"When I arrange a date with your sister-in-law, I need you to help cover for me." Xu Hao said casually.
Li Xiao froze, his eyes widening in shock.
He couldn’t believe what he had just heard. Xu Hao openly admitted his plan to date his sister-in-law and expected Li Xiao to assist him in hiding it.
"You want me to help you deceive my brother and cover up your date with my sister-in-law?" Li Xiao’s voice was cold, his anger barely restrained.
Xu Hao’s smile remained unchanged, as if he hadn’t noticed Li Xiao’s fury.
Li Xiao clenched his fists tightly, struggling to suppress his emotions.
Yao Xinrui wasn’t just his sister-in-law; she was the woman he secretly admired. And now, not only did Xu Hao intend to pursue her, but he also wanted Li Xiao’s help to make it happen.
The very thought made Li Xiao feel as if his heart had been stabbed repeatedly.
"This is impossible." Li Xiao spat, his tone filled with disgust.
Xu Hao raised an eyebrow, his calm demeanor unshaken. "Don’t be so quick to refuse. I have confidence in you. After all, you’re someone your brother trusts. Besides, I’ll handle the bodyguards Chu Xiong has assigned to her. You won’t have to worry about that."
Li Xiao’s expression darkened.
Chu Xiong was no fool; he had stationed capable bodyguards to protect his wife, both to ensure her safety and to keep her under surveillance.
Xu Hao’s casual dismissal of this obstacle only made Li Xiao angrier.
Xu Hao’s smirk deepened as he continued, "You’re the perfect person for this. Your brother trusts you implicitly. He won’t suspect a thing if you’re the one helping me."
Hearing this, Li Xiao’s anger boiled over, but he knew he couldn’t openly defy Xu Hao. After all, Xu Hao’s influence and resources were terrifyingly vast.
"Forget it." Xu Hao said with a shrug, turning to leave. "If you’re unwilling, I might as well focus on your sister. She’s sweet and innocent. It wouldn’t take much effort to win her over."
Li Xiao’s heart sank, and his body tensed. He couldn’t let Xu Hao harm his sister.
"Wait!" Li Xiao called out.
Xu Hao stopped, his smirk widening.
After a moment of hesitation, Li Xiao gritted his teeth and said, "Fine. I’ll help you."
"Good choice." Xu Hao replied, his tone filled with satisfaction. "You’ll get further instructions soon."
But Li Xiao wasn’t done. His eyes burned with fury as he said, "If you break your promise and go after my sister, I’ll drag you down with me, even if it means my own destruction."
Xu Hao chuckled softly. "Relax. I’m a man of my word. If I break my promise, feel free to tell Chu Xiong everything."
Li Xiao turned and walked away, his steps heavy with frustration and anger.
Watching him leave, Xu Hao’s smirk turned cold. "When the time comes, you’ll understand the meaning of 'the fish will die, but the net will not break.'"
...
(At the Chu Family Villa)
The atmosphere in the Chu family villa was suffocatingly tense. The servants moved about quietly, their heads lowered in fear.
Chu Xiong had just returned from the hospital after visiting his injured son, Chu Xiaotian. The boy was recovering well, but Chu Xiong was still enraged.
He had already mobilized the Chu family’s resources to suppress Lin Chuqing’s Qingtian Electronics Co., Ltd., which he blamed for the incident. But his anger hadn’t subsided.
Chu Xiong sat in deep thought, plotting his next move.
Li Xiao, who had been following him, remained silent, observing his brother’s simmering fury.
The tense silence was broken by the sudden ringing of Chu Xiong’s phone.
"Boss, Sister Chen was caught in a gang fight and is seriously injured. She won’t be able to continue protecting Madam Yao." The voice on the other end reported.
Chu Xiong’s frown deepened. Sister Chen was the bodyguard he had assigned to secretly protect and monitor Yao Xinrui.
