"Young Master, I'll go get the spare key," the butler was about to turn around.

"No need."

In the next moment, the man kicked the door open, stunning everyone around him. Such a violent young master!

Xiao Lenting just entered the bathroom, tossing a cold glance over his shoulder at the few people preparing to follow him in. "Get out."

"Ah...Yes." The assistant finally realized this was a bathroom, so the master was bathing.

Xiao Lenting's gaze fell upon the young girl sleeping in the bathtub, her skin as white as snow, her long hair strewn about, like Sleeping Beauty from the fairy tales.

He removed a towel from the rack and gently lifted the girl.

Touching her forehead with his finger, he found she didn't have a fever, she had simply fainted from fright.

Xia Chu slept soundly that night, opening her hazy eyes only at the break of dawn.

"Ah!" a scream cut through the morning serenity.

"Woke up?" Xiao Lenting looked indifferently at the frightened little bunny in his arms.

"You, you, you, I, I, I, why are we together?" Xia Chu stammered out of fright.

"You wouldn't let go of me," Xiao Lenting explained calmly.

Xia Chu saw the drool mark on his chest, as well as the neckline crumpled from her grasp.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you, I tend to sleep...ungracefully," she said.

"No, you're adorable."

The man left these words and stood up. Xia Chu's skin flushed slightly, she was rushing to get out of the bed, "Thank you for taking me in last night, I..."

"Don't be in a hurry to leave. Have a look at this."

Xiao Lengting tossed a stack of photos onto the bed. Xia Chu saw herself in there. Her clothes were in disarray, her shoulders half exposed, and there were a few other men around her.

She looked horrified, "How did you get these photos?"

"Your dear little sister passed them to the media to publicize the news, but I intercepted the effort."

Xia Chu then released a sigh of relief, "You've saved me once again, thank you."

"Do you really believe that I'm going to save you without expecting something in return, little bunny? Do you realize how many resources I used to suppress this news?"

The imposing figure of the man towered over her, making her feel even more like a bullied little creature.

"How...how much money do you want?"

"Do you think I'm in need of money?"

"Then what do you want?"

"I want you."

Xia Chu's eyes widened in shock, "I can't, I already have a boyfriend!"

"Where was he when you needed him? This sort of garbage should have been dumped a long time ago."

Xiao Lengting grasped her little chin, "I'm giving you three days to think it over. If you refuse, I will release the photos on behalf of Xia Ruirui."

Upon hearing these words, Xia Chu was dumbstruck, as if struck by a bolt from the blue. The one who saved her was not an angel, but a devil.

Tears welled up in her eyes, "Why?"

Xiao Lengting's rough fingers brushed over her moist lips, and his devilish words echoed in her ears, "This is just interest, I'll be waiting for you here in three days."

In three days, it would be Xia Chu's 18th birthday. Sheng Zhengxiu would be returning to the country, yet she had provoked a devil.

"Miss, the young master said you could request anything, he is willing to provide for you."

"No need!"

How dare Xia Chu ask for any help from the devil!

"Miss, don't forget the agreed time. The young master said he would get his rewards three days later."

Three days, it’s as if a curse deeply ingrained in her mind.

Xia residence.

The faces of Liu Qing and Xia Ruirui were full of triumph, "Despite her escape last night, we've already taken the photos, and they will be exposed on her birthday."

"Well done, as soon as those photos are out, her shares will be cancelled. Then I will whisper a few words to your father and transfer Xia Chu’s shares to you and your brother. She will be nothing but a nominal young lady."

"Young master, I will go get the spare key." The butler was about to turn around.

"No need."

The next second, the man kicked the door open, stunning everyone around him. Such a violent young master!

Xiao LengTing just entered the bathroom, casting a cold gaze at the few people behind him ready to follow in, “Out.”

“Ah...yes.” Only then did the assistant realize this is a bathroom, and the people inside must be bathing.

At a glance, Xiao LengTing saw the sleeping maiden in the bathtub, her skin as white as snow, long hair falling down like a fairy tale's Sleeping Beauty.

He grabbed a large towel nearby and lifted the maiden in his arms.

Touching her forehead with his fingers, no fever, she must have fainted from fright.

Xia Chu slept very soundly that night, only slowly opening her eyes when the dawn came.

"Ah!" A scream cut through the tranquil morning.

"Woke up?" Xiao LengTing looked indifferently at the frightened little bunny in his arms.

"You, you, you, I, I, I, how are we together?" Xia Chu was so scared her words were incoherent.

"You wouldn't let go of me." Xiao LengTing explained calmly.

Xia Chu saw the drool mark on his chest and the crumpled collar caused by her grabbing.

"So, sorry, I disturbed you. I do not sleep well after I fall asleep."

"No, very cute."

The man left a sentence and got up, Xia Chu’s little face turned slightly red, she hurriedly got up from the bed, "Thank you for taking me in last night, I..."

