"Then keep watching," the voice, once light, turned heavy again.

Liang Sheng, intrigued, continued reading.

Mature Liang Sheng had returned from the restroom. Chin propped on her palm, she plotted how to escape this "Hongmen Banquet."

Jin Fugui ordered a medium-rare steak. Liang Sheng had never eaten one. Staring at the blood-tinged meat, she couldn’t bring herself to take a bite. She only watched the man across slice it elegantly, piece by piece.

As for the red wine—she didn’t drink. She unzipped her bag, pulled out a tiny bottle of lemon water, and sipped.

Jin Fugui chewed and asked, "Miss Liang, why aren’t you eating?"

Liang Sheng forced a smile. "I… I’m dieting."

He smirked again—too wide this time, molars flashing. "Hehe, Miss Liang’s already so slim. Still dieting? Adorable."

Mature Liang Sheng fell silent. The other Liang Sheng rolled her eyes. *So creepy. Way too creepy!*

Unaware his image had shattered the moment they spotted his bald spot, he kept up his "gentleman" act.

"Miss," he said smoothly, "how about the 8th next month? Let’s go register our marriage."

Liang Sheng froze. *Wait—just met, barely spoke… and he’s proposing? This whirlwind marriage is insane.*

Zhao Xin, silent till now, cut in: "Mr. Jin, what’s your monthly salary?"

"Fifty thousand."

Her eyes lit up. "Savings?"

"A few million."

"House?"

"One in the city. A villa countryside."

Zhao Xin beamed. "So… car?"

"Two luxury cars. One for Miss Liang after we marry."

A flicker stirred in Liang Sheng’s chest—then she glanced at his scalp. *Nah. Hehe.*

Zhao Xin laughed. "Bride price?"

"Whatever Mother-in-law decides!"

Zhao Xin didn’t hesitate: "Five hundred thousand."

"Deal!"

Mature Liang Sheng stood frozen. *Deal?! Mom… are you selling your daughter?*

"Mom, wait." Something clicked. Bald spot aside—how could a man *this* "perfect" stay single? Women chasing money would flock to him. Beauties included. Yet she was ordinary, barely 160cm.

She cleared her throat. "Mr. Jin… may I ask bluntly?"

His oily grin returned. "Ask away, lovely Miss Liang." *Yep. Bald *and* creepy.*

"Weren’t you married before?" *Please get mad. Please leave.*

He snorted, mimicking a domineering CEO: "Jealous, Miss Liang?"

*I’d eat your horse’s vinegar? JEALOUS? Who the hell do you think I am?! Huh?! Huh?! Huh?!*

Both Liang Shengs felt a wave of nausea.

"Set that aside," he said. "I have a question for you."

"Hmm?" Unease prickled her spine.

"I heard… in high school, you were a lesbian?"

Her fingers clenched the skirt tight. Breath held. She slowly opened her hands—the fabric crumpled beyond recognition.

She smiled, perfectly natural. "Impossible, sir. I’m… straight."

Jin Fugui nodded. "Of course. A wise, lovely girl like you? Never part of such a disgusting group."

*Disgusting?* Mature Liang Sheng felt nothing. She’d heard it before. Replied the same lie: *"How could I be? I’m straight."*

"Sir," she stood abruptly, "I just recalled an unfinished task. Excuse me."

She hurried out.

"Follow her," the mysterious voice commanded.

Floating mid-air, Liang Sheng obeyed.

Mature Liang Sheng walked fast, head slightly lowered, face unreadable.

At the corner—*not* coincidence; same company, daily encounters—she bumped into Lin Yiyi.

Lin Yiyi brushed her sleeve with disgust. Three years married, yet Liang Sheng’s confession remained a thorn.

"Sorry," Liang Sheng muttered, expressionless, stepping past.

Lin Yiyi smirked to a new colleague: "The lesbian I mentioned? Right here." A giggle.

"Lin Yiyi!" Liang Sheng whirled. "Say one more word—I’ll rip your mouth off!" Years of this "white moonlight" spreading rumors she was a yuri girl.

Lin Yiyi flinched, then stepped closer. "Hmph! You disgusted me for years. What’s wrong with speaking truth?"

*Tsk…* Liang Sheng itched to slap her.

"Oh, and—heard you were diagnosed with depression after that high school suicide attempt?"

*Depression?*

Floating Liang Sheng clutched her head. A sharp pain. Memories flooded in.

"Hmph. Depression? Just fragile, pretentious people faking sympathy! Or… your yuri urges flared up again? Trying to flirt with nurses?"

*SLAP!*

A crisp crack. Lin Yiyi staggered, dazed.

Mature Liang Sheng’s eyes went hollow. She grabbed Lin Yiyi’s jaw, tilted her chin up. "I said: one more word… and I rip it off. Haha. Don’t believe me?"

"You… wouldn’t dare!"

"AAAAH! LET GO! LET ME GO!"