Only a fool would believe the two of you are innocent.

"You... you..." Ji Ningxue covered her mouth, her beautiful eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

No one knew what she had truly endured all these years!

The suffocating pressure and agony!

After graduating at 21, she had taken over the Ji Group alone, facing a den of wolves within the company. The old shareholders had looked down on her, dismissing her as just a young girl.

Yet, through sheer force of will and ruthless tactics, she had subdued them all.

Time and again, the Ji Group had teetered on the brink of collapse. How helpless and desperate had she been back then?

Until an anonymous angel investor appeared, stepping in repeatedly to pull the Ji Group back from the edge.

She had tried reaching out to express her gratitude, but each time, the investor had politely declined.

Now, as Ji Ningxue looked at Jiang Che, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

Recalling the words she had just spoken to him... she couldn’t help but laugh at herself bitterly.

"So... it was you who helped me all along."

Jiang Che smirked, not a trace of guilt for his deception.

As long as Ji Ningxue never learned the truth, what did it matter?

Now that Flea had betrayed Xiao Chen—even going so far as to meticulously transfer all donation records under Jiang Che’s name—Xiao Chen wouldn’t stand a chance if this ever came to light.

Jiang Che had only taken the first step, yet he had already cut off every escape route for Xiao Chen.

Resting his chin on his hand, Jiang Che grinned. "So, Ningxue-jie, how do you plan to thank me? Still think we have no connection?"

Ji Ningxue bit her lower lip lightly. Jiang Che, under his anonymous guise, had invested at least two billion in her company.

While repaying that sum now wouldn’t be difficult, how could today’s two billion compare to what his investment had meant back then?

His money had been a lifeline. Without him... the Ji Group would never have survived.

"Jiang Che... I know how you feel about me. But I’m too old—pushing thirty. In a couple of years, I’ll be past my prime... You have so many young, beautiful girls around you. They’re more deserving of your affection."

Ji Ningxue retreated, her heart laid bare. She didn’t dislike Jiang Che—far from it—but the age gap was insurmountable!

"And I’m a married woman. If word got out, it could tarnish your reputation."

Jiang Che’s heart swelled with smug satisfaction. Now, this was what he called a considerate older sister!

Who could resist a woman who always put his interests first?

Forget bratty little girls—a mature woman in her thirties was the real prize.

Sorry, but why choose? In the adult world, there were no either-or decisions. He’d take it all.

Taking Ji Ningxue’s delicate hand, Jiang Che leaned down and brushed his lips against her knuckles.

"Ningxue-jie, who said you’re old? Age is just a number. They say a man who marries an older woman gains gold bricks—with you, I’d get three."

"And being married? That’s hardly an issue. Just get a divorce. I’ve always admired the Wei dynasty’s romantic legacy—a married woman is just an added bonus."

Ji Ningxue froze, her mind in chaos.

Never had she imagined she’d be reduced to a blushing mess by a 19-year-old!

"I—I—you... you little pervert! I’m not some married woman! Xiao Chen and I never even—he never held my hand! In three years of marriage, he never saw anything above my knees!"

She floundered, desperate to clarify, terrified Jiang Che might misunderstand.

Jiang Che laughed. "Ningxue-jie, the way you’re scrambling to explain is adorable."

Ji Ningxue: "(´･ω･`)\\"

"Ningxue-jie, now that you know it was me helping you all along... don’t I deserve a reward?"

"R-reward?" Her face flushed crimson. If she didn’t grasp his meaning now, she might as well be dead.

"I’m not ready yet, Jiang Che. Give me some time... For now, how about a hug?"

Gently, she pulled Jiang Che’s head into her embrace.

Jiang Che: "......"

Damn. What was this suffocating pressure?

A true... lethal weapon.

"Alright, that’s enough for today. I have work to attend to." Ji Ningxue settled back onto the sofa, slipping into her stockings and shoes.

Jiang Che’s lips curled. Flirting with a mature woman was dangerously intoxicating.

"Oh, one more thing." Ji Ningxue stood, licking her lips with a sly, bewitching smile.

"Do you really think... I remembered nothing from last night after drinking? You took quite the liberties, you naughty boy."

Jiang Che chuckled. This woman was truly a fox spirit—one moment flustered by his advances, the next turning the tables.

How do you switch gears so fast, jie?

Though he possessed the ability to read minds, sometimes ignorance was bliss. Some things were better left unsaid.

...

The moment Ji Ningxue slid into her car, she collapsed onto the steering wheel, her face burning to the roots of her hair.

"This is so embarrassing! How did things end up like this? How can I repay Jiang Che? Am I really going to hand myself over to him?"

"Where did that brat learn such smooth moves?"

"Whatever. First, I need to divorce Xiao Chen. This so-called marriage has always been a joke anyway."

With her resolve set, Ji Ningxue started the car, humming a tune, her mood noticeably lighter.

When she arrived at the Ji family villa...

The servants gathered around.

Ji Ningxue scanned the area. Oddly, Xiao Chen was nowhere in sight.

Today of all days, when she’d finally remembered his existence, he’d vanished?

"Sweetheart, where were you last night?" Zhao Li hurried over, her sharp eyes scrutinizing her daughter.

Though Ji Ningxue had tidied herself up, traces of the night remained.

"I... I was working late at the office. There’s been a lot of pressure with recent projects."

Zhao Li saw through the lie instantly but didn’t call her out. Instead, she guided her inside.

"Xuexue, where did these marks come from?"

She tugged aside Ji Ningxue’s collar, revealing clear bite marks on her fair shoulder—left by some beast.

Ji Ningxue flushed, stammering incoherently.

"Xiao Chen???" Zhao Li’s voice rose sharply before she shook her head. "No, he was in jail last night. Couldn’t have been him..."

"Mom, stop guessing!"

Ji Ningxue rolled her eyes. "I had dinner with Jiang Che last night. We stayed at a hotel."

Zhao Li’s face lit up with unrestrained delight.

"Really?! You spent the night with Young Master Jiang?"

How could she not be thrilled? Beaming, she circled her daughter, clasping her hands excitedly.

"Xuexue, you've finally come to your senses. With your looks...snagging a young guy like Jiang Che should be a piece of cake, no?"

Ji Ningxue's face flushed red. "Mom~~~ Nothing happened between Jiang Che and me. I just had too much to drink last night."