Host! I told you to do a task! I didn't tell you to bbb.

Liu Yunshu stood up and slowly walked towards the bathroom.

The bathroom door slammed shut, like a boundary separating two worlds.

The sound of rushing water continued, but it couldn't drown out the suppressed, intermittent gasps coming from inside.

Lu Hengyan's gaze swept over the clothes scattered on the ground, the messy traces silently accusing him of losing control and plundering last night.

Just then, my phone rang; it was my assistant calling.

As soon as the call connected, the assistant's urgent voice came through the receiver:

"Brother Lu! Where have you been? Your scene is in an hour!"

Lu Hengyan gripped his phone tightly, his knuckles turning white, and a low, strained sigh escaped his throat.

"Okay, I'll be right there. Go prepare a set of women's clothing, a high-necked, long-sleeved, loose-fitting one. I'll send you the size later. Also, take one of my clothes and bring them to the top-floor lounge together."

The assistant was taken aback. Although full of doubts, he didn't dare to ask any more questions and quickly replied, "Okay, I'll take care of it right away."

Not long after, there was a knock on the door. Lu Hengyan quickly walked to the door and opened it a crack.

The assistant stood outside, carrying two elegant paper bags.

He handed it over, and couldn't help but ask, "Brother Lu, you don't look well. Are you feeling unwell? Should you ask the director for leave?"

"No need." Lu Hengyan took the bag, his voice terribly hoarse. "Filming will proceed as scheduled. I'll be there in half an hour."

After saying that, he quickly closed the door.

He gently placed the bag of women's clothing on the bathroom door, paused for a moment with his fingertips hovering over the door, and finally knocked.

"Yunshu, I've left your clothes and underwear by the door. You... change into them first, so you don't catch a cold."

There was no response from inside the door except for the continuous sound of running water.

Lu Hengyan withdrew his hand, a bitter taste rising in his throat.

He turned and walked to the sofa, quickly changing into the clean shirt and trousers his assistant had brought him.

Reaching the door, my steps felt as heavy as lead, and I finally stopped.

"I've gone to the film set."

He spoke softly toward the bathroom, his tone pleading.

"Wait for me to come back, and we'll have a good talk, okay?"

There has still been no response.

The light in Lu Hengyan's eyes dimmed little by little.

Finally, he gritted his teeth, opened the door, and went out.

Liu Yunshu waited until it was completely quiet outside before opening the door and coming out.

She picked up the clothes from the bag, carefully put them on one by one, and then bent down to pick up the cell phone from the ground.

The screen lit up, displaying a list of Shen Moci's missed calls.

Her fingertips lightly traced the three characters "Shen Moci," her eyes filled with complex emotions, but she ultimately pressed the call button.

The moment the call connected, Shen Moci's gentle yet urgent voice came through:

"Yunshu? Where did you go last night? I couldn't get through to you on the phone, I couldn't find you, I was so worried."

She walked to the window, gazing at the endless stream of cars below, her face as calm as a deep pool, yet her voice remained gentle:

"I went to Weiwei's place last night. She's been feeling down lately and wanted me to stay with her for a few days. We talked too late and my phone was off. Sorry."

He suddenly realized and said "Oh," "It's okay, I'm just glad you're safe. Remember to take care of yourself."

"Okay, I'll stay with her for a few days and then I'll be back."

After hanging up the phone, Liu Yunshu immediately set off for Li Wei's apartment.

When she knocked on the door, Li Wei was pleasantly surprised to see her and pulled her inside.

As soon as she entered the room, Li Wei caught a glimpse of the faint red marks under her high-necked dress, as well as her unconcealed look of exhaustion.

The elation on his face vanished instantly, replaced by worry.

She handed her a glass of warm water: "Yunshu, what happened?"

Liu Yunshu held the warm water glass in her hand and remained silent for a long time before recounting the recent events one by one.

"Weiwei, what should I do?" She almost broke down in tears by the end.

Li Wei's heart clenched painfully. She quickly grabbed a tissue and handed it to her, gently patting her back, her voice filled with heartache.

"Okay, okay, don't cry, it's not your fault."

"It's all Lu Hengyan's fault, that bastard! And Gu Shichen, he's no better!"

Li Wei felt a pang of heartache when she saw Liu Yunshu's reddened eyes.

"What kind of mess is this! Shen Moci doesn't know anything yet, and Lu Hengyan... "

Liu Yunshu shook her head, her fingertips clenched so tightly they turned white: "Weiwei, stop talking, let me have some peace and quiet."

Li Wei had no choice but to swallow her words and gently patted her shoulder: "Okay, I won't say anything more. You lie down for a while, I'll go make you some porridge."

Liu Yunshu nodded, got up and went into the guest room.

As soon as she lay down, a heavy weariness overwhelmed her like a tide, and she drifted off to sleep.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Su Xiao lost face last night and couldn't find Lu Hengyan. She lost both her wife and her army!

Enraged, she ordered someone to investigate Lu Hengyan's whereabouts last night.

Not long after, the private investigator sent a photo—Lu Hengyan dragged Liu Yunshu into the lounge.

Su Xiao stared intently at the photo, her fingertips almost piercing the screen, her eyes filled with resentment that grew wildly like poisoned vines.

"Liu Yunshu, it's you again!" she growled through gritted teeth, her nails digging deep into her palms, oblivious to the blood seeping out.

