"I am the adopted daughter of the Bai family, two years older than Julian. Growing up together, we fell uncontrollably into our first love. He treated me very well."
Looking at her face, which remained as pale as ever, she continued, "But the status of the Bai family and Julian's identity make it impossible for him to marry me. Even my grandfather, who loves me the most in the family, does not approve of our union."
"Is it because of social class?"
Grace Gu asked softly. A lonely girl dreaming of marrying into a wealthy family seemed to be hindered in any era. Just like her stepmother, who had ultimately succeeded.
"Yes, my aunt is a very strong-willed woman; she would never allow her daughter-in-law to have a background like mine. In fact, my family's situation was not bad; we just faced some setbacks along the way, but they still look down on us."
"And then?"
Grace Gu listened as if it were a story and did not pay attention to the bitterness that flickered in her eyes because she knew that if Julian Bai's persistence was anything like her biological father's towards her stepmother, then family matters were merely superficial distractions. Ultimately, one day they would hurt everyone involved and end up together.
She did not deny their love but could never agree with it because their union was built on hurting too many people. Such a combination would inevitably lead to a bad ending—just like her stepmother.
"In order to gain my aunt's approval during our passionate romance, I chose to go abroad. After all, there I had more opportunities that could help me match up to Julian."
"After four years of hard work, I won the Best Designer Award in Fashion Capital and was preparing to return and prove myself to my aunt when I heard about you."
Seeing the slight surprise in her eyes, she added: "It was your aunt who told me directly that Julian has been keeping a little lover in Port City and has been taking good care of her; many people haven't even seen her."
"Aren't you curious why they didn't stop him despite knowing about his situation?"
"A bit," Grace Gu admitted.
It would be false not to be curious; however, knowing or not knowing seemed irrelevant since she was merely a caged canary.
"Because of my situation, Julian almost severed ties with his family; they couldn't force him into anything at that time. Your appearance just happened to ease their tense relationship."
Grace Gu hadn't expected herself to have such an effect; she smirked slightly.
Whether it was mockery or relief left Julian Ying puzzled.
"So this visit is also due to the Bai family? Do they feel threatened by my presence?" Grace Gu said lightly.
A hint of astonishment flashed through Julian Ying's eyes; she hadn't anticipated this little girl could see so clearly. Even she had pondered over this point repeatedly on her way here.
"Are they trying to find ways to drive me away?"
Her words were direct enough that even Julian Ying found them hard to counter.
She replied softly: "Actually, women don't necessarily need to rely on men. With your looks, finding someone devoted isn't difficult at all. But that devotion will never come from Julian."
"Don't need to rely on men?" She murmured with her head down. Could she really do that?
...
Meanwhile at Dynasty Nightclub, where Julian Bai had just arrived during daylight hours—far less glamorous than at night—the manager greeted him immediately upon entry.
"Young Master Bai! The few people from that day have already been caught by the boss; today I'm only here to hand them over for you to decide how you'd like them dealt with."
As he hurried alongside Julian Bai while explaining himself nervously—his tone laced with flattery—it seemed somewhat diminished by his breathlessness.
Upon entering the private room and seeing three or four individuals bound tightly like zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), Julian Bai recognized them instantly as their mouths opened wide but no coherent words came out due to tape covering their lips—a muffled whimper escaping instead.
"Release them."
His first words since entering were cold yet somehow made the manager feel slightly relieved.
When Young Master spoke rather than remaining silent he always felt more approachable; if he kept wearing such an icy expression throughout his visit here he'd worry about turning into an ice block himself!
After issuing his command inside the nightclub several bodyguards quickly moved forward tearing off their mouth coverings—faces contorted painfully as they cried out in distress.
"We haven't done anything wrong! Why are you arresting us?" protested one man sporting a rooster comb hairstyle defiantly—not wanting himself turned into a scapegoat among these tough-looking individuals surrounding him.
"You harassed a woman here days ago," said the manager impatiently—as if eager for conviction against them before they'd even nodded acknowledgment!
Before he could respond further though another kick landed squarely upon rooster comb's backside: "Have you lost your mind?
You dare touch Young Master's woman? Are you tired of living?"
In truth what he thought silently followed: When else could you misbehave except right under my watch? You're asking for trouble!
"Please spare us! We won't do it again! That day we drank too much—we didn't know what we were doing!" They pleaded desperately realizing now whom they faced wasn't someone easily trifled with based solely on how respectful their manager appeared toward him!
"Do you recognize this person?"
Julian Bai held up his phone flashing its screen before their eyes causing immediate fear across those faces—their expressions shifting drastically upon seeing who it displayed: none other than Yellow Hair.
His body covered in blood without any unscathed skin left intact—eyes burned beyond recognition while hair completely absent from sight now!
"Now do you understand which woman you've messed with?"
He spoke leisurely observing how rooster comb recalled Yellow Hair's strange disappearance leading back towards thoughts regarding that enchanting girl resembling something straight outta paintings—was it truly because of HER? That day his friend had been utterly captivated by HER beauty! Had circumstances allowed perhaps he'd have whisked HER away without hesitation under different conditions..