Yun Zi’an, a small-time actor, catapulted into the public eye due to a candid photo of his bare face taken by a passerby, earning him a spot among the “Top Ten Most Beautiful Faces in the Entertainment Industry” by a magazine. Fans noticed that on any occasion, Yun Zi’an always wore a simple platinum ring on his ring finger. The mystery of who the other half of the ring belonged to gradually became an unresolved enigma in the entertainment circle. Under relentless questioning by journalists and the media, Yun Zi’an could no longer evade the topic. He pulled out his phone and showed a black-and-white photo of a man, “My spouse passed away three years ago. Let the deceased rest in peace.”

Coincidentally, CRUSH brand CEO Rong Xiao returned to the country and was surprised to see his own black-and-white photo trending on social media, leaving him baffled. That very night, as Yun Zi’an opened his front door, he was greeted by a familiar figure in a suit, sitting on his sofa with crossed arms and legs. The man smirked at him, “Sorry to disappoint, but I didn’t quite die.” Rong Xiao was known online as a man brimming with hormones yet extremely indifferent in nature, with no mortal seemingly able to stir his desires. However, he was caught by paparazzi in a heated kiss with an unidentifiable man in his car. The internet exploded with speculation: Who was this seductive creature that had ensnared Rong Xiao?

Upon seeing the trending news, Yun Zi’an, gritting his teeth, slammed the divorce papers onto Rong Xiao’s face, “Divorce!” Rong Xiao responded with a faint smile, suddenly unbuttoning his shirt to reveal his nearly perfect muscular back, “Just a reminder, your husband’s life insurance is worth 1.4 billion US dollars. Would you like to come over and count how many scratches you left last night?” His voice was loose and slightly hoarse, with a teasing tone, “You want a divorce? Fine, but you’ll either have to pay a sum or… pay with a lifetiMe.”

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Chapter 1

Chapter One: Sorry, My Spouse Passed Away Three Years Ago…

"Why does he, a mere third-rate celebrity, get to share a makeup room with me!"

"What's so special about him, Yun Zi'an!"

"I don't care! Get him and his stuff out of here now!"

With the Starlight Awards approaching, backstage chaos ensued in the stars' makeup room. Amidst the clanging and smashing sounds, numerous staff members gathered at the door, peering in. They watched as a popular, stunningly beautiful actress, with a lithe figure, threw a tantrum like a shrew, sweeping all the cosmetics from the dressing table to the floor, yet no one stepped forward to intervene.

The renowned actress pointed at a person in the corner, furiously yelling, "Yun Zi'an, don't think you can soar to the top and become a phoenix just because of one photo. You don't deserve it, damn it!"

It was only then that the onlookers noticed a young man in the corner, tall and lean, wearing a black mask. He watched everything indifferently, his eyes deep and tranquil like a still pond. Even when directly insulted, he simply languidly twisted his neck and uttered a nonchalant "Oh."

Seeing his attitude, the starlet became even more infuriated. She grabbed a sharp hairpin from the table and hurled it at him, screaming, "You shameless, lowlife, seducing Qin Shi—"

As the young actor made no move to dodge, the crowd gasped, anticipating a gruesome scene. However, they heard a soft chuckle instead.

It was unclear how Yun Zi'an moved, but the sharp hairpin was suddenly caught in mid-air by him. The next second, the starlet let out a terrified scream, "Ah—!"

The hairpin in Yun Zi'an's hand brushed past her temple, embedding itself deeply into the vanity behind her, the sharp end disappearing entirely into the wood, as if slicing through tofu.

"Trouble comes from the mouth," Yun Zi'an's voice emerged from behind his mask, the tone rising playfully at the end, almost hinting at a slight smirk curling at his lips. "I advise my senior to be more cautious."

The actress’s hairstyle was left in disarray, and she clutched her chest, gasping frantically. It was a mere hair's breadth from ruining her face!

At that moment, hurried footsteps approached the makeup room. The popular actress, upon seeing the figure, burst into tears, relieved that someone had come to her support, "Qin Shi—!"

The crowd was startled again, it was the renowned actor Qin Shi!

However, Qin Shi's steps were not directed towards the actress. He didn’t even glance at her, but called out anxiously, "Zi'an, are you alright?"

