Chapter 2: Falling Into the Web

like our timing is quite synchronized!" Ran Xu raised an eyebrow at Yan Luoxi, his eyes gleaming with amusement.“Huh.” Not knowing what to say, Yan Luoxi could only awkwardly smile.“Miss Yan, your il...Chapter 2: Falling into the Clutches of Evil

The trio of Yan Luoxi, He Yufan, and Ye Zixin walking through the campus was quite a sight to behold. He Yufan was radiant and captivating; Ye Zixin was serene and delicate like a flower; and after a bit of grooming, Yan Luoxi could also be described as fresh and mild.

Whenever they appeared together in the past, they would always attract admiring glances from boys and envious stares from girls. However, today no one seemed to notice them at all. In classrooms and dining halls alike, everyone was abuzz with talk about the young CEO of Anrui International who had taken everyone by surprise with his stunning appearance and charisma. Behind closed doors, there were various versions of stories circulating about Li An.

Some said he returned to China at twenty-two years old, co-founded Anrui International with a son from the Ming family, achieved remarkable success in business, and was decisive and ruthless in his dealings. In just a few months, he shook up the entire commercial circle of the imperial capital.

However, he kept a low profile, rarely making public appearances. For all matters requiring representation, it had always been handled by his partner—Ming Zixi, the second son of the Ming family—and very few people had ever seen him in person.

The history of his family was shrouded in legendary mystery. Some said that his wealth could rival a nation, others claimed he dealt with both sides of the law, and there were even rumors that he was a descendant of royalty... In summary, he was an extremely wealthy young man at a tender age, exceedingly handsome, from a distinguished background, and surrounded by dark legends and countless scandalous stories that ignited imagination.

These half-true tales draped Li An in a veil of mystery, making everything about him more fascinating than any real-life prince charming or male star. He became an exalted deity beyond reach, one who every girl spoke about with boundless admiration and joy.

Yan Luoxi tried to maintain her composure so as not to let He Yufan and Ye Zixin notice anything unusual about her. She ate while observing the students around her openly displaying their adoration for Li An on their youthful faces.

These young girls, who were still naive, all harbored a shared dream in their hearts. Going to work at Anrui International was no longer just about making ends meet; they fantasized about an encounter that would lead them to be noticed by the glamorous and wealthy young CEO, thus achieving a meteoric rise and becoming princesses on the highest perches!

Even her usually calm friend Ye Zixin stayed in school today rather than going home, enthusiastically gossiping with He Yufan about Li An. Seeing that someone was backing her up, He Yufan became even more infatuated, her eyes sparkling as she embellished and recounted what had happened at the company today.

In contrast to their fervent classmates, Yan Luoxi was rather detached. She thought of Li An's past evil deeds and wanted to warn these girls who were filled with endless fantasies about him: He was an extremely wicked devil, a dark and ferocious beast, far from the perfect lover they imagined.

"Luoxi, why do you seem indifferent toward this CEO Li" After turning her eyes around a few times, He Yufan finally noticed Yan Luoxi's unusual silence.

Yan Luoxi's face turned pale as she forced a smile and said, "What’s so good about him that I would fancy my Zhou Guangtao!"

"Luoxi always stands firm on her stance and will die for her Old Zhou," Ye Zixin chuckled as she patted Yan Luoxi's shoulder. "You’re great for not being swayed by a handsome man."

He Yu fan shamelessly said, "With that stubborn head of hers, if she really thinks so highly of her Old Zhou, we should get you and your Old Zhou to have a beauty contest with our Li General Manager one day and see who’s the more attractive one!"

Yan Luoxi's face paled even further as her fingers trembled slightly. She admitted honestly, "Yeah, I am stubborn and blind. Since you claim Li is yours, I won’t be fighting with you over him."

He Yu fan found it rather boring and turned to Ye Zixin to continue talking about Li An.

Just as He Yu fan was getting into the swing of things while chatting excitedly with Ye Zixin, her phone rang at an inopportune moment. She picked up the call irritably and said, “Do you have something”

A laughing voice came through the crackling speaker, "Nothing much, just wondering if you miss me."

He Yu fan sneered into the phone before her tone softened as she replied, "I’ll give you three words!"

"What is it Do you miss me" The man on the other end was charmed by her gentle voice and began to daydream about all sorts of possibilities.

He Yu fan roared into the phone, “Get lost!” Then she hung up without another word.

The call interrupted Yan Luoxi and Ye Zixin’s meal as they almost choked on their food in laughter.

"How can there be such shameless people How many times have I seen him He thinks he's Li An and has a high opinion of himself!" After hanging up, He Yu fan paid no mind to the odd looks her classmates gave her as she continued ranting.

He Yu fan has a tall figure, an attractive face, and a generous and straightforward personality. She also excels at using various slang to insult people.

