NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 90:
Chapter 90: Caught in Action! The Heroine Takes the Initiative:
“I can only take you this far. The Xu family villa is ahead, and you can’t enter without permission.” The driver spoke as Zheng Feifan nodded, paid, and stepped out of the car.
Approaching the Xu family residence, he avoided the main entrance and made his way to the surrounding wall, leaping over quietly.
He was eager to investigate Xu Hao. If Xu Hao turned out to be the one responsible for his father’s death… Memories of how Xu Hao had manipulated him, leading him around like a fool, flashed in his mind. The mere thought infuriated him.
Despite his suspicions coming from a simple warning from a friend, it had immediately made him think of Xu Hao. He felt an urgent need to uncover the truth.
Within the villa grounds, Zheng Feifan used his stealth skills from the underworld to move silently. He avoided the cameras, passed through pavilions, and was headed towards the villa when he suddenly stopped.
Xu Hao’s figure appeared before him, holding a woman tightly in his arms.
To his shock, the woman was none other than Xiao Wanling, the woman he admired. He remembered asking her why she frequently visited the Xu household, and she had happily explained that Xu Hao was teaching her tea-making.
Zheng Feifan focused on the scene before him.
Xu Hao was indeed teaching her, step by step—if “teaching” involved hugging. To anyone else, it might seem like they were sharing an intimate moment in broad daylight.
The realization hit him—if this was how Xu Hao taught tea-making every day, did it mean they hugged like this all the time?
His mind spun.
Though their relationship was only that of tenant and landlord, he had already considered Xiao Wanling as his woman. Watching her in another man’s arms felt like a betrayal.
Outwardly, Xu Hao had an excellent reputation—devoted to his wife, with no scandals. But now, it seemed he was no different, secretly engaging with a younger woman.
Zheng Feifan’s suspicions about Xu Hao’s involvement in his father’s death deepened.
[Ding! Zheng Feifan is furious. Emotional points +789…]
Xu Hao, meanwhile, noticed the system prompt in his mind and raised an eyebrow.
Realizing Zheng Feifan was watching from the shadows, he decided to play along. His personal bodyguard Bai Ling was nearby, and she was more than capable of handling any threat. Though Zheng Feifan might not be easily killed due to his protagonist’s aura, he was no real threat to Xu Hao.
Ideas swirled in Xu Hao’s mind.
When he noticed Xiao Wanling make a mistake in her tea preparation, he stepped in closer.
“Wanling, that’s not right. Do it this way…” he corrected her, leaning in so their faces were almost touching.
Watching this, Zheng Feifan grew furious. His entire body trembled as he tried to control his rage. Finally, he couldn’t hold back and stepped forward.
“What are you doing?!”
Xiao Wanling, deeply focused on her tea-making, was startled by the sudden outburst. She turned, and her lips accidentally brushed Xu Hao’s cheek.
Zheng Feifan’s face turned even greener.
Inwardly, he cursed himself for being so impulsive. If Xu Hao and Xiao Wanling really were just making tea, his outburst had only served to give Xu Hao the upper hand.
[Ding! Zheng Feifan’s hatred intensifies. Emotional value +879…]
[Ding! Zheng Feifan blames himself. Emotional value +97…]
Xiao Wanling, flustered at being caught so suddenly, felt like someone caught in an awkward position. But when she realized it was Zheng Feifan, she relaxed slightly. It could have been worse if it had been Su Wanqiu or the Xu sisters.
“Feifan, when did you get here?” she asked. Xu Hao, feigning surprise, spoke up.
“Don’t misunderstand. I’m just teaching tea-making. There’s nothing more to it.”
Xiao Wanling nodded in agreement. It was true. They hadn’t done anything beyond making tea.
However, Zheng Feifan was unconvinced.
“Since when does teaching tea-making involve hugging? What kind of teaching is this?” he sneered. “Xu Hao, you’re good at deceiving people.”
Xu Hao smiled wryly.
“Feifan, you’ve misunderstood. Close teaching helps with mastering the technique…” he explained.
Xiao Wanling, now irritated by Zheng Feifan’s tone, spoke up coldly.
“I asked Uncle Xu to teach me. This step-by-step method was my idea. What do you want?”
She had never liked Zheng Feifan, who always acted entitled as a tenant. His words made it sound as though Uncle Xu was a villain, when, in reality, she had asked for his help. Her request had included this hands-on teaching style.
“Can’t you see what Xu Hao is doing?” Zheng Feifan pressed. “He’s too old to be acting like this. He clearly has ulterior motives.”
Xiao Wanling’s patience snapped.
“Uncle Xu isn’t that kind of person. And even if he were… this is between us. Why do you care?” she retorted.
[Ding! Zheng Feifan’s mood drops. Emotional value +432…]
Zheng Feifan froze, feeling a mix of bitterness and helplessness. He had no right to interfere in her affairs, no matter how much he cared. To her, he was just a tenant with overdue rent. Despite his good intentions, he realized he was nothing more than an outsider.
