banquet

banquet

My fingers trembled slightly; I was quite surprised by Xie Yong's words. He hadn't even read the letter I wrote; he probably threw it in the trash as soon as he left the classroom. I felt a little relieved that he hadn't seen it; otherwise, knowing that Yu Xu was my boyfriend, he might not have been willing to help me.

I had already put that tiny bit of guilt behind me. I didn't answer him, but after nearly a month of getting to know Xie Yong, I had a full understanding of his personality. He was arrogant, confident, and he only trusted his own judgment.

I've felt that superior, condescending feeling for a long time; I'm different from him.

I avoided Xie Yong's gaze and went into the next room. Sure enough, there were several dresses and jewelry items sent by the brand's public relations department. I checked the lining labels on the dresses and found that the measurements were slightly smaller than my original size.

But I'm no longer a rich heiress, and I know that in this kind of situation, there won't be a dedicated styling team to serve me and make personalized changes.

Ye Fenglin's aesthetic preferences are quite obvious: thin shoulders, low-cut necklines, and a pure yet alluring style. After searching for a long time, I could only choose the more understated black strapless dress with ties. The luxurious fabric outlined the contours of my body, but the top was a little too tight.

I fiddled with my hair a little, looked in the mirror, put on the diamond armband, and chose a pair of thin thread earrings that dangled down to my neck.

Fortunately, the game gave me a perfect appearance. Even with simple makeup like blush as eyeshadow and lip gloss, I am charming and beautiful enough.

I was a little nervous as I walked out the door, but Ye Fenglin smiled at me first and said, "Waiting for you for so long was worth it."

Xie Yong looked straight at me, and I decided to provoke him a little more, so I reached out and took Ye Fenglin's arm.

They both paused, their gazes meeting silently in the air. A few seconds later, Xie Yong turned his head. His dark eyebrows and eyes, which should have been exceptionally striking, now carried a hint of repression and displeasure.

"Why aren't you wearing the Bulgari that I specially had delivered?" Ye Fenglin brushed aside my long hair, lowered his eyes, and asked casually, "Doesn't it suit you well?"

That was too expensive and too extravagant. I knew perfectly well that I wasn't the main character at this banquet; I was just there to ask for help.

"You look really beautiful in this outfit, and you have a great figure too," Ye Fenglin continued to compliment me. "Brother Yong, what do you think?"

Xie Yong's expression was indifferent, a slightly mocking smile appeared on his face, and he remained silent.

In front of the apartment, a limousine was parked. The driver, dressed in a suit, opened the door for us. The two men were very gentlemanly and let me get in first. Although I was dressed lightly, I wasn't cold at all. The temperature inside the car was just right. We would be driven directly to the Long Island villa area where the banquet was being held, so there wouldn't be any cold wind.

The car moved smoothly along the road, passing through the towering buildings of the city and gradually moving away. The scenery in front of us opened up, and we could already see the coastline in the distance.

This villa area is a vacation paradise for old money families.

Such a beautiful and open landscape also represents money and power. The villas along the seaside, resembling small manor houses, are equipped with gardens, huge yards, tennis courts, and tall, dense trees, providing each family with ultimate privacy.

The yachts sat forlornly on the shore in winter, looking rather dull without any water activities.

The car drove right up to the front of this very unique English classical style villa. The black copper gate opened, and on both sides were neatly trimmed and beautifully manicured yards.

Luxury cars were already parked everywhere, and the servants inside the villa were busy parking. Xie Yong and Ye Fenglin had arrived relatively late, but the servants were very familiar with them and didn't need to check their invitations at all. They came up to the two of them, bowed slightly, and invited them in.

To me, the classic and luxurious mansion is like a prison with no end in sight.

I had some bad memories in my mind, and I even acted furtively when I entered the house, avoiding the cameras inside and outside the mansion. However, today's banquet was obviously very lavish. The first to third floors were brightly lit. After entering through the main entrance, the spiral staircases on both sides led to the second floor, which was the owner's territory.

Walking through the long corridor and through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, the view from this villa was much more beautiful than the Rose Manor where I used to live. Yet I remained vigilant, perhaps a habit formed from countless escapes. I walked furtively, almost managing to avoid being caught on camera.

Ye Fenglin and Xie Yong would turn around and look at me from time to time, but no one said anything.

In the hall, there were many well-dressed young people standing in twos and threes, wearing shirts, suits, watches, and shoes from familiar and extremely expensive brands.

