The moment Anya ran out of the cabin, Zhen Yan's patience finally snapped.
He seized Mei Wei's wrist and flung her aside with such brutal force that she stumbled backward and slammed into the wall. The sharp sound echoed through the office. Mei Wei's heels slipped; her shoulder struck the cold surface, and she gasped in pain, her body trembling uncontrollably.
Zhen's voice thundered like a beast unleashed.
"What you did just now was the biggest mistake of your life. Did you really think that by lowering me in Anya's eyes, I would choose you instead?" His eyes were bloodshot with rage. "From this very moment, you are out of this office—and out of my life!"
Mei Wei clutched her wrist, her face drained of all color. Her lips quivered as she tried to steady herself against the wall.
"Zhen… you can't do this! We're old friends. Our families have ties—"
But Zhen was no longer listening.
His attention had already left her completely. His mind was elsewhere. He needed to find Anya.
The noise of the city had faded behind him.
Evening mist danced over the cold surface of the lake, the dim light reflecting like broken fragments of silver. Anya sat alone on an old wooden bench near the water's edge. The wind lifted her shoulder-length hair again and again, strands falling across her face as though the world itself was trying to hide her sorrow.
There were no tears in her eyes anymore. She had crossed the threshold where crying was even possible.
In her hands was her pair of glasses—the same ones Jing had mocked as a "mask of cunning." Slowly, with trembling fingers, she took out a handkerchief and began cleaning the lenses, carefully, deliberately, as though she were trying to wipe away the fog that had settled over her life.
Anya drew her knees to her chest.
The tears that had once fallen were gone, replaced by a terrifying emptiness.
Jing abandoned me…
And Zhen… was he ever really mine?
Or am I just a contract, trapped between his needs and Mei Wei's schemes?
Her fists clenched. A faint, painful smile curved on her lips.
If this is just a transaction, then why does it hurt so much?
Why did my chest feel like it was tearing apart when I saw him holding Mei Wei's hand?
A 'property' shouldn't feel jealousy. A 'contract' has no right to heartbreak.
But I'm in pain… and that is my greatest defeat.
She turned her phone off. She wanted to disappear from the world.
The lake was calm.
Lost in thought, Anya suddenly felt someone watching her. She turned her head and saw an elderly woman standing a short distance away—silver-white hair, a face lined with age, and a gentle, maternal smile.
Anya hid her sadness instinctively. She lowered her head slightly and offered a polite smile, a gesture of respect toward elders rooted deep in Chinese culture.
The woman approached slowly and sat beside her on the bench. Her gaze fell on the diamond ring shining on Anya's finger.
With a soft smile, she spoke, "Such a beautiful girl, and such deep silence. Child, what is your name?"
"My name is Anya, Auntie."
"What a lovely name. I am Lin Dama. You must be about twenty-two?"
Anya looked surprised. "Yes… exactly. How did you know?"
Lin Dama studied the ring more closely. "Twenty-two years old… and such a precious ring. You look like the daughter-in-law of a distinguished family. When I was your age, my marriage was also arranged by my father. To be honest, I didn't even like my husband's face back then."
Anya stared at her in disbelief. There was an unexpected bluntness in Lin Dama's tone.
"Then what did you do? Didn't you ever complain?"
"Complain?" Lin Dama laughed. "In the first year, I put too much salt in his food on purpose. He was as hard and cold as stone. I thought he didn't care about me at all. But one night, when I fell sick, he sat by my bed the entire night, changing the cold cloth on my forehead. That's when I understood—marriage isn't just about sweet words. It's about understanding the silence that speaks louder than anything else."
Moisture returned to Anya's eyes. She intertwined her fingers tightly.
"But Lin Dama… today I saw him with another woman. He was standing very close to her. I felt like I was just a contract."
Lin Dama's expression turned serious. "Child, sometimes our eyes show us only what our frightened hearts want to see. What you think is betrayal may actually be compulsion. A woman's intuition is never wrong—unless it's clouded by anger."
Anya exhaled softly and managed a small smile. It felt as if Lin Dama could read her soul.
