Chapter 190: Collaboration

It took a few minutes for the blush on Wan Caixuan’s face to gradually subside.

She huffed lightly and said, “Let’s drop this topic. Lin Xiao, I have a question for you.”

“What is it?”

“Do you believe Li Liancheng’s words?” Wan Caixuan straightened up, looking serious. “Has Wan Shixuan really come to Jinghai City?”

“Based on his words, I didn’t pick up on any lies.” Lin Xiao didn’t directly respond to Wan Caixuan’s question, “So, I believe there’s an over eighty percent chance his words are credible.”

“If Wan Shixuan has indeed come to Jinghai City, he’s definitely targeting me.” Wan Caixuan’s eyes flashed coldly. “I’ve been holding back all this time, letting him think he’s outmaneuvered me. Well, it’s time to show him who truly deserves to lead the Wan family.”

“As long as you’re aware,” Lin Xiao stood up and offered his hand to Wan Caixuan, “The banquet is about to begin, let’s head out.”

Wan Caixuan glanced at Lin Xiao, finding his gaze calm and untainted by any impurities.

She placed her hand in his, and with a gentle tug, he helped her up from the sofa.

Arm in arm, Wan Caixuan and Lin Xiao left the private room together.

Li Liancheng’s bodyguards, named Xiong Fei and Xu Zhan, stood at the door. They nodded slightly at Lin Xiao as he passed, but didn’t give Wan Caixuan a second glance.

Inside the banquet hall, guests were already seated, and the air was filled with the enticing aroma of the sumptuous dishes being served, stimulating everyone’s appetite.

Wan Caixuan and Lin Xiao were seated in the front row of the banquet hall, sharing a table with Li Liancheng. In addition, there were some well-dressed, distinguished-looking middle-aged men and women. When they saw Lin Xiao and Wan Caixuan, they simultaneously offered them friendly smiles.

Undoubtedly, both Wan Caixuan and Lin Xiao had made a significant impression on them.

“Miss Wan, Mr. Lin, please come and have a seat,” beckoned a beautifully dressed lady in a black evening gown, standing up from her seat to greet Wan Caixuan and Lin Xiao.

This elegant lady, appearing to be in her thirties with fair skin and refined grace, was indeed beautiful. While she might not compare to Wan Caixuan, she was still a rare find.

Lin Xiao’s glance briefly rested on the lady’s face, finding her vaguely familiar as though he had encountered her somewhere before, yet he didn’t ponder over it much.

“Thank you,” responded Wan Caixuan, with a polite nod.

Lin Xiao courteously pulled out a chair for Wan Caixuan, allowing her to be seated first.

At that moment, a chilling gaze from the banquet hall’s corner targeted Lin Xiao.

“Hmm?”

Turning toward the source, Lin Xiao caught sight of a familiar visage. The person, surprised by Lin Xiao’s keen awareness, quickly shifted his gaze away, no longer daring to meet Lin Xiao’s eyes.

Lin Xiao’s expression turned contemplative for a moment before he took his seat beside Wan Caixuan.

“What’s the matter?” inquired Wan Caixuan in a low voice.

Her sharp intuition had not missed the subtle shift in Lin Xiao’s gaze.

“I saw someone I know.”

“Who?”

“Le Fangyun.”

“Le Fangyun? Who is that?” Wan Caixuan had no memory of the name. Though she had encountered him previously in the mall, impacting his fragile ego significantly, she was unaware of his name.

“Just a wealthy second-generation, nothing for you to worry about,” Lin Xiao said with a smile.

Though he smiled, there was no mirth in his eyes, only detachment. For Lin Xiao, Le Fangyun’s presence at the banquet was insignificant. In his view, Le Fangyun was merely a fly, easily squashed.

If Le Fangyun had a sense of self-preservation, Lin Xiao would not give him a second thought. Yet, should Le Fangyun persist in being bothersome, Lin Xiao was prepared to eliminate this annoying fly.

Wan Caixuan chose not to ask further. Knowing when to back off was one of her smartest traits. Despite being Lin Xiao’s employer, she never interfered with his business.

Moments later, a radiant auctioneer in a red cheongsam stepped onto the banquet hall stage to commence the evening’s main event: a charity auction.

Nonetheless, both Lin Xiao and Wan Caixuan showed little interest in the auction. Wan Caixuan eventually bid three million for a Song dynasty piece of calligraphy, merely as a symbolic gesture.

“Miss Wan, I’ve come to a decision.”

As the auction buzzed with activity, Li Liancheng discreetly approached Lin Xiao and Wan Caixuan. Pretending to sip his drink, he used the glass to hide his lips, ensuring his words were unseen, “I’m ready to increase my offer, but with one condition.”

“What’s the condition?”

“I’ll contribute only from the shadows, I want to avoid the limelight. The stakes are too high, and I must prioritize my family’s safety.”

“That’s acceptable,” Wan Caixuan responded promptly, not pushing further. “Mr. Li, I’m pleased with our partnership.”

“To our partnership,” Li Liancheng finished his drink in one gulp.

Thus, an agreement was reached between one of the Wan family heirs and Jinghai City’s wealthiest man in an almost childlike manner, witnessed solely by Lin Xiao.

“Mr. Li, let’s discuss the specifics of our collaboration later,” Wan Caixuan said as she stood up, giving Lin Xiao a quick glance.

Understanding her cue, Lin Xiao followed her out of the banquet hall, walking one behind the other.

“Is Li Liancheng trustworthy?” Wan Caixuan asked quietly as they headed toward the restroom.

This was her second time posing this question to Lin Xiao.

After being betrayed once, trusting others became difficult for Wan Caixuan. Lin Xiao, without her fully realizing it, had become more than just a bodyguard in her eyes. He was a man she found to be reliable and dependable, which was why she sought his opinion on such crucial matters.

“He has no reason to lie to you,” Lin Xiao said calmly.

“No, he might,” Wan Caixuan countered, squinting slightly, a sharp glint in her eyes, “If Wan Shixun has arrived in Jinghai City and has already made a deal with Li Liancheng before me, what if this is all a plot aimed at me from the beginning?”

“I doubt he’d make such a foolish move with no benefit to himself.” Lin Xiao’s tone remained even and reassuring, as if capable of calming one’s nerves, “I’m more inclined to believe he chose to collaborate with you, recognizing your strengths.”

Wan Caixuan paused and turned back to Lin Xiao with a thoughtful look, “Alright, if you say so, I’ll trust him.”