting elders—it was a sudden, chilling premonition.

*Chen Jing mentioned Mu Yuli was in Moscow...*

"Anna-jie," he stalled, "it’s late. Maybe we should wait until tomorrow? Don’t disturb their rest—"

"Look how nervous you are!" Anna laughed, mistaking his panic. She tugged his hand, pushing the doors open. "I brought my little brother home~~"

Silence swallowed her echo in the vast hall.

Then—

"So you’re back at last, Miss Anna. The kidnapper of other people’s boyfriends."

At the hall’s center, a girl set down her teacup. Dressed like a black butterfly, Mu Yuli swept a frosty glare over Anna—especially at their clasped hands. Her expression turned glacial.

*I knew it! I knew it!*

Jiang Fan had sensed this coming. He’d even slowed Anna after landing, but he’d underestimated Mu Yuli’s obsession.

"Nothing to say to me?" Her gaze pinned him. He froze. No escape now. "Yo... long time no see..."

Mu Yuli didn’t reply. Her eyes dropped pointedly to their joined hands. Jiang Fan had been desperately trying to pull away—but Anna held firm, oblivious.

*What can I do? I’m doomed!*

"Miss Mu," Anna stepped forward, shielding Jiang Fan with a serene yet razor-sharp smile. "I understand missing your boyfriend. But crashing a family reunion? Tactless."

Jiang Fan had never seen this side of Anna—her aura shifted like a lion poised to strike.

"Tact is debatable," Mu Yuli rose, striding toward them. "But abducting someone’s boyfriend? That’s outright criminal."

Sparks flew where their glares clashed. Jiang Fan wished he could bury himself alive to escape.

"Both of you, calm down."

The elegantly dressed patriarch, An Jianye, stood with a peacemaker’s smile—only to be instantly silenced.

"Old man, shut up!"

"This doesn’t concern Uncle An!"

He sank back into his chair, looking relieved. Jiang Fan couldn’t help but think: *What a pathetic patriarch.* He nearly facepalmed.

Mu Yuli pivoted sharply. "You. Decide. Who do you leave with?" She locked eyes with Jiang Fan, the true center of this storm. "Speak your heart. No need to hold back."

Anna smiled, but her grip tightened like iron.

Jiang Fan longed to zap himself with 100,000 volts like last time—but with both women watching, he couldn’t exactly conjure a taser. Even fainting would only delay the inevitable.

*How to stall?* His eyes darted past them—landing on his stepfather’s blissfully detached figure.

"Before I see my mom," Jiang Fan said firmly, "I can’t go with you."

He knew he’d eventually have to choose.

But for now—he’d buy time.