The man named Li Xin, whom He Yu fan had chased away over the phone, is Yan Luoxi's boyfriend Zhou Guangtao’s business associate. Li Xin’s family runs a company of considerable scale; he himself is quite handsome. Through Zhou Guangtao, he got to know He Yu fan and fell for her instantly. Since then, he has been persistently pursuing her.

Initially, He Yu fan was satisfied with Li Xin's background, character, and appearance, but after she met Li An, Li Xin no longer met her standards.

"Sis is someone who looks for quality in life. She should aim higher, like Li An..."

"You're clearly being vain and fickle. Just a few days ago, you were quite satisfied with Mr. Li," Ye Zixin commented on what He Yu fan said.

“There are almost no women in this world who aren't vain; it’s a money-oriented society now. Who isn’t vain I'm just straightforward about my vanity and that's better than those hypocrites!” He Yu fan proudly raised her head, her gaze sweeping over all the girls around.

Ye Zixin shook her head helplessly at He Yu fan’s blatant honesty; if she hadn't known that He Yu fan was someone who talked without thinking, she might have thought He Yu fan's words were aimed indirectly at her.

"What matters most is that Li An has both money and looks. Even if he were penniless, just looking at his face would be enough to satisfy me!" He Yu fan swallowed a mouthful of fish-flavored eggplant and giggled: "I've set my goal—entering Aoni International with all my strength to pursue Mr. Li."

Yan Luoxi secretly worried about He Yu fan’s audacious ambition; she silently prayed that He Yu fan wouldn't overdo it and hoped that Li An would not take notice of her, because in her experience, no one who caught his attention ended up well.

The next morning, Yan Luoxi unhesitatingly chose to feign illness again. She watched through the window as He Yu fan, dressed strikingly, left with Ye Zixin for work at Aoni International.

Yan Luoxi sat motionlessly in her dormitory for a while before subconsciously looking out the window; the sky was overcast and looked like it was going to rain.

The handsome face of Li An kept appearing before her eyes, making her think of his cold-hearted nature. She couldn't bear sitting still any longer—her empty, chilly dormitory seemed to be filled with a chill.

She quickly packed a small bag and prepared to go stay with her boyfriend Zhou Guangtao for some time. As for the work at Anrui International, she would ask He Yufan to find an opportunity to resign on her behalf. It seemed undignified not to appear even when quitting her job herself, but she was too afraid of getting close to the dangerous environment of Anrui International.

Yan Luoxi finished packing and was about to leave when she suddenly turned around and saw an open door and a ghost-like figure leaning against the door frame. She was so scared that she nearly screamed out loud.

Her brain instantly froze, it being a reaction unwilling to accept certain information. Seeing the tall man standing at the doorway clearly, her mind almost went into vacuum mode; all she could do was just stare blankly ahead.

Liyi seemed much taller after five years of not seeing each other. Perhaps due to the lighting by the door, his face was half in shadow and half in light, making it hard for her to see clearly. In fact, having known Liyi for fourteen years, no matter how good-looking or charming others said he was, she never had the courage to take a close look at him, nor did she find him particularly handsome.

Yan Luoxi's body stiffened and couldn't move an inch; cold sweat rapidly broke out on her back. Her hands instinctively clenched into fists. She kept telling herself not to be afraid, but almost primal fear still made her body tremble slightly. She felt the rapid beating of her heart as if a drum was being hammered fiercely in her chest.

Liyi remained motionless, leaning against the door frame with an expansive posture and a tranquil demeanor, looking down at Yan Luoxi with a half-smile. His gaze was full of intent that made Yan Luoxi start to doubt if she had buttoned up incorrectly.

Yan Luoxi bit her lip, suppressing the sudden panic and forcing herself to return to normal. Her lips quivered for a moment before timidly calling out: "Second Brother."

Liyi watched Yan Luoxi become flustered and anxious, finally lifting one corner of his mouth in satisfaction, saying, “Time is truly great; the dogtail grass has actually grown into a sweet potato flower!”

Compliments sounded worse than insults, as was typical of his malevolent style. Yan Luoxi didn't care about Liyi's mockery and knew that her chances of escaping this demon’s grasp safely today were almost zero.

"Your expression is complicated; can I understand it as your heart surging wildly at the sudden sight of me" A seductive curve appeared on Liyi's lips, his eyes like a rippling lake surface. His soft words sounded like the most enchanting love talk to Yan Luoxi.

Yan Luoxi knew that Liyi would never speak sweetly to her; she had no better way of dealing with him than silence.

Her reaction disappointed Liyi somewhat, but it was also within his expectations. Five years hadn't made her any sharper, still as dumb and foolish as ever. But over the past years, he had already gained experience in dealing with non-violent uncooperative Yan Luoxi, knowing what would most deeply affect her. Therefore, he calmly closed the room door heavily.he happily walked toward the car and follow Li An to the pavilion.Li An fetched a cushion from beside them and laid it out for Yan Luoxi; he wanted to support her gently: Luoxi, sit down...Yan Luoxi d...