VBNWDW - Chapter 21
Chapter 21
If one were to use an analogy, Old Master Xi was like the final boss of this world.
When Luo Yueqing had analyzed the original world's plot, she had found Old Master Xi to be a formidable character.
He had lost his parents at a young age, yet he had dodged the schemes of his uncles time and again, growing up unscathed.
As a young man, he had voluntarily withdrawn from the Xi family's chaotic power struggles, enlisting in the army alone for several years. Upon his return, he had watched coldly as his only remaining elder uncle and second brother fought, only making his move at the last moment to seize control of the Xi family.
In his prime, he had single-handedly propped up the declining Xi family and cultivated an outstanding successor like Xi Zhoulu.
Someone had once joked that if Old Master Xi had been born in a chaotic era, he would have undoubtedly become a formidable figure whose name would shake a region.
It would be a lie to say Luo Yueqing felt no psychological pressure about meeting such a person, but she wasn't timid either. At the very least, she could sit calmly at the tea table and say politely, "Old Master Xi."
The person across the table heard her voice and finally shifted his gaze from the window, nodding slightly. "Miss Luo, hello."
He then pushed a wooden box on the table toward her. "I'm an old man, and I don't know what young people like you enjoy. I could only have someone help me pick something that caught my eye. If you don't like it, Miss Luo, don't hold it against me."
He looked up and smiled, adding, "You can just have Zhoulu take you to pick something else later."
Only then did Luo Yueqing get a clear look at him. Though he was over eighty, he looked like a man in his fifties or sixties, hale and energetic. Aside from a full head of white hair and a pair of murky, dim eyes, his age was not apparent at all.
He smiled faintly, yet he was more intimidating than someone scowling fiercely, like an aged tiger crouching on its throne, coldly observing the world.
"You're too kind…"
"It's just a proper meeting gift. At my age, I can't have people calling me stingy."
Luo Yueqing had just begun to speak when she was interrupted. Hearing his next words, she understood everything perfectly.
This Xi Yunting was truly petty. He had run straight to the old master to complain about her. Although she didn't know what he had said, judging by the situation, Old Master Xi was indeed quite displeased with her.
The curve of her lips flattened slightly. To his surprise, she took the wooden box and smiled. "It's tradition. As a junior, I can't break the rules, so I'll have to accept it for now."
Her tone shifted. "However, since it's a gift the old master had someone pick out, it must be something wonderful. I don't even need to open it to know I'll love it. Thank you for your trouble, Grandfather."
Luo Yueqing deftly handled his words and even got a free gift out of it.
Old Master Xi's eyelids twitched. When he heard her final form of address, his face instantly darkened.
When it came to infuriating people, Luo Yueqing had the upper hand.
Fingers like withered branches tapped on the tabletop. He squinted, sizing her up, then suddenly let out a cold laugh. "Miss Luo is a clever person."
"I wouldn't say clever. People often call me foolish," Luo Yueqing spouted nonsense with a straight face.
"If you weren't clever, my foolish son wouldn't have been so thoroughly deceived, losing both his wife and his possessions, only to come running to me to complain."
Old Master Xi's words were sharp. Perhaps due to his military past, he spoke quite directly, without the roundabout mannerisms of others in his social class.
"Compared to him, I am a little cleverer," Luo Yueqing accepted without the slightest hint of embarrassment.
This shamelessness left even the worldly Old Master Xi at a loss for words. Finally, he grumbled in a low voice, "You sharp-tongued little thing."
"What a coincidence. People often praise me for that. I also think my tongue is quite nimble," Luo Yueqing retorted even faster, her peach-blossom eyes curving up in a smile.
Old Master Xi opened his mouth, but finding he couldn't "praise" her any further, he could only let out a cold snort.
The person opposite him paid him no mind, instead turning her head to look out the window.
The old man knew how to enjoy life. He had chosen a small, two-story wooden teahouse by the city moat. Outside the window, the water rippled and willows swayed. Inside, bamboo curtains provided shade, the air filled with the sounds of a guzheng and the scent of sandalwood. New tea was served in antique cups. If not for the occasional person in modern clothes passing by, one might truly suspect they had traveled back in time.
Luo Yueqing lowered her head and took a sip of tea, then looked at the old master's gloomy face and unexpectedly uttered, "This tea is quite good. Would you like to try a sip?"
He had ordered the tea. How could he not know if it was good or not!
Old Master Xi picked up his teacup and set it down again, saying meaningfully, "No wonder Zhoulu took a liking to you."
