NOVEL WEB Chapter 94:
Chapter 94: The Protagonist Who Can’t Argue! The Heroine Can’t Handle It!:
Xu Hao had already booked a room at the hotel and led Xiao Wanling straight to the presidential suite, where everything went according to plan.
[Ding! Xiao Wanling feels uneasy, emotional points +123…]
[Ding! Xiao Wanling’s heartbeat speeds up, emotional points +456…]
[Ding! Xiao Wanling is extremely excited, emotional points +789…]
Meanwhile, outside Xiao Wanling’s home—
Zheng Feifan stood waiting.
After finishing work, he had come directly here, determined to warn her again about Xu Hao’s manipulative ways.
But hours passed, and she didn’t return.
Anxiety gnawed at him.
As someone who had lived in her rental house for a while, he knew her routines well. Xiao Wanling was disciplined and always returned home at night—even if she spent time with her best friend Xu Hongzhuang at the Xu family’s place. Today was different.
His heart sank further with each passing hour. Thoughts of her and Xu Hao clouded his mind. Could it be…?
The idea made his chest ache with emptiness.
…
Outside the Love Hotel—
Li Xiao stood, desperate to charge inside and rescue Xiao Wanling. But Bai Ling, standing guard, blocked his path with a cold stare. Li Xiao didn’t dare make a move.
Time ticked by slowly, and over an hour passed. Defeated, Li Xiao sighed deeply, his sadness weighing him down as he turned away. Whatever had happened was beyond his control now. No point in pursuing Xiao Wanling any longer… Besides, with Bai Ling there, even staying until dawn wouldn’t get him into the hotel. He decided it was better to retreat, rest, and seek another chance later.
After all, Xiao Wanling was a stunning woman with exceptional beauty and charm. Even if she was no longer pure, many would still desire her.
…
Back home, Li Xiao found his family still awake, gathered in the living room watching TV. They ignored him as he entered, barely sparing him a glance. This son had been a constant disappointment.
Li Xiao understood. His predecessor had indeed failed them. Even though Chu Xiong, a powerful figure, had taken a liking to him, he’d never shared it with his family or used it to prove his worth. But Li Xiao was determined—once he earned his first substantial capital, he’d start a business and make his family proud.
His thoughts were interrupted by his mother’s curious question to his sister, Li Yunshu. “Yunshu, what’s got you so happy? You’ve been smiling nonstop since you got home.”
Father Li turned to his daughter as well. While they were thrilled she’d joined the Xu Group, her happiness today was on a different level. Li Xiao, intrigued, leaned in closer to listen.
Li Yunshu froze, momentarily caught off guard. But she quickly decided there was no harm in sharing. “Today, on my way to work… a classmate tried to bully me, but Mr. Xu appeared just in time and saved me…”
She recounted everything that had happened, speaking with a mix of relief and admiration. For years, she had endured bullying in silence, fearing it would only worry her parents. But now, things were different. Thanks to Mr. Xu’s intervention, her tormentor had apologized and promised never to bother her again.
Hearing that their daughter had been in danger, Father Li’s face darkened, and Mother Li’s worry showed as she checked her daughter for any injuries. When they heard how Xu Hao had stepped in and made the bully apologize, their relief turned into heartfelt gratitude.
“Mr. Xu is truly a good man,” Father Li said, his voice thick with emotion. “Yunshu, you owe him a great debt of gratitude.”
“Yes,” Mother Li agreed. “You must thank him. If not for Mr. Xu, who knows what might have happened…”
Their praise for Xu Hao continued, leaving Li Xiao feeling increasingly uneasy. To him, the whole situation seemed too convenient. As he listened to their words of gratitude and watched his sister’s admiration, he grew more suspicious.
“Isn’t it strange?” he interjected, unable to hold back any longer. “Why did Xu Hao appear just when Yunshu was in danger?”
His parents turned to him, frowning. “What are you implying, Xiao?” Father Li asked sternly.
Li Xiao pressed on, “I’m just saying… isn’t it possible everything was planned? What if someone set it up so Mr. Xu could ‘save’ Yunshu?”
His mother glared at him. “Are you saying Mr. Xu orchestrated this just to make himself look good?”
Li Yunshu’s eyes flashed with anger. Her usually gentle demeanor hardened. “So you think Uncle Xu would go that far? To what end?”
The tension in the room thickened. Father Li’s face grew red. “How dare you speak that way about Mr. Xu! He’s been nothing but kind to your sister. Your constant suspicion is baseless.”
