Yan Che, sitting on the other side of the private jet, naturally also keenly sensed the terrifying low pressure emanating from Fu Yuan's body.
He knew that Fu Yuan was angry.
And, she was very angry.
Although on the surface, it seemed to be because this trip to the Demon Capital not only failed to help that idiot Su Yang, but also ended up being a wasted trip, watching a farce.
But Yan Che knew better than anyone.
There was only one true source that made this Ice Queen lose her composure so much.
Lu Cheng.
That man was the only obsession in her heart, and also the forbidden fruit she could never reach.
Yan Che sighed silently in his heart.
He recalled the countless small details of how he had barely managed to stay by Fu Yuan's side for the past three years, in the capacity of her "savior."
He could be said to be completely obedient to her, following her every command.
Whatever she told him to wear, he wore.
Whatever she told him to learn, he learned.
Whether it was his style of dress, his tone of voice, or those so-called hobbies, such as wine tasting, appreciating classical music, and even… his walking posture!
Everything was meticulously shaped and strictly demanded under Fu Yuan's unquestionable will.
He was like a delicate puppet controlled by strings.
A perfect substitute, without self, without soul.
And the "prototype" he imitated and played.
It was Lu Cheng, the unattainable first love from Fu Yuan's high school days.
For the past three years, although he and Fu Yuan had been together day and night, inseparable.
However, there had never been any physical contact in the true sense of the word.
Fu Yuan was like the most discerning artist, admiring her proudest masterpiece.
She merely watched him, this "substitute," from afar, coldly, with an almost pathological scrutiny and satisfaction, as he became more and more like "him" in her heart.
Yan Che had always willingly played this pathetic role.
Of course, not just because he coveted Fu Yuan's immense power and wealth, which would drive anyone mad.
But also because he, Yan Che, also had his own ambitions and… plans… Just as Yan Che's thoughts were swirling.
His subordinate, whom he had planted in the Demon Capital, also sent a detailed follow-up report on Su Yang's wedding farce.
After confirming that Su Yang had "taken poison" and completely disappeared from this world.
A hint of imperceptible ruthlessness flashed in Yan Che's clear, cold eyes.
That's right, Su Yang's death seemed like an "accident," but in reality, Yan Che had quietly pushed it from behind.
However… he looked at the end of the report, at the description of Lu Cheng's crucial role in this incident, and how he ultimately became the biggest beneficiary.
Yan Che's brows furrowed tightly!
He looked at the candid photo of Lu Cheng.
He didn't know why, but he suddenly felt an extremely uncomfortable sensation!
It was as if the man in the photo was staring at him coldly through the screen, with an expression full of contempt and mockery!
He thought that by clinging to a towering tree like Fu Yuan, he could ascend to the heavens in one step and manipulate the entire world in his palm.
But what was the result?
Even now, he was still just… a pathetic impostor used to please Fu Yuan?
A substitute living in someone else's shadow?
An unspeakable anger and humiliation instantly surged into his heart!
Lu Cheng… He stared intently at the man's face in the photo, chewing on this name, which made him both jealous and fearful, word by word in his heart.
"You better be as formidable as you seem."
"Don't… don't let me, your substitute, surpass you!"
A hint of ruthlessness and madness, completely at odds with his appearance, flashed in Yan Che's clear, cold eyes!
…The commotion in the Demon Capital temporarily came to an end.
Lu Cheng reported his trip to the Imperial Capital to his family, citing "inspecting the business of Huanyu Group's Imperial Capital branch" as the reason.
Coincidentally, his mature and charming lady, Mu Wanrou, was also on a business trip in the Imperial Capital.
This was simply a godsend, like someone offering a pillow when one is sleepy.
As for family matters… Lu Cheng looked at his precious sister, who wished she could stick to him twenty-four hours a day, and a "heartfelt" expression appeared on his face as he patted her shoulder.
"Xuan'er, brother is going to the Imperial Capital this time to handle some very important official business, and it's inconvenient to bring you."
"Besides, with a big family like ours, someone has to stay behind and look after the house, right?"
"Brother is entrusting this glorious and arduous task to you! You must help brother look after the house well!"
Lu Xuan listened to her brother's "heartfelt" entrustment, and her little mouth immediately pouted so high that an oil bottle could hang from it!
[Hmph! Official business again! Who would believe you!]
[He must have taken a fancy to some other pretty girl in the Imperial Capital and wants to sneak off on a date behind my back!]
[You want to leave me alone at home? No way!]
[I don't care! I only want brother!]
On the surface, however, she still maintained her obedient and sensible demeanor, looking at Lu Cheng eagerly and nodding heavily.
"Mm! Brother, go ahead! I'll definitely look after the house well!"
…The next day.
Lu Cheng arrived in the Imperial Capital.
The motorcade, which had been waiting for a long time, immediately escorted him, the Crown Prince, to the Lu Family's exclusive palace in the Imperial Capital with almost state guest-level courtesy.
Accompanying him, of course, was the "coincidentally" on-business-trip Family Head Mu Wanrou.
Without their precious daughter, Mu Taotao, who always seemed to interrupt their "interactions" at crucial moments.
Although they occasionally had to make time for video calls with their little darling, reporting on the loving daily life of "Daddy and Mommy."
But all in all, the two could finally enjoy their time as a couple to the fullest, delving into and discussing academic issues on how to "improve their physique" and "strengthen their foundation."
However, just as Lu Cheng was about to follow his original plan, first visiting several business partners in the Imperial Capital to discuss cooperation projects and also expanding Mu Wanrou's network resources.
An unexpected event occurred.
Several Imperial Capital business magnates he had planned to visit, and several important cooperation projects he was going to discuss.
Were all indefinitely postponed on the same day, for various reasons that sounded extremely "compliant" but were full of coincidences—
Such as, "Oh, Young Master Lu, I'm so sorry, our company has a very important internal meeting today, and we really can't get away!"
Or, "That project… hmm, there have been some policy changes recently, and it needs to be re-approved and re-evaluated, so it might be postponed indefinitely…"
All of them were postponed indefinitely.
Listening to his personal assistant, Ye Shuying, impassively report this series of "coincidental" changes beside him.
Lu Cheng's face showed not the slightest anger or displeasure.
Instead… [How interesting.]
[It seems my interesting "shadow" is already impatient to challenge me.]
He looked at the almost entirely canceled itinerary on his phone, and a smile of keen interest appeared at the corner of his mouth.
He knew that Yan Che was using the Fu Family's power to silently declare war on him!
And he was just looking for a legitimate reason to "visit" his old friend, Fu Yuan, whom he hadn't seen in years.
Now, wasn't this perfect excuse delivered right to his doorstep?