Just then, the tall young man who had caught the hairpin as easily as slicing through tofu, clutched his temple, swaying as if he were frail, "Ah... I can't seem to breathe..."

The crowd: "......"

Qin Shi rushed forward in a few strides to support him, "Zi'an!"

Pulling down the mask from the young man’s face, Qin Shi, despite having seen him many times, couldn’t help but gasp in admiration, his tone softening involuntarily, "Zi'an, do you feel better now?"

Yun Zi'an had deep-set eyes, a high nose bridge, and under the light, the lines of his features held the artistic beauty of a sculpture. His lips were thin and slightly upturned, naturally giving him a smiling appearance.

In front of the actress, Yun Zi'an's mischievousness was unmistakable in his eyes. He tugged at Qin Shi’s tie, his lips just inches from his nose, almost smirking, "Still can't breathe..."

The popular actress trembled with rage, clenching her teeth, "Yun Zi'an, you shameless—!"

"Enough!" Qin Shi barked, "Su Yuanyuan, do you even have the demeanor of a woman?!"

Su Yuanyuan's eyes reddened instantly, "Qin Shi, I..."

"You're petty to the point of being appalling," Qin Shi said, his gaze towards her turning cold. He supported Yun Zi'an and turned to leave, "Since you don’t want Zi'an to share a makeup room with you, then let him use my personal dressing room."

The onlookers were stunned, their mouths agape as if they could fit an entire egg inside, Qin Shi's private and exclusive makeup room!

"What kind of phoenix soaring to the branches is Yun Zi'an?!"

"Just out of public view, the seemingly frail Yun Zi'an pushed away Qin Shi, who had been supporting him, grabbing the sneaky hand sliding toward his waist. He glanced coldly at Qin Shi, the disdain in his eyes unmistakable, 'Mr. Qin, the celebrated actor, please maintain your dignity.'"

"'Zi'an...' Qin Shi, startled by Yun Zi'an's sudden change, felt nervous about his caught action, his Adam's apple bobbing, 'I...'"

"Yun Zi'an looked at him and smiled lightly, his fingers grazing Qin Shi's chin as light as a feather, his voice relaxed and lazy, 'What, fancy me?'"

"Qin Shi, a man experienced in life's storms, found himself tongue-tied before Yun Zi'an, stuttering, 'Like... Like...'"

"The hand that had teased Qin Shi's chin suddenly clenched into a fist, fiercely smashing against a decorative painting on the wall beside his head, instantly creating a spiderweb of cracks in the glass frame."

"Tilting his head, Yun Zi'an smiled slightly, 'Then, please try defeating my husband first.'"

"After speaking, he turned and walked away in the opposite direction, casually waving his hand, 'Goodbye, Mr. Qin, the celebrated actor.'"

"Qin Shi's gaze instantly fixated on Yun Zi'an's ring finger, staring at the gleaming platinum ring, his eyes unconsciously dimming."

"Yun Zi'an's sudden fame originated from a candid photo taken by a passerby. In the photo, Yun Zi'an, just after a rain shower, wore a slightly transparent white t-shirt revealing lean, attractive abdominal lines. His features resembled delicately carved jade, with long eyelashes beaded with clear droplets, yet his gaze carried a uniquely sharp intensity, making his beauty an alluring assault on the senses."

"Yun Zi'an became an overnight sensation, dubbed 'the otherworldly enchantress'."

"As Yun Zi'an's popularity soared, eagle-eyed netizens noticed a detail: regardless of the occasion, his ring finger always sported a platinum ring engraved with 'RX'."

"Yet, they couldn't unearth a single piece of information about this seemingly storied ring!"

"At the Starlight Awards red carpet, Yun Zi'an, dressed in a casually tailored suit, strolled as if in his own backyard, almost broadcasting 'not open for business' on his face. Still, he couldn't avoid being besieged by reporters, with most questions revolving around the mysterious ring on his finger."

Frustrated by the relentless questioning and eager to leave, Yun Zi'an helplessly pulled out his phone, showing a black and white photo of a man. Facing the media cameras without a change in expression, he smiled, "My spouse passed away three years ago. Let the departed rest in peace."

The numerous reporters holding microphones were speechless.

#Popular Actor Yun Zi'an Married! Widowed for Three Years for Love!#

The Weibo hot search exploded!

