The tall boy froze, his hand tightening on the car door. For a moment, he couldn't breathe. His throat went dry, and a low murmur slipped past his lips before he could stop it.
"...So beautiful."
His companions, puzzled by his sudden silence, followed his gaze. The moment their eyes landed on the girl emerging from the restaurant corridor, every single one of them halted in their tracks.
The bustling noise of the street seemed to fade away.
She walked with unhurried steps, her posture straight, her aura calm yet untouchable. Her long hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing a face that seemed carved with delicate precision. The faint sunlight spilling over her skin made her glow, and the simple elegance of her clothes only enhanced her natural grace.
"Damn..." one of the boys muttered under his breath, eyes widening. "She's... she's on another level."
"Not just beautiful," another chimed in, his voice hushed as though afraid to break the spell. "Look at her... she's got that presence. Like she doesn't even belong here, in a place like this."
The tall boy swallowed hard, his heart thumping in a way it never had before. He was used to pretty faces, the dolled-up girls that threw themselves into their parties, but this—this was different. She wasn't just beautiful; she was breathtaking. The kind of girl you didn't dare touch, because even your fingerprints would seem unworthy.
The others noticed.
They exchanged glances, lips curling into knowing sneers. This was nothing new to them—whenever their so-called boss set his sights on a girl, it was over. No one dared interfere. That was the rule, the unspoken hierarchy of their little pack: wealth determined rank, and the tall boy's fortune placed him firmly above them all.
But this time, their envy burned hotter than usual. This wasn't just another pretty face eager for luxury. This was a girl who looked as if she had stepped out of a dream, her aura commanding, untouchable. The kind of beauty you didn't want to share.
One of them let out a dry chuckle, breaking the silence.
"Boss," he drawled, eyes glinting with mischief, "looks like you're quite infatuated, huh?"
The tall boy jolted, snapping out of his trance. Heat crept up his neck, betraying him, and he immediately covered it with a glare.
"What nonsense are you spouting?" he snapped, voice sharp, though the faint blush on his cheek betrayed the lie. "Do you not know who your brother is? I never chase after girls—they chase after me. Why would I waste my time? What's so special about her?"
Yet even as he dismissed her with arrogant words, his eyes betrayed him, locked stubbornly on the girl's figure, as though he couldn't peel them away.
The boy who had spoken sneered inwardly, but outwardly he bowed his head in mock respect.
"Of course, Boss, I know. You don't need to lift a finger. Once she sees you—sees what kind of man you are, how rich you are—she'll come crawling into your bed herself."
The others burst into laughter, low and lewd, the sound carrying a vulgar undertone. Their eyes raked over the girl as she drew nearer, each step like an invisible slap to their composure.
"Imagine that face crying in your arms, Boss—" one chuckled.
"Or sitting pretty in your car, the whole city watching..." another added, his laugh dripping with malice.
The tall boy smirked, satisfied by their flattery, though his heartbeat hadn't steadied since the first glimpse.
The girl continued forward, her pace unhurried, the air around her cool and aloof. And then—it happened. To enter the restaurant, she would have to pass directly by them.
The group straightened, excitement flashing in their eyes. Like wolves lying in wait, they held their ground at the gate, eager to see her up close.
Li Weiqiang was still frozen in place, his mind a mess of disbelief. He knew his cousin was beautiful—that much had always been true—but her timidity had buried that beauty under layers of meekness. She used to keep her head bowed, her voice soft, her presence almost invisible, as if afraid to exist too boldly.
But today… today she was transformed.
Her chin lifted high, her steps calm and deliberate, her presence radiating a quiet command that made people instinctively part for her path. There was no fear in her posture, no shrinking into herself. She carried herself with an aura so striking that even strangers couldn't look away.
What changed?
Weiqiang's palms grew damp as the thought spiraled in his head. This was the girl he had tormented since childhood, the bastard cousin without a father, the one he treated as nothing more than a vent for his foul moods. She had been his plaything, someone he could humiliate without consequence. And wasn't that natural? He was the eldest son of the Li family—she was beneath him.
But now? Now his so-called "plaything" had every pair of eyes, including his boss's, locked onto her. He saw the hunger in his boss's expression and his stomach turned cold. If Li Ziqing really clung to him—if she chose to take refuge in the shadow of that man—then he, Li Weiqiang, would be finished. She would crush him without mercy, because no one in this world had suffered more at his hands than her.
No. He couldn't let that happen.
His voice broke the silence, trembling despite his effort to steady it.
"B… Boss, she's the poor relative I mentioned earlier."
The boys turned toward him, brows lifting.
