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

She ripped off her sunglasses and tossed them behind her, landing squarely in Ye Shaoqing's arms. Then, lifting her haute couture dress and sprinting into the pavilion in her pointed heels, she dashed off.

Without the reserve of a wealthy heiress, and without any restraint, Ye Chuchu buried her face in Zhu Xun Chuan's arms, wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, and stood on tiptoe to give him a heavy kiss on the cheek.

"Brother Xun Chuan!"

Her voice was sickeningly sweet, with an extremely clingy and endearing quality.

Ye Shaoqing, who followed in, rubbed his hands together and smiled obsequiously: "Master, you're finally awake."

Zhu Xun Chuan sat on the stone bench, not pushing the girl away from his arms. He then gently pulled his large hand over Ye Chu Chu's slender and firm waist.

"Coming to Secretary Meng's manor to cause trouble so early in the morning, you must have a lot of confidence." Zhu Xun Chuan said calmly, with a hint of teasing.

Ye Chuchu straddled one of Zhu Xun Chuan's legs, her arms still around his neck. She was so limp she felt like she had no bones, and she nuzzled her head against the crook of Zhu Xun Chuan's neck.

"I missed you." Ye Chuchu pouted her red lips, looking aggrieved. "I was so worried when I heard you landed in Shanghai last night. If my brother hadn't insisted on keeping me from going out, I would have sneaked in to see you in the middle of the night."

Ye Shaoqing secretly took two steps forward.

"Master, my younger sister has been spoiled rotten since she was little, and nobody in all of Shanghai can control her. She's completely ecstatic to hear you're coming," Ye Shaoqing said in a low voice, his face full of anticipation. "You're so kind, please take this little devil in. Just give me your nod, and I'll book the entire Bund for your wedding banquet tomorrow!"

He directly sold his sister for personal gain.

Zhu Xun Chuan chuckled softly, and just as he raised his hand to pinch Ye Chu Chu's collagen-rich cheek, a series of extremely light and unhurried footsteps came from the other side of the corridor.

Meng Wanqing wore a moon-white knitted long dress, her long hair casually tied back, and she wore no makeup. She carried a white porcelain tray with several freshly cut seasonal fruits on it.

The morning sunlight fell on her, revealing the languid charm and allure of a mature woman in her thirties, exuding an elegance that had settled deep within her.

The air froze instantly.

Ye Chuchu turned her head, her hostility rising suddenly. Like a fiercely protective little animal, she not only didn't get off Zhu Xun Chuan's lap, but deliberately straightened her back, raised her chin high, and stared at Meng Wan Qing who was walking towards her with provocative eyes.

Of course she knew the other party was the executive vice president of Peking University and the daughter of the top leader of Shanghai University. But so what? The Ye family had no shortage of money, and she was here today to steal the man.

Meng Wanqing's gaze swept over the two intertwined bodies. There was no anger or jealousy, no loss of composure.

She calmly walked into the pavilion and gently placed the white porcelain tray on the stone table.

"Shaoqing is here. He brought his younger sister over to play, but he didn't even give us a heads-up. We didn't even prepare any snacks at home." Meng Wanqing's voice was soft, completely in the tone of a mistress of the house.

Ye Shaoqing swallowed hard and chuckled twice: "Good morning, Sister Meng. I'm sorry to disturb your rest."

Meng Wanqing ignored Ye Shaoqing's embarrassment. Her gaze fell on Ye Chuchu in Zhu Xun Chuan's arms. Then, she picked up a small silver knife and used it to lift a bright red apple.

"I've long heard that the Ye family's daughter is beautiful, and seeing her today, she is indeed lovely."

Meng Wanqing's technique was skillful; the peel came off smoothly and continuously. She cut off a piece of fruit, inserted a toothpick, and held it directly to Ye Chuchu's lips.

"You came all this way early in the morning, haven't you had breakfast yet? Have a piece of apple to tide you over."

His tone was calm, and his gaze was kind.

This is an absolute dimensional reduction attack.

Meng Wanqing did not place herself on the same level as Ye Chuchu in vying for favor. Instead, she adopted the attitude of an elder wife, offering tolerance and rewards. This effectively nailed the arrogant and domineering little devil to the position of an immature little sister.

Ye Chuchu froze in Zhu Xun Chuan's arms. She had prepared a whole host of sarcastic remarks and sharp words, but now they all landed on soft cotton.

Accepting the call is not an option, nor is refusing it.

This silent crushing defeat instantly dissipated the arrogance she had previously cultivated, leaving only a feeling of uncomfortable frustration.

Zhu Xun Chuan patted Ye Chu Chu on the back with his large hand.

"You're not going to eat the fruit your elders peeled for you?" Zhu Xun Chuan's voice was deep and carried an unyielding sense of pressure.

Ye Chuchu bit her red lips, a layer of mist welling up in her eyes. Reluctantly, she released her arms from Zhu Xun Chuan's neck, obediently took the apple, and said in a muffled voice, "Thank you, Sister Meng."

Meng Wanqing put down the knife and took out a wet wipe to clean her fingers. She walked to Zhu Xunchuan's side and very naturally straightened the collar of his casual suit that Ye Chuchu had wrinkled earlier.

"It's almost time. There's a flight back to Beijing this afternoon. I'll go help you pack your luggage." Meng Wanqing said gently, and after giving the instructions, she turned and left the pavilion, returning to the backyard.

With measured advances and retreats, the battle was won without bloodshed. In less than three minutes, this chaotic scene was completely brought to an end.

Ye Chuchu watched Meng Wanqing's departing figure, angrily took a big bite of an apple, and looked up at Zhu Xunchuan with a wronged expression.

"Brother Xun Chuan, she bullied me." Ye Chuchu said with tears in her eyes.

"If she really bullied you, you'd be outside the Meng family's gates right now." Zhu Xun Chuan pinched her chin and wiped the juice from the corner of her mouth with his thumb. "From now on, follow me and learn some manners."

Upon hearing the words "follow me," Ye Chuchu's grievances vanished instantly. She immediately put on a smile and nodded repeatedly, just like a soft little kitten being stroked.

Two o'clock in the afternoon.

Meng Changjin personally arranged a special convoy to take Zhu Xunchuan and Meng Wanqing to Shanghai International Airport.

Before leaving, Ye Shaoqing stood outside the boarding gate, patted his chest and guaranteed that all of the Ye family's underground funds were at Zhu Xun Chuan's disposal at any time and would never fail him.

After saying goodbye to Hujiang, the two boarded a flight to Beijing.

The first-class cabin was quiet and the air conditioning was very strong.

Zhu Xun Chuan sat down by the window. Meng Wan Qing changed back into her minimalist dark blue suit, put on her gold-rimmed glasses again, and resumed her aloof vice principal persona. Exhausted from two consecutive nights of activity, she immediately asked for a blanket, put on an eye mask, and fell into a deep sleep as soon as she sat down.

The plane smoothly entered cruising altitude. A flight attendant pushed a food cart, quietly walking across the aisle, and brought two glasses of warm water.

Zhu Xunchuan casually flipped open a financial magazine at hand.

Just now.

On the other side of the aisle, in a single seat, the woman who had been wearing a black baseball cap and mask since boarding suddenly moved.

She took off her hat very slowly and threw it on the empty seat next to her, then pulled off the large black mask from her face.

Zhu Xun Chuan sensed something amiss in Yu Guangli's eyes and turned his head away.

Lines of sight meet in mid-air as they pass through the spacious corridor.

It was a face that was both terrifying and pure and beautiful.

The woman stared at Zhu Xunchuan, a slow smile slowly curving her lips into a strange yet deeply affectionate one.