Chapter 1: I Do Not Agree!

“Not here, not here!”
A soft laugh, soothing and low, reached her ears, and Shi Ran’s body tingled as if electrified. She involuntarily loosened her grip against the man’s hand.
“If Jiaqi saw you like this, what would happen?”
As he spoke, the man’s hand climbed higher, growing bolder.
The dark window tint blocked most of the outside light; her porcelain skin stood out starkly against the black leather seat.
“Outside... someone might notice...”
Zuo Yelin’s sharply defined face was shrouded in shadow, his emotion unreadable. Only his deep eyes fixed on her reactions, the corners of his eyes curling subtly.
“Even if they notice, who would dare say anything!”
He was right.
No one dared gossip about him. But she—nominally the daughter of the Zuo family—would be despised and insulted; her mother might even beat her to death.
Shi Ran’s worries were clear to the man, who gently pulled her back with a simple motion when she momentarily faltered. “Do you like it?”
How could she not?
He had once been her senior at school, the object of her pursuit. To finally be seen by the one she had secretly admired for five years, and to share intimacy with him, was her deepest hope.
But this hidden relationship frightened her.
She feared the gossip of the Zuo family, feared being condemned as the illegitimate daughter of his stepmother, the so-called younger sister behaving recklessly and shamelessly.

A voice called from outside, “Director Zuo, time’s up.”
Zuo Yelin withdrew decisively, then stepped out of the car with composure.
Every time, he was just like this.
Today was the anniversary of the lady of the house—Zuo Yelin’s biological mother. In the underground parking lot, surrounded by luxury cars, the family was at the manor holding memorial rites. She had come out to greet Zuo Yelin, the eldest son and current head of the Zuo conglomerate. Then, just like that, she was pulled back into the car...
By the time she arrived, the Zuo family had already offered incense and flowers, dressed in black and standing respectfully.
She came running, and Zuo Yelin frowned, watching her pick up incense to light before suddenly asking, “Where’s the flower?”
Shi Ran was startled. “What flower?” she blurted out.
Her gaze shifted; everyone wore white flowers pinned solemnly to their chests, their faces grave but their eyes quietly gleeful.
She was shocked. Earlier, in her agitation, she hadn’t noticed when her flower had fallen off.
Shi Ran looked over, and he knew full well—making her lose face in front of everyone. The sting of humiliation surged, and his single word, “Get out!” ignited it to its peak.
“You’re getting more unruly.”
Zuo Yelin’s father had never recognized this late lady who had passed away, nor had he cared much for Zuo Yelin himself. A car accident had taken two sons and the wife he had just married, but he later accepted them as his own. Yet Zuo Yelin’s mother still lived alone.
As for Aunt Mei, she was chosen by Zuo Yelin himself after he took control.
Zuo Yelin paid no mind to the past. “The Jiangcheng manor is ready. I’ll arrange for you to go there and relax as soon as possible.”
Accustomed to being head of the family, she wanted to say more, but only nodded.
“Shi Ran won’t be coming along. They don’t lack servants over there. But here, we can’t do without someone competent.”
His words were naturally directed at Aunt Mei, Shi Ran’s birth mother.
Shi Ran stood outside the door, listening carefully to his decision.
She had resented his public reprimand earlier, but now, thinking about it, if she had been inside, she would have been the one kneeling through the vigil. Relatives on both sides—uncles, brothers, cousins—stood or sat nearby, all watching and listening to Zuo Yelin’s arrangements.
Suddenly, Zuo Yelin’s third uncle cleared his throat and smiled, “Yelin, Shi Ran is already in her twenties. Jiaqi has long had feelings for her. Why don’t you make a decision and settle this matter?”
Zuo Yelin’s eyes darkened deeply as he curled a finger. At the door, Shi Ran took a small step forward, her eyes filled with anxiety as she looked at him.
“Jiaqi?” He nodded toward his cousin.
The young man couldn’t hide his joy, looking at Shi Ran who kept her head down and silent, his smile widening, “Brother, my feelings for Shi Ran are genuine.”
Zuo Yelin’s gaze passed over Shi Ran to Aunt Mei, whose face radiated happiness.
What objections could Mei Lan possibly have? That her daughter was favored by the Zuo family was a blessing earned in a past life. Shi Ran’s previously illegitimate status would now be fully legitimized.
“I have no objections. You decide.”
Zuo Yelin stared at Shi Ran, his expression inscrutable. Before he could say more, Shi Ran rushed in front of him,
“I don’t agree!”