Although his marriage to Yao Xinrui was purely a business arrangement, Chu Xiong couldn’t allow even the hint of a scandal to taint his reputation.
As Chu Xiong hung up, his mind raced with suspicions.
The timing of Sister Chen’s injury seemed far too convenient.
Could someone be targeting his wife?
Li Xiao, who had overheard parts of the conversation, asked cautiously, "Brother, is something wrong?"
Chu Xiong hesitated before answering. He trusted Li Xiao, who had proven his loyalty time and again.
After explaining the situation, Chu Xiong sighed deeply.
Li Xiao’s mind raced.
He immediately realized that Xu Hao must have orchestrated Sister Chen’s injury. The speed and precision of Xu Hao’s actions were terrifying.
"Brother." Li Xiao said, his tone grave, "this feels suspicious. Could someone be targeting Sister-in-law?"
Chu Xiong’s eyes narrowed. He had been thinking the same thing, and hearing Li Xiao voice it only deepened his concern.
"Let me protect her." Li Xiao offered. "I’ll ensure her safety, even at the cost of my life."
Chu Xiong studied Li Xiao for a moment before nodding. "Alright. Go to her and tell her I sent you. Keep a close eye on her, and report back to me about her daily activities and anyone she interacts with."
Li Xiao nodded, his expression unreadable.
Inside, however, his heart was breaking.
Chu Xiong’s trust in him was both a blessing and a curse.
If Xu Hao had not entered the picture, this would have been a golden opportunity to grow closer to Yao Xinrui. But now, he was being used as a pawn in Xu Hao’s scheme.
...
(At Xiongba Electronics Co., Ltd)
In her office, Yao Xinrui sat at her desk, her professional demeanor calm and composed.
Her phone rang, displaying an unfamiliar number.
After a moment’s hesitation, she picked it up.
"This is Yao Xinrui. Who is this?"
A voice she knew all too well replied, "Sister-in-law, it’s been a while."
Her expression turned icy. It was Xu Hao.
"What do you want?" she asked sharply. "I’m busy. If there’s nothing important, I’m hanging up."
She moved to disconnect the call, but Xu Hao’s chuckle stopped her in her tracks.
Yao Xinrui felt a wave of silence sweep over her.
She had nothing to say to Xu Hao.
To her, he was a hypocrite through and through.
On the surface, he appeared gentle, participating in charity events wherever he went. But beneath that polished façade lay a man who engaged in all manner of depravity behind the scenes.
How did she know this?
There was no need to ask.
The moment she saw Xu Hao teasing and threatening his sister-in-law, she knew he was far from a decent man.
But her thoughts froze when she heard the next words over the phone. Xu Hao’s voice rang out, sharp and direct.
“Have you forgotten our five-day agreement?”
Yao Xinrui’s expression stiffened as her fingers stopped moving.
“At 6 p.m., we’ll meet for dinner. See you then.”
Without waiting for a response, Xu Hao hung up the call.
…
(In the office of the Xu Group)
[Ding! Yao Xinrui feels resentful, you obtained 654 emotional value]
Xu Hao idly played with his phone, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. He found himself inexplicably looking forward to the evening’s meeting.
A faint noise came from the adjoining room.
His office was connected to a private bedroom, initially intended for rest during late working hours. Over time, its purpose had changed. These days, it served as a haven for Xu Hao’s nightly escapades.
The bedroom’s previous utility was long forgotten.
Recently, Xu Hao found a new use for it—listening to Xia Qingge, his niece, report on work matters there.
Xia Qingge, still young and inexperienced, often rushed through her reports.
Her work lacked thoroughness, but Xu Hao didn’t mind.
He was merely biding his time until he could conquer the protagonist’s sister, Li Yunshu. Efficiency, for now, was secondary.
Emerging from the bedroom, Xia Qingge adjusted her uniform, her face glowing with joy. The reason was clear—Xu Hao had given her a marrow-cleansing pill, revitalizing her completely and enhancing her beauty.
