As soon as Ning Xi spoke, Xia Yan was momentarily stunned. Her mind suddenly recalled what Xia Siyue had done to her at the banquet earlier. She wasn't blind—if she hadn't reacted quickly enough, it wouldn't have been just a simple burn. Xia Yan had always been wary of Xia Siyue, but today she had let her guard down. Blinking, she glanced sideways at her arm, which Lu Zhengting had bandaged up like a dumpling. She wanted to laugh but dared not when she saw his stern expression. Pausing, she looked at Ning Xi and asked, "What did Xia Siyue do?"
"Her? You know that Mu family kid, right?" Ning Xi plopped down on the bed not far from Xia Yan, instinctively raising his voice. He wanted to keep it down, but Lu Zhengting wouldn't let him get too close to Xia Yan! The way this man guarded against other men was really amusing.
"Mu Chengfeng?"
"Right, right, that Mu family kid. Wasn't he always with Xia Siyue before? A while ago, he met some woman named Mu Si somewhere, and then, you know how it is—dry wood meets fire, sparks fly instantly. So..."
Ning Xi rambled on like a storyteller, chattering endlessly. Still, Xia Yan didn't mind; it felt like listening to a tale, vivid and lively. Ning Xi even threw in gestures now and then. Xia Yan listened intently, which annoyed Lu Zhengting. Why? Because the one holding Xia Yan's attention wasn't him, but this grinning Ning Xi.
Sensing Lu Zhengting's displeasure, Ning Xi's mouth twitched. He found Lu Zhengting ridiculous yet somehow... cute?
Cute? The thought of using that word to describe a man made Ning Xi shiver inwardly. Had Number Two warped his orientation?
"Ning Xi, go on. I'm waiting to hear the rest of your story."
"It's not a story; it's real."
"Fine, fine, you're the one talking, so you're in charge. Keep going?" Xia Yan rolled her eyes, brimming with enthusiasm, as if she'd completely forgotten the man beside her. Seeing Lu Zhengting's slightly irritated expression aimed at her, she glanced at him, then suddenly patted the empty spot next to her, signaling him to sit down and listen too. Sharing is caring, after all.
Watching this, Ning Xi stared wide-eyed at the unruffled Lu Zhengting, cleared his throat, and said, "Where was I? Oh, right, dry wood meets fire. So Mu Chengfeng made a mistake any man could make—he cheated. Yeah, cheated with that woman Mu Si. Poor Mu Si, she had the bad luck of running into Xia Siyue. This..."
"...These stories are all over Jiangda's official forum already."
"Really?" Ning Xi chuckled.
Lu Zhengting shot Ning Xi a warning look for trying to tease Xia Yan, then said flatly, "That forum is Ning Xi's doing."
"Him?" Xia Yan stared at Ning Xi in disbelief, who looked smug.
"Heh, I had nothing to do back then, and my hands were itching, so I posted a bit. Didn't expect so many clicks." Catching Lu Zhengting's meaningful glance, Ning Xi paused and shifted gears. "Anyway, let's talk about how Xia Siyue dealt with Mu Si—it was downright horrifying."
"What did she do?"
"Don't want to scare you, but she got some guys to rape Mu Si right in front of her and kept a video. Tsk, little sis-in-law, are all women this terrifying?"
Xia Yan was already a bit shaken by Xia Siyue's actions, but now she was even more shocked. She sensed something off. Using her uninjured hand to grip Lu Zhengting's arm, she leaned forward slightly, tilted her head at Ning Xi, and asked slowly, "All women? You? Did something happen to you?"
At that, Ning Xi lounged back, staring at Xia Yan with a poker face, unblinking. "Oh, what could happen to me?" he replied calmly.
Not only did Xia Yan's feminine intuition pick up on something, but even Lu Zhengting eyed Ning Xi suspiciously. "Either you confess, or I'll call Xu Xiao. She's always cared about you three brothers' love lives."
"Brother Ting, don't say that. It's not like Big Sister only cares about us three. Doesn't she care about you and Xu Su?" Ning Xi shrugged dismissively.
"Ring, ring, ring..."
