Chapter Forty-Nine: Did I Say You Could Leave?

"Come here."
In the shadows, Sheng Ming's expression was obscured, his voice deep and hoarse, laced with barely contained wrath and an unmistakable threat.
"Young Master Sheng." Xu Nuo walked over with a light, unhurried step and gracefully took a seat under Sheng Ming's gaze. Amid the crackling tension in the air, she exuded a reckless indifference to danger.
Sheng Ming said, "I told you before—I have no patience for your little games."
"Did you?" Xu Nuo replied carelessly. "Perhaps you did, but you say so many things, I can barely remember them all."
The butler watched, terrified. "Miss Xu—"
But one sharp look from Sheng Ming silenced him.
Sheng Ming fixed his gaze on Xu Nuo. "Tell me—what is your relationship with those two men?"
"Just like brothers and friends," Xu Nuo answered.
Even at this moment, she dared to quibble, showing not the slightest sign of panic—on the contrary, her composure bordered on arrogance. Sheng Ming clenched his fists. Did she really think he wouldn't dare do anything to her?
He forced down the surge of fury and ordered coldly, "Bring them in."
Lin Qisheng and Gu Xingze were escorted in by a few servants. To say they were "escorted" was generous—anyone could see that these servants posed no real threat to them, and even their actions were half-hearted.

The butler had already questioned the two men. Their stories matched perfectly, both insisting they were simply Xu Nuo's younger and older brothers. No amount of intimidation had worked—after all, they were Espers, and torture was out of the question.
"I'm only here to help my sister," Lin Qisheng said lazily, sprawling on another sofa. "You all can relax. I have zero interest in your base."
Gu Xingze's face remained as unreadable as ever.
Sheng Ming looked only at Xu Nuo. "Why are you here?"
"To have some fun," Xu Nuo replied.
"No," Sheng Ming said with certainty. "You're here because of me." He couldn't be sure of her origins or her true intentions, but he trusted his instincts—Xu Nuo stayed here for his sake.
Whatever she did—her target was always Sheng Ming.
"So what?" Xu Nuo smiled, her eyes curving in amusement. "Don't tell me you still think I actually like you?"
Sheng Ming paused, then sneered. "Is this amusing to you?"
"A little," Xu Nuo replied, standing and stretching languidly. "Thanks to you, Young Master Sheng, these boring days of mine have been filled with unexpected entertainment."
[007: Host, why are you still provoking him? Don't dig your own grave.]
The lightning in Sheng Ming's hand grew blinding, the harsh glare twisting his handsome features into something almost monstrous.

Lin Qisheng and Gu Xingze immediately stepped in front of Xu Nuo, eyes fixed warily on Sheng Ming.
"Miss Xu, Young Master, please—let's talk this out, there's no need for violence!" The butler hurried to shield Xu Nuo, but seeing his master's darkening expression, he quickly switched sides, standing before Sheng Ming instead. "Young Master, let's talk this out."
Sheng Ming stared into Xu Nuo's eyes. She was looking at him, but it was as if she saw nothing at all—her gaze was like a clear, unfathomable lake, too calm to ripple, too deep to read.
So, she had never really cared about him at all.
He had thought he saw right through her, indulged her provocations, convinced she was already in the palm of his hand. Instead, she had turned the tables and played him for a fool.
Sheng Ming froze for a heartbeat. The energy in his hand dissipated, leaving him grasping at nothing. Before him was her smiling face; she seemed to have foreseen this, lounging comfortably on the sofa, calmly awaiting the outcome.
"Let's go," said Gu Xingze.
"Sis, you have no idea what I've been eating while you were gone. We're having a feast tonight, no question," Lin Qisheng declared.
"Goodbye," Xu Nuo said with a backward glance and a smile for Sheng Ming.
"Did I say you could leave?" Sheng Ming replied.