Chapter 35: Fourth Uncle thinks the fire isn't burning bright enough, so he wants to play for higher stakes?

As the words fell, Nan Xing raised her eyes. A pair of clear, dark, peach-blossom eyes landed on Li Beitiam. Watching his casual movements, she had an intuition that Li Beitiam had come specifically for her. A faint, almost imperceptible smile played on the girl’s rosy lips as she tapped her toes against the ground and hopped off the swing.

"Good evening, Fourth Uncle," Nan Xing said, walking up to Li Beitiam with proper decorum and greeting him with a nod.

"Hmm," Li Beitiam replied. His demeanor remained as deep and aloof as ever.

Just then, a servant arrived in the garden to announce that dinner was ready. The group returned to the villa one after another. By this time, Li Sichen’s parents, Li Yunting and Si Qinghe, had also finished their work and returned.

Old Madam Li had three children: two sons and one daughter. The eldest was Li Yunting, the second was Li Yunqiao, and the youngest was Li Yunmu. The second son, Li Yunqiao, and his wife were currently abroad, accompanying their daughter, Li Xiangsi, for her studies. The youngest daughter, Li Yunmu, remained unmarried and was busy traveling the world.

Li Yunting and his wife were usually busy with work and rarely returned to the old mansion for dinner, but because Nan Xing was visiting, the Old Madam had ordered their return, making the dining room much livelier than usual.

On the dining table were many of Nan Xing’s favorite dishes. Si Qinghe was incredibly enthusiastic, piling food into Nan Xing’s bowl until the small side plate next to her was overflowing like a mountain. Only then did she put down the serving chopsticks with an embarrassed smile.

In contrast, Nan Zhen’er’s plate contained nothing but the large shrimp that Li Sichen had placed there at the very beginning. Nan Zhen’er felt a pang of bitterness but dared not utter a sound. She kept glancing at Nan Xing from the corner of her eye, her hand hidden beneath the table clenching so hard she nearly drew blood.

"Xingxing, dear, it’s not easy for you to visit the old mansion, so please don’t be shy. Just tell your aunt if you want anything to eat or drink." Thinking of how many years Nan Xing had spent living in the countryside, she must have suffered, but at least she would be marrying into the Li family to enjoy a good life. Si Qinghe spoke with a mix of heartache and relief, offering her gentle reminders.

"Thank you, Auntie." Nan Xing popped a piece of diced beef into her mouth, feeling nothing but moved. This feeling of being valued was truly wonderful.

Beside her, Li Sichen saw how well his mother was treating Nan Xing—perhaps even better than she treated him—and felt a bit resentful. He glared at Nan Xing fiercely. Nan Xing saw it, of course, but knowing that anger only harms one's health, she chose to pretend she hadn't.

As Li Sichen reached out to serve himself, Si Qinghe noticed the diamond watch on his wrist and remarked unintentionally, "Didn't you just buy a new one? You've only been wearing this for a few days, why did you change it?"

Si Qinghe, a teacher by trade, lived a modest life. Even with the family’s wealth, she did not approve of extravagance or waste.

"Auntie, that watch was a gift from me to Brother Sichen." Finally finding an opening to interject, Nan Zhen’er raised her voice, trying hard to make her presence felt.

"Is that so?" Si Qinghe smiled, adding politely, "Miss Nan is very thoughtful."

Although this was a compliment, Nan Zhen’er was not pleased. Compared to the way everyone had treated Nan Xing earlier, it felt as though she were nothing but air. Why could Nan Xing so easily integrate into this family while she, Nan Zhen’er, could not?

Thinking of this, Nan Zhen’er turned toward Nan Xing with a sweet smile. "What gift did you prepare for Brother Sichen, Sister? Why don't you bring it out for everyone to see? I’m sure everyone is looking forward to it."

Nan Xing saw right through Nan Zhen’er’s petty schemes and answered honestly, "I didn't prepare anything."

"Oh, you didn't prepare a gift at all?" Nan Zhen’er feigned surprise, widening her eyes and looking at Li Sichen with mock sympathy. Seeing the deep disgust in Li Sichen’s eyes toward Nan Xing, Nan Zhen’er curled her lips in triumph.

"I see. You must have been so busy not coming home all night that you forgot about Brother Sichen being discharged from the hospital, which is why you didn't prepare a gift." Nan Zhen’er smiled faintly, adding as if by accident, "There was a meeting at school today, and I thought you were off playing with friends and had forgotten, so I didn't think you would come."

Nan Zhen’er’s soft words were like arsenic, instantly pushing Nan Xing into the eye of the storm. Upon hearing that Nan Xing had stayed out all night, Li Yunting’s expression darkened.

Just as Nan Zhen’er thought her plan had succeeded, Li Yunting suddenly spoke up, "How do you know she didn't come home all night? Are you monitoring her?"

"Ah?" Caught off guard, Nan Zhen’er was flustered for a moment. She hadn't expected anyone to speak up for Nan Xing at such a critical moment. What was wrong with this family? Apart from Brother Sichen, it seemed none of them were normal.

However, in front of her elders, Nan Zhen’er dared not be too brazen. She explained in a low voice, "My friend told me. She saw Sister getting out of a taxi at the school gate this morning..."

"You're right. There was an emergency yesterday, and I was indeed with friends," Nan Xing said, her red lips parting slightly, her gaze open and honest. What century was this? To still be clinging to such outdated, feudal thoughts. Did they think a woman should never step out of the house and only stay home to serve her husband and children? She absolutely disagreed.

Furthermore, she was an adult now, capable of taking responsibility for her own actions.

Grandma Li looked at Nan Zhen’er with dissatisfaction. "Hmph, I’ve lived long enough to tell who is a person and who is a ghost at a glance. Our Xingxing is the best of them all. Stop listening to the nonsense your friends spout."

"Grandma, I..." Nan Zhen’er’s face turned crimson. Having lost face in front of everyone, she bit her lower lip to keep her tears from falling.

Seeing her grandmother defend her like this, Nan Xing felt sweeter than if she had eaten honey. She picked up her chopsticks, acting as if nothing had happened, and was just about to reach for a piece of braised pork when she noticed the deep, unfathomable gaze of Li Beitiam across the table. His expression had suddenly darkened, carrying a cold, ruthless chill.

Nan Xing felt a sinking feeling. A second later, her phone rang, and she took the opportunity to slip away to the restroom.

Once inside, Nan Xing locked the door. No more than two seconds after she hung up the phone, she heard footsteps approaching the door, followed by the sound of a key turning in the lock.

Nan Xing’s nerves tightened. "Someone’s in here," she warned.

But it was useless; the sound of the lock turning did not stop. Nan Xing’s palms broke into a sweat. Aside from *that* person, she couldn't imagine anyone else who would have a key and act with such disregard.

Just as she was preparing herself to make an escape, the tall figure strode in. He promptly locked the door behind him and pinned Nan Xing against the restroom wall.

"Fourth Uncle, are you dissatisfied with how the fire burned last night and want to play with something bigger?" Since she wasn't going to be able to leave anytime soon, Nan Xing decided to switch from passive to active.

Her small, fair, and fragrant hands climbed up the man’s muscular chest. Her fingertips traced the neckline of his shirt, drawing heart shapes on his chest, her eyes filled with allure.

Even though he knew she was intentionally stoking the fire, it still ignited his most primal desires. Li Beitiam caught her restless hands, pressed her further against the wall, and leaned in slowly. "What? Are you afraid?"