This was Yun Zhiyi's first time at this auction house.
She thought it wouldn't hurt to familiarize herself with the place.
As she walked down the corridor with Su Shen, they were suddenly blocked at the corner by a figure.
A dark shadow loomed directly in front of her.
Thinking she was in someone's way, Yun Zhiyi instinctively stepped to the side without looking up.
But as she moved, a chilling, cold voice came from above her.
"Miss, you look familiar. Have we met somewhere before?"
The voice was unique and icy, vaguely familiar. Yun Zhiyi looked up—and her pupils dilated in shock, reflecting a devilishly handsome face.
It was him, Li Yuye!
The warm lighting in the corridor did nothing to soften his features. If anything, it cast a mysterious, sinister aura around him, one that Yun Zhiyi would never forget.
The man in front of her was at least 6'2", a head taller than Su Shen, who stood by her side. His presence exuded an overwhelming sense of dominance.
Li Yuye's gaze fell to Yun Zhiyi's right hand, which was intimately linked with Su Shen's arm.
With just a glance, he noticed the love bites on Su Shen's neck—marks that he likely assumed were Yun Zhiyi's handiwork.
The air suddenly grew tense, a palpable chill settling over the atmosphere.
Sensing the danger, Yun Zhiyi immediately took a step back. "I'm sorry, sir, but you must have mistaken me for someone else."
Mistaken?
Li Yuye's gaze darkened, his eyes glinting with a menacing intensity that seemed to promise he'd reduce her to dust.
"Oh, really?" His voice held a hint of mockery. No matter what, he would never mistake her.
"Yes, sir, you've got the wrong person!" Yun Zhiyi insisted, praying he would let it go.
She had never imagined she'd encounter him again, especially in such a setting.
Now, all she could do was stick to her story, hoping he would show mercy, or all her efforts would be for nothing.
"Zhiyi, do you know him?" Su Shen asked, glancing between them suspiciously.
But as soon as he asked, he dismissed the thought.
This man looked powerful, surely of high status. Yun Zhiyi, on the other hand, had spent the past few years working odd jobs abroad, selling mushrooms in some wild market, as he'd heard. How could she possibly know a man of this caliber?
"She's my fiancée," Su Shen explained. "She's been abroad all these years and has hardly had any interactions with anyone here since returning. How could she know you?"
Clearly, this man was just a creep, using a poor excuse to hit on his Zhiyi.
Su Shen's face darkened, pulling Yun Zhiyi closer. "Let's go, Zhiyi."
"Wait." Li Yuye's voice rang out, sharp and unyielding, as if anchoring them in place.
"Why not let her explain herself?"
Yun Zhiyi gently pulled her arm from Su Shen's. "Ah Shen, I'd like a moment alone to speak with this gentleman… to clear up any misunderstandings."
"Alright, I'll be right over there waiting for you."
Su Shen stepped a few meters away, taking a seat and pulling out his phone to reply to An Yirou's messages.
Confident that no one could steal his fiancée, he was unconcerned.
Taking advantage of Su Shen's distraction, Yun Zhiyi quickly approached Li Yuye.
"Lord Li, what are you trying to do?" she whispered.
"It seems you're in a bit of a bind." Li Yuye slipped a hotel keycard into the front of her dress, his tone dripping with innuendo. "Forgot so quickly? I think we need to have a talk."
A room key?
She couldn't believe it!
He had actually slipped a keycard into her dress—in a public place!
"What's wrong?"
"Afraid your fiancé might get jealous?"
"Shall I… share some juicy details with him?"
Yun Zhiyi wasn't stupid.
She immediately understood his meaning.
If she refused, he'd reveal what had happened between them.
After working so hard to gain Su Shen's trust and gather evidence, she couldn't afford for everything to fall apart now.
"Lord Li, I was hoping to talk to you, too!"
Li Yuye's lips curved slightly. "Oh?"
"Please, I'm begging you. Don't say anything about what happened between us. I hope you'll keep this a secret, at least for now."