Pretending to be a couple?

For months, they had longed for this, eagerly awaiting the end of the year. They believed it would be a beautiful and harmonious trip, but was this how it was going to end?

"Yes... I'm sorry. I deceived all of you," Zhou Yufei apologized sincerely, her head bowed low.

Zhou Yinghao strode forward and slapped her across the face.

SLAP!

The sudden, sharp sound drew startled glances from countless onlookers.

Zhou Yufei clutched her burning cheek as tears welled up in her eyes, overwhelmed by the injustice. How could she not want to be with Chen Yang? But the problem is, he already has a wife. What could I possibly do?

"What are you doing!" Peng Ya shoved Zhou Yinghao away and wrapped her arms around Zhou Yufei. "Come on, let's get out of here."

A look of disappointment crossed Zhou Jingyuan's face as he glared at Zhou Yinghao. "How old are you? Still so impulsive."

"I..." Zhou Yinghao was at a loss for words. In truth, he had regretted the slap the moment his hand had landed. Was this the first time he had ever hit Zhou Yufei?

「In the car.」

After Zhou Yufei finished recounting the whole story, she said helplessly, "I really tried, but he..."

"That Zhennan Prince is a true man," Zhou Jingyuan remarked with a leisurely air of admiration. "A man who can even control his feelings is truly terrifying."

"Besides, when you get to the bottom of it, this is actually my fault. If it weren't for me arranging a marriage alliance with the Sun Family, none of this would have happened," he said, his face filled with self-reproach.

"I'm sorry. I played with your feelings," Zhou Yufei apologized again.

Peng Ya stroked Zhou Yufei's head. Despite her own deep disappointment, she showed only gentle compassion. "What is there to apologize for? It's just that you two were fated to meet, but not destined to be together."

At this, Zhou Yufei burst into bitter, heartbroken sobs. She truly loved Chen Yang, but...

Zhou Yinghao frowned. "Logically speaking, with the Zhennan Prince's status, he could easily take several wives, couldn't he? Is there really no room for negotiation?"

His words made the others pause. That's right, maybe there's still a chance?

Zhou Jingyuan pondered for a moment before stating decisively, "Alright. At the dinner table, I will bring this matter up."

At this point, it wasn't just about cozying up to the powerful Zhennan Prince. Seeing how deeply in love Zhou Yufei was, they simply couldn't bear to see her suffer. Even if it meant becoming Chen Yang's junior wife, it would be worth it, as long as she was willing and happy.

Zhou Yufei, however, shook her head. "Grandfather, it's useless. I know Chen Yang. He's an incredibly devoted man. He will never take a second woman besides Qin Qiu."

She was absolutely certain of this. The fact that he had resisted her repeated advances spoke volumes about his integrity and focus.

Zhou Jingyuan said nothing more, but he was determined to raise the subject.

"By the way," Zhou Yinghao said, changing the topic, "Ao Lifu from Qiyun Road is in Lingjin City. He heard we were here too and suggested we have a meal together." He looked to Zhou Jingyuan. "Should we invite him to join us for lunch?"

"What's he doing here?" Zhou Yufei frowned, her displeasure obvious.

This Ao Lifu was from the Ao Family of Qiyun Road. His grandfather and Zhou Jingyuan were the closest of friends. The Ao family had started out in Qingqiu Dao in their early years but eventually put down roots in Qiyun Road. It could be said that Zhou Yufei and Ao Lifu grew up together—not exactly childhood sweethearts, but certainly childhood friends. However, Ao Lifu had an indescribably overbearing personality, and Zhou Yufei had disliked him since they were young.

"He said he's here to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a pharmaceutical company," Zhou Yinghao said. "The lad is indeed a bit arrogant, but our families have been friends for generations. I say we just have lunch together."

"Fine. Let him know," Zhou Jingyuan nodded.

「Wangjiang Hotel.」

The hotel was situated right on a bend of the Lingjin River, offering a truly exceptional view.

Parked by the main entrance, a charcoal-black Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon was particularly eye-catching. Leaning casually against the driver's side door was a young man of about thirty, dressed in a black casual suit and wearing a pair of aviator sunglasses. He was brazenly checking out the beautiful women who passed by.

