She was a mixture of tranquility and fury, usually possessed of a serene gentleness like still water, yet occasionally revealing sharp claws and teeth. This contradictory nature made her like a deadly poppy—intoxicating, but ultimately unattainable.

Her emotions seemed perpetually submerged in the deepest ocean floor, only erupting when someone she cared for most was harmed... and the person she cared for most, it seemed, had never been him...

"Hah! Who's the filthy one here?!" Liu Bao exploded in shame and anger, launching into a tirade. "Your slut mother was promiscuous in her day, giving birth to you and your brother, two bastards, and then she committed suicide in public over some man. Do you think no one knows these things?! Keep playing the princess, but deep down, you’re still just..."

"Miss, are you allowing a customer to be harassed like this in your store?" Luo Xi coldly cut off Liu Bao’s verbal assault.

The bridal department supervisor snapped back to reality as if waking from a dream.

Yes, whether they were celebrities or reporters, as long as they were in the store, they had a responsibility to protect the customers from harassment. She immediately grabbed her walkie-talkie to contact security.

"Now that everyone has time, shall we go for coffee?" Luo Xi smiled faintly, his gaze flicking toward Liu Bao as he said, "Though, Mr. Liu, you are not welcome, and never will be."

The reporters let out awkward chuckles, secretly blaming Liu Bao for taking things too far and making the scene so ugly.

"A-Luo, you're too kind..." "Yes, yes, A-Luo’s face must be given..." Luo Xi lifted the corner of his lip and walked toward the entrance, slowly passing by Yin Xia Mo.

Shen Qiang, walking behind him, looked up at Yin Xia Mo. She saw Yin Xia Mo’s long lashes drooping slightly and her lips pale. The fierce composure she’d held facing Liu Bao earlier had subtly stiffened into stunned vacancy as Luo Xi approached.

Luo Xi paused his steps.

He stopped directly in front of Yin Xia Mo.

Shen Qiang’s heart lurched. Seeing Luo Xi pause for a few seconds before finally turning his head, his eyes dark as they swept over the pale-faced Yin Xia Mo, he instead fixed his gaze on Liu Bao, who stubbornly remained in front of Yin Xia Mo. Luo Xi sneered, "Mr. Liu, are you still waiting for security here?" Liu Bao looked around. Seeing that the other reporters were already heading toward the cafe and that the security guards called by the staff were arriving, he knew there was nothing more to gain by staying. He could only glare viciously at Yin Xia Mo a few times, let out a cold snort, and leave.

The bridal salon suddenly felt empty and quiet.

The glass door was pulled open by a staff member.

Luo Xi walked slowly toward the outside of the bridal shop. He didn't look back, as if there was nothing in the store worth lingering over.

Yin Xia Mo stood in the center of the front hall.

The glass door closed slowly. Watching his retreating back, she remained silent for a long time. Because he couldn't see her, she had this luxurious opportunity to look at him one more time, properly.

Perhaps, this was truly the last time she would ever see him... As his silhouette completely vanished.

She closed her eyes. The strength seemed to drain from her body all at once. Clutching Xiao Cheng’s hand tightly, her lips grew even paler.

"Jie..." Yin Cheng worriedly supported her, letting her lean against him.

Yin Xia Mo instantly stood bolt upright as if startled awake. She opened her eyes and slowly managed to force a smile onto the corners of her lips, softly comforting him, "Xiao Cheng, I’ll tell you about Mother when we get back to the hospital. Don't listen to that person's nonsense; the truth isn't like that..."

"Jie! Do you think..." A sharp pain shot through Yin Cheng. He was most worried about her, not those old stories from the past, but before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a strange burst of applause sounding from the corner—Foam Summer III