Weiqiang swallowed hard and pressed on, forcing contempt into his tone. "Boss, someone like you shouldn't waste time on her. Do you know where she lives? The Northern District. Dirt poor. Her mother runs a food stall for a living. Someone like her isn't worthy of you."
One of the boy almost jumped, disbelief dancing in his eyes. "What? She's your relative?"
All of them turned, shocked.
Another boy frowned, squinting at the girl again. "No way. She doesn't look like you at all, Weiqiang. Are you sure you're talking about her? Look at that face, that aura—how could someone poor look like that?"
Li Weiqiang, felt his face stiffen. He almost cursed aloud. Why did she have to appear now, in front of them?
Forcing an awkward laugh, he bit down his humiliation and said, "Uh… yeah. She's my cousin."
The word burned like acid on his tongue. He hated it—hated acknowledging her as family. He had never liked claiming her as a relative, infact he hated his entire extended family living in northern district. But now, cornered, he had no choice.
The boys exploded into mocking laughter.
"No way! You've been hiding a treasure like her from us?"
"Weiqiang, you sly bastard. Why didn't you introduce her to Boss earlier?"
"Tsk, what a pity. To think someone like her is actually a slum dweller…"
Their jeers rang out, crude and merciless, mixed with anticipation as Li Ziqing was nearing.
But the tall boy didn't laugh. His eyes never left Li Ziqing. A smile, slow and fascinated, curled at his lips.
"Interesting," he murmured, almost to himself. "Very… interesting."
As her steps brought her closer, their laughter faltered. Something about her presence—calm, indifferent, untouchable—pressed down on them, making the street suddenly feel too small.
The tall boy's smirk faded, his throat tightening once more. He tried to summon his usual arrogance, but for the first time in years, he wasn't sure if it would work.
Li Ziqing, only a few steps away now, felt their eyes on her. Her steps faltered slightly, not out of fear, but out of sheer disdain. She recognized the kind of look in their eyes—it was the same one she had seen in men who believed wealth gave them ownership over everything they desired.
Her jaw tightened. She instantly regretted refusing Zhou Yichen's offer to escort her to the restaurant.
Originally, she had planned to arrive with her mother in her car. But before leaving, Zhou Yichen had called her, urgently requesting her signature on documents for the luxury hot spring resort project, since she is the owner of the land.
So she had gone first to Huiheng Group Tower. Zhou Yichen had personally received her and, as always, insisted on dropping her off afterward. She declined, thinking it unnecessary, preferring to arrive quietly and avoid unwanted attention. Instead, she had chosen public transport.
The tall boy who felt little intimidated by Li Ziqing, quickly scolded himself inwardly. What's there to hesitate about? She's just some poor slum girl. What am I afraid of?
Straightening his back, he plastered on the signature smirk he believed made him look dashing. With deliberate swagger, he twirled his Mazda RX-8 keys around his finger and stepped forward, cutting off Li Ziqing's path.
"Hey, little beauty," he drawled, his gaze raking over her. "Are you here to meet your cousin?" He jerked his chin toward Li Weiqiang, who stood frozen, his face stiff as stone.
Li Ziqing's steps halted, her expression cool and indifferent. Her clear eyes flickered briefly in Weiqiang's direction before sliding away as though he were invisible. She made no move to answer, her chin lifting ever so slightly, her silence sharper than words.
The tall boy's smirk faltered for the briefest second at her utter disregard, but he quickly masked it with a chuckle. "What's wrong? Too shy to speak? Don't worry, we're all friends here. Your cousin didn't tell us he had such a stunning relative. He's been hiding you from the world."
Weiqiang's stomach churned. Her disdainful glance cut deeper than any blade. She hadn't even deigned to look at him properly, as if he were nothing but dust beneath her shoes. He clenched his fists at his sides.
Still, Li Ziqing ignored them. With a steady poise, she shifted slightly, preparing to step around the tall boy without so much as a word.
That only seemed to provoke him further. He moved again, blocking her path, his smile widening though his eyes betrayed the flicker of irritation. "Hey now, don't be in such a hurry. A beauty like you walking past without a hello—don't you think that's a little cold?"
Her gaze finally met his, clear and cutting, a look that made him feel, for a fleeting second, as though she were looking down on him from a great height. Her voice, when it came, was calm but laced with disdain.
"Move."
The single word landed like a whip crack.
The boys behind him erupted into jeers and whistles.
"Oho! Fiery one, isn't she?"
"Boss, looks like this one's not going to fall into your lap so easily."
But the tall boy only felt his pride flare. He leaned closer, lowering his voice as if sharing some private joke. "Careful, beauty. If you keep talking to me like that, I might think you're interested."
