Hu Li’s pause sent a shock through Hua Yan. A sudden thought struck her: could Hu Li’s mother be behind this incident again? If that were true, she really disliked her.

It seemed that Hu Li’s parents didn’t like her being with Hu Li. Seeing Hua Yan’s troubled expression, Hu Li embraced her, comforting her, “Xiaoyan, don’t be upset by insignificant people. You promised me you wouldn’t leave me because of external reasons.” His mother’s actions made Hu Li afraid to face Hua Yan, fearing she might leave him. This vulnerability made Hu Li’s blood run cold.

Lost in thought, Hua Yan initially didn’t notice Hu Li’s distress until she could hardly breathe. She suddenly realized, “Hu Li, what’s wrong? What’s wrong?” The cool dampness on her hand gave her a start.

Looking closely, she saw tears at the corners of Hu Li’s eyes. “Hu Li, what’s wrong? Talk to me.”

“It’s nothing,” Hu Li said, wiping away the tears and smiling somewhat sheepishly. “It’s nothing. I just don’t understand why they can’t accept or understand what I want. Even though I told myself not to care about these things since I was a child...,” he trailed off. But because of you, I’ve felt warmth. My frozen heart has started to thaw, and I began to hope for your love, my parents’ love. I’ve started to care about many things.

“Don’t scare me like this. It’s not like you to be so emotional. I know you want to talk about yesterday’s incident. It’s very likely your mother was behind it. So what? Since I decided to be with you, I’ve been prepared to face these things. Do you understand?” From the moment we are born, we are inherently alone. If we’re lucky enough to find someone who can give us warmth and love, how can we let fear and anxiety make us close off our hearts?

Like a snail retreating into its shell.

“Really?” Hu Li asked, now looking like a cautious teenager. Hua Yan kissed him on the cheek and said, “I won’t be deterred by someone else’s threats. Don’t underestimate women. Sometimes, their potential is limitless.”

Hu Li was amused by Hua Yan’s exaggerated words and gestures, lightening his mood. “You must stay home for the next few days. I have a big surprise for you on the day of the banquet.”

“Alright, but you have to let me use your study. I’ll get bored without my books.”

“Okay.” At that moment, Hu Li had already made an important decision. Watching Hua Yan, whose eyes still shone like the stars, he couldn’t help but admire her steadfast heart and determination. Despite his mother’s repeated provocations, Hua Yan remained calm. She was truly a remarkable woman, and he found himself increasingly attracted to her.

After that, Hu Li disappeared for the entire day. He only called during dinner to remind Hua Yan not to skip her meal because he couldn’t make it back.

Eating alone wasn’t very enjoyable. After a bowl of porridge, Hua Yan went back to her room to read. As she read, time flew by, and before she knew it, it was midnight, and Hu Li still hadn’t returned. Too tired, she soon fell asleep.

Hu Li emerged from a basement, followed by Hu Er and Hu Da. A stray cat darted past them, seemingly startled by a smell, letting out a sharp cry before bolting away.

The scent the cat picked up on was blood—thick and pervasive. It was the blood of Mouse and Huang Shulang. After several rounds of severe interrogation, the truth finally came to light.

A delicate recording pen moved up and down in Hu Li’s hand, mirroring the thoughts running through his mind.

“What are your orders, master?” Hu Er asked.

“Quietly replace all the personnel at the banquet with our people. Hu Da, work with Madam’s people to ensure the banquet decorations are flawless,” Hu Li said, gazing at the empty moonlit sky, a sly smile playing at the corners of his lips that lingered.

“Yes, master,” they replied.

"Master, leave this to me. I guarantee the banquet will be decorated beautifully," Hu Da said confidently. Hu Er glanced at him like he was an idiot.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"Alright, let's head back." Hu Li didn’t laugh at Hu Da’s words but instead seemed to appreciate them.

When he returned to the villa, Hu Li quietly went to Hua Yan's room. Seeing her curled up like a hedgehog, his gaze softened, and he smiled.

Sitting gently on the edge of the bed, he looked at her sleeping face and whispered, "I hope you like my surprise. Don't disappoint me. As for yesterday, I handled it personally and found out that they were sent by Ke Shaozheng, who was instructed by my mother.

Any last bit of hope is now gone. Xiaoyan, if I were no longer the young master of a wealthy family and had nothing, would you still stay with me?"

In the morning, Hua Yan rubbed her eyes and mumbled to herself, "Last night, I dreamed Hu Li was sitting by my bed, talking a lot. But what did he say? I can't remember a word."

