Chapter 2: Don’t Be Afraid, I’m Here  

Xia Nanxing stood rooted to the spot, her expression shifting unpredictably.  

A bodyguard cautiously approached to comfort her. “President Lu went to discuss business with President Qin. There’s no way he’d have anything to do with that Xia Yingying. Xia Yingying is plain-looking and two-faced, while you, Miss, are stunningly beautiful, upright, and kind—how could she ever compare to you?”  

Pleasant to hear, and she loved hearing it.  

Whether this was a loyal subject or a sycophant, Xia Nanxing knew well.  

Scrolling through her phone without looking up, she said, “Submit an application when we get back. Your bonus this month is doubled.”  

The bodyguard silently cheered in his heart. What wasn’t to love about his young mistress? She was perfect in every way!  

Not only was she gorgeous, but she was also generous. Any bodyguard who had worked for her for over five years practically owned a house.  

The best part was her temperament. Even when she was upset or humiliated by the one she loved, she’d at most secretly wipe away tears in frustration—never taking it out on her subordinates.  

Like now, even though she was clearly heartbroken, she still gave him a bonus.  

The kicker was that this incredibly generous young mistress was still in her “impoverished” phase, as her main source of income came from relying on her father. Only when she turned thirty would she inherit the full fortune left by her mother. Once she reached her ultimate form, who knew how extravagantly she’d spend?  

The bodyguard touched his face. If he kept up with his skincare routine and maintained his presentable looks, maybe he could stick with her for another eight years—long enough to see her inherit everything. By then, his bonuses would be unimaginably hefty.  

A boss like this deserved nothing less than careful protection.  

He earnestly reminded her, “Miss, maybe we shouldn’t follow them this time. Disturbing President Qin during business talks would have serious consequences. The Qin family members who crossed him either ended up dead or insane—his methods are ruthless. We can’t afford to provoke him.”  

“Qin Heming?” Xia Nanxing looked up from browsing photos of a male model’s abs to relieve stress and said calmly, “He’s not that bad. I think he’s quite nice. Weren’t you from the Qin family’s security company anyway?”  

The bodyguard stared at his naive young mistress, speechless.  

Yes, he had come from the Qin family’s security company—so how exactly did he get all that insider information about the Qin family? Not hard to guess.  

“Are we really going after them?” the bodyguard asked hesitantly.  

“A Jin, what are you thinking? At this hour, of course, we’re going to eat. After lunch, we’ll head to the Lu Corporation in the afternoon.” Xia Nanxing sighed, her expression despondent, and murmured, “Huaijin must have misunderstood me. I’ll go see him in person this afternoon.”  

She needed to eat first—only then would she have the energy to fight for her love.  

Being a devoted admirer wasn’t easy.  

Every time Lu Huaijin got angry, he’d ignore her messages and calls, forcing her, a young mistress, to personally intervene over the smallest issues.  

Xia Nanxing was a regular at the Lu Corporation. The moment she arrived, an assistant escorted her straight to the CEO’s office.  

Out in the world, identity was what you made of it.  

She often presented herself as Lu Huaijin’s future wife, and the Lu Corporation’s employees treated her with the respect befitting a future madam.  

But as luck would have it, just as Xia Nanxing reached the office door, she ran into Xia Yingying, who was stepping out with a stack of files—which then brushed against Xia Nanxing.  

The moment their eyes met, Xia Yingying’s blissful smile stiffened. She lowered her gaze, looking aggrieved, and meekly stepped aside to make way for Xia Nanxing.

Xia Nanxing’s fingers itched at the sight of such a weak, pitiful, and helpless appearance.

But she could guarantee that if she so much as raised her voice, the other party would immediately put on a performance of being too fragile to function.

Xia Nanxing licked her sharp teeth. Come on, she was the villainous female sidekick—how could she back down?

Not only did she dare to speak loudly, she even dared to be sarcastic.

“Xia Yingying, are you blind? How dare you bump into me? I haven’t even settled the score with you for what happened this morning…”

The moment Xia Nanxing spoke, Xia Yingying shrank back in submission. But after just one step, she lost her balance and fell to the ground.

Then came a pitiful “Ouch!” and the sound of documents clattering everywhere.

The commotion cut Xia Nanxing’s words short as Lu Huaijin rushed out of his office. He grabbed Xia Nanxing’s wrist and coldly warned, “Xia Nanxing, if you keep causing trouble, get out!”

