Chapter 1

Madam Zhi’s laughter floated warmly through the phone.

“Yes, he is on his way back,” she said, unable to hide the satisfaction in her voice.

“It’s about time,” Old Man Yu huffed from the other end. “I have been waiting for weeks.”

“Oh, calm down, old man.” Madam Zhi frowned, though amusement still danced in her tone. “I already told you he would be here soon.”

“Yes, yes, you did,” Old Man Yu replied, then gave a low chuckle. “Well, what are a few more hours? I suppose I can still wait.”

Madam Zhi smiled.

“Do not worry. He will be here,” she said confidently. “He can never refuse his dear old mother’s request.”

At that, they both burst into laughter, the kind shared between two people who already believed their plan had succeeded.

“Alright then,” Old Man Yu finally said, coughing lightly. “We will talk later.”

“Yes. See you soon,” Madam Zhi replied before ending the call. For a moment, she remained by the window, gazing outside with a bright smile spreading across her face.

“Wedding bells,” she murmured softly. “I can finally hear them.”

Just then, a maid stepped into the room and bowed slightly. “Madam Zhi, it is time to go.”

Madam Zhi turned, her smile growing even wider.

“Yes,” she said, gathering herself with visible excitement. “Let us go welcome my son.”

A young man in his early twenties stepped out of China International Airport, dressed in black baggy trousers and a black shirt that sat effortlessly on his tall, well-built frame. His hair was dyed pink and black, and a pair of sunglasses rested over his eyes, giving him the kind of effortless charm that made people look twice.

In one hand, he held a fashionable bag. With the other, he dragged his luggage behind him.

He was handsome, too handsome to pass by unnoticed.

Several passersby slowed down to admire him, and he returned their stares with a polite smile. When a young girl waved shyly at him, he waved back, making her squeal in excitement.

“Oh, that young man is fine.”

“I’m telling you, I’ve never seen a man that handsome before.”

“He looks familiar.”

“Does he? Wait… you’re right.”

“Isn’t he Actor Xuan from Yearning for Love?”

“Eh? He is Actor Xuan!”

The murmurs around him grew louder. Soon, people were no longer just stopping to admire him. Phones began to rise. Pictures were taken. More heads turned.

Zhi Xuan smiled to himself. He had not expected people to still recognise him so easily back home.

I guess I’m famous everywhere I go.

But the smile did not last long. More people began gathering, and the attention quickly shifted from flattering to uncomfortable.

He loved his fans, truly. But if this continued for another five minutes, the entire place might turn into a small riot. Worse, he had come without bodyguards.

Fuck. Mother, where are you? he cried inwardly.

Just then, a black BMW pulled up near the curb. A man stepped out first and opened the rear door. A middle-aged woman emerged gracefully from the car.

“A’Xuan!” Madam Zhi called.

Zhi Xuan’s face brightened immediately. He hurried toward her and stopped just in front of her.

Madam Zhi wasted no time pulling him into a tight hug.

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