Rose Manor, by the garden fence.
On opposite sides of a black iron fence, two heads—one large, one small—were huddled together, plotting something.
“Sister, the uncle said the person in the photo is someone important.
The payment is doubled—he wants 10 million Star Coins.”
‘Ten million?’ Wen Ran was shocked.
‘It seems he’s figured out the female lead’s identity.’
Dodo had told her: the higher the status, the higher the price.
Ten million for peace of mind was worth it, but the money…
Wen Ran gritted her teeth.
“Okay, I’ll go get it for you now.”
“There’s no rush, Sister.
The bracelet you gave me sold for four million.
The uncle said we can settle the balance after the job is done.”
“When do you want the uncle to make his move, Sister?” Dodo asked with an innocent smile on his face, but the meaning behind his words was chillingly clear.
Wen Ran froze for a moment.
In families like hers, children of twelve or thirteen were studying in bright, luxurious classrooms.
But this boy before her had to scramble to survive, and hiring a hitman was something he treated as routine.
Dodo noticed Wen Ran was lost in thought.
Remembering what he had just said, he felt an inexplicable fear and cautiously watched the expression on the pretty sister’s face.
“Sister?”
“Ah, the mission should be completed within ten days.”
The Hai Rui Family Head’s birthday banquet was in half a month.
She had to get rid of the female lead before the banquet to turn the plot around.
If she couldn’t…
she didn’t know what she would do.
“Are you two playing hide-and-seek?”
A mocking voice rang out.
Dodo looked up and saw a handsome man wearing a black collar around his neck.
Though his features seemed bright and cheerful, he radiated a heavy, sinister aura.
Inside the garden fence, You Bufan was also sizing up Dodo.
The boy was very different from the last time he’d seen him.
The boy was no longer filthy.
His small face was washed clean, revealing a countenance that was both childish and innocent.
He was no longer wearing ragged clothes, but rather a clean, albeit faded and ill-fitting, outfit.
Meeting You Bufan’s scrutinizing gaze, Dodo felt inexplicably guilty.
“Sister, I have to go.” He clutched the corner of his white shirt and fled in a panic.
Wen Ran stood up, her gaze toward You Bufan filled with undisguised disgust.
“What are you doing here!”
I saw Miss Mite and came over specifically to say hello.” You Bufan’s lips curved into a smile, but his eyes held no warmth.
“The sight of you is annoying.
Stay far away from me from now on.
Don’t be an eyesore.”
Wen Ran straightened the wrinkles in her black floral dress, shot You Bufan a disdainful look, and turned to leave.
With a swift movement, You Bufan grabbed her, his brows knitting together.
“What exactly have I done to make Miss Mite despise me so much?”
“Let go.”
You Bufan didn’t budge.
Wen Ran squeezed the soul stone, and You Bufan hissed in pain, releasing his grip.
Wen Ran took out a handkerchief and wiped the spot on her arm that You Bufan had touched, her tone displeased.
“So filthy.”
You Bufan exhaled sharply.
“Wen Ran, stay away from him.
No one who claws their way out of the slums is a good person.”
From the first moment he saw that boy, he had scented a kindred spirit.
People from the slums will do anything to climb higher, and naive women like Wen Ran are the easiest to deceive.
“Psycho.” Tossing out the single word, Wen Ran continued walking away in her high heels.
You Bufan doubled over, his teeth grinding together with an audible CLICK.
Then, he couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
His laughter dissolved into a fit of coughing.
‘Why is it that we both came from the slums, but her attitude toward us is so completely different?’
A crystal-clear tear slid down his cheek.
Wen Ran had just returned to her room when the chime of her Smart Brain rang out.
Seeing the characters flashing on the screen, the good mood she’d had just moments ago vanished completely.
She held her breath and watched, only daring to breathe deeply again when the ringing finally stopped.
But the next second, she received a message.
[Wen Ran, answer the phone!!!]
The ringing started again.
Wen Ran closed her eyes and tapped the answer key.
The holographic image of a middle-aged man appeared in the air.
He had gray hair, a square jaw, and deep-set lines between his brows.
His green eyes were sharp, and his stern face held a trace of suppressed anger.
“Father.”
“There is a banquet tonight.
You will attend on behalf of the Mite family.
The dress and styling team will arrive at noon.”
“Watch your words and actions when you go out this time.
Don’t disgrace the Mite family.”
“Also, the letter of understanding will be delivered shortly.
Sign it!”
Wen Ran opened her mouth to speak, but the call ended before she could get a word out.
‘As always, they’re orders, not requests.’
Just as she finished lunch, the dress and styling team arrived.
She didn’t know what her supposed father, Charles, was planning, but the dresses he had sent were all extremely revealing.
Aside from the essential parts, they were either backless or had necklines that plunged below her navel.
“Are there any other dresses?” Wen Ran asked, holding on to a sliver of hope that her supposed father, Charles, still had a shred of humanity left.
“I’m sorry, Miss.
Lord Mite only approved these.”
A self-deprecating smile touched Wen Ran’s lips.
‘I was fooling myself.’
In the end, Wen Ran didn’t choose any of the dresses Charles had prepared, opting instead for the one Ize had given her last time.
“My goodness, this dress is perfect for you.”
“Let me begin your makeup now.”
The styling team was captivated by Wen Ran’s exquisite and well-proportioned figure, feeling as if the dress had been designed just for her.
Looking at Wen Ran’s pure and radiant features, the makeup artist decided to go against Lord Mite’s instructions.
That evening, the banquet was once again held at Shengshi.
The grand hall was ablaze with light as a young woman with delicate makeup slowly walked in through the entrance.
A gentle breeze swept through, carrying the faint scent of rose-juice pheromones into the bustling hall.
Many of the men in the hall were drawn by the scent of these pheromones, and they all turned to look.
The young woman’s skin was as white as porcelain, and a shimmering highlighter accentuated the collarbones beneath her neck.
The makeup on her exquisitely beautiful face was subtle, giving her the aura of a snow lotus from a high mountain.
A strip of sheer gossamer stretched from her chest to her lower abdomen, leaving nothing of her perfect figure to the imagination.
“Who is she?
How come I’ve never seen her before?”
“Is she a young lady from one of the great families?
She’s gorgeous.”
“Yeah, and her pheromones smell amazing.
I’ve never smelled anything so fresh and sweet.
Just a whiff is enough to feel my spiritual power being soothed.”
“And most importantly, she hasn’t been marked!
She doesn’t have a partner!”
As they spoke, the group of males grew more and more excited.
After exchanging a few glances, they simultaneously started walking toward Wen Ran.
“Beautiful lady, I am Quik Aaron of the Black Bear Family, a Second-class Family.”
“I am Demar Villa of the Black Ape Family, a Second-class Family.”
“…”
Wen Ran was startled by the men crowding around her.
She clutched the diamond-studded handbag in her hands and watched them warily.
“What do you want?”
Demar wore a friendly smile, his voice clear.
“Don’t be afraid, Miss.
We just want to get to know you.
May I ask who you are…?”
Wen Ran tried to step aside, but with men on either side of her, there was no way out.
Her expression turned cold.
“Get lost!”
“Miss, we just want to be friends with you.
We don’t mean you any harm.”