The Xie family gave Lu Yan two choices: become a cultivator to protect Xie Wei, or assist Xie Wei. Lu Yan chose the second option.

Now, Xie Wei's business acumen has been fully demonstrated. He founded Qiyuan and helped the Xie Group conquer overseas markets. These achievements all indicate that Xie Wei will go further and further on this path.

Lu Yan took over the Lu Group partly to help Xie Wei clear some obstacles. But the bigger reason was to pursue his beloved girlfriend—he's definitely a love-struck fool.

Hearing Lu Yan's words, Xie Wei felt strange. "Different? What's different between you and Qingying?" After all, Lu Yan didn't have a system, so he couldn't analyze that Lin Qingying was the female lead.

"Ah~, I'll have to explain slowly," Lu Yan said, glancing at Lin Qingying as he spoke, his intention to expose her secrets quite clear. Lin Qingying, of course, wouldn't let him succeed; under the table, she stomped hard on Lu Yan's foot with the heel of her long boot.

"Ah!" Lu Yan screamed, glaring at Lin Qingying as if to say, "Lin Qingying, you bastard, you hit too hard!"

Lin Qingying seemed not to notice Lu Yan's gaze. She slowly wiped her mouth with a tissue and looked at Lu Yan, saying, "What? Can't make up anything? Trying to distract yourself? Don't do something so stupid next time."

Looking into Lin Qingying's eyes, Lu Yan felt as if he would die if he continued to speak recklessly. He reluctantly withdrew his gaze, turned his head back, and silently endured the pain he had just endured.

Xie Wei watched their actions without saying much. After all, the two of them had always liked to joke around and had teased each other more than once or twice. In any case, it wouldn't affect their relationship in the end, so Xie Wei didn't interfere much.

After dinner, it was evening. Lu Yan said he was going to find his girlfriend to heal his wounded heart. Xie Wei and Lin Qingying could only roll their eyes and watch him go.

Xie Wei, being a male friend and a longtime acquaintance, offered to drive Lin Qingying home. Lin Qingying readily agreed and got into Xie Wei's supercar.

The weather before the Lunar New Year was noticeably warmer than after, which was evident from Lin Qingying's attire today. She wore a white shirt, a black A-line skirt, and a mid-length black coat. Her small feet, covered by sheer black stockings, were encased in black mid-calf boots.

Lin Qingying's legs were naturally long and beautiful, the kind that would be neither too plump nor too thin. Combined with the black stockings, Xie Wei didn't know where to look. He could only use them to distract himself.

"Qingying, where's your bodyguard today?" Xie Wei only remembered Ye Yan hadn't shown up all day after they finished eating, and Xie Wei had thought it was strange. Usually, where there's a female lead, there's a chosen one; if not, he can only be with another female lead.

"You mean Ye Yan?" Lin Qingying said naturally, "He left when the appointed time arrived."

Looking at Lin Qingying's calm expression, as if she were talking about something perfectly normal, Xie Wei was a little confused about what was going on with Ye Yan. 'Generally speaking, shouldn't one only move on to the next heroine after winning over the first one? Judging from Qingying's expression, she doesn't seem to like Ye Yan, so why did she leave?'

But reality isn't a novel. The chosen one has his reasons for doing whatever he wants, so it's best to let things take their natural course.

Xie Wei successfully diverted his attention and was now focused on finding Ye Yan's whereabouts, but Lin Qingying's next action drew Xie Wei's attention back.

Lin Qingying unzipped her mid-calf boots, freeing her black-stockinged feet, and sat in the passenger seat with her legs bent and arms wrapped around them. Xie Wei could clearly see the red nail polish on her toenails and the red string on her ankles; the combination of the two elements made her even more alluring.

Xie Wei had no choice but to quickly turn his head away, forcing himself to look at the road. "Qing...Qingying, what are you doing?" Testing a cadre like this!

Lin Qingying took in Xie Wei's actions and gave him a sly smile. She said in a slightly soft voice, "These boots were a little small when I bought them. They're a bit tight and uncomfortable to walk in. Take them off and relax a bit. I hope Third Brother won't mind."

"..." Since Lin Qingying had already said that, Xie Wei couldn't say anything. He could only warn her, "You can't do that in a man's passenger seat. It makes you seem very unguarded."

"But Third Brother isn't an outsider. Or is there something Third Brother might do to me?"

Xie Wei was speechless. He couldn't bring himself to say something ambiguous like "that's not necessarily true," and even if he did have those thoughts, he wouldn't dare to continue, since she was the female lead.

Unfortunately, Xie Wei wasn't paying attention to Lin Qingying's expression, otherwise he would have noticed the triumphant pleasure emanating from her. Lin Qingying was doing it on purpose; she knew Xie Wei had a particular fondness for a certain body part, which was why she made that move. Over the years, Lin Qingying had known Xie Wei's weakness perfectly well.

Xie Wei was driving with a mix of joy and pain, constantly having to watch out for oncoming traffic, which made it impossible for him to properly look at his legs.

Finally, Xie Wei delivered the vixen Lin Qingying to the Lin family's doorstep; otherwise, he felt that if he continued driving, they would definitely have a car accident.

But Lin Qingying didn't obediently put on her shoes and get out of the car as Xie Wei wished. Instead, she stretched her foot onto Xie Wei's stomach and said with her red lips, "But my legs still hurt a little. I might not be able to make it home. Third Brother, could you rub them for me?"

Xie Wei looked at the long, black-stockinged legs in his arms, wiped away the non-existent nosebleed, and righteously refused, "We're already at your doorstep. It's just a few steps. Qingying, you can do it."

"Besides, everyone around here is an acquaintance. If you get seen, it won't be good for your reputation."

Seeing Xie Wei's reaction, Lin Qingying was secretly pleased, but she still didn't want to let Xie Wei off the hook. "No one will dare to talk about the Lin family's affairs, and my foot really hurts. I won't bother Third Brother."

Seeing Lin Qingying's pitiful appearance, and then looking around to make sure no one was there, Xie Wei reached out his hand while thinking, 'Ye Yan, this isn't my fault. It was the female lead who took the initiative, and she's in trouble now, so this is considered helping her. Don't repay kindness with enmity later.'

Xie Wei placed Lin Qingying's feet in his palm and began to gently massage them. Lin Qingying's feet were indeed exquisite—small and delicate, snow-white and full. They were encased in black stockings, which glistened in the sunlight and felt silky smooth to the touch. The red string around her ankles added to their allure.

"Hmm? Hmm! Third Brother, that's enough." Lin Qingying blushed and made an indescribable sound. She originally wanted to tease Xie Wei, but she didn't expect Xie Wei to massage so comfortably. Lin Qingying couldn't take it anymore.

Xie Wei hadn't expected Lin Qingying's sensitive spot to be on her feet. Remembering how Lin Qingying had teased him earlier, Xie Wei became even more enthusiastic. Only when Lin Qingying begged him did Xie Wei stop teasing her, put her boots on, and obediently get out of the car.

"Welcome to visit again, boss," Xie Wei said before driving away. Lin Qingying watched Xie Wei disappear into the distance, feeling her plan had been a success, and turned back home contentedly.