C9 Hsu Chiyang and Xia Shirann

"It's my own decision to come back. I feel guilty and can't face him; it has nothing to do with him!" Ruoye snapped, cutting off Shirann's words, her eyes wide with defiance.

The two stood in tense silence. Shirann took a deep breath and exhaled heavily, a wave of helplessness washing over her.

"Remember to have breakfast. I'm heading to school," Shirann said calmly, regaining her composure before turning to leave the room.

She knew Ruoye was completely swayed by Shaoyu's sweet talk, her emotions entirely at his mercy. No matter what Shirann said, it wouldn't get through to her.

Skipping breakfast, Shirann left the house with a heavy heart and no appetite. She quickly gathered her things and headed out the door.

Just as she was about to leave the apartment building, Shirann suddenly remembered something. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a cold, unfamiliar object.

It was a bracelet. Beautifully crafted, it was adorned with sparkling diamonds and featured a pair of swans shaped into a heart. On the back of the swans were two engraved letters—Y&R.

Y for Hsu Chiyang and R for Shirann.

Swans are often symbols of enduring and faithful love, but what did they represent in their case?

Shirann recalled the intense embrace in the car, realizing that Chiyang must have slipped the bracelet into her pocket during that moment.

Xia Shirann couldn't help but let out a wry smile as she put the bracelet back in her pocket. After a moment's thought, she took it out again and placed it in her bag. She tiptoed to the entrance of the apartment building and peeked outside like a thief. Hsu Chiyang's car was already gone.

A strange feeling welled up inside her, and she exhaled a long breath before confidently stepping out and riding her electric scooter to school.

From the top floor of a nearby building, a man stood by the pristine, clear floor-to-ceiling window, watching intently as the petite woman rode her scooter past. Once Xia Shirann's figure disappeared from view, Hsu Chiyang looked down at his phone. The screen prominently displayed a city map with a small red dot moving through the grid-like streets.

A smile unconsciously played at the corners of his mouth—Rann, I knew you wouldn't easily part with that bracelet.

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Sir, I've arrived."

The indoor surveillance screen showed someone at the door. Hsu Chiyang composed himself, left the bedroom, and opened the door.

A woman with a shapely figure, dressed in athletic wear and sporting a neat short haircut, appeared before him.

"Sir, weren't we supposed to return today? Why are you here ahead of schedule?"

She wheeled a large suitcase into the room, her movements crisp and efficient.

She looked around and muttered to herself, "You found a place like this? The neighborhood isn't great."

"This is it, it's fine," Chiyang replied, settling into the black armchair. He had bought this house specifically and instructed workers to transform it into a minimalist office, all to keep a closer eye on Shirann. Otherwise, he might have to spend every night parked outside her building, sleeping in the car.

"So, what's your plan now, boss?" the woman asked casually as she peeked into each room. Finally, she instinctively dragged her suitcase into the small storage room and efficiently set up a makeshift bed on the floor.

The bedroom door was open, and Chiyang glanced toward the storage room without answering her question. "Shisan, I'll get someone to bring you a bed to sleep on."