"You know, Lin Dama," Anya said half-jokingly, "my husband is like a hungry wolf locked in a cage. Always angry. Always commanding. Sometimes I'm afraid he might swallow me whole."
Lin Dama burst into laughter, her voice echoing softly over the water.
"A wolf, hm? What's this wolf's name? Maybe I've heard of him."
"His name is Zhen Yan. To the city, he's an emperor. To me, he's just a difficult puzzle."
A mysterious smile appeared on Lin Dama's face. She had heard that name before—perhaps far too closely.
"Zhen Yan… a heavy name. But remember this, Anya—wolves are the most loyal to their chosen mate. If he chose you, he cannot belong to anyone else."
Lin Dama began telling humorous stories about her husband—how he still forgot sugar in his tea, how he sulked like a child over small things. Listening to her, Anya laughed freely, her pain momentarily forgotten.
Meanwhile, in the city, Zhen drove his black Bugatti like a madman.
Anya was nowhere in the office. Her phone was switched off. His mind raced with the worst possibilities—Lu Kang, his enemy… or Mei Wei… had someone hurt her?
Just as Huan Jing stepped out of her office, a black car screeched to a halt in front of her. Zhen Yan stepped out, his eyes burning red with fury, his face wearing the calm that comes only before a storm.
"Where is Anya, Jing?"
Jing hesitated, then sneered defiantly. "How would I know? She's your 'property,' isn't she, Mr. Yan? Maybe she's gone to strike a new deal somewhere."
Zhen advanced and slammed his hand down on her table so hard that the glass on it shattered. Jing staggered back in fear.
"Watch your mouth," he said coldly. "The spectacle you created today can cost you everything—your career, your reputation. One phone call from me, and all of it turns to dust."
"Are you threatening me?"
Zhen stepped so close that Jing could feel his breath. "No. This is a warning. If Anya is hurt—even scratched—or if she takes one wrong step, remember this: Zhen Yan does not forgive. You humiliated my wife. If she isn't found safe, I won't come for you alone—I'll come for your entire family."
Jing fell silent, terror gripping her throat.
"One last time," Zhen said. "Where would she go?"
With trembling lips, Jing answered, "She… she often goes to the old lakeside in Shenzhen when she's completely broken. There's a cliff there…"
Zhen turned without another word and drove off at full speed.
Aanya… please don't do anything foolish. Give me one chance to fix this.
His headlights illuminated the lakeside.
As Zhen stepped out of the car, his heart pounded violently. From a distance, he saw her—safe… and laughing.
That sound felt like a mountain lifting off his chest. Fear dissolved into deep relief. He took a long breath and walked toward her quickly.
Anya was smiling at something Lin Dama had said when a heavy, familiar voice sounded behind her.
"Mrs. Yan!"
Her entire body froze.
She turned to see Zhen standing there—hair disheveled, face damp with sweat, eyes burning with an agony she had never seen before.
Before she could react, he pulled her into his arms.
Burying his face in her hair, he spoke in a trembling voice, "How could you leave without telling me? Do you have any idea what I went through?"
Anya did not return the embrace. She stood rigid, the image of Zhen holding Mei Wei's hand still carved into her mind.
Lin Dama watched silently, a knowing smile on her face.
"See, Anya?" she said gently. "I told you—even stone-hearted men melt. Look at his eyes. There's not just fear there… there's peace, loyalty, and a world centered on you."
Zhen released Anya slowly and looked at Lin Dama. He understood instantly that this woman had protected his wife.
The arrogant emperor bowed his head respectfully.
"Thank you," he said sincerely, "for staying with my wife."
A cold breeze swept across the lake, and Anya suddenly began sneezing uncontrollably. Zhen's face filled with worry. Without hesitation, he took off his expensive coat and wrapped it around her shoulders.
He held her hand tightly—as though he could not risk losing her again—and led her toward the car.
Anya turned back and waved. "Goodbye, Auntie. It was wonderful meeting you."
Lin Dama smiled and called out, "Go, Anya. And remember—no matter how calm and deep the sea looks, the real turbulence is always beneath the surface. Learn to read this boy's silence, not just his words."