6:00PM - Japan
Zhou Yang booked a table at a high-end omakase restaurant to celebrate Yi Han's success.
The moment they arrived, Yi Han felt her mood sink. Zhou Yang's careful manners and gentle smiles only reminded her how hard he was trying to play the perfect fiancé. The act disgusted her. Sitting beside him, sharing a meal, felt unbearable.
Zhou Yang sat beside her. Yi Han stared at the smooth wooden counter, her mind drifting. Feng Yan…
I should've taken him out to dinner, she told herself. At least thanked him properly. She remembered his quiet presence, how being around him felt easy. A strange warmth spread through her chest.
What am I thinking?
Yi Han stiffened. Don't tell me I'm starting to like him.
She quickly shut the thought down. Wake up, Yi Han. He's Feng Yan. A world renowned CEO of a top global investment company. I'm just an office worker.
Someone like him would never belong in my world.
Still, the warmth lingered, quiet but stubborn, making the man seated beside her feel farther away than ever.
Zhou Yang glanced sideways at Yi Han and immediately noticed her distant expression. She was clearly lost in thought, her attention nowhere near him.
His gaze lingered on her profile, calm on the surface.
Holding another man's hand so openly. Getting into his car late at night.
A slow, controlled breath left him.
Yi Han, he said to himself, do you really think you can drift so far away from me?
The corner of his lips lifted slightly—not quite a smile, more a shadow of one.
You've forgotten your place, he decided quietly. But that's fine. I'll remind you tonight.
Yi Han remained unaware, never noticing the brief, unsettling look that crossed Zhou Yang's face before it disappeared behind his usual gentle expression.
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Back at Feng Yan's hotel
Unaware that something dark was quietly unfolding elsewhere, Feng Yan sat alone in the living room of his suite.
He leaned back on the sofa, his brows slightly knitted as his thoughts drifted. Zhou Yang's face surfaced in his mind. He didn't like the man's sudden appearance, nor the way he carried himself.
Feng Yan reached for the bottle of whisky on the table and poured himself a glass, the amber liquid catching the soft light of the suite. He held the glass in his hand, his fingers tracing slow circles along the rim, almost absentmindedly.
Zhou Yang… what are you planning? he thought, a cold edge in his mind. He doesn't belong in her life. And yet, he keeps appearing, forcing himself into places he shouldn't be.
He took a slow sip, the burn of the whisky grounding him for a moment, yet his unease lingered. Something about Zhou Yang felt off. Something dangerous… and I don't trust it.
His gaze drifted to the city lights outside the window, but his mind remained locked on Zhou Yang. I need to keep an eye on this. One wrong move—and things could get messy very quickly.
Feng Yan set the glass down, fingers tightening around it. Calm on the surface, but beneath it, a storm of warning and anticipation stirred.
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The dinner ended, and the pair made their way back to Yi Han's hotel. The car pulled up, doors opened, and Zhou Yang, slightly flushed from the sake, leaned in as if on the verge of losing his balance. He naturally reached for her shoulders, pretending he needed support.
Yi Han stiffened and gave a faint shrug of disdain, a small gesture that made Zhou Yang's chest tighten with suppressed anger.
How dare she act like this? he thought, irritation coiling inside him. The memory of her willingly climbing into another man's car, holding hands with him, flashed uncomfortably in his mind.
"You should return to your room—it's late. I have an early flight back to Shanghai tomorrow." Yi Han said politely, trying to keep her voice calm
She could barely keep herself from stepping away. Another second near him, and she felt like she might throw up.
Zhou Yang's eyes darkened, the polite mask slipping for just a split second, before he let out a breath and smiled again.
Zhou Yang stepped closer, a faint sway in his stance from the sake, though his eyes were sharp and calculating. "Yi Han… it's so late," he said smoothly, one hand brushing slightly against her arm. "You shouldn't be alone after dinner like this. I could stay with you… just for a while. Make sure you're safe."
Yi Han's stomach turned. Safe? From him? she thought bitterly. "No… really, Zhou Yang. I'm fine. You should go back to your room."
But Zhou Yang didn't move back. He leaned in slightly, using the pretense of drunkenness to excuse his forwardness. His hand found her waist, resting lightly at first, then pressing just a little more, as if testing her resistance. "Come on, Yi Han. Just for tonight. It's late, and… we're going to be husband and wife."
Yi Han stiffened, instinctively stepping back, her hands pushing against his chest. "Stop. Don't touch me," she said, her voice sharp now, more than just polite refusal. I can't believe I'm even arguing with him about this.
