To the side, Huo Xize wondered if he was hearing things. A… toy boy? Who? His second brother? Holy shit! Lu Hanting’s deep, narrow eyes swept over the check before settling coolly on Xia Xiaodie’s pretty face. His voice, a low rumble devoid of any emotion, was distant and aloof. “What’s this about?” Xia Xiaodie had seen this man at the cake shop the other day, and the sight of him again still sent a flutter through her chest. Her face flushed as she devoured his flawless features with her eyes, trying to summon the sense of superiority one should have when dealing with a kept man. “This check is for you. Stop following Xia Xiwan, and I’ll take care of you from now on.” Huo Xize… He couldn't believe what he was seeing. In his lifetime, he was actually witnessing someone try to buy his second brother with a check. Had the world gone mad? Was this even real? Lu Hanting shoved his hands in his pockets, a thin, derisive smirk playing on his lips. He didn’t say a word—no rejection, no insult—but that smirk alone made Xia Xiaodie’s face burn with humiliation. Xia Xiaodie didn't understand what was happening. She was the precious daughter of the Xia family, and he was just some toy boy. Yet his every move, every glance, exuded an air of condescending superiority that left her feeling small and inadequate. “What… what are you laughing at?” Lu Hanting arched a brow. “Nothing. A little confidence is good, but you might want to take a long look in the mirror.” With that, he turned and strode away. All of Xia Xiaodie’s passion was doused with ice water. Had she really just been rejected by a toy boy? When did toy boys get this arrogant? Lu Hanting had only taken a single step before he froze. A stunning figure stood before him. Xia Xiwan was here. She must have arrived at some point without him noticing, her bright, clear eyes blinking at him. Huo Xize thought: *Well, well. What a day. Second Brother just got caught in the act by his stand-in bride.* Lu Hanting stared at Xia Xiwan for a few seconds, then quickly pulled his hands from his pockets. “I didn’t do anything. You saw it—she was the one hitting on me!” The man who’d been so cold and untouchable just a moment ago came crashing down from his pedestal, tattling to Xia Xiwan in the most innocent voice imaginable. The scene nearly made Huo Xize’s jaw drop, while Xia Xiaodie’s wounded heart was instantly coated in a layer of frost. “Xia Xiwan, you again!” Xia Xiaodie clenched her fists, her teeth grinding with hatred. Xia Xiwan walked over, placing her slender body protectively in front of Lu Hanting. “Xia Xiaodie, I always thought you were a cheap imitation of Li Yulan, but I guess she’d be proud. You’ve certainly inherited her talent for stealing other women’s men!” “You…” Before Xia Xiaodie could retort, Xia Xiwan snatched the check from her hand. “Five hundred thousand dollars? Not bad, Xia Xiaodie. Where did you get this kind of money? Looks like you really went all out this time. You must really like my… toy boy, huh?” The five hundred thousand was all of Xia Xiaodie’s savings, with a small portion borrowed from friends. She had become genuinely infatuated with Lu Hanting and had thrown everything she had at him. Xia Xiwan clicked her tongue in mock pity. “What a shame it’s unrequited. It doesn’t matter how much money you offer. My toy boy isn’t interested in you.” With that, she turned her head, her gaze landing on Lu Hanting’s handsome face. “Tell her. Whose man are you?” Lu Hanting looked into her eyes, which now held a spark of imperious charm. A fond smile curved his lips as he answered with two simple words. “Wanwan’s.” *Wanwan’s…* Xia Xiwan’s heart skipped a beat. She had been in complete control of the situation, but with those two words, he had instantly seized the upper hand. The way he uttered “Wanwan’s” in that deep, magnetic voice made her pulse race. She quickly averted her gaze, turning to deliver a final warning to Xia Xiaodie. “I’ll let it go today, Xia Xiaodie. But if I ever catch you trying to seduce my man again, don’t blame me for what happens next!” Xia Xiwan grabbed Lu Hanting’s large hand. “Let’s go.” From the sidelines, Huo Xize could only think: *Wow, his stand-in bride is a total badass!* Xia Xiaodie was so furious she could have coughed up blood. She was already familiar with Xia Xiwan’s sharp tongue, but she’d never realized just how venomous it could be. … As Xia Xiwan led him away, Lu Hanting savored the feeling of her hand in his. It was small and soft, impossibly smooth. He shifted his fingers, wanting to intertwine them with hers. But just then, Xia Xiwan flung his hand away and huffed. “Mr. Lu, I was perfectly happy just watching the show, but you had to drag me into it. I put on a good performance of ‘two women fighting over one man’ for you. Are you satisfied?” A smirk played on Lu Hanting’s lips. “Why do I detect a hint of something sour in the air?” Sour? Xia Xiwan sniffed. She didn't smell anything. A second later, it hit her. He was saying she was jealous. She shot him a sideways glare. “Mr. Lu, I just helped you, and this is the thanks I get?” Lu Hanting reached out, his hand pressing on her delicate shoulder as he pinned her against the wall. With a soft thud, he braced his other hand beside her head, trapping her. “Talking to me like that? You really think I’m your toy boy? Getting bold, are we?” Suddenly, she was caged in his arms. The man resorted to the wall-pin at the slightest disagreement—such a classic domineering CEO move. How could she ever dare treat him like a toy boy? Her voice softened. “I didn’t.” “You didn’t? What do you mean, you ‘helped’ me? Mrs. Lu, do you have any self-awareness as a wife? Isn’t it your duty to chase away the pests buzzing around your husband?” “…” Annoyingly, she felt he had a point. “But how was I supposed to know if you were interested in her or not? For all you know, Xia Xiaodie could have been the one marrying you. I’m just the stand-in.” Lu Hanting arched a handsome brow, his face leaning closer. “Still say you’re not jealous?” “I’m not…” “I hear you’re supposed to soothe a girl when she’s jealous. Want me to soothe you?” “Huh?” Lu Hanting lowered his head and, through her veil, gently pressed his lips to hers. Xia Xiwan’s long lashes trembled. How could he… His throat bobbed as he murmured, “Still jealous?” Terrified, Xia Xiwan shook her head frantically. A low chuckle rumbled in his chest. “Ah, I see. My jealous little thing.” Only then did Xia Xiwan realize she’d been tricked. She had indirectly admitted she was jealous. She, who had never lost a war of words, had been utterly cornered by him. Biting her lip, Xia Xiwan ducked under his arm and darted away. Lu Hanting slipped his hands back into his pockets, a smile touching his lips as he followed her.