A shadow loomed before her. Xia Kelan looked up, astonished.
"Uncle? What are you doing here?"
"What's your relationship with that man?"
Xie Cheng didn't answer, instead asked coldly, his narrowed eyes brimming with menace.
"None of your business."
Xia Kelan gave him a shove.
"Move aside, you're blocking the light."
Xie Cheng caught her wrist in a swift motion.
"Don't you know he's Su Wanwan's ex-boyfriend?"
Her hand froze mid-air. Xia Kelan glanced up with a faint smirk.
"Well, aren't you the attentive little concubine? Even her exes are etched in your memory."
Xie Cheng's lips twitched as he looked at her impenetrable expression.
"Xia Kelan, don't do anything reckless."
"That man is trouble."
She glanced toward the restroom, catching sight of Ye Nan washing his hands. He was about to come out. The carefully laid plan couldn't be ruined by this meddler. A trace of anxiety flickered in her eyes.
"I like him. I'm short on men lately—what's wrong with grabbing one at random?"
"You want a man? Why not choose me?"
Those words stunned them both into silence.
Xia Kelan gave him a look of utter disdain.
"You?"
Ye Nan emerged from the restroom. Xia Kelan tried to yank her hand free, but it wouldn't budge. Gritting her teeth, she whispered furiously,
"I suggest you let go right now. Don't ruin my plans."
"What plan? Why not let me in on it?"
Xie Cheng's lips curved into a teasing smile, his alluring eyes glinting with razor-sharp clarity.
Just as the tension reached its peak, Ye Nan approached. He dabbed at the corner of his mouth with a tissue, his face pale with an unhealthy hue.
"What's going on here?"
Xia Kelan opened her mouth to answer, but Xie Cheng released her and turned to face Ye Nan directly.
"I'm her brother. And you are?"
Under the table, Xia Kelan kicked him hard. Xie Cheng's brow twitched from the pain, though his face remained unreadable.
Realization dawned on Ye Nan. He gave a respectful smile.
"Nice to meet you, big brother. I'm Ye Nan, a friend of Miss Xia."
He extended a hand.
Xie Cheng didn't even glance at it.
Xia Kelan ground her teeth.
"Since when was I your sister…"
A bank card suddenly appeared between Xie Cheng's fingers, which he handed over.
Her eyes lit up. She snatched it instantly, her expression doing a full 180 as she called out sweetly,
"Brother~"
"Sit down."
Xie Cheng nudged her shoulder with his hip, signaling her to move in.
When someone hands you money, you stay polite. Xia Kelan obediently scooted aside.
Ye Nan, visibly relieved, thought that having an extra person might actually help resolve the tension.
But then Xia Kelan said,
"Brother, you've already eaten, haven't you?"
Xie Cheng was about to say no when she shot him a look.
"Mhm. Already eaten."
"Then I'll trouble Mr. Ye with the bill."
Throughout the meal, Ye Nan made four or five trips to the restroom and ended up vomiting until he was completely drained.
When it came time to pay, Xia Kelan deliberately fumbled with her wallet.
Ye Nan quickly offered his card. As the long bill printed out, he felt as though his soul was bleeding.
"Mr. Ye, I'll see you back to the company."
Xia Kelan walked ahead with him, glancing at her watch, her voice soft and sweet.
"Sure. Do you have other plans afterward, Miss Xia?"
"I was thinking of going shopping. But since you seem busy, I won't trouble you."
Then she turned around and casually lied,
"Brother, didn't you say the young master from the Gao family wanted to take me shopping? I happen to be free. Bring him along."
Ye Nan panicked.
A wealthy and stunning woman like Xia Kelan—there was no shortage of men dying to get close to her. If he missed this chance, there might never be another.
"Why not let me come along? I can at least carry your bags."
Xia Kelan gave him a worried glance.
"But are you up for it? You look rather unwell."
"I'm fine!"
He answered without hesitation.
"I'm perfectly fine!"
Xia Kelan chuckled behind her hand, long lashes veiling the flicker of mischief in her eyes. Twisting her slender waist, she walked toward the luxury car.
Xie Cheng recognized the vehicle—it belonged to a certain menace on the road.
Inside the mall, Xia Kelan went on a complete shopping rampage.
"Wrap everything except these two."
The sales assistant, overjoyed, quickly summoned staff to pack the items. She eventually approached the two men, hesitating.
"Gentlemen, who will be settling the bill?"
"I will."
Xie Cheng took out his wallet at a leisurely pace and murmured to himself,
"My dear sister loves to spend. I wonder which man will be able to support her in the future…"
"Big brother,"
Ye Nan quickly interrupted.
"This is just a small matter. Allow me."
Xie Cheng gave him a long, meaningful look.
"Wouldn't that be impolite?"
"Not at all, it's my pleasure."
If he could secure a woman like her, buying an entire store—no, even a whole mall—would be a small price to pay.
After the spree, Ye Nan was buried under a mountain of shopping bags, trailing behind in utter disarray.
Xia Kelan, meanwhile, was impeccably dressed, walking arm in arm with Xie Cheng at the front—a picture-perfect pair.
Glancing back at the exhausted and sweat-drenched Ye Nan, Xie Cheng lowered his voice.
"I see what you're doing. Is this payback for Su Wanwan?"
Xia Kelan raised her brows, her luminous eyes twinkling.
"I just want him to understand—
a toad will never taste the flesh of a swan."
"He hurt my best friend. You think I'll let him off easily?"
"He should at least leave something behind."
Xie Cheng let out an almost imperceptible breath of relief.
So she wasn't falling for Ye Nan after all.
Their pace quickened, while Ye Nan struggled to keep up behind them, drenched in sweat, his stomach beginning to churn.
"Wait… wait for me…"
His weak voice barely carried.
Then his legs gave out, and he collapsed.
Shopping bags scattered across the gleaming mall floor with a loud crash, drawing everyone's attention.
Lying face-down in utter disgrace, Ye Nan oddly felt a sliver of relief.
Xia Kelan turned at the noise and rushed back.
"Oh no, you fell?"
Her stiletto-heeled foot 'accidentally' stepped on the back of his hand.
A scream rang out.
"Oops, sorry! I didn't see your hand."
Xia Kelan blinked innocently. She crouched down and helped him up, dabbing his forehead with a fragrant handkerchief.
"How could you mess up something so simple?"
Her words carried both scolding and coy reproach, her bright eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Useless."