Chen Fei’s eyes reddened after being loudly scolded by Uncle Fu.
She was, after all, a social climber who had only come to this birthday party to rub shoulders with wealthy and influential heirs like Gu Hongyun.
“S-sorry…”
Chen Fei was on the verge of tears—her face had been thoroughly humiliated tonight!
Though Uncle Fu was merely a butler, his status in the Qin Family was nothing to scoff at. He had practically raised Qin Zhengwei, making him almost like a second master.
Being publicly berated by him left her with no dignity to stay.
Covering her face, Chen Fei ran out, having never suffered such a deep insult in her life!
As she stepped outside, she froze at the sight of several oddly dressed individuals. What was this about—
“Actually, about that loan…”
An Yi wasn’t ready to let Uncle Fu brush the topic aside and tried steering the conversation back.
Uncle Fu chuckled, cutting him off. “An Yi, you and the young miss are classmates. It warms my heart that Yao Yao has such an outstanding friend!”
“I’m glad to be friends with Qin Yao too,” An Yi replied casually before pressing on. “But about that loan—”
Clearing his throat, Uncle Fu turned and addressed the crowd with practiced charm. “Dear friends and family, thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to celebrate Yao Yao’s nineteenth birthday. Your presence is deeply appreciated!”
Truly, Uncle Fu was a sly old fox. The moment he sensed An Yi’s persistence about the loan, he deftly maneuvered him into a dead end.
An Yi realized—the money was out of reach.
His face turned ashen. Two billion, just gone like that?
That bastard Blue Shark was pure, 24-karat trash!
What kind of A-rank killer couldn’t even take down an old man?!
Suddenly, he remembered—he had a system-assigned task: Violent Action. No, no, no. Uncle Fu was elderly. That wouldn’t be right.
Shen Muxuan, noticing the tension, quietly approached and asked, “What was up with that woman earlier?”
An Yi shrugged. “How should I know? She accused me of groping her fake butt!”
Shen Muxuan frowned seriously. “So… did you?”
An Yi rolled his eyes and lightly flicked her forehead. “Do I look that desperate? That kind of flimsy charm? No way!”
“Oh? Who knew our Young Master An had such high standards?” Qin Yao walked over, smiling sweetly—though her eyes held a dangerous glint.
This guy just did a head-pat attack!
This guy just did a head-pat attack!
This guy just did a head-pat attack!
In an instant, Qin Yao’s guard was up again around Shen Muxuan.
She knew it!
An Yi was a full-blown pervert through and through!
Living under the same roof with such a beauty, and nothing happened?
Qin Yao refused to believe it!
Unaware of the murderous aura, An Yi replied breezily, “Haha, it’s not about standards. I don’t care much for looks—what matters is inner qualities. Like, say, being filthy rich.”
“Tch.”
Lin Chen scoffed disdainfully.
This brat was still dreaming of marrying into wealth!
An Yi raised an eyebrow. “Got a problem, Lin?”
Lin Chen gave him a cold glance. “I don’t waste time on losers.”
An Yi’s temper flared. “You poker-faced—”
Just then, Fang Jueming sensed trouble and stepped forward, assuming a combat stance. “Master, let me handle this guy!”
It was obvious to Fang Jueming that this poker-faced man was at odds with his master.
As An Yi’s disciple-in-training, it was his duty to stand by his master’s side!
An Yi’s eye twitched as he hastily pulled Fang Jueming back. “No, no, no! He’d kill you. Let me teach you something—people with resting bitch faces are bad news. Stay away.”
Meanwhile, Wu Tong—the stoic “Axe Fist”—gulped down another glass of wine, his arm trembling with suppressed rage.
This is too much!
His daughter, Wu Shuangshuang, quickly intervened. “Dad, what’s gotten into you tonight? Slow down…”
“Alright, enough!” Qin Yao feigned anger, hands on her hips. “No fighting!”
Lin Chen, usually rebellious to the core, was oddly subdued in Qin Yao’s presence.
She held out her hand to An Yi. “An Yi, where’s my birthday gift?”
As the Qin Family’s young miss, she’d been showered with lavish presents all night—none of which she cared for.
But she’d been waiting for An Yi’s gift. Yet the jerk seemed to have forgotten!
She came from wealth and lacked nothing. Even a simple plush toy from him would’ve made her day.
“Birthday gift?”
Cold sweat broke out on An Yi’s forehead.
He’d just remembered—the crate of counterfeit liquor was still by the door!
Major oversight!
What could he give now?
A kiss? A hug? His nineteen-year-old virginity?
None of those would fly in public—especially with Lin Chen ready to murder him on the spot.
Seeing An Yi flounder, Lin Chen’s lips curled in satisfaction.
Perfect.
This guy never failed to disappoint.
Qin Yao’s delicate hands trembled slightly as she stared at him.
Don’t tell me he brought nothing…
A pang of hurt shot through her.
Sure, it was typical of him. But showing up empty-handed to a girl’s birthday? That was just cruel.
Anything would’ve been fine—she didn’t care about the price!
Shen Muxuan noticed the tension and discreetly slipped a small vial into An Yi’s hand.
Relief washed over him as he held it up. “Ta-da! The gift is… uh, this little bottle!”
Qin Yao: “…”
Bravo. Really outdid yourself.
Lin Chen’s lips twitched in amusement.
He thought gifting fake alcohol was already absurd—but a tiny bottle?
“Wow! Such a delicate little thing. Thank you, I love it.” Qin Yao forced a smile as she accepted it.
Lin Chen: This defies logic.
Shen Muxuan couldn’t take it anymore and whispered, “It’s a pill bottle. There’s medicine inside.”
Though she meant it for An Yi, the others heard it loud and clear.
Qin Yao’s expression shifted slightly.
An Yi coughed. “Right, it’s medicine. A little pill.”
Hearing this, Qin Yao quickly uncorked the vial.
Inside lay a single, jade-green pill, perfectly round and glossy.
“What kind of pill is this?” she asked.
“Uh…”
An Yi blanked.
How would I know?!
Shen Muxuan hurriedly explained, “It’s a Feigned Death Pill. After taking it, the user enters a deathlike state for two hours.”
Qin Yao: “…”
An Yi: “…”
Lin Chen: “…”