She had far more courage than the younger generation from the prominent families he had arranged blind dates with. Those kids didn't even dare to look him in the eye, let alone talk back and argue.
"But…"
His tone shifted, and he barked sharply, "Not just anyone can enter the Xi family's doors."
"I haven't stepped inside," Luo Yueqing spread her hands with a helpless expression. She didn't even know where the Xi family's main gate was.
"Cough, cough, cough!" Old Master Xi suddenly broke into a fit of coughing. He raised a hand to point at Luo Yueqing but then lowered it.
Luo Yueqing was quick-witted. She immediately handed him a cup of tea. "I told you to have a couple of sips. It'll soothe your throat and you'll cough less."
This act of adding fuel to the fire immediately made Old Master Xi roar, "Luo Yueqing!"
"Here, here. Drink your tea, drink your tea," Luo Yueqing said, still holding the cup out to him.
Old Master Xi slapped her hand away. The teacup crashed to the floor, shattering into pieces. Brown tea splashed everywhere, creating a mess.
The surrounding bodyguards instantly stood up, staring at them with vigilance, looking ready to rush over at any moment.
The people on the first floor heard the noise but didn't hear any calls for help from upstairs, so they could only wait uncertainly at the foot of the stairs. Today, Old Master Xi, who hadn't been seen in a long time, had booked the entire second floor and instructed them not to disturb him if possible.
"Miss Luo, you're a smart person, so I won't beat around the bush," he said, his face cold as he raised his voice.
"You should understand that you cannot enter the Xi family's doors. If it weren't for your extremely high compatibility with Zhoulu, I would never have agreed to this marriage."
The smile on Luo Yueqing's lips faded, but there was no trace of surprise on her face. The original owner of the body had experienced this once before. However, she lacked Luo Yueqing's current shamelessness and could only bow her head in silence in the face of the old master's cold glares and harsh words.
"Zhoulu is a smart child and an excellent successor. From a young age, she has always known what she wants and what she needs to do to get it," he said, clasping his hands on the table and looking at Luo Yueqing.
"Perhaps Miss Luo has heard about how the Xi family once nearly fell into ruin. It was because of my low-grade elder uncle and second brother fighting over the family inheritance."
Remembering the past, a trace of mockery appeared on Old Master Xi's face, deepening the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. "Low grade means a foolish mind. That's why all my subordinates are high-grade elites. And the successor of the Xi family must be more outstanding than anyone else, with a high grade."
He continued, "You and Zhoulu are a high-grade Alpha and Omega with extremely high compatibility. Statistically, you are very likely to produce a high-grade child—a qualified heir for the Xi family."
Old Master Xi emphasized his words heavily. "This is the reason Zhoulu married you, and it was with my permission."
He raised his eyes, sizing up Luo Yueqing before adding, "But you are not qualified to be the matriarch of the Xi family."
He sneered. "A gambling addict for a father and a sickly mother."
"Zhoulu knows this in her heart. That's why she didn't even hold a wedding ceremony or bring you home to meet me. She just registered the marriage, took you to a banquet for show, and gave you some money as compensation."
As expected of a man who once dominated the business world. With just a few words, he twisted the facts. But everything he said had happened; he had only changed the meaning. Anyone else would have been furious by now.
Luo Yueqing didn't answer immediately. Instead, she found another cup, poured herself some tea, and took a light sip. Then she raised the cup toward the old master and said nonchalantly, "This tea really is good. Are you sure you don't want any?"
It was slightly astringent at first, but a sweet aftertaste quickly followed, and a rich aroma spread. Even someone who didn't know tea could appreciate its flavor.
This time, Old Master Xi wasn't angry. He just calmly commanded, "After you give birth to a qualified heir, you two will divorce. I will arrange another marriage for Zhoulu with an Alpha from a family of equal standing."
"Of course, the Xi family is not heartless or stingy. I will compensate you separately. At the very least, you won't have to worry about food and drink for the rest of your life, nor will you have to worry about gambling debts or medical bills."
He smiled at Luo Yueqing as if bestowing some great favor.
Luo Yueqing's mind drifted slightly as she thought about the original owner's experience. According to the original plot, this meeting should have been delayed by two months, after Xi Zhoulu had completely let down her guard and married Luo Yueqing.
Understanding the original owner's personality, Xi Zhoulu had not agreed to Old Master Xi's request for a meeting and had even made Luo Yueqing follow her everywhere.
