Chapter Thirty-Eight: Somewhat Complicated

"This is a bit complicated to explain," Xiao Ye paused before continuing.

"I don't think it's complicated at all. This must be some wild woman you've picked up outside!" Old Madam Li sneered with a face full of contempt, her chest heaving as she struggled to contain her fury.

Xiao Ye offered no further explanation; he had no intention of elaborating on Ouyang Nana. Seeing the anger deepen in Old Madam Li's gaze as she looked from Ouyang Nana to Xiao Ye, he simply remained silent.

Ouyang Nana's sudden arrival had surprised Xiao Ye as well. He hadn't expected her to find this place.

"Why did you come? Wouldn't it be better to stay in the back?" Xiao Ye asked, forcing a helpless smile.

The next moment, Ouyang Nana, in front of everyone, clung to his arm. Her lips pouted slightly, and she gazed at Xiao Ye with a look full of grievance.

"Brother Xiao Ye, how could you come home without telling me?"

The intimate scene between the two struck Old Madam Li like a bolt from the blue. In her eyes, their closeness was clearly not that of mere friends. In fact, their relationship might have already surpassed friendship!

New thoughts immediately took root in Old Madam Li's heart. On one hand, there was the beautiful daughter of the Dragon Lord; on the other, her own daughter, now a withered flower. There wasn't even a need to choose!

Seeing Ouyang Nana's demeanor, Xiao Ye felt a chill run down his spine. He quickly stepped back a few paces.

"Everyone, my apologies, but I think we should call it a day. We can talk again another time," Xiao Ye said, forced to withdraw by Ouyang Nana's disruption.

His original intention had been to help Old Madam Li and her family mend their relationship with him. But with things turning out this way, Ouyang Nana was bound to complicate matters further!

"Wait, Brother Ye!" Ouyang Nana called after him as soon as he left, hastening to follow.

"It's over, it's all over!" Old Madam Li collapsed onto the floor, stamping her feet in frustration.

"If Xiao Ye gets involved with another woman, what will happen to my daughter?"

"My poor child! She finally escaped that filthy pen for a few days of peace, but now it seems she'll have to return to her old life," Old Madam Li wept bitterly. Seeing her like this, Li Jinrong and the others quickly helped her up, their hearts softening at her distress.

"Sister, don't worry. Even if your daughter divorces that foreign prince, you'll always be part of the Li family," someone reassured her. "But we should first think of a way to get hold of that prince's money. Only when the money's in our hands can we truly feel secure!"

The Li family members comforted Old Madam Li, while a cold glint flashed in Li Jinrong's eyes. If Xiao Ye really ended up with Ouyang Nana, they must find a way to swindle his money, no matter what.

Only then could the Li family return to their former prosperity!

"Brother, don't worry. I'll follow your lead from now on," Old Madam Li said, her expression turning ruthless. No matter what, they couldn't just sit and wait for their doom.

Meanwhile, Xiao Ye left the Li household, preparing to get into his car with Chi Long's escort. A slender, lively figure hurried to his side and got into the car ahead of him.

"Nana, don't you have your own car? Why do you have to ride with me?" Xiao Ye asked, exasperated.

Ouyang Nana blinked her bright, watery eyes. "Do you see any other cars around here?"

"You didn't bring anyone else with you this time?" Xiao Ye pressed. By all rights, Ouyang Nana should have had plenty of people in her retinue.

"King Xiao, all the bodyguards are stationed a hundred meters away. When they heard you were here, they felt at ease," Chi Long explained awkwardly.

At that, Xiao Ye's expression darkened. Clearly, this was Ouyang Nana's arrangement.

"The mission isn't urgent. Wherever you go, I'll go with you!" Ouyang Nana said with a mischievous grin.

Xiao Ye sighed. "Nana, where do you want to go?" he asked, thinking to himself that anywhere would be fine as long as he didn’t take her home. If she met Qin Xue’er, it would cause even bigger trouble.

"If you won't say, then let's eat first. I want to try the authentic cuisine of Jianghai City!" Ouyang Nana replied.

With no choice, Xiao Ye exchanged a look with Chi Long, who immediately understood and drove them to a seafood restaurant.

Jianghai City was famous for its proximity to both river and sea—freshwater and seafood delicacies were local specialties.

The three of them sat down and ordered a few simple dishes. The owner bustled off to prepare their meal.

"After this meal, you should head back. I have things to deal with tonight," Xiao Ye said coldly.

"Brother Xiao Ye, I'm thinking, since you'll be staying in Jianghai City for a while, maybe I should stay too. That way, we can look out for each other," Ouyang Nana said cheerfully, hugging his arm with sparkling eyes.

"There's nothing you can help with," Xiao Ye replied, a chilling aura emanating from him that made Ouyang Nana freeze.

Though he didn't dislike her, her actions today had far overstepped the line. A cold glint flashed in his eyes—she was, after all, a woman, and he didn't want her entangled too deeply in his affairs.

Ouyang Nana pouted, letting go of his arm and mumbling under her breath.

The killing intent vanished from Xiao Ye's presence, and he lowered his head to eat.

"Brother Xiao Ye is still so cold to me. I came all this way and you don't even welcome me. I'll leave right away!" Ouyang Nana said, a hint of melancholy in her voice.

"That doesn't work on me. Eat quickly—when we're done, I'll take you back," Xiao Ye replied without a trace of emotion.

By now, the table was filled with dishes, and though Ouyang Nana tried to pout, she couldn't resist and began to eat.

Just then, a group of boisterous men entered the restaurant, laughing loudly. Without waiting for the owner, they seated themselves right next to Xiao Ye and his party.

"Boss, bring the menu over!"

"Tea and beer, make it quick!"

Their shouts drew Xiao Ye's attention. He glanced over and saw a few local thugs, none of whom seemed worth noting.

But as those thugs swept their gazes around, they caught sight of Ouyang Nana, radiant as a rose.

"Tiger, look—there's a gorgeous babe over there!"

"She really is something. With a body like that, she'd be a lot of fun!"

The group ogled Ouyang Nana, licking their lips. They'd never seen a beauty so pure and untouched.