In the top-floor office, the atmosphere felt somewhat oppressive. After Liu Hua left, both Xiao Yufan and Yu Yihan chose silence, an unusual moment of peaceful coexistence between the quiet woman and the taciturn man.
“Aren’t you going to explain yourself? A member of the Situ family actually living in a shabby rented apartment and willingly working as a mere clerk—surely these are just your ways of playing around in the world, aren’t they?”
Yu Yihan reviewed the day’s events in her mind, feeling inexplicably annoyed. She had spent so long without uncovering Xiao Yufan’s true background. The revelation of him being from the Situ family had completely overturned her perception of him.
“What is it you want to know?” Xiao Yufan realized he couldn’t wriggle out of this one. If that were the case, he might as well come clean. Besides, he hadn’t intended to hide the truth from this girl in the first place…
“What do you think? We never imagined you could hide so deeply, almost deceiving all of us. Menglu trusted you so much—how could you face her?”
Xiao Yufan felt a headache coming on. Yu Yihan’s words were rather harsh, and he wasn’t even sure how to counter them. Though he felt no guilt, he sensed that he was somehow still in the wrong.
“I didn’t know my identity at first. Grandfather told me later. Overall, I’m not a true member of the Situ family. I’m just someone who was abandoned…”
Xiao Yufan knew that lying now would only further anger Yu Yihan. He definitely didn’t want to ignite this explosive temper of hers.
…
After a tearful and heartfelt explanation from Xiao Yufan, Yu Yihan finally believed that he was innocent. Still, she found it hard to fully accept the truth, because in her eyes, the Situ family had always been a legend in the business world.
Now, Xiao Yufan had truly begun to see himself as a Situ. A vague anticipation stirred in his heart—he wondered what his long-lost parents were really like…
Yu Yihan’s heart swayed with emotion. She hadn’t expected Xiao Yufan’s background to be so convoluted. From an utterly ordinary person to becoming part of the Situ lineage, such a transformation was truly a dramatic rise and fall.
“Now you understand, right? Whether it was the trip to Chenghai or today’s handling of the Liu family matter, it was all Grandfather’s help. In the end, I’m still so inadequate.”
Xiao Yufan shrugged, a self-mocking smile playing on his lips. Liu Hua’s words still echoed in his ears. Sometimes, a woman’s sarcasm could indeed become the driving force for a man’s progress, especially when that woman was an exceptional beauty like Liu Hua.
“So what? Compared to those truly idle and talentless young masters, you’ve done more than enough. Why do you care so much about others’ opinions?”
This was the first time Yu Yihan had heard Xiao Yufan speak so dejectedly. In her eyes, Xiao Yufan had always been confident and defiant, no matter the situation. Yet now, he had suddenly become so pessimistic. Could that woman’s words really have such magical power?
“When did you become such a voice of comfort, Miss Yu? Could it be that you’ve developed feelings for me? Not that I’d mind at all!”
Snapping out of his unusual mood, Xiao Yufan leaned in and gazed at Yu Yihan’s perfect face. A strong desire surged within him. Living so close to such a beauty every day was turning him into a model of restraint like Liu Xiuhui.
“Is that so?” Yu Yihan’s eyes glimmered playfully as she deliberately pulled down her low-cut neckline, revealing a deep cleavage that exuded seductive charm. Xiao Yufan swallowed hard.
“If you dare to have any improper thoughts about me, just see if I let you remain a man!” At the peak of his excitement, Yu Yihan poured cold water on him. Their eyes met, and Xiao Yufan immediately deflated.
Instinctively tightening his legs, Xiao Yufan couldn’t help but feel the woman was terrifying. He even began to wonder whether beneath that delicate face lay two completely different souls.
“For the sake of my sexual happiness in the second half of my life, I think it’s better I keep my distance from you!” Xiao Yufan stretched lazily, dragging his gaze away from Yu Yihan’s alluring figure. Flirting with such a woman could sometimes lead to real trouble.
“You know best, hmpf…” Yu Yihan’s heart tightened, but she refused to show it. It wasn’t that she was competitive by nature, but she had always been used to opposing Xiao Yufan in everything.
After the hmpf, a long silence fell between them. Xiao Yufan’s thoughts lingered on the previous moment, while Yu Yihan’s face flushed red from the slightly rippling atmosphere, the rosy hue spreading all the way to her snowy white neck.
“Mission accomplished. I think it’s time I relinquished this temporary CEO title…”
As if suddenly remembering something, Xiao Yufan stood up from his seat and walked in front of Yu Yihan, raising his eyebrows slightly before turning toward the door.
“I thought you’d stay in that seat forever, President Xiao…” Imitating Liu Hua’s accent, Yu Yihan said, glancing at Xiao Yufan as he walked away.
“If you don’t mind, I’d love to indulge a bit longer and reluctantly appoint you as my secretary. What do you think about that?”
Knowing Yu Yihan was teasing him, how could Xiao Yufan let such mockery slide? Tilting his head slightly, he shot back with a provocative gaze lingering on her figure, his eyes flashing with desire.
“Get lost… You can die!”
Hearing the word “secretary,” Yu Yihan immediately thought of inappropriate connotations. Her brows furrowed furiously, as if ready to throw Xiao Yufan out. Sensing the mood, Xiao Yufan wisely quickened his pace toward the exit.
Stepping out of the office, Xiao Yufan’s eyes looked somewhat vacant. He had already decided his next path. He felt anticipation—where would Grandfather send him this time?
“One day, I will stand at the peak and turn all your pride into ridicule. There’s nothing I won’t deserve!”
Thinking of that delicate face, a smirk curled Xiao Yufan’s lips, exuding immense arrogance. Liu Hua had shattered his dignity piece by piece. One day, he would make her pay it all back, bit by bit.
Xiao Yufan wasn’t someone who held grudges, but that didn’t mean he was indifferent. Each of Liu Hua’s words had pierced the most vulnerable part of his heart like needles.
Living for himself, and responding to those who once looked down on him with disdain through sheer strength—this was Xiao Yufan’s conviction. And as his identity changed, this conviction gradually seeped deep into the very core of his soul…
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage