Сhарtеr 1: Fеigning Dеliсаtе Softness
In latе Dеcembеr, Beijing wеlсоmеd its first snоwfаll of thе уеаr.
The hеavy snow fell fоr а daу аnd а night, blаnkеting the wоrld in silvеr-whitе.
Overnight, thе vаst citу of Beijing рlunged intо the depths оf winter.
Yеt, the еntirе circlе of high sociеtу аnd thе online wоrld wеrе unusuаlly abuzz.
#Вreаking! Shen Rangсhen, Hеad of thе Shen Family, Ехрosеd in Rоmance#
#Shеn and Fu Fаmiliеs Strengthen Тies Thrоugh Mаrriаgе#
#Shen Rаngchen Fu Yutаng#
Acсоmрanying the headlines were рhоtos of Shen Rangсhеn and Fu Yutang on thе strеets of Paris, bathed in the glow of the setting sun as they gazed affectionately at each other.
The media photographers had captured the moment with exceptional skill—the composition was so poetic it seemed like a timeless masterpiece.
Unfortunately, the trending topics were scrubbed from the entire internet in less than five minutes, erased without a trace, as if it had all been nothing more than a collective illusion.
On this snowy night in Beijing, the city remained aglow with lights, immersed in its world of luxury and indulgence.
A globally unique, custom-made black Hongqi limousine, a national gift, emerged from the airport.
The heavy snow had stopped, but fine, scattered flakes still drifted from the eaves of buildings and the tips of tree branches along the streets. The silver-white snow settled on the dark car body, casting a chill inside the cabin despite its comfortable temperature.
The man resting with his eyes closed in the back seat suddenly spoke, uttering four words softly: “The trending topics. Explain.”
He did not open his eyes, and his voice was faint, yet it sent shivers down the spine, carrying an overwhelming sense of pressure.
Zhuo Feng, the special assistant in the passenger seat, broke into a cold sweat instantly.
The Shen family stood at the pinnacle of high society, its reputation renowned internationally.
Anything related to the Shen family, even if captured by reporters, would never be recklessly published online.
As for Shen Rangchen, he disdained even appearing in financial sections, and all media outlets were well aware, never daring to release any related information without permission.
Yet this time, the news had remained on the trending list for a full four minutes and twenty-nine seconds—and it was gossip!
This was undoubtedly the most significant and fatal mistake of Zhuo Feng’s career as a special assistant.
Zhuo Feng hurriedly bowed his head in acknowledgment of his failure. “It was my negligence for not handling it in time.”
He then immediately explained, “Your father, Mr. Shen, and Ms. Fu were also photographed in Paris. Ms. Fu even graciously gave an interview to reporters, subtly hinting at an unusual relationship between you and Ms. Fu Yutang. She even gave the media the mistaken impression that you were all in Paris together for a family vacation, leading them to believe Ms. Fu Yutang was already considered family.
The reporters, eager to break exclusive news, published it directly.”
After Zhuo Feng finished speaking, Shen Rangchen, still with his eyes closed in the back seat, remained silent. The car fell into a nerve-wracking stillness.
Shen Rangchen’s left thumb slowly traced the silver ring on his index finger.
It was the restless Fu family again.
Ms. Fu, his nominal stepmother.
The aura around the man grew colder and more oppressive.
After a moment, he spoke in a low, indifferent tone, “Let it not happen again.”
Hearing this, Zhuo Feng instantly breathed a sigh of relief, knowing he had narrowly escaped disaster. He promptly assured, “Rest assured, Mr. Shen, it will never happen again.”
Shen Rangchen’s hand, which had been tracing the ring on his index finger, paused slightly. He spoke again, “Have you found her?”
At these words, Zhuo Feng, who had just relaxed, felt his heart leap to his throat once more. “N-no, not yet.”
He reported truthfully, “Miss Ciying’s phone is still unanswered, and the people we sent out have found no trace of her.”
The man who had been resting with his eyes closed finally opened them. His gaze was clear yet slightly somber, and his voice turned cold as he said,”Twelve hours, and you can’t find a single girl.”
An oppressive aura of authority instantly swept through the entire car.
“It’s our incompetence,” Zhuo Feng stammered, his heart pounding in his throat as he forced himself to explain. “According to reports from all entry and exit points in Jingbei, Miss Ciying is still in the city. We’ve searched everywhere except for the ‘Fox Fairy Garden’ on the southern mountain peak.”
“You gave special instructions regarding the ‘Fox Fairy Garden.’ Without Miss Ciying’s permission, no one is allowed to enter under any circumstances or for any reason.”
