Chapter 10 Peony Pendant

Nanny Chen left and went straight to the first floor.

As usual, at this point, she would make her rounds in the kitchen.

Today was no exception.

Though the kitchen area looked integrated with the villa, it was actually separated by a corridor and also had a small dining area.

Through the glass of the cupboards there, one could see the villa's back garden, which was very tastefully styled.

However, this place was mostly closed, and Li Zishen only ate there once a month at the end of the month.

Alone, with two dishes and a soup.

There was a back door past the kitchen area.

Seeing Nanny Chen arrive, Uncle Cai, who was smoking a dry pipe, hurried inside to get her a chair, "You must be exhausted, please sit and rest."

The bamboo chairs, probably used for too long, were polished and shiny.

Nanny Chen slowly sat down, casually picked up a large fan next to the door frame, and said faintly, "No need to prepare dinner for the young master and Lady Tang tonight."

Uncle Cai was initially surprised, then he nodded.

Seeing the old man looking somewhat disheartened, Nanny Chen added with a slight smile, "However, we still need to prepare a late-night snack. I reckon the young master won't be used to the food outside."

"Oh, alright, alright."

Sure enough, the old man's mood swiftly brightened.

He scratched his graying hair, tapped his dry pipe on the ground before continuing, "That's a nice outfit, newly made?"

Nanny Chen, caught off guard, replied, "Hmm."

"The craftsmanship is really good, maybe when there's time… well, it's nothing, just saying, just saying."

Nanny Chen smiled silently and stood up to leave.

Uncle Cai, seeing her leave like that, felt an emptiness in his heart.

He slapped his forehead, regretting that he didn't perform well just now; he should have complimented her directly, why did he compliment the clothing?

On another note, in the fourth-floor bathroom,

Water flowed splashing.

Li Zishen stared at his reflection in the mirror, his veins throbbing, "Damn it!"

He hadn't anticipated that the two small pills would be so potent; he regretted testing them on himself. Even he, who always prided himself on his strong will, was affected; what would it have been like for others?

Luckily, no one was close to her at that time.

At this moment, Li Zishen remembered the scene from noon when he went to deliver a food box to Tang Xiaowan.

You had bathed for so long; it turns out you already knew about the issues with the medication then, no wonder you got so angry.

He unconsciously touched the scratch on his neck that Tang Xiaowan had caused, feeling extremely distressed.

"Xiaowan, I'm sorry, forgive me!"

…

At three in the afternoon, Li Zishen knocked on the door of the main bedroom on the second floor again.

Tang Xiaowan didn't give him the cold shoulder, but she didn't give him a warm welcome either, just glanced at him coldly before following him downstairs.

What he didn't know was that Tang Xiaowan had packed a fruit knife in her bag for self-defense.

Li Garden had many luxury cars.

Li Zishen brought Tang Xiaowan into his favorite car, which had a simple and grand interior.

Chen Xin slowly drove the car out of the gate.

Watching the scenery gradually receding, Tang Xiaowan felt a bit of relief.

Ever since she woke up, she had been trapped in this luxurious private residence, living a life isolated from the world, and today she finally got out.

But no sooner had they driven some distance, Chen Xin sped up the car, "Brother Shen, there are reporters."

"Go to the shopping center."

"Yes."

Throughout the journey, Tang Xiaowan didn't speak, using the scenery as an excuse, she shifted to the side, as if trying to put eighteen thousand miles between herself and the man next to her.

Aware of his guilt, Li Zishen didn't say much, only his eyes cast downward, but his uncooperative ears turned red.

Tang Xiaowan glanced at him and muttered unhappily, "Well, as they say, if you don't do guilty deeds, you won't fear ghosts knocking at your door; it always catches up to you!"

Chen Xin, "…"

Li Zishen then coughed lightly, saying faintly, "Turn on the music."

Chen Xin complied.

This was the first time Li Zishen drove while listening to music.

"Coming back, I want to sit in the front," Tang Xiaowan suddenly blurted out.

Li Zishen immediately responded, "Okay."

The atmosphere inside the car was indeed a bit strange!

Chen Xin glanced at the rear seat through the rearview mirror, just in time to meet Tang Xiaowan's beautiful apricot eyes, and a light cough sounded again.

"Goodness! Are all of your throats uncomfortable, huh? Then who will join me for hotpot tonight? Ah, it seems like it's going to fall through!"

Li Zishen's lips slightly curled, "Hotpot? No worries, it won't be an issue."

"That's good, you gave me a scare!"

Immediately, Tang Xiaowan's soft and sweet laugh spread through the car, quite exaggerated.

Chen Xin, "?"

Chen Xin was confused by Tang Xiaowan's behavior and could not help frowning.

In the past few days at Li Garden, every word Tang Xiaowan spoke seemed as though she was shouting through a megaphone, and although her voice was sweet, it was also tinged with anger, making people afraid to get close to her. But just now, she seemed like a delicate little girl.

Could she be trying to confuse Brother Shen and take the chance to escape?

No, once we arrive at the shopping center, I must follow her closely, maintaining a visible distance.

...

Before they knew it, they had arrived at the shopping center.

The security captain was inspecting the work when a black luxury car slowly drove up.

Immediately after, the car door opened.

A familiar and tall figure stepped out from inside.

He hurried over, ready to greet him.

But he saw the man turn around and use his hand to shield the top frame of the car, and then a girl in a green floral dress appeared in his sight.

Security captain, "..."

A woman? And a young and beautiful one at that!

What's going on?

Suddenly, a middle-aged man with a camera started snapping photos at them wildly.

A black-clothed bodyguard, materializing from nowhere, swiftly blocked the surroundings, preventing others from approaching Li Zishen and Tang Xiaowan.

The photographer's whereabouts were unknown just moments later.

Tang Xiaowan guessed that perhaps the man had been pulled aside by a bodyguard for some special attention.

Thinking of this, her mood inexplicably brightened.

Li Zishen then took her hand and led her into the mall as if nothing else mattered.

Tang Xiaowan hated it inwardly but did not resist.

"Don't think about taking advantage of me!" Her voice was very low, filled with anger and warning.

"I know, you're just saving my face."

"Hmph, at least you understand. Sorry, I urgently need to use the restroom."

Li Zishen immediately took her to the elevator.

At this time, the black-clothed bodyguards had already dispersed, with only Chen Xin following them from neither too far nor too close.

He was the main person responsible for domestic projects, so most people at the shopping center recognized him and discreetly moved away when he signaled with a wave of his hand.

...

Second floor.

Tang Xiaowan scanned the wash area.

The decoration was very warm.

Not only was there a soft carpet laid down, but there were also separate clothing racks and even a private mother and child room with excellent privacy.

I didn't expect this guy to have some brains!

Humph! He must have made a considerable amount of dirty money, can't let him off easily later.

Just as Tang Xiaowan's hand reached towards the sensor tap, a middle-aged curly-haired woman approached with a smile.

Her attire was very exquisite, but the jade pendant on her chest, shaped like a giant peony flower, was particularly eye-catching.

"Wow, beauty, your bracelet is so pretty!"

Tang Xiaowan ignored her, guessing that the compliment was baseless, likely deceitful or thieving.