TDLWTAHATD CHAPTER 23

Chapter 23 – Insisting on Opposition

Xie Chengyu’s Adam’s apple rolled.
His body’s reaction intensified.
Such an astonishing thing—even with clothes covering it—Nan Xiao still noticed it at a glance. She instantly pulled the blanket higher to cover her eyes, her whole body overwhelmed with shame and discomfort.

She wanted to tell Xie Chengyu to leave, and just as the words were about to slip out, she realized this was his home. Doing so would be inappropriate, so she hid under the blanket and muttered in a muffled voice:

“Why don’t I go out for a while, you can rest here first.”

At this point, both adults were aware of what was happening.
Something they had eaten today, or perhaps something they had drunk, must have been tampered with—so that they could not control the desire to do that.

But the real question was—who had done it?

Xie Chengyu’s handsome brows furrowed slightly.
“You want to go where?”

His first reaction was that Nan Xiao, after all, was his wife. Looking so full and enticing, like juice ready to be squeezed—if she went out and was seen by another man, that would be unacceptable.

Nan Xiao bit her lip and whispered:
“Then maybe you can go to the bathroom?”

This was a very subtle reminder that he could go to the bathroom and solve it himself.

But Xie Chengyu was thinking of something else. Who had put something into their food or wine?

His aunts and uncles didn’t have the courage or the need to scheme against him. That left only one person—Grandfather.

He pulled out his phone and dialed the Old Master Xie, but the call showed as powered off.

At such a critical moment, for the Old Master to suddenly have his phone off—it was too much of a coincidence. A shadow of cold cruelty fell across Xie Chengyu’s brows.
“Grandfather really has some nerve!”

Though his expression was still tinged with desire, his voice dropped into an icy tone. It was clear he was furious with the Old Master for trying to force him and Nan Xiao together.

Nan Xiao had never expected anything to actually happen between them, but seeing his sudden change in attitude still made her heart sink.

Just then, Xie Chengyu received a text from the Old Master:
“Good grandson, don’t hold back. Don’t harm your body by suppressing yourself, understand?”

He even sent a similar message to Nan Xiao, only phrased in a more delicate manner. Nan Xiao’s face showed awkwardness.

Xie Chengyu’s demeanor—just moments ago ambiguous and suggestive—now seemed completely sober. Although his body was still responding, his eyes carried a cold sharpness. This man truly was terrifying.

“I’m going to take a shower. I’ll be out soon.”

Perhaps because Nan Xiao was a woman, her reaction had already calmed and returned to normal, so Xie Chengyu didn’t bother with her and went to take a cold shower himself.

The sound of rushing water filled the bathroom. Nan Xiao stared wide-eyed at the dark ceiling, dazed.

Just now, Xie Chengyu had been suffering so much, yet he still refused to touch her. Was it because he hated her appearance? Or because he wanted to keep himself pure for Xu Ruoxin?

Meanwhile, under the showerhead, with cold water pouring over his heated skin, Xie Chengyu’s mind was filled with other memories.

As a child, his father often brought one woman after another home.
Those entwined, pale bodies, sticky and revolting—sometimes, unknowing, he would walk out of his bedroom and bump into such scenes.

The memory shifted. Recently, in the villa, he had accidentally seen Nan Xiao coming out of the bathroom without clothes.

That day, though brief, had left a deep impression.
He could still recall lying with eyes shut on the cold floor, feeling Nan Xiao’s warm little hand braced against him, that kindling touch setting fire to him.

Almost immediately, his abdomen, which had just cooled, began to heat again. The woman’s scent seemed to return to his nose.

Xie Chengyu’s handsome brows darkened. He thought it pointless to fight himself like this. He adjusted the water from cold to warm, and slowly let his long hand wander downward.

That night, nothing happened between them, but by morning, both felt something had changed.

Last night, Xie Chengyu stayed in the shower so long he didn’t come out. Worried something had happened, Nan Xiao went to check, only to hear low, muffled gasps inside.

There was a brief pause, as if he had noticed her presence.
Frightened, Nan Xiao quickly pulled back and rushed to lie down on the bed again.

Between a man and a woman, once entangled with even a trace of ambiguity, they could never go back.

Still, the next morning they at least maintained outward calm, driving back to the Xie family estate together.

Nan Xiao then saw Xie Chengyu storm angrily into the Old Master’s study, slamming the door shut.

She didn’t know exactly what happened inside. At first it was quiet, then suddenly came a furious roar:
“Get out! Get out of my sight! The Xie family has no child like you!”

Then came a crash, as if something was hurled.

The door swung open. Xie Chengyu emerged with blood trickling from a cut on his forehead, looking grim and terrifying.

His eyes shadowed, he approached Nan Xiao and said:
“No need to wait a month. We’ll divorce now. I’ll have Zhou Wen resubmit the divorce petition.”

After graduating, he had taken over Xie Corporation, and with his outstanding ability, his influence in North City had already surpassed that of the Old Master.

Before, he had waited a month only to spare his grandfather’s feelings. But now—there was no need.

He said this coldly, not noticing Nan Xiao’s face turn deathly pale, and turned to leave.

The Old Master came out with a cane, blocking his way, cursing:
“You just have to disobey, don’t you? What’s so good about that actress! Even if she bears a child, I won’t acknowledge it! The Xie family’s child cannot come from the womb of that kind of woman!”

The aura around Xie Chengyu grew frighteningly oppressive, his eyes filled with sinister light.
“Whose womb my child comes from is my decision. Grandfather, you shouldn’t meddle in things that aren’t your concern.”

“As for which woman I’m with, you don’t need to interfere. And you can’t interfere.”

“You mean to say you must be with that actress?”

“And please don’t call her an ‘actress’ like it’s a slur. She’s an actor, not the same as the performers of ancient times. If you don’t understand, look it up online. Old people need to keep their minds active, otherwise they grow muddled.”

“You—you unfilial brat—!”

The Old Master raised his cane and struck him.
The dull thuds of wood hitting flesh sounded again and again, making everyone’s heart tighten.

The maids nearby blanched in fear, but Xie Chengyu only clenched his fists, refusing to utter a sound, refusing even to bow his head.

When the Old Master finally grew tired and vented his rage, Xie Chengyu’s face had gone white.

Beads of sweat dotted his forehead, and blood seeped faintly through the back of his shirt.

Madam Zhang wept as she rushed forward, crying out:
“Young Master, why are you doing this? The Young Madam is such a good person, why must you oppose the Old Master like this? Look at the state you’re in, let me treat your wounds…”