Chapter 11 Cousin’s Forcible Seizure of You

Chapter 11: Cousin's Forcible Seizure

Lou Han massaged his temples and turned off the overhead light. Sitting within the neatly squared quilt, he let out a long breath.

"What's the status?" he asked the system.

The system replied, "Rest assured, something is bound to happen today related to the mission."

As usual, Lou Han got up and ran two laps around the less populated areas of the Lou estate.

He even went down to the backyard to run his fingers over the rose leaves.

On his way back with a towel slung over his shoulder, he passed many people carrying floral and fruit arrangements or cleaning tools to the front courtyard.

The butler was reprimanding them in a hushed tone, "Be careful. All the masters, madams, young ladies, and young masters are arriving today. The tables must be set by nine."

Lou Han glanced at them and headed to his floor. Xiao Jie was standing below, watching him.

Seeing his nonchalant demeanor, Lou Han felt more certain that the Lou family was in disarray, with no one minding people like them.

With heavy dark circles under his eyes, Xiao Jie said to Lou Han inscrutably, "Young Master, did the boss finally come to see you yesterday?"

"In a manner of speaking." Lou Han looked at him strangely, wondering what Xiao Jing visiting him had to do with him.

He was quite sweaty and needed a shower. He intended to go straight in, but Xiao Jie's dark circles were so severe he casually asked, "Why are your dark circles so heavy?"

"Stayed up late last night," Xiao Jie said, then walked away.

In fact, Xiao Jie hadn't slept at all last night.

—He had gone to handle a rather interesting matter.

Ten o'clock arrived.

The Lou family banquet was beginning. Everyone made their way from various places to the front courtyard.

Lou Han walked over, but today he inexplicably felt the atmosphere was somewhat off.

It felt like the oppressive calm before a storm.

But these things had little to do with him now; Lou Han had decided that while securing the inheritance was best, living happily here with Xiao Jing until the mission ended would also be fine.

—Lou Han hadn't expected that things would actually involve him.

At the front courtyard, under dazzling lights, a gathering of elites and the wealthy huddled together. Lou Han saw people he'd never met and doubted he could remember them all.

Strangely, an unusual number of staff were present today, and security was more thorough than ever.

None of the relatives arrived alone. The Lou family members held power and status; some brought their spouses' families, while others brought a large number of bodyguards.

…

Lou Han had a surreal feeling.

He finally felt the realism of being in a mafia family.

People were dressed oddly, as if on a movie set.

Moreover, the sky broke into a downpour just as it had the day he met Xiao Jing; dark clouds loomed, pressing down on one's vision. The estate wasn't coastal, but being on a mountain peak, the wind was still majestic.

Cars slithered like silver snakes along the winding road, engines roaring through the rain curtain like lightning. In the torrential rain, the ushers had to scurry back and forth to welcome each arrival.

The arriving Lou family members held umbrellas with grave expressions. Upon seeing their various uncles and aunts, even their greetings were swallowed by the rain. Everyone was unusually quiet and reserved, as if attending a feast at Hongmen.

Lou Han was startled by the thought. He propped his chin on his hand, looked over, and smiled.

Because of the rain, everywhere seemed even more chaotic.

Xiao Jie had been following him closely from morning until noon.

The banquet was set in a building in the front courtyard with wide glass windows offering a direct view outside.

A few pampered children were playing in a covered area, followed by nannies. The half-grown children pushed a nanny into the swimming pool and laughed heartily.

Lou Han thought to himself, "Bratty kids."

He wanted to help, but the nanny climbed out herself. Then, one child's parent arrived. The child tried to act spoiled but received a slap from his father.

Sensing the tense atmosphere, the group of children scattered like startled birds.

Lou Yun held her prayer beads, rotating them expressionlessly. She was slender with high cheekbones, making her look like a cold Bodhisattva.

She walked into the hall as raindrops pattered against the glass. She raised her eyebrows and glanced at her confidant, "Tell Pingzhi to come pick me up after noon."

The confidant looked at her blankly. Pingzhi was Lou Yun's husband. "Madam, isn't today the family banquet? The master isn't here, and it wouldn't be good to leave right after eating, would it?"

"Too much talk," Lou Yun said with a smile, but her eyes shot over like poisoned arrows.

Someone like Lou Han, a virtual invisible man in the family, wasn't qualified to go to the front.

Before entering, Lou Han looked around but didn't see Lou Zimin. Instead, he noticed suspicious, burly men whispering. When they saw him looking, they naturally ignored him.

Some of the Lou family wives were playing mahjong nearby, their expressions unnatural as if preoccupied with other matters.

More importantly, Xi Jingqi had arrived.

Xi Jingqi had actually come.

The expressions of others changed, like the calm surface of water shattered by a storm.

The banquet scene, which should have been lively, was permeated with an eerie silence, as if various forces had stepped into a dragon's den where sparks could fly at any moment.

Lou Han saw him and was happy, but he felt he couldn't go over just yet.

He watched as Xiao Jing walked in with others and took a position at the very center of the hall.

Are there people who, just by existing, are immediately recognized as leaders?

