Lin Xuan's driving skills were average at best, but on this particular day, he drove like a top-tier racer, speeding past car after car.
When he arrived at a stretch of road with few vehicles, he overtook another car.
The driver of the car was about to launch into a tirade.
"F***, what the hell...!"
The driver's rant cut off abruptly, replaced by a stunned exclamation, "Holy crap, that's a Koenigsegg One:1!!"
A million-dollar (over a hundred million yuan) hypercar!
The driver silently eased off the gas pedal.
He had initially thought of overtaking Lin Xuan, but upon recognizing the car, he lost all nerve.
Never mind, never mind.
If he scratched or bumped that Koenigsegg, he wouldn't be able to afford the consequences.
Jiang Qing wasn't driving particularly fast, but she was closer to the ancestral home and arrived almost simultaneously with Lin Xuan.
"Young Master Lin, please follow me."
Jiang Qing led Lin Xuan into the ancestral home.
Along the way, the servants were abuzz with curiosity.
"Who is he?" a male servant wondered aloud, "I noticed Secretary Jiang treating him with such respect. Could he be some bigshot?"
A female servant, her face aglow with admiration, sighed, "No denying, he's super handsome. I wonder if he's got a girlfriend."
The male servant rolled his eyes, "Look at you, all star-struck. Even if he's single, it's not like he'd ever look at you."
"When did I ever fantasize about him? With his noble air, he's way out of my league as a mere servant."
The female servant pondered, chin in hand, "I was just thinking, he seems quite a match for the eldest young lady. I wonder if he's here for a matchmaking arrangement by the master?"
"Not likely. Every guy who's come to the ancestral home for a blind date with the young lady has been quite the looker, yet she didn't even glance their way."
"True," the female servant nodded in agreement.
Jiang Qing and Lin Xuan had reached the second floor.
Su Guoxiong inquired urgently, "Secretary Jiang, you mentioned a way to help Hua recover? What is it?"
"Chairman, perhaps Young Master Lin could try," Jiang Qing replied.
"Him?" Su Guoxiong looked at Lin Xuan, his brows tightly furrowed.
"Can this really work?" Su Guoxiong asked dubiously.
"Last time when CEO Su had an episode, it was Young Master Lin who calmed her down. This time, perhaps he could try again," Jiang Qing suggested, though she didn't speak with absolute certainty, wary that the previous incident might have been a coincidence.
"Alright, let's give it a shot," Su Guoxiong agreed, feeling he had no choice but to try anything.
He made a phone call.
Soon, a group of armed bodyguards, ex-mercenaries, arrived.
Su Guoxiong shared the same concern as Butler Wang.
Lin Xuan's safety had to be ensured at all costs.
Lin Xuan was the only man Su Hua had ever taken interest in, the only one she allowed to get close to her. Should anything happen to Lin Xuan, what would become of Su Hua's solitary life?
Once the bodyguards were in position, Su Guoxiong commanded, "Open the secret chamber."
The heavy door of the secret chamber swung open, revealing Su Hua standing in its center. Her disheveled hair gave her an almost decadent beauty, a chaotic beauty.
Half the items in the chamber had already been destroyed by her.
Blood trickled from her hand.
The chamber was so silent that one could even hear the faint sound of blood droplets hitting the floor.
The sudden intrusion of the group jolted Su Hua, her icy gaze sweeping over everyone present.
The bodyguards unconsciously swallowed hard.
They'd witnessed Su Hua's fits before—terrifyingly powerful. They knew if they went up against her now, they'd only end up as punching bags. Last time, they'd been bedridden for two whole days, their bones feeling like they'd been shattered.
Jiang Qing's heart raced.
Would Lin Xuan be able to calm CEO Su again, just like last time...?
"Lin Xuan, this is dangerous. Have you thought it through?" Su Guoxiong asked, his brow furrowed.
"I have," Lin Xuan replied, his gaze never leaving Su Hua since entering the chamber. "I don't want to see her suffering like this."
"I'm her boyfriend. I want to protect her."
He'd always been under Su Hua's wing, now he wanted to be the one to shield her.
When Su Hua's predatory gaze fell on Lin Xuan, her eyes narrowed slightly.
Scenes of Lin Xuan in her bed flashed through her mind.
Su Hua's eyes gleamed dangerously.
Wasn't this her little bed slave?
Why was he so far away from her?
Her heart was filled with displeasure.
"You." She pointed at Lin Xuan, her voice hoarse.
Everyone present looked at Lin Xuan in confusion.
Why was the young lady calling out to him?
"Come here," Su Hua commanded, her tone leaving no room for refusal.
Jiang Qing's eyes lit up.
Su Hua recognizing Lin Xuan—this was a good sign!
Everyone else, however, was on edge for Lin Xuan.
Lin Xuan walked step by step toward Su Hua.
Finally standing before her, all the bodyguards tensed, ready to intervene should the young lady lash out at Lin Xuan.
Or rather, step in to take his place as her... punching bag.
"Why were you so far from me earlier? Are you scared of me? Don't want to get close to me?" Su Hua spoke, her tone dripping with menace. Like everyone else, had he also seen her as a monster, feared her, loathed her?
The dangerous undertone in her voice made it clear—if his answer didn't satisfy her, then, like those others, she'd just destroy them all.
No, no!
He was different from them. His very presence was too... enticing. She couldn't bear to harm him.
If she couldn't kill him, then binding him to her bed with chains would do.
The more she thought about it, the more feasible it seemed, a thrilling excitement dancing in her eyes.
Prone to sensing danger from Su Hua's slightest shifts, Lin Xuan quickly responded, "No, if I were afraid of you, I wouldn't be here. I came specially to find you."
"Little bed slave," Su Hua's pale lips curved into a faint smile.
Lin Xuan: "..."
That nickname again!
As a manly man, being called a 'little bed slave' was a blow to his dignity!
But with Su Hua unwell, he'd endure it!
"Do you think I'll believe your excuses?" Su Hua spoke, her voice sharp with danger. "Hmm?"
The others in the chamber exchanged puzzled looks.
What was going on?
Lin Xuan had been near Su Hua for so long, yet she hadn't attacked him.
Yet her aura remained icily chilling.
It was all too strange.
Lin Xuan's mind raced.
With Su Hua in this state, any words from him would likely fall on deaf ears.
Time to pull out the big guns.
"Hua-bao," Lin Xuan murmured softly.
Su Hua frowned at Lin Xuan. Hua-bao?
"Who allowed you to call me that? Little bed slave, call me sister, or... 'mistress'," Su Hua intoned slowly.
Lin Xuan was highly suspicious that this was another side of Su Hua surfacing.
"Mistress," Lin Xuan complied obediently.
Su Hua's eyes deepened instantly.