Chapter 181: Why Isn’t It Me!

“What’s all this about?” Lin Xiao asked Li Yunxi, slightly bemused.

Li Yunxi gave Lin Xiao a satisfied look and cooed, “We’re paying our respects to big brother.”

“Exactly, big brother, you were truly majestic just now.”

“Of course, Wang Dalong was so terrified he nearly wet himself.”

Fang Yuan and the other two girls gazed at Lin Xiao with gleaming curiosity. The recent events not only completely astonished Wang Dalong and Qian Yong but also left them in shock.

Wang Dalong and Qian Yong, one the owner of the Perfect Life Club and the other a local tyrant in Zhenjiang District.

Though they didn’t much care for them, they were aware that to ordinary people, these two men wielded significant power.

Until now, they had merely thought of Lin Xiao as someone who had cleverly attached himself to their big sister, without really considering his identity. But the recent episode shattered their previous assumptions.

Mr. Jin, who could instill such fear in Wang Dalong and Qian Yong, treated Lin Xiao with utmost respect, even addressing him as big brother.

“Lin Xiao, spill it. Are you like one of those hidden bosses from TV dramas and novels, either exploring life or hiding from enemies?” Li Yunxi said with a look of realization, “No wonder you wouldn’t agree to be my subordinate. It all makes sense now.”

“Yes, yes, big sister thinks he might be a prince from one of those secretive and illustrious families.”

“There’s another possibility that he’s not hiding from enemies but from an arranged marriage. That’s how it always goes in TV dramas, and then he meets the heroine.”

Fang Yuan and the other girls let their imaginations soar, smiling at Lin Xiao with playful speculation.

“…”

Lin Xiao, somewhat at a loss for words by the words from Li Yunxi and the others, said, “Miss Li, there’s no need for teasing. I just saved Mr. Jin once before, it’s not as dramatic as you all imagine.”

Seeing Lin Xiao’s exasperated look, Li Yunxi and the women couldn’t help but laugh, “Haha, okay, okay, we’ll stop teasing you.”

In truth, while they were surprised by Lin Xiao’s identity, it wasn’t of significant concern to them. Although Fang Yuan and the others didn’t have as prominent backgrounds as Li Yunxi in Jinghai City, they weren’t insignificant either.

They were all part of Li Yunxi’s circle. While curious, they weren’t overly concerned about Lin Xiao’s exact background.

Li Yunxi, owing to her status, chose her friends not based on their background but on whether she liked them or not.

For instance, she didn’t get along with Le Fangyun, showing him no courtesy, but she went out of her way to find Lin Xiao because she took a liking to him.

After spending some more time with the girls in the room, Lin Xiao suggested leaving.

“I’ll drive you,” Li Yunxi offered.

Considering the time wasn’t too early and the night had set in, especially since the club was located in a desolate suburban area, Lin Xiao agreed.

“Alright then, thank you, Miss Li.”

“Drop the ‘Miss Li’; it sounds too formal. Just call me Yunxi,” Li Yunxi corrected Lin Xiao with a glare.

Seeing Li Yunxi’s insistence, Lin Xiao simply nodded in agreement.

Despite the distance between Zhenjiang District and Yongnan District, Li Yunxi’s drive in her Ferrari, coupled with her excellent driving skills, meant they arrived at Yuan Yu’s residential area in roughly half an hour.

Residents of the complex had vivid memories of the Ferrari and its owner from the afternoon. Amid their envious and resentful stares, Lin Xiao stepped out of the car, ready to leave.

“Hold on a moment,” Li Yunxi called from inside the vehicle.

“What’s up?” Lin Xiao asked, turning around, puzzled.

Li Yunxi waved her phone threateningly. “Next time I call, don’t you dare hang up on me. Or I’ll block the entrance to this complex. Got it?”

“…” Faced with Li Yunxi’s smug look, Lin Xiao was left somewhat speechless.

However, today’s interaction had significantly improved his impression of Li Yunxi. Her straightforward personality was complemented by a deep sense of loyalty.