She recalled that a few months ago, someone had posted a photo of Lu Hengyan escorting a woman back to her hotel.

She was so angry at the time that she almost wanted to destroy the woman, but she reluctantly gave up after learning that the woman was Lu Hengyan's girlfriend.

Who knew this vile woman would be so despicable! She actually dared to seduce her Lu Hengyan!

Thinking of this, Su Xiao abruptly slammed her phone onto the carpet. The cracks on the screen mirrored the distorted look on her face.

"Liu Yunshu! You bitch!"

The phone case popped open, shards scattering onto the expensive cashmere carpet.

Su Xiao acted as if she hadn't seen anything, her chest heaving violently, the hatred in her eyes almost solidifying.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

A few days later, Li Wei received a call from an investor she had previously worked with, who invited her troupe to a cultural exchange dinner on intangible cultural heritage.

After hanging up the phone, Li Wei looked at Liu Yunshu, her tone hesitant: "Yunshu, are you going to the investors' dinner?"

"Go."

Liu Yunshu's voice was still a little hoarse, but her eyes showed a hint of relaxation.

"Although we have already partnered with the Gu family, it is not convenient to offend these investors."

The intangible cultural heritage banquet was held in a quaint manor on the outskirts of the city, with its upturned eaves reflecting the afterglow of the setting sun.

The palace lanterns hanging under the eaves gradually lit up, bathing the blue bricks and gray tiles in a warm glow.

Liu Yunshu changed into a moon-white cheongsam embroidered with bamboo patterns; the high collar design perfectly concealed the faint marks that had not yet faded on her neck.

Her long hair was loosely tied into a bun, which made her eyebrows and eyes look even more delicate and beautiful.

Li Wei took her arm and led her into the exhibition hall, the air filled with the fragrance of sandalwood and osmanthus wine.

The guests gathered in twos and threes, talking quietly about the intangible cultural heritage exhibits displayed on the wall.

After viewing the exhibits, everyone was led into the banquet hall by waiters.

Just then, an investor, taking advantage of Liu Yunshu being alone, approached with a glass of wine. "Miss Liu is as beautiful as ever!"

Liu Yunshu turned aside to avoid the other person's overly close breath, and a polite yet distant smile appeared on her lips: "President Wang, you flatter me."

A glint of greed flashed in the eyes of the man called President Wang, his gaze lingering undisguisedly on her exquisite figure as he handed her a wine glass.

"Miss Liu, would you do me the honor of having a drink with me?"

"Big Brother! He's Su Xiao's man! This drink has been laced with a drug!"

Liu Yunshu paused slightly, her face remaining calm, but her gaze swept over the glass of champagne with its fine bubbles, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

"Has Gu Shichen returned yet?"

"Gu Shichen just got off the plane and, knowing you were here, is rushing over."

Liu Yunshu looked at the glass of wine in front of her, her face showing hesitation. "President Wang, it's not that I'm not going to do you a favor, it's just that I'm not a good drinker."

"Miss Liu, why be so modest? It's just a glass of wine. Don't you want to give me this small favor?" Mr. Wang held the wine glass forward again.

"Then... just one glass?" Liu Yunshu reached out and took the glass.

"Of course, just one cup."

One cup is enough. This is the latest kind of "obedience potion," which makes one's consciousness clouded, so that it appears as if she did it on her own initiative.

When Mr. Wang saw her drink it all in one gulp, his eyes were filled with a mixture of excitement and greed.

The thought of spending the night with such a stunning beauty almost made him unable to contain himself.

Just as he was about to reach out and put his arm around her waist, another investor walked over from a short distance away, put his arm around his shoulder, and joked:

"Old Wang, that's not fair! Hiding here drinking alone with Miss Liu? Come on, the brothers are all waiting to clink glasses with you!"

The greed on Mr. Wang's face froze for a moment as he was half-pulled and half-dragged away.

He kept turning back to stare at Liu Yunshu, his desire almost overflowing.

Liu Yunshu's fingertips trembled slightly as she held the empty wine glass. A faint warmth was rising within her body, and the effects of the drug were taking hold faster than she had anticipated.

"Xiao Ba, where is Gu Shichen?"

"Almost there, almost at the exhibition entrance."

Liu Yunshu forced herself to endure the effects of the drug and hurried towards the door. This grand drama wouldn't be complete without Gu Shichen!

Just as she was about to reach the door, an arm wrapped around her waist.

"Miss Liu, where are you going?" Gu Shichen looked down at the woman in his arms, his face still bearing his usual smile, but his eyes were cold.

Liu Yunshu raised her head, straining to focus and identify: "Gu... Shi Chen?"

Her voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly, and her eyes were misty with tears. Her once clear gaze was now hazy and fragile.

Gu Shichen gazed at her flushed cheeks, the cool fragrance emanating from her body mingling with a hint of alcohol.

When my fingertips touched the skin on her waist, it was unusually hot.

"Have you been drinking?" He leaned closer to her neck and inhaled deeply.

Although this woman was not as pure as he had imagined, he had to admit that she was indeed irresistible.

Liu Yunshu's lips unconsciously curled into a seductive smile as she reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck: "Gu Shichen, take me away."

Gu Shichen's eyes darkened, and the force with which he gripped her waist became irresistibly strong. He sneered, "As you wish!"

Just as Gu Shichen turned to leave with Liu Yunshu in his arms, not far away, a pair of scarlet eyes were staring intently at their backs.