The morning began with a quiet stillness in Liang Xun’s villa, a silence only disrupted by the soft shuffle of footsteps as he moved through his daily routine.

He awoke before dawn, the sky still inky and dim, casting soft shadows across his room.

Despite the early hour, his mind was already alert, sharp, as he prepared for the day ahead.

—

Liang Xun stepped under a steaming shower, letting the warmth soak away any lingering fatigue, his thoughts circling back to the girl lying under his villa.

There was a curious tug in his mind—a pull he wasn’t accustomed to feeling.

Her appearance last night was still fresh in his thoughts.

The softness of her furred face, her delicate form, and the way she seemed to sleep so peacefully despite her strange surroundings… all of it lingered with him in a way he couldn’t quite explain.

He dressed in a tailored black suit, its lines sharp and clean, accentuating his powerful, quiet presence.

After a quick breakfast, he walked up the hall to the third floor and opened the door to the guest room.

—

Inside, the girl was still lying there, wrapped in the thick, soft blankets.

Her face, partly turned towards him, looked almost ethereal in the soft light filtering through the curtains.

Liang Xun approached the bed, his expression calm, though his gaze held a quiet curiosity.

For a brief moment, he reached out, his fingers brushing gently against her cheek. The soft fur felt strange under his fingertips, unfamiliar yet somehow comforting.

He traced the line of her fur-covered ears, careful not to disturb her sleep, feeling an odd sort of fascination.

Carefully, he adjusted the covers around her, ensuring she was tucked in comfortably.

She shifted slightly, murmuring something incoherent, but her eyes remained closed.

With a final glance, Liang Xun stood up, his calm expression masking the questions forming in his mind.

He didn’t know who she was, or why she had ended up here, but something about her presence felt… significant.

Turning, he stepped back, his mind already moving on to the day’s tasks.

He paused at the doorway, setting up a discreet camera in the corner of the room.

Not only did he want to ensure her safety, but something about her intrigued him in a way he couldn’t ignore.

After a final look at her sleeping form, he exited the villa.

———

Outside, the sun had fully risen, casting a golden glow over the landscape.

Three luxury vehicles waited by the front entrance, polished to perfection.

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The lead car was his Bugatti Centodieci, sleek and imposing in its metallic black finish.

On either side were two Rolls-Royce Cullinans, their armored bodies a testament to Liang Xun’s high standards for security.

Because of his position, he had encountered various attempts that wanted his life.

As Liang Xun approached, his assistant Yun Fei opened the door to the Bugatti, greeting him respectfully.

Without a word, nodding, Liang Xun slid inside.

The convoy moved smoothly through the quiet streets.

———

The sleek design of the building, blending modern lines with traditional Chinese architectural details, symbolized the company’s vision—both rooted in tradition and aimed towards the future.

That was the Haoyuan Group, a company that had almost one hundred years of history.

The convoy stopped precisely at the entrance, and Liang Xun stepped out, his expression as unreadable as ever, though his presence commanded attention.

Around him, employees noticed his arrival, many greeting him respectfully, though none dared approach him directly.

He walked through the lobby without responding to the respectful greetings from his employees, his gaze fixed ahead.

Behind him, as he entered the private elevator, whispers erupted among the staff the moment he was out of sight.

"Did you see him?" one murmured, awe coloring his voice. "Even at this hour, he looks like he could cut through steel with that gaze."

"Right?" another agreed. "I've been here a year, and I’ve only seen him once before."

"He’s so… intense," a female employee sighed, her eyes bright with admiration. "If he even glanced my way, I’d probably faint."

"He never looks at anyone," a colleague reminded her with a smirk. "His mind’s always on business."

—

The elevator opened onto the 27th floor, where his expansive office overlooked the city, offering a breathtaking panoramic view.

The decor was both modern and traditional, reflecting the balance of strength and sophistication Liang Xun valued.

He moved toward his desk, his every action efficient and deliberate, as Yun Fei, standing by his side, began listing the agenda for the day.

“Sir, the design team will present the final blueprints for the Xinyi Luxury Towers project later this morning, Yun Fei began, professionalism evident in every word. " After that, there’s a product review meeting for the new jewelry line, followed by an architectural presentation for the Chengnan Pavilion renovation.”