At the same time, an international flight landed at the capital's airport. The plane's door opened, and a tall, muscular man in a simple black T-shirt walked down amid exclamations of "He's so handsome!", "Amazing!", "What impressive muscles!", "He's like walking hormones," without uttering a word.

As he walked through the airport hall, a large screen was broadcasting live the trending topic, "Popular Actor Yun Zi'an Married! Widowed for Three Years for Love!"

Hearing the familiar name, Rong Xiao's ears twitched. As he turned his head, he saw the all-too-familiar face of the man on the big screen, and his pupils suddenly dilated.

The next second, his gaze landed on the black and white photo on Yun Zi'an's phone screen.

Rong Xiao, coming face to face unexpectedly with his own obituary photo, was speechless.

Chapter 2: Exterminate Her

Even in such a situation, Rong Xiao's mind, seasoned by gunfire and battle, remained incredibly calm. His grey-black eyes first glanced over Yun Zi'an's extraordinarily beautiful face, then settled on his smooth, well-defined collarbone, focusing intently on the small red cinnabar mole on the pale skin.

Despite being apart for three years, he was certain that this was his legally wedded spouse, even registered in H Country, the only grandson-in-law of the Rong family, and his childhood sweetheart—Yun Zi'an.

Rong Xiao's gaze moved to Yun Zi'an's phone screen, looking meaningfully at his own black and white obituary photo.

His grip on the suitcase handle tightened suddenly, the veins on the back of his hand standing out prominently.

"Just three years away, and Yun Zi'an has..."

"...buried me?"

Rong Xiao, wheeling his suitcase, arrived at the smoking area. He fumbled for a cigarette pack in his pocket, only to realize he had run out of his usual brand. The current pack, a random purchase from the airport during a layover in Congo, was of inferior quality.

"There's probably nothing more complex than returning home to find your legally wedded spouse has 'buried' you, and all you're left with is a pack of shoddy cigarettes to ease your brooding."

At the smoking area, various men puffed away: businessmen, middle-aged men. Rong Xiao, in a simple black t-shirt and camouflage military pants, paired with Blackhawk combat boots, didn't stand out in attire, but his imposing presence was like a jungle beast, unmissable and intimidating.

Phone to his ear, cigarette in hand, he leaned against the wall, knee bent, resembling a silent lion.

The other smokers quickly extinguished their cigarettes and left, perhaps sensing Rong Xiao was not someone to mess with or speculating about the mysterious contents of his luggage. It was better to avoid unnecessary trouble.

In reality, Rong Xiao's luggage contained only basic personal items and daily necessities. The most important thing inside was his discharge certificate from the CYO peacekeeping special forces.

His usual military knife, unable to pass airport security, had been sent back through special channels. So, he traveled light.

The phone was answered with a respectful greeting: "Young Master."

"Why did my spouse enter the entertainment industry?" Rong Xiao asked, frowning. "What happened?"

"Young Master," the butler paused, "It was a decision made by the spouse themselves. Both Rong and Yun families strongly opposed it, but once the spouse is set on something, no one can stop them, as you know."

After a brief silence, Rong Xiao responded coolly, "I see."

He instructed, "Send a car to the airport to pick me up," and hung up.

Rong Xiao searched Yun Zi'an's name on Weibo. In the time it took to smoke a cigarette, he skimmed through the profile, learning about Yun Zi'an's sudden rise to fame due to a random photo and his current status as a third-tier actor. Only today's "married and widowed" news had propelled him to the top of the hot search, a rarity for him.

If Yun Zi'an wanted to enter showbiz, the Rong family had ample resources to support him, not to mention the Yun family. As the favored eldest grandson of the Yun patriarch, how could he be just a third-tier actor?

Confronted by the situation, Rong Xiao couldn't afford to waste another second. He extinguished his cigarette and left the smoking room, but as he pushed the door open, he accidentally collided with someone passing by.

Su Yuanyuan, having faced a major embarrassment in the makeup room, was so infuriated she decided to skip the Starlight Awards and leave Beijing immediately. She had just fired her assistant, who she deemed incompetent for failing to secure a VIP airport passage, only to be bumped into so carelessly.

"Are you blind?" Su Yuanyuan, in her sunglasses, reprimanded haughtily. "Do you know who you just bumped into?"

