"Specializing in targeting aristocratic youths?" Cherry Miller thought for a moment, then immediately shared her analysis: "Why would they do that? Are they trying to make money? Young noble heirs are impulsive by nature, and when something catches their interest, they're willing to spend a lot on it. So, are they doing this to create a steady stream of income?"
"I've suspected that too," Ethan Yin nodded. "I've found that this organization's cash flow is enormous, so it's not impossible. And those who've become addicted really do spend a lot. You're right, none of these people lack money, and if they're interested, they'll spend without hesitation."
Cherry Miller asked, "How many cases have happened so far? What happens to those who get addicted?"
"From what I know, there are already over a hundred cases in several southern cities. They've even formed their own little circle, recruiting each other. As for the consequences, they're different for everyone. That group seems very skilled at digging out a person's dark side, using all sorts of methods—some use seduction, some use extreme thrills. But one thing is always the same: once someone gets hooked, it's like they've become a whole new person, completely unrecognizable to family and friends. It's like a second personality."
Cherry Miller shivered. "That's terrifying! I can't believe something like this is happening."
"Yes," Ethan Yin nodded. "There's no way to explain this clearly, and I can't go through it with each of them one by one. So for now, I have to ask you to keep an eye on them for a while, make sure they don't have a chance to be approached by anyone from that group. If we're talking about money, who could be wealthier than the Yin and Mo families? If Yuzhen, Mo Yu, Mo Shuo, and Shaohuai are targeted, both families will be held back."
"I understand. Don't worry, as long as they're with me, I won't let anything happen to them," Cherry Miller said. "You said there's no news about Mr. Field—could it be..."
"I doubt it. Unless the Field Family has gone mad!" Ethan Yin's eyes darkened, a murderous intent flashing in his gaze. "If the Field Family really dares to do this, I'll make sure they pay the price!"
Cherry Miller comforted him, "No, no, we're definitely overthinking it. Besides, the Count would never allow something like that to happen."
"The Field Family isn't just the Count. The Grand Duke has three sons, and the Count is only one of them. Plus all the distant relatives, the whole family easily numbers in the thousands." Ethan Yin's voice grew colder. "What you said just reminded me—looks like I'll have to go to the Field Family myself in a few days. I want to see who dares to stop me from meeting Mr. Field!"
Cherry Miller took the initiative to hold Ethan Yin's hand, giving him confidence. "Unless they've lost their minds! If they go after Mr. Field, it's basically declaring war on the Yin family."
"Mm." Ethan Yin squeezed Cherry Miller's hand in return. "Don't spread this around for now, we don't want to alert the enemy. But if those troublesome kids make any moves, you have to let me know right away."
"I will," Cherry Miller nodded. "I'll come up with all sorts of excuses to keep them at Sunset Manor. Usually, they never refuse my requests."
"Thank you for your hard work." Ethan Yin patted Cherry Miller's head and said, "Don't let Yinuo hear about this either. I want to see if anyone dares to mess with my Yin family."
"Okay," Cherry Miller agreed softly.
At this very moment.
Leo and Theo Mo were in their room playing games when an old teammate called. "Leo, Theo, what have you two been up to lately? Haven't seen you around at all!"
Leo replied, "Didn't we tell you? We've been farming! My brother and I have been helping out with Ethan's crops!"
"Tsk tsk, what kind of hobby is that!" The friend clicked his tongue. "Don't say I never look out for you! I joined this awesome group recently—it's super fun. If you follow their instructions, you can awaken memories from your past life! A bunch of us joined, some were generals, some were gangsters in their past lives. Want to try it together?"
Theo refused, "No way, we've still got farming to do!"
Sherry Yuan nodded and turned to leave.
"Wait a sec!" Shang Xiaojin suddenly called out to Yuan Shisan.
Sherry Yuan turned to look at him, her eyes clearly asking: Need something?
"I’m not very good at peeling fruit…" Shang Xiaojin blurted out, not sure what else to say.
Sherry Yuan nodded knowingly, quietly opened the fridge in the kitchen, and took out a mango and a pineapple, glancing at Shang Xiaojin for his choice.
She was asking which one he wanted.
Shang Xiaojin nodded, "Either is fine."
Without another word, Sherry Yuan picked up the knife on the table, her fingers moving deftly. In no time, she’d peeled both the mango and pineapple, cutting them into neat, even pieces and arranging them on a plate.
