After the White Lotus Drops the Act

Zhao Manlan had been searching for Xiao Weijing for a while, but he was nowhere to be found. She knew he had probably run off again.

The flattery from the people around her floated into her ears. She responded with a polite smile, but when she caught sight of Tang You in the crowd, she immediately gestured for someone to fetch her.

“Go, invite Miss Tang over.”

One of the ladies chuckled. “The old master really has an eye for people. I heard that back when Old Master Tang was still around, the two of them used to go fishing together all the time.”

Another lady chimed in, “It’s true—Old Master Xiao is such a kind and generous person. If it weren’t for his support, the Tang family would’ve fallen apart ages ago.”

Zhao Manlan listened quietly without commenting, her elegant and composed smile remaining unchanged.

As Tang You approached, the conversation naturally shifted away from that topic.

Zhao Manlan reached out and gestured for Tang You to sit beside her, smiling warmly. “Have you visited the old master yet?”

“I have,” Tang You answered obediently. “We talked for a while, and he told me to go out and have fun.”

Everyone knew that Old Master Xiao adored Tang You. The people below speculated about his intentions—since he had been trying to match her with Xiao Weijing, they guessed that he was preparing to support Weijing as the family’s successor.

But the moment Xiao Zexing returned to the country, the old master had immediately entrusted Weijing with significant responsibilities while also giving the Mingjian project to Zexing. It was impossible not to overthink the implications.

Zhao Manlan asked again, “Did you see Weijing just now?”

Tang You nodded with a smile. “He told me to focus more on my studies.”

Zhao Manlan knew exactly what her son was like—only Tang You would still be covering for him.

Last time, Zhao Manlan had carefully arranged a meeting, only for Xiao Weijing to completely ditch it. Tang You had even made up a lie to cover for him, saying he had gone elsewhere…

What a good girl—beautiful, kind-hearted, and, most importantly, so devoted to Weijing…

Zhao Manlan gently stroked Tang You’s soft hands, wishing more than anything to separate her son from that Wen Ling woman right this moment.

After a few rounds of small talk, someone tactfully brought up Xiao Zexing.

“Now that Weijing is preparing for marriage, what about the one from Xiyuan? Has his marriage been settled?”

The “one from Xiyuan” referred to Xiao Zexing.

Zhao Manlan maintained her smile. “Zexing’s mind is entirely on his career. Even the old master can’t influence him.”

Lately, Xiao Zexing’s name had been coming up more and more.

Tang You sat beside Zhao Manlan, listening as she asked in a warm tone, “Youyou, do you still remember what your Second Uncle looks like? When you were little, your grandfather used to bring you over to visit, and Zexing even held you once.”

In Zhao Manlan’s eyes, Tang You was already part of the family.

Tang You blushed slightly. “I don’t remember.”

She had absolutely no interest in this Xiao Zexing. The Xiao family had deep roots, intertwined relationships, and countless entangled interests. In Tang You’s mind, the further she stayed from the Xiao family’s internal affairs, the better—it would save her from unnecessary trouble in case she ever had a falling out with Tang Xiao in the future.

Zhao Manlan’s smile deepened. “It just so happens that he’s here today. Let’s have him come over—family members should at least meet each other.”

She gestured and instructed a waiter, “Go invite Zexing over.”

The waiter left, and the conversation among the guests naturally shifted to another topic.

Some of the ladies took the opportunity to observe Zhao Manlan’s expression as they sipped their tea, trying to decipher her true intentions.

Tang You listened to their chatter. As a junior, she didn’t have much to contribute to the conversation. It was enough for her to simply sit there and play the role of a decorative vase.

Then, Mrs. Chen took the initiative to speak up. “I’ve noticed that Youyou always wears such beautiful outfits. Do you have a personal stylist?”

Tang You answered crisply, “No, I pick them myself. Thank you.”

Her stylist was none other than herself—no one understood her own body’s features better than she did. She had only said this casually, but it immediately drew the attention of the other ladies, who began to scrutinize her outfit.

Mrs. Zheng, noticing that Tang You’s wrists and neck were bare, teased, “Youyou’s outfit is lovely, but why no jewelry? Did your aunt not want to gift you any?”

Tang You smiled. “Auntie has given me plenty, but I’m afraid of damaging them. I don’t want to ruin her thoughtful gifts, so I keep them stored away safely.”

