In City S,

Zhì'ān Sū, with a tired and disheartened expression, stood at the doorstep of the villa. She was thinking about the instructions her mother, Yùtóng Zheng, had given her; to get Zèkǎi Lì to attend the birthday banquet of Jūnmíng Sū tomorrow.

However, they have barely met each other over the half a year since their marriage. Even at the office, they were separated by countless people. How could she convince him to attend the event?

With a heavy heart, Zhì'ān Sū inserted the key to open the door. No sooner had she opened the door and stepped in, her arm was firmly restrained by a strong hand, pulling her inside. Her lips were sealed instantly. Zhì'ān Sū was momentarily blank, her eyes wide open in the darkness.

Fear and terror began to sprout and spread from the bottom of her heart.

Regaining her senses, Zhì'ān Sū struggled to push the man in front of her away. However, her effort was in vain due to the disparity in strength. Seizing the moment when he was not paying attention, she bit his lip fiercely.

Instantly, taken aback by the sudden pain, Zèkǎi Lì let her go.

With a 'clink', the entire villa was instantly illuminated.

Zhì'ān Sū's face was flushed, and she covered her lips that had been kissed by Zèkǎi Lì with the back of her hand.

Zèkǎi Lì's deep, sharp gaze fell on her flushed cheeks, seeing her repugnance spurred him on. He grabbed her slender arm and harshly said, "Wasn't it your assistant who told me to come back? Now I'm back, don't give me a pathetic look, it annoys me.”

Biting her lip, Zhì'ān Sū swallowed all the grievances she felt and slowly spoke, “Yes, I had your assistant inform you. Come back with me to the Sū family tomorrow.”

“Why should I?”

“You...” Zhì'ān Sū was frustrated, took a deep breath to suppress her anger, and opened her mouth again: “Although I know our marriage cannot be made public, tomorrow is my father's 50th birthday banquet. Couldn't you attend it considering we are all part of the same circle?”

A mocking smile appeared on Zèkǎi Lì’s cold, handsome face, “Circle? Don't forget that without me, your Sū family would have been gone long ago.”

With one hand, Zhì'ān Sū tightly grasped the corner of her clothing, suppressing the displeasure from her heart, and said, “Of course I know that.”

Li Zekai's deep gaze landed on her. "As long as you know." After he finished speaking, he loosened his grip on her wrist and turned to head upstairs.

Suzhi An watched as Li Zekai's figure receded in the distance. No, she couldn't waste this rare opportunity now that Li Zekai was back.

Determined, Suzhi An quickly walked over to intercept Li Zekai, but she forgot what she intended to say.

Li Zekai looked at her coldly, his face showed no trace of a smile.

Suzhi An quickly formulated a script in her mind, pleading, "Even if I beg you, will you go there tomorrow? It's okay even if it's just for one minute."

Upon hearing this, Li Zekai's face went worse. A pair of deep eyes swirled with a frightening glare.

He mercilessly pushed her away. Suzhi An obviously did not expect Li Zekai to be so angry. The force of his push knocked her onto a cabinet displaying a vase. The vase toppled onto the ground, shattering into pieces.

Suzhi An fell forward across the cabinet, tears crumbling from her eyes as the sense of grievance spread throughout her.

She well knew that Li Zekai was no longer the boy from before, not the one who would shield her behind him.

Ever since that night, there seemed to be a thousand mountains and rivers set between them, making it impossible for either to cross.