When she went downstairs, Hu Li wasn’t in the dining room. Did she wake up late again? Checking the time, it was only eight o'clock. Usually, Hu Li had just woken up by now.

"Miss Hua Yan, you're up. Breakfast is ready. The master requested fried dough sticks, tofu pudding, and small buns for you. Do you need anything else?" The maid carefully observed Hua Yan. After days of watching her, she still didn’t understand what made this delicate girl so special that her usually cold master cared for her so attentively.

Other servants predicted Hua Yan wouldn’t last long, but she believed Hua Yan and the master would grow old together. In their eyes, she could see the purest love, the most heartwarming atmosphere, and the most enviable exchange of glances.

"No, thank you." Hua Yan muttered, wondering if Hu Li was still dealing with those two people.

Hu Li, in fact, was wandering around various high-end boutiques, selecting jewelry, dresses, accessories, and shoes for Hua Yan.

Hu Er had discreetly replaced all of Madam’s staff for the banquet with their own trusted people. These were orphans Hu Li had taken in when he was bored, teaching them combat, shooting, and other skills.

At the time, Hu Li saw them as a way to pass time, and they were all loyal to him. He never expected them to become so useful. They were completely loyal to Hu Li and only took orders from him.

Hu Li regretted that he had always focused on completing tasks and eliminating threats to the Hu family, never considering leaving or changing things. As a result, he hadn’t built his own team. Now, he regretted it.

"Master, why don’t you bring Miss Hua Yan to choose? She could ensure she likes everything."

"You don’t trust my taste?" Hu Li asked, giving Hu Er a dangerous smile. Hu Er quickly laughed and said he didn’t dare. Knowing his master didn’t want to talk, Hu Er quietly stood aside.

A shop assistant approached and asked Hu Li if he was choosing for his sister. Hu Er brushed her off with a few words, not revealing anything.

"Hua Yan, do you like everything I chose for you?" Hu Li personally helped Hua Yan dress, not letting the servants touch anything.

Standing in front of the mirror, looking as elegant and beautiful as a fairy, Hua Yan couldn’t believe the graceful and refined woman in the mirror was herself. "Hu Li, did you really pick all this yourself?"

"Yes, do you like it?" Hu Li asked with a satisfied smile.

"Not bad, not bad, you have excellent taste. But why didn't you let me choose myself?"

"Because I want to do everything for you, to let you feel my love at every moment," Hu Li whispered in his heart, hoping she would agree to his plan at the banquet.

Arm in arm, they entered the sixth-floor banquet hall of the Asia-Pacific branch office. The room was already filled with young ladies and elegantly dressed women, resembling a garden in full bloom. Many energetic young gentlemen chatted with the women they fancied.

There were also men in suits, holding glasses of red wine, their eyes composed as they engaged in lively conversations. Perhaps with just a few words, they had already sealed million-dollar deals. Some were joyful, while others were worried.

Some stood tall, basking in the admiration of others; some were dressed to impress but inwardly humble, praying for the chance to network with the influential attendees and secure their future.

Hu Li and Hua Yan's entrance attracted a lot of attention and curiosity. "Look, isn’t that one of the hosts of today’s banquet, the young master of the Hu family? But who is the woman with him? She’s clinging to him quite closely for just a date."

"I don’t know her, but she looks very annoying," some women muttered, uneasy as they eyed Hua Yan. These mothers, who had brought their daughters to the event, could see beneath the surface better than the younger attendees. However, they didn't want to acknowledge their suspicions, hoping instead that Hu Li's mother would clarify the situation.

Hu Li's mother, who was busy entertaining guests, noticed Hu Li holding Hua Yan's hand. A flash of anger crossed her face. "Son, you're finally here. Come and meet these people," she said, ignoring Hua Yan and pulling Hu Li towards a group of successful individuals surrounded by admirers.

"Mother, wait a moment," Hu Li frowned, shaking off her hand. Smiling at Hua Yan, he said, "I'll get you a drink. You can rest nearby. I'll send Reed to keep you company. If anyone bothers you, just ignore them."

"Alright, go ahead," Hua Yan replied. The banquet had attracted many prominent figures, and the Hu family needed this opportunity to establish connections.

Shortly after, Reed, dressed impeccably, approached Hua Yan with a glass of red wine. He didn’t speak, just gave her a meaningful smile, as if something exciting was happening.

"Reed, you're smiling so mysteriously. What’s going on?"

"I wouldn’t dare say. If I did, Hu Li would make my life miserable. But don’t worry, it’s not a bad thing," Reed said, laughing heartily. His laughter made Hua Yan even more curious about what Hu Li was up to.