Lin He had no intention of dwelling on that matter. Besides, the petty trick Ning Nuo pulled was clearly because she couldn't get anywhere with Wen Ningxuan, so she resorted to trying to work through Lin He. Lin He had seen such tactics countless times and wasn't about to fall for it; a wry smile touched her lips. Ning Nuo underestimated how deeply she and Wen Ningxuan were connected by viewing their relationship as so superficial.

However, one thing was separate from the other. Lin He didn't allow herself to become tangled up over that minor issue, but the sight of Ning Nuo collapsing into Wen Ningxuan’s arms made Lin He deeply uncomfortable. Given Wen Ningxuan’s martial prowess, dodging that was child's play, yet Lin He couldn't simply pretend it never happened.

Lin He calmly glanced at Wen Ningxuan, a slight curve on her lips as she spoke, "Oh? Isn't the Second Young Master highly skilled in martial arts? You usually don't let outsiders get close, so how did Ning Nuo manage to fall right into your arms today? Do you do this often? Are you quite seasoned at it?"

"No, I was caught off guard," Wen Ningxuan replied curtly.

"You usually maintain such a strong guard against others, yet you let your guard down for Ning Nuo. What's the reason for that?"

Lin He maintained a placid expression. Seeing Wen Ningxuan’s nervousness, she was inwardly bubbling with suppressed delight. He was nervous about her. He was so tense that he had lost his usual composure—a rare sight indeed. Still, letting another woman embrace him like that definitely warranted a lesson.

Wen Ningxuan was never particularly adept at placating women, much less a Young Master like him who had never been treated this way. Being interrogated by Lin He like a criminal was damaging to his pride. When had he ever been forced to offer so many explanations? Furthermore, he genuinely didn't know how to answer those pointed questions. He merely stood aside, his face cold and silent, deciding that explaining further was pointless.

Lin He waited a moment. When he offered no reply, she looked up. To her surprise, he was staring back with a frigid expression, clearly intending to offer no further defense. Lin He immediately felt a fresh surge of anger. He was the one in the wrong, yet he dared to give her the cold shoulder. He must truly be spoiled rotten by his status, she thought. Her voice tinged with ire, she said, "Fine, I don't care who embraces whom. I came here today because I have a matter to ask you. Have you found all the personnel for my factory? Aside from the workers, there were others—when will they be ready?"

"They are all secured. I will send them over first thing tomorrow morning," Wen Ningxuan’s tone was stiff and aloof.

"That will suffice. If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving." Lin He stood up, not sparing Wen Ningxuan a second glance, and walked out the door.

Zi Yu waited by the entrance. When her mistress emerged, her expression was grim, and the Second Young Master inside looked as if a sheet of ice had settled over his face. Zi Yu hadn't seen the Second Young Master look so utterly frigid in a long time; clearly, the two were at odds.

Zi Yu stood there momentarily, lost in thought. Lin He walked a few paces ahead, then glared impatiently when she noticed Zi Yu hadn't followed. Zi Yu snapped back to reality, hastily bowed to Wen Ningxuan inside the room, and hurried to follow her mistress out of the Silver Tower.

Wen Ningxuan sat back in his chair inside, thinking about how sharp-tongued that little girl was. Questions tumbled out one after another, overwhelming him. He pampered her to the point of wanting to give her his heart, yet she dared to suspect him, clinging to her point until he had no defense. Her temper was growing worse; now she stomped out and slammed the door whenever she was upset. When had she developed such a volatile nature?

And then there was Ning Nuo. Today was clearly deliberate. Hadn't she been walking fine when they left? How did her ankle suddenly get twisted? Wen Ningxuan mulled it over until he had pieced the entire scene together. Thinking of the day’s events, Wen Ningxuan’s face darkened, his eyes becoming utterly frozen.

Zi Yu followed Lin He back, careful not to speak as her mistress maintained a tight-lipped silence. Having served her mistress for so long, Zi Yu knew Lin He rarely lost her temper, and never like this. The Second Young Master truly shouldn't have acted that way. How could he do such things behind her back, especially when he treated Miss so well? Surely he wasn't the type to be reckless? Zi Yu glanced back, wondering why the Second Young Master hadn't chased after them, sighing in frustration. Lin He caught the sound and slowed her pace slightly, asking, "What are you sighing about?"

"Nothing, nothing, Miss. Did you and the Second Young Master quarrel? Was it about Miss Ning Nuo today?" Zi Yu asked cautiously.

"We quarreled, but it wasn't about that."

"Then what was it about? Miss, aren't you angry about Miss Ning Nuo's incident today?"

"Angry about what? I know exactly what kind of person Ning Xuan is. Today's incident was obviously staged by Ning Nuo. I can't be bothered to waste energy being angry over it. I’m angry about something else."

"What is it then?" Zi Yu asked, puzzled.

Lin He shot Zi Yu a glance, then fell silent, walking toward home. Internally, she was still seething. That scoundrel Wen Ningxuan—I’m the one who was wronged, and I haven't even said much, yet he puts on airs like a spoiled master! She thought defiantly, I’ll see how long you can keep that icy attitude.

Lin He and Zi Yu returned home, and Lin He didn't mention the day's events to the household. At home, Lin He displayed no hint of unhappiness, chatting with the family as usual.

The next few days were consumed by the newly relocated factory. Many things were just starting, and Zi Yu couldn't manage it all alone. Lin He was also busy, needing to handle many details herself, leaving her exhausted enough to collapse into bed every night.

Wen Ningxuan hadn't visited during these days, sending the young servant Shun Zhu instead. Lin He accepted whatever Shun Zhu was sent to do or convey without comment. On the fourth day, seeing that the factory affairs were mostly settled, Lin He told Shun Zhu, "Shun Zhu, things are mostly in order on our end. Thank you for your help these past few days, and please extend my thanks to your Young Master as well. You don't need to come tomorrow; go back and assist your master; don't delay his own affairs."

The servant Shun Zhu’s lips twitched slightly, but he complied.

In truth, Wen Ningxuan’s heart had softened days ago. Not seeing Lin He for several days felt like years; his heart ached as if scratched by claws. But he didn't know how to coax the girl. If she started grilling him with those aggressive questions like last time, he still hadn't devised answers. Thus, Wen Ningxuan had been enduring it, though he knew he couldn't hold out much longer—if he did, he feared he might truly go mad.

Wen Ningxuan could only wait for Shun Zhu’s return each day, questioning him about whether the factory work was done and if Miss He’er had sent any messages. Shun Zhu always reported back that she hadn't, causing Wen Ningxuan to grit his teeth in frustration. That girl was certainly hard-hearted, setting him aside and attending to her own business with such calm detachment.

That day, Shun Zhu returned. As usual, Wen Ningxuan asked if Miss He’er had any instructions. Shun Zhu then relayed Lin He’s message to Wen Ningxuan.