Chapter 296: Conditions

Wan Shixuan’s talent for acting could effortlessly overshadow any so-called fresh-faced actor.

Regardless of his true thoughts, from his expression, demeanor, and tone, his performance seemed entirely genuine, heartfelt, and free of any pretense.

To someone unfamiliar with Wan Shixuan, his act could very well have been convincing.

Wan Caixuan’s icy gaze flickered briefly. Her pale, delicate hand clenched into a fist before slowly relaxing again.

“Wan Shixuan, stop putting on a show. Do you think I’ll believe you?”

“I’m not acting! I truly regret everything I’ve done,” Wan Shixuan said, lowering his voice and sounding completely humbled. “I’m sincerely apologizing to you. I beg for your forgiveness.”

“Whether your remorse is real or fake, don’t even dream of me forgiving you,” Wan Caixuan said coldly. “You’ve repeatedly sent people to assassinate me, and now you want me to let you go? Do you think the world works like that?”

“Miss, stop wasting words with him. Just toss him into a sack and bury him. No one will ever know it was us,” a voice full of impatience suddenly came from behind Wan Shixuan.

The speaker was Ning Xi, and her tone was filled with genuine disgust. Her suggestion brimmed with murderous intent.

Since Ning Xi was standing behind Wan Shixuan, he hadn’t seen her. Hearing her voice made him instinctively shiver.

“Third Sister, please, listen to me. No matter what grudges lie between us, we’re family in the end. How could we let it come to this?”

Wan Shixuan was practically in tears as he leaned forward as much as his restraints allowed, looking at Wan Caixuan with pleading eyes.

“I know you’re a kind-hearted girl. You’ve never taken a life before and could never bring yourself to kill. Besides, if you kill me, how will you explain it to Grandfather?”

His words were laced with emotion and logic, and even he felt a twinge of self-pity at that moment.

However, Wan Caixuan’s face remained cold and unmoved, her voice even frostier.

“You remember we’re family now? Where was that sentiment when you sent assassins after me?”

Faced with her sharp questioning, Wan Shixuan opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words.

“The family allows us to compete against each other, and the winner can become the first heir. But the only rule is that we must never harm each other’s lives. You, however, have blatantly violated that rule.”

Wan Caixuan stared at him, her gaze as cold as ice. “If Grandfather learns of your actions, he won’t need me to intervene. He’ll personally strip you of your family status and leave you to fend for yourself.”

“So, tell me, what do you want?”

Realizing that words alone wouldn’t move her, Wan Shixuan dropped his pretense and revealed a more defiant side. “If you wanted to kill me, you’d have done it already. You wouldn’t still be talking to me.”

“At least you understand that much,” Wan Caixuan said, her tone sharp. “My terms are simple. Withdraw from the competition for the heir position and hand over all your resources to me. Then I’ll let you go.”

“Impossible!”

Wan Shixuan immediately refused. Although bound, his confidence returned upon realizing she wouldn’t kill him. His mind turned cunning again.

“I’ll agree to any other condition, but this is out of the question.”

“Nothing is impossible. You’ll agree whether you want to or not,” Wan Caixuan retorted with a cold smile. Her breathtaking beauty was now accompanied by an air of regal dominance. “This isn’t a negotiation. It’s your only chance to save yourself.”

“Then kill me!” Wan Shixuan closed his eyes, adopting the stance of someone ready to die, stubborn and unyielding.

“I won’t kill you, but I will escort you back to the family and tell Grandfather everything you’ve done,” Wan Caixuan said, taking a few steps forward before sitting down on the sofa opposite him. “If Grandfather learns that you tried to have me killed, I don’t need to spell out the consequences, do I?”

“You have no proof,” Wan Shixuan said through gritted teeth, snapping his eyes open.

“The person next to me is the proof,” Wan Caixuan said, gesturing toward Lin Xiao. “Blood Shadow may be dead, but some members of the Dark Night organization are still alive. Do you really think your actions were flawless enough to hide from everyone?”

“Fine, I’ll agree to give up the competition for the heir position. But my resources are my foundation within the family. If I hand everything over to you, it’s no different from killing me.”

Wan Shixuan’s forehead veins bulged as his expression twisted in anger.

“Wan Caixuan, don’t push me too far! Without help, you couldn’t have captured me in the first place!”

In his fury, Wan Shixuan even forgot his precarious situation and shouted her name outright.

“In that case, we have nothing more to discuss. Think carefully about how you’ll explain yourself to the family elders,” Wan Caixuan said, standing and turning to leave.

“Wait!”

She had only taken a few steps when Wan Shixuan’s gritted voice came from behind. “I’m willing to give you half of my assets. That’s my limit. If you refuse, we’ll both lose everything when this goes to the family elders. I may be doomed, but you won’t gain anything either.”

“Deal,” Wan Caixuan stopped, turning back decisively. Her reply was as crisp as it was final.

Wan Caixuan could kill Wan Shixuan, but doing so would violate the family’s rules and create endless repercussions.

Her goal was to become the Wan family’s first heir, and creating such a mess would be counterproductive.

Since killing wasn’t an option, negotiation was the only route.

And with the leverage she held over Wan Shixuan, there was no fear of him reneging on the deal.

Securing half of Wan Shixuan’s assets while forcing him out of the competition was the best outcome she could achieve under the circumstances.

Wan Shixuan took deep breaths, his eyes dark with hatred. He hadn’t expected his impulsive trip to Jinghai to end like this.

Had he known this would happen, he would never have come—or at least, he would’ve been better prepared.

One misstep had led to complete defeat.

Wan Shixuan’s hateful gaze shifted from Wan Caixuan to Lin Xiao, his anger burning like wildfire.

It was all because of him.

If it weren’t for this man, Wan Caixuan would’ve been dead long ago.

If it weren’t for him, Wan Shixuan wouldn’t have suffered such a crushing loss.

His teeth clenched audibly as he seethed with rage.

Sensing Wan Shixuan’s hostility, Lin Xiao raised his eyes and cast him a faint, disinterested glance.

Wan Shixuan quickly averted his gaze, hiding the fury in his eyes.

“Wan Shixuan, I hope you’ve learned your lesson. If you try any more schemes against me or those around me, don’t blame me for tearing you apart completely,” Wan Caixuan said coldly.

Clapping her hands, she summoned the White Night Squad.

“Untie him, then escort him back with me.”