Just as Liang Xiaoluo approached the ticket counter, a group of rough-looking men came into view, shouting loudly as they searched for someone. Alarmed, she quickly slipped behind a nearby pillar, hiding herself to avoid detection.

“Damn it!” she muttered under her breath, anxiously peeking out to assess the situation. She needed to buy a ticket and board the plane—her only way to escape. However, the men seemed to anticipate her plan and positioned several guards at the ticket counter.

Her heart pounded in frustration. Hiding here wasn’t a viable solution. How was she supposed to get her ticket?

Before she could think of a plan, more men appeared, heading straight for her hiding spot. Surrounded with no way out, she made a quick decision and dashed toward the boarding gate.

The men spotted her and immediately gave chase, shouting orders to catch her.

Liang Xiaoluo ran as fast as she could, her only thought being to escape. She couldn’t let them capture her. Not now, not ever.

Focused entirely on fleeing, she failed to notice a man near the boarding gate—someone both unfamiliar and hauntingly familiar—standing on the verge of eruption.

“Hurry up, old man. Time’s up,” Ye Tianlin said impatiently.

He had been dragged out early in the morning by his grandfather for breakfast, only to be brought to the airport to see him off. It had been a colossal waste of time, especially since he could’ve been out looking for the woman who left him five cents the previous night.

From morning until now, his foul mood had only worsened.

“Is that how you speak to your grandfather?” The chairman of Ye Group, ranked first among the world’s top ten enterprises, turned to reprimand his unruly grandson with a stern expression.

Ye Tianlin’s treasured grandson.

“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” Ye Tianlin replied dismissively, his face a picture of irritation.

The elder Ye could only sigh, unwilling to argue further. Just as he was about to head inside, he suddenly remembered something and turned back with a sly smile. “Tianlin, you haven’t forgotten your promise, have you?”

What promise? It was undoubtedly about getting married and having children—his grandfather’s obsession with wanting great-grandchildren.

Turning away with a feigned look of confusion, Ye Tianlin replied, “I don’t remember promising anything.”

Shamelessness came naturally to him.

“You little…” The old man clutched his chest dramatically, putting on an aggrieved expression. “You know your grandfather’s health isn’t great. I’m old and can’t take much stress. Your eldest brother already has a wife, and your younger brother is courting someone. But you… If I were to collapse one day and—”

“Fine, fine. I’ll meet the women you arranged. Satisfied?” Ye Tianlin interrupted, his tone exasperated. He had heard this speech so often he could recite it in his sleep.

At least it would keep the old man quiet, for now.

Still, the thought of meeting random women irritated him. He hated interacting with women in general.

The only woman he wanted was her. The one from last night.

Liang Xiaoluo reached the boarding gate in a panic, too focused on hiding to notice the two distinguished men standing nearby, deep in conversation.

She slipped into a crowd of impeccably dressed men in black suits, using them as cover. Peeking through the gaps, she watched the men chasing her. Strangely, they had stopped, hesitating to move closer to the gate.

Why weren’t they coming any closer?

The men had clearly recognized the two powerful figures near the boarding gate—representatives of Ye Group. But Liang Xiaoluo, oblivious to their identities, assumed her pursuers simply hadn’t seen her and heaved a sigh of relief. Just as she thought she’d avoided capture, a suited man beside her suddenly shouted.

“Who are you? How dare you be here? Are you out of your mind?”

His loud voice startled Liang Xiaoluo, and her heart sank. She quickly pressed a finger to her lips, motioning for him to lower his voice. She couldn’t afford to attract attention now.

Peeking again, she saw her pursuers still rooted in place, their eyes fixed on her location. They seemed hesitant to approach.

Were they afraid of something?

The suited man grew impatient with her lack of response. Frowning, he barked, “Hey! I told you to leave. This area isn’t for people like you. Get lost!”

He began shoving her roughly, treating her like a fly to be swatted away.

Realizing that this was likely the safest place for now, Liang Xiaoluo grabbed his arm desperately. “Please,” she begged, her voice trembling. “Just let me stay a little longer. Just for a moment.”

The man scowled and pushed her harder. “Are you deaf? Leave now, or don’t blame me for what happens next!”

“No!” Liang Xiaoluo shook her head stubbornly.

Their scuffle was interrupted by the sharp sound of breaking glass. Everyone froze, turning toward the source of the noise.

Ye Tianlin had deliberately let the water bottle in his hand drop, the sound echoing like a gunshot. His cold gaze locked onto the scene before him.

The suited man immediately straightened, rushing to Ye Tianlin’s side. The arrogance he had shown moments ago vanished, replaced by trembling deference. “Young Master… I-I’m sorry for disturbing you…”

Slapping himself across the face, he stammered, “It’s my fault. Please forgive me.”

Young Master?

Hearing the man’s groveling tone, Liang Xiaoluo looked toward the “Young Master” in question. The moment her eyes met Ye Tianlin’s, her heart leapt into her throat.

It’s him.

Her mind raced as panic took over. Would he recognize her?

She quickly dismissed the thought. It had been a one-night stand. How likely was it that he’d remember her?

Hoping to avoid any further trouble, she glanced at her pursuers before making a split-second decision. Bolting toward the side exit, she ran as fast as her legs could carry her. The loan sharks immediately gave chase.

Ye Tianlin’s eyes followed her retreating figure, his lips curling into a sinister smile.

“Woman, you can’t escape me,” he murmured.

Just as he was about to pursue her, his grandfather grabbed his arm, grinning mischievously. “Tianlin, you can’t just leave your dear grandpa behind now, can you? That would be so unfilial.”

Veins bulging with irritation, Ye Tianlin spat through gritted teeth, “Old man…”

Ignoring his protests, the elder Ye dragged him along.

By the time Ye Tianlin managed to break free, Liang Xiaoluo was long gone. He scoured the airport, but she had disappeared without a trace.

Standing outside, he glanced up at the departing planes, his expression dark. His grandfather had ruined his plans again.

“Miss, do you have a reservation?”

Having narrowly escaped the airport, Liang Xiaoluo now stood at the entrance of an upscale restaurant, blocked by a staff member.

The restaurant required reservations or proof of prior patronage. Desperate for a safe place to hide, she had chosen it on a whim.