The Master Descends the Mountain: My Destined CEO

Yuan Tiancheng didn't voice his suspicions. After all, it was just too incredible.

'Why would a Hidden Clan possibly invite us?'

Hearing Yuan Tiancheng's explanation, the expressions on Chu Yan and the others grew grim.

"With so many powerful figures here, nothing should go wrong."

"But… if the Xiao Family decides to use this as a chance to cause trouble, our chances of getting away would be slim."

"If we offend anyone here, it won't end well for us!"

Not far away, the members of the Ouyang Clan spotted their group immediately, their eyes drawn in particular to Lin Chuyue.

She was much thinner now, gaunt from the devastation of Xiao Ye's death.

Though makeup covered her pale cheeks, it couldn't conceal the deep-seated sorrow and pain in her eyes.

She was the very picture of tragic beauty.

One of the Ouyang Family's young masters felt his eyes light up. He had a particular fondness for this kind of broken beauty.

He nodded to the person beside him, then, glass in hand, he broke away from the crowd and made a beeline for Lin Chuyue.

"Beautiful, let's get to know each other. I'm Ouyang Di."

Lin Chuyue froze at the sound of his voice, only reacting after several seconds. "Hello."

She knew nothing of the Hidden Clans, and so she had no idea what the surname Ouyang signified.

Ouyang Di wasn't offended. He was always willing to give a beautiful woman some leeway. "What family are you from? How is it I've never seen you before?"

'As a connoisseur of beautiful women, he made it his business to meet any remotely attractive young lady from the great families of the Imperial City, even those from the second-rate ones.'

'If someone this gorgeous existed, there was no way he would have forgotten her.'

Lin Chuyue shook her head. "I don't belong to any of them."

Ouyang Di assumed she was just playing hard to get—hiding her identity to capture his attention—and decided to be direct.

"Beautiful, you're exactly my type. Why don't we… share a dance and get to know each other?"

"I happen to be free tonight. How about we go look at the stars together?"

As a young master of the Ouyang Family, he'd never been rejected by a woman from any family—with the sole exception of the other three Hidden Clans.

Lin Chuyue's smile instantly iced over. "I'm sorry, sir, but I must refuse your kind offer."

"Because I already have a fiancé. We're getting engaged soon."

Ouyang Di raised an eyebrow. "And who is this fiancé of yours? Tell me. Perhaps I know him."

"My fiancé's name is Xiao Ye!"

Each word she spoke was firm and resolute.

'Xiao Ye?'

'Wait…'

'Why does that name sound so familiar?'

As a playboy of the Ouyang Family, his days were filled with nothing but wining, dining, and chasing beautiful women.

He was completely unaware that the Xiao Family's incoming Patriarch was named Xiao Ye.

"Now I remember where I've heard that name!"

After a few seconds, Ouyang Di finally recalled where he'd heard it.

"You're not talking about that dead guy, Xiao Ye, are you?"

"That's right, he used to be part of the Xiao Family. But he got in someone's way, so he ended up getting himself killed."

Ouyang Di stated the truth bluntly. "He's dead. You don't have to marry him. What, are you planning on being a widow for the rest of your life?"

Hearing the word "dead," Lin Chuyue couldn't help but clench her fists. "Watch your mouth!"

"He's just gone somewhere very far away!"

"A good person like Xiao Ye is destined for heaven. He'll be fine!"

Ouyang Di scoffed, finding Lin Chuyue all the more interesting. "You don't seem to be faking it. Are you really that devoted?"

"You'd marry him even though he's dead?"

Lin Chuyue nodded without the slightest hesitation. "Yes! I only want to marry him!"

'Even if it's too late now, I have to be true to my own heart!'

Hearing this, Chu Yan, who stood nearby, felt a pang of bitterness.

'Even though I believe Xiao Ye isn't dead, it's still upsetting to hear people talk about him like that.'

Still, she had to admit, she was seeing Lin Chuyue in a new light.

'This woman hasn't completely betrayed Xiao Ye's devotion after all!'

This made Ouyang Di desire Lin Chuyue even more. Though he himself was a philanderer who never took relationships seriously, who wouldn't want someone to be hopelessly devoted to them?

"Beautiful, how about you consider liking me instead?"

"I'm much better than that Xiao Ye. I can give you so much more. Just name your price."

"Anything but the position of my wife is yours for the asking." As a member of the Ouyang Family, he would most likely have to marry into another Hidden Clan.

Even among the top-tier families, only a few famous heiresses would qualify. Someone unknown like Lin Chuyue was naturally unworthy.

"Shut your mouth!" Lin Chuyue glared at him, her eyes blazing with fury. "No one compares to Xiao Ye!"

"I have no interest in knowing you. If you have any decency of a gentleman, you'll leave right now!"

"I will only ever… marry Xiao Ye!"

Ye Baiwei, who had come with Lin Chuyue, had also received an invitation from the Xiao Family.

She nervously tugged on Lin Chuyue's sleeve, trying to signal her to stop.

'If she offended anyone here, there would be hell to pay!'

Just as she feared, Ouyang Di's face darkened. He could clearly see the disgust in Lin Chuyue's eyes.

"You're just a woman. You really think you're something special!"

Ouyang Di shot out a hand and grabbed Lin Chuyue's chin. "Don't think you can act so high and mighty in front of me just because you have a pretty face!"

"Looks are the most useless asset!"

What they valued was always a family background to match!

'Otherwise, no matter how beautiful, a woman was nothing more than a plaything!'

Lin Chuyue slapped his hand away without a second thought. "Don't touch me!"

"Go ahead and try that again, if you're not afraid of making a fool of yourself!"

"Let everyone see you for what you are—a man who bullies women in public!"

Ouyang Di was stunned. He hadn't expected Lin Chuyue to be so feisty. Even after everything he'd said, she still dared to defy him!

He was so furious he began to laugh. "Good. You've got guts!"

"You really think I wouldn't dare strike a woman?"

Ouyang Di raised his arm, intending to grab Lin Chuyue and drag her away.

But just as his hand shot out, it was caught in a firm grip.

He followed the grip with his eyes and found himself looking at a face dozens of times more handsome than his own.

"Bullying a woman… You're a disgrace to men everywhere."

At the sound of that familiar voice, Lin Chuyue's head whipped to the side.

The face she yearned for, the one that haunted her dreams!

'It was really him!'

"Xiao Ye!" Lin Chuyue's voice trembled in disbelief. "Is… is this a hallucination?"

Xiao Ye forcefully shoved Ouyang Di aside and came to stand before Lin Chuyue.

His eyes, usually ice-cold, melted completely in that instant.

"Of course not."

Xiao Ye took Lin Chuyue's hand, letting her feel his warmth. "See? I'm still alive."