Lunch was a light affair.

They didn't go to Chunyu Pavilion, choosing a Cantonese restaurant near the bar instead.

It couldn't be helped; Su Qingning was on her period.

Lin Xiao ordered several of Su Qingning's favorite dishes.

While they waited for the food, Su Qingning excused herself to the restroom.

Lin Xiao took the opportunity to call his third master, the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Machine Pavilion.

The call was answered instantly.

"Young Master, what are your instructions?"

"Look into a man named Yang Fan for me."

"Is that all you have? A name?"

"Yes, just the name. He applied for the manager position at my wife's bar today. He seemed capable, and my wife hired him."

"Are you worried his application is a sham? That he's actually after the cultivation in Su Qingning's Dantian?"

"I can't rule out that possibility," Lin Xiao said gravely.

"Understood. I'll have someone investigate right away."

Lin Xiao hung up the phone. By the time Su Qingning returned, two dishes had already been served.

He smiled at her. "Hurry and eat."

Su Qingning nodded.

"By the way, honey, is your stomach hurting?"

"What do you mean?" Su Qingning asked, looking at him suspiciously.

"I've heard that some girls are in absolute agony when they get their period, so I wanted to ask if you're in pain. If you are, I..."

Before he could finish, Su Qingning suddenly pinched his ear.

"Hmph, you'd better explain yourself. Did you 'hear' about some girls having a rough time, or have you 'experienced' it firsthand?"

There it is. She's jealous. How have I never noticed this adorable trait of hers before?

"Honey, that hurts!" Lin Xiao whined pitifully.

Su Qingning froze for a second, then quickly let go.

She looked guilty. "Honey, I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to, I just..."

Lin Xiao took her delicate hand in his.

He chuckled. "I was just joking. If I hadn't said that, you definitely wouldn't have let go."

"Hmph, you tricked me!"

"No, no, I really did just hear about it. Besides, before I met you, plenty of girls liked me, but I've always remained chaste for you."

PFFT.

Su Qingning burst out laughing at his comment. Her stunning face bloomed like a gorgeous rose, both charming and alluring.

She was truly amused. She would have never imagined Lin Xiao saying something like "remaining chaste."

Lin Xiao smiled along with her.

Once her laughter subsided, she said, "Well, if you weren't my first, I'd be at a huge loss."

"Why's that?"

"Silly, because I've remained chaste for you, too!" Su Qingning said, blushing.

A thrill went through Lin Xiao.

Frankly, from the first time they were intimate, he knew she was a virgin. Of course, so was he. So when Su Qingning said those words, his mind inevitably flashed back to that first time together. The memory alone was enough to get him uncontrollably excited. He couldn't help it; the feeling back then had been too ecstatic, too unforgettable even now.

Taking advantage of the fact that they were alone, Lin Xiao swiftly pulled Su Qingning into his embrace and kissed her fiercely for a long moment before letting go.

The stimulating kiss made Su Qingning's pretty face flush and her heart race, yet she found it overwhelmingly sweet.

I'm changing, she thought. I'm finding myself liking his domineering kisses more and more.

Their meal concluded in a sweet atmosphere, after which Lin Xiao drove her toward the bar.

The moment they pulled up to the entrance, Su Qingning was utterly stunned.

The entire front of the bar had been transformed into an ocean of flowers. Countless floral baskets were piled high, and two more truckloads were parked at the curb, waiting to be unloaded.

None of this surprised Lin Xiao. After all, he had asked Xiao Shixiong to arrange for a few flower baskets. He just hadn't expected him to get quite so many.

Su Qingning was dumbfounded. Truly dumbfounded.

This was a scene she had never even dared to dream of. She remembered when she first took over the bar; it had been so desolate there were barely any customers, let alone flowers.

Lin Xiao parked the car, and Su Qingning got out, walking briskly toward the floral arrangements. She saw the note attached to one: "To my darling wife, best of luck on the grand opening! From your loving husband, Lin Xiao."

She checked several other baskets. The message was the same on all of them.

Su Qingning turned around. Her peach-blossom eyes had turned crimson. She stood amidst the flowers, gazing at Lin Xiao, lost for words.

He thought she was angry. After all, Su Qingning wasn't one for extravagance or wasteful displays.

But before Lin Xiao could say a word, she rushed forward and threw herself into his arms.

She choked back a sob. "Honey, thank you. Thank you so much!"

Lin Xiao was a little stunned.

His initial request to Xiao Shixiong had been simple: the bar was reopening, so it should look festive. He hadn't thought beyond that. He certainly hadn't expected this welcome bonus.

He wrapped his arms around her slender waist and smiled. "As long as you like it. I was afraid you'd hate it."

"No, no, I love it! I really, really love it," Su Qingning said emotionally.

"Good, as long as you love it," Lin Xiao said with a smile.

Xiao Shixiong handled this beautifully. He deserved a mark in the credit column for this.

They embraced, neither wanting to let go. Seeing the heartbreaking teardrops still lingering on her fair cheeks, Lin Xiao gently wiped them away.

"Alright, the bar is reopening today. It's a happy occasion, so no more crying. If you want to cry, I'll give you plenty of reason to cry in bed tonight."

His roguish words instantly made her blush, and she couldn't help but give him a playful punch.

"You're impossible! Anyway, I'm going to work."

"Go on, then. Don't feel too much pressure. Just remember, I'll always be your strongest support."

Su Qingning nodded fervently. "Honey, don't worry. I'll definitely make you my kept man."

Lin Xiao roared with laughter. "Alright then, honey. Good luck!"

Su Qingning gave a little "mhm" and turned to enter the bar.

Lin Xiao was about to head to the security room for a cup of tea when he suddenly felt an unfriendly gaze. He quickly looked up, his eyes clashing with Yang Fan's.

Yang Fan gave him a gentle, scholarly smile and a slight nod.

Lin Xiao nodded back before turning and heading into the security room.

Bei Kuang was lounging in a chair like a king, sipping tea while two security guards waited on him attentively.

The old rascal certainly knew how to enjoy himself.

However, upon seeing Lin Xiao, Bei Kuang shot to his feet as if he were sitting on pins.

"Dragon... Captain! You're back. Come, have some tea."

Luckily, the old fox was quick-witted enough to remember his instructions to call him 'Captain' in front of others.

Lin Xiao sat down without preamble. "Settling in okay?" he asked.

"Not bad. It's quite relaxing," Bei Kuang said with a laugh.

"Good. As long as you're settled in. Now you can get out there and start your patrol."

"You got it!" Bei Kuang scampered off.

Lin Xiao was just about to take a sip of tea when his phone rang.

It was a call from his third master.

He must have dug up Yang Fan's background already.

He quickly answered the phone.

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