Li Ziqing's lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile—not one of amusement, but of scorn. Without waiting for his response, she sidestepped sharply, brushing past him with an elegance that made the simple act feel like a dismissal.
The tall boy stiffened. His fingers tightened around his keys, the metallic jingle echoing louder than before in the sudden silence.
Weiqiang's jaw dropped, his heart hammering in both shock and dread. He knew his boss's temper all too well—one spark of anger could set off a storm. And this bastard cousin of his had dared to disrespect him openly?
His fear quickly twisted into rage. Pointing a trembling finger at Li Ziqing, he roared,
"You fatherless bastard, do you have a death wish? Don't you see my big brother wants to talk to you? How dare you disrespect him?"
Li Ziqing's steps slowed… then stopped. For a moment, her stillness was like the tightening of a bowstring. The tall boy's hand unclenched slightly, relief flickering across his face, and the others exhaled, thinking the storm had passed.
Then, she turned.
Her posture remained tall, her back straight as a drawn sword. Only her head moved, tilting just enough for her eyes to glance over her shoulder. Her neck arched in a perfect, graceful curve—an image so poised it seemed almost sculpted.
Her gaze landed on Li Weiqiang. Cold. Steady. A look that pinned him like an insect under glass.
When she spoke, her tone was calm—too calm. Each word struck with the precision of a blade.
"Li Weiqiang, you still haven't changed." Her lips tilted faintly, the ghost of a smile that wasn't warmth but disdain. "Always barking loudest in front of others, as if noise could cover the stench of your cowardice."
She than looked at the tall boy and how devoted Li Weiqiang looked to him.
"big brother?" she repeated softly, as if testing the weight of the words. Then her lips curved, not in kindness but in ridicule.
"Always wagging your tail the hardest when you think it'll earn you a pat on the head."
The faintest chuckle escaped her throat, laced with disdain.
"Tell me—does your so-called 'big brother' even need you to bark for him? Or are you just afraid he'll forget you exist unless you yap loudly enough?"
The other boys immediately choked back their laughter, their shoulders trembling, but their smirks betrayed them. The sound of muffled chuckles felt like daggers to Li Weiqiang's pride. His face flushed red, then darkened to a stormy black.
"You… you dare talk back to me?" he stammered, pointing a trembling finger at her. His disbelief quickly curdled into rage. "How dare you, Li Ziqing! Did you forget who I am? I'm the eldest son of the Li family!"
Li Ziqing's lips curved into a cold, mocking smile. Her voice was soft, almost lazy, yet every word cut sharper than steel.
"So?" she asked, tilting her head ever so slightly. "Do you expect me to build a seven-story pagoda and worship you like some deity?"
The boys couldn't hold it anymore. Laughter erupted around them, crude and merciless.
Weiqiang's chest heaved, his pride shredded into tatters. "You… you bastard!" he roared, spittle flying. "Did you forget the punishment for disrespecting me in the Li family? Do you want to die, Li Ziqing?"
Li Ziqing's eyes flicked to him, cool and disdainful, her sneer slicing through his fury like a blade.
"The Li family, the Li family… Do you and your brood really think the Li family is some kind of royal dynasty?" She took a deliberate step closer, her voice dropping to a silken hiss that carried the weight of thunder.
"At best, you're a pack of petty landlords with inflated egos—squeezing your own kin to feel important. Nothing more than frogs croaking in a shallow well, mistaking your puddle for the sea."
Her gaze sharpened, pinning him in place. "And you, Li Weiqiang… the 'eldest son'? You're nothing but the loudest croak."
The air froze. The boys' laughter, which had just moments ago echoed crudely, twisted into silence.
The tall boy, who had been ignored from the very beginning, finally snapped. His jaw tightened, and his voice came out low and thunderous.
"How dare you insult my people in front of me?"
Li Ziqing didn't flinch. Her calm eyes slid toward him, her tone icy but deliberate, every syllable cutting through the stillness like a blade.
"Then you should learn to keep your dogs in check—especially the ones who bark the loudest. Otherwise," her lips curved faintly, "don't be surprised if people start throwing stones for their own safety."
With that, she turned away without another glance, her steps steady and unhurried. The sway of her figure disappeared through the restaurant's gate, leaving only the echo of her contempt behind.
The silence that followed was deafening. A cold wind brushed past, and for a moment, none of the boys dared breathe.
Finally, one of them whispered, voice trembling, "D…did she just call Weiqiang a dog?"
Another spat on the ground, face twisted in rage. "No. She called all of us dogs. How dare that bitch?"
"Boss," another pressed urgently, his voice hard with indignation. "Why did you let her leave like that? She insulted not just Weiqiang, but us—she even dismissed you outright. She must be taught a lesson."
