After the White Lotus Drops the Act

With the old man present, and considering how openly he favored her, Tang You had no choice but to fully commit to her role as the delicate little flower deeply infatuated with Xiao Zexing.

She stole a quick glance at him before shyly lowering her head.

The moment Old Master Xiao saw Xiao Zexing, the smile on his face vanished completely.

His lips tightened, and his gaze darkened.

With a cold snort, he said, “So you still remember to come back? That massive national forest reserve project in Xicheng—you just decided to go ahead with it on your own. Do you even take me seriously?”

He had planned to continue scolding him, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Tang You and hesitated.

After all, Zexing was still technically Youyou’s elder. Criticizing him like this in front of the younger generation wasn’t appropriate.

He shot Xiao Zexing a fierce glare before softening his tone as he turned to Tang You. “Youyou, I have some things to take care of here. You should head back first.”

Tang You was more than happy to comply. She immediately stood up and obediently said, “Okay. Goodbye, Grandpa.”

From start to finish, Xiao Zexing only glanced at her once when he walked in.

As soon as Tang You left, Old Master Xiao was about to resume lecturing his son when Xiao Zexing spoke first. “If your sources were a little more up-to-date, you’d know that I didn’t just take on the forest reserve project. I also developed two ecological complexes.”

Old Master Xiao’s expression changed. “What exactly are you trying to do?”

“Nothing,” Xiao Zexing chuckled. “I just predicted that the market for the new city would be promising. So I simply got a head start on securing land for future development.”

Old Master Xiao was taken aback by the implication in his words. “You bought land? How much?”

Xiao Zexing didn’t answer. Instead, he asked, “Do you have anything else to say?”

Old Master Xiao was infuriated by Xiao Zexing’s indifferent attitude, as well as the fact that he had undertaken such a massive project without informing him.

With his strong desire for control and explosive temper, Old Master Xiao could not tolerate being defied. He grabbed a book from the table and threw it.

Xiao Zexing didn’t dodge. The spine of the book struck his forehead, leaving a small cut.

“Well, it looks like you don’t have anything else to say,” Xiao Zexing said with a careless smile. “I’ll be going now—Elder Brother is waiting for me to have a drink.”

That one sentence hit Old Master Xiao’s sore spot, sending him into a fit of rage as he cursed furiously.

“Take care of your health,” Xiao Zexing replied indifferently. “I know what I’m doing. I won’t bring shame to the Xiao family.”

This time, Old Master Xiao was truly livid. In his fury, he flung everything within reach until his desk was completely cleared.

Xiao Zexing opened the door. As soon as he stepped out, he saw Tang You standing by the entrance.

A book came hurtling out from behind him, grazing his sleeve before landing heavily at his feet.

Startled by the sudden movement, Tang You flinched, then immediately straightened up like a soldier at attention.

Xiao Zexing casually shut the door behind him. The next round of flying books crashed against the door panel instead.

The room was well soundproofed, so Tang You couldn’t hear what was being said inside. She could only see the faint trace of blood on Xiao Zexing’s forehead—and the book that had just been thrown out.

Her heart skipped a beat, filled with excitement and joy.

Holy crap, did he get hit because he brought up breaking off the engagement again? Am I finally about to be free?!

This is the perfect chance to strike while the iron is hot! Fan the flames! Kick him while he’s down!

Suppressing her inner glee, Tang You shakily took a clean tissue from her small bag, stood on tiptoe, and reached up to wipe his wound.

“Did Grandpa hit you? Does it hurt?” she asked softly.

Xiao Zexing noticed how her hands were trembling.

The soft, clean tissue pressed gently against his forehead.

The wound wasn’t deep—just a small cut with barely any blood.

Tang You strained to lift her arm higher, standing on her toes, her mind in turmoil.

Damn it.

Why is he so freaking tall? My arm is sore, my legs are tired—please, I beg you, isn’t this enough of a delicate white-flower act to make you hate me?

Her aching limbs distracted her from the way Xiao Zexing’s gaze darkened.

She didn’t even realize that he had leaned down slightly—enough that she wouldn’t have needed to stand on her toes at all to reach his wound.

The petite girl stretched up with all her might, tilting her face up. Her eyes were filled with undisguised concern and careful attentiveness.

Her soft lips, her thick, curled lashes—

She looked like a tiny strawberry, just beginning to ripen, a touch of sweetness mixed with youthful tartness.

Xiao Zexing reached up and pressed down on the tissue—

And on the hand beneath it.

Her delicate fingers, separated only by the soft tissue, were firmly grasped.

A sudden sense of pressure enveloped her.

A faint scent of alcohol clung to him, growing more noticeable with their close proximity.

Like touching an open flame, Tang You recoiled instantly, pulling her hand back.

She lowered her head, sensing that something about the atmosphere felt off.

Above her, she heard the man’s low, quiet voice.

“Thank you.”

Tang You: “…You’re welcome.”

Still looking down, she caught a glimpse of his neatly pressed trousers and spotless leather shoes.

Xiao Zexing didn’t say another word to her. He simply turned and walked away.

Wait, hold on—why is Xiao Weijing so calm even after all her dramatics?

Did his tastes change??? Or has he maxed out his resistance to delicate white flowers?

Or… does she need to be even more of a manipulative little vixen?

Tang You couldn’t figure it out no matter how much she thought about it.