The Return of Ten Complete Great Tonic Soup

Su Hua's previously softened expression turned cold once more.

She deeply disliked hearing the name Qin Ruoyao from Lin Xuan's lips.

"She's mentally unstable and in a psychiatric hospital," Su Hua replied, pressing her lips together.

Lin Xuan frowned.

If she had truly lost her mind and become a madwoman, his plans would be ruined.

"Hua Bao, is she constantly insane, or...?" Lin Xuan pressed.

"Occasionally. She's usually lucid," Su Hua answered, her tone growing icier.

"That's perfect," Lin Xuan's eyes lit up.

As long as she wasn't completely mad, his scheme could still proceed.

Su Hua's beautiful eyes darkened with suspicion—just what was Xuan planning?

"Hua Bao, Lin Li's wedding to another woman is in just over two weeks. Could you arrange for Qin Ruoyao to see the first half of the ceremony?" Lin Xuan asked.

Why not the latter half?

Simple—he wanted Qin Ruoyao to witness Lin Li's happiness. The later scenes, where he himself would make an appearance and Lin Li's fortunes would take a grim turn, were better kept hidden from her.

"Xuan, what exactly are you scheming?" Su Hua narrowed her eyes.

"Hua Bao, I want Qin Ruoyao to see how happy Lin Li is. Since Lin Li is one of the people who ruined her, it’ll torment her. Even in that psychiatric hospital, I don’t want her to have it easy," Lin Xuan explained.

Of course, he left out part of his plan.

Seeing Lin Li’s happiness while she suffered would surely twist Qin Ruoyao’s mind.

Later, when the time was right—preferably after Lin Li had lost everything—he could release Qin Ruoyao from the hospital and let her confront him. That would be... entertaining.

"So that's it," Su Hua's lips curled in satisfaction. "I thought you pitied Qin Ruoyao or wanted to reunite with your old flame."

Lin Xuan: "!!!"

Damn!

Where did Hua Bao get that idea?

That was the last thing he wanted.

In the past, he’d defied Su Hua repeatedly for Qin Ruoyao’s sake, and Su Hua had always reacted strongly to any mention of them.

If she truly believed he still had feelings for Qin Ruoyao, it would spell trouble.

"Hua Bao."

Lin Xuan cupped the back of Su Hua’s head and pulled her close, sealing her lips with his own.

Their kiss was deep, intoxicating.

Only after a long moment did Lin Xuan finally pull away.

"Hua Bao, don’t overthink it," he murmured soothingly. "I don’t have a shred of feeling left for Qin Ruoyao. My heart belongs only to you now."

"And if I still cared for her, I wouldn’t have exposed her affair with Lin Li or let Luo Yuan trick her."

"Mm." Su Hua nodded, though a flicker of regret stirred within her.

"Phew—"

Seeing the coldness fade from Su Hua’s face, Lin Xuan finally exhaled in relief.

This crisis, at least, had been averted.

"Hua Bao, one more thing," Lin Xuan asked curiously. "How did you know I was at the police station?"

Su Hua chuckled lightly. "Xuan, have you forgotten? I installed tracking on you."

Damn!

How could he have overlooked that?

Wherever he went, Su Hua could locate him with a glance at the tracker.

"Hua Bao, it’s getting late. Let’s head back," Lin Xuan suggested.

"Alright."

Su Hua’s expression remained calm.

Back at Night Garden, Su Hua nestled in Lin Xuan’s arms as he fed her, the two sharing a sweet, intimate dinner.

Later, Butler Wang pulled Lin Xuan aside.

"Master Lin," he whispered conspiratorially, "did you and the young mistress have a disagreement? Or... did you upset her?"

Lin Xuan frowned. "There was a minor issue, but it’s resolved now."

"Are you sure?" Butler Wang still looked puzzled.

If nothing was wrong, why had the young mistress instructed him to prepare chains in their bedroom?

Yet Lin Xuan seemed sincere.

Besides, if there were real tension, the two wouldn’t have been so affectionate during dinner, nor would Su Hua have been so composed.

Perhaps it was just a lovers’ game.

Butler Wang smiled knowingly.

Ah, youth.

Chains, no less! He’d also overheard Su Hua telling Secretary Jiang she wouldn’t be going to the office for the next three days, and that unless urgent, Secretary Jiang shouldn’t visit Night Garden.

Clearly, the young mistress planned to indulge in romantic games during that time.

"Butler Wang, why do you ask?" Lin Xuan pressed.

"Oh, nothing serious. Just making conversation," Butler Wang replied cheerfully.

"Master Lin, wait here a moment."

He returned from the kitchen carrying a bowl of fortifying tonic.

Lin Xuan recognized the scent and frowned.

Wasn’t this the invigorating soup?

But usually, he only drank it the day after he and Su Hua were intimate.

Besides, wasn’t Su Hua on her period?

They wouldn’t be doing anything—he shouldn’t need this.

Maybe it wasn’t the same tonic, just something with similar ingredients.

"Butler Wang, this is...?" Lin Xuan hesitated.

Butler Wang beamed. "Master Lin, don’t you remember? This is the tonic you often drink—made with angelica root, deer antler, and other potent herbs."

It really was the invigorating soup!

Lin Xuan grimaced. "Butler Wang, I don’t think I need this."

"Master Lin, just drink it. Trust me, you’ll thank me later," Butler Wang insisted.

He had no intention of revealing Su Hua’s chain preparations.

If this was a surprise, he wouldn’t spoil it.

Without the tonic, how would Lin Xuan last three days?

And the longer he endured, the better the chances of a little heir or heiress, no?

Lin Xuan still resisted. "Butler Wang, I really—"

"Master Lin, I spent hours brewing this. If you refuse, you’re insulting me," Butler Wang feigned offense.

"Fine, fine. I’ll drink it."

Not wanting to disrespect Butler Wang’s kindness—the man had always treated him well since he moved into Night Garden—Lin Xuan reluctantly accepted the bowl.

Tilting his head back, he downed the tonic in a few gulps.

Butler Wang smiled approvingly at the empty bowl.

"Master Lin, give it your all these three days. You can do it!" He even mimicked the trendy "fighting" gesture popular among youngsters.

Lin Xuan blinked in confusion.

Three days? Give it his all?

What exactly was he supposed to do?

Just as he opened his mouth to ask, Su Hua walked into the dining room.