Chapter 1

When Qi Sinian was little, he studied calligraphy under a master. There, he met an older fellow student.

That man helped him through some of his hardest years.

So when he died, Qi Sinian went to him at once.

A week later, he brought home the man’s orphaned daughter. She called him Uncle.

He raised her for two years.

When she was eighteen, she had a drink and suddenly confessed, “Uncle, I like you.”

Qi Sinian’s face darkened. He pushed her head into the water.

“Sober now?” he asked.

He told me, “If I’d known she felt that way about me, I would never have taken her in.”

I smiled and nodded.

“Of course I believe you.”

But he was still afraid I might read too much into it. The next day, he sent her abroad.

He promised he would never let her come back.

Everyone said Qi Sinian was heartless.

What they didn’t know was that no sooner had he sent her away than he called a friend overseas.

“Look after her. Don’t let her suffer or get hurt. Tell her to be good. I’ll visit whenever I have time.”

His friend didn’t understand. “If you can’t bear to let her go, why send her away?”

Qi Sinian smoked, his voice low and rough. “I can’t take that chance. I’m afraid Ning Yan might lose control and hurt her.”

His friend didn’t believe him. “How could she? In the end, it’s Ning Yan you can’t give up. You two have been together for so long.”

Qi Sinian gave a sardonic curl of his lips and said nothing more.

To everyone else, Ning Yan was the meekest, most obedient woman alive.

Only Qi Sinian knew how frightening she could be.

So he sent the girl he treasured most abroad.

And started having affairs to divert my attention.

Over the past two years, he’d flown overseas countless times to see her.

He spoiled her more and more. She grew bolder and bolder.

She even began provoking me.

Today was my birthday.

She sent me a message:

[Happy birthday, Auntie.]

[But I’m not feeling well. I feel awful. I want Uncle to come and keep me company.]

[Who do you think he’ll choose? You or me?]

Today was my birthday.

Qi Sinian told me he was going abroad.

“Once I’ve finished work, I’ll spend some proper time with you. What would you like? I’ll bring you back a present.”

Qi Sinian had hired a new assistant.

She was all bustle and confidence, striking and seductive.

In high heels, she let herself in with the door code without even knocking.

Her gaze swept over me with undisguised disdain.

“Hello, Mrs. Qi. I’m here to pack Mr. Qi’s luggage.”

Without waiting for an answer, she walked on.

Then, as she passed me, her eyes shifted. She stopped.

“Mrs. Qi, could you run upstairs for me?”

“Just get the third and fifth outfits in the middle wardrobe.”

“For his underwear, take the ones I bought him. They’re in the second drawer. You can find those, can’t you?”

With a little smile, she bent to rub her knees.

“I don’t mean to trouble you.”

“But Mr. Qi’s so bad. He kept me on my knees all night. They’re still swollen.”

I listened quietly, a vibrant rose in my hand.

The sharp scissors cut straight through its stem.

Too short. Ugly now. Nothing graceful about it.

With a regretful sigh, I dropped the rose into the bin.

I set down the scissors.

And gave her a soft, timid smile.

“Qi Sinian said there’s a contract he needs to take too. I don’t know which one. Could you help me find it?”

She frowned at my response, looking thoroughly displeased.

I lowered my head.

“Never mind. You probably wouldn’t know either. I’ll call Qi Sinian.”

“How could I not know? I handle all of Mr. Qi’s business.” She lifted her chin. “Take me there.”

“All right.”

I led her along, around a corner and down to the basement.

“What is this place? What’s it for? Why would a contract be down here?”

“It’s a darkroom, for developing film. Qi Sinian took the contract in a couple of days ago. It’s on that table over there. Have a look.”

Unsuspecting, she walked inside.

“Where’s the light—”

Before she could finish, I stared coldly at her back and slammed the door.

“What are you doing? Ning Yan, what are you doing? Let me out!”

My voice was flat and indifferent.

“Since you’ve worked so hard, take a couple of days off. Don’t see anyone for the next two days.”