Volume One, Chapter 28: Temptation

The man wore a dark, impeccably tailored suit; his tie was crisp, lending him an air of elegance and noble charm. Song Qingyu’s gaze landed on the mask covering his face, concealing every feature entirely.

Someone attending a banquet while wearing a mask.

Suddenly, Song Qingyu recalled what Xie Liu-Zheng had once told her:

“Gu Yuandong’s face was ruined in an explosion. He wears a fierce, intimidating mask every day. It’s terrifying.”

Her eyes widened in disbelief—could this man possibly be Gu Yuandong?

He handed her the bracelet, and Song Qingyu quickly reached out to take it. “Thank you…”

As he placed the bracelet in her palm, Pei Jingmo’s fingertips brushed lightly—almost teasingly—against her hand.

Song Qingyu’s heart raced wildly for a moment, but he withdrew his hand swiftly, as if that brief contact had been nothing more than her imagination.

“Second Master, Young Master Fu and Young Master Bai have arrived,” someone called respectfully from behind. Pei Jingmo fixed Song Qingyu with a deep look before turning away.

When Song Qingyu returned to the banquet hall and spotted the masked man standing beside Fu Linhan from a distance, she was finally certain.

Heavens.

The crown prince, whom everyone longed to curry favor with or even glimpse, had just appeared before her so unassumingly.

Yet, frustratingly, she hadn’t seized the opportunity.

Gu Yuandong’s arrival sent the banquet into a frenzy.

His presence was like a silent command, compelling every gaze to converge upon him.

A tension hung in the air, indescribable and palpable, as though even time itself had frozen the moment he entered.

Only after a long while did the atmosphere begin to return to normal.

“I’d bet that before Gu Yuandong’s face was ruined, he must have been very handsome.”

Song Qingyu nodded. “Probably.”

After all, Gu Mubai was so striking; as his younger brother, Gu Yuandong couldn’t be far behind.

With Song Qingyu and Xie Liu-Zheng’s status, they couldn’t hope to approach the crown prince.

They weren’t here for him anyway.

“Qingyu, how are things? Did you get anything out of tonight?”

“It seems I did—and yet, perhaps not.”

“Huh? What does that mean?”

“I just saw Gu Yuandong. He picked up my bracelet from the floor.”

“Damn! Isn’t that a huge stroke of luck? Why are you still looking so deflated?”

“I only managed to thank him.”

“And then?”

“And then nothing.”

Xie Liu-Zheng sighed. “Looks like I need to give you some serious social training. Otherwise, even when opportunity knocks, you won’t be able to grab it.”

Song Qingyu pouted. “I’ll just stick to eating.”

Since she was here, she couldn’t leave empty-handed.

Compared to Song Qingyu, Xie Liu-Zheng was reaping plenty; her social talents seemed innate.

In modern terms, she had ‘legendary social skills.’

Within minutes, she’d already made connections with several film industry giants and exchanged contact information.

Suddenly, the hall erupted in commotion.

Song Qingyu looked over to see two security guards dragging a woman out.

The woman was clad only in underwear, utterly disheveled.

Song Qingyu nearly choked on the tiny cake she had just eaten.

She knew that woman all too well—it was her stepsister, Song Xinrui.

“I heard she deliberately spilled water on herself and undressed to seduce the crown prince. But he’s ruthless. He didn’t stop her from undressing; he waited until she’d stripped, then called security.”

“She’s really reckless. Of all people to seduce, she chose the crown prince? As if he’d be drawn in by someone like her!”

“What a humiliation. If it were me, I’d jump into the city moat out of shame.”

Song Qingyu was torn between admiration for Song Xinrui’s boldness and disbelief at her stupidity.

“Crown prince, spare me! I’ll never dare again—”

Song Xinrui struggled desperately. Suddenly, spotting Song Qingyu in the crowd, she cried out as if seeing a savior, “Sister, help me!”

