The decision of who would impersonate Ye Chen had not been complicated.

Rather, it had been... forced upon her.

Initially, Zhang Xulin had no intention of taking that role. In fact, she had quietly assumed Yang Qingxi would handle it. After all, she knows her young miss treats Ye Chen like her enemy.

Who could be more familiar with a person?

Is it their friend? Family? Or lover?

Nope, none of them.

The one who knows a person best is their enemy.

Because of this, she felt Miss Yang was far more suited to imitate someone like Ye Chen.

However, that assumption lasted less than a minute.

"I refuse."

Yang Qingxi had said it flatly, without hesitation.

The reason was simple.

Although she could imitate his voice, his posture, and even his attitude to a certain degree.

But—

That smile.

That twisted, slightly tilted smirk that curved like a strange logo—half mocking, half arrogant, and entirely irritating.

There’s no way she could do it.

More importantly, she didn’t want to.

"I will not make that expression," she had said, her tone firm. "Even thinking about it is unpleasant."

Zhang Xulin had tried to argue briefly.

But Yang Qingxi had already made up her mind. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

In the end, the discussion ended with a simple condition.

A paid vacation.

Zhang Xulin had gone quiet at that moment.

Then she agreed.

Alright, that hit her weak spot.

For someone who had been working non-stop for most of the year, that condition was enough to make her overlook many things... including the need to imitate a deeply questionable smile.

Even now, thinking back on it, she still felt a bit emotional.

Forget it, a vacation was worth it, she told herself.

Even if it meant sacrificing her dignity for a few days.

---

Inside the hotel suite, the atmosphere was calm.

Richard stood slightly to the side. Casey remained near the table, her posture relaxed but alert. Rose leaned casually against the wall, while Jerry stood closer than necessary, his gaze fixed on the person he believed to be his "King."

"Good to see you, King."

Their greetings came almost at the same time.

Zhang Xulin had already removed her mask and cap. Ye Chen’s face was now fully visible.

Beside her, Yang Qingxi stood silently, now appearing as a robust man with a hardened expression. The transformation was convincing enough that none of the four suspected anything unusual. In their eyes, this was simply someone their King had recruited while in prison.

Zhang Xulin took a small breath.

Then, she smiled.

Or at least... tried to.

The corner of her lips lifted slightly, then twisted upward in an unnatural arc. It wasn’t quite right. The angle was there, but the feeling wasn’t.

She could tell.

Even without a mirror, she knew. She messed up.

Still, she forced herself to maintain it.

"Casey, Richard, Rose, Jerry," she said, her tone steady. "I’ve been waiting for you."

Casey and Richard exchanged a subtle glance.

They both smiled, but there was a hint of stiffness in it.

That smile again.

Their leader’s signature expression.

Annoying to look at, but unmistakably unique on his own.

Only this time... something about it felt slightly off.

They couldn’t pinpoint it, but the usual feeling wasn’t fully there. It felt like a pirated copy that was close to the original—but not exact.

Jerry noticed it too.

In fact, he noticed it first.

His brows furrowed slightly as he looked at "Ye Chen" more carefully.

Then he stepped forward a little, his face very close.

"My Lord," he said, his tone carrying a trace of concern, "has something happened?"

Zhang Xulin paused internally. ’As expected, I can’t do it... Miss, you are making it difficult for me.’

"What do you mean?" she asked, keeping her expression steady.

Jerry hesitated, then spoke honestly.

"Your smile... it doesn’t feel the same."

There was no accusation in his voice.

Only concern.

"It’s like... you’re forcing it."

Zhang Xulin’s eyelid twitched slightly.

Of course, I’m forcing it.

She resisted the urge to sigh.

At the same time, she remembered the intelligence report about Jerry.

Special note: This man is emotionally attached to Ye Chen.

Extremely attached.

Looking at his expression now, that note had been an understatement. He is basically obsessed.

Zhang Xulin suppressed her thoughts and responded in Ye Chen’s usual tone.

"The police have been a nuisance," she said calmly. "That’s all."

Jerry’s expression changed immediately. A hint of anger appeared.

"What? The police? My Lord! Just say the word," he said, stepping forward slightly. "I’ll deal with them. If they’ve made you unhappy, I can—"

"No need." Zhang Xulin cut him off.

"And Jerry," she added, her tone turning colder, "keep that face of yours away from me."

That line came naturally.

Or rather, she didn’t have to fake it.

The slight disgust in her voice was genuine.

For a moment, the room was quiet.

Then, Casey and Richard visibly relaxed.

That was the tone they were familiar with.

Direct. Unfiltered. Arrogant. Slightly harsh.

Yes, this felt right. The previous feeling of abnormality was indeed their imagination.

Jerry, however, reacted differently from a normal person would after being scolded.

Instead of being offended, his face flushed slightly.

"Ah... my Lord," he said, his voice lowering, "are you angry?"

He took another small step forward.

"If I’ve been impudent, then please... punish me."

"...."

A brief silence followed.

Yang Qingxi, standing beside Zhang Xulin, kept her expression unchanged.

But inwardly, she was already laughing.

So this is the famous Jerry...

Ye Chen’s "true love."

Even with prior knowledge, seeing it in person was still... impressive in its own way.

In a way, Jerry was also a tragic character in Ye Chen’s story.

’Ah, yes, the classic story.’

’The one who gives everything but gets nothing...’

’And the one being chased around is busy collecting a harem elsewhere.’

Her gaze flicked briefly toward Jerry.

’Watching the person you like, walk around with different women every other day... and still staying this devoted.’