Volume One, Chapter Twenty: What is the relationship between you and Yu Mo?

Fu Yanting’s finger paused just as he was about to hang up the phone. Driven by some inexplicable impulse, he swiped to answer. He refused to believe that Yu Mo would date another man. Even if she did, there was no way he’d be better than Fu Yanting. He’d only be worse. Because she didn’t deserve better.

Speakerphone was activated. A man’s sharp, chilling voice came through from the other end. “Yu Mo, where are you?”

Fu Yanting was stunned for half a second before he spoke. “What’s your relationship with Yu Mo?” He glanced at Yu Mo after speaking. He hadn’t expected her to actually have another man. In the days when she pursued him, she never had anything to do with any other man.

Yu Mo was also taken aback. That voice sounded so familiar. The man clearly knew her, but she simply couldn’t recall such a person.

The man on the other end fell silent briefly, then spoke again, his tone even colder. “You want to know my relationship with her? And who are you, holding her phone? Where is she?”

Fu Yanting hesitated, unable to define his relationship with Yu Mo in that moment.

Yu Mo listened, feeling the man’s name was right on the tip of her tongue—yet, she couldn’t remember.

“Beep—beep—beep…” The call was cut off. Fu Yanting frowned at the phone in his hand. The audacity to hang up on him. Who was this man? He had to find out.

He turned, glaring fiercely at Yu Mo. “Yu Mo, who is this man—”

He hadn’t finished speaking when, with a thunderous crash, the private room door was kicked open, slamming into the ornate wall and leaving a deep gouge. A tall, straight figure appeared in the doorway, back rigid, the corridor’s cold white lights spilling into the room and outlining his imposing silhouette.

The man slowly withdrew his leg. His polished, custom leather shoes gleamed spotlessly; above them, impeccably tailored trousers draped over long, straight legs. His handsome face was shadowed, but the refined contour of his jaw was still visible. His shirt was buttoned up to the collar, the arc of his Adam’s apple barely discernible.

Bathed in cold white light, he exuded a chilling aura—stern and severe, intimidating at a glance.

Mu Shaozhou strode in, his long legs crossing into the room. His gaze swept across everyone, finally landing on Yu Mo. He walked straight toward her.

Yu Mo looked into those deep eyes beneath the familiar mask, surprised at the prince’s sudden appearance.

Fu Yanting and Lin Hua were stunned—the prince was actually at Lan Ting. The others in the room didn’t know Mu Shaozhou. Shen Zining abruptly stood up, blocking Mu Shaozhou with a displeased expression.

“Who are you? How dare you crash Brother Fu’s party?”

Mu Shaozhou shifted his gaze, glancing indifferently at Shen Zining. A cold light shone in his eyes; his thin lips moved.

“Out of my way.”

Shen Zining was momentarily overwhelmed by the prince’s aura, nearly stepping aside instinctively. He steadied himself and, regaining composure, swung his fist at Mu Shaozhou.

“You—damn—”

The next moment, his fist was caught in a vice-like grip. Mu Shaozhou’s pale fingers tightened, and the sound of finger bones cracking echoed crisply through the air.

“Crack!”

Shen Zining’s face twisted, contorted like a wrung rag. He cried out in pain, not daring to resist the force from Mu Shaozhou.

Fu Yanting quickly got up, putting on a pleasant smile while pulling Shen Zining back.

“Prince, he’s blind—don’t take it to heart.”

Lin Hua also stood, her expression dark. The prince’s appearance at Lan Ting—was it for Yu Mo? Impossible! As soon as the thought arose, she dismissed it. There was no way the prince would stand up for Yu Mo. Last time, at Old Master Fu’s birthday banquet, Yu Mo had simply been lucky to catch his attention. This time was surely another coincidence.

She nodded slightly, casting a gentle glance at Mu Shaozhou before quickly lowering her lashes, her voice soft as rippling water.

“Prince, it’s an honor to have you. Please, take a seat.”

She motioned for the man beside her to yield, offering the prince the central seat. The others were still in shock.

What? The masked man before them was the renowned prince of the imperial capital?

They knew the prince was in Shanghai, but never imagined encountering someone of his standing.

Shen Zining’s pain gave way to astonishment.

What? He had struck the prince. The Shen family was doomed!

He’d be beaten senseless by his father when he got home.

Ignoring his pain, he forced a grim smile.

“Prince, I was blind—I didn’t recognize you.”

Mu Shaozhou loosened his grip. Shen Zining’s hand slipped free; clutching it, he bowed repeatedly in apology.

Mu Shaozhou glanced down, pulling a packet of tissues from his suit pocket. He extracted a disinfectant wipe, methodically cleaning the hand he’d used to grip Shen Zining. He ignored Lin Hua’s invitation, tossing the wipe into the trash.

He raised his hand toward Yu Mo, his voice as cold and emotionless as ever.

“Yu Mo.”

Yu Mo stood immobile; the moment Mu Shaozhou appeared, his name flashed in her mind.

“Yes, Prince.”

These past few days were too coincidental—everywhere she went, she encountered Mu Shaozhou. But why was he here for Fu Yanting?

She made no move. Mu Shaozhou approached, taking her hand in his. He glanced around the room, his eyes shining cold beneath the mask, then settled on the black phone in Fu Yanting’s hand.

He spoke with icy authority.

“The phone.”

Fu Yanting clenched his jaw, reluctantly handing the phone to Mu Shaozhou. Mu Shaozhou wiped it down with a disinfectant wipe before giving it to Yu Mo.

Yu Mo took it, murmuring, “Thank you.”

Mu Shaozhou looked at Fu Yanting, his gaze full of cold intensity.

“Fu Yan… Ning? You answered the call just now.”

Fu Yanting’s face darkened, nearly as black as the bottom of a pot, but he dared not lose his temper. He awkwardly corrected him.

“Fu Yanting.”

“Mm.” Mu Shaozhou replied, “Keep your people in line.”

Fu Yanting stiffly nodded. “I will.”

Mu Shaozhou led Yu Mo out of the private room. Fu Yanting finally couldn’t hold back, calling after them.

“Prince, what’s your relationship with Yu Mo?”

He refused to believe the prince had any connection with Yu Mo. She was a woman he’d discarded—how could she possibly attach herself to someone like Mu Shaozhou?

Mu Shaozhou paused, turning his profile slightly toward Fu Yanting. He spoke slowly.