Xia Xiaofu's social media was filled with snapshots of food, fashion, and beautiful moments—exactly the kind of polished lifestyle one would expect from a celebrity.
As Jin Han scrolled, his eyes landed on her 21st birthday post. In the photo, she wore a soft pink princess dress, sprinkled with star-like sparkles. She was kneeling slightly to the side, hands clasped, eyes shut, making a wish before the birthday candles.
Her smile was radiant, her eyes gleaming with youthful innocence.
When Celia returned to her room, she found Xia Xiaofu cross-legged on the bed, punching numbers into a calculator with a furrowed brow.
"Xiaofu, what are you working on?"
"That lunatic Jin Han just dragged me into the Jin family group chat. Everyone started showering me with red envelopes. Look—so many! I'm adding them up so I can return them to him later."
Celia leaned over, startled by the number glowing on the screen. The entire Jin clan must have joined in—one after another sending generous gifts.
"Xiaofu… don't you think Young Master Jin might actually like you?"
"That's impossible. We barely knew each other before. He's always been drawn to Yara Lu—she was his first love."
Celia frowned. Really? If Jin Han didn't like Xiaofu, why would he bring her into the most private family chat?
"Xiaofu, have you ever seriously considered what it would mean to marry into the Jin family? They're not like other wealthy families in the capital. While others get dragged down by scandals and endless power struggles, the Jins are genuinely prestigious. Their men are famous for treating their wives with devotion. Even his parents' marriage is admired by everyone."
"On top of that, Jin Han isn't just any heir. He's the eldest—and the only—son, born into privilege and raised with impeccable discipline. Look at him: refined, elegant, the very picture of a noble gentleman. Every socialite in the capital wants the chance to marry him."
"You just joined their family chat, and already they adore you. From the moment you entered, you became their darling. Xiaofu, do you even realize what that means?"
But Xia Xiaofu had already set the calculator aside. She looked at Celia seriously.
"Cici, I know the Jin family is a good family. And honestly, Jin Han himself isn't a bad person either. He's just… a pure and innocent boy."
"A pure and innocent boy?"
Celia arched a brow, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. "Sounds like the perfect type. Want me to teach you how to handle him?"
Xia Xiaofu chuckled softly. Though she didn't have much firsthand experience, she'd seen enough in the entertainment industry. She had filmed countless romantic scenes, faking intimacy with clever camera angles. If she wanted to, she could probably unravel that "innocent boy" in no time.
But she didn't want to.
"Cici, I'm still searching for someone."
Celia froze. "Xiaofu… you mean that young man in white?"
Lying back against the pillows, Xia Xiaofu nodded, her expression gentle yet resolute. "Yes. I'll keep looking, no matter how long it takes. I believe I'll find him one day."
Celia said nothing. She knew exactly what that figure in white meant to Xia Xiaofu—the boy she had once loved, the memory that had never faded.
"Cici," Xia Xiaofu said firmly, "there's no future between me and Jin Han. I don't love him, and he doesn't love me. No matter how talented he is, as long as he's entangled with Yara Lu, I'll go through with the divorce."
Then she changed the subject. "By the way, Cici, why have you been out so late lately? Were you with Nathaniel Fu again?"
Celia's body tensed. She could still feel the imprint of his grip on her wrist—how tightly he had held her just moments ago…
No, it had been a mistake. She quickly shook her head, forcing the memory away.
"Xiaofu, Nathaniel Fu is about to get engaged to Yara Lu. Don't bring him up again… not with me."