Song Qingyu turned away, pretending not to notice.

Song Xinrui, emboldened by Song Yanfeng’s affection, had always been domineering—seizing Song Qingyu’s belongings and frequently insulting her mother.

Now that Song Xinrui had brought this upon herself, Song Qingyu wasn’t about to play the saint.

Once the woman was taken away, the banquet hall resumed its merriment as if nothing had happened.

A minor character could not stir up much trouble.

Fu Linhan glanced at Pei Jingmo and teased, “That’s your future sister-in-law. Are you sure you should treat her like that?”

Pei Jingmo’s gaze grew icy. “Qingqing’s troubles in the Song family are largely thanks to her. I was already being merciful!”

Fu Linhan and Bai Yinian exchanged a knowing look and shrugged.

They all understood Pei Jingmo was standing up for Song Qingyu.

Their good friend suddenly turning into a lovestruck fool was still hard to accept.

Fu Linhan, remembering something, stared slyly at Pei Jingmo. “How come I don’t know I have a thing for married women?”

Bai Yinian added, “Nor do I recall being gay!”

Pei Jingmo patted their shoulders. “Be grateful. That’s the gentlest flaw I could think of. Unless you’d rather marry Sheng Yuru?”

Fu Linhan: “…”

Bai Yinian: “…”

Hurting each other among brothers was a form of mutual aid.

Chu Xingzhi, upon spotting the masked man, started toward him, only to be stopped by He Shubai. “Sorry, without Mr. Gu’s permission, you cannot approach him.”

Chu Xingzhi gritted his teeth.

He’d come all this way—he couldn’t leave without saying a word.

So he called out, “Young Master Fu—”

Fu Linhan turned and looked at Chu Xingzhi, nudging Pei Jingmo, “Hey, he came just for you. Not going to see him?”

Pei Jingmo’s dark eyes swept coldly over Chu Xingzhi. “He’s not worthy of meeting me yet.”

With that, Pei Jingmo turned away indifferently. Fu Linhan shrugged at Chu Xingzhi, indicating he was powerless.

Chu Xingzhi frowned deeply.

Gu Yuandong had come to the banquet and wouldn’t see him—had he unknowingly offended him?

Song Qingyu noticed that the buffet and desserts at the banquet were all her favorites.

Her phone buzzed suddenly—it was a WeChat message from Pei Jingmo.

“Has the banquet ended?”

“Almost.”

“Come out then. I’m waiting outside.”

Song Qingyu was surprised. “You’re here?”

“Yes, to pick you up.”

“Alright, I’ll be right out.”

Song Qingyu hurried to find Xie Liu-Zheng. “Zhengzheng, it’s time for us to leave.”

Word had spread that the crown prince had departed, and guests began to file out.

Xie Liu-Zheng said, “Let’s go, let’s go.”

The two exited the hotel, and Song Qingyu immediately spotted Pei Jingmo.

He was still dressed in a simple t-shirt and cargo pants—nothing could be more casual.

Behind him was the opulent hotel; before her, Pei Jingmo.

A single door seemed to divide two worlds.

All the unreality of the banquet vanished the moment she saw Pei Jingmo.

Song Qingyu suddenly felt that Pei Jingmo was the only real thing, the only one who could give her a sense of security.

“Oh, look at you two gazing at each other across the crowd like star-crossed lovers!”

Xie Liu-Zheng’s teasing made Song Qingyu cough awkwardly, and the two walked toward Pei Jingmo.

Xie Liu-Zheng had a shoot the next day, and her assistant had already arrived.

“Pei Jingmo, I’m entrusting my precious Qingyu to you. If she’s lost weight next time I see her, I won’t let you off.”

Pei Jingmo nodded calmly. “Alright.”

After Xie Liu-Zheng left, Pei Jingmo looked at Song Qingyu. “How was the banquet? Did you enjoy yourself?”

Song Qingyu was just about to reply when a figure suddenly rushed toward her—