After breakfast, Nan Xiao accompanied Lan Yu Xi to Lan Ling Academy. After Lan Yu Xi settled her teaching duties, she followed him to a nearby mall and bought an extra-large bed.
However, they didn't get to sleep on this bed after it was purchased. This was because Nan Luan Sheng adamantly refused to sleep with Ling Yun at night and instead stood guard outside the children's room. Lan Yu Xi, helpless, gave the bed to him.
Although Nan Xiao was displeased, seeing as Nan Luan Sheng was ill, he managed to suppress his feelings.
In the evening, after the children had gone to sleep, he called Nan Yao and updated him on Nan Luan Sheng's condition.
Nan Yao expressed his thanks repeatedly. He then mentioned that although Luan Qian had been buried, there were still some follow-up matters to attend to. Once he had handled them, he would return to China and live there with the children.
Nan Xiao was also quite pleased to hear that Nan Yao intended to return to China. Although he no longer felt the same connection with Nan Yao as before, his elder brother was still his elder brother, and he didn't want him to wander alone.
While Nan Xiao was on the phone, Lan Yu Xi was also on hers. By the time Nan Xiao hung up, Lan Yu Xi had changed into a black outfit and emerged from the walk-in closet.
Nan Xiao blinked in surprise, "You're going out?"
Lan Yu Xi pushed open the window and said gravely, "Yes, don't follow me. I'll be back soon, and there's no danger."
Nan Xiao grabbed her hand, "It's one of two options: either I go with you, or you don't go out."
Lan Yu Xi rolled her eyes at him, "Xiang Dong is alone today. I'm going to see him. If you go with me, how will you interact with him in the future?"
Nan Xiao's eyes flickered slightly, "He's alone?"
"He was quite down today, drinking alone at a bar and got himself drunk. This is a good opportunity. Tonight, we'll find out if he's a man or a ghost!"
Seeing that he still wouldn't let go after she had said so much, Lan Yu Xi took out a listening device and handed it to him. "You can track my whereabouts anytime from home. I have to get to the bottom of these four. Otherwise, you'll always be at a disadvantage, and in time, you'll lose them."
Nan Xiao hesitated for a moment, then finally let go.
Lan Yu Xi tiptoed and kissed him lightly on the corner of his lips, then leaped out of the window.
Nan Xiao leaned over to look down, watching until she, Ying, and Nan Yi had left the compound before frowning and closing the window.
Xi Bao was right; they couldn't delay any longer.
Lan Yu Xi quickly arrived at the bar where Nan Xiang Dong was. Nan Xiang Dong was truly drunk; he didn't even wake up when Nan Yi and Ying helped him to a guest room upstairs.
Lan Yu Xi put two pills into his mouth and then sat quietly on the sofa, waiting.
A quarter of an hour later, Nan Xiang Dong slowly woke up.
Lan Yu Xi gazed at him for a moment, and as his eyes gradually lost focus, she asked, "Who are you?"
Nan Xiang Dong replied mechanically, "Nan Xiang Dong."
"Who is Nan Xiao?"
"The master I vow to protect with my life."
Lan Yu Xi gave a slight smile and continued, "Have you ever done anything to betray him over the years?"
"No."
"There's a mole around Nan Xiao. Do you have any suspects?"
"I used to suspect Xiang Nan, but I observed him for a long time. It wasn't him."
"Recently, Nan Xiao has been testing you all. Have you resented him?"
"I don't resent him, but I feel quite uncomfortable."
Lan Yu Xi raised an eyebrow slightly, "So you got drunk?"
"Yes, but not entirely. Today, Xiang Nan was talking to An Cheng on the phone, saying the Eldest Young Master's health is deteriorating. He wants to take him to the hospital, but the Eldest Young Master refuses. He's been handling Luan Qian's funeral affairs while feeling unwell all day. I'm debating whether to tell the Family Head."
Lan Yu Xi frowned slightly and then asked, "Do you have any close friends?"
"No. To make friends, one must open up their heart. I am the Family Head's substitute; I cannot entrust my heart to anyone." Nan Xiang Dong frowned painfully. "I was wrong. No matter how difficult it felt, I shouldn't have come out for a drink... Ah—"
After a pained scream, Nan Xiang Dong's eyes instantly cleared.
When he saw the person standing before him, he sat up abruptly. "Mistress, I was wrong."
Lan Yu Xi patted his shoulder, "You're not wrong. You're also a person with flesh and blood. Don't turn yourself into a robot because of your mission."
Nan Xiang Dong shook his head, "For the Family Head, I am willing to become a robot."
Lan Yu Xi sighed helplessly, "Nan Xiao has been deliberately distancing himself from you lately. Do you feel wronged?"
Nan Xiang Dong shook his head again, "No. My life belongs to the Family Head. No matter what he does, I won't feel wronged."
Lan Yu Xi walked to the sofa and sat down. "You don't feel wronged, but I do."
Nan Xiang Dong looked at her suspiciously.
"To eliminate the mole, he has to screen everyone, and the first to be scrutinized are the four of you. But he is most reluctant to suspect the four of you. It was I who insisted, because only by clearing your names can we better carry out the next steps."
Lan Yu Xi paused and continued, "Although he understood this logic, he was still uncomfortable. The night before last, he finally lost his temper and even yelled at me."
Nan Xiang Dong blinked, almost suspecting his ears were playing tricks on him. The Family Head actually yelled at the Mistress? This was too fantastical.
Lan Yu Xi smiled bitterly, "To prevent him from yelling at me again, I have to quickly prove your innocence. Otherwise, sooner or later, you four will turn against me."
"Mistress, please rest assured, that day will never come. We all see how much the Family Head loves you."
Lan Yu Xi smiled at him, "How much he loves me is indeed evident to everyone. But how important the four of you are to him is known only to him and me. Especially you, he has never treated you as a subordinate or a substitute. He considers you his own brother, an indispensable part of his life. When he learned of the mole, he dismissed you without hesitation. It was I who pushed him, better to wrong someone than to miss an opportunity."
Nan Xiang Dong's eyes reddened slightly. Fearing that Lan Yu Xi would see his embarrassment, he quickly lowered his head.
Lan Yu Xi got up and gently patted his shoulder. "Rest early. I'm going back."
"I'll see Mistress out."
"No need." Lan Yu Xi looked at him apologetically. "Because I knew you had undergone special training, I gave you twice the usual dose when your will was weakest to make you open up. You must be uncomfortable right now. Rest well. If you still feel unwell tomorrow, don't go to the company."
Despite Lan Yu Xi's words, Nan Xiang Dong still got out of bed, leaning on its side.
Lan Yu Xi reached out and pressed him down. "By the time you stand up, I'll already be in the elevator. Don't waste your strength... Also, Nan Xiao is unaware of what I did to you today. To maintain the harmony between us as a couple, I hope you..."