“And once drones approach the ‘Fox Fairy Garden,’ they lose signal and can’t gather any information, so…”
Before Zhuo Feng could finish, a new message arrived on his phone. His eyes lit up as he read it, and he exclaimed excitedly:
“Mr. Shen, we have news! A minute ago, Miss Ciying posted a video on social media. The video was confirmed to be newly recorded, and she’s at the Fox Fairy Garden.”
Shen Rangchen’s eyes narrowed slightly, his voice so calm it betrayed no emotion. “To the Fox Fairy Garden.”
“Yes, Mr. Shen.”
The Fox Fairy Garden is a Chinese-style estate nestled atop the southern mountain peak. Vast in scale, it features rows of classical buildings surrounded by mountains and water, grand and magnificent.
Under the night sky, the estate was ablaze with lights, a dazzling and extravagant spectacle.
Especially tonight, with the entire estate blanketed in snow, it took on an extreme, pristine, and breathtaking beauty.
Originally, this was a resort scenic area Shen Rangchen invested in and built when he was eighteen. Unexpectedly, after its completion, it was gifted to Shen Ciying as a coming-of-age present, becoming her private property.
Shen Ciying didn’t completely “erase” the estate’s original purpose as a scenic area. She planted many cherry blossom trees throughout the grounds, and each year, during the cherry blossom season and the snow-covered season, the estate opens to the public for one month each.
All proceeds naturally go straight into Shen Ciying’s private coffers.
Shen Ciying has amassed countless fans on social media thanks to her exceptional classical dance skills and the Fox Fairy Garden. On every platform she joins, she boasts millions of followers.
The video Zhuo Feng received was Shen Ciying’s signal announcing the Fox Fairy Garden’s opening to the public, as well as her fulfillment of a promise to her fans to cosplay as Daji during this year’s first snowfall.
The video showed a snow fox running through the snow suddenly transforming into the human form of Daji.
Shen Ciying’s portrayal of Daji was both enchanting and ethereal, stunningly beautiful. The mere few dozen seconds of the video exploded in popularity the moment it was posted.
In the snowy night, a black Hongqi sedan drove smoothly into the Fox Fairy Garden.
The snow-covered ground blended with the glow of lights. Beside the antique pavilion stood rows of blooming plum blossom trees, their branches laden with snow.
Snow fell on red plum blossoms, creating a picturesque scene.
Under the plum blossom trees, on the snowy ground, Shen Ciying, dressed as Daji, held a pure white jade-faced fox in her arms. Accompanied by several attendants, she was about to return to her room to change clothes.
Suddenly, a cold and detached voice called out.
“A Ying.”
Shen Ciying, who had been gently stroking the snow fox in her arms, lazily raised her eyes and saw Shen Rangchen approaching closer and closer in her line of sight.
The man stood a towering 192 centimeters tall, tall and imposing, with long legs. He wore a black suit under a knee-length black coat, his hair neatly slicked back, adding a sharp edge to his noble and composed demeanor.
Under the night sky, the man strode through the snow with long steps, truly embodying an air of refined elegance. His perfectly sculpted face was cold and detached, exuding an aura of restraint.
He completely overshadowed Zhuo Feng, who followed behind him.Seeing Shen Rangchen find his way here, Shen Ciying wasn’t particularly surprised. With his power and influence, it would have been easy for him to discover she hadn’t left Jingbei City. And aside from this Fox Fairy Garden, every corner of Jingbei had likely been thoroughly investigated by his people within those dozen or so hours—down to the number of ants crawling about.
With no news, it was only natural he would come straight here after landing, especially since she had posted that video revealing her location.
Still, she hadn’t truly intended to disappear. She merely wanted to see if he would worry—and how much.
Yet she felt no particular joy either; her true emotions were faint.
But as the man drew closer, she feigned a look of aggrieved restraint, pressing her lips tightly together. Her bright, delicate face, already flushed from the cold in the snow, now took on an added layer of fragile vulnerability, pitiable and heart-wrenching.
With her nose tinged red and eyes brimming with grievance, she watched the man approach through her teary vision. Her red lips parted and closed several times, but in the end, not a single word escaped. Instead, she weakly hugged the snow fox in her arms tighter, appearing utterly pitiful and helpless.
(New story is here! I’ve truly kept you waiting, my darlings.
Dark, Proud Little Drama Queen × Steady, Cold-Hearted Power Holder
Wishing you all a pleasant read!)