Volume One, Chapter 103: Now, he was her fiancé.

Xu Zhi lifted the slightly long hem of her skirt as she descended, and upon seeing Liang Muzhi, she merely nodded lightly before heading toward Zhao Nianqiao. Liang Muzhi stared at her, dazed, unable to react for a moment; when he finally came to his senses, his heart was pounding fiercely, and he couldn't help but glance again at her retreating figure.

She was talking to Zhao Nianqiao, and from his vantage point, he could see her elegant butterfly-shaped shoulder blades and the slender, fair curve of her swan neck. He withdrew his gaze, but his heart was still racing—this was truly uncanny.

She had grown up with him since childhood—when had she become like this?

Zhao Nianqiao looked at Xu Zhi, feeling a pang in her chest. Her daughter, without her even realizing it, had already blossomed into such a graceful young woman. Yet, this girl, dressed so beautifully, was about to become engaged to someone who did not love her.

Forcing a smile, Zhao Nianqiao draped a small fur over Xu Zhi’s shoulders. “Keep your coat on until we reach the hotel, don’t catch a chill.”

Xu Zhi nodded, noticing the redness in her mother’s eyes. She grasped Zhao Nianqiao’s hand and squeezed it gently. “Mom, ride with me in the same car.”

Zhao Nianqiao did not refuse.

Liang Muzhi accompanied them out; the driver was waiting by the door.

Once in the car, Liang Muzhi sat up front. He glanced in the rearview mirror: Fu Wanwen had already gone to the hotel, Liang Zhengguo and Xu Heping were in the car behind, and several other vehicles carried relatives from the Liang family who were close to them.

As the car pulled out of the villa district and merged into the flow of traffic, his eyes involuntarily drifted back to the mirror.

Xu Zhi and Zhao Nianqiao sat quietly in the back. For some reason, Zhao Nianqiao began wiping away tears.

“Mom,” Xu Zhi couldn’t help herself. She reached for tissues from the box in the center console and handed them to her mother. “Why are you crying? I’m really fine.”

Zhao Nianqiao was not usually an emotional person, but today her heart was aching. She steadied herself before speaking. “It’s just an engagement, but it feels like a wedding... Everyone says the Liang family treats you well, but Muzhi dislikes you so much—how can I be at ease?”

Liang Muzhi, hearing his name, tensed his back and could no longer remain silent. “Auntie, I don’t dislike little Zhi.”

Zhao Nianqiao looked up at him. “Just the other day at the hospital, you said you didn’t want her, said she had no personality.”

Liang Muzhi glanced at Xu Zhi, his eyes flickering. “That day... I was just caught up in the moment. I was anxious and... I didn’t mean to say it like that.”

Zhao Nianqiao continued, “And what about that woman outside—”

With the driver present, Liang Muzhi hurriedly cut her off. “It’s all over now. I’ve decided to get engaged to little Zhi, and I’ll treat her well.”

---

Those words lacked conviction, and Liang Muzhi didn’t know why, but he felt somewhat guilty. He stole another glance at Xu Zhi.

Only the two of them knew the engagement was fake; his lie was meant to reassure Zhao Nianqiao, but Xu Zhi surely understood the truth.

Xu Zhi’s expression remained calm. She didn’t look at him, instead comforting Zhao Nianqiao. “Alright, Mom, don’t worry. I’ll see to my own future.”

Liang Muzhi felt uncomfortable hearing this. Xu Zhi was so decisive now, making her own choices. He used to think she lacked personality, but now he realized her mind was full of thoughts—what exactly was she considering? Why couldn’t she just listen to him?

After all, he was her fiancé.

But then he remembered—it was all fake...

Strangely, he felt a hint of regret. If he didn’t have a girlfriend, perhaps he would pursue Xu Zhi, he thought shallowly.

Men truly are creatures of the eye. He glanced at Xu Zhi again in the mirror; compared to Chen Jing, he never felt this way. Today, Xu Zhi’s beauty was striking, compelling him to look at her again and again.

When the convoy arrived at the hotel, Xu Zhi, accompanied by Liang Muzhi, headed to the makeup room in the banquet hall corridor.

Zhao Nianqiao went to the banquet hall to help, leaving the makeup room quiet, just the two of them.

Xu Zhi took off her coat and sat on the sofa, picking up the schedule left by the wedding company’s staff to review it once more.

Liang Muzhi sat beside her, watching her quietly read through the schedule. Her bare shoulders were rounded and luminous, a platinum necklace rested against her delicate collarbones, the crescent pendant nestled against skin smooth as jade. Before his gaze could drift further, he stopped himself.

Unable to resist, he asked, “Why didn’t you wear makeup before?”

Xu Zhi didn’t look up. “I didn’t want to.”

“Just lazy, huh?” Liang Muzhi studied her. “There truly are no ugly women, only lazy ones.”

Xu Zhi resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “As long as Chen Jing is diligent, does my ugliness bother you?”

Xu Zhi now was like a little chili pepper, always ready to retort. He didn’t mind, though—she always appeared obedient in front of others, but he found he rather enjoyed her sharp and direct manner with him.

He was about to say something more when his phone vibrated in his pocket.

He took it out, and—strangely enough, just after mentioning Chen Jing, she was calling.

He hesitated for a few seconds, then hung up.

---

He wasn’t sure if she’d gone to Hong Kong. In today’s circumstances, he needed to focus—he had no energy to spare for her.

But before he could put his phone away, it rang several more times in quick succession.

They were messages on WeChat. Xu Zhi couldn’t help but glance at him. “Is it Chen Jing?”

Liang Muzhi’s expression faltered. “She’s probably a bit upset…”

As he spoke, he looked down at his phone.

Chen Jing had sent several photos—he opened them and was stunned.

Xu Zhi watched his expression change dramatically and asked, “What happened?”

Liang Muzhi gripped his phone tightly, his eyes tense as he looked up. “I… I need to call her.”

Xu Zhi didn’t know what had happened, but she guessed Chen Jing’s mood was far more than just a little upset.

With her temperament, who knew what she might do? Hopefully she wouldn’t show up at the hotel and cause a scene. Xu Zhi watched Liang Muzhi rise to leave, not stopping him, only reminding, “Settle her down and come back quickly. I need to go over the schedule with you again—the emcee will be here soon.”

Liang Muzhi, clutching his phone, turned to look at her.

Xu Zhi sat there, her elegant brows slightly furrowed—a look that reminded him of her old self, concerned for him, always reminding him of things, like a little wife.

But now she was so radiant, so different from before—it left him momentarily dazed. He replied, “Alright, I’ll be right back.”

He pushed open the door and left, dialing Chen Jing as he went.

She must have gone to Hong Kong; the scenery in those photos was familiar. It was the suite they’d stayed in together before, on the thirty-sixth floor, with a window overlooking the city’s bustle.

The photos were taken from above; Chen Jing’s legs were visible in the frame. He instantly realized she had opened the window and was sitting on the ledge.