The Secretary Wants Revenge

Xia Wan's retort had the immediate effect of silencing the onlookers, though it also simmered a deeper resentment within them towards her.

Despite quelling the immediate chatter, her words did little more than stoke the silent flames of disdain. It was an uneasy victory.

Jiang Lu, with a light whistle and a certain smugness adorning his features, prompted an almost visceral reaction from Xia Wan, who had to fight the impulse to hurl her book at his grinning face.

If not for his meddling, Xia Wan mused, her breath would have been spared.

Under the weight of all eyes upon her, she approached Jiang Lu, her mood far from light. "What do you want?" she inquired, her voice a mixture of irritation and curiosity.

Jiang Lu, with an arched eyebrow, cast a knowing look toward the lingering onlookers and playfully prodded, "You sure you want this conversation aired publicly?"