Liancheng, a bustling harbor city embraced by the sea.
About ten kilometers from the city center lay the most prestigious affluent district in all of Liancheng. Each villa here was not only exorbitantly priced but also renowned for housing only the biggest celebrities and tycoons—making residency a status symbol in itself.
Among them stood a distinctive blue-and-white villa, its reflective glass exterior shimmering brilliantly, setting it apart from the rest.
On the first floor, a wall-sized television dominated the living room, cycling through the latest entertainment news:
"Pop diva Mu Wanning will travel to France next month as the ambassador for the latest AER jewelry collection. Her manager and fiancé, Ling Haowei, will accompany her throughout the trip."
"Ling Haowei appeared on *Star News* early yesterday morning, revealing his upcoming engagement to Mu Wanning. His adoration was palpable, setting what many call the gold standard for celebrity relationships."
Up the deep-red hardwood staircase on the second floor, an expensive pearwood screen came into view, with an extravagantly designed bedroom to the right.
On the elegantly understated bed, two figures were entwined. Scattered across the plush carpet were pieces of their discarded clothing, and an indescribable tension filled the once-pristine room.
"Hao, I love you," the woman murmured, her wavy hair cascading over the pale blue maple-leaf bedsheets. Her slender legs wrapped around the man's toned waist, while her delicate hands pressed lightly against his chest. Her almond-shaped eyes sparkled with mischief and allure.
Outside, the playful sunlight peeked through the sheer curtains, undeterred by their attempt at modesty.
Meanwhile, a serene girl in a sky-blue dress walked gracefully along the cobblestone path, a stylish beige backpack slung over one shoulder. Towering kapok trees lined the way, their fiery red blooms standing proudly atop the branches, exuding an air of untouchable elegance.
She wore a mask and sunglasses, only removing them once she reached the blue-and-white villa's entrance. After a quick, mischievous glance around, she stepped inside.
The television was still playing the *Star News* segment featuring Ling Haowei's heartfelt confession. The girl glanced at the screen, her lips curling into a faint, triumphant smile, her large eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
With a chuckle, she set down her backpack and picked up the remote to turn off the TV.
"Hao, in my heart, you're the greatest man there is."
With the TV turned off, the coquettish voice of a woman upstairs became distinctly audible to the girl. At first, she was stunned, then her brows furrowed in anger as she stormed up to the second floor.
Fumbling for the key in her pocket, her fair, delicate hand trembled so violently that she couldn’t even insert it into the lock.
*"Oh, stop it~~"* The shameless voice rang out again, clear as day.
Her hand jerked, and the key clattered to the floor.
Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself, her usual composure returning. She picked up the key and finally opened the door...
The two inside clearly hadn’t expected anyone to walk in. A flicker of panic crossed their faces before vanishing the moment they saw who it was.
The man calmly pushed away the woman’s arms wrapped around him and hastily grabbed a towel to wrap around his waist.
The sight of the large, damp stain on the sheets made the girl press her lips tightly together, her delicate fists clenching.
*"Well, well, if it isn’t our pure and innocent Mu Wanning,"* the woman sneered, glancing dismissively at the girl standing in the doorway. With a seductive motion, she hooked her arms around Ling Haowei—who was barely covered by the towel—and pulled him back onto the bed.
*"This is my house. Get... get out!"* Mu Wanning’s delicate face flushed crimson as she fought back the tears welling in her eyes, pointing at the still-naked woman.
*"Darling, did you hear that? She’s telling me to get out!"* The woman pouted, clinging to the man’s arm in an exaggerated display of helplessness.
*"Wanning, mind your manners,"* Ling Haowei said, peeling away the woman’s hands—adorned with fiery red nail polish—and standing up.
*"Ling Haowei, you two have the audacity to do something this shameless in my villa, and now you’re lecturing me about manners? How ridiculous can you be?"* His words finally broke her restraint, and tears spilled down her cheeks.
*"Oh, come on, just because they call you the 'Pure Goddess' doesn’t mean you have to be this dramatic,"* the woman drawled, plucking a cigarette from the nightstand and holding it between two slender fingers with practiced ease. She made no move to leave.
*"Ling Haowei, are you even listening? I said get her out!"* Mu Wanning’s trembling eyes locked onto the man standing by the window. Her heart felt as though it had been struck by a sledgehammer, each breath coming with painful difficulty.
"Xiao Ning, stop this nonsense!" Ling Haowei's chiseled features were accentuated by his bold purple flame-like hairstyle, the asymmetrical bangs adding to his roguish charm.
