Under the soft Golden glow of the grand hall, Fangxi and Mrs. Li were deeply engaged in conversation.
Their attention was completely focused on each other. Neither of them realized that someone was quietly listening to every word from behind them.
Standing near the dining area, concealed within the shadows, was Manglong. His eyes remained fixed on the mother and son while a cold, sinister smile slowly formed on his lips.
It was the kind of smile that could send chills down anyone's spine.A strange gleam flickered within his eyes.
A gleam that clearly suggested he was not thinking about anything ordinary, but was weaving a dangerous scheme inside his mind.
For several moments, he remained silent.As if carefully calculating his next move.Then he lowered his head slightly and muttered to himself in a deep, hushed voice,
"It seems... this is the perfect opportunity to..put my plan into.. motion."
The smile on his face widened.
"Opportunities like this don't..come twice."
The malice hidden within his voice was as sharp as a poisoned blade.Satisfied with his thoughts, Manglong casually pulled out a nearby chair and sat down.
The mysterious smile never left his face.At that moment, a female servant emerged from another section of the hall.
With her hands respectfully clasped in front of her, she appeared to be heading toward another part of the mansion on an errand..However, as she approached the dining area, her eyes accidentally landed on Manglong.
At the moment Manglong's sharp and ever-watchful eyes landed on the passing female servant. Without saying a single word, he slowly raised his hand.
Positioning his thumb and two fingers a short distance apart, he made a precise gesture.It wasn't an ordinary gesture.It was a silent command—the kind that required no words to be understood.
Its meaning was obvious.He wanted a cup of hot coffee.The moment the servant noticed him, she immediately understood what he meant.
After all, she was already familiar with his habits and mannerisms.Without wasting a second, she stopped what she was doing and turned her full attention toward him.
Giving a respectful nod, she quickly headed toward the kitchen.
Meanwhile...
The atmosphere on the other side of the hall was completely different.The tension that had filled the air moments earlier was gradually fading away.
Fangxi gently took his mother's hand.A soft, warm smile appeared on his face.
"Mom... please, give m.. breakfast now."
He spoke in a slightly playful tone.
"I need to leave early.. for the office..today."
As he said that, he deliberately puffed out his cheeks like a spoiled child.At the same time, he looked directly into his mother's eyes with an innocent expression.
The sudden change in his behavior caught Mrs. Li completely off guard.The last traces of anger on her face slowly melted away.
After all, it wasn't every day that she got to see this side of Fangxi.She raised her eyebrows in surprise.
As if she could hardly believe that the man sitting before her was the same cold and serious Fangxi she knew so well.After staring at him for a few moments, she finally couldn't help but say.
"Did you..really know..about Sheyaan's birthday.. beforehand?"
Hearing his mother's sudden question, Fangxi, who had been acting carefree just moments ago, straightened his posture slightly.
The playful look on his face gradually disappeared.In its place came a calm and serious expression.
"Yes..."
he replied without hesitation.
"I already knew.. about it."
As he spoke, he looked directly into his mother's eyes.There was so much certainty and sincerity in his gaze that Mrs. Li didn't doubt him for even a second.
She immediately understood that he was telling the truth.The next moment, a bright smile spread across her face.Her entire expression lit up with relief and happiness.
It was as though a burden had suddenly been lifted from her heart.
"Good... then that's.. perfect!"
she said happily.Picking up the black tablet resting on the table beside her, excitement filled her eyes.
"Take a look.. at this."
After unlocking the device, she turned the screen toward Fangxi.
"I've selected some very..special gifts for..Sheyaan."
The enthusiasm in her voice was impossible to miss.Fangxi focused his attention on the glowing screen.
Displayed on it were pictures of luxury bracelets, premium collectible toys, and several valuable antique items.
Each gift looked rare, elegant, and expensive.After taking a brief look, a faint smile appeared on his lips.Without hesitation, he said,
"Mom, these are all..excellent choices."
Keeping his eyes on the screen, he continued,
"I'm sure Sheyaan will love.. whichever one you decide to.. give her."
There was confidence in his voice.Yet deep within his eyes, another thought seemed to linger.As though he had already prepared something even more special for Sheyaan.
Hearing Fangxi's response, a deep and satisfied smile spread across Mrs. Li's face.The happiness in her eyes was impossible to miss.
Gently placing the tablet on the sofa beside her, she looked directly at Fangxi and said,
"Alright then..."
The smile on her lips grew even wider.
"I'm going to give Sheyaan a..gift that she'll absolutely...love."
The warmth and excitement of a caring mother could be clearly heard in her voice.Fangxi couldn't help but smile faintly at her words.
However, just as the two of them were about to finish their conversation, a cheerful and lively voice suddenly echoed through the hall.
"Whose gift are you talking..about here?"
The unexpected voice immediately drew everyone's attention.Fangxi and Mrs. Li turned around almost at the same time.