"Don't rush off, take a look at this."

Xiao Lengting tossed a pile of photographs onto the bed. The images caught Xia Chu's eye, revealing her in disheveled clothes, half-exposed shoulders, surrounded by several men.

Her complexion changed abruptly, "How did you get these pictures?"

"Your dear sister contacted the media intending to expose them, but I stopped it."

Only then did Xia Chu heave a sigh of relief, "You've saved me once again, thank you."

"My dear, do you actually think I would save you without expecting any payment in return? Do you know how much manpower and money it takes to suppress the news?"

The figure of the tall man cast a shadow over her, making her feel like a pitiful victim.

"How...how much money does it cost?"

"Do you think I lack money?"

"Then, what do you want?"

"I want you."

Xia Chu's eyes widened dramatically, "No, I already have a boyfriend!"

"Where was he when you needed him? This useless man should have been replaced a long time ago."

Xiao Lengting caught her small chin in a firm grip, "I'll give you three days to decide. If you refuse, then I will share these photos instead of Xia Ruirui."

His words reverberated through Xia Chu, her entire being felt like it had been struck by lightning. She realized then that her savior was not an angel, but a demon.

Tears filled her eyes as she asked, "Why?"

Xiao Lengting's rough fingers brushed past her moistened lips, a devilish voice echoed in her ear, "This is simply interest. In three days, I will wait for you here."

In three days, it would be the eighteen birthday of Xia Chu. Sheng Zhengxiu will return to the country, yet she had provoked a devil.

"Young lady, the young master says if you have any needs, do not hesitate to ask. He can provide for you."

"I don't need it!"

How would Xia Chu dare to accept any form of assistance from the devil?

"Young lady, don't forget the agreed time. The young master will come to claim the reward in three days time."

Three days...like a curse deeply engraved in her mind.

Xia residence.

Liu Qing and Xia Ruirui had faces full of satisfaction, "Although she ran away last night, the photos have been taken. They will come out on her birthday."

"Good job! Once the photos are released, her shares will be revoked. I will whisper in your father's ear and have Xia Chu's shares transferred to you and your brother. She, the young lady, will only be so in name."

Book Title: Mysterious Emperor's Sweet Pet Wife

Author: Yun Chan

Layout: An An

Art Editor: Jiahui

"Once Xia Chu is gone, I will be the rightful lady of the Xia family."

Xia Chu was unsure if Xia Ruirui and the others had set further traps for her, so she dared not return home and had no choice but to seek refuge with her grandfather.

The old man lived in the Xia family's ancient castle. It was quite late last night and Xia Chu did not want to disturb him.

"Little Chu, how long has it been since you last visited your grandfather?"

Ever since her mother died and her father brought home the mistress and her family, Xia Chu's life had been very miserable.

Seeing her grandfather, she couldn't help but tear up, "Grandpa."

"My dear granddaughter, have you been wronged somehow? Tell your grandpa all about it."

Xia Chu wanted to speak, but stopped herself. Liu Qing had once threatened her, saying that if she dare utter a word, he would destroy her mother's grave.

"No, I just missed you, grandpa."

"Good girl, how about I handle your coming-of-age ceremony? That woman surely won't arrange it properly for you."

"I'll listen to you, grandpa." Xia Chu could only find some consolation with her grandfather.

That night, she received a call from Sheng Zhengxiu, "Zhengxiu, when are you coming back?"

"Chu, I'll be back the day after tomorrow, just in time to attend your coming-of-age ceremony."

"Well... Zhengxiu..." As Xia Chu thought about the devilish words, if she ignored his existence, her scandal would explode in a few days. What would Sheng Zhengxiu think of her?

"What is it, Chu? Do you miss me? I'll be back soon, I'll give you a big surprise!" Sheng Zhengxiu's voice was very cheerful.

Xia Chu guessed what his surprise might be—it was probably a marriage proposal. She would have been ecstatic in the past, but now…

Suddenly pulled into an embrace, Xia Chu widened her eyes in shock at the man behind her.

How could he be here?

"Ah…" Xia Chu couldn't stop herself from letting out a cry.

"Chu’er, what's wrong?" Sheng Zhengxiu anxiously asked.

"No, nothing, a bug bit me." Xia Chu's face was so red it was ridiculous.

"There are a lot of bugs this season."

"Well…I’m feeling a bit sleepy, good night." She hurriedly hung up the phone, afraid Sheng Zhengxiu would catch on to something.

"Little bunny, you're lying." Xiao Lengting trapped her against a tree, their bodies so close they nearly touched.

He found her again, as if driven by a devil, after a good night's sleep with her in his arms the previous night.

With her face as red as an apple, Xia Chu glared at the man before her.

"It's not even three days yet, why are you here?"

"To collect some interest." Xiao Lengting realized he was quite smitten with the purity that Xia Chu exuded.

"You shameless person, I'm going to report you for trespassing private property."

