Liang Anya moved her hand, the car door immediately opened, and she rushed out, grabbing Jiang Pinhao’s arm like she had found a lifeline.

"Anya—" Jiang Pinhao saw her flushed cheeks, the open collar of her shirt, and was startled. Then he glanced at Si Yuheng in the driver’s seat, his gaze deep and intense, and could almost guess what had happened. He pulled Liang Anya behind him protectively, glaring hard at the man in the car: "Mr. Si, aren’t you being too excessive! No matter who you are, this is China, a country governed by laws—not your underground playground where you can act recklessly!"

Si Yuheng tugged at his collar, his long leg casually lifting and thumping onto the instrument panel in front: "A college professor, huh? If you’re so keen on lecturing people, go back to school. I’m not your student!"

Jiang Pinhao frowned, and Liang Anya, already not wanting to linger here, tugged at Jiang Pinhao softly, saying, "Let’s go. Don’t argue with him."

The two left, hailed a cab, and sped off.

Si Yuheng watched the car’s receding silhouette, his facial muscles twitching slightly, his gaze growing darker.

...

Jiang Pinhao personally escorted Liang Anya home and went upstairs.

He had heard from Liang Anya earlier that Si Yuheng had become her client at work, and worried she might be harassed, he had specially gone to pick her up from the office today.

Unexpectedly, something nearly happened after all.

Just before entering her home, Liang Anya paused her steps and exhaled lightly.

Jiang Pinhao knew she hadn’t completely calmed down yet and tried to reassure her: "I’ll pick you up from work every day for the next few days. It’ll be fine."

Her mood settled a little, and she looked at Jiang Pinhao: "Mr. Jiang, thank you. This has really troubled you this time."

After exchanging a few more words, Liang Anya finally reached for her key to open the door. After fumbling for a while, she realized she couldn’t find it and assumed she’d forgotten to bring it today. She rang the doorbell: "Daddy, I’m home."

Liang Tao opened the door and saw Jiang Pinhao accompanying his daughter home, beaming with joy.

Jiang Pinhao stayed at the Liang Family’s house for a while, but since it was getting late, Liang Tao suggested he stay for dinner.

Seeing that Liang Anya was calmer now, Jiang Pinhao politely declined: "No need, Uncle Liang. I have a meeting tonight with several professors from the architecture department at A City’s Geological University."

Liang Anya didn’t want Mr. Jiang to get too involved in this matter either, so she quickly added: "Daddy, Mr. Jiang has plans. Let’s not trouble him further."

Although Liang Tao was a bit disappointed, he had no choice but to let it go.

Not long after Jiang Pinhao left, the doorbell rang again.

Liang Tao was startled: "Could it be Mr. Jiang coming back?"

Liang Anya laughed helplessly, now certain her father had practically preemptively made Jiang Pinhao his future son-in-law: "Could it be my brother?"

"Unlikely. Your brother’s been busy with his new company these days; he wouldn’t be back this early..." Liang Tao muttered as he went to open the door.

Liang Anya heard her father’s puzzled voice coming from the foyer: "And you are...?"

"Hello, Uncle. Anya accidentally left her keys in my car earlier. I happened to have some time and brought them over."

The sound of keys being handed to Liang Tao jangled in the air.

The man’s low, magnetic voice with its slightly imperfect articulation drifted into the living room, making Liang Anya spring up from the sofa like she’d been burned.

It’s him!

He actually came to their house!

She bolted toward the foyer, coming face to face with Si Yuheng’s smiling, strikingly handsome face, her soul practically flying out of her body.

Clearly, Liang Tao had no idea who this man was. After a moment’s hesitation, he politely asked: "And you are...?"

"I’m Miss Anya’s client. She’s been helping me manage the renovations for my new house these past few days. She’s very conscientious and occasionally even discusses work with me after hours. Tonight was no exception. She left in a hurry earlier and forgot her keys in my car."

Liang Anya clenched her fists tightly. This man, who had been arrogant and insufferable in the car just earlier, was now shamelessly donning a presentable, upright persona!

Those keys hadn’t been left behind accidentally—they’d fallen because of his physical tugging and pulling on her!

But what could she do? She couldn’t reveal the truth in front of her father!

"Oh, so you’re Anya’s client. Thank you," Liang Tao’s tone softened immediately when he heard this. Having once been in business himself, he naturally understood the importance of a client and quickly added, "It’s very kind of you to personally bring the keys back."

Si Yuheng coughed lightly twice, feigning nonchalance: "It’s no trouble. Just an extra eight to nine kilometers, that’s all."

Liang Anya almost laughed in frustration—was this man trying to hint at how much he’d suffered?

Sure enough, Liang Tao paused briefly and then hurriedly said, "Well, come in and take a seat, rest for a while."

Liang Anya was startled and was about to stop him, but Si Yuheng had already walked in unceremoniously, taking a look around the Liang Family home before sitting down.

"Anya, your client came all the way here to deliver your keys, and you’re not even introducing him?" Liang Tao turned to his daughter.

Introduce him? How? Dad, should I say: "This is the man you’ve been wishing you could kill in cold blood"? Is that how I should put it?

Liang Anya’s palms began to sweat as she worried that Si Yuheng might reveal his identity.

If he did, with her father’s temperament, it’d either be him or Si Yuheng lying dead—or worse, tonight their home might turn into a crime scene!

Si Yuheng saw the paleness of her face and lightly curled his lips before speaking up on his own: "Uncle, you can call me REX."

That was his name in A Country.

Liang Tao nodded, observing him carefully: "Judging from your appearance, you don’t seem to be a local in China?"

"No. My ancestors have Chinese roots. My parents are both mixed-race Chinese. I’ve always lived in Europe but recently returned to China to invest in real estate."

This man... when he acts, he does it without missing a beat.

Liang Anya bit down hard on her lip.

"I see." Liang Tao nodded and smiled. "You two keep chatting. I’ll brew some fine tea for you."

"Thank you, Uncle." Si Yuheng inclined his head.

Previously, Liang Tao had felt slightly resistant toward him, sensing a hint of mischief in his strikingly handsome appearance. But now, seeing the tact in his speech, along with traces of modest East Asian demeanor, his attitude visibly improved. He nodded with a smile: "You’re too kind."

As her father’s figure retreated, Liang Anya glared at him fiercely, her voice low, practically squeezing out in frustration: "What exactly are you trying to do...?"

"Delivering your keys. Didn’t you see that?" Si Yuheng shrugged nonchalantly.

"...Alright, now that you’ve delivered them, can you leave?"

"Didn’t I just tell you I drove eight or nine extra kilometers? And it’s your dad who asked me to stay as a guest." He tilted his brow lazily and thumped his shoulder in slight irritation.

Liang Anya felt the urge to vomit blood but before she could respond, she heard her father’s footsteps returning from the kitchen and had no choice but to swallow her words temporarily.

"REX, I’m not sure if you enjoy Chinese tea. Do give it a try." Liang Tao had always been a hearty and welcoming host, especially upon seeing his daughter’s client; he took out some of his treasured tea leaves for the occasion.

Si Yuheng glanced at the fragrant brew on the coffee table, a faint smile on his lips: "Dark tea?"