At nightfall, laughter and voices of cheer could be heard from a massive cruise ship docked by the sea, while the lights from the ship conspicuously overshadowed the entire shoreline.

A charity banquet was currently being held here; it was alive with ebullience and filled with elegant men and women who were the elites and famous figures of the city of Hǎi.

These were people that Lu Qiaoyi should never have had a chance to interact with in her lifetime.

However, now she could. Because at this moment, she was no longer the impressive Officer Lu, but instead an ordinary female server at the banquet.

Lu Qiaoyi moved around the guests carrying a tray of wine.

But her gaze was unobtrusively fixed on that man.

Tonight's banquet host -- the President of the Chen Corporation, Chen Zifeng.

As one of the city's largest tycoons, his business empire spanned across multiple industries.

Especially in the entertainment industry, he was exceptionally successful.

A week ago, the suicide of a popular female artist caused quite a stir. News about the incident spread across the internet. Lu Qiaoyi personally took charge of the case.

It was her first case since her return.

Prior to this, there were three suicide cases involving female artists. These cases had to be concluded as suicides due to the absence of any evidence suggesting otherwise, and the delivery of suicide notes. This was the fourth case, though. A common thread connecting all the dead female artists was that they were all from the Chen Corporation.

Lu Qiaoyi believed this was a typical case of serial killing. The criminal's techniques were elaborate, without any flaws. She was certain there was a considerable plot underlying these occurrences.

Hence, under the arrangement of the city's chief of police, Lu Qiaoyi assumed the role of a female server and infiltrated the banquet.

At this moment, she emerged from the back room with a tray of alcohol, and just past the winding corridor was the grand banquet hall.

The grand hall suddenly fell into a moment of silence.

Everyone almost simultaneously ceased their actions and turned their gaze towards the entrance.

Then, four men in black entered from the entrance.

Tall and with solemn expressions.

After entering, they positioned themselves on either side of the entrance.

A few moments later, a man casually stepped in.

Under the spotlight, the man had a handsome face that could captivates souls, his eyes sparkling as if filled with stars slightly squinted.

However, there was a cold chill deep in his eyes, which could make anyone's heart tremble at first glance.

His nose was prominent, and his thin lips formed a cold straight line.

Captivating, yet difficult to gaze directly.

He was dressed in an upscale handmade suit that accentuated his lean and upright figure under the lighting.

And he had an innate graceful demeanor, making one feel that he was desirable but unattainable.

Even within close proximity, it felt as if he was miles away.

Lu Qiao Yi was caught off guard and nearly stumbled; he tightly gripped the tray, his face turning pale as his eyes widened involuntarily.

His heart felt as though it was severely clenched, and all his blood seemed to freeze in that split second.

Five years! They met again unexpectedly.

Lu QiaoYi's heart was like being twisted by a knife. He Luofeng, her first love, her ex-boyfriend!

Upon seeing them, Chen Zifeng in the hall instantly brightened up, both his brows and eyes curving into a happy smile. He quickly stepped forward to meet them.

Anyone else aware of what was happening also followed suit, grinning from ear to ear and trailing behind Chen Zifeng.

Because they knew, this young and handsome man was the highlight of tonight's banquet.

It was organized just for him.

He Luofeng and Chen Zifeng greeted each other casually, casually strode towards the center of the banquet as if on a leisure walk.

Everyone surrounded him, like the stars holding the moon.

Then, at that moment, his steps paused as if sensing something. His piercing gaze turned to where Lu QiaoYi stood, a polite yet distant smile abruptly froze on his face, followed by disbelief and a flash of ecstatic surprise.

His eyes were like the rolling storm clouds, signaling the onset of a storm. But just a few moments later, these emotions disappeared suddenly.

He looked indifferently at the woman dressed as a server, who turned her back at him the moment their eyes met.

Lu QiaoYi seemingly didn't hear what Chen Zifeng was saying, but the thundering applause startled her, and the look behind her was as if it was trying to kill her.

Her back was ramrod straight, yet her forehead was covered in fine cold sweat.

She hastily headed towards the corridor at the back.

Standing at the end of the corridor, biting her lip, she hesitated about whether to leave or stay.

“Five years apart, does my Joy not dare to even look at me?” A cold voice sounded from behind Lu Qiao Yi, the familiar voice startling her into finally turning around.

The next second, He Liu Feng had already appeared in front of her.

With an appearance akin to a demon that had just escaped hell, he wore a beautifully terrifying smile on his handsome face.

Lu Qiao Yi stared at him, her heart pounding. She forced herself to calm down in front of him, but as soon as she saw those inky black eyes of his, her heart just couldn't stop trembling.

He Liu Feng still looked at her indifferently. His twin sword-like eyebrows knitted slightly without a trace.

He gave a cursory glance at Lu Qiao Yi, the corners of his mouth slightly lifting into a chilling smile, he softly said, “Joy, long time no see.”

His voice was low, raspy, and yet magnetically enticing devoid of any extra emotion.

Lu Qiao Yi had never imagined how they'd meet again, but she certainly didn't wish to meet him in such a precarious situation.

The sharp gaze of He Liu Feng was like a razor, stabbing her and sending chills down her spine.

She almost wanted to flee, but He Liu Feng suddenly caught her wrist and pinned her against the corner.

The distance between them was so close, close enough to see the flames leaping in his dark pupils, close enough to almost hear each other's heartbeats.

He Liu Feng slowly leaned down, and his languid breath sprayed onto the nape of Lu Qiao Yi's neck. That slightly alluring hot air almost made Lu Qiao Yi breathless.

Her struggling hands were also pinned above her head. Lu Qiao Yi's mind even went blank, as if all her strength was being drained from her body.

The unexpectedly familiar yet foreign scent swallowed up all her thoughts.

Lu Qiao Yi resisted the palpitations in her heart and rasped, “He Liu Feng, let me go.”

A hint of mockery flashed through the handsome facial features of He Liufeng. His voice suddenly softened, and he slowly leaned in close to Lu Qiaoyi's ear, whispering like a lover, "Qiaoyi, it was you who first appeared before my eyes."

Lu Qiaoyi was taken aback.

He Liufeng slightly lowered his gaze, his long eyelashes casting shadows at the corners of his eyes, yet he subtly inclined his body towards her.

The pleasant fragrance from him swirled around her nose tip.

For an instant, their eyes met, and in his gaze, Lu Qiaoyi saw a very distressed reflection of herself.

Those were a pair of eyes that once belonged only to her.

However, those eyes no longer held their initial tenderness and serenity, now permeated with many things she failed to understand.