Gu Ran's breath was filled with the aroma of red wine.
Ji Shiyu wrapped an arm around her slender waist, gazing at the woman who was already drunk and dazed, and chuckled softly, "Mm, Gu Ran."
It was a simple exchange, yet for some reason, Gu Ran suddenly felt elated, her smile widening until her eyes curved into crescents.
Ji Shiyu's large hand stroked the satin-like cascade of her hair as he asked, "What are you smiling about?"
Gu Ran rose on her tiptoes and answered him with a kiss.
The man's original purpose for coming was lost in the sweetness of her lips.
The silk nightgown lay crumpled at the foot of the bed, its disarray contrasting starkly against the dark gray sheets that made her snow-white skin glow even brighter.
...
The next morning, heavy curtains blocked out the sunlight, while birds chirped cheerfully in the lush greenery outside the mansion.
Gu Ran woke with a pounding headache, her temples throbbing from the hangover.
But worse than her head was the exhaustion in her body—a bone-deep weariness as if she had been devoured whole, then taken apart and reassembled all night long.
Propping herself up, she stared at the blanket covering her, her mind gradually clearing.
What had she done last night?
She had bought a painting, come home and had some wine, spun around happily a couple of times, and then...
Ji Shiyu had appeared at the door.
At the thought of him, Gu Ran instinctively turned to look at the space beside her.
Empty.
She reached out to feel the temperature of the sheets—cold. He had clearly been gone for a while.
Last night, he had been so enthusiastic, flipping her—a weak, drunken woman—into multiple positions, yet this morning he had left without so much as a word?
The epitome of taking advantage of someone, then vanishing without a trace.
Grumbling, Gu Ran threw off the covers and got out of bed. The curtains automatically parted as she brushed her teeth in the bathroom, the electric toothbrush buzzing in her mouth, frothing white toothpaste.
As she brushed, she wondered why Ji Shiyu had come to Nan Chen Mansion last night.
Had he said anything to her besides shamelessly coaxing her to "open up" and "be good"? Probably not.
Had he said anything when he left this morning? Also probably not.
Had he come all this way just to sleep with her and leave?
After pondering for a while, Gu Ran realized that this explanation wasn’t entirely impossible...
Her expression darkened.
She spat out the toothpaste, rinsed her mouth, and began her morning skincare routine in front of the mirror.
The woman reflected back at her had porcelain skin, delicate features, and a heart-shaped face—so flawless that people often said Ji Shiyu’s indulgence of her made sense. After all, for a man of his status, women were little more than pampered canaries—ornamental, with no need for talent or skill, only beauty.
Gu Ran suddenly pouted in defiance.
Ji Shiyu spoiled her rotten?
Spoiled her? Ha! If he really spoiled her, would he have lied last night about it being "the last time" when there were clearly two more rounds after?
As she applied her skincare products, she mentally cursed Ji Shiyu in the mirror. By the time she finished, she felt much better.
The clock struck eleven.
Gu Ran walked into her walk-in closet, which had just been refreshed with new seasonal pieces the week before. The motion-activated lights illuminated the racks of the latest designer outfits, their soft glow highlighting each exquisite piece.
Her fingers trailed over the rows of new clothes before settling on a dress that had just debuted at a Paris fashion show the previous week.
A maid knocked to inform her that lunch was ready.
"Mm, got it," Gu Ran replied absently as she selected matching shoes and jewelry in front of the mirror.
A canary’s purpose was to be admired—staying beautiful and obedient was her job. So Gu Ran’s daily routine was simple: when Ji Shiyu was in City A for work, she shopped, had afternoon tea, and indulged in spa treatments, occasionally accompanying him to social events. When he traveled, she flew around the world—skiing in the Alps in winter, vacationing in Hawaii in summer. Sometimes, while sunbathing, she’d suddenly crave a dish from a private kitchen back home, and with one phone call, a private jet would deliver both the chef and the ingredients.
Even among the wealthy elite, Gu Ran’s lifestyle was notoriously extravagant—especially since she lived this way solely under the title of "Ji Shiyu’s pet canary."
Today, she had an appointment at a private spa.
The room, the technician, and the custom aromatherapy oils were all prepared in advance. Gu Ran lay on the bed as the four-hour treatment began, finally relieving the fatigue from last night’s drinking and... activities.
Just another ordinary day for her.
Refreshed, she left the spa and finally checked her phone after four hours, noticing several unread WeChat messages.
From Yuan Mengxuan.
Gu Ran frowned.
Why was Yuan Mengxuan messaging her? At the auction, Gu Ran had outbid her for a coveted diamond, leaving Yuan Yuxuan seething. Whatever she wanted now couldn’t be good.
But Gu Ran couldn’t imagine what kind of trouble Yuan Mengxuan could possibly bring her now.
Had Ji Shiyu gone bankrupt? Were they about to become fugitives, dodging debt collectors?
Impossible—he had just climbed even higher on the latest Forbes list.
Taking off her sunglasses, she unlocked her phone with facial recognition. Yuan Mengxuan’s message popped up.
The first thing Gu Ran saw was a photo.
