003: A ring—don't you recognize it?

Xiao Qi looked around in confusion. Ah, it seemed she’d been mistaken for someone else again. Still, now that she’d landed on Earth, having an identity was better than having none at all.

“I’m sorry, I was in a car accident five years ago and lost my memory, so you are…?”

“I’m your aunt,” Fang Yun replied, already aware of the accident, though surprised by her amnesia and even more by her recovery. But mostly, she was just happy. “Xiyang, have you been well these past years?”

“Yes, yes, I’ve been pretty good.”

“And now you…” Her phone rang. “Wait a moment, let me take this call.”

A minute later, she hung up and took Xiao Qi’s hand. “Xiyang, my restaurant opens tonight. We’re throwing a grand opening party—come, join the fun.”

“Ah? Me? I… I’ll go too?”

“Of course. Let’s go.”

Fang Yun had opened a restaurant, and the place was already lively inside. Xiao Qi gazed at the dazzling lights and the crowd of—

Wow, muscle men!

“Xiyang, why don’t you mingle with everyone for a bit? I’ll go check on something.”

“Alright!”

Little Bai poked its head out of the bag. “Xiao Qi, hurry and try your superpowers—see if they’re working.”

“Don’t rush. Look at all these muscle men, and the air thick with hormones… When I saved that man before, it was this same strong scent…”

“Xiao Qi, don’t forget—male hormones are a Class Ten controlled substance on Cape Town Star. It’s contraband. You can’t—”

“Oh, relax.” She bounced into the crowd, her excitement uncontained.

“Wow, Earthlings really do have amazing physiques!”

She admired the humans with a gaze as soft as silk, her eyes landing on the colorful array of drinks on the table. She picked one up and took a sip.

Hmm! Delicious.

She tipped her head back and downed the whole glass.

“Xiao Qi, you can’t drink that,” Little Bai scolded from her bag. “The Earth Survival Manual specifically warns that alcohol is a restricted substance—you mustn’t drink it.”

“But I already have!” Xiao Qi giggled, swaying a little as she fished Little Bai from her bag, her eyes sparkling. “This drink makes my head spin and I feel so excited. Earth’s alcohol is incredible!”

“Oh, beauty, you bring a kitten with you when you go out?” someone teased nearby.

“Wow, that kitten is adorable, let us hold it!”

Before she could respond, someone’s drink spilled over Little Bai.

Immediately, Little Bai began to spark and sizzle as if electrified.

The onlookers jumped back in fear.

“Little Bai? Little Bai!”

Little Bai did not respond.

Rage surged within Xiao Qi, and she shouted, “Who just spilled their drink? Step forward! I’ll stomp you into paste, smash you to bits, and hang your head from my belt…” She rattled off a string of threats, each more colorful than the last.

At that moment, a magnetic voice accompanied by the gentle strum of a guitar floated through the air.

Xiao Qi turned her head. On stage, a boy dressed in crisp white casuals, his skin fair as snow, stood with one long leg bent slightly, slender fingers dancing over the strings. His lips parted, releasing a melody that entranced the entire room.

Wow, a real-life prince!

Xiao Qi edged closer to him for a better view and to listen more intently.

The bustling restaurant suddenly grew warm and serene, everyone lost in the music.

Suddenly, the boy’s phone rang. He hurried off toward the restroom.

Huh? Where’s he going?

Xiao Qi watched him leave, lips pursed in disappointment.

“Bro, I was sleeping!” Lin Yiyang, the boy, ducked into the bathroom, closed the door, and answered his phone. “Tomorrow I’m going to the studio. The piece I’m creating will blend impressionism and fauvism.”

A calm, mature voice responded from the other end, “Sleeping? Then why do I hear music?”

“I, uh, just playing some light music to help me sleep. Bro, I’m going to bed now. See you tomorrow, bye.”

As he opened the bathroom door, a man in his thirties with dark circles under his eyes greeted him with a broad smile.

Meanwhile, Xiao Qi wandered out of the restaurant, her steps unsteady, and glimpsed the boy in the distance. “Hey, Prince?”

She hurried after him, then abruptly stopped.

Her large eyes darted around, then she closed them. Instantly, every car and pedestrian on the street froze in place.

Xiao Qi dashed toward Lin Yiyang.

Suddenly, a harsh, screeching sound erupted from the ground.

She turned her head—A black sedan had stopped just inches from her feet.

She looked up, utterly perplexed.

Why was he still able to move?

Lin Yichen had stood on the balcony for three hours before finally returning to his room. Before bed, he wanted to check if she was sleeping soundly, but found the bed empty.

He rushed out and started the car to search for her.

At that moment, his assistant, Fang Li, called to report that the young master had snuck out with his guitar, and he’d been following Lin Yiyang.

Lin Yichen called his brother, probing for answers.

As expected, his brother wasn’t telling the truth.

With no choice, he came out to look for him himself, never expecting to run into the very person he was so anxious to find.

As Lin Yichen stepped out of the car, Xiao Qi instinctively turned to run, but then seemed to change her mind and walked straight toward him.

Then—

A fair hand searched his body in a rather uncoordinated manner.

Huh? It’s not here? Maybe he left it at home?

Her slender hand was suddenly caught in a firm grip, a voice with a hint of mischief murmured, “If you’re going to search me, at least do it methodically. Hmm?”

“What?” She looked down to see his defined fingers wrapped around her wrist. A flush of embarrassment crept up her cheeks, and Xiao Qi’s face turned rosy.

Suddenly, the air between them felt subtly different.

Lin Yichen lowered his gaze to the girl’s long, curled lashes and her delicate, radiant face. His heart trembled, but he quickly released her hand, suppressing all stray thoughts.

He'd found her now—no need to scare her any further.

“Why did you come out here?”

“Ah? I, I couldn’t sleep, so I went for a walk. Um, I wanted to ask…”

Her words trailed off as she stared, stupefied, at her left ring finger.

There, a simple platinum band had appeared. The design was unadorned, with nothing ostentatious—just a circle of tiny diamonds nestled in delicate engravings. Yet, it looked unexpectedly elegant and refined.

Xiao Qi blinked, dumbfounded, at the ring glinting under the moonlight.

“What’s this?”

“A ring. Don’t you recognize it?”

“Of course I do,” Xiao Qi looked up at him. “But why are you giving me this?”

Lin Yichen frowned. “I meant to do this after you graduated from college…”

But before he could finish, the girl darted off.

“Ye Xiyang!” He chased after her with his long legs, but her figure vanished in the blink of an eye.

Suddenly, the cars and pedestrians around them resumed moving as if nothing had happened.

His dark eyes filled with disbelief.

“Mr. Lin,” Fang Li and Yiyang walked over. “When did you get here?”

Lin Yichen ignored the question. “Did either of you notice what just happened?”

Both shook their heads in confusion. Yiyang asked curiously, “Bro, what happened?”

“Nothing.” Lin Yichen withdrew his gaze. “Let’s get in the car.”

Yiyang wasn’t keen to get in, but he knew he couldn’t escape his brother’s watchful eye.

Xiao Qi stood on the street corner, gazing down at the ring on her finger, her chest tight with an overwhelming emotion.

Ye Xiyang? Everyone around you thinks I’m you. I’m new here, and without a familiar face, it’s so hard to find my signal transmitter.

So I’ll just borrow your identity for a while.