Chapter 160: The Xiao Family's New Trick
Xiao Ye glanced at Shishi. "We'll forget about the punishment."
"However, you truly mishandled this situation. I don't want a repeat of this."
If there really was a second time, the punishment would be far more severe!
Shishi immediately broke into a smile. "Yes, Master Xiao, rest assured. I will do better and guarantee it never happens again!"
Not far away, the assistant and her friend watched, furious.
"Those two definitely have something going on! He's just a cheating scumbag!"
The assistant nodded. "I've recorded it all!"
From their angle, it looked like a handsome man and a beautiful woman leaning in close.
Shishi, in particular, looked like she was dying to press her body against Xiao Ye's.
In reality, there was a fair amount of distance between them.
But Shishi came from the Hongyuan Organization. Her training from a young age had been all about using her feminine wiles to entice men.
Or, to conquer men!
Thus, her every move was suffused with a flirtatious allure.
Unless you were right there with them, it looked compromising from any angle.
After Xiao Ye left, the assistant pulled her friend out of the bar.
"I'm sending this to President Lin right now! President Lin is too good for this. She can't be deceived again!"
「The Xiao Family Estate.」
Xiao Ye entered the old mansion and went straight to his room.
He completely ignored the other Xiao Family members in the living room.
When he got back to his room, he realized it was already late.
'Lin Chuyue is probably asleep by now.' Thinking this, Xiao Ye put down his phone.
Lately, he had been video calling Lin Chuyue every two or three days.
It helped put them both at ease.
「Jiangcheng.」
「The Lin Family Home.」
Lin Chuyue lay on her large, soft bed, tossing and turning.
From time to time, her eyes would fly open, and she would look at the phone on her nightstand.
'Xiao Ye should have called tonight.'
But he hadn't.
Then she thought of the videos her assistant had sent, and she let out a cold laugh.
'He definitely didn't forget. He's feeling guilty!'
'Or... maybe Xiao Ye is busy doing something with another woman right now!'
'He's already completely forgotten about me!'
Frustrated and angry, Lin Chuyue finally sat up, unlocked her phone, and pulled up the videos from her assistant again.
'They're so close, they're practically on top of each other!'
SLAM!
Lin Chuyue slammed her phone face down. "Scumbag!"
「The next day.」
As soon as Xiao Ye got up, he saw Xiao Wenbin in the dining room.
He wore a seemingly kind smile. "Xiao Ye, come, sit."
"You know, you've been back for so long, but we haven't had a proper meal together, just father and son."
"Everyone else is out on business today, so it's just the two of us. We can eat and chat."
Xiao Ye nodded and began eating his breakfast without paying him any further mind.
Xiao Wenbin wasn't angered by his indifference and continued speaking with a smile, "You know, you're not getting any younger."
"You're in your twenties. It's time you got married. You're not an ordinary person anymore. You're the young master of our Xiao Family, and more importantly, the future heir."
"Therefore, your marriage is not child's play. Your engagement to that Lin Family from Jiangcheng is hereby canceled."
"A minor family like that is nowhere near good enough for you!"
Xiao Ye neither agreed nor refused.
'I'd like to see what other tricks the Xiao Family has up its sleeve.'
'It seems the mastermind isn't trying to assassinate me anymore. They're switching to a different tactic.'
Xiao Wenbin took out several photos and placed them in front of Xiao Ye.
They were all photos of women, all quite attractive in both looks and demeanor.
"Take a look. These are the daughters of several families on par with the Xiao Family."
Xiao Wenbin was clearly very satisfied with them. "See which one you like. Then we'll arrange a meeting. If it goes well, we'll get engaged right away."
"Marriages in prominent families are different from ordinary people's. You get engaged first to get to know each other. If you're truly compatible, then you get married."
'Get to know each other? It's just an excuse to generate more press.'
'During the engagement period, the two families exchange resources or trade benefits.'
'If it works out, they get married. It's a business alliance, plain and simple.'
'If it doesn't, the engagement is canceled with some suitable excuse, though the chances of cancellation are very small.'
Xiao Ye's gaze swept over them casually before he tapped one of the photos. "Her, then."
'Judging by their faces, these women are all pretty much the same.'
'Scheming, greedy, but not outright evil. You just couldn't call them good people.'
'In that case, it doesn't matter who I choose.'
Seeing that Xiao Ye had actually chosen one—and the prettiest one at that—Xiao Wenbin finally showed a genuine smile. "Good! Her it is!"
After breakfast, Xiao Ye returned to his room.
Xiao Wenbin, on the other hand, went into the study. After making sure the door was securely closed, he carefully took out a very old-looking cell phone and dialed a number.
"Xiao Ye has selected a marriage candidate."
"Good. Just continue."
After that, the call was abruptly disconnected.
「Meanwhile.」
By the pond, Liu Loulan lazily withdrew her hand.
The maid beside her immediately stepped forward with a handkerchief and wiped her meticulously cared-for fingers, one by one.
The attentive manner was exactly that of a personal handmaiden.
Liu Loulan looked at the koi swimming in the pond. "Some people only yield to force, while others only yield to gentleness. Which category do you think Xiao Ye falls into?"
The personal maid lowered her head and answered respectfully, "Madam, in my opinion, he should belong to the second type."
Liu Loulan smiled faintly. "I've sent so many assassins, yet not a single one has succeeded."
"So that approach won't work. I'll have to try a softer touch."
With that, she took out a small porcelain bottle and handed it to the maid. "Use secret means to add this medicine to the food of those young ladies from the prominent families. Have them take it daily."
"This substance is harmless to women, but if a man has intercourse with one of these women, he will be afflicted with a rare poison."
"That Xiao Ye has incredibly sharp senses and is the Lingxiao Daoist's disciple. Ordinary poisoning methods are useless against him, but I believe this one will succeed."
The maid accepted it respectfully. "Yes, Madam. Rest assured, I will complete the mission."
Liu Loulan waved her hand. "Go. Oh, and to be safe, make sure that Lin Chuyue in Jiangcheng takes this medicine as well."
The maid withdrew, and a second person immediately took her place.
She supported Liu Loulan, walking past intricate pavilions and towers, before finally returning to her living quarters.
The furniture, made of huanghuali wood, was all genuine antiques.
Even the arrangement and decorations were identical to the boudoir of an ancient noblewoman.
Liu Loulan lay down. "All of you, withdraw. Don't forget to prepare the blood bird's nest soup. I'll have it earlier today, at three in the afternoon."
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was six in the evening.
In the elegant Western restaurant, the buzz of conversation was lively.
Xiao Ye sat in his chair, watching the woman who was walking toward him.
The woman had a decent figure and pleasant looks, but she fell far short of Lin Chuyue.
The woman walked over, sat down, and glanced at Xiao Ye, her red lips twisting slightly.
Hidden in her reasonably pretty eyes was a trace of contempt.