A Grand Gift for You

"Then why would a bolt of lightning strike out of nowhere on a clear day? And that talisman paper... it was red as blood!" Hearing Evan Xiao's words, Chloe Zhu felt a sense of dread creeping over her, inexplicably.

"That's a sign of great misfortune!" Evan Xiao said. "It really is a terrible omen."

"So... are you saying the Imperial Advisor was actually telling the truth?" Chloe Zhu asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Evan Xiao nodded, solemn and silent.

A strange, unsettling feeling washed over Chloe Zhu.

She felt, deep down, that Evan Xiao was telling the truth.

In her previous life, wasn't that blood-soaked calamity that wiped out her family brought about by Grace Wan?

But even if Grace Wan did bring disaster to the Zhu family, would that really be enough for the heavens to send a warning?

Even when the Vermilion Kingdom was destroyed, not even a single thunderbolt fell from the heavens!

We're just a small clan—are we really worth all this fuss?

"Don't overthink it," Evan Xiao said. "I'm here for you. If you run into any trouble, just come to me—I'll help you."

Grace looked at him, blinking her big, watery eyes. Suddenly, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the lips. "Thank you!" she said.

Back home, Chloe Zhu told her father everything Evan Xiao had said.

Her father’s face grew grim. From that moment on, he watched Grace Wan with wary suspicion.

"Stop seducing me," Evan Xiao's voice was a little husky. "I'm already struggling to hold back."

Every morning, all the younger members of the family had to go pay their respects to Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu.

Evan Xiao reached out, cupping her little head, his gaze lingering on her lips.

Because Grace Wan brought up the idea of promoting the co-wife, Kevin Zhuo came back. So this morning, there was one more person joining the group to greet the matriarch.

But instead, he just traced his warm fingertip from her cheek slowly down to her lips.

Everywhere he touched felt like it was set on fire. Grace's heart raced, her face flushed, and she unconsciously leaned closer to him.

But suddenly, Evan Xiao pushed her away, taking three big steps back. "Chloe Zhu, quit daydreaming every time you see me!" he teased.

"Huh? I-I wasn't..."

"What you need to do right now is focus on your cultivation!" Evan Xiao said. "Once you reach Spirit Practitioner, Grandmaster level... then I'll give it to you."

"Huh? You'll give me... what?" Grace couldn't help but think his words sounded a little dirty.

"I'll give you a big present," Evan Xiao smiled.

"Oh! A present for me? What kind of big present?" Grace thought he was talking about himself!

She was being way too naughty!

"You'll find out when the time comes."

"Oh..."

"About Lillian Lee—since you agreed to help the Imperial Advisor, get started soon," Evan Xiao said. "The Imperial Advisor already spoke to Lillian Lee. If you enter the palace, just go find her directly."

Grace nodded.

"Alright, it's getting late. You should head back now," Evan Xiao urged her.

Grace looked at him, all clingy and reluctant to leave.

What if she didn't want to leave him for even a moment?

"Don't want to go?" Evan Xiao's lips curled into a smile.

"N-no, that's not it. I just wanted to see my little cutie—is Louis Lin home?"

"No," Evan Xiao said. "He won't be back for a couple of days."

"Oh..."

"Go on now!"

Grace took a deep breath and walked off, full of reluctance.

Does he really like her?

He actually sent her away...

After returning, she told her father what Evan Xiao had said.

Her father looked very serious. From then on, he kept a closer eye on Grace Wan.

...

Every morning, the younger generation had to go greet Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu.

The day after the divination, Grace went early again.

Because Grace Wan brought up the topic of promoting the co-wife, Kevin Zhuo came back. So this morning, there was one more person in the group who went to greet the matriarch.