Su Qingning was suddenly startled, her beautiful peach-blossom eyes widening like unripe apricots.

So, the car wasn't really bought by Shao Mei'er? Did I actually wrong Lin Xiao?

Su Qingning's gaze turned to Lin Xiao, her expression somewhat complex.

Lin Xiao smiled and said to Jia Meng, "That won't be necessary. I'll talk to Shao Mei'er about this later. You can head back for now."

Jia Meng nodded quickly. "Mr. Lin, I'll take my leave then!" he said respectfully.

Lin Xiao grunted in acknowledgment and watched him leave.

With a grin, Lin Xiao said, "How about it, honey? I didn't lie to you, did I?"

"So, they really compensated you with fifteen million?"

"Yeah!"

Su Qingning fell silent. Although she still found his story fantastical, the facts were right before her eyes, leaving her no choice but to believe.

"Honey, you believe me now, don't you?"

Su Qingning nodded with difficulty.

"So, about that bet… aren't you going to make good on it?" Lin Xiao asked with a smile.

Su Qingning's fair cheeks instantly blushed a deep scarlet. Her blush was so vibrant it was enchanting, the kind of red that could make a man's heart race.

"You rogue… c-can't you suggest something else?" Su Qingning's voice was barely a whisper.

The girl was truly flustered. It couldn't be helped; just the thought of sharing a bed with Lin Xiao made her so embarrassed she wished she could find a crack in the ground and crawl into it.

Lin Xiao watched her with a grin.

Su Qingning looked at Lin Xiao, her beautiful eyes holding a hint of hope that he would agree to her request.

"I can," Lin Xiao nodded.

Su Qingning breathed a huge sigh of relief, a wave of joy washing over her. She was about to thank him when he suddenly changed his tune.

"Unless you give me a French kiss!" he said with a mischievous grin.

Su Qingning stared at Lin Xiao, feeling both humiliated and angry.

I knew this rogue was up to no good.

"You rogue! In your dreams!" Su Qingning said through clenched teeth.

Lin Xiao just smiled. "It doesn't matter. I'm sleeping in the bed tonight anyway, and I'm looking forward to that even more than a French kiss!"

"You…"

Su Qingning was so angry she was speechless. What made her even angrier was that the rogue was actually looking at her with a smug expression.

I just want to bite him!

Seeing Su Qingning's fair face puffed up with anger was both charming and adorable. Lin Xiao felt an impulse to pinch her cheeks, but he held back.

She's on the warpath right now. If I actually pinched her cheeks, she might eat me alive.

As they stood in a standoff, a pricey supercar suddenly pulled into the bar's parking lot, stopping steadily right in front of them.

Soon, a young man about Su Qingning's age got out of the car. He was handsome, impeccably dressed, and carried himself with an extraordinary air. He was clearly from a wealthy, influential family; that kind of distinguished bearing couldn't be faked. Indeed, the young man exuded the noble aura of a blue blood.

When Su Qingning saw him, she was taken aback.

"Qing Ning, long time no see!" he said with a gentle smile.

Su Qingning snapped back to reality. "Xue Jingdong, it's been a long time," she replied with composed civility.

Xue Jingdong? Wasn't that the guy who went crazy pursuing Su Qingning back in the day? The young master of the Xue Family, the third-ranked powerhouse in Jinhai City? Lin Xiao's eyes took on a playful gleam. This piece of trash had his cousin, Xue Wenbing, cause trouble at the bar just yesterday.

Xue Jingdong smiled. "It's been two years, hasn't it? You've become even more beautiful."

"Thank you. You look well, too," Su Qingning responded.

Xue Jingdong smiled again as his gaze settled on Lin Xiao. Even though he had already seen a photo of Lin Xiao and knew his background, he pretended to be unaware. "Qing Ning, and this is?"

"My husband, Lin Xiao," Su Qingning announced with forthright grace.

Even though she was still furious with the rogue for teasing her just moments ago, she still introduced Lin Xiao to Xue Jingdong in earnest.

Xue Jingdong laughed. "Brother, you're a lucky man. Hello, my name is Xue Jingdong!"

With that, he proactively extended his hand.

Lin Xiao did not refuse. Even though he knew this fellow wasn't nearly as gentlemanly as he appeared on the surface, he accepted the handshake. After all, Su Qingning was right there. Besides, Lin Xiao was curious to see what kind of game this guy was playing.

After a brief handshake, Xue Jingdong smiled and said, "Qing Ning, here's the thing. I've just returned to the country, and when some of our former classmates heard, they insisted on throwing me a welcome party. I was originally against it—you know I hate that kind of fuss—but I couldn't refuse their enthusiasm, so I reluctantly agreed. That's why I came to invite you personally. I hope you can make it. I swear, I have no ulterior motives. I just want to catch up with our old university friends. After all, we were all witnesses to each other's youth!"

Su Qingning frowned slightly. Frankly, she didn't enjoy these kinds of gatherings and was about to refuse when Xue Jingdong spoke again.

"Qing Ning, to be honest, I also have a selfish reason for inviting you. Things are developing so quickly here in the country, and I came back hoping to make a big splash. My father gave me five hundred million to get started, and I think the bar industry is a really promising field. If possible, I'd like to pick your brain and see if I can make something of myself. In fact, I'd even like to invest in your bar. It would just be an investment, of course; I wouldn't interfere with your operations."

Xue Jingdong sounded so sincere that Su Qingning found it difficult to refuse. Although this young heir had once pursued her frantically, that was all in the past, and he had never done anything to harm her.

Moreover, his mention of an investment was tempting. Su Qingning had always wanted to expand her bar. After all, only a bigger business could earn more money, which was the only way to come out on top in the battle to inherit the Su Corporation. She simply lacked the capital to do it herself right now. An investor would be much better than struggling on her own.

With this in mind, Su Qingning asked, "When is it?"

A glint of greedy joy flashed in Xue Jingdong's eyes. "Tonight, at Chunyu Pavilion!"

Su Qingning's gaze turned toward Lin Xiao. Although she had already made up her mind, Lin Xiao was her husband, after all. She naturally had to ask for his opinion.

Lin Xiao smiled and said, "That sounds like a great opportunity. If you want to go, you should."

"Honey, come with me," Su Qingning said softly.

"Me? I think I'll sit this one out. But I'll come to pick you up when it's over."

As soon as the words left Lin Xiao's mouth, a wave of elation surged through Xue Jingdong's heart.

I never wanted that worthless beggar to come along in the first place. He actually has some sense. He must be tempted by the thought of me investing in Su Qingning. What a pathetic loser.

"But I want you to come with me!" Su Qingning said with a pout.

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