It's clear that this is a small gathering centered around the Lin family, and those present are mostly wealthy second-generation individuals who are close to the Lin family. Their parents should be resting on the second floor. I just heard from the maid that this is a charity dinner hosted by Mrs. Lin.

She is the owner of Anya Hotel, the most luxurious hotel in the Empire State. She comes from a distinguished family, and wealthy people of the same social class are willing to give her face. Such occasions can help each other to get closer and also allow them to boast in the news about their enthusiasm for charity and willingness to donate, killing two birds with one stone.

"Ji-eun, you look so beautiful today. Is that the dress we ordered from Valentino last time? It really suits you."

"Your skin is so fair, please teach me how you do it!"

"Ji-eun, Ji-eun, your brother will be here today, right?"

Not far away, near the garden, Lin Zhi'en wore a cream-colored halter-neck haute couture gown, her hair styled up, making her look like a sparkling pearl. The jewelry she wore was also perfectly placed, making her look even more elegant and noble.

She was the center of attention, but she wasn't annoyed at all. She smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries with the girls.

She turned her head and saw Xie Yong and Ye Fenglin. Her eyes lit up with surprise as she lifted her skirt and walked over.

"Ye Zi, Xie Yong, you're here." Lin Zhi'en smiled.

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"I overslept and forgot to bring you a gift, Ji-eun. I picked out a few Hermes bags on my way here, and I'll deliver them to your house in a few days." Ye Fenglin lowered his eyes and looked at the girl, his tone becoming much gentler.

Lin Zhi'en smiled and looked at Xie Yong: "Brother Xie Yong, are you also planning to say that to me? That's too careless. It would be more interesting if Uncle Xie and Uncle Ye just sent me a check."

The atmosphere between them was so natural that I couldn't interfere.

I am very self-aware. Long before Xie Yong and Ye Fenglin came in, I had already secretly slipped away to a place where no one would notice me. If you hadn't looked carefully, you would never have been able to find me in this huge banquet hall.

Lin Zhi'en...

No one could dislike a girl like that.

Compared to such a beautiful and noble swan, I felt like an ugly duckling that couldn't bear the light of day.

I naturally understand that we are not from the same world. The only reason I came here was to beg her brother to show leniency towards Yu Xu.

Lin Zhi'en called over the maid and served Xie Yong and Ye Fenglin some sparkling champagne. I was a little envious and admired Lin Zhi'en; she truly deserved to be the perfect "female protagonist" chosen by the game.

She greeted guests on behalf of her parents. Such complicated social occasions were a breeze for her; she was very familiar with them and took good care of everyone.

Facing Lin Zhi'en's gentle smile, I was shocked; my already burgeoning sense of shame returned.

Ye Fenglin and Xie Yong were clearly her childhood sweethearts, and it was only natural that they should like her and treat her well. But I deliberately approached these two people for Yu Xu's sake, as if I wanted to snatch them away from Lin Zhi'en.

I feel guilty, and even more so, I feel remorseful towards myself. I swear that after Yu Xu is released from prison, I will stay far away from Lin Zhi'en's world and never step into it.

On the left side of the hall, near the entrance, stood a long dining table covered with a snow-white tablecloth, where guests were offered various desserts and champagne. It was already past seven o'clock in the evening, and most guests had taken some out to enjoy, but the high-calorie cakes on the neatly arranged dessert table were clearly neglected.

I raised my hand and couldn't resist taking a small plate and filling it with a piece of cheesecake. Before I finished eating, several men walked up to me and started chatting me up.

One after another, people came over to chat with me, which really annoyed me. I wanted to go find Ye Fenglin and Xie Yong, but when I saw them surrounded by several rich second-generation kids of similar age, who were drinking champagne and chatting, I gave up.

Forget it, I'll wait patiently for Lin Zhi'en's brother. Since he's the eldest son of the Lin family, I'm sure I'll recognize him when he shows up.

I walked out of the banquet hall, picked up a glass of red wine, and found a seat on the steps outside the corridor. The place was very secluded; almost no one could see me, while I could keep an eye on the entrance and see everything inside.

One glass of wine was finished, then two, then three… It has to be said that the red wine served to guests by the Lin family, as one of the top wealthy families, is of the highest quality. It has a wonderful taste, is mellow and has a very prominent aroma, which can be tasted right up to the back of the tongue.

