Xiong Tao became even angrier and said, "Do you really think that with just this one video, you can doom me to death? Hmph, you're too naive. Don't forget, my dad is Xiong Daoliang!"

"Hehe, of course I know, but even if your dad were the president, he still couldn't suppress the power of the internet," Ye Xiao said with a chuckle.

"You... what do you mean by that!" Xiong Tao, somewhat surprised, said to Ye Xiao over the phone!

Ye Xiao chuckled softly and responded, "Do I need to spell it out for you? I imagine that if your old man found out that you were with me, fell right into my trap, and then got caught by me with such incriminating evidence, he would be extremely heartbroken, and as such, some of his plans might have to be shelved."

Hearing this from Ye Xiao, Xiong Tao understood, even though Ye Xiao hadn't spelled it out, it was clear that Ye Xiao was threatening him. What was even more important was that Ye Xiao, now saying these things, obviously knew something.

"Ye Xiao, what exactly do you know?" Xiong Tao demanded in a deep voice.

"I don't know anything!" said Ye Xiao.

Xiong Tao actually hoped Ye Xiao would name his conditions; he was afraid that if Ye Xiao didn't, and if the video were really uploaded to the internet, then he, Xiong Tao, would definitely be finished. The power of the internet is substantial, and once exposed, it would attract countless eyes towards Minghai City. By then, not just Xiong Tao but even his father could be impacted.

"What exactly do you want to do?" asked Xiong Tao.

"It seems you're very nervous," Ye Xiao suddenly said with a soft chuckle!

"I... What do I have to be nervous about!" Xiong Tao immediately claimed!

"Since you're not nervous, well then, I suppose our conversation can end here," said Ye Xiao.

"Ye Xiao, I believe you won't do this for no reason. Tell me, what is your real objective?" Xiong Tao demanded.

With a smile, Ye Xiao said, "Since you're so keen to know, well then, I'll tell you. My only condition is that you stop causing trouble for Guan Xiaonan!"

"Just for that?" Xiong Tao truly had a hard time believing it. Could it be just for a woman that Ye Xiao would turn against the Xiong family?

"Isn't that enough?" Ye Xiao replied.

"Fine, I agree to your condition," Xiong Tao felt that if it was just this one issue, he could agree; at least, once Ye Xiao was out of the picture, he could still go ahead and marry Guan Xiaonan.

"I know you hold some leverage over Guan Chongshan, and I'd like for you to let it go," Ye Xiao stated.

"Ah?" hearing this, Xiong Tao was genuinely startled, as he hadn't expected that Ye Xiao would know he had something on Guan Chongshan.

"Is this something Guan Chongshan asked you to do?" Xiong Tao asked.

"You don't need to ask about that. You just need to do as I say," Ye Xiao cautioned. "I'll remind you that it's in your best interest not to displease me, otherwise this video could be uploaded to the internet at any time. I believe you can watch this clip from the comfort of your home any time you wish!"

"You..." Xiong Tao was truly furious. He hadn't expected Ye Xiao to be so difficult to deal with, and it seemed that as of today, from the moment he invited Ye Xiao out to have fun, he had already fallen into Ye Xiao's trap.

"Any other questions?" Ye Xiao asked with a smile.

Xiong Tao hesitated, then let out a sigh and said, "Fine, I agree to your terms!"

"Hehe, that's more like it," Ye Xiao said with a smile. "Alright, you should probably head home and rest now. Goodbye!"

Xiong Tao, listening to the busy tone on the phone, felt somewhat at a loss. The situation had come on so suddenly, and he truly hadn't expected to fall into Ye Xiao's hands without realizing it!

And now, Xiong Tao was hesitant about whether to tell his father about this situation or not.

"Brother Tao, is everything okay?" one of the cronies beside him looked at Xiong Tao, who had previously been high and mighty but had become visibly abnormal after the phone call.

"Is everything okay? What could possibly be wrong?" Xiong Tao immediately feigned calm and commanded, "Enough talk, let's go back!"

Meanwhile, Ye Xiao left the Autumn Nightclub; by this time, it had gotten dark. The days had been growing shorter since the middle of August.

Glancing at the time, it was now around seven-thirty.

"I seem to have spent quite a bit of time here," Ye Xiao said to himself with a light chuckle, then took out his phone to call Ling Shuya!

"Weren't you out having fun? How do you still have time to call me?" Ling Shuya said sharply upon answering the call.

Ye Xiao knew Ling Shuya had misunderstood him.

Smiling, Ye Xiao replied, "I did have some business with Xiong Tao, and now it's been taken care of. Where are you guys?"

"Sister Su's place, don't tell me you still haven't had dinner!" Ling Shuya said.

