Chapter 78: You Overestimate Yourself

“Tianai, is it really you? Have you truly come back?” Ye Hairuo held Xue Tianai tightly, her beautiful eyes clouded with confusion as she murmured softly.

“Yes, Hairuo, I've returned.” Xue Tianai gently stroked Ye Hairuo’s silky hair, smiling quietly. The cold and imposing demeanor he always carried as the Phantom Butterfly and Heavenly Wolf had melted into a profound gentleness.

“Ah!” Ye Hairuo finally let herself cry in Xue Tianai’s arms. Ten years—she had searched for this familiar embrace for ten long years. All the sorrow, excitement, uncertainty, and heartbreak poured out of her in this moment.

“Tianai, I missed you so much, truly so much! Please, don’t leave me again, will you?” Ye Hairuo lifted her tear-stained face to look at the visage she’d longed for over a decade. Her beauty blossomed like a flower, her youthful charm emanating a subtle fragrance.

“I won’t leave again. I’m sorry, Hairuo.” Xue Tianai gently wiped the tears from her cheeks. In these ten years, her face had grown even more lovely. The little girl who used to follow him around, calling him ‘Brother Tianai,’ had now blossomed into a woman of breathtaking grace.

“Tianai, I love you most!” Ye Hairuo hadn’t felt such affection in ages; the blush rose instantly to her cheeks. She nestled herself again into Xue Tianai’s arms, shyly refusing to lift her head, greedily inhaling his scent.

Xue Tianai said nothing, letting Ye Hairuo cling to him and act spoiled. The two embraced quietly, as if time itself had been forgotten.

Yet as they held each other, everyone around them was stunned, utterly shocked.

Employees of Tianming Group stared in disbelief at their president, who was usually so cold and dignified, now transformed into a gentle, dependent young woman because of a man. Ye Hairuo was renowned for her icy beauty; now, all because of this man, she was utterly changed.

Who was this handsome man Ye Hairuo was holding? What sort of person had won her heart? People marveled at this side of Ye Hairuo they’d never seen before, but their hearts were full of questions.

Lu Buyu’s expression turned grotesque as he watched Ye Hairuo sobbing in Xue Tianai’s arms. His face burned as if scalded by hot oil.

He never expected that the man he had mocked so many times, the one he had looked down upon as a penniless loser, was the very reason for Ye Hairuo’s transformation.

Unable to endure it any longer, Lu Buyu approached Xue Tianai and Ye Hairuo, his steps heavy.

“Hairuo, who is this man?” Lu Buyu forced a smile, trying to keep his tone steady.

Ye Hairuo lifted her head from Xue Tianai’s embrace and cast Lu Buyu a cold glance. The gentle warmth in her eyes vanished, replaced by icy indifference. Her expression was frigid as she replied, “Sorry, Mr. Lu, we’re not that familiar. Please call me Ye Hairuo or Miss Ye. I’ve told you before—there’s nothing possible between us.”

“If you have nothing else to discuss, please don’t come to Tianming Group again. My boyfriend has returned, and I don’t want him to misunderstand anything.” With that, Ye Hairuo slipped her arm through Xue Tianai’s, making her closeness unmistakable.

“But I’ve never heard that Miss Ye has a boyfriend?” Though Lu Buyu addressed Ye Hairuo, his gaze was fixed on Xue Tianai, a fleeting but sinister glint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

Though it was only a brief moment, Xue Tianai caught it, and inwardly he sighed with a bitter smile. This little girl was using him as her shield.

“Do I need to inform you whether I have a boyfriend?” Ye Hairuo’s expression returned to her usual chilly demeanor, her voice devoid of emotion.

The pain was intense—no physical contact, yet each of Ye Hairuo’s words felt like a slap across Lu Buyu’s face, stripping him bare.

“Of course not!” Lu Buyu struggled to keep his composure, but his glare at Xue Tianai grew ever more murderous. “Lucky man! I’m Lu Buyu. May I ask your name?”

“Xue Tianai,” Xue Tianai answered simply.

