Minister Huo, son of Elder Huo and father of Young Master Huo, was friends with Nan Zhenting. His son, Huo Ding, was sworn brothers with Nan Xiao. His father, Elder Huo, was close friends with Elder Hong, Lan Yuxi's master.
Therefore, he understood Lan Yuxi's relationship with the Nan family better than anyone.
As for why Lan Yuxi left the Nan family later, it was kept very quiet, and he didn't know the inside story.
Last night, Lan Yuxi came to him, saying she wanted to buy a teaching building in Honghai Bay and asked him not to tell Nan Xiao who was buying it, which led to last night's incident.
However, he was a shrewd person and easily diffused the awkwardness with a laugh.
"We've seen the classrooms, and Yuxi is very satisfied. Have someone prepare for the contract signing as soon as possible."
Nan Xiao glanced at Lan Yuxi, greeted Elder Huo and Elder Gao, and then replied to Minister Huo.
"Can I talk to her first? We can finalize the signing after our conversation."
Minister Huo waved his hand and smiled, "Certainly, you two talk first. We'll sit here, sip tea, and enjoy the view."
Nan Xiao looked at Lan Yuxi again.
Lan Yuxi didn't stand on ceremony and followed him onto the winding corridor.
Halfway through, Nan Xiao stopped and said in an extremely cold voice, "Lan Yuxi, can you stop interfering in my affairs! I don't need your help!"
Lan Yuxi chuckled softly, looking at the lotuses in the artificial lake, "Mr. Nan, you're too presumptuous! I'm not buying this property to help you at all! I like the environment here."
"You know how expensive property in Honghai Bay is. Where did you get so much money?"
Lan Yuxi raised an eyebrow, and the beauty mark beneath her eye twitched playfully.
"So you're afraid I can't afford it. Don't worry, I'll pay in full, not a cent less."
Nan Xiao stared at her fixedly, "You know that's not what I meant!"
Lan Yuxi took a small step back, "Then what do you mean? You want to know where my money came from? Fine, I'll satisfy your curiosity... A certain prince from the Middle East has taken a liking to me, and he's the one providing the funds."
Nan Xiao clenched his fists at his sides, "So, you've been off gallivanting in the Middle East all these years?"
Lan Yuxi lowered her eyes and smiled faintly, "If you say so, then so be it."
Nan Xiao gritted his teeth, "I'm talking to you seriously!"
Lan Yuxi feigned innocence, "I wasn't driving either, I'm being very serious!"
"Lan Yuxi, are you trying to anger me to death?"
"Don't even joke about it. If you die, you'll ruin my reputation. I'm counting on you, my live advertisement, to recruit students!"
Nan Xiao narrowed his eyes dangerously, "The Lan family's Golden Needles have been lost for a hundred years. How did you, a finance major, learn them?"
"Aladdin's magic lamp taught me."
Nan Xiao, losing patience, pushed her against a vermillion pillar and cupped her small chin, forcing her to look at him.
"Talk to me properly!"
Lan Yuxi smiled, a smile that outshone all things in heaven and earth, and successfully made Nan Xiao's breath hitch.
Nan Xiao looked into her star-filled eyes and, as if struck by electricity, released her hand and recoiled.
Lan Yuxi's eyes gradually dimmed, "You don't believe anything I say, then find out for yourself!"
"If I could find out, would I be asking you?"
He had searched for her for four years, not even knowing where she went, how could he find out!
And that man by her side, the one he couldn't find out about, was the most dangerous!
Nan Xiao looked at her dimming eyes and felt an inexplicable pang in his heart, "Are you planning to stay in Kyoto?"
Lan Yuxi looked at his Adam's apple bobbing up and down, momentarily lost in thought. Suddenly, she laughed.
"Yes! So, I'll need Mr. Nan to pass on a message to your mother: Kyoto isn't hers alone. She could only drive me away once, but there won't be a second time!"
Lan Yuxi paused, then continued, "I can refrain from acting against her out of respect for you, but I won't stand by if she continues to make moves."
Nan Xiao frowned slightly, "She was in the wrong this time. I'll talk to her."
Lan Yuxi chuckled, "Rare indeed. It's the first time I've heard you say she's wrong."
"I've told her off before, just not in front of you. I always felt that she's an elder, and I should give her some face. But I never expected her to go further and further."
Lan Yuxi felt a little better hearing him say this. At least he wasn't always siding with his mother and forbidding anyone from speaking ill of her, as he used to.
"Opening an academy is not a small matter. If you need any help, call me. My phone number hasn't changed, you should still remember it, right?"
"Hmm?" Lan Yuxi blinked, what was his phone number again?
Suddenly, a voice told her, don't call him!
Lan Yuxi's brow furrowed even tighter. Even without that voice, she seemed to be very resistant to calling him.
What was she afraid of?
Had she forgotten something due to her depression during that period?
Seeing her reaction, Nan Xiao gave a self-deprecating laugh, "You don't remember my phone number, but do you remember the phone number of the man you had dinner with?"
Lan Yuxi was still pondering what she was afraid of and glared at him unhappily when he interrupted her.
Nan Xiao's face darkened, but he suppressed his anger and voiced his concern.
"That man is not simple. Be more cautious when you're with him."
Lan Yuxi found it a little amusing. Her older brother told her to stay away from Nan Xiao, and Nan Xiao was afraid her older brother would hurt her. Little did they know, both of them were the closest people to her, and neither would hurt her.
"As long as you don't betray me, no one in this world can betray me."
"Don't always take my words as wind!"
Lan Yuxi impatiently waved her hand, "Alright, I get it."
Nan Xiao knew at a glance that she hadn't taken his words to heart, so he would have to be more careful.
"If you're opening an academy, don't make enemies everywhere. The suicide incident in Honghai Bay was clearly someone trying to stir up trouble. Don't get involved, I'll find you another place."
Lan Yuxi immediately became agitated upon hearing this, "I'm not going anywhere else! I'm opening my academy right here!"
Nan Xiao was so angered by her stubbornness that he slapped the pillar.
Lan Yuxi flinched, startled, then suddenly felt she was being too cowardly and losing face. She puffed out her small chest and retorted.
"Don't flatter yourself. I'm opening my academy in Honghai Bay not to help you, but because of the integrated Chinese and Western medicine hospital here. Convenience for internships is a prerequisite for my recruitment. You don't want me to interfere in your affairs, right? Fine, I promise you, as long as you agree to sell me the property, I'll honestly teach my classes and never appear in your sight again."
Nan Xiao's heart felt as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand, causing him to feel a suffocating pain.
She said she would never appear in his sight again.
Alas, wasn't this the outcome he desired?
It was better for her to hate him than to suffer with him after knowing the truth.
"Okay!" he agreed.
Lan Yuxi looked at him with complicated emotions, "Then I also beg you, don't come to my Half Mountain Villa. My housekeeper is old and it's tiring for her to come and go. Also, I've already removed your people and the An family's people. You're not allowed to send anyone to monitor me anymore!"