The cloud remained silent, neither speaking nor departing.

Aodeng watched him with concern, while Maria looked on with curiosity.

None of the three spoke as the sound from over there continued to carry across.

“Good.” Though soft, Aodeng recognized the voice as Vivi’s.

“You don’t seem very happy to see me.

Are you angry with me?” the magnetic voice inquired.

“No.” Vivi sounded listless, without much enthusiasm.

“I know you’re angry.” The magnetic male voice continued, “You blame me for not visiting you on your birthday.” Vivi remained silent, whether in agreement or simply refusing to speak, it was unclear.

Aodeng noticed Zhong Yun’s body seemed to shudder and grew more worried, fearing he might lose control and rush out to confront the pair.

“It wasn't intentional.

I was in deep sleep right after breaking through to the twentieth level.

See, I came to find you as soon as I woke up.” The magnetic voice explained calmly, and Aodeng had to admit, there was genuine sincerity in his words.

Vivi let out a faint sigh.

“Congratulations, then.” “You’re still angry.” The man sighed as well.

After a moment, his voice returned.

“Vivi, did you know? The moment I first heard of you when I was thirteen, I began anticipating our meeting.” “But I couldn't meet you right away.

I wanted us to meet when we were older.

I knew.

You also deeply looked forward to the day we would finally see each other.” “Now we have finally met.

You are exactly as I imagined.

Beautiful.

Noble.

Captivating.

I cherish my decision back then more than anything.

Do you know? I was the one who begged my mother to propose marriage to your father.

My wife must be the most exceptional woman, and you are that woman.” The voice was imperiously dominant.

Hearing this, Aodeng’s heart became complicated.

So, it was Zhong Yun who had interfered, not him being interfered with.

“Why won’t you show me your photograph?” Vivi finally spoke again, her tone incredibly complex.

“My ability is peculiar.

My appearance changes at different stages.

I only wish to appear before you in one specific image.” “Is this truly fate?” Vivi’s voice dropped so low it was almost inaudible.

“You’re not still thinking about that Zhong Yun, are you?” The man’s voice suddenly darkened, and Aodeng, despite the distance, felt a heavy pressure.

He started, it seemed the claims of his level twenty martial arts were not exaggerated.

“You like him?” The man sounded utterly incredulous.

“I know you’re just playing around.

It’s understandable for girls to be a little mischievous.

You’re taking revenge on me, aren’t you?” The male voice suddenly laughed, his tone softening.

“You wouldn't fall for a good-for-nothing like that.

In this world, only I am worthy of you.” The man was clearly immensely self-assured.

Although Aodeng felt uncomfortable hearing this, he admitted the man certainly had the foundation for his arrogance.

Given his youthful voice and twentieth-level strength, a bit of bravado was perhaps normal.

“Xiao Zhu is looking for me.

I have to go.” Vivi suddenly said.

“Then let’s go back.” Footsteps sounded again, gradually receding.

On the scene, Aodeng and Maria both looked at Zhong Yun.

Zhong Yun remained in the same posture, then suddenly raised his head.

There was no hint of change on his face; he seemed completely relaxed.

“The show is over, you can clear the seats.

I’m taking off first.

You two carry on.” With that, he departed in the opposite direction.

Leaving behind a young engaged couple gazing at each other.

Aodeng sighed, feeling dejected for his friend’s predicament.

“Is he… alright?” Maria asked quietly.

“I hope so.” Even the best of friends couldn't intervene in such matters.

Aodeng could only hope Zhong Yun would take it well.

Contrary to Aodeng’s expectations of gloom, Zhong Yun was still wandering around the estate with a carefree air.

Before long, his communicator chimed—it was Wen Zhu calling—and he casually switched it off.

On the other side, Wen Zhu nearly jumped in frustration.

Vivi was practically being snatched away, and this deadbeat Zhong Yun had zero sense of urgency, acting so unreliably.

Looking at the man surrounded by adoration next to Vivi, Wen Zhu grit her teeth.

This man, named Zeng Chenyu, was excessively handsome.

The moment he appeared, he undoubtedly became the focus of everyone’s attention.

He was a man who shone like the sun no matter where he was, his cool, mysterious handsomeness mesmerizing socialites, mature women, and wealthy heiresses alike.

He was Heaven’s favorite, as if the entire world revolved around him.

Even her own father treated him with great courtesy.

When he stood beside Xiao Wei, the man was incomparably handsome, and the woman exquisitely beautiful—like the most perfect pair of jade artifacts in the world.

Wen Zhu had to admit, they were incredibly well-matched.

Zhong Yun, why haven’t you come back yet? Time trickled by, and the ball gradually neared its end, with some guests starting to depart.

Zhong Yun never reappeared until the dance concluded, driving Wen Zhu to fury—her temper soaring sky-high.

“I’m done caring about you!” she thought through gritted teeth.

Zeng Chenyu and Vivi both stayed at the Ke Dong residence.

Vivi often stayed there, so it wasn't surprising.

Zeng Chenyu, however, was invited to stay by Chang Ben Ke Dong due to his special status.

