The Weight of Young Master Lin

Xu Xiaoman’s heart tightened at the sight of the bodyguards, reminding her of the last time she had been dragged out of Night Garden. A sense of unease rose within her.

Would these men once again shield Lin Xuan this time?

But as she watched them standing motionless, her tension gradually eased. It seemed they weren’t here to stop her from teaching Lin Xuan a lesson.

Xu Xiaoman sneered.

Clearly, these bodyguards knew where their loyalty should lie—between a mere plaything for women and their master’s own sister.

Since they weren’t protecting Lin Xuan, she could deal with him without restraint.

"Lin Xuan!" Xu Xiaoman raised her whip and lashed it toward him.

The bodyguards surged forward, only to be halted by Lin Xuan’s raised hand. He stood his ground, unmoving.

As the whip descended, everyone present—except Xu Xiaoman—held their breath.

"Master Lin, dodge!" one of the bodyguards shouted.

Yet Lin Xuan remained still. With effortless grace, he caught the whip mid-air.

Xu Xiaoman’s brows furrowed.

Her strikes were swift and precise. Even if someone managed to block them, the force would leave a harsh mark.

How could this weak-looking pretty boy not only catch her whip but emerge unscathed?

Could he actually be skilled in martial arts?

The thought flickered, but she dismissed it immediately.

Him? Skilled?

Impossible.

It had to be a fluke.

What threat could a mere plaything pose?

If one strike failed, she’d simply try again. She refused to believe he could evade her next attack.

Xu Xiaoman tried to yank the whip back, but Lin Xuan’s grip was unyielding.

"You—" Her expression darkened.

How was he so strong?

Lin Xuan scoffed. "Miss Xu, it’s not you who’ll be teaching me a lesson—it’s the other way around."

In his past life, after marrying Qin Ruoyao, Xu Xiaoman had made his life miserable. Once, she’d beaten him half to death.

This time, he’d repay her in full.

Lin Xuan had no qualms about hitting women.

Anyone who crossed him would face the consequences.

Come to think of it, Xu Xiaoman’s hostility in his past life had been because of Huo Shen, hadn’t it?

Xu Xiaoman sneered. "Lin Xuan, do you even hear yourself? You? Teach me a lesson?"

"Try me and find out."

With a sharp tug, he yanked her forward.

Lin Xuan frowned.

If Xu Xiaoman crashed into him and Hua found out a woman had thrown herself into his arms, his kidneys would suffer for it.

He had no desire to become "Lin the Dried-Up" again.

Dodging swiftly, he let her fall.

Thud!

Xu Xiaoman hit the ground hard, still clutching the whip.

Lin Xuan stepped forward, twisted her wrist, and—

"Ahh!"

A scream tore from her lips as her fingers spasmed, dropping the whip.

Lin Xuan picked it up, examining it.

This very whip had been used on him in his past life. Now, he’d return the favor.

His gaze swept the room—furniture, antiques, vases, paintings—all treasures Hua adored. He couldn’t risk damaging them.

"Take her to the garden," he ordered.

"Yes, sir."

Two bodyguards seized Xu Xiaoman by the shoulders, dragging her outside despite her protests.

"What are you doing? How dare you obey this pretty boy’s orders? I’m your mistress’s sister!"

One bodyguard replied coldly, "Second Miss, Master Lin holds greater weight here."

A joke!

Their master cherished Lin Xuan more than life itself. The slightest scratch on him sent her into a frenzy.

Her sister? What did that matter?

In the garden, the bodyguards released Xu Xiaoman and stepped back.

She glared at Lin Xuan. "What did you bribe them with to make them obey you like this?"

"Nothing at all," Lin Xuan said airily. "I simply seduced their mistress, wrapped her around my finger—naturally, they side with me now."

His smug expression made Xu Xiaoman’s chest heave with fury.

This shameless man actually boasted about seducing women!

Utterly disgraceful!

He was nothing compared to Brother Huo. How could he possibly deserve to be her sister’s man?

"Lin Xuan, don’t get cocky," she spat. "You might’ve fooled my sister for now, but she’ll see through you eventually. Someone like you? She’ll grow sick of you soon enough."

Lin Xuan smirked. "At least for now, she’s utterly devoted to me."

Which meant he could teach Xu Xiaoman a proper lesson.

Crack!

Crack! Crack!

He flicked the whip against the ground.

Xu Xiaoman clenched her fists.

Earlier, Lin Xuan had caught her off guard, stolen her whip, and humiliated her.

She’d underestimated him.

But no more.

This time, she’d fight seriously. With her skills, he wouldn’t stand a chance.

She’d make this pretty boy regret crossing her.

"Give it back," she demanded coldly.

The thought of his hands on her whip disgusted her.

Lin Xuan laughed. "What if I refuse?"

"You think I can’t take it from you?" Her face hardened.

If he wouldn’t return it, she’d seize it by force.

Around them, Night Garden’s servants whispered.

"Looks like the Second Miss and Master Lin are about to fight. I wonder whose side the mistress will take?"

"Are you serious? Obviously Master Lin. She treasures him more than her own life. The Second Miss? Means nothing to her."

"True."

Over three years ago, their mistress had brought Lin Xuan to Night Garden.

No matter how fiercely he resisted, she only ever confined him.

No matter how much he angered her, she never laid a finger on him.

Everyone knew exactly how much he meant to her.