The storm came and went in a flash.

Just before leaving, Lin Xiao said to Xiao Shixiong, "Jia Meng isn't bad. You should consider giving him a bit of a boost." This was the promise Lin Xiao had made to Jia Meng while buying the car, and he certainly intended to fulfill it.

Upon hearing this, Jia Meng was so thrilled that he dropped to his knees before Lin Xiao without a second thought. He had every reason to be excited; a single word from Lin Xiao could elevate the Jia Family to new heights. Lin Xiao immediately helped him up, even though he could have accepted the gesture.

The King of the Southern Town glanced at Jia Meng and nodded at Lin Xiao. "My lord, rest assured, I will give him my support."

Jia Meng was so overcome with emotion he nearly fainted. "Mr. Lin, thank you," he said, his voice trembling. "And thank you, Lord Xiao!"

Lin Xiao waved it off, turned, and got into the Cullinan. Stepping on the gas, he quickly sped out of the Rolls-Royce dealership.

While driving back to the villa, Lin Xiao received a phone call from Pei Yanzi.

The moment he saw her name on the screen, his mind was flooded with the image of her under the influence of the aphrodisiac poison—her staggering allure and the way she had pleaded with him to take her. He had to admit, the memory stirred something within him. He quickly answered the call. "Yanzi, is something the matter?"

"Brother Lin, do you have time at noon? I'd like to treat you to lunch!" Pei Yanzi's crisp and pleasant voice came through the phone, tinged with a slight shyness.

"Why?" Lin Xiao asked curiously.

"I want to thank you for saving me yesterday."

"That was nothing," Lin Xiao laughed. "Don't give it a second thought."

"But Brother Lin, it may have been nothing to you, but to me, you saved my life! If you hadn't stepped in, I... I would have been defiled. If that had happened, I don't think I could have gone on living!" Her voice trembled as she spoke the last few words, and he could tell how emotional she was.

It made sense. For a pure girl like Pei Yanzi, an ordeal like that was unimaginable. To say yesterday had been a nightmare was an understatement. Fortunately, just as she was about to be ruined, Lin Xiao had extended a helping hand, pulling her back from the brink and saving her from a tragic fate.

Lin Xiao knew she was deeply grateful. "Yanzi, I appreciate the thought, but listen. Your brother and I are friends, which makes you like a little sister to me. So please, don't dwell on it."

"Brother Lin, my parents taught me that you must always show gratitude. Please, I'm begging you, just let me treat you to one meal, okay? Otherwise, I'll feel guilty for the rest of my life!"

Her voice was soft and sweet, carrying such a strong note of pleading that Lin Xiao's heart softened. "Alright then. Where are you? I'll come find you."

Hearing that Lin Xiao had agreed, a warm current she had never felt before swept through her. Pei Yanzi was so excited she wanted to jump for joy. "Brother Lin, I'm at home right now."

"Okay, I'll come pick you up!"

"Okay!"

After hanging up, Pei Yanzi bounced with excitement. She happened to catch her reflection in the mirror and saw that her fair cheeks had flushed a deep red, making her look exceptionally lovely. Flustered, she quickly covered her face with her hands.

After hanging up with Pei Yanzi, Lin Xiao immediately called Su Qingning. She picked up right away.

"Qingning, what are you up to?" Lin Xiao asked with a smile.

"Looking at apartments," Su Qingning grumbled. "What else?"

"Not going well?"

Su Qingning scoffed. She had been looking at listings online all day, but every time she called, the price was higher than advertised or the location was terrible. "What do you want?"

"Pei Donglai's sister invited me to lunch to thank me. You should come too."

"Why is she inviting you to lunch?" Su Qingning asked.

"I rescued her yesterday, so she wants to show her gratitude," Lin Xiao explained. He had already told Su Qingning about it.

"She's treating *you* to lunch. What would I do there? Besides, I'm busy."

"What, you trust me to go alone?" Lin Xiao teased.

"What's there to worry about? She's Pei Donglai's sister."

"What if she takes a liking to me?"

Su Qingning laughed on the other end of the line. "You shameless rogue, who do you think you are? Pei Yanzi is gorgeous, the campus belle of Jinling University. She'd have to be blind to fall for a rogue like you!"

Lin Xiao was speechless. He knew that if Shao Mei'er or Chu Xiangxue had invited him, Su Qingning would never have been this nonchalant.

"Qingning, are you sure you don't want to come? It'll just be me and Pei Yanzi. Alone. Are you really okay with that?"

"I have nothing to worry about. You think you're so irresistible?" With that, she hung up.

Lin Xiao was even more speechless.

Soon, he arrived at the entrance to Pei Yanzi's residential community. He was just about to call her when he looked up and saw her standing right at the gate, looking absolutely lovely.

She wore a gray JK uniform, and beneath the short skirt, her legs were long, slender, and fair. Her natural beauty, combined with the outfit, was drawing a lot of attention. A few young men were cornering her, apparently trying to get her contact information.

Like a frightened fawn, Pei Yanzi kept backing away, but the young men only grew bolder, continuing to close in on her. She was already panicking to the point of tears.

A deadly glint flashed in Lin Xiao's eyes. He floored the accelerator, and the Cullinan screeched to a steady halt right in front of the group. The intimidating presence of the luxury car immediately made the young men recoil a few steps.

Pei Yanzi grew even more flustered, looking as if she was about to bolt. She must have thought this was just another person trying to hit on her.

"Yanzi, it's me!" Lin Xiao quickly called out.

Hearing Lin Xiao's familiar voice, Pei Yanzi's frantic heart immediately calmed. She glanced into the car and was relieved to see it was indeed Lin Xiao. Her fair face flushed a shy crimson. "Brother Lin," she stammered, "I... I thought..."

"You thought someone else was trying to hit on you?" Lin Xiao asked with a smile.

Pei Yanzi nodded, her cheeks still bright red.

Lin Xiao chuckled. "It's fine. Hop in."

Pei Yanzi hurriedly opened the door and climbed into the back seat. "Brother Lin, thank you for saving me again!"

"Don't worry about it, Yanzi," Lin Xiao said, turning to look at her. "What do you feel like eating for lunch?"

Pei Yanzi was clearly still recovering from her earlier panic. "Brother Lin, what... what do you want to eat?"

"I'm fine with anything."

"Me too," Pei Yanzi said quickly.

Lin Xiao smiled. "Then I'll make the arrangements."

Delighted, Pei Yanzi agreed.

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