Chapter 403: Total Submission

“Miss Wan, you are an honored guest of our young master. Of course, there’s no issue.”

Another bodyguard spoke to Wan Caixuan in a tone completely different from the one used with Lin Xiao, filled with respect.

“But your companion does not have an invitation from our young master. Allowing him into the manor was already a special exception. This place is where our young master is holding a gathering. He has no right to be here.”

“What if I insist on him staying?”

As she said this, a layer of frost seemed to cover Wan Caixuan’s exquisite face. Those who knew her well understood this expression meant she was truly angry.

“Then we’ll have no choice but to offend.”

The two bodyguards bypassed Wan Caixuan and moved to either side of Lin Xiao, each grabbing one of his shoulders.

The two guards were burly, each nearly 1.9 meters tall—half a head taller than Lin Xiao—and their arms as thick as an average person’s thighs. Compared to them, Lin Xiao’s build seemed significantly smaller.

Lin Xiao remained expressionless, letting them grab his shoulders, a trace of mockery flashing in his eyes.

“Heh!”

The two bodyguards exerted their strength at the same time, attempting to lift Lin Xiao off the ground.

They were confident. Given their size advantage—and with both of them lifting together—they thought it would be effortless to pick him up and drag him out.

If Lin Xiao were an ordinary man, they’d have been right. But the problem was that Lin Xiao was no ordinary man.

As they tried to lift him, he didn’t budge.

“How is this possible?”

The eyes behind their sunglasses widened in unison, disbelief etched across their faces.

They exchanged a glance and instantly understood each other’s intent. Gritting their teeth, they increased their strength, muscles bulging like hills, veins popping on their arms as they gave it everything they had to lift Lin Xiao again.

With that much force, they could’ve lifted a statue made of iron.

Yet Lin Xiao stood firm, heavy as a mountain, his feet rooted like ancient trees. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t move him an inch.

Beads of sweat the size of soybeans rolled down their faces.

Unwilling to give up, they switched tactics—from lifting to pushing, trying to topple Lin Xiao backward.

‘Can’t lift you? You think we can’t push you down?’ they thought through clenched teeth.

But Lin Xiao’s body was like a wall of steel. Even as they used every ounce of strength, he stood unmoved. His hands hung casually by his sides, and he gazed at them like an elephant regarding ants.

“Overestimating yourselves trying to shake a tree,” Lin Xiao said indifferently, then suddenly stepped forward.

The two bodyguards were forced back, their leather shoes scraping the grass and gouging out four deep ruts.

Their faces flushed red, drenched in sweat, no longer maintaining any composure.

The force emanating from Lin Xiao was overwhelming, like an unstoppable torrent, leaving them with a deep sense of helplessness.

At that moment, they understood Lin Xiao was a master far beyond their capacity to handle.

But they had no way out now. They could only grit their teeth and hold on.

Just as they were about to collapse from exhaustion, Lin Xiao suddenly stepped back.

Caught off guard, the two bodyguards stumbled forward, knees giving way, and knelt heavily on the ground, as if he was prostrating themselves before Lin Xiao in full kowtow.

They were utterly drained, limbs numb, without the strength to get up even after several tries.

From the distant pavilion, the watching crowd erupted in a commotion.

“Look, what just happened over there?”

“Why are those two bodyguards bowing their heads to that man?”

“That woman beside him looks like Miss Wan of the Wan family. Anyone who can stand beside her must be someone of status. Could he have such a powerful background that he scared them into kneeling?”

“Shh! Stop talking. Don’t you see Young Master Jiang looks pissed? Those guards are from the Jiang family; kneeling like that is a slap in his face.”

“Right, right. That’s a disgrace to Young Master Jiang. Best we keep quiet.”

Flames of anger flickered in Jiang Shiliu’s eyes. He had only intended for the bodyguards to test Lin Xiao’s strength. He didn’t expect them to crumble so disgracefully.

Under the curious, skeptical gazes of the crowd, Jiang Shiliu could no longer remain passive. Forcing a smile onto his face, he turned to the well-dressed young men and women beside him.

“Everyone, excuse me. I need to step away to see what’s going on. I’m not sure why Miss Wan hasn’t joined us yet.”

“Go on, Brother Jiang. And hurry back with Miss Wan,” urged a young man with dyed brown hair and an earring in his left ear.

“Yeah, Brother Jiang, we’ve admired Miss Wan for a long time. She’s one of the Four Beauties of the capital. She’s even more stunning in person. You must introduce us later,” added another man in a purple suit, his tone playful.

“Haha, don’t worry. I’ll definitely bring Miss Wan over,” Jiang Shiliu replied, setting down his glass and striding toward Wan Caixuan and Lin Xiao.

As he turned, a shadow passed across his face.

Seeing Jiang Shiliu approach, Wan Caixuan leaned close to Lin Xiao and whispered, “That’s the owner of this estate, Jiang Shiliu.”

Lin Xiao gave a slight nod, calm and unbothered.

Before long, Jiang Shiliu arrived in front of them, followed by the muscular middle-aged man and the twin girls.

But the twins were no longer in swimsuits. They now wore black-and-white maid outfits and stared at Lin Xiao with clear hostility, seemingly displeased with the man who had embarrassed their young master.

The middle-aged man’s sharp gaze scanned Lin Xiao, then glanced at the two bodyguards still struggling to stand, a flicker of solemnity crossing his eyes.

Wan Caixuan stood with arms crossed, her icy expression unchanged as she looked at Jiang Shiliu. Her exquisite face showed no emotion beyond coldness.

“Back to your posts, you useless fools. Absolutely worthless. You’ll be punished later,” Jiang Shiliu said as he passed the bodyguards, pausing for a moment to speak.

“Sorry, Young Master, we’ve let you down!”

The two guards bowed deeply, shame written across their faces, and jogged back to their original positions.

“What now? Your dogs got beat, so the master has to show up?” Wan Caixuan said sarcastically.

“Miss Wan, you jest. You are an honored guest of mine; those under me wouldn’t dare offend you even if given a hundred lives.”

Jiang Shiliu smiled warmly, like a spring breeze, his eyes fixed solely on Wan Caixuan. He didn’t spare Lin Xiao a glance. “People like us needn’t stoop to argue with servants. Please, come with me. I have a few new friends I’d like to introduce, they’ve been waiting to meet you.”