I heard a lot of noise coming from inside, but Lin Jindong hadn't arrived yet.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps, and they stopped right next to me.

I shouldn't have eavesdropped, but they were too close to me, seemingly right at the bottom of the steps. I could only sit there awkwardly, unsure whether to stay or leave.

"Aunt Jiang, is there something you need?" It was Lin Zhi'en. Even though her face couldn't be seen, her voice was still gentle and soft.

Another woman spoke up as well.

“Ji-eun, I’m sorry. You know, Ming-zhuo is still in the hospital. His brother has been taking care of him recently, so he arrived a little late.”

I was all too familiar with that cold and noble voice. Just hearing it made my face turn pale, and I started to tremble uncontrollably.

She was Jiang Zhao's mother, formerly known as Madam Jiang.

Long before she married Mr. Jiang, she was a well-known heiress of the Taiguang Group. She grew up in luxury, elegant and poised. Her marriage to Mr. Jiang was based on some affection. Over the years, the couple could not be considered a perfect match, but they always maintained a respectable facade.

Until, until "Mother" brought me to the Jiang family.

Mrs. Jiang has two sons, and she has always longed for a daughter. She used to like me a lot, but after the game developers decided to remove me from the role of "female protagonist," her attitude towards me changed drastically.

The game developers couldn't wait to arrange for my "mother" to seduce Mr. Jiang, and even Mrs. Jiang found out.

This was undoubtedly a slap in the face to her. How could someone as proud as her tolerate such infidelity and betrayal?

During her divorce and property division with Mr. Jiang, whenever she saw me, even if she didn't say it, I knew she would always think of the shame her "mother" had brought her, and she blamed me for these sins.

So she tacitly accepted everything her two sons did to me, and even when I asked her for help, she acted coldly and unsympathetically.

Jiang Zhao is Lin Zhi'en's fiancé? I turned pale with fright, covered my mouth to keep from screaming, and felt more nervous than ever before. I knew that if I stayed here for even a second longer, I might run into Jiang Zhao, and I suddenly felt like I couldn't breathe.

Reason tells me I should calm down.

Jiang Zhao forgot about me long ago when he changed the "female protagonist" in the game. It's ridiculous for me to worry about this unnecessarily.

But I was worried that Jiang Zhao would find out that I was with Lin Zhi'en and make him unhappy.

He is an extremely emotional person, cold, ruthless, and possessive.

Back in school, even the girls who were close to me would inexplicably transfer schools in the end, not to mention those girls who didn't like me. Jiang Zhao always had a way to shut them up completely and make them disappear from my world.

Jiang Zhao is Lin Zhi'en's fiancé. If he sees me blatantly stealing Lin Zhi'en's "suitor" and knows that my boyfriend is the culprit who caused his beloved younger brother to be hospitalized, I can't imagine how he would treat me.

I have to leave, and the sooner the better.

After hearing no sound from the side, I hurriedly walked down the steps. The more anxious I became, the more I missed the last step. My body became unsteady and I swayed. I quickly grabbed the handrail next to me, but it was all in vain.

The next second, a hand suddenly gripped my waist, strong and powerful. He easily caught my body and pulled me towards him. The frightening feeling of loss of control and falling disappeared, and I staggered into his arms.

"..." I wanted to say thank you, but I froze the moment I turned around. Mainly because the man in front of me looked unlike anyone I'd ever met before.

With his handsome, sculpted features and sharp, cold eyes, he possesses a unique, striking appearance and an exceptionally aggressive aura. His skin tone is not the pale white commonly seen on wealthy young men, but rather a healthy tan. Wearing a black shirt and trench coat, he exudes an unapproachable, aloof, and mature aura that is immediately apparent.

He looked a bit older than me, at least 1.9 meters tall, and his every word and action subtly conveyed a sense of authority.

He glanced at me, a hint of confusion flashing in his long, dark eyes, but it quickly turned cold and distant.

I then realized I was in his arms and quickly struggled to get out. The man's gaze seemed to be purposefully scrutinizing me, making me a little nervous.

Unable to speak, and intimidated by his extremely aggressive aura, I simply bowed to him in gratitude and hurriedly turned to leave. Even after taking a few steps, I still felt that man's scrutinizing gaze on me.

I lowered my head, and my face instantly turned bright red.

The dress had a very low neckline, with only two thin straps tied into a bow hanging on the shoulders. The bowing motion just now revealed most of the snow-white skin below the collarbone. This bold posture was completely different from those soft-spoken, gentle and dignified rich girls.

