The girl before him wore an off-shoulder gown, its neckline revealing delicate collarbones and smooth, rosy shoulders.

Head bowed, her elegant curves showcased the dress to perfection. Slender, porcelain-like legs were sheathed in semi-transparent black stockings stretching from ankles to inner thighs, the hem of her skirt swaying gently.

A captivating blend of vulnerability and allure.

“Um… C-can I… not call you ‘Master’…?” Yu An stammered, voice trembling.

She’d believed her heart had long turned to ash—facing this man again shouldn’t stir a thing.

Yet now…

A faint trace of panic crept into her chest.

Was it the trauma from that day? Fear of an uncertain future?

Or perhaps…

She was simply afraid of him.

“How are you here?”

Qin Cheng frowned, tone edged with sternness.

[Which step went wrong…]

This wasn’t the plan. Today, he was meant to march to the Cheng family and force them to take Cheng Yu An away—

A blatant, domineering move.

So why was Cheng Yu An standing here now?

He disliked things slipping from his control. Even if it seemed favorable.

“I…” Yu An shuddered, stumbling half a step back.

Crushed under Qin Cheng’s imposing presence, words tangled on her tongue.

“This girl… Cheng Yu An, right?”

A hint of hesitation colored Si Qiuyi’s voice.

As Qin Cheng’s fiancée, she knew the rumors: Young Master Qin had brawled with some rascal over a woman. He and his lackeys landed in the hospital; the boy got jailed.

Naturally curious, she dug a little. Learned the woman was Cheng Yu An—third daughter of that “daughter-selling maniac.”

Strikingly beautiful, no wonder men fought for her.

But… had her fiancé moved *this* fast?

Incident happened days ago—already brought the girl home?

That boy who fought for Cheng Yu An? Probably out of luck~

Still…

“Look, I’m your *official* fiancée. Mess around privately all you want—but at least spare me the sight, okay?”

A touch of weary resignation laced her words.

She wasn’t naive. Mistresses were commonplace in high society. She’d seen it all.

Especially with their… arrangement.

Still, a quiet discontent lingered. Just keep it out of her view.

Love? She held no illusions. It wasn’t for her.

Not all girls were made of sugar, spice, and everything nice. Some were forged from adventure, wisdom, fearlessness.

She was one of them—ambition, desire, power, prestige shaped her.

Though… a tiny, unexpected flicker of childishness peeked through~

“You’re surprisingly broad-minded?” Qin Cheng sounded faintly surprised.

He’d expected a lecture. Instead, this—earning her a slight shift in his regard.

Miles away, Si Qiuyi smiled.

She winked playfully. “If you mean *broad-minded*… nope, not me.”

“I’m actually quite petty.”

“But when it comes to… *certain areas*? Oh, I’m very generous~”

As she teased, she arched her chest. Soft curves trembled enticingly; collar buttons strained dangerously.

Her bewitching eyes fluttered with suggestive warmth, sending a cat-scratch tickle straight to the heart.

“What do you want this time?”

Qin Cheng ignored the flirtation, cutting straight to the point.

“Leaving that poor girl to chat with me? She looks awfully pitiful, doesn’t she?”

“Say one more word and I hang up.”

“Alright, alright~ Only days apart and already so domineering? Fine. I *do* have business.”

“What?”

“Ever heard of Qi Fen Ge?”

“That’s it? I’m just a good-for-nothing playboy—why ask *me*?”

“Mm-hmm~ You feel… different lately. Like someone swapped you out~”