Xian Gu was dragged away by a hulking man, her body writhing in protest. Yingnuo Gu screamed at the top of her lungs while the trembling girl beside her clutched her chest: "Let my mother go! Her health is fragile—if something happens to her, can you even afford it?!"

The shrill cries echoed through the halls as the Gue family was unceremoniously escorted out. Yuncheng Ning stood frozen in place since his father had declared the Ning estate would become a wedding gift for Ninyuan Ning. Only when shoved out of the villa did he finally snap: "No! Father, Mother, how could you do this to me? Why give the entire Ning family to Ninyuan? She..." The rest was cut short by a muffled grunt as two of Lanlingyan's bodyguards silenced him with brutal efficiency. Their martial arts skill wasn't merely professional—it radiated lethal intent. With his parents' gaze lost, Yuncheng wouldn't escape unscathed if he dared cause more trouble.

Ninyuan Ning remained coldly indifferent, feigning deafness as she watched her brother suffer.

Though the family had been expelled, Lady Ning and Master Ning still simmered with rage. When nanny Wang served tea, the elder immediately ordered her to change the locks at Blue Mountain.

This time, Master Ning's expression was stony—Yuncheng had finally broken his heart. Ninyuan offered no comfort, merely murmuring soothing words before exiting once both parents were settled.

She didn't return directly to the mountain villa. Instead, after a brief nap in the car, she instructed her bodyguards: "Take me directly to Mr. Lan's office." She needed two men from Lanjiu to monitor Shao Tao Gu—no chance of him retaliating against the Ning family again. Even if fate repeated itself exactly as before, she'd ensure Shao Tao couldn't rise again.

The guards nodded silently while Ninyuan dozed in the back seat. October winds in the imperial capital were already biting cold when the car arrived, and drizzle soon accompanied their arrival. As two bodyguards held umbrellas over her head, murmured conversations ceased as she strode into Lanlingyan's temporary headquarters.

The grand lobby bustled with business attire on leather sofas, but all attention shifted toward the revolving doors where security guards saluted. Before the black-suit receptionist could approach, Ninyuan marched directly to the elevator.

"Miss Ning—!" The woman in a silver A-line skirt and black blazer hurried forward only to be intercepted by bodyguards. Her face paled as she was bodily shoved aside: "May I ask whom you're visiting? Let me register your arrival..."

"I'm going up to 35th floor," Ninyuan interrupted, already stepping into the elevator after her guard swiped a card. The bodyguard muttered an explanation: "The master said if you arrived directly, just bring you in."

Floor 35 housed elite personnel—when she emerged, conversations stilled for three seconds before resuming. A slim secretary with high heels rushed over:

"Miss Ning..."

"Where's Mr. Lan?" Ninyuan demanded instead of waiting as she headed toward the office. The bodyguard had already warned her to bypass reception protocols.

The half-transparent office door revealed a shocking scene: Lanlingyan stood in a disheveled silver silk shirt, his hand still on the shoulder of the pink-clad woman who sat at his table. Her bleached copper hair was tousled, tear-filled eyes glaring up at him as she coughed and straightened.

Ninyuan slammed the door shut with her foot before stepping inside to physically separate them. Lanlingyan complied easily while freeing the other woman, who rubbed her neck with lingering embarrassment.

"Who is this?" Ninyuan asked coldly, dragging Lanlingyan back from the table. She hadn't considered any feelings for him beyond avoidance during their association—seeing another woman now sent irritation bubbling up.

Lanlingyan's eyes gleamed dangerously before softening into amusement: "Tell her who you are."

The copper-haired woman pouted dramatically: "Cousin, it was just a joke! You're being so mean—I'll tell Auntie!" Her youthful defiance clashed with matured features accentuated by the red hair.

Ninyuan exhaled in relief hearing "cousin." Lanlingyan smirked as he led Ninyuan to leather armchairs: "Do what you want. Leave."

The woman had attempted flirtation but was nearly choked into unconsciousness when caught. Now seeing his indifference, she mumbled while massaging her throat: "I haven't seen you in ages and you're so harsh..."

"Nobody invited you here," Lanlingyan growled, reaching for the intercom. The woman's eyes flicked to Ninyuan before shifting tactics:

"I'm Lin Qi. What relation do you share with my cousin?"

Ninyuan recognized the surname from Lanlingyan's mention of his grandfather and confirmed her suspicion when hearing "Auntie"—Lin Qi was likely his niece.

She hesitated while extending a hand: "I'm Ning Yunhuan, I..."

"Mine," Lanlingyan cut in, pulling her into his lap. The blunt declaration made Ninyuan falter awkwardly compared to his certainty.

Lin Qi's eyes narrowed at the confession before she blurted out with indignation: "What? Your wife?! What about Sister Liu Yan?"

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