Among everyone present, the most uncomfortable person was Lu Tao. He was genuinely terrified. But just a moment ago, he noticed something—Shen Wuxiao seemed to be staring at Huang Luoyan!
Lu Tao had been racking his brain trying to fix the situation, and then a sudden idea struck him.
He knew that Shen Wuxiao had a weakness for beautiful women.
Last time, he brought a stunning goddess to the dinner party, and today, he had another one at his side. Huang Luoyan was so beautiful that even Lu Tao himself was mesmerized. So it was perfectly reasonable for Shen Wuxiao to be interested in her. The only reason Shen Wuxiao hadn’t said anything yet was probably because he had a female companion with him. Even if Shen Wuxiao didn’t make a move, Lu Tao wasn’t stupid.
In that instant, Lu Tao came to a realization.
To fix this mess, he needed to cater to Shen Wuxiao’s preferences. Shen Wuxiao didn’t lack money, power, or influence. If he wanted women, countless would line up to throw themselves at him, begging to be with him. But a woman like Huang Luoyan—someone truly extraordinary—was in a league of her own.
She was one of those rare people you only meet once in a lifetime.
Lu Tao understood that he could give up on Huang Luoyan, but if he could convince her to help him follow Shen Wuxiao, everything could still be salvaged. Not only could he resolve Shen Wuxiao’s displeasure, but he might also please him. If all went well, he could become Shen Wuxiao’s lackey and ride his coattails to the top.
With that thought, everything suddenly became clear.
He had to go through with it—this time, he needed to do it right. He had to help Shen Wuxiao get Huang Luoyan. If she resisted, he wouldn’t hesitate to use other means.Didn’t she care a lot about that so-called daughter of hers?
Then he’d capture the little girl and lock her in a dog cage to force her hand. Let’s see if she’d still act so stubborn.
But for now, Lu Tao decided to be diplomatic.
He would use today’s beating at Shen Wuxiao’s hands to spin a story—turn it into a case of a hero saving a damsel in distress. He would say Shen Wuxiao beat him up only to protect Huang Luoyan.
Opportunities like this didn’t come often. This might be the only way to turn things around. Otherwise, who knew if Shen Wuxiao would come after him later?
One word from a man like him could wipe out generations of hard work built by the Lu family.
But if used wisely, that same word could also make the Lu family prosper for a hundred years.
This time, he had to win!
Just as he was about to go inside, Huang Luoyan’s parents came out to meet him.
“Mr. Lu, we’re really sorry about what happened today…” they said nervously.
They were terrified. They knew Lu Tao’s temper. After being humiliated, it was highly likely he would take his anger out on them.
If that happened, it would be the end of their family.
But unexpectedly, Lu Tao was extremely polite.
He looked a little embarrassed, but he smiled warmly and said, “Don’t be nervous. I’m not blaming you for what happened.”
“That guy didn’t just humiliate me—he wanted to kill me. But even if he killed me, no one in my family would dare say a word.”
The Huang family was stunned.
Was such a thing even possible in Zhonghai?
Even if Lu Tao was killed, the Lu family wouldn’t dare speak up? It sounded like something out of a fantasy.
Lu Tao was applying both politeness and pressure—and part of that politeness was directed at the Huang family.
Let them try persuading first. Then he’d speak to Huang Luoyan directly.
If that didn’t work, then he’d go with force—kidnap the little girl to threaten her. The child was already very ill. Lu Tao didn’t believe that Shen Wuxiao would mind—after all, that man was ruthless and cold-blooded.
“Do you know who that man was just now?” Lu Tao asked them.
The Huang family shook their heads.
Lu Tao said seriously, “That was Shen Wuxiao.”
“Shen Wuxiao?” they repeated in shock.
Lu Tao was speechless for a moment, then asked, “What about Shen Guohua?”
This time, they nodded. Of course they knew Shen Guohua. Everyone in the Dragon Country knew that name—even children.
Lu Tao calmly continued, “That man just now is his grandson—his most beloved grandson!”
“And his father is Shen Tianhong. Do you understand now?”
The Huang family gasped.
If they didn’t understand the significance of that, they’d have to be idiots.
No wonder Lu Tao dropped to his knees so fast. No wonder he even ate cake off the floor. If it were feces, he might’ve taken a few bites of that too.
Seeing their shocked faces, Lu Tao struck while the iron was hot.
“From now on, I won’t—and I don’t dare—harbor any thoughts about your daughter. Young Master Shen has his eyes on her.”
“Think carefully about whether you want to seize this opportunity or miss it forever. You can contact me anytime once you’ve made your decision.”
With that, Lu Tao turned and left.
He didn’t need to say anything else. The Huang family would know exactly what to do.
The Lu family had been trying so hard to win their favor, and now the top family in the Dragon Country had come knocking. If they didn’t act now, they’d be fools.
Back in the restaurant, Huang Luoyan looked slightly dazed. She held the little girl tightly.
“Tuantuan, you must have been so scared today,” she said softly.
But the little girl shook her head firmly. “No, Mom. I wasn’t scared. I’m very brave.”
“When I grow up, I’ll protect you!”
Huang Luoyan was deeply touched and held her tightly.
Although Ye Tuantuan wasn’t her biological daughter, she treated her like her own, with all her heart.
Little Tuantuan then asked, “Mom, where’s Dad? If that handsome and strong man hadn’t shown up, the bad guy would’ve hurt me.”
“If Daddy were here, he wouldn’t have let the bad guy bully you or Mommy.”
Hearing that, Huang Luoyan sighed quietly.
How could she know where he had gone?
He had left the child with her and vanished.
He didn’t say a word—just handed over the baby and a phone number, saying she could call if she ever needed help.
During these years, she had called once—not for help, just to ask how he was.
But no one ever answered.
Time passed quickly. Five years had gone by. The child had grown up, but there was still no word from him.
Huang Luoyan couldn’t help but feel bitter.
No matter what, Tuantuan was his daughter. But he never even came to see her.
As a father, that was completely irresponsible and unacceptable.
If it weren’t for the memory of her late best friend, she would’ve cursed him out long ago…
Meanwhile, Shen Wuxiao had already taken Hongye back to the Bay Villa.
In the car, Hongye seemed unusually curious about Jiang Huaiyue.
Her tone was playful, occasionally throwing sarcasm at Shen Wuxiao.
“Young Master Shen,” she teased, “you came to Zhonghai as a so-called pure-hearted warrior. But in the end, didn’t you get involved with that Liu girl?”
“What are you up to now?”
“Are you flying the red flag at home and rainbow flags outside?”
Shen Wuxiao drove the car and gave a helpless chuckle. “Your imagination is something else.”
“I’m very picky, okay?”
Hongye blinked her bright eyes. “Really? But in that restaurant, you kept glancing at that beauty. Don’t think I didn’t notice!”
“You don’t really go for every pretty face you see, do you?”
Shen Wuxiao reached over and playfully rubbed her slender waist.
“I go for every beauty I see? What am I—playing Pokémon?”
“I told you—I’m picky when it comes to taste. Of course… if you don’t mind, I’ll take you.”
“I’ve been wanting to taste that mouth of yours for a long time now.”
“You keep sticking your tongue out at me. It’s too tempting!”