“What? You’re not happy about it?” Misinterpreting Lin Xiao’s silence as displeasure, Li Yunxi glared, puffing up in anger, “In Jinghai City, the line of people chasing after me could stretch from here to the train station. And you’re not even happy I invite you out. I…I…”

“Miss Li, don’t worry, I certainly won’t just hang up on your calls,” Lin Xiao quickly reassured her, seeing her on the verge of an outburst.

With many onlookers present, he definitely did not wish for a repeat of that afternoon’s spectacle.

Unbeknownst to him, the men in the complex, in particular, were all watching intently, their memories of the afternoon’s Ferrari and its enchanting owner still fresh. They hung on every word from Li Yunxi and envied Lin Xiao’s seemingly reluctant demeanor, wishing they could kill Lin Xiao and take his place.

Damn it, a gorgeous and wealthy woman wants to reach out to you, and you’re acting so half-hearted? That’s really asking for a beating.

I’m no worse than this guy. Why isn’t it me? Why don’t rich beauties ever glance my way?

They shot Lin Xiao murderous looks, then turned their hopeful eyes towards Li Yunxi in the car, wishing for the affluent beauty’s favor.

But what drove them to despair was Li Yunxi’s shift from anger to happiness upon hearing Lin Xiao’s response, “So it’s settled then. You better not renege.”

“Okay.” Lin Xiao nodded.

With Lin Xiao’s agreement, Li Yunxi then drove the Ferrari away from the complex.

As Lin Xiao watched the Ferrari fade into the distance, he disregarded the envious and murderous gazes from the bystanders, walking into the complex with calm composure. He left behind the men at the entrance, seething with envy, jealousy, and resentment.

By the time Lin Xiao got back to Yuan Yu’s, it was already after nine.

Hearing Lin Xiao’s entrance, Yuan Yu scampered from the bedroom, her slippers tapping against the floor.

Dressed in a black T-shirt and denim shorts, her long, dark hair pulled back into a ponytail, Yuan Yu’s delicate beauty, paired with her slender waist and porcelain legs, made her look like an ethereal sprite stepping into the mortal realm.

To spare Yuan Yu any worry and not to lie either, Lin Xiao hadn’t disclosed his plans for the day, merely mentioning he’d taken the day off.

Hence, without any word from Lin Xiao all day, Yuan Yu was beside herself with worry. Seeing Lin Xiao’s bandaged hand, her eyes immediately reddened, almost bursting into tears.

She hurried to Lin Xiao’s side, fighting back tears, and asked softly, “Big Brother Lin, what happened to your hand?”

Lin Xiao, with a smile, gently stroked Yuan Yu’s hair and explained, “I had a sparring session with a few masters at the martial arts gym today. My hands got a bit injured, but they’re just superficial wounds, so there’s no need to worry.”

“You always tell me not to worry, but how can I not?” Yuan Yu murmured, her head bowed, “You didn’t call me all day. I had no idea what you were up to. Do you have any idea how worried I was?”

“I’m sorry, my fault,” Lin Xiao admitted, taking Yuan Yu’s hand in his and squeezing it reassuringly, “I’ll make sure to inform you in advance next time I go out, okay?”

Yuan Yu looked up into Lin Xiao’s face, her eyes shining with a dark brightness, clear and pure. She hummed softly in acknowledgment.

Though Lin Xiao hadn’t exerted much internal energy at the gym that afternoon, the effort of practicing moves had still drained him mentally. Thankfully, the medicinal bath he had taken at the Perfect Life private club earlier had mitigated some of the fatigue.

Sitting side by side on the sofa, Lin Xiao, despite his tiredness, kept up the conversation with Yuan Yu.

After a while, noticing Lin Xiao’s weariness, Yuan Yu, though still eager to talk, considerately suggested, “Big Brother Lin, you should go rest now. We can talk more tomorrow.”

With a smile and a wave, she then gracefully made her way to her room.

“Alright then, you should head to bed early too.”

After shedding his outerwear and quickly refreshing himself with a cold rinse, Lin Xiao also retreated to his bedroom.