In the evening, the red sunlight at the end of the day shone through the window of the F4's private plane. The clock struck 5 o'clock, and Changbaishan appeared on the radar screen, the mountains looming, the Chinese sky dyed in the orange-yellow sunset.
Blacke frowned, his voice calm:
"We're about to arrive at Changbaishan Airport. Prepare to land."
Knox tilted his head, his eyes following the scenery outside the window:
"Looking from above... indeed, Baifeng Mountain looks more majestic than anything I've ever seen."
Easton chuckled, looking at Aurora standing by the window, her green eyes sparkling:
"Look at her... it seems like this mountain is hers alone."
Zane nodded, looking thoughtful:
"That's right. Aurora steps down here, and the whole world will have to follow her."
Aurora stood there, her eyes cold but sparkling with mischievous excitement. She said nothing, just propped her chin up, observing the runway and the helicopters and vehicles waiting below. In her heart, she felt the rhythm of human life, both familiar and… unpredictable.
The plane gradually lost altitude, the engine roared softly as it approached the airport. F4 each attentively observed the surroundings, both serious and impatient because they were about to embark on a journey to explore Baifeng Mountain with Aurora.
Aurora thought to herself, even though humans were dangerous, they would be the key for her to understand the world outside Luneva and herself.
F4's private plane landed smoothly on the Changbaishan runway, the afternoon sunlight reflected on the mountains in the distance. Aurora stepped off the plane, her long black hair swaying in the wind, her green eyes sharp but mischievous. She gently reminded F4:
"Tonight go to a crowded place, and tomorrow go to Baifeng Mountain."
F4 nodded together, agreeing with Aurora's idea. Blacke smiled slightly:
"As you wish, everything will follow the schedule."
Aurora walked coldly like a supermodel, each step was decisive, authoritative but full of charisma. Behind her was F4, walking in step, everyone's eyes had to follow. She shone like a superstar, the afternoon sunlight reflected on her white dress, creating a magical look that made all the camera lenses turn towards her.
On the red carpet, reporters and VIP receptionists eagerly took pictures, but Aurora turned her head, her voice cold:
"I don't like being noticed and photographed."
Easton chuckled, his voice warm:
"Everyone has to look up to someone like you. Not only is it attention, but also... natural power."
Knox raised his eyebrows, his eyes sharp:
"Don't worry. All the security guards will absolutely shield you. No one is allowed to take pictures of you or F4."
Zane added a sentence, half joking and half serious:
"Even with the red carpet and flashing lights, we will keep Aurora safe."
The VIP flight attendants were quick to stand on both sides to greet the guests and guide F4 and Aurora:
Staff:
"Hello, dear guests! Please come this way, we have prepared a private car and red carpet for you."
Aurora: (cold but gentle)
"Thank you."
Blacke: (lightly holding Aurora's hand as they passed)
"Don't worry, everything is ready."
Aurora:
"I just want to go quickly, I don't want to stop for long."
Knox:
"It's okay, we'll go with you. Everyone has to follow your pace."
Zane:
"Even the flashing lights won't bother you, we'll provide absolute cover."
Aurora thought to herself, although she didn't like to be noticed, but with F4 by her side, everything became... both safe and powerful. She walked straight, coldly, but her eyes flashed with mischief when she saw the lenses pointed at her.
Easton:
"See? Everyone is looking at you. But don't worry, we're here to protect you, not to let anyone bother you."
Aurora just nodded slightly, her expression still cold, but a small smile appeared in her heart. She knew, this protection was not only from power but also from... delicate care, something that only F4 could bring.
---
Aurora stepped out of the dressing room, her short cream-colored dress swaying slightly with each step. The off-shoulder design revealed her slender shoulders, her long arms were covered in a layer of fluttering chiffon, light as clouds. The layered skirt made her every step seem to blend into the waves, while the cream-colored high heels with sparkling stones on her ankles added to her elegance.
Blacke, Knox, Zane, and Easton paused for a second, their eyes almost simultaneously falling on Aurora. She was like a pure flower that had fallen into this luxurious world, standing out even more among the four powerful men.
Dinner was prepared in a restaurant on top of the tallest hotel in Changbai Mountain. The long dining table was covered with a pure white tablecloth, the warm yellow light from the crystal chandelier reflected on the thin crystal glasses, shiny silver cutlery, and gold-rimmed porcelain dishes. The scenery outside the glass window was a snow-capped mountain range, hazy in the twilight, creating a picture that was both luxurious and cold.
Aurora gently held the silver spoon, picking up a small portion of the world's rarest and most expensive Almas caviar. The rich flavor spread on the tip of her tongue, but her eyes were fixed on the four people opposite.
