Chapter 297: Temporary Farewell

After Wan Shixuan was escorted into the vehicle by the White Night Squad, Wan Caixuan turned to Lin Xiao and said softly, “I’ll be returning to the capital for a few days to finalize the agreement with Wan Shixuan. It’ll take some time before I can come back. Do you want to come with me?”

As she spoke, Wan Caixuan lowered her gaze, seemingly reluctant to meet Lin Xiao’s eyes.

This was the first time she had ever invited a man to accompany her, and an indescribable feeling arose in her heart—both anticipation and nervousness.

Perhaps even Wan Caixuan herself didn’t realize how much she hoped Lin Xiao would agree to accompany her to the capital.

Lin Xiao was unaware of Wan Caixuan’s thoughts.

He pondered briefly and asked, “Will there be any danger?”

“There shouldn’t be. After all, Wan Shixuan is in my hands now, and the White Night Squad will be with me,” Wan Caixuan replied. Her hands hung by her sides, her fingers subconsciously fidgeting with the hem of her clothes. “The reason I invited you to come is that I wanted to introduce you to a few people. But if you don’t want to, I won’t force you.”

Despite her words, there was an unmistakable trace of expectation in her tone.

Lin Xiao didn’t pick up on it. After hearing her response, he calmly shook his head.

“If you’re not in danger, then I won’t go.”

“Alright. I respect your decision.” Wan Caixuan lowered her gaze slightly, a faint sense of disappointment flashing through her heart. “You’ve worked hard these past few days. Rest well at home. I’ll have your salary paid in advance.”

Lin Xiao smiled faintly and nodded to show he understood.

“What about me, Miss?” Ning Xi, who had been silently listening to their conversation, suddenly chimed in. “Should I go to the imperial capital with you?”

Wan Caixuan glanced at Ning Xi.

“You’ll stay in Jinghai, manage the situation here, handle the aftermath, and keep an eye on the company. Report any issues to me immediately. I’ll be back soon.”

“Don’t worry, Miss. I’ll handle everything perfectly,” Ning Xi said with a firm nod, her face lighting up with a smile.

Ning Xi was genuinely pleased. With Wan Caixuan gone, no one would be around to stop her from teasing Lin Xiao.

She had already formulated a plan. During Wan Caixuan’s absence, she would launch an all-out charm offensive to make Lin Xiao fall head over heels for her.

And perhaps, she mused, this would reveal Wan Caixuan’s true feelings for Lin Xiao—whether or not she would get jealous.

The thought made Ning Xi’s alluring eyes narrow with delight, her smile mischievous like a cunning fox’s.

Seeing Ning Xi’s expression, Wan Caixuan felt an inexplicable irritation. She walked over, extended her slender finger, and motioned for Ning Xi to come closer.

“What is it, Miss?” Ning Xi quickly straightened her expression, feigning innocence as she asked.

“While I’m gone, you need to work diligently. No slacking off. Otherwise, I’ll transfer you back to the imperial capital,” Wan Caixuan said, her tone low and warning.

Startled, Ning Xi clasped her hands together and pouted, putting on a pitiful act.

“Miss, you know I’ve always worked hard. I’ve never slacked off.”

“You’ve done well so far, but I can’t say the same for the future.” Wan Caixuan’s tone was meaningful, her gaze piercing as if seeing right through Ning Xi.

Feeling slightly guilty, Ning Xi avoided her gaze, not daring to meet her eyes.

After giving her a warning, Wan Caixuan didn’t linger any longer. She waved goodbye to Lin Xiao and Ning Xi before getting into her Rolls-Royce. The car started and headed toward the airport.

Wan Caixuan had always been decisive in her actions. To prevent complications, she planned to rush back to the capital overnight and resolve everything with Wan Shixuan before his faction could react.

The White Night Squad followed behind her Rolls-Royce in SUVs. The three vehicles left the warehouse in a convoy and soon disappeared into the darkness.

Lin Xiao and Ning Xi stood still, watching the cars fade into the distance.

A chilly breeze blew past, and Ning Xi shivered, pulling her coat tighter around herself.

“Lin Xiao, let’s go too. How about grabbing some late-night snacks?”

Ning Xi tightened her grip on her coat, then reached out to straighten Lin Xiao’s collar, which had been ruffled by the wind. She wrapped her arm around his, leaning her body against his.

“It’s so cold. Let me borrow some of your warmth.”

Lin Xiao remained silent, allowing Ning Xi to hold his arm. They walked side by side, looking like an intimate couple, toward the Ferrari parked nearby.

Soon, the Ferrari roared out of the warehouse and sped off.

***

In a hotel room in Jiangbei City, a middle-aged man with an unremarkable appearance was nervously holding a phone, speaking to someone.

Whoever he was speaking to seemed to hold great authority. Despite the physical distance, the middle-aged man was bowing slightly, his posture deferential as he repeatedly nodded and said, “Yes, sir.”

His face was deathly pale, his forehead drenched in cold sweat. It was unclear whether it was due to pain or fear.

“Master, the young master has been captured,” the middle-aged man reported.

This man was one of Wan Shixuan’s subordinates. Although Lin Xiao had taken out most of Wan Shixuan’s forces at the manor, there were inevitably a few who had slipped through the cracks. This man was one of them.

“What did you say?”

The voice on the other end of the line was calm yet carried an undeniable authority.

“What happened? How did Shixuan get captured?”

“Apologies, Master. I don’t know the details myself. I only learned of this recently,” the middle-aged man stammered, his hand trembling so much he nearly dropped the phone.

Although the person on the other end wasn’t physically present, the man felt as though he was facing an unimaginably terrifying force. He was on the verge of collapsing to his knees.

“However, based on my investigation, I’ve confirmed that Wan Caixuan’s people captured Young Master.”

“Wan Caixuan? I just received news that she’s heading to the imperial capital. So this is why. It seems she’s bringing Shixuan back to present him to the family and request arbitration. Shixuan has already lost,” the voice on the phone said evenly, betraying no emotion.

“Wan Caixuan’s forces are known to me. She couldn’t have done this alone, let alone captured Shixuan. Stay in Jiangnan Province and investigate thoroughly. I want to know which faction dared to interfere in the Wan family’s affairs.”

“Yes, sir. I understand.”

The middle-aged man bowed even lower, his sweat pouring as he answered in trembling tones.

After hanging up the phone, he realized his back was soaked through with cold sweat.

But deep inside, he felt a wave of relief, as if he had narrowly escaped death.

The man knew all too well just how powerful the voice on the other end was. His influence was so immense that any ripple from his actions could shake all of the country.