Chapter 1

Fang Yun was showing me her new pink diamond ring when Gu Bochuan came home unexpectedly.

The moment his distinctive Maybach pulled into the courtyard, she shoved me. “Quick, quick! Hide!”

Like some reckless lover caught having an affair, I scrambled into the wardrobe.

I’d barely hidden myself when Gu Bochuan pushed open the door.

Fang Yun, who’d been gleefully showing off her wealth a moment earlier, now had red-rimmed eyes and the look of a woman whose heart had died.

Hearing the door, she gave a bleak smile. “So you still remember the way home.”

Gu Bochuan strode over to her.

He looked down at her. “Mianmian is missing.

“Fang Yun, I told you. She’s just an ordinary girl whose education I sponsor.

“If you have a grievance over the feud between our families, take it out on me. Leave innocent people out of it.”

Understanding dawned on Fang Yun. Her eyes widened in disbelief. “You think I kidnapped her?”

Gu Bochuan briefly closed his eyes. “She disappeared after calling you. I can’t help being suspicious.”

His phone rang. He answered, glanced at Fang Yun, and said, “All right. I’ll be right there.”

He turned to leave.

Fang Yun rushed after him and caught his hand, losing her composure.

“Bochuan, it really wasn’t me.”

His eyes were ice-cold. “I’ll investigate. Until I have the results, I won’t be seeing you.”

Tears instantly spilled down Fang Yun’s face.

“Can’t you leave tomorrow?”

Her eyes were red, her voice pleading. “It’s our anniversary. Can’t you spend even one night with me?”

Gu Bochuan was silent for two seconds. In the end, he pulled his hand free.

“Sorry. The police have a lead on Mianmian. I have to go.”

The door closed. Utterly distraught, Fang Yun cried, “Gu Bochuan! Come back!”

We both stayed quiet for two seconds, listening to his footsteps fade.

“Oh, thank God. He’s finally gone.”

Fang Yun wiped away her tears and let me out of the wardrobe.

“Girl, that was some fucking incredible acting,” I said admiringly.

She rolled her eyes. “Save it. Things aren’t looking good. We need to talk.

“The heroine’s here, and she’s already stirring up trouble. Mine’s started making my life miserable. Yours probably won’t be far behind.”

“You mean…”

“We run,” Fang Yun said firmly. “Much longer, and we might live long enough to earn this money, but not to spend it.”