Liang Xun nodded, his focus unwavering. “Ensure the materials for the morning meeting are ready in the conference room.”

“Understood.” Yun Fei gave a small bow and left the office, ready to make the arrangements.

Moments later, the door opened again, and three men entered—Qian Yi, Li Han, and Yu Zhi, his long-time friends since high school.

Each carried a distinct presence: Qian Yi with his easy confidence, Li Han’s mischievous grin, and Yu Zhi’s composed silence.

They approached Liang Xun’s desk, their familiarity apparent as they settled in comfortably, unbothered by the formal atmosphere.

Qian Yi, the most talkative one, spoke first, a grin on his face. “So, this is where you vanished to, leaving us in the middle of our trip. Very considerate of you.”

Li Han, the youngest and the funniest, chuckled, leaning against the desk, “Two days, Liang Xun. After all that convincing to get you there, you just leave us hanging?”

Liang Xun remained impassive, though a hint of amusement touched his eyes. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.

“I had work to do,” he replied, his tone calm.

Qian Yi sighed, exaggerating the sound. “Always the workaholic. But really, did something happen?”

For a brief moment, an image of the girl in his guest room flickered in Liang Xun’s mind.

Her sleeping form, the softness of her fur, the quiet mystery surrounding her... But he chose to keep it to himself, his face betraying nothing.

Yu Zhi, the oldest and calm after Liang Xun, observing his friend’s silence, spoke up, his tone calm. “If it’s important, he’ll tell us when he’s ready. Right?”

Their conversation turned lighter, Qian Yi and Li Han poking fun at Liang Xun’s sudden disappearance, while Yu Zhi simply observed saying a word or two.

The lighthearted banter brought a faint, rare smile to Liang Xun’s face as he listened in his usual reserved silence.

Yun Fei re-entered a short while later, his presence quiet and respectful.

“The team is ready for the morning meeting, Sir.” he announced.

Liang Xun rose, nodding briefly to his friends. “Stay or leave. I have work to do.”

He walked out, his friends exchanging amused looks as they settled in, clearly intending to stay and relax while he handled his business.

———

The morning meeting unfolded with its usual intensity, the team presenting plans for the Xinyi Luxury Towers.

The Xinyi Luxury Towers project was the latest in Haoyuan Group’s ventures, promising a blend of contemporary elegance and sustainable design.

The discussion was filled with technical details about sustainable design, Liang Xun’s sharp gaze catching every detail as he asked precise questions.

“What about energy efficiency? Are we meeting the LEED standards?” he inquired, his tone steady.

“Yes, sir,” the project lead confirmed. “All materials are sustainable, and we’re projected to exceed LEED Platinum certification.”

Satisfied, Liang Xun nodded, offering a few concise suggestions.

His feedback was direct, reflecting his high standards and focus on excellence.

As the day wore on, hours passed in a relentless flow of work.

Liang Xun was fully immersed, reviewing documents and addressing details for various projects.

———

It wasn’t until late afternoon after hours of meetings, reviews, and discussions, that he glanced at the time, realizing he hadn’t checked the camera feed from the guest room.

He pulled out his phone, opening the live video.

The girl was still asleep, her small form curled up under the blankets.

For a moment, he simply watched her, feeling an inexplicable sense of calm.

She shifted slightly, her eyes fluttering open.

Blinking sleepily, she looked around the unfamiliar room with a dazed expression before lying back down, drifting into slumber once more.

A quiet chuckle escaped Liang Xun, almost involuntary, surprising even himself.

The image of her, half-asleep and dazed, had somehow stirred a softness in him he hadn’t expected.

“Sleepyhead,” he murmured to himself, his voice barely above a whisper.

Yun Fei, standing nearby, glanced at him in surprise at the sound.

Liang Xun’s slight smile was an anomaly; the reserved, composed Liang Xun was known for his ruthless professionalism, and any sign of softness was a rarity.

His cold face was imprinted to their minds.

Setting his phone aside, he returned to his work, but the memory of her sleepy gaze lingered, a small, inexplicable warmth settling in his chest.

It was a feeling he didn’t quite understand but found himself unwilling to ignore.