Even Manglong, seated near the dining area, shifted his gaze in that direction.Standing there was Lucy.
She was walking into the hall from the room across the corridor.It seemed she had just finished getting ready.
Freshness and energy radiated from her face.The bright smile she wore instantly made the atmosphere feel lighter and more vibrant.
With quick and lively steps, she headed straight toward them.Without stopping anywhere else, she came to a halt beside Mrs. Li.
Then, looking at both of them with obvious curiosity, she raised an eyebrow and asked in a playful tone,
"So, what's this secret conversation.. that I'm not being.. told about?"
With a bright smile on her face, Lucy cheerfully asked
"Mom... tell me, whose gift are you.. talking about?"
Genuine curiosity could be heard in her voice.Mrs. Li looked at her and answered casually,
"Don't you.. know?"
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Today is Sheyaan's birthday. We were just discussing..what birthday gift we should.. give her."
The moment the words "Sheyaan's birthday" left Mrs. Li's mouth, the expression on Lucy's face changed instantly.
The cheerful smile she had been wearing disappeared.In its place came a strange seriousness.A faint trace of jealousy flickered within her eyes,
though she tried her best to hide it.Lucy pressed her lips together slightly.Then, with forced indifference, she spoke in a low voice.
"Oh... I see."
She lowered her gaze for a moment before looking back at Mrs. Li.
"So... you're probably choosing a very.. special gift for her, right?"
Her tone sounded casual, but the jealousy hidden beneath her words was difficult to miss.However, Mrs. Li paid little attention to it.
Without the slightest hesitation, she replied directly,
"Yes, that's.. right."
A proud smile appeared on her face.
"I want her birthday to be..truly memorable."
Hearing such a straightforward answer, the jealousy burning inside Lucy intensified.Her fingers unconsciously curled into fists.
The smile on her face vanished completely.Slowly, her expression darkened with envy and resentment.
Yet the most important thing was.She did her best to hide those emotions.Because she knew very well that revealing her true feelings right now would not be a wise decision.
At the moment the same female servant returned to the hall carrying a small serving try A cup of freshly brewed coffee rested on it, with thin wisps of steam rising gently into the air.
The rich aroma quickly spread through the surroundings.She walked directly toward the dining table.
Upon reaching Manglong, she carefully lifted the cup from the tray and placed it in front of him with the utmost respect.
Once her task was complete, she gave a slight bow, collected the empty tray, and quietly left the hall.
Manglong casually picked up the cup.
Taking a slow sip, he savored the flavor for a few moments before a strange smile appeared on his lips.
"Wonderful..."
he said softly.
"The coffee is exceptionally.. good today."
His voice wasn't loud, yet it was clear enough for everyone in the hall to hear.As soon as he spoke, the attention of everyone present shifted toward him.
However, Fangxi's reaction was completely different.The warmth on his face vanished instantly.His eyes narrowed slightly, and his expression turned serious.
Slowly rising from the sofa, he slipped both hands into his trouser pockets and fixed his sharp, authoritative gaze on Manglong.
Fangxi knew this man far too well.Someone like Manglong never spoke without a reason.
Every smile, every word, and every action carried a hidden purpose.And right now...
His instincts were telling him that something dangerous was brewing inside Manglong's mind.
At that moment, Manglong set down his coffee cup and glanced at Fangxi from the corner of his eyes.
A cunning smile spread across his face.Then, pretending to be friendly, he spoke in a calm voice.
"Come, Fangxi."
He gestured toward the empty seat nearby.
"Let's have breakfast..together."
After a brief pause, he looked at Fangxi meaningfully.
"You have a lot of work..ahead of you today, after all."
The smile on his face deepened.
"It's your beloved.. sister's birthday."
Then...
He casually added a sentence that made the atmosphere feel strangely heavy.
"Who knows what.. tomorrow may..bring?"
The moment those words left his mouth, a cold glint flashed across Fangxi's eyes.To others, it might have sounded like nothing more than an ordinary remark.
But Fangxi immediately sensed the hidden meaning behind it.The threat concealed within those words was impossible for him to ignore.
Unfortunately, neither Lucy nor Mrs. Li noticed anything unusual.To them, it sounded like a harmless comment.
Manglong then adjusted his coat and continued with another fake smile.
"Besides..."
He picked up his coffee cup once again.
"I'm genuinely happy about.. Sheyaan's birthday."
His voice carried a trace of fabricated excitement.Yet something entirely different lurked within the depths of his eyes.
Hearing Manglong claim that he was happy for Sheyaan immediately made Fangxi suspicious.After all, he knew this man better than anyone.
Manglong being happy?And for Sheyaan's birthday, of all things?
That was far too difficult to believe.Even so, Fangxi said nothing.He remained standing exactly where he was.
Silent, serious, carefully studying every subtle change in Manglong's expression, searching for the truth hidden behind that deceptive smile.