Chapter Ninety-Eight: I Am a Pervert

After the meeting ended, Xiao Tianci called Qinglong over again. “Qinglong, bring Huofeng here as well. I think it’s best to clear things up face to face. This matter was my fault; I want to apologize to Huofeng.”

Qinglong recalled how Xiao Tianci had been beaten by his sister until he coughed up blood and hurriedly said, “No need, boss, just take care of your injury. My little sister has a quick temper and will be fine soon. You don’t need to worry about her.”

Xiao Tianci was also pondering. It seemed he and Huofeng were at odds from the start; they had already become enemies upon their first meeting. Then, when she came to apologize, they ran into a terrorist attack. Now, somehow, he was being labeled a pervert—how did that even make sense?

Xiao Tianci didn’t care much about how others viewed him, unless it was someone he cared about or was close to, or someone whose favor he needed. For instance, when he was with Tian Hao’s subsidiary, driving a sports car to work wasn’t a problem. But as a professional senior manager, especially working for others, he had to maintain a good image.

Qinglong and Huofeng were valuable assets now. Especially if Jingang helped Qinglong improve, he would become a capable assistant. So Xiao Tianci felt it necessary to explain things clearly.

“It’s better to clarify things in person; otherwise, everyone’s on the same side but harboring resentment isn’t good.”

Qinglong quickly assured, “Boss, don’t worry. Huofeng may be a little older, but she’s still a kid. A few words and she’ll be fine. I’ll bring her over shortly.”

After a while, Qinglong returned with Huofeng. Before coming, Qinglong had already scolded Huofeng to behave, so her expression wasn’t pleasant. Xiao Tianci rolled his eyes inwardly, feeling annoyed that his brother always sided with her even though she was the one bullying him.

Seeing Huofeng’s mood, Xiao Tianci assumed she was still angry about the previous incident and sincerely said, “Huofeng, I had your brother call you here to apologize. What happened before was not my intention. You know I didn’t know anything at the time.”

Huofeng turned away coldly. “Yeah, you knew nothing,” she said, cursing inwardly, *You knew nothing but still acted all soft… You’re a pervert, and I’ve long known it. Almost fooled by your sheep’s clothing, but you’re still a wolf.*

Xiao Tianci sighed helplessly. “Look at me now—moving’s a struggle. How could I have had that kind of thought then? Fine, if you’re still mad, you can hit me to get it out of your system.”

Qinglong shot his sister a warning glance, thinking, *Don’t go crazy. He’s already in bad shape. If you hit him again, he might not survive.*

Even without his brother’s warning, Huofeng wouldn’t really strike him now. “You’d better heal quickly. Look at you…” she said.

Xiao Tianci could only smile bitterly. “Then I’m powerless for now. I hope you can understand.” He understood why she was upset; after all, she was a girl and he had grabbed her inappropriately.

Huofeng shrugged at Qinglong, “Nothing’s wrong with me, I’m off. Meg is still waiting.”

Upon hearing Meg’s name, Xiao Tianci quickly asked, “By the way, how’s Meg? Why hasn’t she come? Is she alright now?”

Xiao Tianci had been puzzled earlier. Meg was like his little shadow; especially when he was injured, she wouldn’t leave his side. But since she just woke up, everything had been happening one after another.

In truth, Meg had wanted to come over but was stopped by Huofeng. Whether it was a fleeting connection or not, Meg treated Huofeng the best besides Xiao Tianci himself. Huofeng liked Meg too; although she rarely spoke, she understood everything.

Huofeng had blocked Meg from coming over. She was clear-headed—how could she let such a sweet, innocent little girl hang around a big pervert? What if she became a little Red Riding Hood? Who knew what kind of dark intentions this big pervert might have?

Huofeng told Meg that Xiao Tianci needed rest and should recover well. Meg, still a child, then started learning martial arts under Huofeng’s guidance.

Without changing her tone, Huofeng said, “She’s doing well. But kids become like those they’re around. So I absolutely won’t let Meg be with a wolf.”

Qinglong scolded from the side, “Huofeng, what are you doing? How do you talk to the boss like that?”

Huofeng retorted, “You recognize him as the boss, I don’t. We’re just partners. What’s the big deal? We’re still siblings as before. We never had anything else.”

