CHAPTER 396: CHAPTER 396

Old Master Xiao wanted to see her!

Did Xiao Qiye really think that if Old Master Xiao showed up, I would obediently hand over the final part of Nanjia Peak to them? What am I thinking? But isn’t this move of pulling in the elder too much? Xiao Qiye had never been in good standing in my heart, and now, with Old Master Xiao stepping in, things are even worse! And Ms. Qi Mulan from Xiao Group, isn’t she capable? Does she need Old Master Xiao to step in just to wrap things up?

Ye Yuning mentally braced herself and finally said into the phone, "Sorry, I’m busy!"

She assumed it was about the Nanjia Peak project, which was why her attitude was particularly firm.

Butler Zhong, on the other end of the phone, was stunned when he heard Ye Yuning say she was busy.

Then, his tone darkened as he said, "Miss Ye, if you don’t come tomorrow, you might never have the chance to be ’busy’ again!"

Ye Yuning gasped.

Her tone grew even harsher. "Are you threatening me?"

Butler Zhong stated, "Remember, tomorrow at eleven o’clock noon!"

With that, he hung up.

Listening to the dial tone, Ye Yuning felt as if she could hear the other party’s unyielding attitude.

She couldn’t help but feel puzzled. Now, what exactly is the situation? The Xiao Family is threatening me? First it was Xiao Qiye, and now it’s the Xiao Family! Am I not done with these Xiaos yet?

Thinking of this, Ye Yuning felt incredibly annoyed.

...

After leaving the Xiao family estate, Xiao Linye was still perplexed.

While waiting at a red light, his phone buzzed. He took it out; it was Qin Jinchuan.

He answered via Bluetooth. "Hello."

"Come out for a drink!" Qin Jinchuan’s voice sounded somewhat dejected.

Xiao Linye frowned. "Something wrong?"

"Yes, I’ve been tricked!"

Qin Jinchuan’s voice was on the verge of cracking.

Xiao Linye asked, "There’s actually someone in this world who dares to trick you?"

"Ugh, I just got tricked! Come find me. I’ll send you the address."

Qin Jinchuan sounded utterly exasperated talking about being tricked.

After he hung up, the address was quickly sent to Xiao Linye’s phone.

Xiao Linye glanced at the time on his phone. It was already late.

He first sent a message to Ye Yuning: "I’ll be home in two hours. Don’t wait up for me."

After sending the message, Xiao Linye realized what he was doing.

It seems like I’m reporting my whereabouts to Ye Yuning. A flicker of unease passed through me, but looking back, it seems to have always been this way lately. And besides, doing so doesn’t seem wrong at all.

Ye Yuning replied: "Drive safely."

It was a simple reply, yet Xiao Linye could hear a hint of concern in her tone.

This unexpected reply sent a wave of warmth through him.

He replied with an "Mm," then his phone screen went dark. Ye Yuning didn’t message back.

In reality, Ye Yuning was extremely agitated.

Should I give Old Master Xiao the Nanjia Peak design drafts tomorrow if he asks for them? If I don’t, considering the thuggish behavior of the Xiao family, I probably won’t be able to get away easily. But if I do give them away, what does that make me?

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

In her mind, she had already cursed every ancestor of the Xiao Family.

...

Xiao Shuo returned to the Xiao family estate.

Butler Zhong was waiting at the entrance, his expression grim.

Seeing Xiao Shuo’s dejected appearance, Butler Zhong asked, "Third Young Master, would you like something to eat first?"

"No, no, there’s no need!" Xiao Shuo hurriedly shook his head.

He had no appetite.

Just the thought of being embroiled with Seventh Uncle makes my skin crawl. Especially now, I’m starting to think I might not be able to protect myself.

Seeing Xiao Shuo in this state, Butler Zhong sighed inwardly.

He’s still a member of the Xiao family; how can he look so spineless?

"Then come inside. The Old Master is waiting for you."

Xiao Shuo: "..."

Hearing that his grandfather was waiting for him made his spirits sink even lower.

When he entered, he saw Old Master Xiao sitting on the sofa, his face dark, which made Xiao Shuo’s back stiffen uncontrollably.

Standing rooted to the spot, he called out tentatively, "Grand... Grandpa!"

When Old Master Xiao looked at Xiao Shuo, there was no trace of kindness in his eyes. His gaze was especially icy as he looked at him. Such a look made Xiao Shuo freeze, too scared to move.

Old Master Xiao, breathing heavily, closed his eyes for a moment. Then, with suppressed anger, he asked, "When did they get together?"

Xiao Shuo: "..."

Hearing this question, Xiao Shuo felt as if he were suffocating.

He subconsciously wanted to deny it.

However, Old Master Xiao said, "You deal with this."

"What?"

Xiao Shuo’s pupils contracted, his face filled with terror.

Butler Zhong, hearing Old Master Xiao’s words, also stiffened. He looked at Old Master Xiao in confusion.

This concerns the Seventh Young Master; can the Third Young Master really handle it?

Before either of them could fully comprehend, Old Master Xiao bellowed, "This is all your fault!"

Xiao Shuo: "..."

Butler Zhong: "..."

The air suddenly fell silent, leaving only Old Master Xiao’s heavy, oppressive breathing.

Xiao Shuo’s hands clenched uncontrollably, and he looked utterly cowed.