Chapter 32: Foolish and Loaded

Xiao Ziyu dragged Chen Xingmiao into their small courtyard, only to abruptly fling her hand away the moment they stepped inside.

"How many times must I say it for you to understand? I do not need your pity!" His face was as cold as frost, his tone thick with suppressed, uncontrollable rage.

Chen Xingmiao was left stunned by his sudden outburst.

*What a disaster,* she thought. If it weren't for the desperate need to earn points to return home, she wouldn't bother cleaning up his mess for a second.

She bit her lip, putting on a look of grievance, and tugged at his sleeve. "Husband, I don't pity you. I was just..."

Before she could finish, Xiao Ziyu shoved her away again with force. Chen Xingmiao stumbled, and had it not been for Chuntao’s quick reflexes in catching her, she would have had an intimate and painful encounter with the ground.

Chuntao was incensed. She couldn't help but interject, "Sir, how could you think that of the Young Mistress!"

Xiao Ziyu shot a fierce glare at Chuntao, his eyes flashing with icy menace. Chuntao shivered and instinctively took a half-step back. Yet, remembering all the kindness her mistress had shown, she gathered her courage again and added, "Sir, the Young Mistress has done so much for you. How can you be so heartless?"

Ignoring her completely, Xiao Ziyu turned to walk into the house. Seeing this, Chen Xingmiao didn't even bother to fix her disheveled clothes; she rushed forward and blocked his path. Her eyes reddened, her voice choked with emotion. "Husband, even if I am at fault, it has nothing to do with Chuntao. You must apologize to her! Besides, I truly care about you."

Xiao Ziyu looked down at her, his face twisted in mockery. "Care? You only feel a sense of superiority because you see me at my lowest."

Chen Xingmiao trembled with anger, her fingernails digging deep into her palms. *You little villain, you are truly incorrigible.*

"Fine. If that is what you insist on believing, then I won't bother explaining." She took a deep breath, grabbed Chuntao, and walked away. Xiao Ziyu didn't even glance back as he turned and retreated into the bedroom.

Chuntao followed Chen Xingmiao, wanting to say something but not knowing where to begin. The two aimlessly wandered to the main street, where Chen Xingmiao bought a mountain of snacks without a second thought.

"Young Mistress, that’s enough. We’ll never finish all this," Chuntao said, trying to stop her.

"This is called turning anger into appetite. You should eat more too." Chen Xingmiao bit into a steamed bun, then shoved candied chestnuts and a sugar-coated hawthorn skewer into Chuntao's hands.

As Chuntao accepted them with a troubled expression, a light chuckle drifted from behind them. Chen Xingmiao turned around, startled.

"Han Xu?"

Isn't this the male lead, the Crown Prince? Why is he so idle that I run into him everywhere?

Han Xu slowly folded his fan, a meaningful smile playing on his lips as he strode up to her. "What has provoked such anger in you, young lady?"

Chen Xingmiao waved a hand, swallowing the last bite of her bun. "Nothing."

"Then, might I have the honor of cheering you up?"

She frowned, eyeing him with suspicion. As the saying goes, if someone has no reason to be overly attentive, they are either a scoundrel or a thief. This Han Xu had been strange from the very beginning; what exactly was he plotting?

However, he was the male lead, so he shouldn't do anything too outrageous. Since she was already annoyed and he had plenty of money, a little distraction might be nice.

"How do you plan on cheering me up?" she hummed, casting a side-long glance at him.

Han Xu smiled slightly, tapping his closed fan against his palm. "You mentioned turning your anger into appetite. How about I take you to the best restaurant in the vicinity?"

A restaurant? Chen Xingmiao’s eyes lit up. As an actress, she had to watch her figure and couldn't eat much; now that she was here, she was determined to feast to her heart's content.

"Fine, let's go."

As Chen Xingmiao moved to follow, Chuntao pulled her aside. "Young Mistress, is this wise?" she whispered. "We aren't familiar with him, and the Master is still in a fit of rage."

Chen Xingmiao’s mouth pulled downward. If that little villain hated her so much, she might as well stay away from him to avoid increasing his "blackening" meter or further damaging his favorability.

Seeing that Chen Xingmiao was determined to go, Chuntao shook her head helplessly. "Fine, Young Mistress. I will head back first—in case the Xiao family causes trouble for the Master again. Please take care of yourself."

Han Xu chuckled, throwing an arm around Chen Xingmiao’s shoulder. "Rest assured, I won't let your mistress come to any harm."

Chen Xingmiao rolled her eyes internally and swatted his hand away. *Please, in Chuntao’s eyes, you are the greatest danger of all.*

Chuntao left, glancing back three times before she disappeared. Chen Xingmiao watched her go and sighed helplessly. When she turned back around, she found Han Xu watching her with a cryptic smile.

"Aren't we going to the restaurant? Lead the way."

Han Xu quickly caught up to walk by her side, wearing an eager smile as he spent the journey introducing the restaurant's specialties.

Before long, they arrived in front of a grand establishment. A plaque with the gold-leaf characters "Fu Lai Lou" hung prominently above the entrance, which was bustling with carriages and elegantly dressed patrons.

Han Xu led her inside with the air of a regular. The manager spotted him immediately and hurried over with a beaming face. "Oh, Young Master Han! It’s been a while. Please, let me show you to a private room upstairs."

Han Xu nodded slightly and escorted Chen Xingmiao up. The private room was exquisitely decorated, and looking out the window, the entire street scene lay before them.

"How is it? It’s even more beautiful at night when all the lanterns are lit," Han Xu said, leaning lazily against the wall with his arms crossed and a smile on his face.

Chen Xingmiao nodded and pulled out a chair to sit down. *If it were a festival with fireworks and lanterns, it would be even lovelier. I could bring the little villain to see it then.*

As she was lost in thought, the manager began placing several signature dishes on the table.

"Shall we?" Han Xu sat across from her and handed her the chopsticks.

Chen Xingmiao looked at the table full of food he had ordered and couldn't help but click her tongue. The male lead was certainly generous. Was he truly just a wealthy fool?

At that thought, she let out a soft laugh.

Seeing her suddenly giggle, Han Xu asked with curiosity, "Young lady, what is so amusing? If you’ve thought of something interesting, why not share it with me?"

She quickly waved her hand, suppressing her laughter. "It’s nothing, just a sudden funny thought." She dared not admit she had been thinking of him as a "wealthy fool"—otherwise, where else would she find such a cash cow?

Just as they were chatting happily, Chen Xingmiao felt a chill run down her spine. Her heart skipped a beat. She slowly set down her chopsticks and turned around, only to find Xiao Ziyu and Chuntao standing behind them.

*The little villain?* It must have been Chuntao.

"Husband!" Chen Xingmiao jumped up, her chopsticks clattering to the floor and rolling to a stop at Xiao Ziyu’s feet.

His expression was grim, his lowered eyes revealing not a flicker of emotion.