But no matter how many precautions she took, she couldn't stop the old master's invitation. In the end, while Xi Zhoulu was meeting a client, Luo Yueqing was brought to this teahouse and told the very same things.
The original owner was kind-hearted but had always felt insecure due to her family situation. After learning that Xi Zhoulu had only married her for a child, she never brought it up, instead hiding it away, letting an irresolvable knot form in her heart.
When Luo Yueqing first analyzed the plot, she thought the original owner was foolish to be deceived by a few words. But now, experiencing it firsthand, she understood just how formidable this old man was.
"Does Xi Zhoulu agree?" she asked after some thought.
"The remaining shares I hold versus you. Miss Luo, what do you think she would choose?" Old Master Xi's lips twitched in a humorless smile as he replied.
The person opposite him pressed her lips together, not taking his bait. Instead, she asked abruptly, "How was Xi Zhoulu's leg injured?"
As soon as she spoke, the atmosphere in the teahouse dropped to its lowest point. Old Master Xi's clasped hands tightened abruptly, his thumbs pressing down hard on the backs of his hands, suppressing the bulging blue veins.
"I've always been curious. With the Xi family's power, how could they possibly let the old master's most valued successor get injured, to the point of never being able to stand again?"
In contrast to the tense old master, Luo Yueqing seemed more relaxed. She leaned back in her chair, her posture casual. "I think that as an Alpha being forced to prepare for pregnancy, I have the right to know about my Omega's physical condition and what caused it."
"Don't you agree, Old Master Xi?" she asked, staring fixedly at him.
This question remained unanswered even after Xi Zhoulu destroyed the world. Everyone remained silent, as if the truth could simply be erased by time.
Old Master Xi, the one who should know the most, gave a grim warning instead. "Miss Luo, let me give you a piece of advice. If you want to live a long life, you should be less curious."
"Like you?" Luo Yueqing's retorts were always especially quick at times like these.
Old Master Xi took a deep breath. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't maintain the coldness in his voice. "Your parents should have taught you to respect your elders, right? Oh, wait, I forgot…"
His words were barbed. "I'm afraid your parents didn't have time to teach you."
Luo Yueqing's expression didn't change. The teacup was placed on the table, with only a shallow layer of cool tea left inside. A breeze blew, creating ripples on its surface.
This time, Old Master Xi had learned his lesson. He didn't give Luo Yueqing a chance to reply and immediately said, "I'm getting old and can't overexert myself. I'll be heading back to rest now."
His gaze swept past the window, and he added with unclear meaning, "I hope Miss Luo remembers our conversation today and doesn't harbor any unrealistic fantasies."
With that, he stood up and left. The bodyguards sitting elsewhere instantly rose and followed closely behind him.
Luo Yueqing didn't look their way. She turned her head back to the window. A familiar black sedan was parked downstairs. The rear window was halfway down, and she could vaguely see Xi Zhoulu inside.
The willow branches swayed in the wind, creating waves of verdant green. A fish suddenly leaped from the river, startling a passerby into turning their head.
Luo Yueqing looked downstairs, and Xi Zhoulu looked up at her.
There was no confusion. Xi Zhoulu had always been a very patient person. If the other party didn't speak, she wouldn't press. Her pale gray-blue eyes were as calm as the ocean.
Luo Yueqing subconsciously raised her teacup, then lowered it again.
The last sip of tea remained, a shallow layer at the bottom of the cup. The tea drinker had quietly departed.
As she reached the car, the door on the other side was already open. But Luo Yueqing deliberately didn't take the long way around. She stood on Xi Zhoulu's side, intentionally throwing a small tantrum.
Xi Zhoulu merely glanced at her coolly before opening the door on her side as well.
The driver in the front was very perceptive. Seeing the situation, he immediately raised the privacy screen.
Luo Yueqing ducked her head, bent down, and slumped inside, landing right on Xi Zhoulu's lap. From this position, she was a full head taller, looking down at Xi Zhoulu.
Xi Zhoulu didn't stop her. In fact, she steadied Luo Yueqing's waist during the process, actively helping her until she was settled. Only then did she lift her gaze to meet Luo Yueqing's.
The car fell silent. Without instructions, the driver didn't dare to drive off, so they remained parked there. The car window rose, completely obscuring the view inside.
"Are you angry?" Xi Zhoulu asked, looking up at her. Her voice was deliberately lowered, sounding somewhat gentle.