Ye Xiao replied, "I really haven't eaten. Being with Xiong Tao, I just didn't have the appetite to eat!"

Ling Shuya said, "We're cooking right now. If you're coming over, then take a cab here. If you don't want to come, you can still look for some fun elsewhere!"

"How could that be? I was thinking of coming over." Ye Xiao hung up the phone and immediately took a cab to Minghai Academy.

At this time, Minghai Academy was eerily quiet, with hardly anyone around. He had planned to head straight for Su Yun's place, but got stopped at the school entrance by someone.

"Ye Xiao!" A soft voice called out his name!

Upon hearing this name, Ye Xiao immediately turned his head to look and saw Han Xuewei and Lin Dieying, each holding two bags full of groceries and vegetables from the supermarket!

"You guys are out shopping!" Ye Xiao walked up with a smile and asked, "How's living around here treating you?"

"It's okay," Lin Dieying replied. "Where are you headed? School's out, so why are you heading towards the school?"

"I'm not going to the school; I'm heading to the faculty residences." Ye Xiao explained, "Ling Shuya and the others are at Su Yun's place, so I'm going to check it out!"

"Oh," upon hearing that Ye Xiao was going to meet Ling Shuya and the others, Lin Dieying's enthusiasm visibly diminished.

It wasn't that Lin Dieying disliked them. It's just that seeing someone she liked go to meet other women made her uncomfortable. If she weren't at all bothered, that would mean Lin Dieying probably didn't like Ye Xiao that much.

Han Xuewei, being clever and a bit more mature than Lin Dieying, felt the twinge of jealousy but concealed it well. She said with a smile, "We were actually thinking of inviting you over for dinner. But it seems you already have plans, so never mind."

"Maybe some other time. By the way, how is Tang Xuewen doing?" Ye Xiao turned to ask Han Xuewei.

When Han Xuewei heard Ye Xiao bring up Tang Xuewen, her eyes lit up as she said with a beaming smile, "Tang Xuewen truly has potential, especially in business matters. He has unique insights, which are also invariably practical."

Han Xuewei wouldn't praise someone lightly. Since she said so, it meant that Tang Xuewen indeed had his strengths, which suited Ye Xiao just fine. After all, Tang Xuewen was one of Ye Xiao's subordinates, and if he showed promise, he could well be considered for greater responsibilities in the future.

"It sounds like he hasn't caused you any trouble!" Ye Xiao smiled at Han Xuewei.

"Trouble? There was no trouble at all. In fact, I didn't think much of him at first because of his age. But unexpectedly, he managed every task I assigned with precision, and in many instances, I felt he did better than I could. Regarding company mergers and acquisitions, he's put forth some great ideas that have helped expedite the process. Now, I'm considering giving him the position of vice-president once Snow Shadow Real Estate Company is established so that he can fully utilize his business acumen," Han Xuewei immediately explained.

Hearing Han Xuewei's words, Ye Xiao smiled inwardly. It seemed he had underestimated Tang Xuewen.

"That's great, but let's skip the vice-president role. Let him be your assistant for now. This is his time to learn and grow," Ye Xiao suggested.

"You're right," Han Xuewei agreed. "He is quite young after all. Ling Shuya and the others are probably waiting for you, right? Hurry up then, don't keep them waiting."

Hearing Han Xuewei's words, Ye Xiao sighed. Things weren't supposed to be this way, but...

"Alright, I should head off!" Ye Xiao said and walked straight to the faculty residences.

"What's the matter? Why that look?" As Ye Xiao walked away, Han Xuewei turned to Lin Dieying and noticed her frowned brows and apparent worries.

"Ah? Oh, it's nothing!" Lin Dieying quickly responded.

Han Xuewei gave a slight smile, understanding her cousin's feelings all too well.

In fact, she shared the same sentiment as her cousin, but some things are better left unsaid to avoid hurting more than one person.

Afterwards, the two returned to their place across the street.

Meanwhile, Ye Xiao made a beeline for the faculty residences at Minghai Academy.

As he arrived at Su Yun's front door, he could hear the giggling and chattering of several girls inside.

'Knock knock knock'!

"It must be big brother coming back!" Tang Rong's voice could be heard inside the room.

Quickly, the door opened, and it was Tang Rong who greeted Ye Xiao with a sweet smile, "Big brother, why didn't you come to pick me up after school?"

"Ah?" Ye Xiao immediately smiled apologetically, looking at Tang Rong, "I meant to, but got held up by a little errand, so I didn't make it."

"I knew big brother must have been delayed by something important. Come on in, the sisters are just sitting down to eat!" Tang Rong said adorably.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.