Ji Yunfan was a notorious playboy, famous for changing girlfriends more often than he changed clothes. Now that he had set his sights on Celia, Yara Lu could hardly hide her delight.
"Celia, this is Mr. Ji," Yara introduced warmly. "He's not only handsome but also my cousin."
The moment Ji Yunfan saw Celia's stunning face, his eagerness betrayed him. Stepping forward, he quickly pulled out his phone.
"Miss Su, I've heard so much about you," he said, his tone brimming with excitement. "I'd love to be your friend. Let's add each other on WeChat. I'll invite you out sometime."
Everyone present could tell what he was after. Nathaniel Fu's deep, narrow eyes darkened slightly, his thin lips lifting into a faintly mocking curve. He was certain Celia had no interest in this man.
He waited for her rejection.
Before Celia could answer, Xia Xiaofu spoke up on her behalf, her voice cool and dismissive. "Mr. Ji, my Cici is very busy and doesn't have time for frivolous outings. You'd be better off finding someone else."
Celia certainly looked down on Ji Yunfan. But he was Madam Lu's nephew, and she urgently needed to learn more about the Lu family. Ji Yunfan was an opening she could not afford to ignore.
So, with practiced calm, Celia took out her phone. "All right, Mr. Ji. Let's add each other."
Gasps rippled through the group.
Ji Yunfan nearly burst with joy, his grin wide as a child's. "Miss Su, I'll make preparations tonight. Expect my invitation tomorrow!" With that, he bounded away, too thrilled to contain himself.
Xia Xiaofu stared at Celia, aghast. "Cici, are you kidding me? That man is trouble—he has no good intentions at all. Why would you add him on WeChat?"
Celia simply winked at her playfully, her tone light. "Xiaofu, you're prejudiced. I think Mr. Ji seems like a decent guy."
Even as she joked, she suddenly felt a heavy, oppressive gaze fall on her. Looking up, she locked eyes with Nathaniel Fu.
His handsome face had turned to stone, his brows sharp as ice, his eyes dark with danger. The air around him seemed to frost over as he glared at her.
What was his problem?
She hadn't done anything to offend him—had she? He had already made it clear they were over. Worse, he had forced himself on her in that underground bar just days ago. Celia wanted nothing more than to keep her distance.
"Let's go, Xiaofu." Celia took her friend's hand and started away.
As they left, Jin Han turned curiously to Yara. "Do you really think Celia is interested in Young Master Ji?"
Yara smiled slyly. "Why not? My cousin isn't bad. Honestly, I think he and Celia make a perfect match. Don't you agree, Nancheng?"
Nathaniel didn't hesitate. He shoved Yara lightly aside, his words dripping with disdain. "I think there's something wrong with your eyesight." Then he strode away without looking back.
Later, Celia and Xia Xiaofu parted on the street. Alone, Celia pulled out her phone and searched Ji Yunfan's background.
She discovered that Ji Yunfan's aunt was Ji Linian, the current Madam Lu. Years ago, after Xia Si's untimely death, Lu Sinian—the heir of the Lu family—had married Ji Linian, the daughter of the Ji clan.
Ji Linian and Lin Yun, Nathaniel's mother Madam Fu, had once been celebrated as two of the most dazzling beauties of the imperial capital, but both had ultimately lost to Xia Si's brilliance.
It was said that Ji Linian had no children of her own and had grown unusually fond of Yara, treating her almost like a daughter.
Celia could only piece together fragments. These were the kinds of secrets tightly guarded by powerful families. If she wanted to learn more, she would have to begin with Ji Yunfan.
A strange premonition stirred within her—she felt she was being drawn into a long-buried storm at the heart of the imperial capital.
Honk.
The sharp sound of a car horn pulled her from her thoughts. Celia looked up to see the sleek, imposing silhouette of Nathaniel Fu's Rolls-Royce Phantom pulling up beside her.