Luo Yueqing remained silent. Her peach-blossom eyes narrowed slightly. Even in the dim light, her charming and gorgeous face possessed a soul-stirring beauty, reminiscent of a precious Ecuadorian Red Wine Rose.
Alluring, but thorny.
At the very least, Xi Zhoulu, whose hand rested on the rose's waist, could clearly feel the fine thorns on its stem, as if to tell her just how wronged she had been in the teahouse.
"Hm?" Xi Zhoulu let out a soft breath. Her pale gray-blue eyes were like a shimmering, clear lake, misty and moist.
"What did he say to you?"
Xi Zhoulu's hand tightened on her waist. The slender waist beneath her thumb and forefinger felt like a flower stem that could be snapped with a gentle squeeze.
People walked by on the roadside, occasionally casting curious glances their way, but they couldn't see a single thing inside.
Luo Yueqing couldn't answer. She didn't even know what she was angry about, so she just remained silent.
Xi Zhoulu was not without her methods. She tilted her head up slightly, her lips brushing against the other's soft ones as she coaxed in a low voice, "Talk to me, please?"
She was a cold and taciturn person. Outside of work, she rarely spoke, let alone coaxed someone so gently. This was the first time she had ever tried to placate someone so awkwardly, lightly nipping at the red lips.
"I promise it won't happen again," Xi Zhoulu said, looking up at her.
Like a clumsy little black cat trying to please a human.
As her words fell, the sullenly silent person finally responded. She placed a hand on the other's shoulder, pushed Xi Zhoulu firmly back against the car seat, and then bit back.
"Hiss…" The captured prey let out a sound, as if trying to beg for mercy.
But Luo Yueqing was holding in her anger. How could she let go so easily? She deliberately left a row of teeth marks.
Xi Zhoulu couldn't stop her. All she could do was clutch the corner of the other's shirt, wrinkling the thin fabric.
The small, vengeful beast bit and tore, venting her dissatisfaction after being wronged.
Perhaps because of Luo Yueqing's uniqueness, Xi Zhoulu often forgot she was an Alpha. Now, she finally felt the full force of the pressure emanating from the person on top of her.
A layer of mist covered her pale gray-blue eyes, and a soft crimson bloomed at the corners, softening her overly exquisite, almost sharp features. Her usual coldness melted into a raw, charming allure, like an unripe green plum still hanging on a branch, a transparent droplet of water sliding down its thin skin.
"It hurts…" she complained in a low voice, yet she still tilted her head back, bearing it with a slight frown.
Perhaps it was a pang of conscience, or perhaps she had finally vented all her frustration. The pressure of the bite finally eased, and lips soothingly traced over every indentation of the teeth marks.
The scent of roses mixed with red wine quietly enveloped the narrow car, condensing into the sweetest rose honey, dripping between Xi Zhoulu's lips and teeth.
The hand clutching the shirt corner loosened slightly. Xi Zhoulu's peripheral vision glanced out the window, but her face was held by a domineering hand, not allowing the slightest distraction.
Xi Zhoulu was helpless and could only let her continue her mischief. After all, with her lips sealed and her breath nearly stolen, she couldn't possibly tell the other person that they were surrounded by several cars full of bodyguards.
Perhaps those bodyguards were still wondering why they were parked there. If this went on any longer, they might even hold a small meeting to discuss whether Xi Zhoulu had been kidnapped.
Though, judging by the current situation, it wasn't much different from being kidnapped.
The blooming, gorgeous rose finally revealed its true nature. Its extending branches transformed into inescapable vines, binding its prey's limbs. The fine thorns carried a mild toxin, preventing the prey's final struggle.
Everything around them blurred, including the brilliant sunlight outside the window, the incessant sound of the wind, and the annoying willow branches. The sound of footsteps on the road could no longer be heard.
Xi Zhoulu tried hard to open her eyes, but all she could see were the other's trembling eyelashes.
Since it was a punishment, a few excessive actions were inevitable.
For example, Luo Yueqing's specialty of unbuttoning shirts, or even more audacious moves, like slipping a hand under the hem of a shirt to grasp that firm, slender waist.
But Xi Zhoulu had no time to care about that now. Deprived of all her senses, she unconsciously hooked her arms around the other's neck, like a drowning fish…
Another shirt button popped off, revealing the same pure white undergarment beneath. Luo Yueqing glanced down and suddenly smiled.
Just like the clothes Xi Zhoulu usually favored, it looked simple but was full of subtle details. For instance, the piece she was looking at now had hollow lace patterns covering half of the roundness. It seemed traditionally pure white, but it concealed a seductive charm.
