Zhao Li Xin didn’t care that others were looking at him. He anxiously gazed at the woman on his lap. His words’ turned gentle, different from the cold man he portrayed a moment ago, “Sorry, did I scare you?”

“I’m surprised but I’m not scared. I’ve told you many times, I’m not a scaredy-cat,” Lory reassured him. She knew the viciousness of the people in this world. If Zhao Li Xin was weak, the jerk would have killed them both without hesitation. Zhao Li Xin only cut Han Yuan’s finger, something that was considered mild to someone like him.

​​

Mong Yi sighed at the jerk’s luck. Han Yuan’s head would have been rolling on the floor if the future madam wasn’t there. He also didn’t understand why the jerk wanted to bring his master into their fight. It was like Han Yuan wanted with his master’s head to roll with his.

“Let’s have a rest,” Zhao Li Xin was relieved to know she wasn’t scared of him.

Lory saw Yang Xi Ying standing like a statue as Han Yuan shamelessly held her leg as he begged for forgiveness. The jerk reminding her of how much he loved her. Han Yuan was smart to play ball. He knew his future in the academy was ruined so he crawled back to Yang Xi Ying. With her, he could still become Sun Jan city Governor’s son-in-law.

Yang Xi Ying was reluctant this time around. It wasn’t because Han Yuan’s future was ruined but because he only knew to go to her when he was troubled and would leave her when he was happy. She had never realized it before this day. The strange woman was right to call him a JERK. However, she was still indecisive about her decision…

Lory approached Yang Xin Yi, “Miss Yang I don’t mean to get involved but a beautiful, young and smart woman with an honorable background like you should have many men at her feet begging for attention. You shouldn’t waste your time with a man who treats you as a safety net…” 

Lory’s words were genuine and honest. She felt bad for the young lady. She hoped she wouldn’t fall the jerk’s tricks again.

Yang Xin Yin’s mind became clear. The stranger was right she was young, beautiful and with her family background, she could find a husband who was a thousand times better than the JERK. She didn’t need to entangle herself further with him. She had been stupid in the past.

Han Yuan wanted to refute Lory’s words and kick her away, but the strong glares from Zhao Li Xin and Mong Yi scared the hell out of him. He didn’t even dare to breathe loudly.

Yang Xin Yi’s face brightened as the dark cloud lifted from her, “Thank you for your kind words, Miss…”

“I’m Luo Ri Yi,” Lory slightly bowed at her. Lory’s gentle demeanor made Yang Xin Yi like her instantly.

“I’m Yang Xin Yi. If you have time to visit Sun Jan city, please come to my place. I want to repay your kind words.”

“You don’t have to. But I would definitely find you if I visit Sun Jan city,” Lory said with certainty.

Yang Xin Yi liked the straight forward woman in front of her. She’s always surrounded by people who had ulterior motives. Meeting someone like Luo Ri Yi was like a breath of fresh air, “Sure. I’ll be waiting.”

The girls smiled at each other happily. A few women and soldiers soon arrived at the scene. They all looked terrified when they saw the big hole in the inn. A woman in a maid’s uniform rushed to Yang Xin Yi with an anxious face, “Young Miss, are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Yang Xin Yi’s smile stunned the young maid. Her young miss was known to be kind and gentle since childhood but she had gradually changed after meeting Han Yuan. She dressed differently, wore heavy makeup and easily got irritated easily. The woman standing before her remained her of how the young miss used to be.

“Give the inn owner enough money for compensation. This JERK has ruined the poor man’s livelihood. Part of this is my fault too,” Yang Xin Yi’s demeanor as a noble lady had returned. Lory was impressed by her strong and dignified behavior.

The maid was also amazed by her young miss, especially when she pointed at the jerk. She couldn’t help but feel relieved when she saw Han Yuan’s pathetic state. It seemed her young miss had opened her eyes at last.

“I have to leave now. I left my home without informing my father because of this jerk,” Yang Xin Yi felt guilty. Her father warned her several times about Han Yuan but she never listened. Her behavior must have broken her father’s heart many times. She sighed deeply, “I need to apologize to my father and accept whatever punishment he gives me.”

“As long as you are sincere, your father would forgive you” Lory comforted her.