The scene from the morning repeated itself—Xia Yingying was pulled up from the ground by Lu Huaijin and immediately hid behind him again.

“You’re scolding me for her sake again!” Xia Nanxing couldn’t help but lose her composure.

Even though she had expected this outcome, she still couldn’t face it calmly. This was the second time today—her patience had its limits!

Lu Huaijin’s voice was stern. “She’s my secretary. She’s not someone you can vent your anger on. Apologize.”

“Why should I? I didn’t do anything wrong.” Xia Nanxing stubbornly met his gaze. “You know she likes you, yet you keep her by your side as your secretary! Lu Huaijin, what exactly do you mean by this?”

Lu Huaijin’s expression remained indifferent. “None of your business.”

“None of my business? Fine. You’re actually speaking to me like this for her sake.”

Even in front of Lu Huaijin, Xia Nanxing openly threatened, “Xia Yingying, just you wait. I’ll make you regret ever being born.”

After delivering her threat, Xia Nanxing shot Xia Yingying and Lu Huaijin a fierce glare before storming off.

Xia Nanxing was truly furious.

Forget about emotions—over the years, she had poured all her money into Lu Huaijin.

Hundreds of millions! If she had spent that money on ducks, she could have raised an entire pond of them, all quacking around to cheer her up.

Lu Huaijin was now the illustrious heir of the Lu Group, but five years ago, he was just a poor, aloof top student and campus heartthrob with a seriously ill mother. Due to a twist of fate, he had been switched at birth in the hospital.

Back in high school, Xia Nanxing had fallen for Lu Huaijin at first sight and immediately started throwing money at him, paying for his adoptive mother’s treatment. By their freshman year of college, when Lu Huaijin started his own business, she invested twenty million in him. And when Lu Huaijin returned to the Lu family, she poured another hundred million into his projects to help him compete for a position in the group.

The fortune left by her biological mother, whom she had never met, was substantial. But accessing it wasn’t easy—there were many restrictions.

At 18, she could access a portion. At 22, after graduating college, she could access another. When her business reached a certain scale, she could access more… It wasn’t until she turned 30 that she could claim everything.

Perhaps, in a mother’s eyes, a child only truly matures at 30, no longer easily deceived.

Back when Xia Nanxing was still under 18 and throwing huge sums of money at Lu Huaijin, even her father, Xia Zhengyang, thought his daughter was being scammed.

Xia Zhengyang took one look and thought—oh, a pretty boy, a social climber!

Despite his busy schedule, he made time to drive Lu Huaijin away.

“Here’s five million. Leave my daughter.”  

“Don’t push your luck. If you don’t take the money and walk away, I’ll make sure you regret it.”  

Upon hearing the news, Xia Nanxing rushed over immediately to shield Lu Huaijin.  

“Dad, what are you doing? He’s not some poor guy trying to climb the social ladder. He’s brilliant—he’ll definitely achieve great things in the future and even help me manage the family business.”  

Xia Zhengyang forced a laugh, careful not to upset his daughter, knowing she had a heart condition.  

But just days later, Lu Huaijin was involved in a car accident. He survived, but his leg was shattered, leaving him bedridden for a long time.  

Lu Huaijin didn’t believe for a second that the accident was a coincidence.  

The Xia family never made empty threats.  

Having personally heard Xia Nanxing’s intimidation, Lu Huaijin rubbed his temples in frustration and warned Xia Yingying, “Be careful these days. Stay away from Xia Nanxing.”  

Xia Yingying let out a bitter laugh. “President Lu, what can I possibly do against the Xia family’s eldest daughter? Today, she not only forced me to meet her but also humiliated me with five million, demanding I leave you.”  

At this point, she lowered her head, her ears turning red as she added softly, “But I refused her right away.”  

Lu Huaijin gazed at her, his expression distant. Years ago, the Xia family had tried to crush his pride with money—now they were using the same tactic on Xia Yingying.  

With gentle reassurance, he said, “Don’t worry. I won’t let Xia Nanxing lay a finger on you. Just stay close to me for now.”  

“But—”  

“You don’t have to fear her. As long as I’m here, she can’t touch you. Tomorrow night’s birthday banquet—you’re coming with me.”  

Hearing his promise, Xia Yingying gradually relaxed. With Lu Huaijin by her side, Xia Nanxing truly wouldn’t dare harm her.  

Everyone in their circle knew—Xia Nanxing obeyed Lu Huaijin without question, terrified of displeasing him.