Chapter 165: Chapter 165

Hua Xiaomo’s heart stirred. She looked up at him. "...And you? Does Brother Long like Xiao Mo?"

"..." Long Shangxuan paused at the question but soon burst into laughter. "I thought my actions were proof enough of my feelings. Do I really have to say it out loud?"

Hua Xiaomo’s ears turned red. "If you don’t say it... how would I know what you’re thinking?"

Oh my God! Does he really... really like me? Hua Xiaomo’s heart grew more and more nervous.

To her surprise, Long Shangxuan gave her a perfect reply: "I thought... you’d prefer I show you with my actions?"

Hearing this made Hua Xiaomo’s cheeks flush crimson. She stared at him. "You, you’re so bad! How can you say such a thing?"

A sly smile touched Long Shangxuan’s lips as he grasped her elbow, pulling her closer. "So, you’re just now realizing how bad I am, huh? Heh heh!"

"In this lifetime... are you already addicted to me? Unable to break free?" Long Shangxuan chuckled, pulling her into his embrace. His handsome face was alight with a smile that reached the corners of his lips.

"You..." Hua Xiaomo lay in his arms, listening to his warm, lingering words, her heart pounded. Her hands also wrapped around his waist.

"Brother Long... you love me, don’t you?" Hua Xiaomo asked softly, a deep, unwavering affection swirling in her eyes.

She had silently admired him ever since college. He was her first love, and she had never dreamed this love could actually become reality.

"Yes, I love you!" Long Shangxuan held her tight, speaking with a smile. Looking past her shoulder, however, his eyes hid an indecipherable, dark gleam.

Excellent. This was exactly the outcome he wanted: her complete devotion...

Hua Xiaomo hugged him back, completely immersed in this warmth.

But then she remembered something. Looking up from his embrace, she said with concern, "Brother Long, Mo Rutian of Mohai isn’t a good person. I’m worried about you if you work with him..."

"There’s nothing to fear. I’m just working to make money. His character doesn’t have much to do with me. But I won’t let him hurt you again," Long Shangxuan said, gently caressing her hair and smiling.

"And right now, I’m still his subordinate. Xiao Mo, try not to antagonize him too much, okay?"

"Mmm, I’ll listen to you." Hua Xiaomo nodded, then sighed. "That Mo Rutian is a treacherous man. Brother Long, you must be extra careful working under him."

"I know." Long Shangxuan laughed. A treacherous man, huh?

But, Xiao Mo, you have no idea who the real treacherous person is...

Regarding her SIM card, Mo Rutian was actually the one unfairly blamed.

If Mo Rutian knew, he would undoubtedly disagree. There could only be one reason for this...

That great love invites great pain! So unwilling to hurt her, he himself would be the one to suffer.

"Xiao Mo, actually, I should be the one worried about you, now that you’re with Qi Longbing. That man is a ’wolf,’ completely unscrupulous. His intentions toward you..." Long Shangxuan didn’t finish his sentence, but the meaning couldn’t have been clearer.

"Brother Long, I have nothing to do with him, really nothing!" Hua Xiaomo looked at him, explaining eagerly, afraid he would misunderstand.

"Don’t be nervous. I don’t doubt you; I just don’t trust him," Long Shangxuan said, letting go of her and pacing a few steps. "Didn’t you say he has your SIM card? That thing... you’d better find it and destroy it. Don’t let it become a liability for us."

"Mm, I know what to do." Hua Xiaomo nodded. Yes, I thought of that long ago. How could I let that bastard keep holding this over me as a threat?

"And..." Long Shangxuan looked at her. An idea—something Mo Rutian had once mentioned—flashed through his mind. Isn’t using this woman the best shortcut? Qi Longbing, this time, brace yourself! I’ll make sure you can’t handle what’s coming!

"What else?" Hua Xiaomo looked at him, seeing a glint in his eyes she couldn’t quite decipher.

Long Shangxuan glanced at her, his gaze sweeping past. A faint curve touched his lips. "Xiao Mo..."

"If Qi Longbing finds out you’re with me, he definitely won’t let you off the hook. So..." A sly glint appeared in Long Shangxuan’s eyes. "You need to find some leverage on him, so you can protect yourself when necessary."

"His leverage..." Hua Xiaomo mused for a moment, then shook her head. "I don’t understand his financial dealings at all, and I can’t access anything more."

"What about his personal life? For example... does he have any special hobbies, like photography or something similar?" Long Shangxuan gently guided her.

Hua Xiaomo looked at him, and then an idea struck her. Maybe if I take photos of his paintings when I’m drawing for him, or even of him...

"I’ve got it!" Hua Xiaomo said quickly, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Brother Long, I know what to do. I’ll definitely get some leverage on him."

"Good. Be careful." Long Shangxuan smiled, not pressing further. For others, finding leverage on Qi Longbing might be next to impossible, but for her... it would be a piece of cake!

Once he has enough leverage to control Qi Longbing, he’ll crush this arrogant tycoon underfoot! Wouldn’t that be interesting?

Just as Long Shangxuan reached out to caress her face again, Hua Xiaomo shyly turned away. "Brother Long, it’s getting late. I should go. You should get some rest too."

"Alright. I’ll walk you out," Long Shangxuan smiled.

"No need. A friend drove me here, and he’s waiting downstairs. I’ll just get a ride back with him," Hua Xiaomo gently refused.

Long Shangxuan’s eyes narrowed suddenly. "What friend? Is he reliable?"

Hua Xiaomo was startled by his question but quickly realized. He’s just concerned about me!

"Of course, he’s a reliable friend, Brother Long," Hua Xiaomo said with a smile. Glancing towards the garden staircase, she added, "Brother Long, I’m leaving now."

"I’ll see you to the door," he replied.

After seeing Hua Xiaomo off, a deep, hidden look settled in Long Shangxuan’s eyes.

He took out his phone, looked at a familiar number, and quickly dialed. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⚫𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖⚫𝕟𝕖𝕥

"Hello, Shang Xuan? It’s so late. Haven’t you gone to bed yet?" a deep, husky voice asked from the other end.

"Director Mo, I just met with Hua Xiaomo."

"What? Xiao Mo? She went to see you?" Mo Rutian sounded surprised, but upon hearing her name, his spirits instantly lifted.