Xi Jingqi was such a person. He appeared more imposing and aloof than before, almost arrogant, like cold marble. Lou Han stared at him and noticed a detail: Xiao Jing wasn't wearing his ring or jade necklace, but a wristwatch that exuded a mature charm.

Today's Xiao Jing looked exceptionally different, giving Lou Han a sense of unique sexiness and allure.

Xiao Jie, standing behind him, also watched Xi Jingqi and the people standing behind him.

Others pulled out a chair. At the redwood table, Xiao Jing sat down alone, facing everyone, with people voluntarily standing behind him like a guard.

"Where is the Old Master?"

Someone answered, "The Old Master is ill. He probably won't be coming out today."

The moment he sat down, he became an unignorable presence, his commanding aura pressing directly upon the heart.

Lou Han went quiet, just like everyone else, his gaze fixed on Xiao Jing.

“Bring some tea.” Lou Yihua, who had been chatting and checking his watch, came forward to greet him.

Others whispered under their breath, “What is he doing here?”

Their whispers mingled with the sound of rain falling outside the window.

There was hushed chatter, their voices extremely soft, as if afraid Xi Jingqi might hear.

Xiao Jing sat at the center of the round table, his long legs slightly crossed. His composed demeanor was like someone enjoying a sea breeze by the shore, and the aura emanating from him silenced the entire hall.

“Hahahaha.” An esteemed elder of the Lou family stepped forward. “Why so tense? We’re all family. Come, come—it’s not mealtime yet. How about a game of cards?”

Lou Yihua seemed pleased with this arrangement and readily agreed. Being a bit crude, he called out to the others, “Come on, everyone, we’re all family here.”

However, Lou Yihua’s fingers, hidden in his sleeves, twitched slightly as if he were nervous.

Lou Han sighed inwardly. *What does he mean, ‘all family’?* He watched this room full of scheming people spouting nonsense.

They began playing cards. The Lou family even had a dedicated dealer, who dealt the cards skillfully and swiftly with a deferential air.

Card games were likely nothing new to Xiao Jing in this world. His movements were very practiced, as if he hardly cared about the people around him. Yet those standing beside him were extremely tense, offering him cigarettes and tea obsequiously. Whenever the dealer passed cards to him, the man's hand would tremble slightly.

Xiao Jing’s fingers were slender and long, resting lightly on the table before giving a slight twitch.

At once, someone hurried over to speak with him, asking if he would like some refreshments.

Lou Han couldn’t understand why they were all so nervous.

*Was Xiao Jing really such a terrifying and intimidating presence in the Lou family now?*

Most crucial was Xiao Jing’s gaze—dark as glass, enough to make anyone shudder.

Lou Han pursed his lips, standing straight to the side, trying to be invisible. There were quite a few like him, essentially extras at the family banquet, just milling about.

But Lou Han didn’t yet realize that many were also watching him. The youth was elegant and strikingly handsome, and most importantly, he kept his eyes fixed on the man at the card table.

This sparked endless speculation in the minds of the onlookers.

Lou Han smoothed his sleeves and adjusted his clothes. Even though he was the protagonist in this luxurious setting—though in reality, his role was more of an extra—he still had to make his entrance later.

Watching these people, Lou Han thought of the real world, where he’d seen similar scenes before.

As a business magnate, Xiao Jing had many dealings and often had to engage in social pretense.

Moreover, when Xiao Jing played, the stakes were usually massive, with money thrown around like water. Millions flowed through his hands without him even blinking.

This time, under the watchful eyes of everyone, halfway through the game, Xiao Jing’s attention seemed to wander. He looked over his shoulder and then extended his hand. Lou Han watched that hand reach out toward him.

That hand stretched out, deliberate and sure, directed in one specific direction. In that direction, there was only one person—Lou Han.

Lou Han’s heart leapt. *Mission Two is here, Mission Two is here.*

Xiao Jing, in front of everyone, was acknowledging their connection. If Lou Han accepted, it would be equivalent to agreeing to his pursuit.

The others watched Lou Han and Xi Jingqi in silence.

“Huh?” On the surface, Lou Han appeared to be merely observing, suddenly called upon. He uttered a soft, confused “ah,” looking at that hand as if he didn’t understand what was happening.

“My luck with the cards isn’t great. Come over and help me out,” Xi Jingqi said lightly. The respect he commanded was such that no further explanation was needed—his powerful aura was almost tangible and oppressive.

Lou Han walked over, his throat tightening slightly. He knew how he should behave. He remained calm, putting on a proper front, and walked over with deliberately measured steps.

“Feel the cards.” It was too close for comfort. That hand held out the cards toward him. Lou Han’s long-fingered hand paused in mid-air for a moment before taking them.

If Lou Han had eyes in the back of his head, he would have seen everyone in the hall watching his calm expression.

He felt the cards, then flipped them over.

Xi Jingqi lowered his gaze to look at the cards, then the corner of his mouth quirked up in a smile, a glint flashing in his eyes. He leaned back, pulled Lou Han toward him, and draped his arm lazily over the back of the chair. “My treasure, these are good cards.”