Seeing the siblings about to argue, Jingang quickly intervened, “Both of you, what we need most is calm. Qinglong, let Huofeng speak; it’s better to get everything out in the open.”

Qinglong lowered his head in silence. Huofeng saw Xiao Tianci looking at her and said angrily, “Stop pretending to be a good guy. It’s all because of you.”

The matters at the casino had been through so much, and last time Qinglong had sent Huofeng to negotiate with Xiao Tianci, they faced terrorists and fought together. They had basically settled things. But today, with new and old grudges surfacing, Huofeng’s affection turned to anger.

Xiao Tianci sighed inwardly. It seemed that label of pervert was hard to shake off in her mind. But fine, if it was his fault, he would do his best to make amends.

“Huofeng, in front of your brother, I apologize again. Tell me what you want.”

Huofeng looked at him with disdain. “Saying sorry? That’s nothing; everyone apologizes all the time.”

Qinglong’s face darkened. He knew his sister’s temper well; once she made up her mind, she wouldn’t relent. Now she stubbornly believed the boss was a big pervert. Though there were reasons for all this, she couldn’t always be so unreasonable.

Though lying there, Xiao Tianci spoke with full conviction, having said all he needed to. Hearing Huofeng’s mockery, he calmly said, “Huofeng, I understand you’re angry. But to be honest, life goes on. If I’m wrong, I admit it. If you still don’t understand, there’s nothing more I can do.”

He then changed his tone, “I need to rest now. You all can leave.”

Outside the door, Qinglong’s face was grim. If it were anything else, he would have spoken or given orders already. But given the special situation, he really didn’t know what to say.

Huofeng came out cautiously, watching her brother’s expression. “Brother… what’s wrong?”

Qinglong said, “What else? You pissed me off. How did you agree to this at first?”

Pouting, Huofeng said, “I had no choice! Brother, I’ve thought it through carefully—Xiao Tianci is definitely a big pervert.”

“You…” Qinglong didn’t know what to do with his sister. He sighed and shook his head. “Little sister, despite those two incidents before, you’d better calm down and really see what kind of person Xiao Tianci is. I know him well.”

He shook his head helplessly. He didn’t know how to handle either side now.

Watching her brother leave, Huofeng muttered to herself, “I’m sure about it—he’s a big pervert. I have to keep Meg away from him or she’ll turn bad.”

The steward’s injury improved, so he no longer needed to care for Xiao Tianci. Xiao Tianci’s wounds healed quickly, and Huofeng occasionally came by, always very cautious—changing her clothes to be more modest, fearful that this big pervert might have ulterior motives. Xiao Tianci couldn’t help but think, *Am I really that bad?*

Having said all he needed, Xiao Tianci was too lazy to explain further. Yet, when he visited Meg, it was like visiting a prison; Huofeng was always there, carefully watching. Without saying a word, her gaze made it clear: if she didn’t keep a close eye on him, he might make a move on the future flower of the household. These days, Meg’s relationship with Huofeng was almost as close as with her brother.

So whenever Xiao Tianci wanted to see Meg, Huofeng was by her side. Whenever Meg wanted to see Xiao Tianci, Huofeng was there as well. To outsiders, the boss and Huofeng appeared inseparable lately.

Qinglong wondered, *My sister always calls him a big pervert, so why are they always together? Maybe sometimes you have to listen to women in reverse. If that’s the case…*

The submarine’s space was cramped to begin with, and being with Huofeng required constant vigilance. If they bumped into each other accidentally, it was treated like a major incident.

After so much constant scrutiny from Huofeng, Xiao Tianci almost believed he was truly a big pervert himself.

His injuries healed, and the submarine was ready to head to the Xiao family mansion. One day, Xiao Tianci was in a good mood, but Huofeng continued her barrage about him being a pervert. He thought to himself, *Fine, I’ll just be a pervert then.*

While she was intently explaining something to Meg, Xiao Tianci suddenly asked, “What color are your underwear?”

Without hesitation, Huofeng replied, “White…”

A piercing scream echoed through the submarine, startling the fish in the ocean to scatter wildly, as if a natural disaster had struck.