No wonder the other person looked at me so warily; they probably suspected I was some rich kid's girlfriend who was just flirting with internet celebrities.

I didn't have time to guess what the other person was thinking. I was just anxious to leave and avoid running into Jiang Zhao. But the more I feared something, the faster it came. Just as I was about to call a taxi on my phone at the door, the servants welcomed Jiang Zhao, who was wearing a black suit, in.

"Young Master Jiang, Madam Jiang and the others are waiting for you inside."

"knew."

Jiang Zhao raised his cold and aloof face.

This was the first time I'd encountered two truly exceptional men within five minutes. Compared to the mature man with a strong sense of aggression and charisma from before, Jiang Zhao seemed more dangerous; it was sometimes difficult to discern his thoughts from his expression. However, as the sole heir to a long-established conglomerate, Jiang Zhao exuded an air of nobility, and when silent, he certainly fit the description of a young nobleman.

However, I know his temperament is unpredictable, and in my eyes he is more terrifying than a ghost.

I was extremely tense. I saw Jiang Zhao taking off his coat and handing it to the maid. I should have lowered my head and left immediately, but over the years, the oppressive feeling that Jiang Zhao gave me made me stand still, as if my feet were rooted to the spot and I couldn't move.

He slowly raised his head, and the familiar, cool, and deep scent emanating from him seemed so close that I realized what was happening and instinctively took a few steps back.

Jiang Zhao raised an eyebrow, and the moment he saw me, I turned and left. I didn't even bother to go outside; I just wanted to run to a safe place away from him. I turned and left from the other side of the corridor, gradually ignoring the faint pain in my ankle, and walked faster and faster.

The carpet under my feet absorbed most of the sound, but I could still hear Jiang Zhao's footsteps. He was coming after me.

I felt a chill run down my spine, as if I were being watched by a hunter. I hesitated for a moment at the end of the corridor, then, disregarding the matter of invading the owner's privacy, I pushed open the door in front of me and walked into the main villa area. I hid behind the bookshelf and cautiously looked out.

Jiang Zhao walked over.

Just then, a servant happened to pass by. He grabbed the person, his voice not low, but rather excessively cold, "Where is that woman from earlier?"

"What woman? Young Master Jiang, are you talking about Miss? Miss is in the banquet hall." The maid looked bewildered.

She didn't see me, but I could see Jiang Zhao standing at the door. He looked inside, his eyes narrowed slightly, but his voice remained unchanged, "Alright, you go ahead and do your thing, I'll find it myself."

My back felt cold, and I was as panicked as an ant on a hot pan. My shoulders tensed up involuntarily. Fortunately, the room was dark, and I pressed my body against the bookshelf, quietly bending down. I was wearing a pair of Dior satin ballet flats today, which made little noise when I stepped on the ground, so Jiang Zhao shouldn't notice.

Actually, I shouldn't have run away. If I had walked over to Jiang Zhao a few minutes earlier, treating him like a stranger, would he have recognized me?

On the contrary, I now feel like a thief sneaking into this mansion. No wonder Jiang Zhao is chasing after me. The way I sneak around and run away whenever I see him shows that I have something to hide.

I made up my mind to sneak back into the venue when he wasn't looking. I wasn't sure if he saw my face clearly, but it was only for a moment, so I figured he probably didn't, and I looked up at the Italian-style painting on the wall.

This room should be the living room of the main villa area, with a crystal chandelier, a decorative fireplace, and open cabinets on both sides displaying artworks and collectibles.

My eyes lit up when I saw the arched gate in front of me.

The rooms in the villa are all connected, so I can walk around there and get back quickly.

Crouching low, I quietly bypassed the white horseshoe-shaped sofa and had just reached the arched doorway.

The lights are on.

I could sense Jiang Zhao was there. He chuckled softly, staring at me intently, like a hunter about to catch his prey, relaxed yet determined. I dared not run in his direction, so I chose another spiral staircase and hurriedly ran upstairs.

Passing through the winding inner door, I dared not linger in the second-floor lounge area, which was like a maze with rooms everywhere. Afraid of being caught by Jiang Zhao, I ran frantically across the marble floor until I reached the last bedroom at the end of the corridor.

The door wasn't locked, so I pushed it open. In the darkness, I couldn't tell which way was which, and with only my blurry vision, I found a huge bed. Without thinking, I climbed in and lay on the floor, trembling.

