Very Stubborn in Words

"Young Master Lin, don't misunderstand," Butler Wang hurriedly stepped forward to explain. "Miss and Young Master Huo aren’t the kind of relationship you’re thinking of."

"Then tell me, what kind of relationship are they?" Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow.

Butler Wang replied, "They’re just ordinary friends, nothing more intimate than that."

Lin Xuan smiled faintly. "I actually think they’re barely even friends."

Butler Wang was taken aback.

Was that really how Young Master Lin saw it?

"Then what did you think I’d assume, Butler Wang?" Lin Xuan asked with a smirk.

Butler Wang said, "I thought you might suspect there was something ambiguous between Miss and Young Master Huo."

Lin Xuan said seriously, "Hua Bao has only ever liked me, only ever been ambiguous with me. As for other men—"

He chuckled, a faint smile curling at his lips. "She wouldn’t spare them a second glance."

Butler Wang: "..."

Young Master Lin’s words were quite self-indulgent.

But he wasn’t wrong. Miss was completely devoted to him, with no mind for other men.

"Young Master Lin," Butler Wang couldn’t resist pouring cold water on his confidence. "Young Master Huo seems quite fond of Miss. Aren’t you worried he might steal her away one day?"

"Butler Wang, I’m not bragging, but even when I resisted Hua Bao, she never gave up on me. Now that we’re in love, how could she possibly be swayed by this so-called Young Master Huo?" Lin Xuan declared confidently.

In his past life,

he hadn’t left the wedding with Hua Bao. Instead, he married Qin Ruoyao as planned.

Even then, until the day they died together, Hua Bao had never been with another man.

So, if she hadn’t cared for Young Master Huo in that life, she wouldn’t in this one either.

"You’re right," Butler Wang nodded in agreement.

No wonder Young Master Lin was so sure of himself.

"By the way, Butler Wang," Lin Xuan inquired, "how’s it going with the one you fancy?"

"Well..." Butler Wang coughed lightly, a little embarrassed. "We haven’t made it official yet. Still in that ambiguous stage, but it’s close."

"Not bad," Lin Xuan grinned. "Keep at it, Butler Wang. Try to win her over soon."

"I’ll do my best," Butler Wang chuckled.

At 5 p.m., Su Hua returned to Night Garden. As she entered the villa, a gardener muttered nervously, "Oh no, Miss is back. What do we do?"

"Don’t worry, maybe she won’t pursue it."

"But Young Master Lin is bound to ask about Young Master Huo. Once he does, Miss will know someone leaked the information. She’ll definitely have Butler Wang investigate."

Hearing this, the servants grew anxious.

Butler Wang had seen exactly who told Lin Xuan about Young Master Huo.

All they could do was clasp their hands and pray—hoping Miss wouldn’t kick them out of Night Garden once she found out.

During dinner, Lin Xuan didn’t mention Young Master Huo once.

After eating,

Su Hua settled onto Lin Xuan’s lap. The faint, sweet fragrance unique to her filled his senses.

"A-Xuan, what’s on your mind?"

Su Hua could tell he’d been holding back something since she returned.

"Hua Bao, I was wondering..." Lin Xuan began. "Have you ever liked anyone before? Even just a little bit?"

"Yes," Su Hua answered without hesitation.

Lin Xuan’s tone turned sour. "So Hua Bao did have feelings for someone else."

Of course—childhood sweethearts. How many of those stayed purely platonic?

Especially since Young Master Huo had once saved her life.

"I’ll tell you who it was," Su Hua whispered against his ear, smiling. "It’s you. From beginning to end, you’re the only man I’ve ever loved."

Lin Xuan: "...Hua Bao, I meant before now."

Su Hua’s eyes curved playfully. "I fell for you years ago. Doesn’t that count as ‘before’?"

Lin Xuan: "..."

Well, he had no comeback.

But why did he feel so smug about it?

Butler Wang watched Lin Xuan, raising an eyebrow.

The hardest thing about this man was his mouth.

Look at him—claiming not to care, yet asking all these questions. He was clearly bothered.

Butler Wang smiled to himself.

A little jealousy wasn’t bad.

It proved Young Master Lin truly cared for Miss.

"Also, Hua Bao," Lin Xuan pressed. "Aside from me, is there any other man who left a deep impression on you?"

"Yes," Su Hua nodded.

"Who?" Lin Xuan pressed.

Su Hua: "Grandfather and Butler Wang."

Lin Xuan: "..."

He’d expected her to say Young Master Huo.

After a few more questions, Su Hua still hadn’t mentioned the so-called Young Master Huo.

Lin Xuan was pleased.

After dinner, Su Hua went upstairs first.

"Butler Wang, see?" Lin Xuan grinned. "Hua Bao doesn’t even remember this Young Master Huo. She doesn’t care about him at all."

"Young Master Lin," Butler Wang couldn’t resist dousing his arrogance again. "When couples ask these things, who in their right mind would admit to a childhood sweetheart like Young Master Huo? Most would hide it tight."

"Damn it, Butler Wang, if you’ve got nothing useful to say, then shut up," Lin Xuan glared.

"Understood," Butler Wang sealed his lips with an imaginary zipper.

Lin Xuan scoffed. "Seems this Young Master Huo does have feelings for Hua Bao. But if he dares show his face and covet her, he’d better be ready for what’s coming."

He cracked his knuckles, rolling his wrists.

"Young Master Lin," Butler Wang couldn’t help warning. "He’s one of Miss’s most capable subordinates, and his own influence is strong. Dealing with him won’t be easy."

"Don’t worry. I have my ways," Lin Xuan smirked coldly.

Hua Bao was his greatest weapon.

Shang

"Boss," a subordinate rushed in, head bowed nervously. "Forgive me—the assassination mission failed."

"What? Again?" Zhao Long’s eyes widened.

This mission targeted a high-ranking official in Malaysia. Success would’ve secured their protection within the country—and a hefty reward.

Shang had been crippled by Ling and Lin Xuan’s joint attack. They desperately needed a safe haven to recover—and the payout.

He’d sent his best men.

Yet, the target proved tougher than expected!

Tired and sleepy, folks. Goodnight!

Thanks to 15ww51 for the character summons!!

And to Mie-la’s Dog, Ye Huahua, and other sweethearts for the gifts.

Uu.