Chapter Twelve: Is This Really Your Responsibility to Pay?

"Are you this nervous because you're afraid of losing me as your husband?" Chen Fan stared at Xia Xin with a playful look.

His laid-back attitude infuriated Xia Xin. Her expression darkened as she snapped, "Do you even realize how serious this is? Do you still think you're the young master Chen you used to be?"

"So, according to your solution, you want to sever ties with Xia Guojun? You and your father—perhaps after a decade or so, you could reconcile with a smile, but by then, someone else would be head of the Xia family."

Chen Fan's words jolted Xia Xin to her senses. If she fell out with Xia Guojun, the rest of the Xia family would never accept a head who so easily cut ties with her own father.

At that moment, Xia Xin realized Chen Fan had agreed for her sake, and she felt slightly moved, though she would never let him know.

"So what if you agree? It's only a month's delay. Any one of those three conditions is nearly impossible. How could you possibly succeed?"

"If you think so little of me, how about a wager? If by some stroke of luck I manage to succeed, you have to kiss me."

"And if you fail?"

"Then I'll kiss you!"

"Go to hell!"

Xia Xin glared fiercely at Chen Fan, feeling it was impossible to communicate with him, and said irritably, "Where are you staying? I'll drive you there."

"Caesar Hotel," Chen Fan replied.

As soon as she heard the name, Xia Xin looked at him with disdain. "You never change, do you? Still think you're the extravagant young master you once were? Can't stay at a cheap hotel or inn—must it be a five-star hotel?"

"Well, how about you take me to your place? I promise I won't lay a hand on you!"

Chen Fan looked utterly sincere, even raising his right hand as if swearing an oath, but this did nothing to move Xia Xin. She sneered coldly, "You really love spouting lines straight out of a sleazeball's playbook, don't you?"

Chen Fan's lips twitched; he couldn't find a retort.

Because, admittedly, what he'd just said did sound exactly like something a womanizer would say to a naive girl.

When they arrived at Caesar Hotel, Chen Fan had barely stepped out of the car before Xia Xin drove off without another word, as if she couldn't stand to see him for even a second longer.

At that moment, his phone rang—it was Qilin calling.

"Well? Did the report get approved?"

"Reporting to Hades, the higher-ups refused. The boss wants you to take over as the East City representative—the privileges remain the same, but if any conflict arises, you must immediately return to the Northwest camp to take charge."

Chen Fan's deep eyes gazed ahead, and he spoke slowly, "Understood. When do I take office?"

"Anytime. Also, Hades, there's something else... I'm not sure if I should mention it," Qilin hesitated.

Chen Fan's tone hardened. "Out with it. Since when did you become so wishy-washy?"

"Then turn around!"

At those words, Chen Fan froze for a moment, then turned to look behind him. Qilin, having put away his phone, offered an embarrassed smile. Standing by his side were two men and two women, each glaring at Chen Fan with barely concealed resentment.

These four, like Qilin, were Chen Fan's most trusted lieutenants: White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, and the woman in a long, snow-white dress, her figure elegantly outlined, her legs long and slender—Leng Shuang, known as 'Lady Meng Po.'

Chen Fan couldn't help but complain, "Didn't I tell you to keep my whereabouts secret?"

"You think Qilin could lie to me?" Lady Meng Po glanced at Chen Fan with a feathery indifference and asked deliberately, "Were you planning to keep this from everyone, or just from me?"

At this, Qilin quickly volunteered, "We—we'll go inside first."

With that, he led the group briskly into the hotel.

"Shuang'er, this isn't what you think. I only came back to investigate the assassination attempts on our family, and to settle some old scores. Once that's done, I'll return to the Northwest camp."

"You've already submitted your resignation and you still say you'll go back?" Leng Shuang laughed coldly, pausing before continuing, "You're just afraid I'll find out you're staying in East City to fulfill your marriage contract with Xia Xin, and that in a moment of rashness, I'd kill her."

Chen Fan fell silent. She truly was his longtime confidante, able to read his mind so thoroughly. That was indeed one reason he'd had Qilin keep things from the others.

Chen Fan understood Leng Shuang's feelings for him. Even though he'd told her many times that he saw her only as a brother, a comrade-in-arms, or even a younger sister, Leng Shuang never listened—she always did as she pleased.

With a calm expression, Leng Shuang said, "Don't worry, I won't kill her. I'll compete with her fair and square."

With that, she didn't wait for Chen Fan's reaction and strode into the hotel.

"Ah, things just got a lot more complicated. I just hope the others don't show up as well," Chen Fan sighed to the heavens, muttering to himself.

Ten minutes later, in room 5021.

Chen Fan gazed sternly at the group before him and spoke slowly, "Do you want to take a few days to rest, or get straight to work?"

"You think we're here for fun?" Leng Shuang shot back.

The tense atmosphere left Qilin and the others exchanging glances, hardly daring to breathe.

"Alright then. Qilin, tomorrow you will find a secluded manor where we can set up a security system. This will be our base of operations for meetings and storing supplies."

"White Tiger, your job is to bring the Asura Guard into East City in batches over the next few days. You'll handle their accommodations, and only you will know their locations. If you need funds, ask Qilin."

"Vermilion Bird, your task is a bit heavier. Once Qilin finds the house, you’re to set up a top-level security system there—use whatever high-tech gadgets you want, just make sure the defenses are top-notch. You'll also be in charge of logistics. I'll give you a list; buy everything on it. For expenses, go to Qilin."

"Black Tortoise, you have a week to set up a legitimate-looking company with an initial fund of two billion. That money also comes from Qilin."

At this, Qilin looked like he was about to cry, protesting, "Hades, could you contribute for once? I only have so much money—why do I have to pony up for everything? Can't you leave me something for retirement?"

"Hmm? You think you shouldn't pay? Maybe I should reconsider whether you should stay here. There's no one trustworthy left in the Northwest camp—maybe you should go back..."

"I'll pay, I'll pay! Anything is better than going back alone to that empty Northwest camp!"

"Haha!"

White Tiger and the rest burst out laughing, casting looks of deep sympathy his way.

After the laughter died down, Leng Shuang suddenly interjected, "Chen Fan, what about me? What do I do?"

"I'm taking over as the East City representative tomorrow. From now on, you'll be my secretary. Wherever I go, you go. You have no objections to that, do you?"