"Exactly, boss!" a different boy chimed in, his tone rising. "What if she's beautiful? Does that give her the right to trample over us? Over you?"
The tall boy's eyes blazed with a dangerous fire, his gaze fixed unblinkingly on the gate Li Ziqing had just passed through. His lips pressed into a thin line, his entire aura suffused with menace.
Slowly, he turned toward Li Weiqiang.
Weiqiang's body stiffened, his spine going rigid under the weight of that look. His emotions were a tangled mess—rage at Ziqing's humiliation, terror at his boss's anger, and deep, simmering shame. He almost stumbled backward.
The tall boy's voice was sharp as a whip. "She dared to insult me… and my brothers. Weiqiang, you'd better pick your side. Because even if she's your cousin, that doesn't give her the right to spit in our faces. She must pay for what she's done."
Weiqiang's throat bobbed. The sting of Ziqing's words still burned in his chest, every insult echoing louder and louder. She dared humiliate him—him, the eldest son of the Li family! His hatred swelled until it nearly choked him.
"I…I'm with you, boss!" he blurted quickly, forcing strength into his trembling voice. "Of course I'm on your side! That… that bitch dared to insult me too. She won't get away with it."
The tall boy studied him for a moment, then gave a single approving nod. "Good."
His eyes slid back to the restaurant entrance, sharp and predatory. A dark smile tugged at his lips.
"She has a sharp tongue… I'll make sure she learns to use that tongue to proper place." His voice lowered, almost a growl. "Bring her to our place this evening. I'll teach her a lesson myself."
The boys erupted in cheers, their voices harsh and eager.
"Excellent, boss! It's been too long since a beauty joined us."
"Ha! Just imagine the look on our rivals' faces when they see her with us—they'll die of envy."
Another boy added, "Yes we can actually knock two birds with one stone, teach her a lesson and flount her as a trophy."
But before their crude laughter could rise higher, the tall boy's head snapped around, his eyes flashing with fury.
"Shut your mouths!" he barked. His glare swept over them, silencing them instantly. "She won't be anyone's trophy. She'll be mine. My woman."
He leaned back against his car, the cold metal groaning under his grip, his eyes still burning with a feverish determination.
"Soon," he murmured, half to himself, half to the group still watching in awe. "Everyone will see her in my arms. That girl belongs to me."
The others exchanged looks, their smirks returning slowly, their excitement palpable. The air was thick with the promise of trouble.
---
Meanwhile, as the afternoon sun tilted toward the west, the Wuhan Tianhe International Airport bustled with its usual rhythm. At the arrival gate, the crowd ebbed and flowed—families clutching flowers, chauffeurs holding placards, and travelers dragging their suitcases across polished tiles that gleamed under the golden sunlight pouring through the glass panels.
Among them, a man emerged.
Modestly tall, his posture straight yet casual, he carried only a single travel bag slung in his left hand. Heads turned, not because of his features—they were completely hidden—but because of his attire.
He wore ripped, neon-patterned joggers paired with a loud, oversized hoodie splashed with graffiti-like prints. On his feet, a pair of chunky sneakers in clashing colors squeaked against the tiles. His cap was pulled low, a black mask covered his face, and mirrored sunglasses hid his eyes. To a casual glance, he looked like a celebrity trying to avoid recognition, but the overall outfit was so flamboyant, so borderline ridiculous, that after a moment people dismissed him with disinterest. Just another eccentric rich kid, they thought.
The man didn't seem to notice—or care. Under the weight of curious stares, he remained unbothered. He adjusted his grip on the bag, pulled out his phone with his free hand, and pressed speed-dial.
"Where the hell are you?" his voice came sharp, edged with irritation. "Didn't I tell you I'd be landing today? Pick me up!"
Without waiting for an answer, he cut the call and shoved the phone back into his pocket. His lips curled under the mask as he let his gaze roam over the expanse of the city skyline beyond the glass doors, the afternoon glow outlining his figure like a shadow about to step into play.
"Finally…" he murmured, almost to himself. His voice dropped to a low drawl, both mocking and full of anticipation. "I'm here, Wuhan."
The corner of his lips tilted upward, a smirk tugging beneath the mask.
"Let's see," he whispered, eyes gleaming behind the sunglasses, "just how you react… when you see me again."
___
Thank you everyone for your support.😊🥰
Tommorow i won't be able to post any update sure some emergency, and this is the first time I'll miss a day without chapter, but I hope it's a last time also.
And I'll make sure to make it up to you got tommorows chapter, on weekends. 😊🙏🥰❤️