Of course, many of the women returned his gaze, with some even approaching him to strike up a conversation. In less than half an hour, he had already added three women's contact info to his phone. If he hadn't been waiting for someone, he likely would have already driven off with one of them.

"Yufei!"

As Zhou Yufei's family appeared, the young man waved. Pushing his sunglasses up onto his forehead, he started walking toward them. Yufei is still the prettiest, especially that figure... tsk, tsk. She's an absolute stunner.

The smile on his face grew wider, and he quickened his pace. This was, of course, Ao Lifu.

"Yufei," he greeted warmly as he approached. "It's been a few years. You've only gotten more beautiful."

"It has been a while," Zhou Yufei replied with a polite nod.

After greeting Zhou Jingyuan and the others one by one, Ao Lifu said proudly, "Let's go. I've already booked a private room with the best view."

"Lifu, it's my treat today," Zhou Yinghao said, clapping him on the shoulder. "I have another distinguished guest arriving later."

Hearing there was another guest, Ao Lifu didn't insist. "Next time, then," he smiled. "It will have to be my treat."

「Twenty-eighth floor, the Royal Private Room.」

Inside the enormous private room, an entire wall was made of frameless glass. Standing at the window, one could see more than half of the Lingjin River spread out below.

After some idle chatter, Ao Lifu suggested, "Let's go ahead and order."

"No rush. Let's wait for our guest," Zhou Yinghao said with a wave of his hand.

Ao Lifu raised an eyebrow. "Zhou, who is this guest that's so important we have to wait for him to even order food?"

"He's the Zhou Family's most honored guest. I'll introduce you when he arrives!" Zhou Yinghao said, trying to build suspense.

"Tch!" Ao Lifu sneered inwardly. In truth, ever since his Ao Family had established itself in the city, he had begun to look down on the insignificant Zhou Family. If it weren't for Zhou Yufei, he wouldn't be laying on the charm like this.

He walked over to Zhou Yufei's side and said with a grin, "Yufei, you should come visit Qiyun Road after the holidays. I'll show you a great time! Of course, if you want to go somewhere else, I'm fine with that too." This woman is gorgeous! Ao Lifu's heart raced. The faint, sweet fragrance wafting from her made him feel even more restless.

"Thank you, but I don't want to go anywhere," Zhou Yufei said coolly, taking a step to the side to create some distance between them.

Rebuffed, Ao Lifu didn't give up. But no matter what topic he tried, Zhou Yufei maintained her icy demeanor. Though he kept a smile plastered on his face, Ao Lifu was seething with anger inside.

"Sorry, I'm late."

Chen Yang walked in, offering an apologetic smile to the group. In reality, he wasn't late; the Zhou family had simply arrived early.

"Chen Yang!" Zhou Yufei was the first to meet him, immediately taking his arm and whispering, "I've already explained everything to them, so you don't need to say anything later."

Seeing this, Ao Lifu was suddenly stunned. What's going on? To him, the way Zhou Yufei and Chen Yang were acting looked unmistakably intimate. His eyes glinted with a cold light. Don't tell me this guy is Yufei's boyfriend.

"Chen Yang."

"Lord Chen, have you been well?"

Peng Ya, Zhou Yinghao, and Zhou Jingyuan all hurried over to greet him warmly, showering him with pleasantries and asking about his well-being.

Still reeling from shock, Ao Lifu flopped back down in his seat and sneered. A minor family will always be a minor family. Treating some kid who's still wet behind the ears like a VIP... how ridiculous.

"Lifu, let me introduce you. This is..." Zhou Yinghao walked over to Ao Lifu, gesturing toward Chen Yang with a smile. But before he could finish, Ao Lifu tossed the menu onto the table. "It's getting late. Let's just order."

Zhou Yinghao's expression flickered, but he suppressed his irritation and tried again. "Lifu, this is..."

"Who he is," Ao Lifu said, looking up to stare intently at Zhou Yinghao, "what does that have to do with me?"

Zhou Yinghao was left speechless.

An awkward silence descended upon the room.

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