“You ungrateful fool,” Mother Li added. “You waste your days, and now you slander someone who helped your sister? Maybe it’s time we put a stop to your nonsense.”
Li Xiao clenched his jaw. He had meant well, but his words only deepened the rift. His parents’ gratitude and his sister’s unwavering trust in Xu Hao made it clear—they were blind to the man’s true nature. But no matter how much they opposed him, Li Xiao wouldn’t give up. He had to protect his family, even if it meant fighting alone.
It seemed like it would take a long time to change his family’s view of Xu Hao. Li Xiao touched his nose, shrugged, and forced a bitter smile.
“I didn’t say that.”
Even if he hadn’t spoken directly, his expression revealed his thoughts. Li Yunshu spoke up again, her gaze cold.
“One more thing—on the day of my interview.”
“There was someone else there with me. This person had colluded with the interviewer to eliminate me from consideration…
“At that moment, Uncle Xu stepped in, defended me, expelled my competitor from the company, and encouraged me.
“Are you suggesting he orchestrated all that too?”
Li Xiao’s eyebrow furrowed, and his gaze shifted. His mind raced with thoughts.
Xu Hao was a scoundrel, no doubt about it. He had a wife and multiple daughters and still pursued other women. An absolute pervert. If he were in Xu Hao’s place, faced with a beautiful woman at his company who took the initiative to interview, wouldn’t he use a staged incident to play the hero? It was possible. So he nodded slightly toward Li Yunshu.
“If that’s true, then it’s entirely possible Xu Hao used this scenario to gain your trust and get close to you…”
“Shut up.”
Li Yunshu’s patience snapped, and her voice turned icy.
“Can you explain why Uncle Xu not only fired the competitor but also dismissed the interviewer and demoted the director of the HR department?”
Her parents listened, their expressions shifting.
For a moment, Li Xiao’s words had planted a seed of doubt in their minds. But after hearing what their daughter had to say, that doubt vanished.
Why would Xu Hao fire and demote employees just to impress a young woman?
Their daughter was beautiful, yes, but Xu Hao, with his vast wealth and status, could access more if he wanted. His reputation spoke for itself: one wife, a male secretary, and no scandals.
Besides, Xu Hao was 50, and their daughter was in her 20s. It seemed absurd.
“Um… this?”
Li Xiao hesitated.
Even he had to admit that orchestrating firings and demotions for a single act seemed too far-fetched. Little did he know, Xu Hao was indeed capable of going to such lengths if it meant gaining the favor of a female protagonist and receiving emotional rewards.
Quickly changing the subject, Li Xiao said,
“Maybe that incident was genuine, but what about what happened this morning? You just happened to be in trouble, and Xu Hao conveniently appeared to rescue you.”
Li Yunshu sneered.
“One thing I might not have made clear—this morning’s incident involved a classmate who bullied me in school. She often caused me trouble, spreading lies and bringing me down.
“When we interviewed, she saw me as a rival and lashed out. That’s why she confronted me.”
Her parents gasped, shocked to learn the same girl had tormented their daughter for so long. Mother Li rushed to check for injuries, relieved to find none.
“Don’t worry, Mom, Dad. Uncle Xu already warned her. She won’t bother me again.”
“Good, that’s good…”
Her parents’ gratitude toward Xu Hao deepened.
Meanwhile, Li Xiao struggled.
Everything his sister said made perfect sense. Each explanation was logical, fitting together without issue. Still… something felt off. He pondered until an idea struck him.
“Sister, isn’t it possible that Xu Hao colluded with that girl just to put on a show for you?”
“Don’t call me sister; it sounds harsh.”
Li Yunshu, usually patient, was thoroughly disgusted now. Doubting her savior crossed the line. Even if her brother’s scenario was possible, she knew she was an ordinary girl. Why would a billionaire like Xu Hao waste time on her?
Without another glance, she turned and locked herself in her room.
Father Li and Mother Li berated their son once more…
…
In the Afternoon—
Xiao Wanling didn’t wake up until the afternoon. Her eyes opened, hazy and unfocused, feeling like time had stopped.
She recalled her sisters’ discussions about how incredible Xu Hao was and their stepmother Su Wanqiu’s… unexpected reactions. Back then, she hadn’t believed it. Su Wanqiu always seemed so composed and elegant. Now, she understood what they meant—she couldn’t handle it at all!
As Xiao Wanling regained her senses, she noticed Xu Hao watching her with amusement. Her face flushed bright red, and she instinctively tried to hide, only to be gently pulled back…