On the opulent, palace-like staircase of the manor, its master stood high above, fixing Yu An with a scorching gaze.
This gaze felt oddly familiar… somewhat like the one Young Master Qin had given her before…
But this was far more unrestrained—far more aggressively invasive.
Yu An trembled, head bowed in confusion, eyes darting nervously around.
After instinctively searching for the little maid in vain, she no longer dared lift her head. The earlier clash between Young Master Qin and this Young Master Mu had already left her uneasy.
Now, both pairs of eyes seemed locked solely on her.
Her delicate hands fidgeted with her skirt hem; to onlookers, her evasive glance only deepened her pitiable charm.
“May I ask for your name?”
An elegant, gentle voice spoke.
It was Young Master Mu addressing her.
Yet Yu An sensed not a shred of true warmth in him.
That gaze—utterly detestable…
So blatantly rude…
Just like… just like *him*…
Tap, tap—
Mu Yi frowned, sword-like brows knitted, stepping down past Qin Cheng to stand before Yu An.
He stared at the girl with her head bowed, impatience flickering in his eyes.
“May I ask for your name?”
He repeated it—this time, the gentleness gone. His flat, slightly sharp tone was hard for anyone to bear.
Yu An flinched back half a step.
Trembling with fear, she gave no reply.
But that small retreat let her evasive eyes catch the little maid’s location.
She…
She’d long since darted behind Qin Cheng, adorably counting clouds with her fingers.
Yu An’s flustered heart found sudden anchor. A flicker of joy lit her lost face—then froze as she turned to run.
That man’s indifferent gaze held her.
As if saying…
“Worthless.”
Yes… that was it. Yu An instantly deciphered his thought.
She wanted to retort—but laughably, she lacked even the courage to meet his eyes.
It hadn’t been like this before. When had it changed…?
Mu Yi watched every move Cheng Yu An made. He glanced at the indifferent Qin Cheng, then back at Yu An.
“Miss, this is a private party. All my guests hold invitations. Do you have one?”
Mu Yi’s smile remained gentle as morning sun spilling through clouds.
Yet his words cut like unsheathed blades—edges unhidden.
He clapped once, adding lightly: “Ah, right. You entered with Young Master Qin. So… Young Master Qin, do you know her?”
“She doesn’t know me.”
Qin Cheng replied coldly, withdrawing his gaze from Yu An with clear disappointment.
He turned away without hesitation or pity—like discarding trash.
*A worthless person who can’t even lift her head to answer.*
Shaking his head, he ascended the stairs alone—
No. Not alone this time.
The little maid followed serenely behind, eyes fixed only on the path ahead, never glancing at Yu An.
Someone who walks beside the Demon Sovereign…
How could they ever be a pushover?
Mu Yi’s eyelid twitched. His amber eyes widened slightly as Qin Cheng and the maid walked off, leaving Cheng Yu An abandoned.
She stood motionless, delicate hands clenched tight.
Like a broken doll, discarded.
Mu Yi hadn’t expected Qin Cheng to abandon such a beautiful girl so coldly.
“Miss…”
Slap—
As he reached for Cheng Yu An’s hand, she slapped it away. Before he could react, she shoved him aside.
Yu An lifted her head, shouting up at Qin Cheng on the stairs: “You *know* me!”
“It was *you* who treated me so terribly!”
“It was *you* who destroyed my life!”
“It was *you* who made me leave my family!”
“It was *you* who wanted me by your side!”
“All of it was *your* doing—you’re just washing your hands of it!”
“B-b-bastard! B-b-baka! Idiot! Jerk!”
Her voice rang loud—the first time she’d ever dared speak to him like this.
Tears glistened at her eyes, fear and fury tangled.
She looked like an angry Siberian roe deer whose snack had been stolen.
Stammering mid-scold, panic swapping planned words for clumsy ones.
She had a temper too!
High above, Qin Cheng turned calmly, gazing down at her with aloof disdain, face darkened.
The little maid covered her cherry lips with a delicate hand, turned with a smile, dipped slightly as if lifting an invisible hem—
As if to say…
“Welcome back~”
