Do Not Offend the Reborn Wicked Wife-Chapter 284: He Saved Me, So Of Course I Must Give Him My Heart!
"Miss Chang, you’re home."
Cao Xiao escorted Chang Lexi to her door, stopping about ten yards short of the Chang Mansion to avoid being seen, which might damage Chang Lexi’s reputation.
Chang Lexi pouted slightly, displeased, "Mr. Cao, won’t you come in for some tea? It’s been a long walk... Besides, it’s noon now; aren’t you hungry?"
"No, thanks!" Cao Xiao scratched the back of his head, "I’ll just grab a quick bite at a nearby stall. Going to your house, it’s not convenient!"
"What’s not convenient about it?"
Chang Lexi’s big, bright eyes twinkled, "Mr. Cao saved my life, and this life-saving favor cannot be repaid. If I don’t even offer a meal, what would outsiders say?"
"Ah? This..."
Cao Xiao was taken aback. Is that how it is? It seemed quite reasonable.
Seeing his interest, Chang Lexi tugged on him, "So, come on!"
"Oh no, no, Miss Chang, this isn’t appropriate..."
Cao Xiao was dragged by Chang Lexi into the mansion, where Chang Yao immediately saw them and scolded, "Le’er, what are you doing? Pulling and tugging with a stranger, where’s your propriety?"
Chang Yao had been hiding for days, investigating the fire incident on the painting boat years ago, and searching for the person who truly saved him.
A piece of news hit him hard; he found a Spice Workshop, which Pang Shuangyue frequented, and learned she never purchased spices with plum blossom fragrance.
Chang Yao felt downcast these days, burdened with the realization that his heartfelt gratitude had been misplaced for so many years...
His mood was already poor, and seeing his only sister tugging at another man fueled his anger.
Chang Lexi quickly assumed a well-behaved demeanor, "Brother, don’t be mad. He’s my savior; I was almost bullied by some thugs earlier, and he saved me!"
Upon hearing he was a savior, Chang Yao’s expression softened slightly but quickly turned to rage and worry. He grabbed Chang Lexi, scrutinizing her, ensuring she wasn’t hurt, before easing his concern.
"Le’er, what did you say? Almost bullied by some thugs? Scoundrels, who are they, where are they? I’ll bring men to punish them!"
The Chang Family is fiercely protective; anyone daring to provoke them must face immediate retaliation.
Back at the inn, Chang Lexi failed to bully Long Yue and was instead humiliated, prompting Consort Xue to set a trap for Long Yue, highlighting the Chang Family’s protective nature.
"Oh, brother, I’m fine!" Chang Lexi rubbed her tender hand, slightly reddened from her brother’s grip, a blush appearing on her cheeks, "Those thugs hadn’t acted yet before Mr. Cao drove them away."
"Mr. Cao?"
Chang Yao looked over.
Cao Xiao, arms crossed, raised his chin in a nonchalant manner, pointing to his nose, "Me, from Xiping General Mansion, Cao Xiao!"
The Chang Family had previously caused trouble at the General Mansion, and although he saved Chang Lexi, he didn’t have high regard for the Chang Family, his behavior was quite audacious.
But he believed in his martial arts skills and wasn’t concerned about any retaliation.
Chang Yao paused for a moment, had this been before, he would have ordered someone to drive the General Mansion’s people out, but now, discovering Long Yue uses Mei Hua Xiang, while Pang Shuangyue never does, he was filled with doubt.
"Thank you." Chang Yao.
Cao Xiao was surprised, couldn’t believe the Chang Family could be grateful.
"Alright, I’ve handed you over to your brother; I’m leaving!"
"Oh, Mr. Cao, stay for a meal before leaving!"
"No thanks, farewell!"
This time, Cao Xiao really left, and Chang Lexi watched his figure walk away, angrily glaring at her third brother, "Third brother, what are you doing? Rushing out like that to scare someone?"
Chang Lexi was furious, thinking it was her third brother who scared him away and hurriedly dashed into the house.
"What’s going on here?"
Chang E was rarely home today, wishing to enjoy a meal with his children, but seeing Le’er rush in angrily, he hurriedly asked.
Chang Lexi: "Dad, third brother ruined my plans!"
Chang E looked at Chang Yao, displeased, "Why did you upset your sister again?"
"Dad, it was a misunderstanding; I didn’t upset my sister! I just saw her tugging with a man and said a few words."
"With a man? Who?"
A daughter of his family being courted by an unknown rascal enraged Chang E.
"Cao Xiao, Cao Yin’s youngest son."
"What? That little brat bullied my Le’er? I’m going to his house to teach him a lesson!"
Chang E slammed the table in outrage.
"Dad! Please calm down, that’s not it! He saved my life; I wanted to invite him home for a meal, that’s all! Otherwise, people will say we Chang Family are ungrateful!"
Chang Lexi stomped her foot in frustration, glaring angrily at her third brother, mixing things up like this was infuriating!
"Oh, is that so? Tell me more!"
Chang Lexi recounted the events in full detail, vividly portraying Cao Xiao’s brave and heroic deeds, almost likening him to a peerless hero.
Chang E and Chang Yao were both dumbfounded, glancing at each other, Le’er... something’s off?
"Le’er, isn’t your praise for that Cao Family kid a bit high?"
Finally, unable to resist, Chang E retorted.
Chang Lexi pouted, "Who praised too much? It’s true! He used just three moves to floor those thugs, and when one tried to sneak attack him, he punched him, haha..."
Remembering that thug clutching his vital area and groaning in pain made Chang Lexi laugh uncontrollably.
"You little rascal, I see you’ve fallen for that boy, haven’t you?"
A dissatisfied hum echoed, and a poised and graceful woman slowly emerged from an arched doorway.
As the weather warmed, she donned a sky-blue embroidered patterned robe with a simple gown underneath, her hair elegantly secured with a fine jade hairpin, simple yet opulent.
The woman was Chang Lexi’s mother, Mrs. Wang, a noble lady, her father was the former Junior Minister at the Ministry of Justice, quite influential in Shengjing City.
As she emerged, Chang Lexi excitedly jumped up, "Mother, what nonsense are you saying? I haven’t!"
"Oh, you haven’t? Haven’t you dragged him home for a meal? Is this meeting the parents, or what?"
Her secret exposed, Chang Lexi’s cheeks flushed, her hands awkwardly placed from nervousness.
"It’s... it’s just expressing gratitude!"
"Expressing gratitude? That’s simple, bring a generous gift; later, the Madam and I will go to Xiping General Mansion to thank him in person!"
"Mother, don’t!"
Chang Lexi panicked, preparing a generous gift to give thanks? What kind of person does that make Chang Lexi? Wouldn’t that make them look down on her? You can’t repay kindness with money or jewels!
Chang Lexi was anxious, seeing the servants begin preparations, resolved, she declared, "Yes, I like him. What’s wrong? He saved me, of course, I should repay him with my life!"
