C16 Burning a Light Bulb?

Upon opening the door, Chen Feng was greeted by the sight of Xia Mengyao. She was clad in a black sheer nightgown that impeccably accentuated her curvaceous figure, with her ample bust seemingly challenging the confines of the fabric.

Her face, freshly flushed from a shower and devoid of makeup, resembled a ripe peach, irresistibly tempting one to take a bite.

"What's the matter?" Chen Feng inquired, puzzled. Xia Mengyao wouldn't usually seek him out at night unless it was important. Her behavior was unusually odd today.

"My bedroom light's broken," Xia Mengyao attempted to appear casual, yet found it unusually challenging that day.

"Broken light?" Chen Feng arched an eyebrow.

"Mhm," she murmured, her cheeks a deeper shade of red, her voice barely above a whisper, fingers nervously entwined.

"No biggie, I'll fix it for you," Chen Feng said nonchalantly, dismissing the issue. He had assumed Xia Mengyao's late visit was for something significant, only to discover it was a mere light bulb mishap.

Xia Mengyao's cheeks burned with a mix of shame and annoyance as Chen Feng made to head towards her room without further ado.

"Fixing a light bulb can be such a hassle. Maybe I should just sleep in your room tonight," Xia Mengyao blurted out, her proactive suggestion leaving her cheeks ablaze with embarrassment.

Chen Feng, taken aback, quickly shook his head, "Not at all troublesome. I'm quite skilled at fixing light bulbs. Back in school, I was the go-to guy for this. Just give me three minutes, and I'll have it working like new."

"No need! I've changed my mind about fixing it!" Xia Mengyao snapped, her frustration evident. With that, she shut the door.

Chen Feng stood there, befuddled. What just happened? She wanted the light bulb fixed, didn't she? Why did she suddenly leave?

That night, Chen Feng slept deeply, the evening's odd encounter fading into a peaceful slumber.

Xia Mengyao had a restless night and emerged from her bedroom early the next morning, dark circles evident beneath her eyes. She cast a cold glance at Chen Feng, who was taken aback by her demeanor. Hadn't she been alright just the night before?

After preparing breakfast, Chen Feng visited Xia Weiguo in the hospital. The car accident had been his fault, and the weight of guilt bore heavily on him. Xia Weiguo was now conscious following surgery, but his mind was still foggy, prompting Chen Feng to tread lightly during their interaction.

Leaving the hospital, Chen Feng found himself holding a note:

"Young Lord, two groups have been monitoring you of late. One consists of Shen Hongchang's men, probing into your background. The other, likely Wraiths sent by Chen Zhennan, are here to keep tabs on you. Their strength is formidable; I dare not investigate further. Please exercise caution!"

Chen Feng read the message, then quietly destroyed it. Shen Hongchang's attention was anticipated; the man's seemingly careless demeanor belied a meticulous nature. Shen Hongchang would naturally dig into his affairs, oblivious to the fact that the Chen family would reveal nothing.

The prospect of Wraiths dispatched by Chen Zhennan, however, cast a shadow over Chen Feng's spirits. He was well aware of the Wraiths' fearsome reputation, a source of Chen Zhennan's power that he dreaded. It appeared his three-year concealment within the Xia family had done little to allay Chen Zhennan's suspicions. That old fox was indeed a formidable adversary, Chen Feng mused bitterly.

Despite his own array of strategies, Chen Feng was acutely aware of their insignificance before Chen Zhennan. Yet, he believed that with time, a resolution would emerge. With a sigh, Chen Feng clung to this hope.

After returning home, Chen Feng continued his routine of driving Xia Mengyao to her company. He instructed Chen Zhong to park the Koenigsegg at the villa on Jade Hill and went ahead to purchase a new scooter.

"Why? Are you still mad at me?" Chen Feng asked with a smile upon noticing Xia Mengyao's displeasure.

Xia Mengyao gave Chen Feng a dismissive glance and retorted, "Who's mad at you? Don't flatter yourself."

"Alright, alright, I'm overthinking it," Chen Feng conceded with a wry smile. He racked his brain but couldn't pinpoint how he might have upset Xia Mengyao. He could only assume that she was about to start her period, which was why she seemed irritable with everyone.

Having dropped Xia Mengyao off at her company, Chen Feng was about to head out when he caught a mocking tone.

"Wow, Chen Feng, not driving your sports car to take Mengyao to work today? Could it be that you're running low on cash?" Xia Mengyao approached, hips swaying. Just yesterday, Zhao Shihua had insisted that Chen Feng's car wasn't rented, and yet today, Chen Feng had arrived on his scooter once more.

Chen Feng rolled his eyes, uninterested in engaging with Xia Zilan, who he considered to be an arrogant and foolish woman.

"Does your face not hurt anymore?" Xia Mengyao asked Xia Zilan, her face devoid of emotion.

Xia Zilan's face turned a shade paler, clearly affected by Xia Mengyao's words which reminded her of the humiliating slap she received from Xia Mengyao and Chen Feng in front of everyone the day before. However, Xia Zilan quickly composed herself and bit back, "Xia Mengyao, what's with the attitude? You don't even know that you've been kicked out of the Jade Hill project."

Kicked out of the Jade Hill project?

Xia Mengyao's brows knitted together in confusion. What was Xia Zilan talking about? She had just secured the project yesterday.

Chen Feng narrowed his eyes. As he had anticipated, the situation he dreaded had unfolded.

Xia Yunsheng really couldn't kick his bad habits.

"Conceited idiot!" Xia Zilan huffed disdainfully.

"What are you implying? Where's Grandfather?" Xia Mengyao's expression turned icy. A sense of foreboding washed over her, and she felt compelled to confront Xia Yunsheng for clarity.

"Grandfather has gone to Jinzhou for a birthday celebration," Xia Hao's calm voice emerged from behind her.

"Additionally, before Grandfather departed, he entrusted me with the Jade Hill project. Xia Mengyao, you're free to go home and rest now." A smug arc formed at the corner of Xia Hao's mouth. Just as Xia Qichao had predicted, after he sincerely apologized to Xia Yunsheng yesterday, Xia Yunsheng readily passed the Jade Hill project onto him.

"Why?! The Jade Hill project was mine to begin with, so why on earth would Grandfather give it to you?!"

Upon hearing this, Xia Mengyao was seething with anger. She had just secured the project the day before, and now, not only had she been abruptly removed from the team, but her adversary had been awarded the lead.

"Why?" Xia Hao sneered, "Because I am Grandfather's only grandson, the destined helmsman of the Xia family! Xia Mengyao, does that reason satisfy you?"

His voice dripped with triumph.

"You..." Xia Mengyao clenched her teeth, too furious to find the words. It became clear to her that no matter how exceptional her performance, she would never capture Xia Yunsheng's favor, for his eyes saw only Xia Hao.