Feeling the warmth from Bai Jiao's soft and tender body pressing against his back, Shen Qiang took a deep breath and calmly asked, "Did he record it?"

"No," Bai Jiao hesitated before responding, "He just picked up the phone."

Shen Qiang was silent for a moment and asked, "Did you two have a fight?"

Bai Jiao hesitated slightly before replying, "It was just a few unpleasant words."

Gripping Bai Jiao's hand that hung in front of him, Shen Qiang drew her closer, saying, "Come here."

Bai Jiao obediently walked in front of him.

Shen Qiang pulled her petite and delicate figure onto his lap, then gently embraced her and whispered in her ear, "I'm sorry, I once thought... since I already had a woman by my side, I probably shouldn't have..."

"Stop," Bai Jiao's soft fingers gently pressed against Shen Qiang's lips, then she nestled her cheeky, blissful head on his shoulder and said, "I don't want to hear any reasons or excuses. Actually, when you told my dad that you liked me, I stopped caring about everything else."

"Because the reason I like you is that you are outstanding enough, being with you makes me feel safe and happy, and it's not because you are single."

Shen Qiang smiled and said, "Your father seemed very angry."

After a moment of silence, Bai Jiao smiled slightly, turned her head, and said, "You don't understand him. In fact, he is quite satisfied with you. Otherwise, he would have had someone throw you out of town instead of letting you stay here freely and enjoy your tea."

Shen Qiang laughed, "He told me to leave on my own."

Bai Jiao's eyes twinkled as she laughed and said, "But his assistant arranged a guest room for you, the highest standard of hospitality, and even specifically brought in three chefs to take care of your diet."

Shen Qiang laughed and said, "That was your doing."

Bai Jiao shook her head smiling and said, "No, I've never changed his mind from childhood to adulthood. It was you who really managed to do all this. Because my father has always been very proud and has never changed for anyone."

"That's why internally in the Bai family, many people secretly call him a narcissist."

"But he still does things his own way, so I actually think that your way of doing things is quite similar to his."

"So despite the anger he showed, I know he really admires you because the guest room he prepared for you, from its construction to now, has never hosted anyone, even the Sect Leader of the Kunlun Sword Sect has never stepped foot in that room."

Shen Qiang was startled and said, "Is that so?"

Bai Jiao smiled softly and said, "When I was very young, my mother passed away, so I grew up with my grandparents. I remember, I was just a few years old, just starting to understand the world, that my grandparents wanted him to marry a woman."

"They said that woman was so good, so perfect, that he must have a beautiful, virtuous, and gentle wife, and he must have several sons."

"I remember my father being very angry back then, saying who he was with was his freedom and that my grandparents should not interfere."

"Afterward, my grandfather got so angry he smashed things."

"My grandmother hugged me, who was crying scared, and hid in the room in the backyard."

"Since then, my father did not return home for five or six years."

Shen Qiang laughed softly and asked, "Are you afraid of him?"

"A little," Bai Jiao answered, "He never pampered me, every time he saw me, he would always find some fault in me and scold me."

Looking at Shen Qiang, Bai Jiao suddenly smiled and said, "But I know, he likes you."

"Just because he gave me a guest room nobody else has stayed in?" Shen Qiang laughed and shook his head, clearly skeptical.

Bai Jiao said, "Do you think I snuck out to see you on my own?"

Shen Qiang was stunned.

Bai Jiao laughed, "He is the one who asked me to come. He said that I have grown up and am capable of handling my own affairs, so I could come here to find you."

...

As the sky darkened, Bai Jiao led the way, guiding Shen Qiang and Xiu Ju to a residence in the town.

The courtyard was surprisingly clean and neat.

The green bamboo planted in the courtyard and the houses with an ancient charm exuded a refined grace that went beyond simple words.

The interior of the house was spacious and exquisitely decorated.

Three chefs prepared a dinner that could be described as nothing short of exquisite for Shen Qiang and Xiu Ju.

Moreover, within the residence there was also a butler and two nannies.

After dinner, Bai Jiao excused herself and left.

Lying on the exceptionally luxurious big bed, after a bout of passionate love, when a satisfied Xiu Ju and Shen Qiang finally calmed down, it was already midnight.

Lazily lying beside Shen Qiang, Xiu Ju, who had been silent for a long while, opened her eyes and wrapped her lotus-like snowy arms around Shen Qiang's waist, then softly said, "During dinner, I noticed Bai Jiao was always stealing glances at you, laughing. So, I can feel she really likes you."

Shen Qiang turned his head to look at her, "What are you trying to say?"

Xiu Ju smiled, "The family house at the mountain villa is very large and there are many rooms. I was thinking if she also lived there, it might be more lively."

Shen Qiang laughed, "I thought you would be jealous."

Xiu Ju calmly raised her eyebrows, "If I said I wasn't jealous at all, would you believe me? Bai Jiao is very tall, she's the kind of proud girl who looks down on you, the kind who wouldn't spare you a glance no matter what, but at the same time, she's also the kind of good friend who, once she approves of you, can be wildly fun to be with."

"Her family background is good, and if she were to live at the mountain villa, I believe, Shen Qiang, your future developments would proceed even more smoothly."

Shen Qiang said, "Your words make me feel quite utilitarian."

Xiu Ju laughed, "This is one aspect you inevitably have to consider. Of course, I know that with your character, you disdain the help offered by the Bai Family."

"Bai Shiyi asked me to join their family. I refused,"

Rolling over on top of Shen Qiang, Xiu Ju laughed, "That answer is not surprising at all."

Shen Qiang smiled, "But I want Bai Jiao."

"Do you need my help?" Xiu Ju smiled radiantly.

Shen Qiang shook his head with a smile, "The matter between Bai Jiao and I, you cannot help with, and also, now isn't the time to be considering these things. What we need to do now is to save Bai Jiao's grandmother and prove Heshenghe's effectiveness. Only by doing so will Bai Shiyi truly be reassured and let Bai Jiao come with me."

Xiu Ju smiled and said, "I know your capabilities; saving that old lady will be a piece of cake for you. So go to sleep, don't worry."

"Good night." Shen Qiang kissed Xiu Ju and turned off the light.

There was silence throughout the night.

The next morning, while Shen Qiang was still embracing Xiu Ju, lost in dreams,

Suddenly, a series of urgent knocks came from outside the bedroom door, "Mr. Shen, Mr. Shen! The old madam's condition is dire, the Family Head is asking for your help!"

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