I was making a phone call under the red lanterns hanging in the corridor outside the villa when, in a casual glance, he, whom I had been longing to see but could never see, suddenly came into my view.

In an instant, my heart was filled with joy, and my previous disappointment vanished.

He was wearing the same suit I had carefully chosen for him that day—a brown wool suit with a British retro style, perfectly tailored, which made him look even more refined.

My gaze was fixed on his face, which was forever pleasing to my eye and incomparably handsome, and my heart skipped a beat.

He came with his grandmother and cousin Anna.

The first time I met his maternal grandmother.

The old lady had white hair and blue eyes, wearing a black silk dress with a royal blue velvet suit, and a brooch I had chosen pinned to her chest, looking elegant and natural.

She exudes a kind and benevolent aura.

Looking at them, I lost interest in making the call and strolled over.

However, I was unable to get close. Fu Yanshen was surrounded and greeted by several bigwigs from the overseas Chinese community who came out of the villa.

With a faint smile on his lips, he shook hands with each of them, his every move exuding composure and elegance.

In the business world, he was already a top figure, surrounded by admirers.

However, wealth is utterly vulnerable in the face of power.

Thinking of this, I felt as if I had been doused with cold water. I stopped and turned to walk into the villa, which was filled with the atmosphere of the Chinese New Year.

Due to the time difference, the TV was showing a rebroadcast of the Spring Festival Gala, with loud gongs and drums, and constant singing and laughter.

The festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year is just as good as that in China.

But looking around, all I see are strangers.

My only lover, with whom I am intimately connected, treats me like a stranger, and I am not allowed to acknowledge him.

I felt miserable and depressed. There was nothing for me to do here, so I took a bottle of red wine and a wine glass and went to the second-floor terrace, away from the noise, to sit on the sofa and drink alone.

As I was drinking, I looked up and saw a familiar figure in my line of sight.

The man stood with his back to me, tall and elegant, by the railing of the terrace, seemingly gazing at the bustling night view of London.

Fireworks filled the distant night sky.

Looking at him, my dejected mood surged again. I picked up a pack of cigarettes from the coffee table, took one out, and ran towards him in the cold wind.

"Mr. Fu!" I called out, my eyes filled with joy.

Fu Yanshen slowly turned to the side, the light illuminating his charming profile. I took small, quick steps, a bright smile on my face, and skipped over to him.

He glanced down at me, his eyes deep and unfathomable. He nodded slightly in acknowledgment, then turned to leave again.

He seemed to be ignoring me.

I don't know whether to be gratified or disappointed. I am gratified that he still doesn't get close to women after my "death," but disappointed that I can't get close to him or spend time with him.

I walked up to him, turned to face his profile, and said, "Mr. Fu, may I borrow a light?"

I don't know if he's listened to me and continued to quit smoking these past two years.

He didn't smell of smoke.

Fu Yanshen turned his head, his gaze falling on the cigarette in my mouth. He paused for a moment, then took out a black lighter with gold trim from his coat pocket and handed it to me.

It wasn't the Dupont I gave him...

I stared blankly at the Givenchy lighter lying in his palm. In an instant, I remembered that lighters are prohibited on airplanes, so he must not have brought it with him.

After regaining my senses, I looked at him with a smile in my eyes, and gestured for him to light it for me.

Fu Yanshen frowned slightly, blinked, and then lit the lighter with a "click." The orange flame leaped out, illuminating his eyes, which were as dark as a deep pool.

The rich aroma of tobacco filled the air, and I lowered my head to take a deep breath.

He had already put away the lighter, turned his face away, and continued to look at the night view.

In the past two years, I have often smoked to stabilize my emotions, but I haven't developed a bad habit.

As I smoked, I playfully blew out smoke ring after smoke ring, tugged at his arm, and gestured for him to look.

Fu Yanshen watched the blue smoke rings slowly rise into the sky, his eyes gradually narrowing as his gaze fell on my face. I smiled back at him.

"Little Fu! Look, I've learned it!"

In my ears, I can still hear the bright and charming voice of my past self.

When I was studying abroad, I saw him blowing smoke rings while smoking, and I was curious, so I asked him to teach me. He ignored me, so I taught myself and even showed off in front of him.

At that time, he had a serious expression and forcefully snatched the cigarette from my mouth, saying, "You're not going to learn anything good."

"Xiao Fu, why are you interfering with me? Why do you care? Who are you to me?" I wasn't angry at all; in fact, I felt a sweet warmth inside. I really wanted a boyfriend who was like a father to me.

She blocked his way, looked up at him, and asked him with a smile.

He was clearly speechless after I finished speaking, and it took him a while to say, "Your dad told me to keep an eye on you."

In the same scene, at this very moment, Fu Yanshen turned away indifferently, refusing to look at me.

Couldn't he tell it was me?

I stubbed out my cigarette in frustration.

The banquet started downstairs, and we were seated at the same table. Fu Yanshen didn't drink a drop of alcohol. When people toasted him, Anna stood up to deflect the toasts. I also drank quite a bit of alcohol.

As the banquet drew to a close, steaming hot dumplings were served.

"Shuyi, help me take this plate of dumplings to Mr. Fu; he hasn't eaten yet," my sister said, nudging me.

I opened my sleepy eyes. "He doesn't eat dumplings."

My voice wasn't too loud or too soft, and it seemed like everyone at the table was looking at me.

"Miss Jiang and Mr. Fu, do you know each other?"

My head was spinning, and all I heard Fu Yanshen say calmly, "Not familiar with him."

He even picked up a dumpling and put it in his mouth.

He has changed.

He used to not eat dumplings because they reminded him of his deceased mother.

...

After the banquet ended, I watched Fu Yanshen, my grandmother, and my cousin get into the car. The family driver called me to get in, but I ignored him. I left the villa alone, walked to the Thames River, leaned on the railing, watched the fireworks, and felt the cold wind to clear my mind.

Suddenly, a pungent smell of alcohol mixed with a strong body odor assaulted my senses.

As I turned my head, I saw a drunken homeless man rushing towards me. He had a full beard and was tall and strong.

Hold!

I cursed inwardly, swung my studded bag at him, and yelled, "Shit!"

I knocked the homeless man down, and as I turned to leave, he chased after me.

I turned around, rolled up my sleeves, and continued to yell at him.

At that moment, I noticed a tall figure standing under a streetlamp not far away. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Fu Yanshen. He had a cigarette in his mouth and seemed to be looking in this direction.

When the homeless man lunged at me, I deliberately didn't fight back. Instead, I ran towards him and cried for help helplessly.

Looking at the aloof and handsome man under the streetlights, I was filled with longing and threw myself into his arms, hugging his waist. "Help me!"

I pleaded with him, feigning helplessness, rubbing my face against his hard chest and recklessly inhaling his scent.