What should we do?

I closed my eyes, and it felt like I was back in the past. I was conscious and realized that this was a "game," a carefully crafted deception for me.

As soon as I regained consciousness, I felt unfamiliar and afraid of everything I had done, and all I wanted was to leave this suffocating villa. But it was like a save point in a game; no matter where I went, I would always wake up in my bedroom the next day.

In this huge villa, no matter where I hide, the servants will find me.

Not long after, the maids will find me behind the sofa, near the curtains. They will bow politely and ask me to return to my room in words that reveal no emotion.

"Miss Xiao Fu, you should go back now. Being so naughty is not a good thing."

One day, I thought of the attic, where there was a very tall, antique bed with long curtains. I carefully climbed in, hoping that it would completely conceal me and allow me to hide there until the "game" was over.

If the "female protagonist" disappears, the game will definitely be unable to continue, right?

That was the longest I had ever hidden myself.

The young master probably thought I had run away, and ordered people to search for me in the garden. The eldest young master, on the other hand, pushed open the door and walked in. The attic was quiet, but not messy. At a glance, there were only some outdated furniture and paintings and decorations that Mrs. Jiang had rejected and sent up.

The young master stood in the room for a while, then said, "Xiao Fu, come out."

I stared wide-eyed.

He's gone.

After a while, the servants, who seemed like NPCs, came in one by one. They stood there elegantly, waiting for me to crawl out from under the bed, all dirty, so they could take me to the bathroom, prepare a change of dress for me, and then escort me back to my room.

The game hasn't ended as I thought. As long as I, the "female protagonist," don't disappear, I'll forever repeat this process of hiding and being discovered.

I should thank Lin Zhi'en. Her appearance meant that a new "female lead" had arrived in the out-of-control game, and that day I left without looking back for the first time, carrying my suitcase.

...

The door creaked open.

My consciousness snapped back to reality. The room was pitch black, but Jiang Zhao's footsteps were clearly audible. He walked effortlessly to the bedside, a black leather shoe landing spotlessly on the floor, followed by his long, straight legs encased in his suit trousers.

"...!!!" I covered my mouth, afraid of making the slightest sound. Coincidentally, my phone suddenly lit up; someone was calling. I quickly tossed the phone aside, unsure if Jiang Zhao had noticed the brightness.

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"Jiang Zhao? What are you doing in my older brother's room?"

This time, it was Lin Zhi'en. She was wearing high heels, and her voice was very clear. I saw her walk to Jiang Zhao's side from under the bed. Her voice was still elegant and gentle. "I heard from the maid that you came to the main house. Were you looking for me?"

“No,” Jiang Zhao replied, pausing before adding, “I’m just a little curious.”

"Hmm? Jiang Zhao, what you're saying is..."

Jiang Zhao interrupted Lin Zhi'en, seemingly giving instructions to someone, "It's me. Have someone keep an eye on all the entrances and exits of the Lin family's residence. Find me a woman who is between 19 and 23 years old, wearing a light-colored dress, with black curly hair that reaches her waist, a good figure, about 1.7 meters tall, and who smells wonderful, probably jasmine. Once you find her, tell her that her feather earring is with me."

I was startled and instinctively reached for my ear.

The earring disappeared without a trace.

Over there, Jiang Zhao uttered his last words.

"Keep a close eye on her, don't let her get away."

After a moment of silence, Lin Zhi'en suddenly asked him, "Why are you looking for her?"

Jiang Zhao said, "She was with Xie Yong before, and I could smell her scent. On the day of your performance, Ye Fenglin was arguing with a woman, and the scent was exactly the same as the one Xie Yong smelled when he hit my car. Although I couldn't see her face, I was sure it was her."

His tone was clearly calm, yet it sent chills down my spine.

"I'm just curious, does she find it exciting to flirt with Xie Yong and Ye Fenglin?"

I was afraid of him and didn't dare to go out at all. I just lay stiffly under the bed. I don't know how long it was, but I felt uncomfortable all over and seemed to fall asleep. Then I slowly woke up, moved my hands, and came out from under the bed.

There was carpet in the room, and even unoccupied guest rooms in this kind of villa are cleaned and the bedding is changed every day. I didn't think the area under the bed was dirty; I just felt that I wasn't careful enough and that Jiang Zhao had noticed something was wrong, which is why I was in such a mess.