“Brother Xue, do you realize that some women aren’t for men like you to touch? The price for getting involved might not be so low,” Lu Buyu said, his tone laced with barbs.

He waved, and two men in sunglasses and suits stepped forward. The atmosphere around Xue Tianai seemed to grow tense.

But Xue Tianai and Ye Hairuo remained utterly calm, not the slightest ripple disturbing their mood.

Ye Hairuo had grown up with Xue Tianai; she knew his strength well. Even Old Huang, who had trained in martial arts for years, was no match for Xue Tianai—let alone these thuggish brutes.

Xue Tianai watched Lu Buyu with a cold smile. Stubborn arrogance—this was the trait he sensed most clearly from Lu Buyu.

Lu Buyu was likely some second-generation rich kid, but whatever his background, Xue Tianai paid him little mind. For stubbornness and arrogance, Xue Tianai could surpass anyone.

“Oh? So getting involved comes at a price?” Xue Tianai smiled faintly, his eyes unperturbed.

“If you know what’s good for you, leave quietly. Otherwise, you’ll be carried out!” Lu Buyu grew angrier at Xue Tianai’s calm demeanor, the malice in his tone now openly revealed.

“Lu Buyu, are you looking to make trouble at Tianming Group?” An aged voice suddenly cut through. Old Huang had come down from upstairs and was now approaching Xue Tianai.

The employees parted to make way; though Old Huang was elderly, everyone knew he was the guardian spirit of Tianming Group.

Lu Buyu’s eyes flashed with fear as Old Huang approached. He’d seen the old man’s strength firsthand. Even when his own father, Lu Yangwei, sent his top men against Old Huang, they couldn’t so much as scratch him. Lu Buyu was deeply afraid of this Old Huang.

“Of course not, Old Huang. I was just joking with Brother Xue. Please don’t mind,” Lu Buyu forced a smile, cursing the old man inwardly.

“Is the joke finished?” Old Huang asked calmly.

“It’s finished, finished!” Lu Buyu replied awkwardly.

“If so, may I ask Young Master Lu to leave? Miss Ye will be spending time with her boyfriend today, so please don’t waste her time.” Old Huang’s voice remained steady, but a chill seemed to emanate from him.

Faced with such blatant intimidation, Lu Buyu felt humiliated. But looking at Old Huang, and considering the two men behind him, Lu Buyu knew he could do nothing—his own father dared not provoke Old Huang.

“I’ll go now. Please forgive me, Old Huang, Miss Ye!” Lu Buyu bowed slightly, his face full of apology. Still, unwilling to let it go, he shot a fierce glare at Xue Tianai.

“Xue Tianai, some women really aren’t for your kind to handle. I’m keeping an eye on you, and I’m interested. Our battle has only just begun!”

Hearing this, Xue Tianai burst out laughing, his tone full of contempt. “A battle between us? You really overestimate yourself! In my eyes, you’re not even qualified to be my opponent. Do as you please, but I advise you not to pursue Hairuo any longer. I’m not as merciful as Old Huang.”

Lu Buyu clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking audibly. His face twisted with rage. He’d thrown out threats, but Xue Tianai’s response was even more arrogant and dismissive.

He desperately wanted to crush Xue Tianai under his heel, but his remaining reason restrained him—the old man was still watching, his killing intent barely concealed.

“Don’t be too sure of yourself, Xue Tianai. I don’t believe you can hide behind women and Old Huang forever!” Lu Buyu’s face grew even more ferocious.

“Lu Buyu! Don’t get carried away!” Old Huang suddenly shouted. If not for the fact that this was the company, Old Huang would have gone over and torn Lu Buyu apart himself.

How dare he speak like that to the young master of the Xue family—who did he think he was?

“Hmph! Let’s go!” Lu Buyu flung the rose he was holding to the ground and, brimming with fury, stormed out without looking back. The two men followed quickly.

In Lu Buyu’s mind, Xue Tianai was relying on Old Huang’s intimidating presence. Once Xue Tianai left that protective aura, anywhere in Beiyang City, Lu Buyu would have a hundred ways to kill him.