Chapter 2: Domineering CEO’s Fierce Love

Xiao Luo felt a chill at her fingertips. Frowning with displeasure, she turned her head aside and was about to explain, but Si Nanyan erupted with fury. “Xia Lingyu! I’ve had enough of you! Stay away from Luo’er!”

Si Nanyan was both angry and guilt-ridden. He was angry because Xia Lingyu was always haunting him like a ghost, and guilty because he feared Xiao Luo might learn he had a fiancée.

His engagement to Xia Lingyu was only because her status as the Xia Family’s Eldest Miss could benefit his career.

But he regretted it soon after. This Eldest Miss was far too domineering, arbitrary and unreasonable, and she even overshadowed him from time to time, giving him no face at all in front of others.

Si Nanyan stared at Xia Lingyu with disgust and said, “Stop your petty schemes to get my attention. I will never like a woman like you.”

Xia Lingyu wore a faint smile, but it was cold. “You don’t like a woman like me? Then what kind of temptress do you like? Hmm… this one right here?”

She tilted her head and fixed her gaze on Xiao Luo again, a chill flashing through her eyes.

Under that stare, Xiao Luo’s heart trembled. She suddenly recalled all the vicious methods the original novel’s villainess Xia Lingyu used against the female lead… She had no desire to experience any of them.

With an icy, aloof expression, she said, “Sorry, but I’m not familiar with this gentleman, and I have no interest in getting involved in your affairs.”

“Luo’er, you…” Si Nanyan reached out his hand, but Xiao Luo stepped back, as if he were some plague to be avoided at all costs.

This action pleased Xia Lingyu. For the first time, she found Xiao Luo somewhat agreeable.

Xiao Luo continued, “Mr. Si, since you already have a fiancée, you should keep your distance from me. I don’t want to be called a third party. Please have some self-respect.”

Si Nanyan froze for a moment, then understood!

Xiao Luo hadn’t told him before returning to the country this time, surely meaning to surprise him. But she ran into him at the bar being intimate with another woman and found out he had a fiancée. That was why she was treating him so coldly.

She was jealous! She must still care about him! She was only forced to keep her distance because of the situation.

A surge of warmth spread through his heart. He turned around and said coldly to Xia Lingyu, “There is nothing between Luo’er and me. Are you satisfied now?”

Xia Lingyu kept sneering. “Satisfied with what? That you sneaked off to a bar behind my back to cheat? Or that you secretly sought out your first love behind my back? Si Nanyan, you really are something. Even after getting engaged to me, you still can’t behave. What exactly do you take me for?”

Si Nanyan was also furious. He hated that Xia Lingyu had once again brought up these humiliations in front of Xiao Luo.

“Xia Lingyu, I truly regret ever setting my sights on you! Even if you cling to me shamelessly, I will never like you.”

A trace of sarcasm flickered across Xia Lingyu’s delicate face. She showed no weakness as she retorted, “Si Nanyan, you were the one who initiated this engagement. Your Si Family had neither money nor influence. If I hadn’t helped you, would you have the glory you enjoy today? If you’re so capable, go ahead and break off the engagement.”

“You…” Si Nanyan looked humiliated.

Xia Lingyu was right. He had only achieved his current status by relying on the Xia Family. Although he disliked her intensely, he had never considered breaking the engagement.

He figured that once they were married, the Xia Family’s assets would become his. Then he could do whatever he wanted.

Whenever he couldn’t bear it, he consoled himself: A true man knows how to bend and stretch!

Xiao Luo didn’t want to be caught in the crossfire. She decided to remain detached from matters that didn’t concern her and turned to leave.

“Ding — Mission triggered: Facilitate the breaking of the engagement between Si Nanyan and Xia Lingyu.”

Xiao Luo’s steps halted. She said to the system, “Are you joking? Why would this mission trigger?”

What good would this mission do for achieving the final ending?

The system said, “As the plot develops in different directions, various missions can trigger at any time. Just do as you’re told. And please, do not question the correct guidance of System 121!”

Xiao Luo considered this. If she wanted to ruin the relationship between Si Nanyan and Xia Lingyu, she would have to target one of them.

According to the plot, Xia Lingyu wouldn’t give up easily, so that wouldn’t work. Did that mean she had to target Si Nanyan?

She had just finished declaring she was cutting ties with that greasy overbearing president. She wasn’t about to go crawling back and slap her own face, was she?

Thinking of the male lead’s character made her stomach churn.

Unconsciously, her gaze shifted to the vicious supporting female character.

Xia Lingyu had her arms crossed when she suddenly felt that gaze from the side. Her brow arched, and she turned her head, meeting those dark eyes.

Then the owner of those eyes calmly looked away, her expression seeming to say: I wasn’t secretly watching you.

“Was the show good?” Xia Lingyu leaned in and asked.

