Chapter 125: Still Feeling Mischievous?

“Keep talking nonsense and I’ll spank you. When did I ever hit on her?” Zhang Xiaofan retorted irritably. Ye Jiangying had truly wronged him this time.

“Go ahead, then. Spank me. I’m only afraid you don’t dare.” As she spoke, Ye Jiangying deliberately stuck out her pert little backside and provoked him.

“You really think I don’t dare? Fine, I’ll do it!” With that, Zhang Xiaofan brought his large hand down, and Ye Jiangying’s face immediately flushed crimson.

“Still feeling mischievous?” Zhang Xiaofan asked.

“Nyah, nyah, nyah…” Ye Jiangying stuck out her tongue and made a face at him.

“Does your brother know I’ve come to the capital?” Zhang Xiaofan asked.

“Him? Of course he knows. The moment you arrived, you beat up Feng Conghu of the Feng family in the northern district. The news has already spread everywhere.” Ye Jiangying shrugged.

“Good. Looks like we’ll have to get together sometime.” Zhang Xiaofan nodded, then continued, “You’re working as someone’s bodyguard. Is it really all right for you to come out wandering around like this?”

“I just wanted to come see you. Honestly…” Ye Jiangying sounded rather aggrieved.

“Who could possibly afford to hire you?” Zhang Xiaofan asked curiously.

“Heh, I knew you’d be curious. I’ll tell you. The person I’m protecting is Su Xue, one of the capital’s Four Goddesses.”

Ye Jiangying smiled. “The number of men pursuing her is practically enough to form a battalion. Normally, why would I work as a bodyguard? But since I happened to be in the capital, I took the job.”

“You mean she’s beautiful? One of the capital’s Four Goddesses?”

Zhang Xiaofan rubbed his hands together. “If that’s the case, I wouldn’t mind getting to know her if the opportunity arises.”

“Brother Fan, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Su Xue is a classmate of Xia Shihan’s. Don’t wreck your boat while chasing girls.” Ye Jiangying grinned. “All right, I’m leaving now. Big Brother Fan, I’ll come visit you often.”

With that, Ye Jiangying suddenly vanished from where she stood. In the instant she disappeared, Zhang Xiaofan keenly noticed that her appearance had changed. That was precisely why she had risen to become a Gold-ranked assassin without anyone discovering her true identity.

In fact, few people ever bothered investigating an assassin’s identity. Ye Jiangying had become an assassin because the Ye family had arranged it long ago. One purpose was to temper her; the other was to use her identity as an assassin to gather as much intelligence as possible.

The Hidden Night Pavilion was another special organization besides Dragon Soul. If Dragon Soul operated in the light, then the Hidden Night Pavilion existed in the shadows.

After waiting a moment, Zhang Xiaofan returned by the way he had come.

Inside the villa, Xia Shihan grew anxious when she realized Zhang Xiaofan was gone. Was this man even a man? How could he be so petty?

“Were you looking for me?”

Seeing Xia Shihan standing at the doorway and looking around, Zhang Xiaofan spoke up.

When she saw him suddenly walk over, Xia Shihan felt a burst of joy for some inexplicable reason. She did not show it on her face, however, and continued pretending to be angry.

“Who was looking for you? I was wishing you’d leave.”

“Is that so? Then why do I feel that someone seems a little reluctant to see me go?” Zhang Xiaofan said with a smile.

“Not at all. Stop flattering yourself,” Xia Shihan replied.

Zhang Xiaofan smiled. His gaze fell on the handprint on her cheek, and for some reason, he felt reluctant to see her suffer. Without thinking, he reached out his hand.

“Don’t…” Xia Shihan instinctively tried to dodge, but Zhang Xiaofan spoke with unusual seriousness. “Hold still.”

As if bewitched, Xia Shihan really did not move. Then she felt Zhang Xiaofan’s hand press against her cheek. A warm current immediately spread through her skin, and the burning pain on her face eased considerably.

“Does it still hurt?” Zhang Xiaofan asked gently two minutes later.

“Not anymore…” Xia Shihan answered in a low voice, astonished. Did this man’s hand possess some kind of magic?

“That’s good. Be more careful with your words next time, understand?” Zhang Xiaofan said.

“Who told you to…” Xia Shihan muttered. “No one has ever hit me before, from the time I was little until now. Take me out to dinner tonight, and I’ll forgive you.”

Then, quite suddenly, Xia Shihan kissed Zhang Xiaofan on the cheek.

“But it was wrong of me to tell you to get lost. Consider that my apology.”

Zhang Xiaofan froze for a moment. Why had this little girl suddenly become so sensible?

But had she gotten his permission before kissing him? Did just anyone get to kiss his face? Forget it. Since she was beautiful, he would let it slide.