She zoomed in, her frown deepening—until she recognized the person in the picture.
Her entire body froze.
...
Xinbo Headquarters, CEO’s office.
After back-to-back meetings, Ji Shiyu finally leaned back in his chair, giving Assistant Xu his full attention for the day’s schedule.
Assistant Xu held a tablet as he outlined next month’s trip to Australia. When he finished, he glanced up at the man across from him—young, handsome, exuding an aura of effortless authority, his eyes closed as he listened.
Xu Hui admired Ji Shiyu.
He had taken over Xinbo at a young age, swiftly neutralizing the old guard who had tried to undermine him. Under his leadership, Xinbo had expanded rapidly, branching out from real estate into tech, shipping, investments, and even entertainment—its market value soaring every second.
Ji Shiyu gave a slight nod.
Assistant Xu put away the tablet and handed him another document.
Last night, Gu Ran had spent 370 million on the painting Love’s Scar Lake at the auction, along with a fortune on two diamonds and a vintage bag. The paperwork required Ji Shiyu’s signature.
He signed as usual, but his gaze lingered on the words "Love’s Scar Lake."
He remembered Gu Ran’s smug WeChat post from last night:
"Such a romantic name for a romantic painting—perfect for hanging in our new home."
"Our wedding home, of course."
Ji Shiyu's eyes darkened slightly as he handed the signed documents to Assistant Xu. "You may leave now."
"Yes." Assistant Xu took the files and walked out of the office. Just as he closed the door, he spotted a woman standing outside.
"Miss Gu?" Assistant Xu hadn’t expected Gu Ran to appear here so suddenly. She was as beautiful as ever, but for some reason, his sharp eyes noticed that the always immaculate Gu Ran seemed slightly disheveled today—a few strands of her hair out of place, her gaze no longer brimming with the confidence and pride unique to a pampered canary. Instead, she looked helpless and flustered.
Though Gu Ran didn’t often visit XINBO to see Ji Shiyu, the receptionists all knew her, and the CEO’s private elevator was programmed with her fingerprint.
Seeing Assistant Xu emerge from the office, Gu Ran craned her neck to peer behind him. "Is Ji Shiyu inside?"
Assistant Xu nodded. "Yes, Miss Gu, you—ah."
Before he could finish, Gu Ran had already brushed past him and pushed open the office door. The heavy door swung shut behind her.
Assistant Xu shook his head at the closed door before handing the freshly signed documents to the secretary.
Inside the office, Ji Shiyu looked up at Gu Ran, who had suddenly appeared before him.
"Why are you here now?" he asked, displeased that she had come during his work hours.
Gu Ran stood opposite him, gripping the straps of her handbag tightly, as if trying to summon courage through the action.
"Ji Shiyu," she began, only to realize her voice was trembling. "Let’s get married soon, okay?"
"Next month—no, the month after? Actually, a wedding doesn’t need much preparation. It’s just a ceremony. Most things are already ready. You wouldn’t need to spend much time or effort—just pay someone else to handle it."
Ji Shiyu frowned deeply. "What?"
Gu Ran’s nails dug into her palms. When he didn’t immediately agree but instead questioned her, her voice choked with tears. "Or… could you spare just a little time? Just a little. Let’s at least get the marriage certificate first."
Ji Shiyu inhaled sharply, his gaze cool and steady as he studied her.
In his mind, Gu Ran was a woman who understood boundaries. Her occasional "dramatics" were limited to playful, coquettish antics.
But marriage should never fall within that category.
She had charmed the old man effortlessly, then gone around boasting to everyone as if the wedding were imminent.
Like his friends had teasingly asked—was this really happening, or was his little canary trying to force his hand?
Ji Shiyu disliked having decisions made for him. Especially when, in his schedule for the next six months—even the next year—he had never allotted time for marriage.
Finally, he spoke coldly, "Gu Ran, did you come here unannounced just to say this?"
"What’s the rush?"
"Is it really that important?"
Gu Ran listened to his words, then lifted her gaze, studying him through her blurry tears.
Yes, just a marriage—was it really that important?
He hadn’t outright rejected her, but the implication was clear.
Gu Ran took a small step back.
She blinked, and the tears that had pooled in her eyes finally spilled down her cheeks.
"It is that important," she whispered, her face wet with tears as she stared at the cold, indifferent man before her.
She was too cowardly to even tell him—Qin Wenyi wasn’t dead. She was alive. She had returned.
So she deluded herself into thinking that if she didn’t say it, he wouldn’t find out—not until after they had the marriage certificate.
But what if he knew Qin Wenyi was alive?
Gu Ran wondered—if it were Qin Wenyi standing here, saying these words to him, how would he react?
No, if it were Qin Wenyi, she wouldn’t even need to beg for a wedding or the security of a marriage certificate.
She had failed again. Just as those people said—in front of Qin Wenyi, she would always be the loser. Qin Wenyi was so formidable that she hadn’t even appeared yet, and already Gu Ran was thrown into chaos, acting on impulse and fear, stumbling into Ji Shiyu’s workplace to propose marriage—only to receive an answer that was unexpected, yet utterly predictable.
