"Be good, both of you," Lu Yuze said, his voice firm but laced with unmistakable fondness. His hand rested briefly on Chen Xiao’s shoulder. "Listen to Ting Fei and the others."

"We will!" the children chorused, though Yuyan’s grin suggested she was already plotting some mischief.

Ah Ling held the car door open, waiting patiently. Ting Fei stood a respectful distance away, a faint smile touching his lips at the family moment. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Shuyin straightened, exchanging one last loving glance with the children before Lu Yuze’s hand returned to the small of her back, guiding her gently toward the open door. The children waved enthusiastically, calling out their goodbyes.

"Bye, Mommy! Bye, Daddy! Love you!"

"Love you too!" Shuyin called back, her heart feeling lighter despite the elegant event awaiting them.

As she slid into the luxurious backseat, Lu Yuze followed right behind her. The moment the door closed, the outside world felt momentarily distant. He reached over and took her hand, his thumb brushing slowly over the blue diamond on her finger.

"Ready now?" he asked, voice low and intimate, the corner of his mouth lifting in a faint, private smile.

Shuyin squeezed his hand, the warmth of the children’s kisses still lingering on her skin. "Yes... let’s go."

The car purred to life, and they pulled away from the mansion, leaving Yuyan and Chen Xiao waving from the driveway under the watchful eyes of the staff.

The car glided smoothly away from the mansion, the afternoon sun warming the tinted windows. It was a little past 2pm, and two sleek security vehicles moved in tight formation around them, one pulling ahead briefly before dropping back, the other maintaining a close, protective circle.

Shuyin had barely settled into the soft leather seat when Lu Yuze turned toward her. His dark silver eyes traced every elegant detail: the jade silk clinging to her curves, the soft glow of her makeup, the delicate strands framing her face. Without warning, he leaned in, one large hand cupping the side of her neck as he aimed straight for her lips.

Shuyin quickly pressed a hand against his chest, nudging him back with a breathless laugh. "Don’t even think about it," she whispered, eyes sparkling. "The stylist just finished. If you ruin my makeup before we even arrive, I’ll never forgive you."

Lu Yuze hovered close, lips barely an inch from hers, a slow, dangerous smile curving his mouth. "Still worth it," he murmured, voice low and rough with want.

She shook her head, pushing him back more firmly this time, though her fingers curled lightly into his shirt. "Behave yourself, Mr. Lu. At least until we get home tonight."

He chuckled darkly but relented, for the moment. Instead, his hand slid slowly down from her neck, tracing the line of her shoulder, her arm, until it came to rest heavily on her thigh. The jade silk felt cool beneath his palm, but his touch was anything but. He started with lazy circles, thumb stroking the sensitive skin just above her knee, gradually pushing the fabric higher.

Shuyin’s breath hitched. "Lu Yuze..." she warned, though her voice had already softened.

"Hmm?" He sounded perfectly casual, yet his hand continued its unhurried exploration. His fingers slipped beneath the slit of the dress, brushing warm, bare skin. The strokes grew bolder, slow, firm caresses that trailed higher up her inner thigh, teasing the edge of where the silk ended. Every touch sent sparks of heat racing through her body. He squeezed gently, possessively, then let his fingertips drift even closer to the apex of her thighs, stopping just short of where she was starting to ache for him.

She pressed her thighs together instinctively, trapping his hand, but that only seemed to amuse him. He leaned closer, lips brushing the shell of her ear. "You’re already warm here," he whispered, voice velvet and sin. "Thinking about what happens after the event?"

Shuyin bit her lower lip, fighting to keep her breathing steady. "You’re impossible," she managed, though her hand came down to rest over his, not quite stopping the slow, sensual massage.

Lu Yuze’s free hand reached for the tablet Ah Ling passed over. "Ah Ling."

The assistant handed it forward without comment.

Lu Yuze angled the screen toward her while his right hand continued its wicked work beneath the silk, thumb now drawing slow, deliberate circles against her inner thigh, occasionally brushing higher, teasing the soft skin with just enough pressure to make her shift in her seat.

"Focus, wifie," he said, though his tone was anything but innocent. "This is Madam Zhao. She leads the women’s circle at Orchid Charity. Elegant on the surface, but she notices everything. If she asks about your background, keep it simple and confident. She respects power more than politeness."

Shuyin tried to concentrate on the polished photo on the screen, but Lu Yuze’s fingers kept stroking higher, kneading the soft flesh of her thigh with slow, rhythmic pressure. Heat pooled low in her belly.

"And Director Li?" she asked, voice slightly breathier than she intended.

"Director Li handles the major donations," he continued smoothly, swiping to the next profile. His hand squeezed her thigh again, fingers dipping dangerously close to the lace edge of her underwear. "She measures everyone by influence and money. Compliment her latest project, the children’s wing, and she’ll warm up. But don’t let her dig too deep about us."

Shuyin’s fingers tightened over his hand, half trying to still him, half urging him on. "And if someone asks about the ring?" she managed, glancing down at the sparkling blue diamond.

Lu Yuze’s silver eyes darkened with satisfaction. He leaned in again, lips grazing her temple. "Then you tell them the truth, or let me handle it." His voice dropped even lower as his fingertips traced the crease where her thigh met her body. "Because you’re mine, Shuyin. And I want them to know it."

A soft, involuntary sound escaped her lips. She turned her head slightly, meeting his intense gaze. " You’re going to make me walk into that event like this?"