“All right. I’ll take you out to dinner tonight. Get some rest first, and we’ll go out at six,” Zhang Xiaofan said.

“Why don’t we talk for a while?” Xia Shihan suggested.

“Sure. What do you want to talk about?” Zhang Xiaofan asked.

“What did you come to the capital for?”

“That? I came to look for something.”

“What are you looking for?”

“That’s a secret.”

“All right, then. Another question. Why did you agree to this so readily? With your abilities, doesn’t being my bodyguard feel rather beneath you?”

“You’re really asking me that? If you hadn’t clung to me so shamelessly, would I have come?”

“I think you’re after my beauty, aren’t you?”

“To be honest, you are beautiful, but I’m not so desperate that I’d scheme for you. I’m not bragging, but I already have two delicate beauties waiting for me at home. And just a moment ago, another beauty even wanted to become my wife, but I turned her down.”

“Please. Keep boasting.”

“Why would I lie to you? The truth is, I followed you here because I wanted a place to stay.”

“All right, then. Am I really that unattractive? You aren’t interested in me at all?” Xia Shihan asked, her face flushing.

“I was pretty interested just now…” Zhang Xiaofan said with a grin.

“You’re still talking about that!” Xia Shihan’s face reddened even further.

“Miss Xia, you were the one who asked. I was only telling you the truth.” Zhang Xiaofan helplessly shrugged. “Speaking of which, you let me follow you all the way home. Aren’t you afraid I might do something to you?”

“I just felt that you were a good person. Besides, wouldn’t it be frightening for a young lady like me to live alone in this villa?” Xia Shihan replied. “But now that I think about it, you don’t seem like a good person at all.”

“Hey, hey, how am I not a good person? You’re the one who left the bathroom door open while you were showering. How is that my fault?” Zhang Xiaofan said speechlessly.

“Ah! Let’s change the subject…” Xia Shihan’s face was nearly crimson. How had the conversation circled back to that again?

“Fine. Then let me ask you this: why did the eldest daughter of the Xia family leave home and come to live here alone?” Zhang Xiaofan asked.

“You already know?” Xia Shihan was quite surprised. She had never told him her identity, so how had he found out?

“Of course. Do you have any idea who I am?” Zhang Xiaofan replied.

“Then aren’t you afraid? If my family found out that I was living with you…” Xia Shihan began.

“What’s there to fear? Are you stupid? Can’t you just say I’m your personal bodyguard? Besides, I haven’t done anything to you. What are you so afraid of?”

“All right. It seems you have quite an impressive background yourself. But since you clearly don’t want to talk about it, forget it.” Xia Shihan sighed.

How many young heirs in the capital would have remained so calm if they had learned that she was the eldest daughter of the Xia family? Certainly not many.

Besides, she had seen purity in Zhang Xiaofan’s eyes. There was not the slightest hint of malice toward her.

Thus, the last trace of wariness in Xia Shihan’s heart finally disappeared.

“Rest assured. With my abilities, if I really wanted to do something to you, you wouldn’t be able to resist. I wouldn’t need to go through all this trouble. For the time being, I’ll stay here and serve as your bodyguard, protecting your safety. You’re quite bold. Have you ever considered what would happen if your family’s enemies set their sights on you?” Zhang Xiaofan asked.

“I’m not some helpless damsel. I’ve trained too.” Xia Shihan raised her delicate fist and shook it fiercely.

“With those fancy moves of yours?” Zhang Xiaofan said dismissively.

“You really can’t help putting people down, can you?” Xia Shihan retorted irritably.

The two of them continued chatting about one thing and another, and the hours passed quickly.

When it was nearly six, Xia Shihan went upstairs to dress with great care. She changed into a white, wide-shouldered dress, left her hair loose, put on a platinum necklace, and applied light makeup. The transformation was immediate.

She looked every inch the elegant older woman. Zhang Xiaofan could not help feeling slightly intoxicated by the sight.

He had come to the capital without Lin Siyu or Chen Yuanyuan. What would happen if he could not restrain himself and ended up sleeping with Xia Shihan?

“Let’s go out to dinner.” Xia Shihan walked over to him.

“Then let’s go,” Zhang Xiaofan said.

“You’re going out dressed in those long shorts, undershirt, and flip-flops?” Xia Shihan asked.

“What’s wrong with that? It’s so hot. Should I really wear a suit outside?” Zhang Xiaofan replied. “Do you think I’m not good enough for you dressed like this?”

“Suit yourself. As long as you don’t mind people laughing at you. I don’t care either way. You’re not my boyfriend, after all.” Xia Shihan shrugged.

“In that case, let’s go.” Zhang Xiaofan picked up the car keys.

There was no need to ask. He would obviously be the one driving.