He sighed, his thoughts a complex whirl.

Just at that moment, his phone rang, the sound slicing through his thoughts. Xu Ke picked it up. When he saw the caller's name, his expression changed to one of shock.

Wong Qifu! Why is she calling at a time like this?

He hurriedly answered, "Hello, Sister Wang."

"Where are you?" Wong Qifu asked.

Xu Ke scratched his head. "I'm at home. Why, what's up?"

"The soup was very good," Wong Qifu said, ignoring his question and changing the subject.

Xu Ke paused. "Oh... oh..."

"Are you angry?" she asked out of the blue.

Xu Ke jumped. "No, why would you think that?"

"Then why aren't you talking?"

Rubbing his nose, Xu Ke stammered, "I'm just... well... a bit tired. I can't think of anything to say." He felt a little guilty. To his mind, he wasn't so much angry as he was dispirited by the look she had given him.

But Wong Qifu paid no mind to his stammering, instead explaining in a matter-of-fact tone, "A lot of people are watching me these days, especially right at the entrance of the Wang Family Corporation. In front of so many people, if I so much as exchange a glance with you, you could be suspected of being my fiancé.

"Of course, I can deny it all. After all, they can't accuse me of anything based on a simple glance.

"But these groundless rumors can pique their interest in you. If they dig a little deeper, you'll be on the front page of the newspapers tomorrow morning.

"Besides, you're too proud to even accept ten million. If people found out you were with me, it would probably be even harder for you to handle."

When Wong Qifu finished, her tone betrayed neither pleasure nor anger, yet it was unusually patient. Xu Ke fell silent. It was her explanation, and he knew it was her way of protecting him.

"I... I know. I understand," Xu Ke replied.

Even as he said the words, he sighed inwardly.

I'm so powerless I can't even go public with our relationship! I need protection just to meet her, so how could we ever get married?

Hearing his reply, Wong Qifu continued, "I wasn't going to waste time explaining, but Uncle Wu said you looked completely downcast when you left, as if I had already rejected you. It weighed on my conscience."

"Really?" Xu Ke asked, slightly embarrassed. I've been found out?

"Just look in a mirror and you'll know," Wong Qifu said, her tone tinged with amusement.

"Alright then," Xu Ke replied, growing even more abashed.

"Besides, weren't you the one who wanted to avoid suspicion? Now you're all mopey. Do you want to go public? You contradictory men are so hard to please."

Xu Ke was mortified. "Er, well..."

"Alright, it seems you've accepted my explanation. I have to get back to work now," Wong Qifu said.

Rubbing his nose, Xu Ke replied, "Okay, you get back to it. I won't keep you."

After he spoke, he waited for Wong Qifu to hang up. But just then, when she should have ended the call, she suddenly spoke again. "Also..."

"What?" Xu Ke asked, startled.

"If you want to see me in the future," Wong Qifu said softly, "don't come to the corporation. Have Uncle Wu bring you to my house."

Her voice was gentle, stirring his heart. Xu Ke felt his mind explode with a buzzing sound.

Wong Qifu continued, "And stop with these random nutritional meals. I don't want you cooking for other women."

But Xu Ke could barely hear her anymore. He was completely rattled, so dazed he didn't even know how to respond.

When he remained silent, Wong Qifu's voice grew firmer. "Did you hear me?"

As if waking from a dream, Xu Ke stammered, "I... I heard you..."

"Good."

Wong Qifu hung up. Xu Ke stared at his phone, dazed for a long moment before he slowly calmed his emotions. Looking at the device, he shook his head and cursed himself under his breath.

I'm really speechless.

He didn't want to get married, yet here he was, completely flustered by a few simple words. But despite himself, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl upwards.

* * *

Meanwhile, in a high-end Western restaurant in the center of Tianhai City, two men sat across from each other, drinking. One was older, the other younger. The older man, about fifty, wore a brown suit and a meticulously groomed beard, appearing quite dapper. The younger, around thirty, had a carefree air about him and was dressed casually in a denim jacket. Though the jacket should have clashed with the restaurant's elegant atmosphere, the man's natural charisma made it work.

Just as they were enjoying their drinks, another man walked in—Huang Qi. His expression was strange, an unreadable mix of sorrow and joy.

Seeing him approach, the man in the suit spoke first. "Little Qi, you're here." A knowing smile played on his lips.

"Fourth Uncle. Second Brother," Huang Qi greeted the two men as he drew near.

The man in the suit was Huang Zhenyang, the fourth brother of the Huang Family's Head. The man in the denim jacket was Huang Qi's younger brother, Huang Sheng.

Huang Sheng was currently the most favored successor in the Huang Family. He was from the direct line of descent, possessing both intelligence and martial prowess that allowed him to dominate all others in his generation. For this very reason, Huang Qi was ostracized, becoming the most powerless member of his generation, outshined even by those from collateral branches. His younger brother was the most influential, so naturally, the first person Huang Sheng targeted was Huang Qi—the one capable of threatening his position as heir.

"How did it go?" Huang Sheng inquired indifferently as Huang Qi approached.

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