"You have to keep your promise. Don't just say it in front of me and leave it there. I want F4 to truly support the poor around the world."
Knox smiled, his voice both teasing and gentle:
"Eat well, Aurora. Later, at the main banquet, we will publicly register to support more than ten million houses and invest fifteen million in free schools for poor children."
Zane rested his chin on his hand, half-joking, half-serious:
"You can have as much as you want, trillions of dollars if needed, we can also manage."
Aurora put down her spoon, her eyes rarely serious:
"Don't talk nonsense. That amount of money is not for show. I don't care if one of you is capable or all four of you contribute, what I need is for it to become a reality."
Easton chuckled softly, his voice warm:
"Just one of us is enough to take care of it. But… are you doubting us, Aurora?"
Aurora tilted her head slightly, her eyes as calm as ice and snow:
"I don't know. But if you can really do it… then I will fulfill one of your requests."
The four powerful men looked at each other, puzzled, mixed with curiosity. They had never seen a girl so innocent and determined.
But Aurora was recalling the words from her childhood, the fairy whispering in the forest wind: "People have two faces. They say beautiful words, but rarely keep them. They only promise to get out of trouble, to make themselves look good. They are unreliable… and extremely dangerous."
Aurora's heart clenched slightly. She reminded herself to be vigilant, because the luxurious light around the banquet table could hide more dangerous dark corners than anything else.
The atmosphere in the dining room gradually became quiet, only the sound of knives and forks lightly touching porcelain plates. Aurora picked up the glass of red wine, brought it to her lips, her eyes absentminded as if she didn't care much. But the four gazes from F4 were different, both interested and probing.
Blacke leaned forward, his voice deep but seemingly containing a challenge:
"So… little one. You said if we kept our promise, you would fulfill one request, right?"
Aurora put down the glass, her head tilted slightly, her chin slightly raised, her green eyes sparkling under the light.
"That's right. A request."
Knox laughed, his eyes glancing at the other three, as if he had the same thought:
"Then… why not do the opposite? Do you dare to do one of our requests first, right here, to prove that you won't resist?"
Aurora paused for a moment. Her expression didn't change, but her eyes flashed with caution. She put down her knife and fork, sitting up straighter.
"You want to challenge me?"
Zane curled his lips, half teasing, half gently threatening:
"What, little one? You said we have to make a trillion, build schools, build houses. Fine. But you should also prove your words. Fulfill our request… right now. Okay, Aurora?"
A moment of silence passed. Aurora felt like the four pairs of eyes were forcing her into a dead end. But then she smiled faintly, cold and confident:
"Alright. I think I should respond to your excessive pampering. Let's see… how obedient I can be."
That sentence made all four of them laugh softly, but it wasn't a mocking laugh. It was a laugh of genuine interest.
Easton leaned his hands on the table, tilted his head, and spoke in a low, hypnotic voice:
"You're the first girl… we've pampered to this extent, Aurora. The first girl."
Knox continued, his eyes filled with a dangerous mist:
"Whatever you want, just say it, do it. We're more than capable of backing you up."
Blacke tapped his finger on the wine glass, each word like a command:
"And you've agreed to our terms…"
Zane grinned, leaned back in his chair, his eyes locked on Aurora:
"…So now eat well, and come to the party with us. Meet and interact with many people. We'll do the favor right there. And…"
He paused, as if intentionally prolonging the silence. Aurora frowned slightly, but still kept her smile unwavering.
Zane leaned forward, his dark eyes deep, almost touching Aurora's clear blue.
"...We require something from you."
All four looked at her in unison, waiting.
Aurora's lips curled slightly, her voice soft but sharp as a knife:
"Okay, F4. Make a request."
Blacke spoke, his voice deep and authoritative:
"Our F4's request... is that you must admit that you are F4's. Forever."
Knox leaned in, his eyes cold but unable to hide his concern:
"Whether you like it or not, you must do as we say."
Zane chuckled softly, his teasing voice as if there was a hidden blade inside:
"And every decision... must have the consent of F4. No more, no less."
Finally, Easton slowly added, both solemn and strangely gentle:
"Okay, kid?"
Aurora's expression did not change, her eyes were still like a calm lake, but her heart was filled with ripples. An indescribable feeling came over her, both sweet and dangerous. She thought to herself, "Damn humans… they are indeed as dangerous as the fairies warned. But how can they be so warm and so scary at the same time? Human society… is truly much more complicated than I imagined."
Lost in thought, Aurora was startled when she saw four eyes focused on her, not too fierce, but strangely gentle. Easton repeated slowly, as if to make sure she heard clearly:
"Do you agree, Aurora?"
Aurora smiled slightly, a meaningful smile, her eyes deep and unreadable. And she nodded:
"Okay."