Lory kind smiles soothed her heart. It was no wonder people said a good friend was more precious than a gem. She lost a lover but gained a good friend. It wasn’t a bad trade.

“Xin Yi, listen to me. I…” Han Yuan was still reluctant to let go of his last string of hope.

“I gave you so many chances before but you never appreciated them. From now on there’s nothing between us,” Yang Xin Yi said firmly. She smiled kindly at Lory and left Han Yuan on the floor looking lifeless.

Lory watched Yang Xin Yi and her entourage leave as Girsha watched Lory from a tree branch close by. His little girl had always had ways with words since childhood. It didn’t matter how hard or cold one’s heart was as her words would find a way to slip through. It was the way she touched the cold man’s heart…like she touched his.

Zhao Li Xin and Lory were heading to their rooms when a middle-aged man blocked his path. Zhao Li Xin’s face darkened. He would have kicked the man aside if it wasn’t for Lory being next to him. Mong Yi was also bewildered. Who was the crazy man? Was trying to commit suicide? He should have thought of jumping off a cliff if that was his intention as it was hard for his lord to maintain a good mood.

“Lord Long Ming, I’m Hua Hong from the Purple Bird Sect. It’s an honor to meet you, Milord,” The middle-aged man’s face reminded Lory of the fat tanuki cartoon she used to watch. The fat tanuki was a sneaky and greedy creature with small eyes, chubby hands, and a big belly. What she hated the most about the creature was its creepy smile. The middle-aged man resembled that cartoon character. Lory unconsciously looked at him with dislike.

“What do you want?” Zhao Li Xin was more annoyed was he saw Lory’s look.

Hua Hong creepy smile annoyed Lory more, ‘Go away, you creepy Tanuki!’

“Lord Long Ming, may I invite you to my home for dinner? My daughter here has admired you for a very long time,” A woman with a voluptuous figure and seductive smile approached them when Hua Hong said that. She smiled seductively at Zhao Li Xin. Most of the men in the restaurant were mesmerized by the sexy lady.

“I don’t have time,” Zhao Li Xin walked past Hua Hong as he held Lory’s hand. However, the middle-aged man was stupid enough to grab Zhao Li Xin’s sleeve. Zhao Li Xin was someone who liked to keep a distance between him and other humans. Hua Hong’s action made him furious. He removed his hand from Hua Hong’s grip and struck the stupid man’s chest. Hua Hong was pushed so hard by the force that he fell through the wall. The sexy lady screamed loudly when she saw her father flying body. The lady rushed to help her father who was lying unconsciously on the ground.

Another wall was destroyed and the innkeeper didn’t dare complain. He was fortunate Yang Xin Ying gave him enough money to fix the first wall but the second one… The innkeeper lamented to himself. A man with a black uniform approached him and gave him a heavy pouch.

“This is from our lord for your troubles,” The black-uniformed man quickly disappeared after saying that.

The innkeeper’s eyes bulged out of their sockets when he opened the pouch. The money was ten times more than what Yang Xin Yin gave him. He could easily move to the capital and build a luxurious inn with the money he was given. He no longer minded if Zhao Li Xin destroyed the whole inn.

“Who else wants to invite me?” Zhao Li Xin questioned the people around him sternly.

“No, Milord. Enjoy your rest,” Those who had ulterior motive threw their thoughts out of the window. Long Ming was exactly like the rumor. He was violent and cruel. No one would dare take advantage of him. He didn’t even blink when the beautiful lady was in front of him.

Zhao Li Xin was unperturbed. He didn’t look proud or conceited when everyone yielded to him. His black eyes remained cold and empty, nothing reflected in those beautiful eyes. Everyone unconsciously looked down as they could feel their body becoming numb at his gaze. They even wondered if Long Ming was human.

“Come on!” Lory gently pulled his hand.

Her soft voice calmed him down. His severe demeanor gradually subsided and he smiled tenderly at Lory.

“Hm,” Zhao Li Xin nodded slightly and they headed upstairs. Everyone exhaled loudly when Zhao Li Xin’s figure disappeared behind the door. Some slumped in their chairs because their legs couldn’t hold their bodies anymore while others couldn’t stop shivering.

Mong Yi watched them with a scowl, ‘What a bunch of sissies? You became like this after only one minute of the lord’s pressure. Try serving him for a decade and tell me how it feels…’