Xiao Luo lowered her eyes and said softly, “It was alright. I just didn’t expect the Eldest Miss Xia’s taste to be so indescribably poor, to cling so desperately to someone like that.”

Her tone was full of sarcasm. She hoped Xia Lingyu would clear her head after hearing it, which would save her some trouble.

“You actually know me?” Xia Lingyu’s focus, however, was on the term “Eldest Miss Xia.” She looked at Xiao Luo’s face with keen interest.

“Since you know me, you dare speak to me like this?”

Xia Lingyu knew exactly what her reputation was like outside. She was narrow-minded, couldn’t tolerate the slightest offense, and had a vengeful nature.

No one dared get close to her. Even those so-called “friends” only whispered softly to her, knowing nothing but to agree with her blindly.

“I’m only reminding Eldest Miss to cut your losses in time,” Xiao Luo said.

Xia Lingyu’s phoenix eyes lifted slightly. “No need for you to worry about my affairs. Just mind your own business.”

“Xia Lingyu, don’t threaten Luo’er. She’s innocent.” Watching them murmur to each other, Si Nanyan felt something grating on his nerves. He couldn’t help but interrupt.

Xiao Luo was getting tired of this. The dog of a man was dragging her into it again. Wasn’t he just drawing hatred toward her?

Seeing the displeasure on Xia Lingyu’s face, she turned and said, “Sorry, but please don’t argue in front of my doorstep. Also, would you two kindly move your cars later? You’re blocking the road.”

With that, she opened the courtyard gate, walked in, and slammed it shut.

The slightly rusted iron gate shuddered, sending dry branches and withered leaves showering down onto Si Nanyan, leaving him in a sorry state.

“Heh~” Xia Lingyu couldn’t even stand to look at him. Her desire to argue was gone, and she turned and got into her own car. Before leaving, she glanced once more at the somewhat ancient villa.

She detested all women who hovered around Si Nanyan. Yet after meeting Xiao Luo, she found she couldn’t hate her.

…

The villa was very large, only somewhat dilapidated.

The furnishings and furniture all seemed to be in styles from a decade ago. As no one had lived there for a long time, everything was covered in dust, and cobwebs filled the corners.

Xiao Luo frowned, dissatisfied. “System, you arranged this kind of place for me?”

The system said, “This is a villa in the Capital City’s prosperous district! Every inch of land is worth its weight in gold. And didn’t you say you wanted a bigger house? Isn’t this big enough? Don’t be ungrateful, okay.”

Xiao Luo was speechless. But how long would it take to clean such a huge villa?

She went up to the third floor and found a relatively clean room. She tidied the bed briefly, then lay down, picked up her phone, and went onto a hiring website. She picked a cleaner with a cheap rate.

The person’s avatar was a cartoon rabbit wearing an apron and holding a broom, looking full of energy.

When she entered the chat interface, the other party soon typed: “Hello! Do you need housekeeping services? I’m very good at all kinds of cleaning.”

“I guarantee fast and thorough cleaning without leaving a speck of dust.”

“The prices are very favorable too, and I absolutely won’t raise the price last minute.”

Then came a cute rabbit picture: Master, Bunny is ready.JPG

Xiao Luo was charmed. In a good mood, she sent the villa’s address and asked the other party to come clean it tomorrow. She quickly paid the deposit.

The other party seemed delighted and sent several more cute emoji packs.

Xiao Luo smiled, but then something occurred to her, and her smile gradually faded.

“System, how much assets do I have left?” She didn’t know how long she’d have to stay in this world, so she definitely couldn’t be short of money.

The system said, “What assets? Sorry, but you only have this villa. Rely on yourself, Host. I believe with your abilities, you can definitely earn money.”

Xiao Luo was somewhat speechless, but she still accepted reality.

The original host had a high level of education and was talented in many areas, especially outstanding at the piano. Plus, the original host had some connections, which would allow her to access high-end venues and thus better complete her missions.

She ordered takeout. Half an hour later, an unknown number called. She answered, “Hello?”

The other party sounded somewhat nervous and hesitant. “H… hello, your takeout has arrived. I’m at the door.”

Hearing this voice, Xiao Luo was startled and quickly went downstairs. There stood Ji Yao, holding her takeout outside the door, with her little delivery scooter parked nearby.

“Miss Xiao, it’s really you?” Ji Yao looked pleasantly surprised and a little embarrassed.

“Mm, what a coincidence.” Xiao Luo smiled as she took the takeout.

Ji Yao suddenly thought of something and said quietly, “There’s an even bigger coincidence.”

“Oh? What is it?” Xiao Luo asked.

Ji Yao’s toes curled inside her shoes, and her face flushed slightly. “I… I’m the cleaner who’s supposed to tidy the villa tomorrow.”