That wasn’t true at all.

Though she sometimes accessorized for photos, Tang You rarely wore jewelry in her daily life. Even as a child, she would casually toss gifted bracelets and necklaces aside, never actually wearing them.

She just found them burdensome.

Just then, the waiter returned, looking slightly troubled. “Sir is drinking elsewhere and isn’t here.”

Zhao Manlan raised an eyebrow slightly and said regretfully, “Looks like you’ll have to meet him another time.”

Tang You responded in her soft, sweet voice, “It’s okay, Auntie. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future.”

As night fell and the crowd gradually dispersed, Tang You was about to bid farewell when Zhao Manlan warmly insisted, “It’s quite late, and your home is far from here. Why don’t you stay over?”

Before Tang You could decline, Zhao Manlan added with a smile, “I’ve already spoken to your father on the phone—he agreed.”

At this point, it was clear that she wasn’t giving Tang You a choice. Left with no other option, Tang You nodded. “Thank you, Auntie.”

They were currently at the Xiao family’s ancestral home, where Old Master Xiao had lived for decades without any intention of moving. The property’s value was undeniable—it was a place where even immense wealth couldn’t secure a residence unless backed by true power.

Tang You’s room was arranged in the second-floor guest quarters, furnished with meticulous care. Everyone knew she was meant to marry Xiao Weijing and that she was the most beloved junior in Old Master Xiao’s eyes. No one dared to slight her.

That night, Tang You tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She had a small appetite, which meant she also got hungry quickly.

She rummaged through the fruits and snacks in her room, but none of them appealed to her.

With a sigh, she quietly slipped out of bed, preparing to head out in search of food.

Before coming out, she had checked the layout and knew that at the end of the second floor, there was a small kitchen.

In the Tang family, someone was always on night duty in the kitchen—she wasn’t sure if it was the same here.

Tang You cautiously peeked out and saw that the door at the end of the hallway was open, casting a warm glow of light. She finally let out a breath of relief.

As long as someone was there.

Too lazy to change, she remained in her pajamas—the ones Zhao Manlan had prepared for her. They were extremely conservative, resembling the dress the princess wore when she escaped in Roman Holiday.

Tang You walked slowly to the kitchen door, stepping inside—only to suddenly spot Xiao Zexing leaning against the doorway.

The scent of alcohol on him was even stronger now. He stood against the wall, eyes half-lidded; his neatly buttoned shirt had two buttons undone, his tie had long since disappeared, and the faint outline of his collarbone was visible.

The usual cold aura he carried was somewhat diluted by his posture, giving him a hint of laziness instead.

In his left hand, he held a half-smoked cigarette, wisps of smoke curling around him, making his sharp features appear even deeper.

Looking down at Tang You from his height, he asked in a hoarse voice, “What are you doing here?”

“N-nothing… I was sleepwalking.”

Tang You, momentarily mesmerized by his looks, suddenly sensed danger. Retracting her step, she turned to leave—only to misjudge her footing on a patch of water on the floor.

She slipped.

Her body wobbled as she tried to steady herself.

But before she could fall, Xiao Zexing reacted swiftly—he tossed the cigarette aside and caught her firmly.

A strong arm wrapped tightly around her waist, pulling her straight into his body. She found herself pressed up against his tall, lean frame. Through the thin fabric of her pajamas, she could feel something cold and hard from his belt digging into her waist.

His grip was so strong that it squeezed a good amount of air out of her lungs. Her cheek was pressed against his chest, her heartbeat racing in shock.

In truth, she wouldn’t have actually fallen—her balance had always been good.

But that wasn’t what terrified her.

It was him.

Why did he have to catch her?!

Heat radiated through their clothes, mingling with the scent of alcohol. A deep sense of dread crept up her spine. Tang You couldn’t help but tremble, her hands pressing weakly against his chest. The nervousness and sheer panic in her voice made it come out softer than usual.

“C-can you let go of me…?”

Xiao Zexing lowered his gaze to the trembling girl in his arms.

His grip tightened.

Encircling her delicate, shaking frame.

She felt so fragile, as if the slightest pressure could snap her in half.

Even beneath the loose fabric of her nightdress, her slim waist was evident—almost impossibly slender.

His grip tensed further, the veins on his hands standing out.

His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly.

No one in this world knew about Xiao Zexing’s hidden obsession—

A delicate waist.