In the blink of an eye, a week had passed, and the day of the Bai Family’s engagement had arrived.
Tianlin City, outskirts, Korchins Manor.
Amidst drifting snowflakes, a black Bentley st63 glided into the manor, the iron gates on both sides opening automatically, before coming to a halt in front of a white building.
It was a towering, magnificent structure.
Its exterior walls were painted white, the roof covered in a thin layer of snow, making it look like a colossal White Snow Palace.
The private parking lot held only a handful of cars: a green Porsche, a Lamborghini, a BMW z4, and a fluorescent green Maserati GT sports car—each an extravagant luxury.
“Did you remember everything I told you?”
“I did. Eat more, talk less, and leave after dragging it out for two hours.”
Xu Yinsheng nodded solemnly.
“Good.”
Zhao Yicheng, dressed in a little suit, nodded in satisfaction.
“From now on, I’m your country cousin. I’ve even forged all the ID documents. No one will suspect a thing.”
“Understood.”
“Let’s begin, then.”
Xu Yinsheng nodded in response.
In the next instant, a silver silhouette, brimming with futuristic energy, dove into her body.
Instantly, Xu Yinsheng seemed to transform; her face still carried a touch of youthful innocence, but a mechanical coldness now flickered between her brows.
She raised her hand, and with a grasp at the air, a silver-hued colloid, reminiscent of a non-Newtonian fluid, materialized in her palm.
Xu Yinsheng suddenly slapped the gel onto her face!
In the next moment, an endless surge of liquid exploded outward, engulfing her whole body, as if she’d been swallowed in an instant.
After just a brief moment, the car door opened.
A tall, lean man stepped out. His short, jet-black hair was thick, his features strikingly handsome, eyes deep and narrow, lips thin and alluring, his frame long and upright, exuding a cold, imperious air.
Standing at 1.89 meters, he wore a black suit that made him seem even more imposing, like a solitary pine.
Behind him, a cute, boyish youth in a little suit hopped out, grabbed his hand, and walked alongside him, wide, glossy black eyes gazing curiously up at the man.
Zhao Yicheng looked up at Xu Yinsheng—now in disguise as himself.
Sensing his gaze, Xu Yinsheng lowered her head to meet his eyes.
Despite the face of someone in their twenties, her eyes held a look of youthful adolescence—like a husky pretending to be a wolf among the pack.
“Put away that clueless look, stand tall, chest out, stomach in. You’re now a CEO worth tens of billions. Learn from those domineering presidents in popular high school novels.”
Zhao Yicheng whispered in a low voice at her side.
Hearing this, Xu Yinsheng muttered discontentedly, “I’m not a girl, why should I care about those CEO stories?”
“Stop it, someone’s coming.”
A waiter in white now approached, smiling and guiding them, “Gentlemen, this way please.”
The Bai Family Estate was built in 1866, occupying 2,136 mu.
Its architecture was reminiscent of the Song-Yuan Period, modeled after a Wubao that resisted the Mongol Yuan.
After changing hands and multiple restorations, with some European touches added, it finally ended up in the Bai Family’s possession.
However, Xu Yinsheng had heard from Zhao Yicheng that the Bai Family’s financial chain was on the verge of collapse.
If it hadn’t been for a mysterious influx of funds, they would’ve declared bankruptcy long ago. Even so, the number of staff employed at the manor had been gradually dwindling.
Xu Yinsheng followed the waiter through a long corridor to the central villa of the estate.
Romantic and solemn, the grand foyer and imposing gates, round arched windows and stone corners, all radiated luxury and dignity.
It was refreshing, not at all tacky: white stucco walls paired with pale red tiles, continuous arches and corridors, and a high-ceilinged living room with expansive windows that stirred the soul.
The waiter pushed open the heavy wooden door.
A rich fragrance greeted them.
Looking up, a ten-meter high dome ceiling soared overhead, where radiant crystal chandeliers hung from ancient beams.
Men in tailored suits and slim women in costly dresses stood with wine glasses, smiling and greeting the guests.
The glasses in their hands were filled with dazzling, vivid red wine.
Brilliant sunlight streamed through windows with intricate latticework, bathing the hall in golden light and illuminating the entire space.
Xu Yinsheng… instantly lost her nerve.
This was not a place for a minor nobody like her.
What kind of atmosphere did Xu Yinsheng love best?
Bars, nightclubs, karaoke—wild heavy metal music, dazzling lights, champagne and spirits to drown her sorrows, and two gorgeous ladies by her side.
Sensing Xu Yinsheng’s nerves, a small hand behind her gripped hers tightly.
“If you run away now, you’ll regret it when I deal with you later,” came a threatening whisper by her ear. Xu Yinsheng shivered, her palm breaking out in a cold sweat.
She took a deep breath, forced herself to relax, lifted her head and chest, and strode forward.
Without realizing, she put some distance between herself and Zhao Yicheng. By the time she noticed, Zhao Yicheng had already been swallowed by the crowd and was nowhere to be found.
After all, a 1.1-meter-tall boy was hardly noticeable in a crowd averaging 1.7 meters.
Xu Yinsheng was about to turn and look for him, when a slender hand suddenly reached out to stop her, offering her a glass of champagne.
Following the hand, Xu Yinsheng saw a young lady in a fitted skirt and fur shawl—someone she recognized.
Not just anyone—a familiar face.
“President Zhao, have a drink.”
Bai Ruoxi handed her the glass, her face adorned with a faint smile.
“Thanks.”
Xu Yinsheng accepted the tall glass, taking a delicate sip.
The champagne glistened against her lips.
She studied Bai Ruoxi.
Since that stock market storm, when the Zhao Corporation’s shares plummeted and then soared, Bai Ruoxi had vanished from the company.
When Xu Yinsheng asked Zhao Yicheng, he’d simply replied, “She resigned.”
Compared to the petite, flat-chested loli from a few months ago, Bai Ruoxi now seemed more mature.
Black heels seven or eight centimeters high gave her 1.56-meter frame a few extra centimeters, while the tailored dress and fur shawl accentuated her ample curves.
She looked like an unripe fruit tinged with an inviting blush—irresistibly intriguing.
Tsk, tsk, the little loli has “grown up” so fast.
A pity—Zhao Yicheng likes neither lolis nor mature women.
He’s just a—
Xu Yinsheng cursed inwardly.
“Ah~” Suddenly, Bai Ruoxi let out a soft cry, as if struck by something, and lost her balance, falling toward Xu Yinsheng.
The champagne slipped from her grasp, crashing to the floor with a clear, melodic shatter.
Orange champagne splashed onto her dress, leaving blotchy, yellow-orange stains and causing a stir among those nearby.
Such an embarrassing sight instantly drew the attention of many men and women in the hall.
Xu Yinsheng was among them. When Bai Ruoxi stumbled toward her, she simply stepped back and to the side, avoiding her in a move that drew surprised looks.
Now steady, Xu Yinsheng saw the person who’d fallen to the ground, and her eyes flashed with astonishment—
Zhao Yicheng!