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

The blinding white high beams tore through the darkness without warning.

The light shone directly on the two people on the bench. Pei Yanyu's body trembled violently, and her hands instinctively reached for the edge of the bench. Her recent life of hiding and running had instilled in her an extraordinary fear of sudden changes.

She instinctively wanted to lower her head to avoid the light. It's unbelievable that this former Grand Slam Best Actress could be so insecure!

Zhu Xun Chuan reacted extremely quickly. He wrapped one arm around her slender waist, pulled her forcefully into his embrace.

He then turned slightly to the side, using his broad shoulders to block the light and block out all prying eyes.

"Don't be afraid." He placed his hand on her back, his voice steady and strong, "With me here, no one in Kyoto can touch you."

The warmth of his body and the familiar scent of fir trees instantly enveloped Pei Yanyu through his suit jacket. The overwhelming panic she felt was forcefully suppressed by the man's strong chest.

The muffled roar of the engine came to an abrupt end at the end of the wooden boardwalk.

This is a heavily modified black Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

The high beams were switched to low beams.

The car door opened. A pair of long, straight legs, encased in black high-top leather boots, stepped out. The military boots made a crisp sound as they stepped on the dirt road covered with fallen leaves.

Jiang Yao leaned against the car door, not in a hurry to approach. Today she was wearing a tight black leather jacket, her hair tied in a high ponytail, exuding a wild and untamed eccentricity.

Her right hand fingers flew, the butterfly knife she never parted with spun rapidly between her fingertips, its cold gleam flashing in the night.

"Brother, you didn't even call me when you came out for a walk?" Jiang Yao raised her chin, her gaze piercing through the night wind, directly targeting the two people on the bench.

Her gaze swept over the woman being protected in Zhu Xun Chuan's arms. Her baseball cap had fallen to the side, obscuring most of her face, but her strikingly beautiful features were still eye-catching.

Jiang Yao curled her lips into a cold smile, gripped the handle of the butterfly knife, and stopped turning it.

"No wonder you insisted on running off to this desolate place after you'd already eaten." Jiang Yao drawled, her tone dripping with jealousy. "This lady looks familiar. The Grand Slam Best Actress, Pei Yanyu?"

The daughter of a powerful Northern underworld figure managed to transform this desolate wetland park into a scene reminiscent of two armies locked in battle.

Upon hearing Jiang Yao's voice, Pei Yanyu's hand on Zhu Xunchuan's waist tightened slightly.

She naturally recognized Jiang Yao. She was well aware of the Jiang family's influence in the capital and the northern border back when she was at the center of fame and fortune.

In the past, as an actress with no connections, she would have had to bow her head and give way to this kind of mafia heiress.

But it's different now.

Zhu Xun Chuan's words, "I'll throw money at it and build you a new empire," still echoed in her ears. The man's hand was still on her back, continuously conveying a sense of security.

Pei Yanyu took a deep breath. She loosened her grip on Zhu Xunchuan's waist and slowly sat up straight from his embrace.

She didn't flinch. She raised her hand, tucking her loose hair behind her ear, and gracefully gathered the dark gray trench coat that belonged to Zhu Xun Chuan draped over her shoulders. Her back was straight, and her chin was slightly raised.

The queen who once shone brightly under the spotlight, looking down on everyone, has now fully awakened.

Pei Yanyu met Jiang Yao's hostile gaze with a flawless smile curving her red lips.

"Miss Jiang, I've long admired your name." Pei Yanyu's voice was languid, carrying a natural charm and composure. "However, tonight's moonlight is indeed not suitable for three people to enjoy."

The temperature in the park plummeted as soon as those words were spoken.

Jiang Yao narrowed her eyes, her knife-twirling motion completely halting. She had assumed that a few words of scare would throw this delicate star into a panic, causing her to hide in Zhu Xun Chuan's arms and cry.

Unexpectedly, the other party not only caught her words well, but also dared to retort, implying that Jiang Yao was an unwanted person who ruined the atmosphere.

Although she was a fan of Pei Yanyu, she had no choice but to prioritize Zhu Xun Chuan over him.

Jiang Yao flicked her wrist, and the blade of the butterfly knife sprang out. She straightened up, took a step forward, and the fierce aura of a gangster's daughter instantly emanated from her.

This vixen really thinks she's something special.

Zhu Xun Chuan sat on the bench, taking in all of this.

He looked at Pei Yanyu, who was unusually assertive and exuding a powerful aura, and a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes. The woman he brought out should have this kind of confidence, not losing face even when facing a gun.

But he had no intention of escalating the confrontation into a full-blown fight.

Zhu Xun Chuan reached out his left hand and wrapped it around Pei Yanyu's slender waist, pulling her closer to him. Then, he turned his head to look at Jiang Yao, who was about to have an attack.

He raised his right hand, and Chongjiang Yao waved.

"Alright, put that knife away." Zhu Xun Chuan's tone was casual, yet carried an unquestionable command. "Stop putting on airs and come here."

Jiang Yao paused, biting her red lips.

"We're all family," Zhu Xun Chuan added casually.

In one sentence, the nature of this confrontation was defined.

Pei Yanyu's heart skipped a beat.

Originally, she was prepared to bear all the consequences so as not to implicate Zhu Xun Chuan, as she had once again been targeted by Prince Zhao upon her return to public life.

I never imagined that the Zhao family would be destroyed now.

Although Pei Yanyu appears glamorous to outsiders, with numerous fans and a grand slam of awards, only she herself knows the gap between herself and someone at the top like Jiang Yao.

In fact, ever since her first public appearance, she had noticed that the women around Zhu Xun Chuan were all of high social standing.

Fortunately, these women were all her fans. However, she knew even better that when it came to truly competing for Zhu Xun Chuan, no one would give up just because you were her idol.

What truly matters is strength and background, which she lacks. The resources behind her might seem impressive to ordinary people, but to them, they are merely decorations.

Moreover, she is now extremely satisfied to be recognized and even protected openly.

She leaned against Zhu Xun Chuan's shoulder, her eyes full of tenderness and dependence.

Jiang Yao's tense shoulders relaxed. She snorted, flicked her wrist, and deftly retracted the butterfly knife into her sleeve. The women at home were already a headache enough, and now she'd picked up another temptress in the middle of nowhere.

"Who's family with her?" Jiang Yao retorted, but still strode over to the bench.

She walked to the other side of Zhu Xun Chuan, unceremoniously squeezed him down to sit, and directly hugged his right arm with both hands to assert her dominance.

Under the streetlights, light and shadow intertwine.

On the left is a radiant and alluring national goddess, seemingly unapproachable. On the right is a wild and untamed heiress, ruthless and decisive.

Two stunningly beautiful women, each with a distinct personality, flanked the man. The cold wind of the wetland park seemed to carry a rich, alluring, and ambiguous atmosphere.

Jiang Yao glanced at Pei Yanyu and spoke again.

"Brother, your schedule is even fuller than the municipal party secretary's," Jiang Yao said sourly. "I haven't even had a sip of water at home, and you've come all this way, and all you're doing is putting coats on other people."

Pei Yanyu leaned against the other side, smiling as she retorted, "If Sister Jiang is thirsty, there should be bottled water in the car. The eldest daughter of the Jiang family would never skimp on herself when she goes out."

"I'll only drink the water that Brother Chuan pours." Jiang Yao refused to back down, hugging her arms tightly.