Rong Xiao, unfamiliar with the current entertainment scene and having been away from the country, didn't recognize Su Yuanyuan, the popular actress. After a few seconds of silence, he simply said, "Sorry."

"A simple apology is enough for you?" Su Yuanyuan crossed her arms, scrutinizing Rong Xiao from head to toe. Noticing his non-branded clothing and the smell of cheap tobacco, she scoffed, "Do you know how much my life insurance is worth? And you dare to bump into me?"

Rong Xiao, with a personal insurance value of 1.4 billion dollars, maintained his silence.

Su Yuanyuan's gaze casually fell on Rong Xiao's phone screen, spotting a photo of her arch-enemy Yun Zi'an. Seizing the opportunity, she couldn't restrain her spitefulness. "You have such poor taste, following someone like Yun Zi'an. The whole industry knows he's a lowlife, easy for any man, begging to be taken by anyone with a dick, famous only for his seductive, cheap face, and his manipulative tricks. Countless have slept with him in the industry..."

Su Yuanyuan reveled in her vicious tirade against Yun Zi'an, her malice apparent. However, as she looked up to gauge the man's reaction, she was taken aback.

Rong Xiao was utterly emotionless, as if he hadn't heard a word she said. To him, the popular actress Su Yuanyuan was no more significant than an ant on the street.

No, even less significant than an ant.

This indifference left Su Yuanyuan without the satisfaction she sought, instead feeling a chill of foreboding. She instinctively stepped back. "You..."

"I am very sorry for bumping into you," Rong Xiao spoke again. "If you are unharmed, I will take my leave now."

With that, he began to walk away, pushing his luggage.

Left behind, Su Yuanyuan's face twisted in fury, tearing off her sunglasses. "Do you know who I am? I am Su Yuanyuan! The Golden Phoenix Award-winning best supporting actress!"

Yet, just like how she felt disregarded by the seemingly insignificant actor Yun Zi'an earlier that morning, Su Yuanyuan was once again ignored. No matter her beauty or her frustration, she couldn't garner a moment's attention from this man.

As Rong Xiao entered the VIP section of the airport, the waiting butler greeted him with a slight bow. "Young Master, welcome back to the country."

After Rong Xiao's call, the VIP passage at the Capital Airport was closed to the public in the afternoon, which was another reason for Su Yuanyuan's anger.

Rong Xiao took a suit from the butler and entered the changing room. Minutes later, he reemerged, the cheap black T-shirt replaced with a diamond-patterned, high-couture suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and tall stature.

Unaccustomed to wearing formal attire after such a long time, Rong Xiao adjusted his neck uncomfortably and instructed the butler, "For future tailoring, add five centimeters to the chest measurement."

The butler bowed slightly, "Certainly, Young Master."

Exiting the passage, a discreet black sedan with a Beijing license plate awaited him. The family's long-serving driver respectfully opened the car door for Rong Xiao, "Young Master, welcome back to the country."

"Shall we head to the old mansion?" The butler inquired from the passenger seat. "Your grandfather and lady are awaiting your return."

Rong Xiao's dark eyes were pensive, "Take me to my spouse's current residence."

The butler nodded gently, "Understood."

As the car started smoothly, Rong Xiao, reclining on the leather seat, eyes closed for a rest, casually said, "Also, blacklist a female star named Su Yuanyuan."

His tone was indifferent, as if squashing an ant – no reason needed.

"She's too noisy."

Chapter 3: Not Dead Enough to Disappoint You

Yun Zi'an, having just evaded the media on the rooftop, was loosening his neck when he encountered his manager, Ying Xiaofeng, waiting with a phone like a ticking time bomb.

Ying Xiaofeng had been Yun Zi'an's manager for three years, enduring instant noodles and minor roles. Expecting Yun Zi'an to rise to fame with a viral photo, he was baffled by his unconventional approach.

Where others would dress scantily on the red carpet, Yun Zi'an wore a down jacket with a thermos.

While others flew city to city for appearances, Yun Zi'an could stay home for a week straight.

Other celebrities were cautious in interviews, fearing public perception, but Yun Zi'an shockingly admitted to being married and widowed for three years!

.