Ning Xi casually pulled out his phone, tapping his thigh. He glanced at the unfamiliar number, paused, then answered. A saccharine, almost whiny voice came through the line. His expression flickered for a moment before returning to normal. He replied in monosyllables, then hung up under Xia Yan's probing gaze, pocketing his phone without a change in expression. Shrugging, he said nonchalantly, "Just remembered I've got something to handle. Little sis-in-law, take care of your injury. I'm off."
Before Xia Yan could respond, he was out the door. No way was he sticking around—when else would he get out?
"Ah Ting, don't you think Ning Xi's hiding something? He just bolted like that?" Xia Yan leaned lazily against Lu Zhengting's shoulder, mulling it over. She didn't buy for a second that he was innocent.
Lu Zhengting frowned, neither confirming nor denying. Lost in thought, he glanced down at the head on his shoulder and said in a low voice, "Give me your phone."
"What for? I'm talking about Ning Xi. Are you even listening?"
"Yeah, Ning Xi's up to something. I'll have someone tail him. Now, give me your phone."
Xia Yan's face twitched in confusion as she handed it over. She thought he wanted to check something, but then she saw him change her ringtone to match his own. Her emotions tangled in a knot she couldn't untangle. Yet, watching him do something so endearing with such a serious expression, she found it adorable—so adorable she wanted to tackle him and kiss him.
How had she never noticed this cute side of Lu Zhengting before? It didn't fit his domineering, charming CEO persona at all.
Silently, she watched him swap the ringtone and hand the phone back, barely holding back a laugh as she reached out with both hands.
"Ah Ting, are you jealous?"
"That was awful."
"What was awful about that ringtone? I didn't think so."
"Your taste needs work. Ning Xi's preferences are generally despised."
"Lu Zhengting, is it that hard to admit you're jealous? Don't you know women love sweet talk?"
"You do too?"
"Of course. Hey, wait, Lu Zhengting, what are you implying? Are you saying I'm not a woman? If I'm not, then you're in love with a man?"
"Hmm?"
"Don't play dumb with me. I know exactly what you meant! Look, look, my hand's still hurting." Xia Yan waved her injured elbow in front of him, insisting he see it. But in her flailing, she aggravated the burn, which had been easing up.
"It really hurts now." She pouted, eyes wide and pleading as she looked at Lu Zhengting.
"You... Starting tomorrow, take a week off at home. I'll handle Hamilton."
"No way. That'll just give the company another topic to gossip about." Xia Yan shook her head. She hadn't forgotten how, when she was in a rush and didn't notice a hickey on her neck, someone at work saw it, and the rumors were still going strong.
"With that injury, what can you do at the office? Secretary Zhou will have to look after you."
"It's just a minor wound. You're overreacting. Besides, I'm a grown adult—I'm not that clueless."
"Aren't you?"
"Of course not!"
"Fine. Paid leave. One week."
"Deal." The words flew out of Xia Yan's mouth the moment Lu Zhengting finished. Ignoring his twitching lips, she happily hugged him with one arm, in high spirits.
******
Ning Xi slipped out of the Lu residence like a ghost, leaving no trace. He'd arrived in the car Xia Yan had driven earlier, and he left without any pretense, speeding off in it. Staring straight ahead, he suddenly felt a headache coming on, then his eyes started to ache. Pausing, as if remembering something, he shuddered. After some thought, he pulled over, listening to the familiar ringtone from his phone. It used to be his favorite, but now it sounded like a death knell.
The phone kept ringing relentlessly. Ning Xi frowned, steeling himself as he answered, "What do you want, boss?"
"I'm hungry."
"Then order takeout or open the fridge and cook. Calling me won't help."
"Oh, fine. I'll skip eating then. Gives me time to deal with that video."
Ning Xi's face darkened. "Boss, what do you want to eat?"
"Spicy rabbit, braised fish, boiled pork slices, fragrant tofu, and..."
"What do you take me for?"
"Fine, I won't eat. I'll just starve and keep working."
"Alright, give me the address. Wait for me."
Ning Xi slammed the phone down, glaring at the screen as if trying to bore a hole through it. For the first time in his life, someone had threatened him!