The moment Jiang Xuan saw Xia Xiaoyu, he immediately became alert. But when he noticed the golden glow in her eyes was normal, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. There was no big problem. In this state, Xia Xiaoyu was still that silly, rich sponsor who was easy to fool.
Jiang Xuan quickly calmed his emotions and looked at Xia Xiaoyu. “Xiaoyu, coming to my room in the middle of the night like this… don’t you know that men and women shouldn’t be so intimate? Last time, I let it go because we grew up together as childhood sweethearts. I didn’t make a fuss about your inappropriate behavior. But I didn’t expect that my tolerance would actually encourage you. If you leave my room now, I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything tonight.”
Hearing Jiang Xuan’s words, Xia Xiaoyu’s golden eyes flickered slightly, revealing a hint of grievance. Then she lowered her head and apologized, “Brother Xuan, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have barged into your room without permission. I just missed you too much.”
“Alright, alright, just leave now. On the account of our childhood bond, I’ll forgive you this time. But there must be no next time.”
As Jiang Xuan spoke, he didn’t notice the sly gleam that flashed across Xia Xiaoyu’s eyes. Xia Xiaoyu turned as if preparing to leave. Seeing this, Jiang Xuan nodded with satisfaction. In his view, Xia Xiaoyu was still as obedient and easy to handle as ever. She was exactly the kind of sponsor he liked.
Jiang Xuan even fantasized: if all his previous sponsors had been as easy to manage as Xia Xiaoyu, life would have been much easier.
However, just as Xia Xiaoyu reached the door, she suddenly stopped. “Brother Xuan, I’m sorry. I’ve realized my mistake. Tomorrow morning, I’ll go to the Nangong family personally to help clear up the misunderstanding for you.”
“Xiaoyu, there’s no need for that. I’ve already explained everything clearly.”
“Is that so? I just happen to have a little something I want to give to Sister Liuyun. I believe she’ll really like it.”
Jiang Xuan: ???
As Jiang Xuan was still wondering when Xia Xiaoyu became so close to Nangong Liuyun, Xia Xiaoyu infused a bit of spiritual power into the recording stone in her hand. Instantly, an image appeared in Jiang Xuan’s room. When Jiang Xuan saw the contents of the recording, his pupils shrank slightly, and he froze on the spot.
Xia Xiaoyu sighed softly. “This is the most precious recording stone I have. It captured the brief moment I shared with Brother Xuan yesterday. I hope Sister Liuyun will like it when I give it to her as a gift. Don’t worry, Brother Xuan. I’ll explain everything clearly. I’ll make sure Sister Liuyun doesn’t misunderstand us. We’re really just childhood sweethearts who grew up together.”
Jiang Xuan: !!!
From the moment he saw the recording, every word Xia Xiaoyu said made Jiang Xuan’s heart race. Realizing the danger, he hurried forward to stop Xia Xiaoyu from leaving.
“Xiaoyu, since you’re already here, I think I haven’t properly welcomed you yet. Why don’t you stay a little longer and have a chat with me?”
“But… Brother Xuan, didn’t you just say that men and women shouldn’t be too close? I’m afraid staying here longer might harm your reputation. Maybe I should go.”
“What are you saying? That rule only applies to strangers. You’re my childhood sweetheart. Of course, it’s different. Come, sit here and relax.”
With that, Jiang Xuan took Xia Xiaoyu’s hand and pressed her down onto a wooden chair. Then he quickly brought out a tea set and personally brewed a pot of spirit tea for her.
“Xiaoyu, sorry for the poor reception. You came so suddenly, and I was a little groggy from sleep. I almost forgot to entertain you properly.”
“Is that so? But Brother Xuan, you’ve never treated me this warmly before. I… I feel a little flattered.”
Jiang Xuan: …
The atmosphere became awkward for a moment after Xia Xiaoyu said that. Jiang Xuan quickly added, “Before… it was my fault. I was too reserved. Now I realize you’re my childhood sweetheart. Of course, you’re different from others.”
“I never thought Brother Xuan would one day brew tea for me personally. But… I don’t want just tea. I want you.”
Jiang Xuan: ????
Hearing Xia Xiaoyu’s straightforward words, Jiang Xuan froze. For a while, he didn’t know how to respond. Was it necessary to be this direct?
Thankfully, Jiang Xuan reacted quickly and asked, “Xiaoyu, is the spirit tea not to your liking? I can brew another type for you.”
“Hmm? Brother Xuan, didn’t you understand what I meant? Then how about this — you feed me the spirit tea yourself, okay?”
“No problem, that’s easy.”
