Chapter 476: The Secretary Wants Revenge

Chapter 476: The Secretary Wants Revenge
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Xia Wan’s retort had the immediate effect of silencing the onlookers, though it also simmered a deeper resentment within them towards her.
Despite quelling the immediate chatter, her words did little more than stoke the silent flames of disdain. It was an uneasy victory.
Jiang Lu, with a light whistle and a certain smugness adorning his features, prompted an almost visceral reaction from Xia Wan, who had to fight the impulse to hurl her book at his grinning face.
If not for his meddling, Xia Wan mused, her breath would have been spared.
Under the weight of all eyes upon her, she approached Jiang Lu, her mood far from light. ‘What do you want?” she inquired, her voice a mixture of irritation and curiosity.
Jiang Lu, with an arched eyebrow, cast a knowing look toward the lingering onlookers and playfully prodded, “You sure you want this conversation aired publicly?”
Though impatient, Xia Wan sensed the need for discretion and, nudging Jiang Lu, hastened their departure from the classroom.
Their tandem exit left the others with little opportunity for pursuit or eavesdropping, a fact that wasn’t lost on either of them.
“You’re doing this deliberately,” Xia Wan accused, not bothering to mask her accusation with a glance his way.
Jiang Lu’s response was a chuckle, more a statement than a denial. “And yet, here you are, having followed me out.”
“Back to the matter at hand, I know you’ve been searching for someone, and I can tell you where they are.”
Xia Wan’s face remained unreadable. “I’m not sure what you mean. I’m not searching for anyone,” she stated, turning to leave.
But Jiang Lu was quick to intercept, “Aren’t you the least bit curious about the whereabouts of the one who consigned your grandmother to the mental institution?”
This caught Xia Wan’s attention, halting her in her tracks. “What are you implying?”
A smug smile played on Jiang Lu’s lips. “Your concern is safe with me. I won’t breathe a word to anyone.”
Xia Wan stood silent, waiting for him to continue.
“I can reveal where the documents went, but in return, I ask a small favor of you.”
“I’m not interested,” Xia Wan countered, attempting to walk away, but Jiang Lu’s grasp was firm.
“Hold on!” he insisted. “The secretary, the one you’re avoiding, he’s bad news. Aren’t you afraid he might seek revenge on you and your family?”
This was the very fear gnawing at Xia Wan’s thoughts.
Yet, she was determined not to reveal any weakness to Jiang Lu, who seemed all the more dubious now.
“Why would he target us?” she asked, her voice steady. “We’ve done nothing to him.’
Jiang Lu cut her off, “You’ve yet to act against him, is that it?”
“Don’t pretend ignorance about the hospital’s dealings,” he continued, a taunt in his laugh. “You’ve disrupted his affairs! ”
“He’s avoided the worst for now, but he’s made enemies in the process.”
“Rumor has it his wife has caught wind of his indiscretions and has demanded he settle matters before returning home.”
Jiang Lu’s nonchalant attitude only raised Xia Wan’s guard. She decided not to probe further.
“If you’re unwilling to share, so be it,” Xia Wan said, pulling away from his grip.
“I’ll take care of the matter myself. Thanks for the heads-up.”
Jiang Lu watched her depart with a deeper grin, murmuring, “One day, you’ll come to me for help.”
Confident in his prediction, Jiang Lu was oblivious to the irony that his own words would one day come back to haunt him.
Upon her return, Liu Hua, already by the classroom door, intercepted Xia Wan. “What did Jiang Lu want?”
“It’s nothing,” Xia Wan deflected, not wishing to delve into details. Liu Hua, unsatisfied, pressed on with an urgency.
“They’ve been talking about you since you left,” Liu Hua reported, lips pursed in displeasure. “I avoided them. I can’t stand to look at them now!”
Amused, Xia Wan struggled to contain her laughter, choosing instead to bite her lip and stay with the rising mirth.
Liu Hua, spotting her barely contained amusement, huffed, “I should take a leaf out of your book. Then we’ll see who dares to malign you in my presence!”
With a gentle poke at Liu Hua’s indignant face, Xia Wan felt an unexpected warmth in her heart.
Once they had pacified Liu Hua’s feelings, the two returned to class to find their form teacher, Jiang Rong, already commanding the podium..