Before he could think any further, the three of them had just stepped out of the villa and onto the open ground below the steps when the villa behind them suddenly exploded, sending flames soaring into the sky.

Fortunately, he was supported by a trusted confidant and managed to stand up. Shi Song's eyes twitched, and he turned around to look at the villa engulfed in flames behind him. His face turned as black as the bottom of a pot, and the anger in his heart outweighed the fear of the unknown.

He unconsciously broke the string of prayer beads in his hand, and the smooth, round beads fell to the ground one by one, as if bouncing on his heart, making him increasingly irritable.

Although losing a villa was nothing to him, it was the first time someone had ever dared to ride roughshod over him and provoke him.

Shi Song's eyes were bloodshot as he stared at the still-burning villa in front of him, gritting his teeth as he said, "Who did this?!"

Shi Ying pursed her lips, her face pale, but she had calmed down considerably by now, and slowly voiced her guess, "Could it be a warning from the patriarch to us?"

Shi Song rubbed his throbbing temples. After thinking it over, this was the only possibility. After all, he hadn't offended anyone recently. "It's pretty much true."

The confidant put away his phone, walked to the car parked to the side, opened the back door, and said respectfully, "Third Master, I have already called people to put out the fire, but for safety's sake, I will take you and Miss Shi Ying away first."

"Let's go!" Shi Song took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and then bent down and got into the car.

Soon, the trusted aide drove away from the area.

Shi Ying turned her head to look at the villa getting further and further away outside the window. The orange flames were particularly bright in the dark night. For some reason, she had an ominous premonition. She felt that many things were getting out of control and were developing in an unknown and unfavorable direction.

She pressed her temples, hoping that she was just overthinking things.

...

The following night, at the entrance of the most luxurious hotel in M ​​continent.

The driver slowly brought the car to a stop, looked at the middle-aged man resting with his eyes closed in the back seat through the rearview mirror, and said, "Third Master, we've arrived."

Upon hearing this, Shi Song slowly opened his eyelids and said, "Hmm."

The confidant in the passenger seat unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car nimbly, then opened the rear door.

Shi Song remained seated, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. Her face was expressionless as she fiddled with the new Buddhist prayer beads in her hand and asked, "Have you found any clues about what happened last night?"

The confidant shook his head. "Not yet."

Shi Song's eyelids twitched. He got out of the car and, as he walked forward, instructed, "Continue the investigation."

The confidant closed the car door and whispered, "Yes, Third Master."

He immediately lifted his foot and followed.

Shi Song put his hands behind his back, his face still showing that gentle and harmless look, and slowly walked to the steps at the hotel entrance and stopped.

The trusted confidant, who was always a step behind, stepped forward and handed the invitation to the doorman standing at the door.

The doorman took the invitation with both hands, glanced at it, and then respectfully led him inside.

The magnificent banquet hall was filled with dozens of tables, and many people had already arrived, all dressed in their finest attire, demonstrating the importance they placed on this event.

Shi Song walked in and quickly glanced around the banquet hall, but he didn't see Shi Miao. Instead, he saw Shi Ying, who was already seated.

Soon, people came over to greet him and chat, mainly to find out what Shi Jing planned to do at the banquet that night.

However, Shi Song was still troubled by what happened last night, so he was not in the mood to talk to them much. He casually said a few words and walked towards Shi Ying.

He walked to the empty seat next to Shi Ying, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

Shi Ying looked at Shi Song, who was sitting down next to her, and called out, "Third Uncle."

Shi Song responded, leaned back slightly in his chair, glanced around, and asked, "Shi Miao hasn't arrived yet?"

Shi Ying: "No."

She paused for a moment, then suddenly remembered something and asked in a low voice, "Third Uncle, have you found out anything about what happened last night?"

Shi Song slowly fiddled with the prayer beads in her hand, "Not yet."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a figure caught his attention. "They're here."

Shi Ying followed his gaze toward the door and saw a girl wearing a simple yet elegant black evening gown that made her skin look as white as snow. The dress had a fitted waist that perfectly accentuated her figure.

Her long black hair was loosely tied back, and she wore no jewelry around her neck, yet she possessed a unique and stunningly luxurious charm.

Shi Ying frowned, looked down at her evening gown, which was the same color scheme as Shi Miao's and had a similar style. She felt quite annoyed. Although she didn't want to admit it, if she stood next to Shi Miao, she would definitely be the one who was outshone.

As Shi Miao approached, Shi Song also noticed the young man walking alongside her.

When he finally saw the man's features clearly, he instinctively tightened his grip on the prayer beads in his hand. A look of astonishment gradually rose in his eyes, and he said incredulously, "This person..."

Shi Ying naturally noticed the young man, but she only glanced at him casually and didn't pay much attention to him. Her attention was almost entirely on Shi Miao.

Seeing Shi Song's expression change slightly, he asked, "What's wrong, Third Uncle?"

"It's nothing." Shi Song frowned almost imperceptibly, her gaze fixed on Cheng Si, as if trying to confirm something.

Upon hearing this, Shi Ying nodded, not understanding what he meant. Following his gaze, she assumed he was looking at Shi Miao, so she didn't ask any further questions.

...

The appearance of Shi Miao and Cheng Si naturally attracted the attention of all the guests present.

It wasn't just because of their outstanding looks, but more because people were curious about their identities.

When the two were seen sitting at the first table in the front row, the banquet hall erupted in murmurs.

Although Shi Miao found it annoying that others paid too much attention to her, since she had agreed to be the heir, she didn't care about the probing looks from those people.

He was sitting calmly in his seat, completely unaffected.

As for Cheng Si, he was naturally a carefree person and wouldn't care about other people's opinions or discussions.

He casually twirled the wine glass in his hand, a hint of arrogance in his eyes, and suddenly asked, "How do I look today?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Miao turned her head to look at Cheng Si, who was sitting next to her in a black suit. Her dark eyes were clear and bright, and she sincerely commented, "Handsome."

Looking at her serious expression, Cheng Si couldn't help but chuckle, "Could you write a few more words? This is too perfunctory."

Upon hearing this, Shi Miao raised her delicate eyebrows slightly, thought for a moment, and then parted her red lips to slowly utter three words: "Pretty handsome."

Cheng Si was genuinely amused by her this time. "Well said, but you can use a different word next time."

Shi Miao clicked her tongue lightly, "I'll definitely do it next time."

...