As Luo Yueqing's palm covered it, the slightly rough fabric created an itchy-painful sensation in her palm. But compared to the more alluring softness and cool touch, this minor sting was almost negligible.
The person beneath her let out a low hum, trying to grab Luo Yueqing's wrist to stop her, but she was too weak to pull it away. Her hand could only clasp the other's slender wrist. If anyone were to see them, they might think it was Xi Zhoulu who had actively led her on.
The rustle of fabric was exceptionally clear at this moment.
Her knees, pressed against the seat, turned red. The white shirt was now covered in wrinkles, but no one paid any mind.
"Don't…" someone tried to stop her in a hoarse voice, but in the next second, her throat was nipped as a form of punishment.
Perhaps it was an instinct etched into an Alpha's bones, or perhaps it was just Luo Yueqing's personality. In matters like this, she always had a touch of domineering willfulness and disliked being stopped.
The clasp at the back was quickly undone, and Luo Yueqing's palm was finally free from the stinging sensation, able to truly touch.
But Luo Yueqing suddenly got distracted. Pressing against the side of the other's neck, she spoke in a low voice, "I used to think a white shirt looked best with black."
Xi Zhoulu leaned her head back against the seat, her brows slightly raised, her eyes half-closed. The innate nobility and pride she carried had dissipated, leaving only a seductive charm that hinted at unspoken words.
"Only now do I realize I was wrong. White is clearly better," Luo Yueqing finished her sentence.
The pale gray-blue eyes shot her an annoyed yet coquettish glance, warning her to know her limits.
Luo Yueqing didn't dare to go too far. She could only let out a muffled laugh and silently affirm her conclusion.
Xi Zhoulu's skin was fair. Compared to the pure white of the fabric, hers was more of a fragile pallor, like a piece of porcelain so thin it was translucent, looking as if it could be shattered with the slightest pressure.
And this piece of porcelain, wrapped in soft white fabric, was not outshone by the fabric's whiteness. On the contrary, it made what was inside appear even more delicate, smooth, and fragile. One could almost see the blue veins beneath the fine skin.
Perhaps evolution was not yet complete. Humans were always particularly mischievous in this regard. Not only was there no trace of caution or hesitation to touch, but an inexplicable desire for destruction would arise.
And the inherently wicked Luo Yueqing was a prime example. She even deliberately increased the pressure, as if testing how much this porcelain could withstand, leaving a chaotic and artless flower of marks on the soft, fair skin.
As time passed, the afternoon sun grew hotter. Bright light shone through the car window, illuminating the interior.
If Xi Zhoulu was in such a state, Luo Yueqing wasn't much better off. A predator always has to pay a price to make its prey lower its guard and fall into the trap.
So the knee-length skirt was lifted, and shattered patches of light fell upon it. Combined with the bright red fingerprints, it formed a mottled and decadent oil painting of a rose.
Occasionally, Xi Zhoulu would lift her eyelids to catch a glimpse of the person on top of her.
Perhaps even Luo Yueqing herself didn't know what a splendidly gorgeous and bewitching sight she was when she was lost in the moment.
Luo Yueqing was not a goddess, nor was she like the aloof Xi Zhoulu. She didn't need anyone to pull her down from a pedestal. She was a rose born from the mud. When it was time to bloom, she did so without reservation, freely unfurling every petal, letting droplets of water roll on her leaves.
Xi Zhoulu's breath hitched. She seemed to want to dodge, but was only held tighter.
The blocker patch on the back of her neck had vanished at some point. The scent of roses and the smell of burning sandalwood mixed together, filling the narrow space. Even with the ventilation fan working hard, it couldn't dispel a single bit of it, only allowing the rose fragrance to condense into beads.
—Knock, knock knock!
The sudden knocking on the car window startled the two people inside.
Xi Zhoulu immediately grabbed her collar, and Luo Yueqing shot up. They both turned to look outside.
A burly male Alpha stood outside, one hand on his hip, the other knocking on the window. His posture was tense, his eyes cautious and probing.
In front of the car, the perceptive driver had long been pulled from the driver's seat and was being held with his hands behind his back against the hood. His expression was calm; he didn't even try to explain, as if he had known this would happen.
As the car window slowly lowered, the male Alpha's expression grew more solemn. His hand tightened on the gun at his waist, ready to draw and fire at any moment.
