He stole his best friend's photos and fell for a tycoon's heir through online dating.

Xia Ruo hesitated for a moment, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her skirt: "I'm not very good at this kind of ballroom dancing."

"It's okay, I'll lead you in the jump." Song Yu's tone was gentle and resolute, as if the matter was already settled.

Xia Ruo wanted to refuse, but couldn't find a suitable excuse.

Besides, this was probably a token of appreciation from Lin's parents—they had specially arranged this meeting, and it would be incredibly disrespectful for her to just walk away like that. She should just go along with it.

"Okay." She smiled politely but distantly, her lips curving slightly.

As they were talking, someone walked up to Song Yu with a wine glass, leaned down and whispered something in his ear.

After listening, Song Yu nodded to the man, then turned to Xia Ruo and said:

"Excuse me for a moment, see you at the ball later."

"it is good."

No sooner had Song Yu left than Xia Ruo had a chance to breathe a sigh of relief when a deep voice suddenly came from behind her, carrying an undeniable chill—

"Secretary Xia, I've been looking for you everywhere."

Xia Ruo hurriedly turned her head. Huo Sinian stood not far behind her, his suit jacket unbuttoned and his tie slightly loose, as if he had traveled a long way.

His breathing was unsteady, his chest rose and fell slightly, and a shallow crease appeared between his brows.

Zhou Siyan just arrived from headquarters.

He kept thinking about whether the girl was already waiting for him on the way, and urged the driver to go faster several times. Before the car had even come to a complete stop, he pushed open the door and got out.

As soon as she walked in, she saw her chatting with a man—and even smiling at him.

As he got closer, he heard the man actually invite her to dance, and she actually agreed.

Didn't she know she was already a married woman?

He then remembered Xia Ruo telling him on WeChat, "Baby's going to eat"—eat? Is this what she meant by eating?

Zhou Siyan felt that the string in his heart was on the verge of snapping, and his knuckles slowly tightened at his side.

"Mr. Huo, you've arrived." Xia Ruo's voice pulled him back from his turbulent emotions.

Zhou Siyan didn't answer. His gaze fell on her—

She wore a misty blue starry sky tulle dress, with tiny sequins on the hem that looked like scattered stars under the lights.

Her long hair was pulled back, revealing her slender, fair neck. The dazzling diamond necklace below her collarbone made her skin appear almost translucent.

But! It wasn't the one he gave me!

Good, very good. You've become quite capable. You won't listen to a single word.

His gaze slid down another half inch—

The dress's fitted waist accentuated her slender figure, and the soft fabric draped along her body's curves, revealing a glimpse of her fair calves beneath the hem. Her ankles were so delicate that they seemed as if they could be broken with a single grasp.

The light shone on her, making her look like a carefully polished pearl, warm and bright.

It's too eye-catching.

Damn it, who dressed her up?

A surge of heat rose from his lower abdomen, accompanied by a restlessness that he couldn't control.

He abruptly looked away, his jawline taut, and his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

Xia Ruo felt the extremely low pressure emanating from him, and the oppressive feeling surged over her like a tide, making her chest feel suffocated.

She didn't know why he was so unhappy. Who had upset him?

"Mr. Huo, what's wrong?" Her voice was soft, tinged with a hint of uncertainty and unease.

Just as Zhou Siyan was about to speak, a gentle voice suddenly came from the side.

"Ruoruo".

Xia Ruo turned her head, and Lin Wanxun walked over with a wine glass in his hand.

"Wanxun Ge".

"And who is this?" Lin Wanxun asked politely, her gaze falling on Zhou Siyan.

"Brother Wanxun, this is my and Wanwan's boss, Huo Sinian, President Huo." Xia Ruo stepped aside, then turned to Zhou Siyan.

"Mr. Huo, this is Lin Wanxun, Wanzhi's brother."

Lin Wanxun raised her hand, her posture calm and gentle: "Hello."

Zhou Siyan suppressed the surging restlessness in her heart, gave a light handshake, and then quickly withdrew her hand: "Hello."

Lin Wanxun sized up the man in front of her—cold, sharp, and exuding an aura that was impossible to ignore.

He felt like he had seen this face somewhere before, but he couldn't quite place it.

However, he has more important things to do right now and doesn't have time to think about it in detail.

"Ruoruo," Lin Wanxun said, withdrawing her gaze and speaking earnestly.

"I saw you were just chatting with Song Yu from the Song Group. You two... are friends?"

Xia Ruo awkwardly tugged at the corner of her mouth: "I don't know her. Aunt Lin just introduced us, and we only chatted for a few minutes."

Lin Wanxun remained silent for a few seconds. The silence was brief, but Zhou Siyan noticed it clearly—the man's fingers holding the wine glass tightened slightly.

"Ruo Ruo," Lin Wanxun put down her wine glass, her brows furrowing slightly, "you're still young. Focus on your studies and work. Don't listen to my mom; she doesn't understand."

Zhou Siyan stood to the side, his eyes narrowing as he observed the expression on Lin Wanxun's face.

This man likes Xia Ruo.

That "concerned" tone, that lecturing "you're still young," that seemingly casual yet probing wording.

He was a man; he understood all too well. It wasn't the care a brother would show to his sister's best friend; it was a man's cautious, careful concern for a woman, a concern he was afraid of being seen through.

hateful.

This girl is actually having affairs outside.

One just left, and another one came.

"I understand, Brother Wanxun. I'll show President Huo around."

Lin Wanxun nodded, and as Xia Ruo turned around, he spoke again:

"Ruoruo, tell me what's wrong. Don't treat me like an outsider."

Zhou Siyan's face darkened even more.

Xia Ruo didn't notice the undercurrent of tension between the two men. She simply nodded slightly in response and led Zhou Siyan towards the garden outside.

A night breeze swept over me, carrying the scent of freshly mowed grass and the sweet fragrance of roses from the garden.

"Mr. Huo, Wanwan just got her dress wet and is cleaning it. Please wait a moment, she'll be down soon."

Zhou Siyan did not respond to her words.

He looked down at her, his gaze deep and intense.

"Secretary Xia," his voice was neither loud nor soft, carrying an indescribable tone, "you have quite a few suitors."

Xia Ruo sighed helplessly, her peach blossom eyes filled with innocence:

"Mr. Huo, please don't joke with me... I didn't mean to either."

"Which of those two did you like?" His eyes were fixed on her.

Why is Mr. Huo asking her these questions? That's strange.

Xia Ruo muttered to herself, but when she looked up and met his gloomy eyes, she felt a sudden panic.

"I don't like any of them," she answered seriously, without hesitation.

The man's tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed slightly.

"So, do you have someone you like?"

Xia Ruo was stunned for a moment.