After ninety-nine online romances, I finally met my ex in person when school started.

Zhu Xun Chuan looked at the short message on the screen.

Pei Yanyu. The youngest Grand Slam Best Actress winner who caused a national sensation two years ago. To outsiders, she is alluring, charming, and unapproachable.

Only Zhu Xun Chuan knew how closed off she was inside when she used the online pseudonym "Zui Hong Chen". In order to keep him, she did not hesitate to pay an exorbitant penalty for breach of contract, and was forced by that playboy from the Zhao family to announce her retirement from the entertainment industry, ruining her career.

Some time ago, sensing that a crackdown was about to be launched against the Zhao family, Zhu Xun Chuan specially arranged for her to go to Northern Europe to avoid the storm. Now that the Zhao family, this great mountain, has collapsed, she flew back immediately.

Zhu Xunchuan tapped the screen: "Send location."

Ten seconds later, the location of a remote suburban wetland park was sent. There were no extra pleasantries, only an undisguised urgency.

Zhu Xun Chuan stuffed his phone back into his trouser pocket. He glanced around.

Bai He was still gobbling down braised pork at the central island counter, his mouth smeared with caramelized sugar. Xia Wanying was elegantly slicing a fried egg. Gu Qinghan was slowly sipping his seafood porridge.

"I'm going out for a bit." Zhu Xun Chuan picked up the dark gray trench coat draped over the back of the chair. "The Zhao family's business is too big, and there are a few key statements I need to keep an eye on at the Municipal Public Security Bureau."

They found a plausible excuse.

Baihe, with meat in her mouth, mumbled, "Brother, I'll drive you. It's good that you've eaten enough to help with digestion."

Zhu Xun Chuan reached out and pressed down on her shoulder: "You stay here. You got caught in the rain yesterday, so don't wander around. Keep an eye on the house for President Xia and Teacher Gu."

The words "look after the house" also reassured the other two women present.

Gu Qinghan put down his spoon, adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, and said calmly, "Business is important. Are you coming back for lunch?"

The tone of that empress questioning his itinerary was perfectly controlled.

"We'll see." Zhu Xun Chuan stepped forward, leaned down and whispered in Gu Qing Han's ear, "You didn't sleep well last night, take some time to catch up on your sleep, don't push yourself."

In one sentence, he directly pointed out the undercurrents between the two of them last night, both under the table and after the dinner. Gu Qinghan's cheeks flushed slightly, and she turned her head away without saying a word.

Xia Wanying picked up her coffee cup, took a sip, and glanced at him with a hint of knowing but not revealing: "Mr. Zhu, please take care. I have to go back to the group this afternoon for a multinational meeting to take over the Zhao family's assets, so I won't leave the door open."

Zhu Xun Chuan smiled and didn't press the matter further. Knowing when to withdraw is a core skill in navigating treacherous situations.

He pushed open the door and went out.

At 10 a.m., the autumn wind in Beijing carried a distinct chill.

The black Range Rover drove out of the city and headed south along the ring road. As high-rise buildings were gradually replaced by sparse tree belts, the traffic on the road became increasingly lighter.

The wetland park is located in a remote area, and it is even less frequented during this season.

Zhu Xun Chuan parked his car on the dirt road outside the park and opened the car door. The golden ginkgo leaves on the ground rustled under his feet. Following the directions, he walked along the quiet wooden boardwalk towards the island in the middle of the lake.

There were no luxury cars to pick them up, and no throngs of bodyguards to clear the way.

Under an old-fashioned street lamp, a lone figure sat on a bench.

She wore a very ordinary camel-colored trench coat, the belt tightly tied around her waist, highlighting her slender figure. She wore a black baseball cap, the brim pulled low, with most of her face hidden in shadow and behind a mask.

If you didn't know, no one would recognize that this girl huddled in the cold wind was once the stunning beauty who drove the entire entertainment industry crazy.

Zhu Xun Chuan slowed down and stopped at the side of the bench.

The footsteps startled the people on the bench.

Pei Yanyu suddenly raised her head.

Their eyes met in the cool air.

Beneath the baseball cap, those once captivating and distinctive peach blossom eyes were now bloodshot. Their rims were shockingly red.

The moment she confirmed it was Zhu Xunchuan, Pei Yanyu ripped off her mask.

Her fair, alluring, and strikingly beautiful face instantly lost control. Tears streamed down her face.

Without any hesitation, Pei Yanyu stood up, not even bothering to take the handbag she had brought, and directly crossed half a meter to bump into Zhu Xunchuan's arms.

She wrapped her arms tightly around Zhu Xun Chuan's neck with astonishing strength, as if she wanted to meld herself into his bones and blood.

"Xunchuan..."

Her low murmur, tinged with sobs, revealed the grievances and fears she had endured for two years, and the complete release that came with the dawn.

The once stunning national goddess who outshone everyone on the red carpet has now shed all her defenses and glamour, revealing herself to be just an ordinary girl who needs a man's shoulder to lean on.

Zhu Xun Chuan let her hug him. He opened his arms, supporting her back with his left hand and gently stroking her long hair along the edge of his baseball cap with his right.

Her movements were both domineering and gentle.

"Why are you crying?" Zhu Xun Chuan's voice was deep. "I'm here."

Pei Yanyu buried her face in his chest, her tears quickly soaking through the fabric of his shirt.

"I saw the news at the airport yesterday," Pei Yanyu said, her voice still trembling as she choked up. "Zhao Tingzhi was taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission, and Guangying Media was shut down. And that beast from the Zhao family was pinned to the ground at the airport exit."

For the past two years, the Zhao family father and son have been a knife hanging over her head. Zhao Tingzhi's power and the tyranny of the Zhao family's young master forced her to hand over all her assets in order to hold onto her bottom line and escape the country.

Countless nights in foreign lands, she would wake up from nightmares, fearing that the father and son's sinister hand would reach across the ocean.

Until yesterday, the news was everywhere.

That once invincible powerful clan in the capital crumbled within half a day.

Others may not know who did it, but Pei Yanyu knows.

It was him. The man who promised her on that blizzardy night, "I will wipe them out."

"It's all over. The mountain that has been pressing down on me for two years has finally crumbled." Pei Yanyu gripped Zhu Xunchuan's clothes tightly, so agitated that she could barely stand.

Zhu Xun Chuan gripped her lower back with his large hand, and with a little force, lifted her entire body up, pressing her tightly against his own.

He lowered his head, his nose almost touching her forehead.

"I said I would make them disappear completely from the capital."

Zhu Xun Chuan stared at those peach blossom eyes, which were streaked with tears, his deep gaze revealing an arrogant disdain for the rules.

"I remember every single grievance you suffered in the past two years." Zhu Xun Chuan gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, his movements extremely gentle, but his tone was domineering and unquestionable. "From today onwards, not only in the entertainment industry, but in the entire entertainment industry of Kyoto, you, Pei Yan Yu, will walk sideways."

This sentence carries far more weight than any sweet words.

Pei Yanyu looked at the face so close to hers.

In the dimly lit wetland park, the lake shimmered, and autumn leaves drifted down to their feet. The tranquil environment amplified the sound of their breathing.

He kept his promise. He used his overwhelming power to hold up the sky for her.

Career, stardom—none of it matters in the face of absolute protection. Pei Yanyu's last shred of unease about fate was shattered by this promise.

Her breathtakingly beautiful face was streaked with tears.

Pei Yanyu did not respond. She gripped Zhu Xunchuan's shoulders with both hands and stood on tiptoe.

Her lips trembled as she raised her stunningly beautiful face and, with utmost slowness yet unwavering determination, kissed Zhu Xun Chuan.