To Zheng Feifan, it was clear—Xiao Wanling had fallen for Xu Hao’s tricks. He reflected bitterly on how even he, once a mercenary boss with years of experience in the dark world, had been deceived by Xu Hao. Fooling a kind, innocent girl like Xiao Wanling would be child’s play for someone like him.
Just as he was stewing in disappointment, Xu Hao’s voice cut through his thoughts.
“Wanling, don’t blame Feifan. He was just looking out for you, worried you’d be tricked by me…” Xu Hao’s words were perfectly timed.
Xiao Wanling, fearing that Xu Hao might misunderstand, immediately distanced herself from Zheng Feifan.
“Uncle Xu, don’t get the wrong idea. I have nothing to do with him,” she explained quickly. “He’s just one of my tenants. I rented to him because he seemed pitiful. Even though he has money, he always finds ways to avoid paying rent.”
After a brief pause, she added, “Please, Uncle Xu, don’t defend him. He’s just a troublemaker. If I had known, I wouldn’t have rented to a beggar like him.”
Each word was like a dagger to Zheng Feifan’s heart.
Wasn’t she supposed to have only a teacher-student relationship with Xu Hao?
Why was she so anxious to clarify things?
Then a realization struck him—the beautiful landlady had fallen for Xu Hao.
Why?
How could an old man like Xu Hao attract her?
Meanwhile, he, a young man in his prime, was being ignored.
Anger surged within him, but he also grudgingly admitted that Xu Hao was good at what he did. Xu Hao had won her over by appealing to her interest in tea art, teaching her step by step, and building a connection over time.
Xu Hao silently thought, “Exactly as you imagined.”
[Ding! Zheng Feifan is furious. Emotional value +879…]
Zheng Feifan’s rage was barely contained, but Xu Hao’s calm voice interrupted again.
“Feifan, this isn’t right,” he said, feigning concern. “Your father left you billions, yet you’re living off someone else’s rent?” He continued, “Now that things are clear, I’d still like to hear you call me Uncle Xu…”
Zheng Feifan’s face darkened.
Did Xu Hao really think he could fool him again?
Hearing Xu Hao bring up his father’s death reignited his rage, but before he could act, a figure appeared beside Xu Hao. It was Bai Ling, Xu Hao’s personal bodyguard, her cold eyes trained on him.
Zheng Feifan felt a chill run through him. This woman’s presence was dangerous. Despite having trained with skilled masters, he sensed her strength far surpassed his. Now wasn’t the time to make Xu Hao his outright enemy—not until he had proof.
“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to, Xu Hao. Just hope I never find out you had a hand in my father’s death.”
Xu Hao feigned innocence.
“Feifan, what are you saying? Your father and I were good friends, almost like brothers. How could I harm him?”
In the past, Zheng Feifan might have been fooled. Now, all he saw was a hypocrite. Clenching his fists, he suppressed the urge to attack. Bai Ling’s presence was a clear reminder of the futility of a direct confrontation.
“Enough pretending, Xu Hao.” Zheng Feifan spat.
Xiao Wanling’s patience had worn thin.
“Leave, Feifan. You’re not welcome here. Don’t interrupt Uncle Xu’s lessons.”
Each word was another stab to Zheng Feifan’s heart. He bit back his anger, shot a final glare at Xu Hao, and turned to leave. As he walked away, he heard Xiao Wanling’s voice, faint but cutting.
“Uncle Xu, how did you even meet someone like that? He’s clearly not a good person. Please don’t associate with him.”
“Uncle Xu, let’s finish our lesson.”
“Oh, hold me close.”
Hearing this, Zheng Feifan could already picture the scene. Pain and bitterness consumed him.
[Ding! Zheng Feifan is in despair. Emotional value +987…]
He left the Xu family villa with determination. He was now certain that Xu Hao was connected to his father’s death. He had to uncover the truth and expose Xu Hao’s real face.
…
In the courtyard, Xu Hao finished teaching Xiao Wanling another tea-making technique.
“Uncle Xu, let’s keep going. I can feel I’m close to mastering it,” she said enthusiastically.
“Practice on your own for a while. I need a break.” Xu Hao replied, waving her off. He needed to plan his next move against the protagonist.
Sensing his troubled mood, Xiao Wanling approached, gently holding his arm.
“Don’t worry about him, Uncle Xu. It’s all his fault,” she said soothingly. Hoping to cheer him up, she continued, “How about I help you relax?”
Xu Hao looked at her with slight surprise. Though this had happened before, it was the first time she offered it on her own. It felt like a breakthrough in their bond. Blushing slightly, Xiao Wanling lowered her head shyly but then led him toward the study.
…
In the study room, Xu Hao scrolled through his phone, checking reports. The agents he had sent to the imperial capital had succeeded.
Mr. Zhao, the head of Zhao Media, had been eliminated. Though Mr. Zhao had been under government control and would spend the rest of his life in prison, Xu Hao couldn’t take any chances. He preferred to eliminate all threats.
Putting away his phone, he noticed Xiao Wanling looking at him. He gently patted her head.
“Let’s continue.”
…
By evening, the four Xu sisters returned from their shopping spree, their arms full of bags.