Sherry Yuan pushed the plate forward and turned to leave.
Shang Xiaojin picked up the plate and took a bite. So sweet.
Shang Xiaojin stared at Sherry Yuan’s retreating figure, lost in thought.
He knew that, even as the Shang family heir, able to grow up, study, eat, and play with the heirs of the Yin, Mo, and Jing families,
he was still different from the others.
No matter if it was Charles Yin or Ethan Yin, they were free. Their families didn’t care what they did, or didn’t do.
Even with Mo Yu and Mo Shuo’s unknown birth mother, the Mo family never interfered in their private lives.
Even when Mo Yu and Mo Shuo searched for their birth mother, the family didn’t try to control them.
They were free.
The Yin and Mo families gave them all the respect they deserved.
But he was different.
His birth was never accepted by his father.
His grandmother was strict, controlling everything from his friends to what he ate, wore, and where he lived. He had to obey her every word.
He longed for freedom.
But he couldn’t have it.
No wonder his father left the Shang family. No wonder he still refused to return—it was suffocating.
The first time he met Sherry Yuan, he could tell she was just as lonely as he was.
That loneliness came from deep within the soul—instinctive, wary, and always pushing others away.
But Sherry Yuan was luckier than him.
She only had one boss, the easygoing Yin Yinuo.
As long as Yin Yinuo didn’t restrict her, she was free.
That kind of freedom made Shang Xiaojin look at Sherry Yuan again and again, unable to hide his envy.
Only someone like him could truly understand her—and envy so easily turns into something more.
Shang Xiaojin didn’t even realize how much more he was paying attention to Yuan Shisan.
Especially tonight, Yuan Shisan sensed his loneliness, understood it, and without asking anything, quietly peeled the fruit for him.
That rare understanding warmed Shang Xiaojin’s lonely heart just a little.
If only he could talk to her more in the future. Wouldn’t that be great?
Shang Xiaojin thought to himself.
Back in his room, Shang Xiaojin passed by Charles Yin’s room and saw him snoring away, hugging his pillow.
What a carefree guy.
But maybe that’s not so bad.
Since he was little, Charles Yin knew most of the Yin family fortune had nothing to do with him.
As long as he behaved and pleased his aunt, he’d be just fine.
Living a happy, carefree life as a rich kid was enough for him.
Plus, as a member of the Yin family, his marriage would be good, and no one would interfere with his freedom.
He really was someone to envy!
Seeing the daily messages from his grandmother on his phone, always on schedule, Shang Xiaojin felt a wave of suffocation in his chest.
Her constant, shadow-like concern—he was really fed up.
But he didn’t dare rebel. He couldn’t.
Without the Shang family, he was nothing.
He might not even be able to keep his mother safe.
Shang Xiaojin gripped his phone tightly and, as always, obediently and mechanically replied to his grandmother’s message.
Only someone like him could truly understand her—and envy so easily turns into something more.
Shang Xiaojin didn’t even realize how much more he was paying attention to Yuan Shisan.
Especially tonight, Yuan Shisan sensed his loneliness, understood it, and without asking anything, quietly peeled the fruit for him.
That rare understanding warmed Shang Xiaojin’s lonely heart just a little.
If only he could talk to her more in the future. Wouldn’t that be great?
Shang Xiaojin thought to himself.
Back in his room, Shang Xiaojin passed by Charles Yin’s room and saw him snoring away, hugging his pillow.
What a carefree guy.
But maybe that’s not so bad.
Since he was little, Charles Yin knew most of the Yin family fortune had nothing to do with him.
As long as he behaved and pleased his aunt, he’d be just fine.
Living a happy, carefree life as a rich kid was enough for him.
Plus, as a member of the Yin family, his marriage would be good, and no one would interfere with his freedom.
He really was someone to envy!
Seeing the daily messages from his grandmother on his phone, always on schedule, Shang Xiaojin felt a wave of suffocation in his chest.
Her constant, shadow-like concern—he was really fed up.
But he didn’t dare rebel. He couldn’t.
Without the Shang family, he was nothing.
He might not even be able to keep his mother safe.
Shang Xiaojin gripped his phone tightly and, as always, obediently and mechanically replied to his grandmother’s message.