Chapter 1543: The Invitation

The villa where Lory lived was occupied by only the two of them. No servants were filling the halls, no butlers standing at attention, no housekeepers invading their private space.

Honestly, Lory had always disliked strangers within her living space. Now more than ever, she carries far too many secrets, and with enemy threats lurking like shadows, ready to strike at any given moment, her aversion has only deepened.

Though she could have stationed her own people around her, habit and instinct urged her to handle everything herself, to keep every variable firmly under her control. In the end, she felt most at ease preserving her private space for only herself and Zhao Li Xin, where control was certain, and risk could be minimized.

When the doorbell rang, Lory didn’t head for the door immediately. Instead, she turned toward the security monitor on her tablet to check the guest. Soon after, the live feed flickered to life, and her eyes narrowed with vigilance.

Outside the gate stood a middle-aged couple, impeccably dressed in expensive clothing. A flicker of excitement showed in their bright eyes, though it was tempered by their composed demeanor, but still, it was apparent to Lory’s eyes.

It didn’t take long for her to recognize them as the new family with two teenagers who had moved in only a few days earlier. Her curiosity was piqued, and she found herself wondering what intention could have driven them to pay such a sudden visit.

It was unusual for someone in this kind of neighborhood to make a personal visit to their neighbor. Wealthy people tend to value their privacy too much; therefore, they tend to keep their interactions with their neighbors minimal.

High-end communities like this functioned on unspoken rules: coexist without intrusion, that’s why she chose this place in the first place.

"Do you know her?" Zhao Li Xin asked quietly, coming to stand behind her.

"No," Lory replied, eyes never leaving the screen. "But I recognize them. They’re the new neighbors who just moved in a few days ago." She pondered for a moment, then added, "Funny, people in this community don’t usually visit each other like this."

"What do you think they want?" Zhao Li Xin asked, his gaze sharpening as he studied the family through the surveillance feed, instinctively on alert.

Lory made sure she had put on her disguise and taken the versipel potion before replying in a deliberately nonchalant tone. "I don’t know. Let’s find out."

Lory then immediately answered through the intercom: "I open the door, please enter."

Lory studied the figures on the screen for a moment longer, taking in every detail. The couple bore the unmistakable look of old money, trying very hard to look new.

The woman appeared to be in her mid-thirties, but judging how old their daughters were, Lory guessed she should be in her mid-forties instead; however, she still looked young and beautiful, with a sexy body and sensual charm of an experienced woman.

It was obvious she worked hard and spent much to preserve her youthful appearance. Her platinum-blonde hair was styled into a voluminous, meticulously sculpted wave, so perfectly set it seemed unmoved even by the harshest wind.

Her makeup was heavy yet flawless: cheeks precisely contoured, eyeliner drawn sharp and deliberate, and lips painted in a glossy, self-assured shade. She wore a tight, form-fitting dress that clung to her figure, accentuating every curve, paired with diamond earrings that caught the light with each practiced tilt of her head.

Beside her stood the man, likely in his fifties, but he looked like in his forties. He was dressed in a light gray suit tailored to precision, every crease deliberate. His hair was sleek, combed back with a shine that suggested both gel and vanity.

When he smiled, his teeth gleamed unnaturally white, seemingly overly bleached; it was almost reflective. A large, ostentatious golden watch cover with diamonds sat prominently on his wrist, clearly meant to be noticed.

After a brief moment assessing the guest, Lory pressed a button on her tablet. The gate opened automatically with a smooth, silent glide.

The couple stepped into the front yard, following the neat gray-and-black stone path that cut cleanly through the manicured lawn. Their footsteps carried them up the short flight of steps leading to the main door.

Lory opened it before they could knock.

"Hello," Lory said, offering them a broad, polite smile.

The woman, whom Lory immediately assumed was the wife, responded with an equally bright, practiced smile. "Oh, good morning! I’m so sorry to disturb your day," she said smoothly.

Her eyes flicked over Lory in a subtle yet unmistakable assessment, sweeping from head to toe before she continued, unhurried and composed. "My name is Myra Worthington."

Lory didn’t feel offended, only amused. She wondered what this woman thought about her homey look.

Myra slipped her arm through that of the middle-aged man beside her and turned slightly toward him. "And this is my husband, Derek Worthington. We’re your new neighbors." Her smile widened. "We are the new neighbors, and we wanted to invite you and your husband to our housewarming party."

As she spoke, her gaze shifted—then lifted. "Oh, and this must be Mr. Zha—"

Her expression froze. She had seen Zhao Li Xin’s photographs countless times, on news sites, academic features, and television segments, but none of them had prepared her for the man standing before her.

The camera, she realized belatedly, had done him no justice at all. In person, his presence was overwhelming: elegant, composed, and carrying a quiet nobility that seemed almost unreal. Never in her life had she seen a man so strikingly beautiful in such an understated, untouchable way.

She stared a second too long.

It took a gentle nudge from her husband to pull her back to herself.

"O-oh! I’m so sorry—I don’t mean to be rude," she said hastily, lowering her gaze in embarrassment.

"I apologize," Derek added quickly, clearing his throat. "My wife is... well, she was your fan, Mr. Zhao. Actually, so am I," he deliberately let out a boisterous laugh to ease the awkwardness.

