Chapter 333: Those People of That Time

Xie Zian's question went unanswered; no matter what he said, Lilian remained silent.

"Stealing trade secrets is a grave crime; I can call the police and arrest you right now!"

Xie Zian's gaze never left Lilian, and his tone grew even harsher.

Those people used increasingly filthy methods to obtain the Fu Clan's secrets.

Accusing me without clear reason and slapping such a big label on me, I can't bear Mr. Xie's goodwill.

After being stared at by Xie Zian for dozens of seconds, Lilian suddenly spoke calmly and reached for a book on the shelf.

"If I were after the Fu Clan's trade secrets, I wouldn't be rummaging through the shelves all the time; besides, I already told Mrs. Fu earlier."

She casually opened her phone and sent a text to Lu Xiwán.

Lu Xiwán indeed replied clearly that it was okay, making Xie Zian's fuss look petty for a moment.

Lilian glanced at the floor-to-ceiling bookshelf in the Study and said, "There are indeed many good books here, all worth reading; you can tell the owner has some taste, but unfortunately none are what I'm looking for."

Lilian kept being picky in front of Xie Zian; when she finally praised him, Xie Zian felt utterly uncomfortable.

My taste doesn't need your affirmation, and don't think I'm a clueless good-for-nothing.

Xie Zian unusually refrained from speaking rudely to Lilian, and there was a brief moment of peace between them.

"Are all these books yours?" Lilian was clearly surprised, looking up and down at Xie Zian in disbelief.

"What else would you think?" Xie Zian, displeased by Lilian's reaction, said, "Even this Zhuangyuan is mine; otherwise, whose territory do you think you're living on now?"

The peace had barely lasted a while before it was broken again.

Lilian clearly didn't want to continue speaking with Xie Zian, turned to leave, but was called away again.

"Since you've already reported it, find whatever you need; I'll reluctantly help you look."

Although Xie Zian doesn't often come to the Vacation Villa, it is still his territory, and he knows it better than Lilian.

Lilian forced a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes, and said, "No need to trouble Young Master Xie for me; I have my own hands and feet."

Whenever the two are alone together, peace is impossible; it always ends with an unhappy parting.

After rarely leaving the Mountain Villa where they lived, Lu Xixi was overjoyed upon returning, but they all easily sensed an unusual atmosphere inside the villa.

When he saw them return, Xie Zian quickly pulled Lu Xiwán aside.

"Did she tell you this afternoon that she was going to the Study to look for something?"

Although he heard Lilian's explanation, Xie Zian didn't intend to believe it.

Who knows if that was fabricated by her.

"I told you, there's nothing important in there; today's documents have already been taken to the company by Shen Shu."

"I think she's acting strangely; she says she's looking for books, but she's actually focusing on something other than the titles on the spines."

Few people know that Xie Zian actually has obsessive‑compulsive tendencies; he categorizes every book, so a single glance lets him see whether the desired item is there.

But Lilian kept rummaging inside, which caught Xie Zian's attention.