Zhou Yang's face darkened, but the smile didn't disappear—this one colder, tighter, more controlled. She'll come around. She always does, he thought silently, gripping her waist a little more firmly, his strength restrained but deliberate.
Just then, a cheerful voice called out in the hotel lobby, cutting through the tension like a lifeline.
"Yi Han! What a coincidence to see you again!"
The words were like a sudden beam of light in the darkness, breaking the heavy moment between her and Zhou Yang. Yi Han's chest tightened with relief. She instinctively turned, curious and grateful, wondering who it could be.
"Mr. Arashi. What a small world," she greeted with a bow politely, her tone steadying as she recognized the familiar face.
It was Feng Yan's business partner—the same man she had met at the private club the other night. Seeing him here, unexpectedly, felt like a lifeline.
Zhou Yang's expression flickered briefly, just enough for Yi Han to notice, but she forced herself to stay calm, ready to use this interruption to put some distance between herself and him.
Yi Han gently pulled Zhou Yang aside, keeping her voice low and calm. "He's a huge Japanese client from Tomo Investment. I can't afford to offend him. Why don't you return to your room? I'll come over to you later. Don't worry about me—I'll call if I need you."
She forced a small, composed smile, masking the unease in her chest. It was an excuse, but a necessary one.
Zhou Yang studied her for a moment, his jaw tightening slightly, though he didn't argue. Not him… he reminded himself. The man in front of Yi Han wasn't the one in the photo. The physique is far different. Reluctantly, he nodded.
"Here's my room key," he said, handing it to her, his tone measured but carrying an underlying expectation. "Don't be late. I'll be waiting… or I'll come down to retrieve you myself."
Yi Han took the key, feeling the weight of it in her hand—not just metal, but a quiet reminder of Zhou Yang's possessiveness. She nodded politely, turning away to follow Mr. Arashi to the lobby lounge, leaving Zhou Yang standing there.
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Yi Han took a small breath, keeping her tone calm and measured. "Thank you for asking, Mr. Arashi. I appreciate you stepping in earlier—it was… helpful."
She paused, choosing her words carefully. "The man from before… he's actually an ex. It's nothing serious, and I can handle myself. But, yes, the situation earlier was uncomfortable, so I'm grateful you were here."
Her eyes met his briefly, polite but sincere, conveying both relief and gratitude without revealing too much. "Honestly, it's reassuring to know someone noticed and was willing to help," she added with a small, composed smile.
Mr. Arashi nodded, a faint smile returning to his own lips. He could see her composure, yet also sensed the tension that lingered beneath the surface. She handled that beautifully, He thought, but she's still uneasy. I'll make sure she gets out of here safely.
Yi Han relaxed slightly in her seat, the public lounge offering a quiet buffer from Zhou Yang's lingering presence. For the first time in the evening, she felt a flicker of calm, knowing she had a small measure of support nearby.
After two glasses of drinks, they both agreed it was time to call it a night.
"Well," Mr. Arashi said, sliding a sleek business card across the table, "here's my card. If you need any sort of help while in Japan, don't hesitate to reach out. It's been a pleasure meeting you—and Mr. Feng as well. Have a safe flight back tomorrow, and you take care."
Yi Han accepted the card with a polite nod, bowing slightly. "Thank you, Mr. Arashi. I really appreciate it. It was a pleasure meeting you too."
As Mr. Arashi turned to leave, he paused for a moment, then fished out his phone. His fingers moved quickly over the screen, sending a brief text to Feng Yan. The message was concise but clear, outlining the situation with Zhou Yang and Yi Han, ensuring Feng Yan was aware without causing unnecessary alarm.
Feng Yan's phone buzzed just as he was reviewing some reports in his suite. He picked it up and saw a message from Mr. Arashi:
"Hey Feng Yan, just wanted to give you a heads-up about Yi Han tonight. I happened to bump into her at the hotel, and there was a man beside her who got a little too close for comfort—but don't worry, nothing escalated. She seems a bit shaken but is okay. She's now heading back to her room. That man looked shady—you might want to keep an eye out for her."
Feng Yan's brows knitted slightly. He read the text again, noting the careful, observant tone. Mr. Arashi had been discreet, ensuring Yi Han's safety without escalating the situation.
He then reached for his phone, dialing Chen-xi. The line clicked almost immediately.
"Chen-xi," Feng Yan said, calm but precise,
"Now? But sir, it's 12 a.m., she might be resting?" Chen-xi replied, slightly bewildered at his odd request.
"Understood, sir," Chen-xi replied, voice steady.
Feng Yan hung up.