Chapter 38 The Man in the Photo
Since Xie Chengyu insisted on buying her something—whether out of fairness or just to silence her—Nan Xiao decided she might as well accept it.
But she honestly didn’t lack anything at the moment. What did come to mind, though, was that just a few days ago, both Lin Yan and Xiao Zekai had separately mentioned a bag they wanted.
So she pulled up the pictures of those two bags and sent them to Zhou Wen.
“I want this.”
The two bags were from the same brand series, in different colors, slightly different in style—essentially, a matching couple set.
When Zhou Wen saw the images, he was delighted. He forwarded them to Xie Chengyu with the note:
“Madam wants the H-brand couple’s bags. I’ve already placed the order for her.”
Couple’s bags?
Looking at the nearly identical pair in the pictures, Xie Chengyu was a little taken aback.
Why would Nan Xiao want couple’s bags? The women’s style was clearly for her own use, but the men’s… who was she planning to give it to? Could it possibly be… him?
Nan Xiao wanted to give him a bag?
For some reason, he actually felt a trace of anticipation.
The next day, somehow the matter reached Xu Ruoxin’s ears. She stormed into Nan Xiao’s lounge the moment she had the chance.
“I heard you had Chengyu buy you bags—couple’s bags, no less?”
Her laugh was dripping with mockery.
“You haven’t even lived together in three years. You don’t know the first thing about what Chengyu likes. Miss Nan, stop wasting your efforts.”
She was trying to maintain her elegant, dignified air, but her eyes were openly scornful. By now, she didn’t even bother pretending in front of Nan Xiao.
Nan Xiao, who had been reading, glanced up at her and retorted without politeness:
“Miss Xu, if your brain is sick, go get it treated.”
Xu Ruoxin froze. This was the first time Nan Xiao had directly insulted her.
Her gaze sharpened instantly. “What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what I said.”
Nan Xiao had never bought Xie Chengyu a bag, and she had no intention of doing so. For Xu Ruoxin to barge in spouting such nonsense—if that wasn’t madness, what was?
“You—Nan Xiao—!”
But Nan Xiao was done with her. Truly sick of her. She didn’t want to share the same air with Xu Ruoxin anymore, and she dreaded another confrontation spiraling out of control.
She stood up, pointed to the door, and said coldly:
“Shut up. Get out. If you don’t leave, I’ll start swearing.”
In the end, it was Nan Xiao who tore off the mask of politeness first.
Her stare was firm, filled with disgust.
The victorious expression slipped from Xu Ruoxin’s face. Anger surged, but she swallowed it back.
She gave Nan Xiao one last contemptuous once-over, then twisted her hips and walked out.
The lounge fell silent again. Nan Xiao returned to her book. Soon after, Xiao Zekai arrived, summoned by the WeChat message she’d sent.
She handed him one of the bags Zhou Wen had delivered that morning.
“This is for you. I remembered you liked this one.”
Xiao Zekai froze, stunned. Why would Nan Xiao give him something so expensive?
He could easily afford it himself, but for her, this was a big purchase.
Sensing his doubt, Nan Xiao explained the situation from yesterday.
Upon learning the bag had been bought by Xie Chengyu, Xiao Zekai felt a violent urge to throw it away.
But just as quickly, another thought flickered: No, better to keep it—so one day he could carry it right in front of Xie Chengyu, flaunting it.
The idea came and went in a flash, so quick he didn’t even fully register it himself.
“Zekai,” Nan Xiao said once he had the bag in hand, “don’t you have scenes to film soon? You should get going.”
She had called him only to give him the gift. But instead of leaving, Xiao Zekai lingered, fussing with small talk, oddly clingy.
He stared at her mask, remembering the glimpse of her uncovered face the other day. He wanted badly to see it again.
But then he reminded himself her skin hadn’t fully healed yet—she couldn’t go without the mask completely. And he was due on set soon. So he bit back the request.
At last he rose reluctantly. “I’ll go. But if that Xu woman bothers you again, just come to me.”
And with that, he left.
Nan Xiao didn’t think much of his odd behavior. They’d been friends for so many years—if he had the occasional off day, so be it. Most of the time, he was normal enough.
Then came another knock at the door.
“Come in,” she called.
This time, it was Xie Chengyu.
He was in his usual black shirt and trousers, the outfit only enhancing his cold, severe features.
He strode over to her, his tone sharp:
“You moved out of Lantingyuan?”
“Yes. What about it?” Nan Xiao looked up calmly.
The Lantingyuan villa had a housekeeper who came three times a week to clean. Today, when Xie Chengyu had stopped by to fetch something, the housekeeper casually mentioned Nan Xiao no longer lived there. But she wasn’t at the old family estate either. So—where was she?
“Where are you living now?” he demanded.
“Near the set,” Nan Xiao replied. “The apartment complex right across the street.”
In an instant, he pictured the shabby old buildings with peeling walls. His expression darkened.
“That place isn’t safe. Move back.”
“It’s safe enough. Security doors, surveillance cameras. I’m fine there.”
She turned slightly away from him.
He wasn’t really worried about her safety, she thought. He was just worried if something happened, he’d have to answer to Old Master Xie.
But how could she ever go back to Lantingyuan?
Though she had lived there alone for three years, every corner of that villa carried her memories of waiting for him to come home. To her, it was haunted with longing she could no longer bear.
Seeing her turn away, clearly unwilling to talk more, his brows drew together.
His gaze swept the room, landing on the absence of the two bags Zhou Wen had delivered earlier.
Where had she put them? Why hadn’t she given his to him yet? Was she planning to wrap it nicely and present it later?
“You’re living alone outside—be careful. If anything happens, call me.”
He didn’t mention the bags again. He figured eventually she’d give it to him. With a final reminder, he left.
Outside, he messaged Zhou Wen:
Find out Nan Xiao’s exact address. Send me the surrounding details.
Zhou Wen was as efficient as ever. By that afternoon, he had forwarded the information.
“President Xie, Madam lives at Longbai Garden, Building 9, Unit 201. Here are photos of the entrance, the grounds, and the stairwell.”
Along with the text came a series of photos.
Xie Chengyu studied them one by one. The crumbling paint, the narrow road blocked by trees—his frown deepened with each image.
Then he reached the last photo.
And his gaze froze, locked onto it—
onto the man captured in the frame.
