Yan Xiaoran smiled at Shen Liu without knowing that a lion was stalking behind them. She thought that since she threw away her pretense that night and there was nothing to hide anymore, Alexander would surely understand the situation.

But what she didn't know was that even after Alexander knew the truth, just looking and knowing that she had some other man as her partner for the night was poking his limit.

Who dares covet his wife?!

He's the only one who could partner with Yan Xiaoran at this party!

While boiling his jar of vinegar, Yan Xiaoran could faintly feel the cold aura behind her and tilted her head in confusion. 'What was wrong with him now?' she thought to herself.

On the other hand, the only one who was greatly affected by that coldness was Shen Liu, the man who turned out to be gay and already has a lover. The terrifying feeling that a sharpened knife was held before Shen Liu's neck quickly went through his skin. If he tried to move even for a little bit, who knows what kind of brutality would happen to him?

"Who is he?" Shen Liu couldn't help but get closer to the femme fatale beside him and whisper.

"Hm? Oh, he's…" She trailed off and wondered what she should tell him… that the man behind them was her husband? But that would complicate things.

"He's my husband," Yan Xiaoran still said after sighing. It was better for her to be honest now than to get punished later.

Shen Liu: "?!!!"

He glanced behind them and saw the flash in those predator's eyes before quickly averting his eyes like he had seen a ghost chasing after him. "Yo-yo-your husband?! Why is he here? Did he follow you here to check if you're cheating on him? Wait… if that's what's happening… I'm dead tonight."

Shen Liu's shoulders sagged down as he thought that he might not return home anymore after tonight's party. Why was he dragged here and get caught anyway? His thoughts were normal since any man wouldn't want their wife to partner with another guy. Despite the situation, the husband would throw away all reasons and beat him up.

Touching his cheeks as if he was already beaten up, Shen Liu's stomach felt heavy with fear.

Yan Xiaoran blinked her eyes and was shocked at his thoughts. Then, she laughed and said, "No… don't worry about it. I can assure you that won't happen."

Shen Liu turned his head back and looked forward again. "Are you sure? I feel a Katana peeling my back right now."

Yan Xiaoran turned back and looked at Alexander. Alexander flashed her a charming and innocent smile. "There's nothing wrong, though? You must be imagining it."

Shen Liu only had a stiff smile on his lips, and it twitched as he felt that killing intent once again aimed at his back. Sure enough, men are all the same.

"But if your husband is here, why should I still be partnered with you?" Shen Liu asked.

Yan Xiaoran led him towards an unoccupied chaise on one corner and answered, "It's not that simple. I entered this party under my other name with you as my partner. What would happen if I suddenly left you on your own and went with my husband?"

Shen Liu was shocked and felt embarrassed for not thinking of this. The Gathering was a party exclusive only to the elite of the elite in the high society. Though he's the president of his own company and his family has weight in their name, that didn't give them any privilege to get invited to this party.

In fact, he was fortunate because he could walk around this place filled with sharks as a tiny shrimp. If it weren't for Yan Xiaoran kidnapping him and taking him to this place, he would've never experienced this once-in-a-lifetime event.

And following her response, it was quite possible that once she broke up with him as his partner, people will surely gather around him with ill intention. After all, he was brought here by the woman who even the host of the party had to show some respect and might even try to do something to him once he's alone.

Taking a champagne flute from the passing server, Yan Xiaoran said as she handed it to him, "Cheer up. Once this night is done, you can fly back to your sweetheart's arms."

Shen Liu blushed and stuttered, "Don't tease me!"

After appeasing his worries, Yan Xiaoran tried to focus her attention on the matter needed to be taken care of. She looked around the vast hall with several people walking, chattering, and standing in it as she wondered whether her dear friend would really come.

Alina… Yan Xiaoran whispered in her mind.

She attended this party because of her desire to meet her best friend once again. But, unfortunately, Alina disappeared almost after they had just met each other for a few hours two years ago.

Although the possibility that Alina would come here was slim, Yan Xiaoran was holding on to that tiny chance to see her. She has been worried about Alina's situation. Although Alina looked strong and happy outwardly, only Yan Xiaoran knew how dark and lonely her past was.

Both of them suffered a lot at the hands of others and even from the people precious to them. But Alina had it worst. She had no one beside her, and Yan Xiaoran doubted that she would ever let anyone stay beside her for too long out of fear of being betrayed again.

Yan Xiaoran sighed and continued to look around. And just as she looked to the left side of the hall, her eyes landed on the dark pair of eyes that belonged to Alexander.

She could tell from his eyes that he wanted badly to come over to her side, but she shook her head and mouthed, "Let's meet later once the party is over."

Alexander frowned. His face darkened a bit and looked like an abandoned puppy for a second when Long Jie blocked his line of sight.

"Brother, why are you looking at me?"

Alexander: "…"

…

Author has something to say: Long Jie are you courting death?

Alexander: Who's looking at you!

Yan Xiaoran: …