The Billionaire's Debt-Bound Lover

The Yi mansion was ablaze with lights. Laughter and music drifted faintly from the front hall; tonight was destined to be a sleepless night, and one that would irrevocably change the course of Yi Lanyou’s life. ​"Miss, almost all the guests have arrived. The Master asks that you prepare to come downstairs," Uncle Fu, the Yi family butler, said as he tapped gently on the door. ​"Oh, I see. Uncle Fu, tell Grandfather I’ll be down in a moment," Yi Lanyou called out toward the door, her voice trembling slightly. ​Looking at her delicate but sorrowful reflection in the mirror, she knew she already regretted this. But for her mother to stay in the Yi family, and to save the family business, she was about to sacrifice a lifetime of happiness. Was it worth it? She could leave—she could abandon everything to seek her own joy—but then she remembered her mother clutching her father’s photo in her room, weeping and whispering, "He, I’m back." In that moment, she realized that only returning to the Yi family would bring her mother peace. Her mother had sacrificed too much for her; now, it was her turn to hold up the sky for her mother. ​"Master, the young lady is ready and can come down at any time. Has that... important guest arrived yet?" Uncle Fu had been Yi Bao’s right-hand man since the days they were building their empire. Now that they were old, he remained by Yi Bao’s side; their bond had long transcended that of master and servant—they were more like brothers. ​"Not yet. I fear he may not want to give us a chance to survive," the old man sighed. He had organized this banquet under the guise of celebrating the return of his long-lost granddaughter, but in reality, it was a desperate bid to save the Yi enterprise from falling into the hands of others. The arrival of this key figure would determine the life or death of the family. ​"But we have a feud with the Han family. Marrying the young lady off to him... wouldn't that be..." Uncle Fu knew the history between the two families. Knowing the young lady had been secretly promised to a man from a rival house made him uneasy. After all, those were the grudges of the previous generation; Yi Lanyou was innocent. ​"Ah Fu, I know what you mean. But can you bear to watch the empire we fought fifty years for be snatched away?" The old man grew agitated, though his voice was laced more with helplessness and resentment. ​"This disaster was brought upon us by her mother in the first place. I’ve been generous enough just by letting them return. Is it really so wrong to use her daughter to save our business?" A flash of ruthlessness flickered in his eyes. ​"Yes, Master. I shouldn't have overstepped," Uncle Fu bowed helplessly and stepped back to the old man's side. ​"Master! Master! The young master of the Han family has arrived!" an attendant shouted, running in breathlessly. ​"Finally!" Yi Bao let out a sigh of relief. It seemed they had a glimmer of hope after all. ​With the screech of brakes, a black Lamborghini pulled up elegantly outside the gates. Han Yuming stepped out of the car, his long legs tracing a perfect arc. A faint, arrogant yet composed smile spread across his face, and his Armani suit made his tall, handsome frame look even more imposing. ​He walked around to the passenger side, helped a woman out, and tucked her hand into the crook of his arm, not forgetting to flash her a tender, melting smile. ​The moment they appeared at the door, they became the center of attention. The men, naturally, were leering at the sexy beauty by Han Yuming’s side. She wore a shimmering black fringed dress with a V-neck that plunged to her chest, offering a tantalizing glimpse of skin. With her snowy complexion, golden curls, and vibrant sea-blue eyes, she was the picture of perfection. ​Han Yuming was satisfied with the reaction of the men present. He was a perfectionist; whatever he did and wherever he went, he demanded the absolute best—and his companions were no exception. Of course, he would never allow himself to be overshadowed. His confidence, his steady, rugged features, and his wicked smile had already set the hearts of every woman in the room fluttering. ​"Welcome, Young Master Han! I was afraid a busy man like you might have forgotten us and wouldn't show," Yi Bao greeted him immediately, handing Han Yuming a pre-poured glass of wine. ​"How could I? Master Yi has found his long-lost granddaughter—how could I forget such a momentous occasion?" Han Yuming took the red wine, swirling it gently in his hand. He knew the old fox had a scheme tonight, but he didn't want to expose it just yet. After all, watching prey suffer slowly before it dies is much more satisfying than a quick kill. Moreover, this was a rare, formidable opponent. It was something to look forward to. ​"Besides," he added, "I heard Miss Yi is a great beauty. How could I stay away from a place where a beauty is to be found?"