Three days later.

Chu Haoxuan sat in the car, Lu Yu driving him to yet another arranged meeting.

As he gazed out the window, something suddenly struck him. His voice, cold and sharp, cut through the silence. "Did you find out about the woman from the hotel that night?"

Lu Yu, hands steady on the wheel, stole a glance at Chu Haoxuan through the rearview mirror. "Not yet. The hotel has no record of her. Guess she couldn’t afford a room and sneaked into yours instead?"

"Keep looking," Chu Haoxuan ordered curtly. How could they not find anything? Were these people incompetent?

"Understood," Lu Yu replied hastily, not daring to provoke his commander’s wrath.

Meanwhile, Shen Ningxuan emerged from the Shen family villa, dressed in simple casual wear, heading to another soul-crushing blind date.

The scenery blurred past her, but her heart remained unmoved. Days of these hollow meetings had numbed her completely. She had nothing left to cherish in this world—no one worth fighting for. This wasn’t even a real date; it was just a formality. Even if she ended up married to a madman, she wouldn’t care anymore.

At a Starbucks in the city center, Shen Ningxuan checked her phone, then scanned the café for Table 6.

She found it in a quiet corner—but instead of sitting across from the man already waiting, she took the empty seat beside him.

When their eyes met, her heart skipped a beat.

He wore an immaculate military uniform, his expression stern, his features flawless. There was an undeniable nobility in his bearing, a quiet intensity in his gaze that hinted at depths no outsider could fathom. His broad shoulders and powerful frame exuded an undeniable masculinity.

But when Chu Haoxuan looked into her face—that face—time seemed to freeze.

She was the woman from the hotel.

The same woman he had taken that night, claimed her innocence, and left an indelible mark on his mind. The same woman he had inexplicably been thinking about ever since, even sending men to track her down. And now, she was sitting right across from him.

Military discipline kept his expression impassive, but inside, his pulse roared. He couldn’t help but drink in the sight of her innocent features, drinking in every detail as if memorizing her.

"Chu Haoxuan?" Shen Ningxuan’s voice was cautious, unsure if she had the wrong man.

"Shen Ningxuan," he replied, as if testing the weight of her name on his tongue.

Her eyes flickered. This wasn’t how she imagined blind dates going. The man before her was… acceptable. She took a deep breath and laid her cards on the table.

"Since we both know why we’re here, let’s be direct. I don’t have many demands. If you don’t find me repulsive and are willing to marry me, let’s do it."

Chu Haoxuan blinked. Well, that was… efficient. Most women he dated fixated on his villa, his car, or the size of his dowry. This one skipped straight to the point. faint smile tugged at his lips. She has nothing to worry about. Her lack of artifice only made her more captivating. As for repulsion? The thought was laughable. She was unforgettable.

Shen Ningxuan, seeing no response, decided not to waste words. This pointless date had already overstayed its welcome.

She checked her watch. "Mr. Chu, since we’ve met, that’s all I needed. You can think it over. If you’re interested, call me." She slid a card across the table with her number. "My next date is at nine. It’s already eight-forty—I have to go."

She stood, but before she could take a step, Chu Haoxuan’s hand shot out, gripping her wrist with ironclad strength.

His voice was frigid, laced with barely restrained fury. "Do you have your ID and household registration?"

Shen Ningxuan stared at him, startled. What kind of question was that?

After a beat, she answered honestly, "I didn’t bring my household registration."

Then, as realization dawned, she studied him anew. He was military—stern, traditional. Unlike Ye Yanbin, he wouldn’t betray her. If she married him… well, he wasn’t just disciplined. There was something noble beneath his severity.

"Tomorrow at eight-thirty," she said firmly. "Bring them here. I’ll wait." weight lifted from her chest. Finally, she could marry—just not the man she had once loved.

Chu Haoxuan was pleased. His next words, however, left no room for argument. "Cancel your nine o’clock. I’ll take you home."

Shen Ningxuan shrugged. Why bother with more dates?

As she turned to leave, her peripheral vision caught a familiar pair entering the café—Ye Yanbin and Shen Yujin.

Their eyes locked onto her.

Ye Yanbin’s face twisted in shock. What the hell?!

Chu Haoxuan followed her gaze, his expression shifting imperceptibly—though the change was so subtle, only someone hyper-aware would notice. Then, as if nothing had happened, his face hardened once more.

Shen Yujin, clinging to Ye Yanbin’s arm, sized up the situation. The man in uniform must be Shen Ningxuan’s date. The way he held her wrist… Disgusting. Shen Ningxuan really was a shameless flirt, throwing herself at men on the first meeting.

Ye Yanbin’s chest tightened painfully. He yanked his arm free and strode toward them.

Stopping between Shen Ningxuan and Chu Haoxuan, his glare wasn’t directed at her—but at the man beside her. "Uncle?" he asked, incredulous. "What are you doing here?"