Seeing Gu Ran’s tears, Ji Shiyu felt an inexplicable irritation. He stood, walked over, and reached out to wipe the tears from her face.
Gu Ran pushed his hand away. "Don’t touch me."
Ji Shiyu didn’t understand why she had suddenly brought up marriage today. His voice carried a trace of anger. "Gu Ran."
He had wanted to talk to her properly last night, but she had been drunk—clutching his tie and kissing him in a daze.
Now, faced with her tear-streaked face, he suppressed his temper and said, "Go find Xu Hui. The two vineyards in Nanyuan will be transferred to your name. Stop making a scene. I still have work to do."
His dismissive tone was a clear attempt to end what he saw as today’s "drama."
Gu Ran froze at his patronizing dismissal, her lips parting slightly in stunned silence.
Ji Shiyu frowned at her lingering presence, exhaled sharply, and decided to lay it all out. "Gu Ran, I never proposed to you."
"Marriage was never my idea. I never expected you to take the old man’s words seriously. Did you ever ask for my opinion—or even my permission—before looking at wedding venues, buying paintings, or announcing our engagement to the world?"
"Or did you assume that once the old man agreed, once everyone knew, once everything was prepared, I’d have no choice but to marry you?"
"You’ve always been a woman who knows her place," Ji Shiyu said, his voice steady. "I suggest you quit while you’re ahead."
His words were sharp and deliberate, like knives glinting coldly. Gu Ran stood there, mouth slightly open, as if trapped in a daze before being brutally stripped bare.
He had laid out a near-cruel truth.
He had never proposed.
Gu Ran stared at Ji Shiyu’s face.
She had always thought that even if Qin Wenyi had once existed—even if he could never forget her—these past three years, it had been her by his side.
They… at least had feelings for each other.
He had never said he loved her, but that day in the nursing home, when the old man mentioned marriage, he had smiled and not refused.
The old man had told her—this is just how he is. If he doesn’t refuse, he’s agreeing. Start preparing the wedding.
On the way back, she had been dizzy with happiness, looking at the man beside her as if in a dream.
He would truly belong to her—in front of everyone, legally, completely hers.
She had eagerly flaunted it to the world, declaring in every way possible:
Look, I’m not just a consolation prize.
Ji Shiyu loves me.
But now, the dream had shattered.
It turned out that from the moment she had foolishly agreed to the old man’s joke about having three children, it had all been her own delusion.
This situation couldn’t even be blamed on him. From his perspective, it seemed he hadn’t done anything wrong.
He wasn’t wrong at all.
He just… still didn’t love her.
The air grew heavy with silence. Just as Ji Shiyu released Gu Ran’s arm, preparing to call Xu Hui in to calm her down, Gu Ran suddenly lost control of her emotions.
She wanted to know just how ridiculous she could still be. Until moments ago, she had been deceiving herself in front of Ji Shiyu, pretending that if she never mentioned it, this person had never existed. But now, Gu Ran realized—some people, some things, existed whether she acknowledged them or not. They wouldn’t vanish just because she refused to speak of them.
Just like this one-sided love she had been deluding herself with.
Two people were, after all, different. She and Qin Wenyi—who could laugh and lean into his arms in front of friends—were fundamentally different.
Fresh tears spilled over, barely dried from earlier. Gu Ran screamed at Ji Shiyu in a voice raw with pain, "Yes! It was all my wishful thinking! No proposal, just a few words, and I started fantasizing like a fool! I’m just that kind of woman who doesn’t know when to quit. But it’s fine—Qin Wenyi knows better, doesn’t she?"
"Do you even know? If you don’t, I’ll tell you now—Qin Wenyi isn’t dead! She’s alive, and she’s coming back!"
"Congratulations! The real one is returning. What use do you have for a pathetic stand-in who’s started dreaming again?"
Meeting the man’s slightly stunned gaze, she spat, "You’re happy, aren’t you? Don’t hold back on my account. Go ahead, laugh! Laugh and then run straight to her. Fly off together—why keep a replacement around?"
She wiped her tears and sniffled one last time, clinging to whatever dignity she had left despite her disheveled state. Facing the man who always seemed so indifferent, she said, "Ji Shiyu, let’s end this."
With that, Gu Ran turned and ran out of the CEO’s office.
Assistant Xu had been waiting outside since Gu Ran entered. After hearing the unsettling argument, he saw her dash out, face streaked with tears.
"Miss Gu! Miss Gu!" Assistant Xu chased after her for a few steps, but she ignored him and kept running.
Left with no choice, he turned back toward the half-open office door. Steeling himself, he knocked. "Mr. Ji."
Inside, the atmosphere was suffocating, thick with an impending storm. Ji Shiyu’s entire presence radiated a terrifying intensity.
All he could see was Gu Ran’s face as she hurled those final words at him—"Let’s end this."
She was the one ending things.
The frustration in his chest burned to its peak.
"Look into Qin Wenyi," Ji Shiyu ordered, his brow furrowed.
"Understood," Xu Hui replied.
"And," Ji Shiyu added, his gaze darkening as he stared in the direction Gu Ran had fled, "freeze her credit cards."