She dashed toward him, throwing herself into his arms.
“Uncle Xu! Thank you! You’re so kind!”
[Ding! Xia Qingge feels overwhelmed, you obtained 998 emotional points]
Xu Hao chuckled and scratched her nose. “You know I treat you well. So, how do you plan to thank me?”
As his second woman, Xia Qingge naturally received his generosity. Marrow-cleansing pills were valuable, but Xu Hao didn’t mind using them to cultivate favor. Each pill not only garnered emotional poitns but also opened up opportunities for future rewards.
Xia Qingge hesitated, her head shrinking slightly in fear. Though she felt fully rejuvenated, she dared not repeat their earlier interaction. Uncle Xu was simply too much for her.
She glanced at her clothes, realizing she needed to return to work. Any signs of suspicion would cause trouble.
Also, remembering Li Yunshu’s morning visit, Xia Qingge blinked thoughtfully. “Uncle Xu, I might not be able to come often, but I can help you with something.”
“Oh? And how would you help me?” Xu Hao raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
Xia Qingge giggled. “I can help you win over Li Yunshu sooner.”
Her voice carried a playful tone. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. Uncle Xu, if you didn’t even spare me, how could you resist someone like Li Yunshu?”
Xu Hao didn’t deny her claim. “And here I thought you were still quite young, Qingge.”
Blushing, Xia Qingge rolled her eyes at him, “You’re impossible! But don’t worry, Uncle Xu. We’re good friends now, and when the time is right, I’ll put in a good word for you with her.”
Her confidence shone brightly. “Actually, I think Li Yunshu already admires you. You just need the right opportunity. Leave it to me.”
Xu Hao smiled faintly. “Do you really think you can convince her?”
“Of course!” Xia Qingge replied proudly. “We have a great relationship.”
Xu Hao leaned back, a playful smirk crossing his lips. “If you’re so good at persuading, let’s test that silver tongue of yours...”
...
Meanwhile the atmosphere was tense in Yao Xinrui’s office.
She stood frozen, her face pale as Li Xiao entered.
“Sister-in-law, are you alright?” Li Xiao asked, his tone careful.
He had come on his elder brother Chu Xiong’s orders to report to Yao Xinrui. But from the remnants of the phone call he overheard, it was clear the conversation involved Xu Hao.
Li Xiao suppressed his anger, pretending to know nothing.
Yao Xinrui snapped out of her daze, her expression cold. “You said Chu Xiong sent you?”
Li Xiao nodded. “Yes, the young master has encountered some issues lately. He asked me to ensure your safety.”
Yao Xinrui sneered inwardly. “Ensure my safety? More like spy on me." she thought bitterly.
Years of living with Chu Xiong had taught her his true nature.
She waved dismissively. “Fine, you may leave.”
Li Xiao hesitated but complied.
Left alone, Yao Xinrui’s mood worsened.
Xu Hao’s threats loomed over her, and now Chu Xiong had sent someone to monitor her openly. Two disasters collided, leaving her seething with anger.
...
By five in the evening, Yao Xinrui was in the garage, ready to leave for Xu Hao’s appointment.
Li Xiao followed closely, prompting her to turn and address him coldly, “I have something to do tonight and need to return home early. There’s no need for you to follow me.”
“Apologies, Sister-in-law, my brother’s orders are to stay by your side until you’re safely home.” Li Xiao replied firmly.
Yao Xinrui’s face darkened further.
Meeting Xu Hao was already unbearable. Now, she had to deal with this persistent shadow.
Just as she was formulating an excuse, Li Xiao broke the silence. “Sister-in-law, are you going to meet Xu Hao?”
Yao Xinrui froze, her eyes narrowing sharply.
Li Xiao quickly raised his hands defensively. “Don’t worry, Sister-in-law. I won’t tell my brother. I’ll even help cover for you...”