His words hung in the air as he averted his gaze from Mu Wanning's glistening tears, his thin lips pressed into a tight line, betraying no emotion.
"Even if you're kicking me out, I should at least make sure my man is well-fed. Wouldn't want him starving by your side all day," the woman retorted when Ling Haowei remained silent. Rising to her knees, she looped her arms around his neck and pressed her crimson lips to his, her exposed chest pressing tightly against his arm.
Mu Wanning's hands trembled around the keys she clutched, her usual gentle demeanor shattered by an unexpected surge of fury. Before she knew it, she had rushed forward, her delicate hand raised to strike.
But a sharp, stinging slap landed on her left cheek before she could act. The burning pain left her stunned, her hand frozen mid-air.
A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her lips as she stared blankly at the hand still suspended in the air and the woman in Ling Haowei's arms, her smirk icy with triumph.
She didn’t even wipe the blood away.
No… he couldn’t do this to her. He was the man she loved most!
"You… you hit me?" Mu Wanning's lips curled slightly, the delicate skin of her pampered face now marred by a swollen, vivid handprint.
"Mu Wanning, did you really think your precious fiancé loved you?" The woman laughed mockingly, flicking her fingers. A still-glowing cigarette butt flew toward Mu Wanning. "Since you’ve seen it all today, I might as well tell you—he’s always been mine."
"Disgusting!" Mu Wanning seethed, watching the woman’s hands trail suggestively over Ling Haowei’s chest. She longed to slap that smug face.
"Disgusting? Oh, I forgot—you’re the famous 'Ice Queen,' aren’t you? Of course, passion between a man and a woman would seem vulgar to you. But… my husband loves it." The woman giggled behind her hand, her fingers kneading Ling Haowei’s arousal through the towel.
Ling Haowei hesitated when he saw the unbearable pain in Mu Wanning’s eyes, but he still reached out to stop the woman’s brazen movements.
"Ling Haowei, I never want to see you again in my life. Get out—take your woman and go!" Mu Wanning’s tears fell uncontrollably as she glared at him.
"Mu Wanning, did you really think you were some untouchable princess, that everyone would grovel at your feet?" the woman sneered. "We’ve been together long before you came along. If it weren’t for you—"
"Shut up!" Ling Haowei cut her off sharply before the woman could finish.
"So... you've been together behind my back all this time? Ling Haowei, you're despicable!" Mu Wanning glared at the two of them, raising the keys in her hand as if to strike him.
Instinctively, Ling Haowei raised his arm to block her, intending only to push her away. But the force was too strong—Mu Wanning staggered back several steps before slamming into the table with a loud *thud*.
Steadying herself, she took a deep breath, her wide eyes burning into him. Her voice was quiet but firm. "Tomorrow, I'll hold a press conference to announce our breakup."
With that, her face deathly pale, she turned and bolted for the door.
Ling Haowei shot a glare at the woman on the bed before rushing after her. One thought consumed him: *This can't happen. She can't leave me.*
Seeing him chase after her, Mu Wanning quickened her pace in panic, fumbling for her phone as she ran. The sight sent a jolt of alarm through Ling Haowei...
As she descended the stairs, he lunged forward, desperate to stop her. His large hands nearly caught her, forcing her to veer sharply toward the railing.
"Stay away from me!" she screamed, her voice breaking as she dodged him.
The moment he saw her phone connect, Ling Haowei reached out to snatch it. But she twisted away, continuing her frantic descent.
In a split-second decision, he shoved his hands against her back—
The phone arced through the air before shattering on the ground below.
Mu Wanning, caught off balance, tumbled down the stairs.
A sharp pain exploded in her chest as her vision blurred. Through the haze, she saw the man hurrying down after her—and the stunning woman who had followed, still wearing *her* pajamas. The woman paused, then smirked.
"Pathetic. She really doesn’t get it," came the woman’s icy chuckle.
"Wanning! Wanning!" Ling Haowei rushed to her side, his voice frantic.
"You actually care about her?" The woman leaned against the railing, her tone dripping with disdain.
"Of course not. But if she dies, what happens to our plan?" Ling Haowei quickly masked his panic, his expression hardening.
"So what? The whole world knows you're about to get married. What’s there to worry about?" The woman laughed, carefree and cruel.
Mu Wanning lay motionless in a pool of blood, the crimson stark against the pale hardwood floor. A horrifying sight.
