The Villain’s Daughter is Four and a Half

Chapter 24 Xu Xiangying’s heart tightened, and after a long pause, she found her voice: “What did you just say?” “I said I know your secret.” “What secret?” “Your secret of eternal youth.” A long silence followed. As expected, someone had found out. Xu Xiangying felt a mix of relief, fear, and chaos, her heart pounding as a warm hand grasped hers. “Yingying, don’t be afraid of me—” He sat beside her, pulling her into his embrace. Xu Xiangying gradually calmed down: “I’m not afraid of you; I’m afraid of Lin Jing’an. He knows my secret. He won’t let us be together.” “I’ll handle it.” “How?” “Let me think.” While he thought, Xu Xiangying stayed at An Xiang Ying Xiu. Jiang Bo Yuan didn’t take her back home nor told their daughter about this. However, Zhou Linchuan soon found out and also came: “Why haven’t you gone back?” Xu Xiangying smiled without answering, knowing that during her disappearance, he had taken good care of her daughter, and she was grateful, so she invited him to have tea together. An Xiang Ying Xiu had not been open for business these days. The bookstore was quiet, with a white gardenia flower on the tea table, beside which a bronze incense burner emitted a wisp of smoke. The scene was serene and beautiful. She knelt on a cushion, her slender, white fingers busy on the tea table, her long black hair sliding down her shoulders with each movement. She wore a simple yet elegant modified cheongsam dress with delicate pink lotus patterns, her figure graceful, exuding an otherworldly beauty. The tea was gradually ready. She poured him a cup: “Drink. See how it tastes.” The taste was certainly good. The finest tea leaves, the intricate art of tea preparation, all were a complete aesthetic enjoyment. Zhou Linchuan took a sip, watching her quietly, his eyes gentle and restrained: “It’s very fragrant. The taste is excellent. There’s a hint of sweetness.” Hearing this, Xu Xiangying smiled: “This tea is like life. When savored, it’s always good. Every drop is memorable.” “Xiangying?” “Hmm?” “You’re like this tea.” Aging gracefully, becoming more precious over time. He set down his cup: “Go back. They need you.” Xu Xiangying was surprised: “Did he send you?” “No.” “Why then?” “He can’t do without you.” “I know.” “Ruyi needs you too.” “What about you?” She raised an eyebrow, her eyes twinkling with laughter. In fact, she knew he had always liked her, perhaps not less than Jiang Bo Yuan, but she hadn’t expected him to come to persuade her to return to Jiang Bo Yuan. Zhou Linchuan probably guessed her thoughts and smiled: “Your happiness is what matters. Even if it’s not given by me.” “You…” are quite foolish. Xu Xiangying took a sip of tea and lowered her eyes: “I never said I was leaving him.” But Lin Jing’an was like a dark cloud hanging over her head. Zhou Linchuan, unaware of the situation, chuckled softly: “That’s good then.” They chatted for a bit more, and then Zhou Linchuan left. At five in the afternoon, Xu Xiangying returned home. Jiang Qiuyue was shocked to see her: “You, you’re back!” Xu Xiangying smiled lightly: “Yes. And my sister is here too. Thank you for looking after Ruyi.” Jiang Qiuyue: “…” She felt a bit guilty and gave a forced laugh: “I’m cooking. What would you like to eat? I’ll make it for you.” “No need for trouble. Anything will do. Where’s Bo Yuan?” “He’s gone to pick up Ruyi from school.” “Hmm.” She responded, returned to the bedroom, where the furnishings remained unchanged and everything was neatly arranged. Xu Xiangying took a shower in the bathroom, changed into a light-colored gauze dress, and lay down on the bed. These past few days, she had been staying at An Xiang Ying Xiu, which wasn’t exactly a place for lodging, and the conditions were quite basic. Thus, lying in bed felt incredibly comfortable, and she closed her eyes. She was delicate, capable of enduring hardship, but more accustomed to luxury. After lying there for a while, she drifted off to sleep.