Without hesitation, Jiang Xuan brought the tea to Xia Xiaoyu’s lips. But at that moment, Xia Xiaoyu’s tone changed.
“Although I’ve always trusted Brother Xuan, your attitude today has changed so much. I have to be a little cautious. How about you take a sip of the tea first?”
Hearing her words, Jiang Xuan was shocked. Was this still the silly, rich Xia Xiaoyu he knew?
How could just one day of not seeing her make her so sharp? She was even cautious to this extent?
Still, Jiang Xuan hadn’t tampered with the tea. She was his childhood sweetheart, after all. He would never use underhanded tricks on her. But Xia Xiaoyu’s distrust was something Jiang Xuan could take advantage of. If handled well, he could make her feel guilty and smoothly take back that dangerous recording stone.
Only by controlling that recording stone himself could he truly be at ease. Otherwise, if Nangong Liuyun found out, it would be a disaster.
Putting on a look of shame and anger, Jiang Xuan stared at Xia Xiaoyu. “Fine! After so many years as childhood sweethearts, you still doubt me? I sincerely brewed tea for you, and you don’t even trust me!”
“Xia Xiaoyu, I didn’t expect you to see me like this. Fine, I’ll show you how ridiculous your suspicion is. I’ll drink it myself!”
After speaking, Jiang Xuan, looking deeply aggrieved, grabbed the cup of tea and drank it all in one gulp.
Just as he was preparing to continue scolding her according to his plan, his lips were suddenly sealed.
After a moment, Xia Xiaoyu slowly let him go. Her golden eyes sparkled with happiness as she gently licked her lips and gazed at Jiang Xuan.
“Brother Xuan, the spirit tea tastes great. Thank you for the treat.”
Jiang Xuan: ????
Everything Jiang Xuan had prepared to say was completely disrupted by Xia Xiaoyu’s unexpected move. It took him a while to recover. Only then did Jiang Xuan realize that he, the one who thought he was manipulating her, had just been teased by his supposedly silly childhood sweetheart.
[What the hell is going on? Xia Xiaoyu’s change is way too big!]
[I’m doomed. After that move just now, the roles have completely reversed. I can’t even see through her behavior anymore.]
Meanwhile, Xia Xiaoyu softly asked, “Brother Xuan, did you meet Nangong Liuyun today? Did you spend time alone with her?”
Jiang Xuan quickly denied, “No… no, we didn’t spend time alone.”
“Is that so? I was just asking casually. She is Brother Xuan’s fiancée after all. It’s normal for you to be alone with her.”
Jiang Xuan: …
Just as Jiang Xuan sighed in relief, Xia Xiaoyu’s voice sounded again.
“By the way, Brother Xuan, do you think Sister Liuyun would be happy if I gave her this recording stone as a gift?”
At that moment, Jiang Xuan really wanted to tell Xia Xiaoyu straight out what the consequences would be if she gave that recording stone away.
But even if he said it, she probably wouldn’t believe him. This Saintess of the Hundred Flowers Sect was way too confident.
According to Jiang Xuan’s understanding of Nangong Liuyun, if Xia Xiaoyu actually gave her that recording stone, she would likely be split into two halves, and then still apologetically say something like:
[Sorry, I didn’t let Sister Liuyun fully enjoy herself.]
Originally, Jiang Xuan was going to respect others’ choices and not interfere. But now he was involved too. In the recording stone’s footage, he was also present. Worse, because of the tricky camera angle, it looked like he hadn’t resisted at all.
Damn it, he clearly remembered trying to resist back then!
Now Jiang Xuan had only one option left: stop Xia Xiaoyu from doing something so stupid that would drag him down too.
After weighing the pros and cons, Jiang Xuan calmed himself and smiled warmly.
“Xiaoyu, giving the recording stone to Liuyun would be a waste. We grew up together. Why don’t you give it to me instead?”
Hearing this, Xia Xiaoyu gave Jiang Xuan a teasing look.
“Oh? Brother Xuan wants this thing? Sure, but… I wonder if you can afford the price I ask?”
As she spoke, Xia Xiaoyu gently hugged Jiang Xuan. Jiang Xuan, not understanding her intentions, didn’t resist and asked softly, “What do you want in exchange? This thing is indeed precious. How about one billion High-grade Spirit Stones?”
“Brother Xuan, talking to me about Spirit Stones really makes me sad. You should know, I never cared about material things.”
As she spoke, Xia Xiaoyu’s hands started to wander boldly. After a moment, she whispered, “Tonight, I want to stay here. Brother Xuan, you won’t refuse, right?”
Jiang Xuan: !!!