Jiang Yan stared blankly at the sudden appearance of Yang Chenming, too stunned to speak.

  As Yang Chenming sang, his gaze never left her. He walked toward her slowly, then extended his hand, inviting her to stand. She hurriedly rose to her feet.

  **"My love will not waver, my heart will not change, the moon represents my heart..."**

  Holding Jiang Yan's hand, Yang Chenming led her to the center of the room. Then he turned to Lin Yu, pulling him forward as well, before placing Lin Yu's hand in Jiang Yan's.

  Jiang Yan's fingers felt slightly cold. Instinctively, Lin Yu tightened his grip, as if trying to warm her with his own body heat.

  Soft lights cast gentle shadows, and the tender melody filled the air. The entire room was enchanted by the romantic atmosphere, falling silent—though many quietly hummed along, their eyes glistening with tears.

  At this moment, they couldn't help but envy the couple. *If only we could experience something like this in our lifetime...*

  Meanwhile, Young Master Qi stood pale with fury, trembling uncontrollably. *Who the hell is this "He" guy? How does someone so insignificant know such influential people?!*

  He had pulled countless strings just to get a congratulatory video from Yang Chenming—yet Lin Yu had somehow brought the man *in person*.

  Even Qi's girlfriend, the campus beauty, had lost her earlier excitement, her face now twisted with jealousy.

  As the song ended, the crowd erupted into applause and cheers. Many girls screamed, **"Yang Chenming, I love you!"**

  Yang Chenming smiled and addressed the room. **"I'm honored to witness my dear friend He Jiarong and Jiang Yan's second wedding anniversary today. May their love last a lifetime!"**

  Another wave of cheers followed.

  Lin Yu was just as shocked as everyone else. When he'd called earlier, Yang Chenming had explicitly said he couldn't return from Beijing—yet here he was.

  In truth, Yang Chenming *had* been in Beijing. But after Lin Yu's call, he postponed his work and rushed back, determined to surprise them.

  **"Jiarong, no anniversary gift?"** Yang Chenming teased.

  Lin Yu suddenly remembered the imperial green jade necklace. He pulled it out and, under everyone's gaze, fastened it around Jiang Yan's neck.

  Jade and beauty complemented each other perfectly, as if Jiang Yan's radiance had brightened the entire restaurant.

  **"Imperial green jade! That's imperial green!"**

  **"My God, so many beads of imperial green—how much must that cost?!"**

  **"Now *that's* true love!"**

  Those who recognized the gemstone gasped in awe. Many women's eyes sparkled with envy.

  Jiang Yan was stunned. She had assumed the necklace was some cheap trinket—after all, Lin Yu had no money of his own. His salary went straight to her account.

  Nearby, Young Master Qi clutched his chest, his face ghostly pale. For some reason, he found it hard to breathe.

  **"Kiss! Kiss!"**

  The crowd, swept up in the romance, began chanting.

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  Jiang Yan's face flushed crimson. Her heart pounded wildly, yet—unlike the last time they'd been teased in public—she felt no urge to refuse.

  Somewhere along the way, without realizing it, she had begun accepting "He Jiarong" into her heart.

  Lin Yu, embarrassed by the chanting, glanced at Yang Chenming, who nodded encouragingly.

  After a brief hesitation, Lin Yu leaned in, inhaling Jiang Yan's delicate fragrance. His lips brushed her cheek—a fleeting touch.

  The warmth of his kiss sent a shiver through her, but disappointment quickly followed. *This idiot... Are my lips poisonous? Why only my cheek?*

  **"Hey! Just a peck on the cheek?!"**

  **"Do it properly!"**

  The crowd groaned, especially the men. There was a peculiar thrill in watching such a beauty be kissed, even if not by themselves.

  **"Don't worry, I'll make up for it at home,"** Lin Yu joked.

  Jiang Yan pinched his hand hard, making him hiss in pain.

  After performing one last song, Yang Chenming hurried off—he still had a flight back to Beijing.

  Even after he left, Jiang Yan's happiness lingered. **"How *do* you know him?"** she asked curiously.