It was only when Xi Zhoulu's voice sounded—though not as steady and clear as usual, carrying a hint of hoarse breathlessness—that she uttered the safeword: "Pang Tai."
It was the name of the team captain, the man knocking on the window. This signified that Xi Zhoulu had not been kidnapped. If she had said anything else, they would have immediately drawn their guns and shot the person inside, no matter who it was.
Pang Tai let out a sigh of relief and took a step back, simultaneously waving to the other side to signal that the alert was canceled.
The driver was finally released. He stood up and shook his hands. A circle of purple bruises was already forming on his wrists, showing how much force they had used.
"Apologies, CEO Xi. The car was stationary for an extended period, and you did not send us a safety signal, so we mistakenly believed you were under threat and took action," he said with a straight face. Although his words were apologetic, there was no hint of guilt in his tone. After all, this was his duty.
But when his investigative gaze swept inside for another confirmation, his expression became more complicated.
Due to the urgency, Xi Zhoulu had only managed to push Luo Yueqing away a little and hastily fasten one button before quickly opening the window.
So the two of them were still in their original position: Luo Yueqing straddling Xi Zhoulu's lap, one hand inside the hem of her shirt, the other hanging limply to the side. Add to that the mistiness in both their eyes and their yet-to-be-steadied breathing…
Pang Tai silently concluded that he had interrupted his boss's good time.
Xi Zhoulu subconsciously tugged at her shirt collar, managing to steady her voice. "It's not your fault. I was the one who took too long. Double your salary this month as a bonus."
In this regard, Xi Zhoulu was never stingy, nor would she get angry out of embarrassment and blame others. The fault was hers; they had only taken the necessary measures. Even if it meant interrupting something like this, they should be rewarded.
She paused for a moment, then asked, "Where's the driver?"
Pang Tai turned to look. After a teammate gave him a hand signal, he replied, "He was restrained by us just now and may have injured his wrist. He can't drive for the time being."
Xi Zhoulu responded quickly, "Give him a week off and two months' salary as compensation."
Then she added, "Find someone to drive. We can go back now."
Pang Tai nodded immediately and turned to make the arrangements.
The car window rose again, and this time, the sedan finally started moving.
Xi Zhoulu rubbed the space between her eyebrows but didn't push the woman off her lap.
Luo Yueqing didn't speak either, turning her head to look out the window.
The worst thing about something like this was being interrupted midway. Even for adults, the current awkwardness was unavoidable.
"Sorry, I forgot to notify them," Xi Zhoulu was the first to speak, breaking the silence.
Luo Yueqing pouted and said, "It's your fault for being so paranoid."
It was just a casual complaint. From the beginning until now, she had been treated like this countless times, from being threatened to having a knife held to her neck, and just now she was almost shot by the bodyguards. Although she knew it was Xi Zhoulu's excessive paranoia at fault, she couldn't help but say something.
They had only been stopped for a little over ten minutes, and this group had already surrounded them. If there was no news for an hour or two in the future, wouldn't it be even more serious?
Luo Yueqing clicked her tongue, truly understanding what it meant to be the heir of a wealthy and powerful family. Even princes and princesses probably didn't have it this intense.
Hearing this, Xi Zhoulu paused for a moment, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes, before she spoke again. "It's because I was kidnapped when I was a child."
She patted her own leg. "This is from that time."
Speaking of a past she never willingly brought up, her expression was much better than expected. It could even be described as calm, as if she weren't the one with the disability, as if she were telling someone else's story.
The lingering mist in her eyes dissipated, leaving only those pale gray-blue eyes. Her exquisite, pale face was half-hidden in the shadows, like an inescapable darkness.
Just as Old Master Xi had said, she was a smart person, so she wouldn't fall into the same trap twice. From then on, no matter where she went, she was followed by a large group of people, and she herself was extremely vigilant and careful.
Luo Yueqing opened her mouth, about to say something, but was quickly cut off as Xi Zhoulu asked, "What did the old master say to you?"
She didn't give the other a chance to ask questions, directly changing the subject.
But at least it was much better than before. She was actually willing to explain, even proactively reopening old wounds, like a wary little cat finally willing to lower its head and rub against a human's palm.
Luo Yueqing chose not to press the issue. "He gave me a meeting gift."
Xi Zhoulu's brow furrowed. From those few words, she could guess most of what had happened, but she still didn't understand. She had warned Luo Yueqing about these things in advance. With Luo Yueqing's personality, she shouldn't have gotten this angry.
