Deliberately Approaching
Chapter 163 Blurted Out!

Chapter 163: Chapter 163 Blurted Out!

"Young Master Zihan, are you alright?"

"Has Xiao Wan been found, did my brother call to say anything?"

Both spoke almost simultaneously, Bai Long with a piercing gaze and Li Zihan anxiously worried; neither found fault with the other.

Normally, this would have led to a few mocking exchanges.

"She’s been located, at Mei Garden."

"Is she hurt, is it serious, is she alright?"

Bai Long frowned, "Hurt?"

After asking Li Zihan, he found out that Tang Xiaowan hadn’t encountered any misfortune but had received several threatening photos. Suspecting that Lin Ping’s death was related to Li Zishen, she had left in anger.

Li Zishen was very worried because she wasn’t answering her phone.

The reason for assuming Tang Xiaowan had returned to Mei Garden was based on the last message she sent.

"Do not come to Mei Garden, or we’re through!"

Li Zishen had suspected that Tang Xiaowan had returned to Mei Garden, but he couldn’t be certain, especially since it was where the nighttime attack occurred and the danger level was extremely high.

But that message revealed everything to him.

"Do not come to Mei Garden."

Based on human linguistic habits, why would someone use "do not come" if they weren’t there?

Li Zishen guessed that Tang Xiaowan must have composed the message in a moment of panic; she hadn’t thought it through and simply sent it, merely not wanting Li Zishen to disturb her tranquility at Mei Garden.

"Did my brother meet Xiao Wan then?" Li Zihan continued to inquire, still very worried.

"Not sure, he didn’t say."

"Why didn’t you follow him? Can my brother manage on his own? Who’s protecting him, is it Chen Xin, did he go there?"

"There’s been a minor incident abroad that needs handling, so Brother Shen had me pick up the contract while Chen Xin also has some urgent matters... That’s roughly the situation. It’s all arranged by Brother Shen. If there’s nothing else, I should..."

Bai Long hesitated, his words ambiguous, his rough hand clutching the folder tightly.

Usually, he rarely interacted with others, even with his closest acquaintance Chen Xin, he was always succinct, yet just now, he had said quite a lot.

It was clear he was anxious to leave.

"Oh, I see, then go ahead with your work. I have nothing else, please go."

After Bai Long nodded, he quickly departed.

Li Zihan watched his hurried figure, sighing deeply, suddenly feeling that his family had been particularly unlucky lately, troubles following one after another.

...

On the other side, at Mei Garden’s top-floor terrace.

Despite the expansive view, where one could see the bamboo forest at a glance, Tang Xiaowan still failed to spot Li Zishen’s limited-edition luxury car.

With nothing else to do, she started doing side flips and bending exercises, each movement flowing smoothly.

"Wow, not bad, I’m really good!"

Suddenly, a round of applause broke out.

"Yes, indeed very good!"

Tang Xiaowan turned around to see Leng Lingxiao.

"Why are you here?"

"Just like you, morning exercise."

"I’m just randomly moving around, can’t really call it morning exercise, haha."

"Tangtang, you might not remember, but you used to come here often... just like you did just now, bending, doing side flips, it was good."

"Did I used to love exercising?"

"Yes, you even used to exercise while eating, throwing food around."

"Tossing it up and catching it?"

"Right, exactly like that, never missing."

At that moment, Tang Xiaowan suddenly remembered the incident a few days ago with grapes and chocolate beans; she indeed liked throwing things.

But the idea of exercising seemed incredible.

After the nighttime attack, laziness had virtually become her synonym, always lying or lounging around. If not for rushing to school, perhaps she could have slept until noon.

Leng Lingxiao’s face showed sincerity, not appearing to lie.

"Huahua, thank you."

"Thank me for what?"

"Thank you for letting me know that I, Tang Xiaowan, am quite diligent, a fitness enthusiast, haha."

Suddenly, Leng Lingxiao changed the topic and quickly asked, "Have you fallen for him?"

"Who, fallen for whom?"

"Li Zishen."

"If I said I liked you, would you believe me?"

Leng Lingxiao’s eyes shone brightly, overjoyed, and he grabbed Tang Xiaowan who was about to leave.

"Believe, of course I believe!"

Tang Xiaowan froze, wishing she could kick herself twice for blurting out such shameless words.

It was like she hadn’t considered it at all!

Oh my, this was embarrassing!

At that moment, Leng Lingxiao also realized his recklessness and quickly let go, "I’m sorry, Tangtang, about what you just said..."

Tang Xiaowan touched her nose, suddenly grinning foolishly, "It’s okay now, let’s go, let’s hurry down to eat, I’m so hungry."

Before she finished speaking, she had already run off.

Leng Lingxiao was delighted and immediately chased after her, quickly catching up with the blushing Tang Xiaowan.

"Tangtang, I haven’t finished speaking yet."

"Say, what is it? I was just joking earlier, you really mustn’t take it seriously, haha!"

"Joking?"

"Yes, you can’t take it seriously!"

Leng Lingxiao was stunned, his lips twitched.

Used to seeing his playful smile, he now seemed so constrained, like a child receiving a scolding from a teacher.

Tang Xiaowan suddenly felt full of guilt.

"Are you okay, Huahua? I really was joking. Who said I liked Li Zishen? If I could beat him, I would have already beaten him up a thousand times, you have no idea..."

"I’m sorry, I was wrong."

Leng Lingxiao’s sudden apology left Tang Xiaowan baffled.

She was the one who should be apologizing!

"Huahua, you..."

"Come on, let’s go eat. There’s lean meat porridge, shumai, and your favorite spicy shredded radish salad. I added a lot of chili, super spicy."

Was this back to normal?

What the heck, scared me!

Tang Xiaowan lifted her head high and questioned, "Super spicy, did you sneak a taste?"

Her eyes narrowed into slits, seeming angry but also seemingly with a hint of glee, which made Leng Lingxiao laugh too.

The atmosphere relaxed a lot.

"Come on, tell me, did you or didn’t you?" Tang Xiaowan pressed on.

"Just a bite, a tiny bite!"

"Pfft, I don’t believe you. You didn’t even invite me, that’s so mean. If you dare do it again, I’ll..."

Leng Lingxiao, getting the hint, quickly interrupted.

"Can we go tomorrow?"

"Sure! Let’s sneak into the kitchen when they’re not around, haha."

"Right, we can add some extra ingredients."

"You keep watch, and I’ll..."

Mid-sentence, Tang Xiaowan suddenly stopped, her mind flashing through a series of familiar yet unfamiliar images.

Unconsciously, the corners of her mouth lifted.

But quickly, her brow furrowed, as if she was in a rush.

Leng Lingxiao said nothing, just quietly watching.

A breeze blew by, and Tang Xiaowan’s hair fluttered up at the ends, in a moment, as beautiful and lively as sea foam.

Leng Lingxiao slowly lifted his hand but then let it drop again in mid-air.

"Your hair is past your waist again, that was fast!"

"Huahua, did we used to..."

Tang Xiaowan hesitated, unsure where to start, her mind a mess.