  **"Smile for me first, and I'll tell you,"** Lin Yu said playfully, as if obsessed with seeing her smile.

  Jiang Yan glared but complied with a perfunctory grin. **"Happy now?"**

  **"Too fake. Worse than a frown."**

  **"Fine, keep your secrets!"** She huffed and resumed eating, abandoning the question.

  ---

  By the time they left the restaurant, a light rain had begun to fall. Lin Yu quickly draped his jacket over both their heads.

  They hadn't driven, wanting to avoid drinking and driving, so now they were stranded without a cab.

  Huddled together under the jacket, their bodies nearly touching, Jiang Yan's cheeks burned. Strangely, she found Lin Yu's warmth comforting—even pleasant.

  **"Taxi!"** Lin Yu suddenly bolted into the road, flagging down a reluctant driver.

  **"Five kilometers, 100 yuan!"** he bargained.

  **"Kid, let's be clear—I'm not doing this for the money. I just hate seeing people get wet,"** the driver said solemnly.

  **"Get in!"** Lin Yu beckoned proudly to Jiang Yan.

  She seethed. *This idiot! A little rain won't kill us!*

  Her mood soured further when, upon arrival, Lin Yu admitted he had no cash—forcing her to pay the fare.

  Without a word, she stormed home. Lin Yu, baffled, trailed behind. *She was fine a minute ago...*

  Her parents were still awake when they returned, eager to hear about their anniversary.

  **"Terrible,"** Jiang Yan snapped before locking herself in the bedroom.

  **"What happened, Jiarong?"** Li Suqin asked worriedly.

  **"Ignore her. It was perfect."** Lin Yu showed them the manager's recording of the evening.

  The elderly couple beamed when they saw the kiss.

  Jiang Jingren then pulled Lin Yu into the kitchen, ladling him a bowl of murky white broth. **"Drink this. Good for your health."**

  **"What is it?"** Lin Yu frowned.

  **"Just drink it,"** Li Suqin urged. **"With the mood you two are in tonight, it's time to give us a grandson. Don't disappoint us."**

  After two years of marriage with no child, they'd begun to suspect "He Jiarong" might be... lacking.

  **"Trying every night, Mom,"** Lin Yu said cheerfully, downing the broth.

  ---

  That night, Jiang Yan changed into a seductive nightgown, her slender legs and delicate collarbone on full display.

  For once, she was eager—even hopeful—that something might happen between them. That way, she'd owe nothing to the real He Jiarong, and her parents would finally have their heir.

  But Lin Yu, the *absolute moron*, showered and immediately crashed on his floor mattress.

  **"Sleep, sleep, just sleep yourself to death!"** She hurled a pillow at him.

  ---

  At midnight, Lin Yu jolted awake, his nose gushing blood. Rushing to the bathroom, he realized the broth had left him *alarmingly* energized in certain areas.

  Panicked, he grabbed acupuncture needles, stabbing strategic points to suppress the urges.

  The truth was, he wasn't ready either. Until he fully accepted that he wasn't the real He Jiarong, he couldn't bring himself to cross that line.

  ---

  Meanwhile, in a sixth-floor office at Qinghai People's Hospital, a lone light burned late into the night.

  Two men sat inside—one young, one middle-aged.

  **"How long has she been employed?"** the younger man asked, flipping through a file.

  **"Including training, less than half a month,"** the older man replied hastily.

  **"Can you arrange what I asked?"** The younger man's fingers paused on a photo of Jiang Yan in a white coat, her figure graceful, her face exquisite.

  His fingertips trembled slightly as they traced her image.

  **"There's an academic conference in Ling'an soon. We could send her. But..."** The older man adjusted his glasses nervously. **"I don't have as much authority as Li Haoming. If he finds out..."**

  **"Money isn't an issue,"** the younger man said flatly.

  **"Then... I'll do my best."** The older man's eyes gleamed with greed beneath his feigned anxiety.

  **"Good. I'll be waiting for her in Ling'an."**

  The younger man pocketed the photo, tossed the file onto the desk, and strode out.

  Under the fluorescent lights, his tall, model-like frame was unmistakable.

  It was Li Junyi—the man who had vanished after the rough stone auction.