The Studious Shen Xiyue, Where is Shiyao?

With the roar of the motorcycle, In the blink of an eye, Shen Xiyue had brought Jiang Cheng to a villa.

"Get out."

What was this about?

It wasn't the seaside—was Shen Xiyue letting him off?

Jiang Cheng followed behind Shen Xiyue.

The villa was large and desolate, with no servants, eerily quiet in the darkness.

As the door opened and the lights flicked on, The interior was simple and sparse—more like a training hall than a place to live.

Punching bags, boxing gloves...

All kinds of equipment were available.

"Sit down." Shen Xiyue tossed out a casual remark and went straight upstairs.

Hey!

Shen Xiyue, what are you doing?

If you're going to kill or maim me, just give it to me straight!

Was she trying to make him suffer psychological torment first, then strike him down?

Jiang Cheng sucked in a cold breath—terrifying, truly.

A moment later, The sound of running water came from the bathroom.

"Taking a shower?" Jiang Cheng's expression twisted oddly, thinking of Jiang Ruoxue.

Was she going to pull that same stunt again?

Once bitten, twice shy—with that lesson learned, such cheap tricks wouldn't work on him anymore.

Jiang Cheng smugly thought this, but nothing happened.

Ahem~

He awkwardly rubbed his nose and started wandering around.

"Huh, Shen Xiyue reads books?"

Jiang Cheng's gaze landed on a small bookshelf in the corner, and he strode over.

Out of curiosity, he grabbed one at random.

"'The Old Ox Plowing the Field'?"

"What kind of book is this? Never heard of it."

"Author Yamahara Yami?!"

That name seemed vaguely familiar.

Driven by interest, Jiang Cheng decisively flipped open the first page.

The next second, his face flushed bright red.

"Good book—an absolute gem!"

Suppressing his urge to study, Jiang Cheng put the book back and scanned the rest.

From initial shock to gradual numbness.

"The Thirty-Six Strategies to Capture a Man," "The Art of Controlling Men," "The Grapes that are Forced to Ripen"...

What was Shen Xiyue trying to do?!

Was she that desperate for knowledge, that eager to improve?

Jiang Cheng's face was full of question marks, then realization dawned.

The Protagonist—Shen Xiyue must be studying so hard for the Protagonist.

That was it!

Shen Xiyue had a strong personality and liked to take control of everything.

It fit her style perfectly!

Poor Ye Bufan—who knew if he'd ever turn the tables.

Jiang Cheng lightly slapped himself.

Damn, worrying about others when he should be worrying about his own situation.

"Jiang Cheng, what are you doing."

Suddenly, Shen Xiyue's voice drifted up from behind him, soft and eerie.

"Nothing... much."

Jiang Cheng forced calm, turning around without haste.

There stood Shen Xiyue in a crop top, her flat stomach showing not a trace of excess flesh.

Perhaps from regular exercise, her figure was taut, lines flowing smoothly, every movement carrying a crisp, spirited air.

"Come here."

Shen Xiyue fixed her gaze on Jiang Cheng, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Gulp!

Was she about to throw down?

Did she plan to use him as a punching bag?

Jiang Cheng simply shut his eyes, putting on a tough front. "Shen Xiyue, do it!"

"I've only got one request—don't hit the face."

Fool, how could I ever lay a hand on you?

Shen Xiyue replied silently, striding over on long legs.

She reached out, fingertips tracing across his cheek.

Her red lips parted slightly, pressing down.

A soft, damp sensation came through. Jiang Cheng frowned—wasn't she not supposed to hit the face?

This didn't feel like a fist either?

He opened his eyes and saw Shen Xiyue's breathtaking face inches away, his pupils contracting sharply.

"You, you, you...!"

Jiang Cheng's brain short-circuited, one hand trembling as he pointed at Shen Xiyue while backing away.

I must be having a nightmare—she actually kissed me?!

How terrifying!

Has this world gone this insane already?

Shen Xiyue's lips curled up, pleased with Jiang Cheng's reaction.

Then she handed him a green jade pendant, her expression turning serious. "You must carry this with you at all times. It can protect you in a critical moment!"

Jiang Cheng pursed his lips and took the pendant.

When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head!

"The car's outside. You can go now." Shen Xiyue stretched, her graceful curves outlined.

"I can go?" Jiang Cheng eyed her suspiciously.

"What, can't bear to leave?"

Shen Xiyue chuckled, her gaze sweeping over Jiang Cheng's whole body.

Jiang Cheng shuddered, feeling as if he'd been seen through without a stitch of clothing, and fled in panic.

Only after Jiang Cheng's back disappeared did Shen Xiyue drop her smile, murmuring softly, "In this life, we'll definitely be together, Jiang Cheng..."

Ye Bufan was easy enough to deal with now, but his master and the Kyoto Ye Family couldn't be underestimated.

If they were alerted, Jiang Cheng's life would be in danger. She didn't dare act rashly.

And she couldn't take on these people alone. Shen Xiyue's eyes sharpened as she dialed a number.

"Jiang Ruoxue, it's Shen Xiyue..."

Jiang Cheng returned to the car, grabbed a bottle of water, and started chugging.

Today's events were too surreal—he needed a swig of Farmer's Three Punches to steady his nerves.

First, he inexplicably got caught in Jiang Ruoxue's grip, and then Shen Xiyue actually assaulted him.

He'd thought the other Heroines were already outrageous enough, but Shen Xiyue went even further—straight to the lips!

Was this something a Heroine should do?

Where was justice? Where was the law? He just wanted to lie low and survive—why was it so hard?

"Sigh... heart's tired. Let it all burn."

Jiang Cheng let out a faint sigh. Come to think of it, Shen Xiyue was the most pitiable of all the Heroines.

Back then, Shen Qian was young and reckless, never thinking of consequences, making plenty of enemies for the Shen Family.

Once, the Shen Family clashed violently with a rival clan over profit, but the other side played dirty—hiring people to kidnap Shen Xiyue and her mother.

It was meant to pressure the Shen Family into submission, but the Bandits were a bunch of desperadoes.

Seeing Mother Shen's elegant, mature charm, they intended to do the unthinkable.

Mother Shen feigned compliance, seizing the chance to flee with her seven-year-old daughter, Shen Xiyue, in her arms.

But a beautiful woman burdened with a child soon ran out of strength. After hiding Shen Xiyue, she herself was cornered with no way out.

Unable to bear the humiliation, Mother Shen leaped from the rooftop. Witnessing all of this firsthand—imagine the impact on a seven-year-old child.

Though Shen Kun arrived in time to rescue Shen Xiyue, from that day on, she became withdrawn, silent, and prone to sudden mood swings.

Jiang Cheng shook his head, dismissing the thoughts, and drove away.

At the Jiang residence, Creak—the door swung open.

"Dear Mommy, I'm home." Jiang Cheng looked at Mother Jiang, who was lying on the sofa with a face mask on.

Mother Jiang lit up with joy—until she saw Jiang Cheng was alone. Her expression instantly cooled.

"And Shiyao?"

Jiang Cheng froze mid-motion as he was changing his shoes.

Damn it. I left Li Shiyao at the Shen residence!

Forcing a smile, he said, "Mom, would you believe me if I said I went to the Shen residence with Li Shiyao?"

Mother Jiang nodded. "So where is Shiyao?"

"I... forgot to bring her back..."

Jiang Cheng scratched his head with an awkward grin, then looked pleadingly at Butler Fu nearby.

"Even Butler Fu speaking up won't help. Until Shiyao comes back, you're not stepping foot inside this house!"