Zhao Li Xin’s expression remained placid. He neither smiled nor frowned, offering only a brief, acknowledging nod. Derek didn’t seem offended in the least.

He had read enough about Zhao Li Xin’s profile to know that this reaction was expected. From friends who worked in the media, he had heard that Zhao Li Xin was an extremely reclusive and unsociable man, and ti’ll this day he still refused every interview coming for him; clearly, he did not care what the public thought of him.

Still, none of it seemed strange. For a genius like Zhao Li Xin, such quirks were almost expected. After all, weren’t all geniuses like that?

"Y–yes," Myra said, recovering herself and looking up again, though more carefully this time. "The truth is I’m one of your biggest fans, Mr. Zhao. We would be truly honored if you would attend our party."

She extended a white envelope toward them. Its surface was decorated with delicate pink and golden flower embroidery, a little be ostentatious and gaudy.

Zhao Li Xin made no move to take it. He neither accepted nor rejected the invitation, remaining silent and unmoved. It wasn’t that he meant to be rude; he simply had a long-ingrained habit of never accepting anything directly from strangers. Usually, the Mong brothers handled such matters for him.

It was Lory who thoughtfully stepped in, accepting the envelope with a polite smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Worthington. If we have the time, we’ll come," she said smoothly.

Understanding that the conversation had reached its natural end, Myra nodded at once. "Of course — of course. We’d be very happy to see you there."

Lory returned the gesture with a friendly nod, and moments later, Myra and Derek waved their hands in a friendly manner before leaving. Once their figures disappeared beyond the gate, Lory lowered her gaze to the invitation resting in her hands, its crisp edges catching the light.

Zhao Li Xin closed the door behind them and looked at her. "A housewarming party?" he asked mildly. "People do that here?"

"Yeah. You never do that," Lory said, giving him a sideways look.

"Have you ever seen me invite people to my manor?" Zhao Li Xin replied evenly.

"Touche?," Lory nodded in concession.

He glanced at the invitation again, expression unreadable. "So what do you think the intention of this party is?" Zhao Li Xin asked. "Just to get to know the neighbors?"

"Well, just like in your world. For people in our position, parties are a way to expand influence, build new connections—" She puffed out her chest and lifted her chin dramatically, striking a deliberately ridiculous pose. "—and they’re also a means to show off wealth. Look how rich I am. Oh, and bringing you over would make them look cultured..."

Zhao Li Xin chuckled softly at her antics. "So they’re using me, huh?" He was used to such things and didn’t take it seriously.

"Yup!" Lory plopped herself onto the sofa, lying into a comfortable position and lifting her feet onto the cushions. Zhao Li Xin sat beside her, naturally drawing her legs over his lap and beginning to massage them with practiced, effortless ease.

She relaxed instantly.

So," he asked calmly, his hands warm and steady as they worked over her foot, "do you think we should go?"

His finger pressed down on an acupoint, and Lory’s body jerked. "Ah—yes." She shut her eyes, instantly relaxing before adding, more, "I think it’s fine. I’m guessing there will be many neighbors come... who knows, some of them might be our enemies."

"You think the enemy is one of our neighbors?" Zhao Li Xin’s brows furrowed, though his hands didn’t stop.

"Well, if I were in their position, I’d stay close to watch my target," Lory said, pursing her lips. Then her body jolted again as his thumb pressed in. "Ah—don’t go so hard, Li Xin," she whined.

Unfortunately, her whining in Zhao Li xin’s ears sounded far too coquettish, and the chosen words were giving too much for the imagination. Zhao Li Xin took a slow, controlled breath and focused his mind.

"So you want to observe them at the party, see if there’s anyone suspicious, right?"

"Yes," Lory replied. "Last night’s attack felt more like a greeting, I think; they just want to test our abilities. Though I guess the explosion happened because they did not expect such a strong counterattack from you." She spoke thoughtfully, analyzing even as she melted into the massage.

"Then the next attack will be more intense than the last," Zhao Li Xin said, already calculating several possibilities, his hands still working on her foot.

"Ah—yes, right there," her body trembled, then she accidentally spoke in a sultry voice. "Yes—right there, honey. That’s the spot. Hm, harder..."

Zhao Li Xin’s breathing became heavier as he tried to maintain his calm. "Then we must figure out where the enemy is hiding."

"Yes," Lory subconsciously moaned as the tension in her feet eased greatly, "Oh, it feel so good, babe..." She subconsciously let out a contented sigh.

Her healing ability could relieve her pain and heal her wounds, but it cannot give a comfortable feeling like Zhao Li Xin’s amazing massage.

"Do it more, honey," Lory said, intending nothing more than a request for him to move to her arms.

Yet the mistiness in her eyes, the languid curve of her smile, carried an unintentional allure. Zhao Li Xin’s hands paused for the briefest moment, his self-control finally snapped.

"That’s it!" Zhao Li Xin’s expression darkened. He stood abruptly, cutting off the massage, and without a word, swept Lory up from the couch.

"Huh—?" Lory blinked, startled, arms instinctively wrapping around his neck. "What—Where are we going?"

"To the bedroom," Zhao Li Xin replied flatly.

Confusion only deepened. Lory stared at him blankly. "But I’m not sleepy..."

"We’re not going to sleep," Zhao Li Xin answered calmly, but the speed of her pace was unmistakable.

"....?"