"Ancestor!" Knowing Yun Zi'an's aversion to crowds, Ying Xiaofeng had waited on the rooftop to confront him directly, his every word laden with deep reproach. "I've been taking anti-anxiety meds since graduating college! Can you let me live longer?"

Yun Zi'an, immune to Ying Xiaofeng's shouting, calmly replied, "I’ll buy you a box of anti-anxiety meds and some herbal supplements myself."

"Why on earth did you announce you're married?" Ying Xiaofeng really wanted to crack open Yun Zi'an's head to see his unusual thought process. "Do you realize eighty percent of your fans are female? By declaring your marriage, you've shattered countless girls' dreams!!!"

Yun Zi'an chuckled, "Isn’t there still the remaining twenty percent?"

Ying Xiaofeng stated emotionlessly, "The remaining twenty percent are male fans."

Yun Zi'an, "..."

.

"Ancestor!" Ying Xiaofeng was so frustrated he wanted to shake Yun Zi'an violently. "Why did you have to say you're married?!"

"Because..." Yun Zi'an, hands in his suit pockets, stood casually in the summer breeze, yet exuding a sense of allure, a subtle smile on his lips, "I am married."

Despite fully acknowledging Yun Zi'an's beauty, Ying Xiaofeng couldn't stand his arrogant charm, staggering back against the railing, "You...you... I'm warning you, don’t flirt recklessly. I’m talking seriously here..."

Yun Zi'an’s mischievous smile grew clearer as he stepped forward, towering with his 6'1" height, he leaned down and showed off the platinum ring on his ring finger, "This is my wedding ring."

"RX," Yun Zi'an said innocently, but his face spelled trouble. "It's the initials of my husband. He has a ring with my initials too."

Ying Xiaofeng's expression froze completely, "..."

.

Graduating with an agent license, Ying Xiaofeng joined a newly established entertainment company and coincidentally started working with Yun Zi'an, his first client.

For three years, Ying Xiaofeng had been everything for Yun Zi'an: manager, assistant, driver, and even a nurturing figure. Yet, in all this time, Yun Zi'an never revealed a thing to him!

Ying Xiaofeng once wondered about Yun Zi'an’s constant wearing of the platinum ring but received various excuses like, "Just wearing it casually," "It's a relic from my grandmother," "A Feng Shui master told me to wear it for 49 days."

Now he realized all those were lies from Yun Zi'an!

The fury of being deceived flushed Ying Xiaofeng's face as he roared, "Yun Zi'an—!"

Seeing trouble, Yun Zi'an had already planned his escape. He dashed to the elevator, slipping inside first, "Bye~"

As the elevator descended, Ying Xiaofeng's angry shouts were still audible, echoing, "This isn't over between us—!"

.

Escaping Ying Xiaofeng, Yun Zi'an stretched his neck. As the elevator doors opened with a ding, he hummed a tune, stepping out leisurely. He casually tossed his suit and tie to a hotel attendant at the door, winking, "Please dispose of these for me."

Donning a mask from his pocket, Yun Zi'an hailed a cab to his apartment. On the way, he indulged in a bowl of spicy snail noodles and a hefty serving of stinky tofu, cheerfully arriving at his home.

Casually glancing outside, Yun Zi'an inadvertently noticed a high-end black sedan with Beijing plates parked downstairs.

Living in this modest neighborhood with an average rent of 5000 a month for nearly three years, Yun Zi'an had almost forgotten his dual identity as a scion of a wealthy family, relishing in the simple joys of instant noodles and spicy snail noodles.

The sudden appearance of such a car tensed him momentarily, but he relaxed the next second, thinking it was just family urging him to take over the family business or the butler from the Rong family bringing him some lobster and abalone to spice up his meals.

A slight smirk curled on Yun Zi'an's lips.

It couldn't possibly be Rong Xuan returning from abroad, could it?

.

As Yun Zi'an entered his home with his late-night snack, unlocking the door and glancing towards the living room sofa, his humming abruptly ceased, his face freezing in shock—

A man, impeccably dressed in a suit and familiar to the core, sat on the sofa, arms crossed, a platinum ring also adorning the ring finger of the hand resting on his arm. His long, muscular legs were crossed, lips curved in a subtle smile.

Rong Xuan gazed at him with deep, meaningful eyes, "Sorry to disappoint, I'm not quite dead."