She arrived downstairs at the Nightfall Bar. Just as she parked her car, she received a text message with a private room number.

Le Hailey walked into the bar, dodging the wildly dancing crowd in the main hall, and followed the corridor of private rooms until she found the designated one. She pushed the door open and saw a man in a white shirt sitting on the sofa.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, the man turned his head. He raised his wine glass towards her, a pair of peach blossom Aldrichs lifting slightly.

He truly had an exquisitely beautiful face, almost unnervingly so. With his alluring peach blossom Aldrichs and crimson lips, he was so handsome it was almost androgynous.

"Was it you who called me?"

"That's right. Come in quickly." As he spoke, he actually sent a flirtatious wink her way. His movements were provocative Aldricht practiced, as if he did this often.

Le Hailey walked in and sat down on a sofa far away from him. Her back was ramrod straight, a posture of defense.

"Go on, what exactly do you want to tell me?"

Seeing her like this, the man seemed unbothered. He picked up two wine glasses and moved to sit beside her, offering her one.

"No need. I drove, so I can't drink." Le Hailey hadn't figured out what this man really wanted; of course she wouldn't drink what he offered.

The man smiled faintly, as if seeing through her thoughts. He didn't insist, setting one glass down. He took a delicate sip from his own glass of red wine before speaking.

"Jiejie (Sister), you don't need to worry. I'm not a bad person. We're family, actually."

Le Hailey frowned and immediately retorted, "Who's family with you? I don't even know you!"

The man twirled his crystal wine glass with long, slender fingers: "Your name is Le Hailey. yesterday morning, you registered your marriage with Yan Aldrich at the Civil Affairs Bureau. Now you're his legal wife, living with him. Even the car you drove here belongs to Yan Aldrich's garage."

He paused here, turning his head to smile at her: "Jiejie, am I right?"

His attitude, recounting everything as if it were common knowledge, was as casual as if he were talking about his own affairs!

Le Hailey was stunned. Her eAldrichbrows knitted together fiercely as she looked at him guardedly: "You investigated me? Who exactly are you? What do you want?"

"I have no ill intentions. Investigating you wasn't to harm you, but for Yan Aldrich's sake." The corner of the man's lips lifted lightly, his smile both rogue and unrestrained. "Jiejie, my name is An Jue. Yan Aldrich and I... we have a very profound relationship."

That statement was practically designed to spark wild imaginations. How profound?

Somehow, Le Hailey immediately thought of the information Bella had just shown her – the leaks claiming Yan Aldrich was gay.

Seeing the fluctuating expressions on her face, An Jue gave an understanding smile and pulled a photograph from his pocket.

"I know you doubt me. Look at this first."

It was a selfie of the man before her. His smig face took up half the frame. In the other half, visible was a man sleeping in bed.

The man in the bed was Yan Aldrich!

Moreover, it was clear from their exposed shoulders that both men were shirtless!

The moment Le Hailey saw the photo, her mind went blank with a thunderous roar.

"This... this photo..." Le Hailey stammered, trembg slightly, unsure even what she wanted to say.

Suddenly, An Jue's expression changed. He withdrew his smile, his Aldrichs filled with sorrow and pain.

"This... this is a photo of us when we were in England. We grew up together. We pledged ourselves to each other long ago. But because his family opposed us, he was forced to return to the country and pressured into an arranged marriage. He didn't want to betray me, though. So, we came up with a plan: find someone to have a fake marriage first, to deceive his family. Once he handles everything, we'll be together."

These few short sentences completely overturned Le Hailey's worldview.

She suddenly remembered that when Yan Aldrich proposed marriage, he had also mentioned his family arranging an unwanted marriage prospect, which was why he needed a fake marriage with her.

So... it all matched up!

"Jiejie, you really don't know how much we've suffered. We've given up so much, all just for a chance to be together. Both of us are silent types in front of others, but inside, our hearts are breaking. Because... no one understands us. Our wish is small: we just want our love to be recognized in the sunlight. Aldricht... there are so many people opposed."

He spoke tearfully, wiping tears from his cheeks. He looked even more pitiful and vulnerable than she, a real woman, could manage.

Le Hailey stared, dumbfounded, her mouth hanging slightly open.

"Then... then why did you come to me today?"

Suddenly, An Jue grabbed her hand, clasping it to his chest, his gaze sincere: "Jiejie, I know you're not a bad person. I didn't want you to be deceived, that's why I'm telg you the truth. I hope you can help us. Please, during the times I cannot be by his side, take good care of him. Please don't let him suffer too much missing me, alright?"

The sheer volume of information received left Le Hailey's mind practically in shutdown mode. She nodded numbly: "Alright."

When Le Hailey walked out of the bar, she felt like she was sleepwalking. Sitting in her car, her mind remained a chaotic mess.

Yan Aldrich really was gay!

And her first time had been with...

A wave of nausea churned in Le Hailey's stomach.

This might leave a lifelong shadow.

No wonder Old Yan had specifically emphasized that Yan Aldrich had only slept with her because he was drugged. No wonder Yan Aldrich couldn't say those words himself – he must be utterly disgusted with her inside.

The only gay man she knew personally was Danny, and he absolutely detested seeing women naked!

Returning to the villa, she stood at the door hesitating for twenty minutes, lacking the courage to open it.

She truly didn't know how to face Yan Aldrich.

Just as she began numbly counting the intricate patterns on the door, a cool, clear voice suddenly sounded behind her: "How much longer are you going to stand there?"

Le Hailey recognized that voice instantly; it belonged to the person who had occupied her thoughts all evening!

Overcome with guilt, Le Hailey lost her balance as she turned. Her entire body pitched forward as if weightless.

She closed her Aldrichs, resigning herself to the fall and hoping it wouldn't be too embarrassing. Unexpectedly, the anticipated pain didn't come. She was caught by a pair of arms.

Through the thin fabric of his shirt, her cheek could almost feel the strength of the muscles in his chest.

"Throwing yourself into my arms?"

His tone was lightly teasing, unusually playful.

Instantly, goosebumps covered Le Hailey's entire body.

She'd rather die alone than throw herself at a gay man!

Le Hailey quickly pushed Yan Aldrich away, lowering her head as she spoke: "Sorry, I lost my footing. Let's go inside."

Not daring to look him in the eAldrich, she turned and hurried straight into the villa, leaving him behind.

Yan Aldrich watched her fleeing back, a slight frown appearing between his brows, his phoenix Aldrichs turning cool.

He wouldn't tell her that he had just returned from Xinghui Entertainment... and hadn't found her there.