She asked again, "And then?"
The woman sitting on her lap raised an eyebrow, a half-smile on her face as she repeated, "And then?"
Remembering what had just happened, she realized the earlier punishment wasn't enough to quell her anger.
She continued, "And then your grandfather told me that you only married me to have a child."
She raised a cool fingertip, slipping it through the open shirt to tap on Xi Zhoulu's heart, again and again. Her slightly long nail scraped across the delicate skin, creating a stinging sensation.
"After I have the child, we'll get a divorce, and he'll find you another Alpha from a family of e-qual stand-ing," Luo Yueqing said, emphasizing each word.
She suddenly laughed, her peach-blossom eyes curving, looking bewitching yet chilling. "I originally thought CEO Xi was using a delaying tactic, using marriage to stall the old master. I didn't expect you were planning on getting rid of the mother after getting the child."
In truth, Luo Yueqing didn't understand why she was so angry. She could guess most of the reasons, but after comparing herself to the original owner, she felt a sense of stuffiness. Yet she couldn't just grab Xi Zhoulu and ask, "Do you like me, or do you like her?" So she was throwing a strange, sullen tantrum.
Xi Zhoulu's brow tightened. "I never thought that," she said in a low voice.
"Since I agreed to your terms, there's absolutely no possibility of divorce. It's just the old master's side…"
"I know his temper. He would never agree to the terms you proposed. In fact, he would use other methods to make you lower your demands and force you to agree. That's why I didn't tell him everything."
Her tone shifted. "But I also never mentioned divorce to him. I only said that after the qualified heir he wants is born, I would formally announce your identity to everyone."
If anyone familiar with her saw this scene, they would be shocked. The cold-blooded heiress who was decisive and unyielding in the business world could also have such a good temper, patiently explaining everything from beginning to end.
She then reminded her, "Don't forget the agreement we signed. If you don't believe me, you should at least believe the agreement, right?"
She even brought up their previous agreement as evidence, afraid her explanation wasn't convincing enough.
Seeing this, Luo Yueqing pouted. She couldn't say that she was still bothered by another matter, so she could only retort irritably, "Why didn't you tell me beforehand?"
Xi Zhoulu coaxed her good-naturedly, "It's my fault. I didn't think he would say something like that."
It was hard to tell who was the Alpha and who was the Omega; it was as if their roles were reversed. But in such matters, the person in the wrong did indeed have to be a bit more humble, like now.
Xi Zhoulu tilted her chin up and proactively brushed her lips against the other's again, knowing which method worked best on Luo Yueqing.
Luo Yueqing then lowered her head and pecked at the other's red, slightly swollen lips several times, like a chick pecking at rice—a small punishment that also signified forgiveness.
It was strange. Ever since Luo Yueqing had sat on Xi Zhoulu's lap at the banquet last time, the two of them had become particularly fond of this position. From time to time, Luo Yueqing would be seen sitting down very naturally.
And Xi Zhoulu would indulge her. The moment she sat down, Xi Zhoulu would put an arm around her waist, protecting her in her embrace.
It was the same now. The two of them had been talking for so long, yet neither had thought of changing positions, even after the extremely awkward scene just moments ago.
After passing the moat, they reached the most bustling main urban area. This place was the most annoying—lots of cars and long red lights. Traffic jams were frequent, sometimes lasting for over ten minutes.
This time, Xi Zhoulu and the others were unlucky enough to drive into the dense flow of traffic. The car moved in fits and starts, very slowly.
However, the two people inside were neither in a hurry nor driving, so they naturally weren't bothered by the traffic jam.
After the pecking, Luo Yueqing came up with another mischievous idea. Her red lips moved to the side, nipping at the soft flesh of Xi Zhoulu's cheek, leaving a small row of teeth marks.
As for Xi Zhoulu, who had been bitten, the most she did was pat the other's waist, telling Luo Yueqing not to go too far, lest someone see it when they got out of the car and cause another awkward moment.
From the earlier incident, it was clear that although Xi Zhoulu seemed cold, she was very generous to her own people. Even a false alarm warranted a bonus, let alone how she treated Luo Yueqing.
When a well-behaved little cat is wronged, you have to give it a few extra pieces of meat to coax it. CEO Xi was well-versed in the art of reward and punishment.
But Luo Yueqing was not an Alpha who knew when to stop. The moment the other patted her waist, she blurted out, "He also said I was untaught and didn't know how to respect my elders."
