CHAPTER 187: CHAPTER 187: VICIOUS WOMAN 5_1

Huang Xiaojue had been waiting there for a long time. When he saw her, his face was full of anxiety, and he was nearly hopping from foot to foot in worry. If Yan Xixi hadn’t repeatedly told him not to reveal their relationship, he would have rushed into her office to wait for her much earlier.

"Xixi, why did you take Liang Sheng’s case? Why didn’t you tell me earlier?"

She smiled brightly. "It’s fine, it’s fine. I’ve already signed the contract."

"Liang Sheng is up to no good. I’ve told them it doesn’t matter whether we deal with his company or not! If our company wants to grow and thrive, we must stay on the straight and narrow. We certainly can’t rely on people like him. And they actually sent *you* to handle this case! I had no idea beforehand. I only found out when I saw the documents—you really scared me..."

He stared at Yan Xixi, his expression very tense, as if trying to inspect every inch of her to make sure she was whole.

"Did Fu Mei send you? Doesn’t she consider the consequences? At the very least, she has a responsibility to her employees. I can’t stop others if they’re willing to go, but what gives her the right to send you?"

"I volunteered."

Huang Xiaojue’s eyes widened.

"Xiaojue, don’t worry. See? Nothing happened to me. I only had dinner with Liang Sheng. Besides, we’d been eating for less than forty minutes when he suddenly lost his appetite and left early."

Huang Xiaojue was speechless.

She giggled. "That Liang Sheng is quite amusing—so humorous and witty."

Huang Xiaojue found it hard to believe. He’d met Liang Sheng before; that leering, uncouth, roly-poly man was clearly of dubious character at first glance. Where was the humor in that?

"Liang Sheng is my fan. As soon as he met me, he practically worshiped the ground I walked on. He said he was worried I’d overwork myself, so he told me not to bother going to him again. He signed the papers right then and there and even had someone bring his company’s official seal to our office to stamp them. I originally owed him a meal, but he wouldn’t let me treat him. He said it was to save me the trouble of running around and that we shouldn’t meet again."

Huang Xiaojue was dumbfounded.

For a long moment, he looked at her as if she were a stranger. In his mind, Yan Xixi had always been that simple, gentle girl from their university days—pure, sweet, and artlessly innocent. Even during their years apart, those virtues had never faded. Yet, the woman standing before him now was far from the innocent, blooming girl of the past.

He considered himself a perceptive man. The moment Yan Xixi finished speaking, he knew Liang Sheng had undoubtedly fallen for her ploy. As for the exact methods she had employed, he couldn’t guess, but he was certain they had to be unscrupulous—legitimate tactics wouldn’t have swayed Liang Sheng.

Moreover, Liang Sheng must have suffered a significant, silent loss; otherwise, why would he declare he never wanted to see her again?

He gazed at her, a flicker of bewilderment in his eyes, as if slowly coming to a realization: This truly wasn’t the Yan Xixi he once knew.

Or perhaps, were these her true colors? The true colors of a con woman?

Yan Xixi met his gaze, observing the subtle shifts in his expression. I’m not hiding anything, nor do I want to put on an act; it’s simply too exhausting. I don’t even feel a shred of remorse—just think of how many women Liang Sheng has preyed upon! And all because he has a little power and money?

I consider myself an agent of karma.

And honestly, since when have I, Yan Xixi, ever been ’kind-hearted’? Please.

Those people who constantly have ’kindness’ on their lips usually have little to do with genuine kindness. Some of them simply wish for more people in the world who don’t know how to resist or argue for what’s right. That way, when these ’kind’ individuals want to be unreasonable and take advantage, their path is smoother. Others just want to showcase their supposedly deep thoughts and soft hearts—after all, they’re not the ones getting hurt.