I smelled alcohol and noticed that the artistic floor lamp in the corner of the room had been turned on at some point. I looked up in alarm and saw the man I had met at the banquet entrance sitting on the sofa to my right.

He was no longer the serious-looking man he had been when they first met. His black shirt was completely unbuttoned, revealing his smooth chest and abdominal muscles, which narrowed at the waist, giving him the kind of V-shaped waist often seen on Instagram, with a very defined silhouette.

However, the legs beneath those trousers remained long and straight, meticulously covered, creating a stark contrast with the appearance of the upper body.

"Can you tell me why you're in my room?" The man looked at me, his gaze indifferent and cold, his aura imposing.

I gestured to tell him the whole story. I quickly thought of typing it on my phone, but when I was under the bed, I couldn't find my phone. So I half-squatted down, but when I realized I couldn't reach it, I knelt down and almost lay prone on the carpet.

I had no idea how ambiguous and indescribable this gesture was. It was almost like bending over in front of a man, which could easily lead him to misunderstand my identity.

I finally managed to get my hands on my phone. I glanced at it and saw that Ye Fenglin and Xie Yong had called me more than 170 times but I didn't care. I pulled up my notes, knelt on the ground, and typed out the reason why I was in the room for him, word by word.

"...!" I had only typed halfway when someone grabbed my wrist, lifted me off the ground, and threw me violently onto the bed, causing my phone to fall from my hand onto the bed again.

What made me most uncomfortable was the posture; I was facing away from him, looking like someone being interrogated.

I was a little scared and anxious. Without my phone, I wasn't sure if the other person could understand sign language.

Before I could even raise my hand, a strong masculine scent descended upon me. He gripped my chin from behind, raised it slightly, and said in an excessively cold voice, "Who told you to come?"

"Ugh...!" I shook my head frantically, and he turned my face to face him. "The moment you appeared in front of me, I gave you a failing grade."

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"That dress you're wearing is obviously not a good fit for you; it's not your size," the man said coldly. "And the pungent, cheap jasmine perfume and the bag with no brand name..."

"Were you deliberately trying to lure someone into this banquet?" he whispered. "Unfortunately, you failed."

Those words made my body tense and my scalp tingle.

I knew he wasn't interested in me yet. Someone as wary as him would only suspect my purpose in being here; perhaps he saw me as someone trying to bribe him. Thinking this, I suddenly froze. Could it be…?

He is Lin Jindong, the prosecutor's brother of Lin Zhi'en.

Seeing that I had behaved, Lin Jindong released me. His handsome face, with its overly strong and intense features, left a deep impression on me. I looked at him closely again and only then did I notice a slight resemblance between him and Lin Zhi'en in their bloodline.

The eyes of the brother and sister have a slight upward curve at the corners.

I quickly grabbed my phone and handed him the half-finished message. I just wanted to tell him that I wasn't good with words and asked him to be patient, at least not to misunderstand me. How could I dare say that I was looking for him because of Yu Xu? What I did today had probably completely offended this man.

Moreover, he clearly hates people who try to curry favor with him privately and ask him for favors. How could I dare to go and provoke him again?

I told him that I was just accompanying Ye Fenglin to this banquet, and I accidentally got lost. I was afraid that Jiang Zhao would mistake me for a thief and catch me, so I accidentally hid here and fell asleep. I didn't mean to be in his room.

Lin Jindong's cold gaze swept over me. I knew that with his years of experience handling cases in the Empire State, my incoherent and illogical explanation would hardly convince him.

He still treated me like a prisoner, holding my hands tightly, and I dared not move.

But I could feel Lin Jindong's sharp and extremely oppressive gaze fixed on that spot. I raised my hand to continue explaining, but he suddenly pressed it down and slowly clenched it.

He was very assertive, with bulging veins on the back of his hands. His wheat-colored skin blended with my already fair complexion, and my heart started racing again, fearing that he would arrest me as a criminal.

I was startled; his hand suddenly returned to my waist.

"Big brother, are you asleep?" It was Lin Zhi'en again. She knocked on the door from outside. "Big brother, you're late today. Have you seen the girl that Ye Zi and Xie Yong brought over tonight? She's very pretty, wearing a light-colored dress, and has long hair. It seems like that girl has disappeared from our house."

Lin Jindong said, "Don't let anyone know you're here with me, especially my sister."

I bit my lip and shook my head desperately.