Xi Zhoulu paused. The light pat turned into a caress. She didn't make any excuses for the old master, simply indulging Luo Yueqing a little more.
The teeth marks on her face deepened, adding a dissonant mark to the exquisite doll. Fortunately, her teeth were neat, so it wasn't too unsightly. In fact, it gave her a sense of realism, pulling her back into the mortal world.
Xi Zhoulu patted the other's head, telling her not to go too far, then asked, "Are you hungry?"
"I had them prepare some food. Didn't you say last time that the chef knows how to make lobster? I had him prepare extra."
This was quite novel. Luo Yueqing blinked, looking at her with some surprise. CEO Xi had added a new trick to her coaxing repertoire?
Xi Zhoulu turned her head away. "I figured you wouldn't have an appetite, so I had them prepare something."
Although the teahouse primarily served tea, they also had pastries and other things to fill one's stomach. There were some on the table at the time, but no one had touched them.
Bringing this up, Luo Yueqing remembered another complaint she had yet to file. She asked abruptly, "Are the pastries from that place good?"
The teahouse was quite famous in the capital. People often brought clients or friends there to chat. Xi Zhoulu had naturally been there a few times, but she wasn't sure what Luo Yueqing meant and asked hesitantly, "What's wrong?"
Luo Yueqing replied sullenly, "I told your grandfather to drink some tea to soothe his throat, and your grandfather just slapped it away. The cup fell, and the tea spilled all over the pastries."
This person had a unique style of complaining—no context, just bringing up whatever came to mind. She really held a grudge.
Xi Zhoulu's brow furrowed instantly, and her voice turned cold. "He hit you?"
Luo Yueqing blinked. "It didn't hurt that much."
But she held up the hand that had been hit, placing it right in front of Xi Zhoulu for her to see for herself.
Because Old Master Xi had been in the army, his grip was much stronger than an ordinary person's. And Luo Yueqing's skin was fair, so the slap naturally left a red mark.
Xi Zhoulu took her hand, rubbing it in her palm. The guilt in her heart deepened, and a suppressed emotion flashed in her pale gray-blue eyes.
She coaxed in a low voice, "I'll have someone go back and buy you another portion later. You can try it first to see if you like it. If you do, I'll have them deliver some to the house every day from now on."
Since the teahouse was famous, its prices were certainly not low. A pot of tea and two plates of pastries cost as much as an ordinary family's monthly expenses. Yet Xi Zhoulu spoke of daily deliveries without a second thought.
But Luo Yueqing didn't accept. She hooked an arm around the other's neck and shook her head. "I don't want it."
Xi Zhoulu's tone was gentle and good-natured. "Then what do you want?"
In her mind, she was already considering jewelry, clothes, houses, and cars. As long as Luo Yueqing asked, she would not hesitate.
But the person just smiled brightly and said, "You."
Xi Zhoulu's expression froze. That was a form of compensation she hadn't expected.
Luo Yueqing wasn't in a hurry for an answer. She lowered her head and played with Xi Zhoulu's buttons, unfastening and fastening them over and over again.
After passing through the bustling city center, the road became much clearer. At least they were no longer moving in fits and starts. A short while later, the car turned onto a quiet, sparsely populated asphalt road.
Xi Zhoulu finally spoke. "I have a business trip tomorrow."
So that was a no?
Luo Yueqing pouted. "Fine."
What could she do? The Omega before her was a workaholic. Nothing was more important than work.
Xi Zhoulu sighed, knowing the other was feeling wronged again. She patted her waist and said in a warm voice, "H City. It's by the sea, and the scenery is nice. Do you want to go together for fun?"
For the work-obsessed Xi Zhoulu, this was a huge concession. Luo Yueqing blinked, suddenly feeling it was a bit unreal.
And Xi Zhoulu continued, "The company stipulates that every official employee gets a one-month marriage leave. We can take a honeymoon. Do you like the ocean? I was thinking we could rent a yacht and spend a few days out on the high seas."
She looked up at Luo Yueqing, seeking her opinion. "What do you think?"
"But…"
Her tone shifted, and she said apologetically, "I probably can't take a whole month off. A week is my limit."
Even so, it was a rare and wonderful surprise. Luo Yueqing hadn't expected her complaining to have such a good effect. Her eyes curved, and she immediately smiled. "I'll go, I'll go."
Xi Zhoulu smiled along with her. The smile was faint, but it was real.
Light shone in from outside, landing on their faces. Black hair and pink hair intertwined, inseparable like vines.
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