After her mind was read, the spoiled brat became the darling of the whole group.

The system's voice also reached Jun Lanjin's ears, who was not far from Xie Xing.

He stopped at the corner where he was going downstairs, his peach blossom eyes glancing sideways as he focused his gaze on Xie Xing.

Xie Xing, who had caught up, slowed his pace, then thought happily to himself: [See, I told you, he really did increase my hatred level!]

Xie Xing punched his palm, his tone cheerful: "I think I've mastered the secret to racking up hatred points!"

The system replied in a complicated tone: "As expected of the host, Luo Hanfeng probably wants to kill you right now, doesn't he?"

After all, Luo Hanfeng had begged Xie Xing so much last night.

Any woman would be moved to pity upon seeing this. To the system's surprise, Xie Xing was clearly a soft-hearted person back then, and even hesitated for a long time before bullying Luo Hanfeng. How could he be unmoved by Luo Hanfeng's pleas?

Unbeknownst to the system, Luo Hanfeng had successfully stepped on Xie Xing's landmine through his own abilities.

She absolutely loathed Luo Hanfeng and would never be soft-hearted towards someone she disliked.

"Your Highness!" While the man was having a mental conversation, Xie Xing had already run up to Jun Lanjin.

Jun Lanjin looked at her slowly: "What's wrong?"

Xie Xing looked up at Jun Lanjin, her starry eyes filled with worry: "I heard that Your Highness has been recuperating from your injuries recently. How is Your Highness's health?"

Jun Lanjin hadn't expected that she had come out specifically to check on his health.

A smile appeared on his handsome face as he turned and walked downstairs: "I'm not feeling well."

"I heard you were kidnapped a while ago?"

Xie Xing immediately jogged to catch up, following Jun Lanjin like a little tail, and said worriedly, "Your Highness, you must take good care of your health."

[He wasn't going to live long to begin with, and recently he's been injured, poisoned, and being hunted down. It seems the prince is about to die.]

Jun Lanjin's vulnerability touched Xie Xing's heart some time ago.

In Xie Xing's mind now, Jun Lanjin is on the verge of dying at any moment.

Jun Lanjin: "..."

The smile on his face remained unchanged, only his hand, which was hanging by his side, twitched slightly.

My hands are itching; I want to punch someone.

"But Your Highness," the young girl beside Jun Lanjin said, completely unaware that her thoughts had been overheard, "the person who tied me up before was the same one I met at the Prince's residence!"

Jun Lanjin paused, then looked down at the little girl beside him.

Xie Xing's face turned solemn. She glanced around, then pulled Jun Lanjin aside and whispered, "I feel like that person is after you."

"Oh?" Jun Lanjin said calmly.

Xie Xing said, "After that person tied me up, he said some ambiguous things."

Xie Xing looked at Jun Lanjin with a serious expression, his eyes full of earnestness.

If it weren't for the fact that the person who kidnapped her was Jun Lanjin, he would have been drawn in by the little girl's expression.

Jun Lanjin asked calmly, "Why do you say that?"

"He said that because I fell off a cliff with the prince, I must have some connection with the prince and want to use me against you!"

Xie Xing spoke with great seriousness, meeting Jun Lanjin's peach blossom eyes that seemed to be smiling but not smiling.

She was momentarily stunned by Jun Lanjin's handsome face, then immediately added, "However, Your Highness, I swear I will never comply, I did not agree!"

After saying that, she said in a serious tone, "Actually, many people are jealous of your status, Your Highness. You should pay more attention to the people around you in the future."

Especially your own mother.

Xie Xing didn't say these words aloud, but silently added them in his mind.

Jun Lanjin heard this thought and his fingertips twitched slightly.

Is she worried about his safety?

Jun Lanjin's lips curled up slightly. He shifted his gaze from Xie Xing and said calmly, "There are plenty of people who want to make a move against me. Do I need to take them seriously?"

Xie Xing flattered, "Yes, yes, Your Highness, you have connections everywhere, you're incredibly powerful!"

Jun Lanjin: "..."

Why does this sound like you're trying to coax a child?

His smile faded slightly, and he walked out of the teahouse with his hands behind his back.

Seeing this, Xie Xing immediately followed.

Jun Lanjin glanced at her and said indifferently, "What are you doing following behind me?"

"Have you forgotten what Princess De'an just said?"

"Your wedding is in a month, isn't it? You'd better stay away from me."

Xie Xing panicked. She couldn't keep her distance from Jun Lanjin; how could she win his favor if she did that?

She followed behind Jun Lanjin and hurriedly explained, "Heaven and earth bear witness, Your Highness, I have never had any improper thoughts about you."

"You've helped me so much, I just want to repay your kindness. I will treat you with the same respect I would show my father or grandfather!"

Jun Lanjin: ?

Upon hearing this, Jun Lanjin's face darkened.

He stopped.

Xie Xing was busy explaining and didn't notice that he had stopped. She bumped into Jun Lanjin's back, crying out in pain. Before she could react, someone flicked her forehead, leaving a red mark on her fair skin.

"Your Highness?" Xie Xing covered his forehead.

Jun Lanjin leaned down and looked at her closely, his high nose touching hers, the two of them just two fingers apart. His handsome face was magnified, and Xie Xing stared blankly at Jun Lanjin.

At such close range, Xie Xing finally got a clear look at Jun Lanjin's beautiful eyes. His pupils were pure black, his eyes were slightly long with the corners slightly upturned, and his thick, long eyelashes cast shadows on his eyelids.

His eyes curved slightly, revealing a faint under-eye bag, clearly indicating a smile, yet his pupils remained cold and devoid of any hint of laughter.

The stunningly handsome face made Xie Xing's heart pound and his mind go blank.

【So handsome! 】

These two words have flooded the screen with everyone's thoughts.

Jun Lanjin reached out, his slender fingers touching the center of her forehead, and asked, "Do I look like your grandfather?"

Xie Xing was completely captivated and immediately shook his head upon hearing this: "No, it's not."

"Oh?" Jun Lanjin's deep voice carried a hint of seduction: "Do you like me very much?"

Xie Xing had long since forgotten what he was saying, but upon hearing this, he nodded and said, "I like it, I like it."

Who wouldn't love this face?!

It perfectly matches her aesthetic preferences.

Jun Lanjin heard her thoughts and stopped teasing her. He straightened up and distanced himself from Xie Xing a little. "But you are still engaged to the Third Prince. You cannot do anything like having an affair."

"If anyone hears this, I'll drown you in a pig cage!" Jun Lanjin threatened her.

Xie Xing was startled.

"Your Highness, my affection for you stems from respect, gratitude, and..."

Jun Lanjin didn't want to listen anymore, so he casually replied, "Is that so?"

"I don't believe it."

This expression doesn't mean he doesn't believe it, but rather that he won't listen to me.

Xie Xing: "..."

She only liked Jun Lanjin's face, and her affection for him stemmed entirely from the fact that he was always there for her whenever she encountered a difficult situation.

Xie Xing paused for a moment. Opportunities to meet Jun Lanjin were not many, so he was determined to make a good impression on her.

She put the misunderstanding behind her and eagerly chased after Jun Lanjin again:

"What does Your Highness like?"

"I recently learned how to make delicious pastries, and I also learned how to make soup from my master. It can help nourish your body..."

Xie Xing shamelessly hopped into Jun Lanjin's carriage.

The guards watching from the side widened their eyes.

What is the fifth daughter of the Xie family doing?

Is it really so blatant to curry favor with the prince?