Just as Leiler was about to lay his perverted hand on Consort Ya, a large hand grabbed his wrist, flung him, and sent him stumbling back.
The sudden turn of events enraged Leiler: "Who are you?!"
Consort Ya also turned in surprise, seeing a familiar face, one she had yearned for day and night.
Her eyes widened instantly, and her small mouth slightly parted. She wanted to say something but was at a loss for words, as if everything were a dream.
How could Xiao Li... suddenly appear here?
"What, you don't recognize me?"
Looking at the astonished woman, Xiao Li smiled faintly. In front of everyone, he put his arm around Consort Ya's slender waist and, with a gentle pull, embraced her delicate body into his arms.
A commotion immediately broke out around them.
"Who is this guy? He actually dares to hug Miss Consort Ya right in front of Young Master Leiler?"
"My goodness, is he tired of living? He even dares to disrespect Miss Consort Ya?"
"I've never seen this person before. Where did he come from?"
They had all been enjoying the show between Leiler and Consort Ya, but unexpectedly, a third party suddenly appeared and swept Consort Ya into his arms.
This scene was too dramatic.
"How did you... get here?" After a while, Consort Ya asked, still in a daze.
"I said I would come to the Imperial Capital to find you, so I came." Xiao Li's palm tightened slightly, pulling the woman's delicate body closer to his.
"After so long, you've become even more beautiful. Did you miss me?"
After a long separation, Consort Ya was indeed very excited.
But now was not the time for a reunion.
Facing Xiao Li's words, Consort Ya's cheeks flushed slightly, and she whispered, "There are so many people here. Let go of me first."
Just moments ago, when confronting Leiler, she had felt a surge of anger.
But the moment Xiao Li appeared, she felt an inexplicable sense of peace. It was as if with Xiao Li by her side, all problems would be resolved.
"Hey, I'm talking to you! Where did you come from? Let go of Consort Ya!" Leiler, feeling ignored, grumbled unhappily.
Xiao Li finally looked at this fellow, who clearly suffered from excessive indulgence, with a pale face and unsteady steps.
Such a person clearly didn't have the necessary skills but insisted on taking on such a big task. Forcing it would only harm his body.
After all, not everyone could be like Xiao Li, whose spear never fell.
"Are you blind, or did your eyes grow on your butt? Is my relationship with Consort Ya not obvious enough to need an explanation?"
Xiao Li held Consort Ya tightly.
"Clearly, I am Consort Ya's man."
These words immediately caused another uproar among the crowd.
To openly declare such a thing required great courage and boldness.
Leiler's face twisted with rage: "Impossible! Don't try to fool me!"
"What kind of monster are you? What kind of face do you have that I would bother to deceive you? Goblins should just stay in their caves and not come out looking for trouble." Xiao Li said disdainfully.
"You dare to call me a monster? Do you know who I am? With just one word from me, there'll be no place for you in the entire Imperial Capital!" Leiler's face flushed with anger. Then he turned to Consort Ya and said,
"Consort Ya, even if you use this method as an excuse, it's useless. You can't fool me. This person must be someone you hired to put on a show and deceive me."
"Why don't you listen when spoken to properly?" Xiao Li sighed, shaking his head helplessly.
"Fei'er, let's show him."
"How do we show him?" Consort Ya was startled, and then her red lips were kissed by Xiao Li.
Mmm... Her eyes widened, completely caught off guard.
There are so many people here... This guy is crazy!
Consort Ya pounded Xiao Li's chest, finding it futile. Instead, it only invited a more dominant kiss, so she had to give up.
After a long kiss, Xiao Li released the blushing woman and smiled at the dumbfounded Leiler: "How about it, envious?"
"You, you pair of scoundrels!" Leiler's anger surged, and he couldn't help but curse.
"Slap!"
Xiao Li slapped him from a distance, and five red finger marks immediately appeared on Leiler's face.
"Didn't your parents teach you to respect people? Or do you not have parents?"
"Damn it, you actually dared to hit me? I think you're tired of living!" Leiler cursed loudly.
Then, Xiao Li delivered another "slap," leaving a handprint on his other cheek.
Perfectly symmetrical on both sides.
"You..." Leiler was completely stunned by the beating.
"You just wait!"
He turned and left with a look of resentment.
"His grandfather is one of our family's elders and has powerful backing, which is why he's always been disrespectful to me. And because I have no backing, I didn't dare to go too far against him." Consort Ya lowered her head slightly.
If there were elders in the family willing to support her, she wouldn't be bullied like this.
Xiao Li took her hand and said softly, "Now, I am your backing."
Feeling the warmth in her palm, Consort Ya held his hand tightly, revealing a captivating smile.
"Mm, you are my backing."
...The two waited quietly backstage at the auction.
Soon, Leiler returned.
He also brought a few people with him.
One was Leiler's grandfather, Elder Leo!
And the other was the Mittel Family's Grand Elder—Miter Tengshan!
"Grandpa, Grand Elder, this is the person who not only hooked up with Consort Ya but also hit me! In my opinion, Consort Ya's position as chief auctioneer should also be directly removed." Leiler pointed at Xiao Li, his eyes fierce as he spoke.
"Consort Ya, the Council of Elders already has doubts about your qualifications and your position as chief auctioneer. Now you're even colluding with outsiders to bully your own clansmen." Leo stated with certainty, and at the same time, he said to Miter Tengshan, who was beside him,
"Grand Elder, I think we should issue an order immediately to remove Consort Ya from her position as chief auctioneer. Someone who colludes with outsiders to bully her own clansmen is not fit to be the chief auctioneer."
"Consort Ya, what's going on?" Miter Tengshan also asked.
He had been helping Consort Ya withstand the pressure from the Council of Elders to keep her position as chief auctioneer.
But now, with such a big incident, he alone could no longer suppress the Council of Elders' opinions.
"Grand Elder, Leiler used foul language and tried to lay his hands on me, so Xiao Li merely taught him a lesson. He brought this upon himself." Consort Ya retorted reasonably.
She was never a weak woman who would let herself be bullied, and now with Xiao Li by her side, she felt even more confident.
"Nonsense! When did I lay my hands on you? It was you two scoundrels who did shameless things in broad daylight! If you don't believe me, ask the others; they all saw it with their own eyes!" Leiler bit back.
"You!"
Consort Ya wanted to curse him, but Xiao Li reached out and pulled her back.
Then, he raised his hand and delivered another slap to Leiler's face from a distance, knocking out several of his teeth on the spot, causing him to spit blood.
"Did you forget the lesson I gave you just now? You're so ill-mannered; I'll teach you a lesson on behalf of your elders."
...