Chapter 3

“Su Jianyue, what exactly is your problem? My family picked Muning as my fiancée. I never agreed to it. She’s like a little sister to me.”

The man’s voice was rather arrogant and cold.

“A little sister? Would a little sister call herself your fiancée, move into your house, wear your clothes, and post pictures of it on WeChat?”

“I told you, she got caught in the rain and had nothing to change into, so I lent her a shirt. There’s nothing between us.”

“Nothing? Is the business partnership between your families imaginary too? You’ve even set an engagement date, and you’re still treating me like an idiot.”

“It’s publicity for the partnership. The engagement is just for show. I’m not going to marry her.”

The argument paused.

Then the woman’s cool voice sounded again. “Xu Zhiheng, spare me any more promises. If you’re getting engaged, we’re going our separate ways.”

“Su Jianyue, you’re breaking up with me?” Irritation sharpened his voice.

“What else would you suggest? Once you’re engaged, with an official fiancée, am I supposed to be your secret mistress?”

“Su Jianyue, haven’t I treated you well? Who arranged the surgeon for your mother and paid her medical bills? Who looked after you when you were ill? Can’t you put up with a little inconvenience for the sake of our future?”

“…”

That seemed to hit a sore spot. Her voice grew quieter.

We didn’t stay to listen.

On the way back, the more I thought about it, the less I understood. The guy was reasonably good-looking and sounded like some wealthy family’s son.

But he was also a jerk who held a favor over her, let his parents dictate his marriage, and refused to let her go, insisting on forcing her into a shameful position.

How could he possibly beat our mature, wealthy uncle, with his flawless face and that vulnerable older-man appeal?

My brother and I still hadn’t figured it out by the time we reached our seats.

With both of us staring at him, Uncle looked baffled. “What?”

The auction was about to begin, and the guests were taking their seats.

The woman named Su Jianyue glided in wearing a white dress, her hand tucked through her boyfriend’s arm.

Uncle’s gaze seemed to lock onto her automatically. That faintly dead-inside air settled over him again.

If someone claimed he wasn’t in love with her now, I wouldn’t believe it.

My brother suddenly nudged him and asked with complete sincerity, “Uncle, want to take his place?”

Uncle choked on his own spit.

He shot us a warning look. “No nonsense in public.”

Oh.

The auction didn’t last particularly long. Our rich and generous uncle paid for the things my brother and I fancied.

Meanwhile, the woman a short distance away—the one we suspected was his great lost love—and her boyfriend also joined the bidding.

One of the lots was a ruby ring.

That Mr. Xu kept raising his bid. Then I heard people talking behind us.

“Miss Zhou already said her fiancé was coming to buy her the Heart of Devotion. Well, he came in person, but why has he brought that female assistant?”

“I’ve heard there’s something going on between them.”

“We all know the score. Men will be men. With the Xu family’s standing, it’s not as if he could marry some woman with no connections.”

“…”

What?

Not only was he buying the ring for someone other than his girlfriend, he was keeping their relationship a secret?

I was sitting right beside Uncle. If I could hear them, so could he.

The auctioneer kept calling out bids. From the corner of my eye, I saw Uncle’s fist tighten.

“Uncle, I want that ring.”