Chapter Sixty-Two: The Cold Beauty

When they entered this level, it was through a password, and only then did Shangguan Renran realize that the code was the same as the one on his phone—719.

Huangpu Shenqing had intended for her to remember this password, perhaps thinking that one day she might recall it herself.

At the time, he never imagined that this string of numbers would later become the final straw that broke him.

As Renran had expected, the next level held something different—various types of paintbrushes, a wide array of drawing paper, and numerous easels. This level comprised only one floor, but the lower area had been opened up and transformed into a small room.

A blue bed, blue desk, blue chair, blue quilt, blue blanket, blue curtains, a blue hammock, and two blue plush pillows—the care and thoroughness were evident in every detail.

“What do you think, Renran?” Huangpu Shenqing led her through every corner, as if this place were their home.

“It’s beautiful. Everything is in my favorite color. Thank you for your efforts, Mr. Huangpu.”

“Serving you is my honor,” he replied, gently caressing her cheek. When he noticed the faint scar on her forehead, he couldn’t help but brush it gently with his fingertip.

Renran could see from his expression that he was blaming himself again. She had agreed with her mother that, once discharged from the hospital, she could simply cut bangs to hide it.

But her father had said, “How can a person go through life without scars? Rather than hide them, it’s better to show them openly, as a constant reminder not to let yourself be hurt again.”

So today, she had used her family background to threaten Old Master Huangpu—she didn’t want her scar to be exposed again, nor did she want Mr. Huangpu to be threatened because of her.

They stayed there until evening, and only then did they head to Misty Night Bar.

By the time they arrived, they were the last to get there.

Ouyang Mufeng was the first to greet them. “Hi, Second Brother, Renran.”

“What did you call her?” Huangpu Shenqing lifted his eyelids slightly.

“Se—Second Sister-in-law.”

Renran smiled. “Hello, everyone.”

“Big Brother.” Huangpu Shenqing led Renran into the private room.

“This is my girlfriend, Shangguan Renran. This is my big brother, Lin Yan.”

“Hello, Brother Lin.” Renran greeted him sweetly at once.

“Hello, little sister-in-law. It’s our first meeting and I didn’t know you’d be coming, so I didn’t prepare a present. Please accept this access card instead.” Lin Yan took a golden card from his pocket. This card granted passage to anywhere in Country G, including the royal family’s domain.

Renran hesitated—was this card something truly special?

“Take it,” Huangpu Shenqing said, knowing exactly what she was thinking as he looked at her indecisive face.

“Second Sister-in-law, go on, take it! We all have one,” Ouyang Mufeng urged from the side, sounding a bit wild, perhaps because of his injury.

He’d heard there was a gathering that night, so he’d discharged himself from the hospital without a second thought—after all, his face was unscathed.

Ouyang Muya was furious about it; she’d almost gotten into a car accident because of him, and yet he just left the hospital so casually.

“Thank you, Brother Lin.”

“All right, let’s not stand on ceremony. Come, have a seat,” Gong Yi called from the sofa, opening several bottles of wine and pouring everyone a glass.

Renran and Huangpu Shenqing sat together on a sofa, with Gong Yi and Ouyang Mufeng on the other side.

Lin Yan sat alone. As a soldier, his posture remained upright and poised, never arrogant or humble.

“Big Brother, any news from the royal family?” Gong Yi passed him a glass and asked.

“They’re still the same—unable to find a suitable heir, yet coveting the power in my hands,” Lin Yan replied with disdain as he drank.

“You should be careful, Big Brother. They may look glamorous, but in truth—”

“In truth, they’re rotten to the core. I agree with Third Brother,” Ouyang Mufeng interjected.

Lin Yan nodded. “I’ll be cautious. By the way, Huangpu, someone from Country M has been asking about you.” He glanced at Huangpu Shenqing, taking a deep drink.

“Asking about me? Is it someone from the Di family?”

In this world, the only one who could rival Huangpu Shenqing was the Di family’s heir from Country M.

Huangpu Shenqing had another identity in the underworld—he controlled the flow of arms across four countries. They only knew him by the codename “Massacre.” Many had tried to uncover his true identity, but none had succeeded.

“We’re not sure yet. It seems to be related to that last shipment of arms—someone traced the trail back to me. You haven’t taken any jobs lately, have you?”

“No.”

“That’s good. I suspect it’s the Di family’s heir. He’s desperate to find out who double-crossed him and hijacked his weapons last time.”

“He’s involved in all sorts of business. He dared to mess with our people—Second Brother spared him some dignity by only destroying that batch,” said Ouyang Mufeng, who had been in charge of that shipment when it was intercepted.

Renran didn’t feel much about their conversation—she’d encountered such things in the shadows before. Still, she tugged discreetly at Huangpu Shenqing’s sleeve.

“What’s wrong?” he leaned in toward her.

“I’d like to take a walk. You all can continue your discussion.”

“Good idea. Stay safe, and if you need anything, just find the manager—he knows who you are.” He ruffled her hair, clearly fond of her light brown locks.

“Okay.” Renran quietly left, not wanting to disturb them.

So, the manager knew her? No doubt—this was another one of his private businesses.

She went to the restroom in the hallway to tidy her hair. Apparently, each private room had its own facilities, so she was alone.

Once she had her phone ready and stepped out, she bumped into a drunken man at the corner.

“Well, well, beautiful lady… I remember you. You’re… the icy beauty from the charity gala…” Huangpu Qing’an was holding a bottle, clearly tipsy but not fully drunk.

His mind was a little hazy, but he recognized the elegant woman before him as the one who had caught his eye previously.