The entire estate fell silent, as if plunged into slumber.

Suddenly, a piercing alarm blared throughout the mansion, waking everyone from their sleep.

“What happened?” Wen Zhu, a light sleeper, woke immediately at the sound of the alarm.

“Sounds like there are thieves.” Vivi, sleeping in the same bed, listened intently for a moment before speaking.

“Thieves bold enough to come to Ke Dong’s house,” Wen Zhu sneered.

“They truly don’t know when to quit.” “Should we go out and see?” Vivi asked casually.

The alarm hadn't stopped since it sounded, making sleep impossible in such noise.

“No need.

They can handle it.” Wen Zhu settled back down.

Unable to sleep amidst the shrill alarm, Wen Zhu, who had resolved to stop concerning herself with Zhong Yun and Xiao Wei, couldn’t help herself this time.

She asked, “Who exactly is that Zeng Chenyu?” Vivi was silent for a moment, then replied, “He is my fiancé.” “What?” Wen Zhu exclaimed in shock.

“Why haven’t you ever mentioned him?” Vivi said nothing.

Some things she kept secret from everyone, even Wen Zhu, her best friend.

“Then what about Zhong Yun?” Wen Zhu thought of him again, suddenly feeling a pang of pity for him.

Vivi bit her lip and sighed softly.

“Me and him… it was just a misunderstanding.” “A misunderstanding?” Wen Zhu found it preposterous.

“You mean your affection for him was a misunderstanding? Or the fact that you gave him your most precious first time was a misunderstanding?” She recalled Zhong Yun’s words; their supposed first time actually seemed to have been a fabrication to win back Wen Zhu’s trust, not something that actually occurred.

(Some readers may be confused; the incident of Vivi drunkenly giving herself to Zhong Yun was merely an excuse Zhong Yun made up to restore Wen Zhu’s faith in him; it never actually happened.) “Everything… was just a misunderstanding,” Vivi stressed once more.

“Fine, even if it was a misunderstanding, the experiences you shared were real.

Your feelings were real.

Are you really willing to give all that up just because of a fiancé you’ve never even met?” Vivi’s expression shifted violently, showing struggle, her lips nearly drawing blood.

The alarm continued its piercing wail.

In the dim light, her face looked tragically bewitching.

Wen Zhu’s heart ached.

“Alright, I won’t say anything more.

Don’t be like this…” “There are many things you don’t understand…” With that, Vivi turned her body, presenting her back to Wen Zhu.

Wen Zhu let out a silent sigh.

She could sense the difficulty and conflict raging within her friend, and the pain and torment brought on by that struggle.

Neither spoke again; the alarm kept blaring tirelessly.

After an unknown time, perhaps half an hour, perhaps an hour, the alarm hadn't stopped.

Wen Zhu found it strange; given the estate’s security measures, the thief should have been caught long ago.

What was happening today? Could the alarm system be broken? She couldn't help but get up, pull on her clothes, and open the door to see what was going on.

The hallway was deserted.

She vigilantly watched all directions.

As she walked, a door suddenly opened silently as she passed a room.

Wen Zhu was startled, and an accumulated blast of air shot out.

A figure appeared in the doorway, causing Wen Zhu to clamp a hand over her mouth.

The person wasn't a thief, but Zeng Chenyu, a guest at the residence.

Her heart leaped into her throat, her mind went blank.

It was over; she was about to kill him.

The silent, invisible air blast was about to strike Zeng Chenyu’s chest when a dazzling golden light suddenly flashed.

The air blast hit the light and instantly dissipated into nothingness.

Wen Zhu breathed a massive sigh of relief.

If she had actually killed Zeng Chenyu by mistake, things would have been catastrophic.

Luckily, he was unharmed.

“Be more careful next time.

It was fortunate it was me this time; if it had been someone else, hmph,” Zeng Chenyu said coldly, glancing at her.

He could sense the woman’s hostility, though he didn't know its origin, and he never treated hostile people kindly.

Wen Zhu was nearly furious, but she had been in the wrong first, so she suppressed her reaction, lowering her impression of him to rock bottom.

“Sorry,” she muttered curtly and quickly left.

Seeing her depart so abruptly, Zeng Chenyu frowned and murmured, “So rude.” Continuing her walk, Wen Zhu began to see signs of damage and discovered bodies.

The corpses all had bullet holes, indicating the intruders were armed.

She picked up a gun and hurried forward.

The corpses ahead increased, and turning into a grand hall, she found utter devastation.

It looked as if thugs had rampaged through the place; almost nothing remained intact.

Bodies were sprawled everywhere.

At that moment, she heard some voices.

Following the sound outside the main entrance, she crouched low and moved toward the front yard.

The sight that greeted her was of one person surrounded and cornered.

She heard her Third Uncle’s voice, spitting through clenched teeth, “Friend, be sensible, leave the items, or you will have a very ugly end.” The person did not reply.

Wen Zhu cautiously approached, peering through the gaps in the crowd, and finally recognized the figure.

Her face instantly changed dramatically.

“How could it be you?” P: The ** is coming, asking for votes.

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