Chapter 3

When I walked slowly down the spiral staircase wearing an haute couture gown…

I saw the amazed looks of the crowd, as well as Zeng Yicheng and Ning Kexin among them.

A banquet naturally required a female companion. For Zeng Yicheng to bring Ning Kexin to a social event, the implication was self-evident.

I shook my head slightly and walked to the position that drew everyone’s attention.

After my grand entrance, I followed my father around to meet his friends. Socializing was tiring, but the accumulation of connections brought a distinct sense of security.

Finally getting a moment to rest, I had just entered my private lounge when an arm suddenly wrapped around my waist.

Faced with the sudden, scorching body heat close by, I had to force myself not to scream out loud.

In the past, every time I had close contact with Zeng Yicheng, I would feel a thrill, but this time it was only fright.

He looked at me confidently, seemingly certain that I would fall for this trick.

I looked up at this man who used to be incredibly familiar to me. “Zeng Yicheng, this isn’t a place you should be.”

The smile on his face suddenly faltered. A trace of bloodshot red clouded his eyes as he gritted his teeth and asked, “Xiaoxiao, why didn’t you tell me anything?”

I reached out, pressed a finger against his chest, and suddenly exerted force, pushing him away from me.

Caught off guard, he stumbled backward, a hurt expression on his face.

I lowered my eyes. “In the past, I thought it wasn’t necessary, and now it’s even less necessary. Zeng Yicheng, don’t forget we’ve already broken up.”

Zeng Yicheng stared at me intently and said softly, “Stop throwing a tantrum, Xiaoxiao. You love me so much, how could you possibly leave me?”

Loved him so much?

Yes, I once thought I would love him forever too.

But with this rebirth, a chasm of life and death already lay between us. I would never walk that path again.

I looked at him and said word by word, “Just consider it me being too foolish in the past. From now on, I, Ling Xiaoxiao, have nothing to do with you.”

Zeng Yicheng’s expression changed drastically. He staggered backward as if he had suffered a heavy blow. Right at that moment, the lounge door opened.

My mother looked at the confrontation between Zeng Yicheng and me without any trace of abnormality on her face. She just said softly, “Uncle Chu’s son is here. You’ve been in a bad mood lately, let him take you out to relax.”

Before I could speak, an exaggerated roar of a motorcycle engine came from outside.

Through the window, I saw a tall, handsome man get off a flashy motorcycle and smoothly toss his helmet to the valet nearby.

Under everyone’s gaze, Chu Ge walked straight up to me, ignoring everyone else.

He reached out his hand, his smile flamboyant and uninhibited, “Xiaoxiao, welcome back.”

Behind Chu Ge, Zeng Yicheng’s face turned ashen inch by inch.