Xiao Lengting sneered, his body pressing close to hers, "Good, you tell."

"You bastard, what are you doing?"

"Don't worry, I won’t hurt you, just sampling some appetizers."

He tenderly sucked at her skin, swift to leave a mark belonging to him.

"Chu’er, are you in the yard?" The voice of her Grandpa rang from nearby.

The old man loved tranquility, there weren't many servants in their house, and the entire castle seemed somewhat vacant yet peaceful.

Xia Chu was so scared that she shivered, trying to push the man away from her.

"Let go! My Grandpa is coming!"

"Heh, so what if he comes?" Xiao Lengting extended his arm and causally lay down in the flower bushes.

Thanks to the old Mr. Xia who liked gardening, the courtyards were full of flowers. And these flowers were blocking the two of them.

"Chu’er?" The old man's steps were getting closer.

However, the unscrupulous man had no intention to stop. Xia Chu was desperate, shy, and anxious.

The footsteps were getting closer, making Xia Chu close her eyes in fright. How was she going to explain this to Grandpa!

"Once Xia Chu is out of the picture, I will be the rightful heiress of the Xia family, fair and square."

Xia Chu didn’t know if Xia Ruirui had other plans for her, she dared not return home for the moment and went to her grandpa's place instead.

Grandpa lived in the Summer family's old castle. Last night was too late and Summer couldn't bear to disturb his rest.

"Little Summer, how long has it been since you visited your grandpa?"

After her mother passed away, her dad brought the third family home, and Summer's life had been utterly miserable.

On seeing grandpa, she couldn't help but burst into tears. "Grandpa."

"My dear granddaughter, have you been wronged? Tell grandpa everything."

Summer wanted to speak but held back. Liu Qing had once threatened her that if she uttered a word, they would destroy her mother's tomb.

"No, it's just that I haven't seen Grandpa for a long time and missed you."

"Good girl, how 'bout I handle your coming-of-age ceremony? That woman surely won't organize it grandly."

"Let's follow Grandpa's suggestion." Summer could only find a glimmer of comfort from her grandpa.

That night she received a call from Cheng Zhi Xiu, "Zhi Xiu, when will you be back?"

"Summer, I'll be back the day after tomorrow, just in time to attend your coming-of-age ceremony."

"Um…Zhi Xiu…" Summer wondered, given that man's devilish words, if she chose to ignore him, he might soon expose her scandal. What would Cheng Zhi Xiu think of her?

"What's wrong, Summer? Do you miss me? I will be back soon, and I will give you a big surprise!" Cheng Zhi Xiu's voice was full of cheerfulness.

Summer had a hunch what his surprise might be - a marriage proposal.

If it were in the past, she would surely be happy, but now…

Suddenly pulled into someone's arms, Xia Chu stared wide-eyed at the man behind her.

What was he doing here?

"Ah…" Xia Chu couldn't help but let out a gasp.

"Chu, what's wrong?" asked Sheng Zhengxiu anxiously.

"No, nothing. I was just bitten by a bug," Xia Chu's face was so red it was embarrassing.

"There are a lot of mosquitoes and bugs this season."

"Well...I am feeling a bit sleepy, goodnight." She hurriedly hung up the phone, afraid that Sheng Zhengxiu would discover something was wrong.

"Little bunny, you're lying," Xiao Lengting cornered her against a tree, the distance between them very close.

He had held her throughout last night, sleeping soundly, and now, by some freak chance, he had found her again.

Xia Chu's face was crimson as if she were a red apple, she pouted angrily at the man in front of her.

"Why are you here before the three days were up?"

"To collect some interest," Xiao Lengting found he really liked the pure aura that Xia Chu held.

"Who ever heard of someone as shameless as you, I'm going to accuse you of trespassing."

Xiao Lengting smirked, moving closer to her, "Go ahead, accuse me."

"Bastard, what are you doing?"

"Rest assured, I won't harm you, just tasting a little appetizer before the meal."

He gently suckled at her skin, leaving a mark exclusive to him in no time.

"Chuer, are you in the courtyard?" The sound of her grandfather's voice floated to her ears.

The old man liked tranquility. There were very few servants in the house, making the entire castle seem a bit empty and quiet.

Xia Chuer jumped in fright, wanting to push away the man beside her.

"Let go! My grandpa is coming!"

"Heh, so what if he comes?" Xiao Lengtian reached out an arm, simply falling back into the flower bushes.

Who asked for old Master Xia to love tending to the flowers and plants in his leisure time? There were many flowers in the courtyard, which unknowingly blocked the duo from sight.

"Chuer?" The footsteps of the old man were getting closer.

Yet, this rogue man showed no signs of stopping, making Xia Chuer feel a blend of urgency, embarrassment, and nervousness.

The sound of steps was nearly atop them, frightening Xia Chuer into closing her eyes. How was she going to explain this to her grandfather!