Chapter Two: Finally, I Can Truly Enjoy Myself

Capital City A, Country Z

Upon her return, Shangguan Renran headed straight for a shower.

The Shangguan family in City A was a legacy clan with a century of history. However, since Renran’s grandfather’s generation, the family had withdrawn from the public eye. Outsiders only knew of Shangguan Xing, the CEO of the Shangguan Group, while the younger generation remained shrouded in secrecy, rumored to be well protected.

The Shangguan residence was far from the city center, with a villa purchased in the northern suburbs. Renran lived on the third floor, as did Shangguan Xing, so Ye Zuo and Ye Xin were placed on the second floor. Apart from Zhang, the housekeeper, and Uncle Yang, who resided on the first floor, the other servants stayed in the rear quarters.

As Renran finished her shower and was about to blow-dry her hair, her phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, she couldn’t help but smile.

“Hello, Ranran, you’re back in the country?” Xia Wanqing’s voice was filled with surprise and delight. She knew her friend had studied finance and management in Country Y during university and had not returned home even after graduation.

“Yes, I just got back. How did you know? I was just about to call you,” Renran replied. After such a long absence, she was eager to reconnect—she hadn’t seen her friends in ages.

“I was planning to visit you tomorrow, so I called Uncle Li in advance. I didn’t expect you back already. How about meeting up? I’ll ask Muya along too.”

“Sounds great. You arrange it and send me the location.”

“Will do!” After hanging up, Xia Wanqing phoned Ouyang Muya and then reserved a table at the best restaurant in City A, sending Renran the details.

Renran changed into a white, fitted dress, her freshly washed hair loose and softly curled at the ends. She slipped on a pair of flat shoes, grabbed a crossbody bag from the cloakroom, tucked her phone inside, and headed out.

On the second floor, she ran into Ye Zuo and Ye Xin. “I’m going out for dinner with some friends. I’ll be home before my father returns. You should rest early as well.”

“We’ll go with you, Miss. The master instructed us to take good care of you now that you’re back,” said Ye Zuo, his voice clear and respectful, which surprised Ye Xin.

Both had been trained by the Nightshade organization. Among their cohort, Ye Zuo had been selected as the most formidable—rarely speaking, almost always found in the training grounds, as if determined to claim the top spot no matter what.

He, too, had just showered. Now dressed in casual homewear with glasses perched on his nose and his fringe loosely brushed over his forehead, he looked the epitome of quiet elegance.

“Alright, that works too,” Renran agreed. She drove her red Ferrari, while Ye Zuo followed in a black Lamborghini, Ye Xin in the passenger seat.

“What are you thinking? The master told us to protect Miss Renran, not to hover over her every step. Isn’t this more like surveillance?” Ye Xin finally voiced her concerns. She’d wanted to discuss the issue earlier, but hadn’t expected Ye Zuo to volunteer to accompany Renran.

“It’s nothing. I just want to protect her better,” Ye Zuo replied quietly. He wished to stay by her side every moment, something he’d hoped for since that year.

After parking, Renran led Ye Zuo and Ye Xin up to the second floor of the restaurant, where all the rooms were private. By the time they arrived, Xia Wanqing had already placed the order, and Ouyang Muya was seated beside her.

“Renran? And these are…?” Ouyang Muya looked at the people behind her in surprise.

“This is Ye Zuo, and this is Ye Xin. My grandfather sent them to look after me.”

“Seriously, Ranran? The country is perfectly safe,” Xia Wanqing protested as she pulled Renran down beside her. Ye Zuo and Ye Xin took the seats beside them.

Renran shrugged. “You know what my grandfather’s like. When I came back, he pretty much...”

“Never mind. Let me introduce you—these are my two best friends here, Xia Wanqing and Ouyang Muya.”

“A pleasure to meet you.”

“A pleasure.”

The five of them raised their glasses, took a few sips, and sampled the dishes. They had red wine, and most of the food catered to the three friends’ tastes, though Ye Zuo and Ye Xin seemed unfussy and ate heartily.