Lu Xi didn’t recognize Xiao Feiyuan at first.

Even back then, she had no impression of his forgettable face. They had barely exchanged a few words, let alone met properly.

She instinctively assumed he was acquainted with Xie Yizhao and had come over to talk to her because of that. Though she found it a bit strange, she still gave him a polite smile.

Seeing her remain silent, Xiao Feiyuan spoke again, “You are… Lu Xi, right? You really don’t remember me?”

Lu Xi was momentarily stunned.

Judging by his tone, he seemed to recognize her, which made his words feel oddly deliberate.

This was the second person, after Ye Sisheng, who recognized her while she had no recollection of them. But unlike Ye Sisheng—who had seemed a little strange at first but hadn’t made her uncomfortable—this guy…

There was something off about him. The sleazy expression on his face made him even more repulsive.

Lu Xi coldly replied, “I don’t know you.”

She didn’t even bother picking up the cocktail pearl she had been reaching for and turned to leave.

However, just as she passed by Xiao Feiyuan, a breeze from the window carried a strange scent to her nose.

It wasn’t exactly foul, nor was it a normal kind of fragrance.

As she walked toward Xie Yizhao, her steps faltered slightly as a realization struck her.

This smell?

She didn’t remember his face, but she did recall someone with an odd smell clinging to them. Something her classmates had noticed too.

Unable to resist, she glanced back at him.

At that moment, Xie Yizhao noticed her reaction. He said something to his friends before striding over.

“What’s wrong?” Xie Yizhao looked at her with concern, then followed her gaze to Xiao Feiyuan, who had been staring at Lu Xi but quickly averted his eyes when he saw Xie Yizhao approach. “Do you know him?”

Lu Xi nodded. “I think he was a classmate from university.”

She paused, trying to recall his name but failing. So, she turned to Xie Yizhao and asked, “Do you recognize him?”

Xie Yizhao silently shook his head.

At this kind of banquet, he didn’t know everyone, but at the very least, this person had no business dealings with the Xie family.

Since Lu Xi didn’t seem to care much, Xie Yizhao didn’t dwell on it.

Still, he remained cautious.

There was security at the entrance, but he had also brought two bodyguards disguised as regular guests to handle any unexpected situations.

One stayed by Xie Heng’s side.

The other was discreetly instructed to keep an eye on Lu Xi. If she left his line of sight, at least someone would be there to protect her.

Neither Lu Xi nor Xie Heng knew about this arrangement.

Lu Xi found this banquet much more enjoyable than the one at the Ye family she had attended with Xie Yizhao last time. The guests were all pleasant and well-mannered—no troublemakers, no prying eyes sizing her up as if she were some rare exhibit in a zoo.

On the contrary, she had gotten to know quite a few prominent ladies in the circle. Some were old acquaintances she reconnected with because of Xie Heng.

Women simply had more fun together.

At the very least, they had plenty to talk about.

After eating, Lu Xi was invited to a private lounge upstairs to chat with the other women, where she heard plenty of gossip from their social circle.

She only listened, rarely spoke. Since she wasn’t deeply involved in the scene, she didn’t know much. Just keeping up with what others were saying was already a challenge.

Soon, the conversation shifted to a new topic.

Mrs. Yin brought up a fashion show in Paris next month and invited everyone to attend.

“It’s always more fun with a group. We can take my family’s private jet,” Mrs. Yin smiled at Lu Xi. “I remember Mrs. Xie is a fashion designer? That’s perfect—come with us! You have a great eye. You can help us pick out some outfits.”

Back in the day, Lu Xi often traveled abroad for fashion shows. To her, they were just shopping trips—she’d spot a piece she liked and place an order right away. Afterward, she’d visit exclusive jewelry exhibitions or auctions, buying whatever caught her fancy before heading home.

The Yin family was close to Xie Yizhao and held shares in Xie Corporation. Perhaps because of this connection, Mrs. Yin was especially attentive to Lu Xi. She made sure Lu Xi wasn’t bored, personally showing her around the grand estate-turned-hotel and including her in conversations.

Lu Xi considered the invitation but didn’t accept immediately. Still, she responded candidly, “Alright. If I decide to go, I’ll let you know three days in advance.”

In the past, she wouldn’t have hesitated.

But now, she had a job. She wasn’t as idle or as free as she used to be.

Also present was Zheng Suxin, with whom Lu Xi had grown close. Zheng Suxin was pleased with the evening gown Lu Xi had designed for her and planned to wear it to her upcoming birthday banquet, where Lu Xi would also be attending.

Zheng Suxin raised her champagne glass and smiled at Lu Xi. “She really does have a great eye. Just look at Mr. Xie and Young Master Xie today—I’m sure she picked out their outfits.”

The ladies all chuckled.

They had always agreed that the men of the Xie family were exceptionally handsome, but today, they seemed particularly striking. Xie Heng’s outfit was both formal and youthful, drawing the attention of many daughters from prestigious families.

Lu Xi blinked playfully. “If I’m going to bring them out, they better not embarrass me, right?”

The women found her words amusing and laughed.

Then, thinking about their own husbands—who didn’t always dress well—they couldn’t help but look a little exasperated.

Thinking about it again, she felt that Lu Xi was quite fortunate to have married Xie Yizhao. The two of them looked well-matched, and their relationship seemed good. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be wearing the clothes she had picked out for him.

As for the young master of the Xie family, such a rebellious child that even Xie Yizhao couldn’t control, yet he got along well with Lu Xi.

Not long ago, Lu Xi participated in a competition, and Xie Heng personally took to the stage to model for her, helping her gain votes. He even brought her flowers, leaving many people stunned.

Winning over Xie Yizhao was one thing. After all, rekindling an old flame wasn’t too surprising. But managing to tame the rebellious young master? Now that took real skill.

In truth, these wealthy ladies loved to gossip. In private, they often discussed Xie Yizhao and his newlywed wife, quite curious about their married life.

But no matter how much they talked, they never managed to dig up much.

Now that they were face-to-face with the person in question, none of them would dare ask outright—they weren’t that foolish.

Even if their curiosity was eating them up, at most, they’d just find a roundabout way to probe.

For example, one of them, Mrs. Xia, looked at Lu Xi and asked, “By the way, you and Mr. Xie have been married for a while now. Any good news?”

Lu Xi was momentarily stunned. “What good news?”

Seeing that Lu Xi didn’t get it, Mrs. Xia chuckled and said, “A baby, of course. You’re still young, haven’t you considered having another one?”

Uh…

Lu Xi hadn’t expected to be asked such a question. Who was this woman? Wasn’t she a bit too bold?

She was speechless for a moment, her expression turning slightly colder. “Not for now.”

Not only Lu Xi, but the other ladies also found the question rather odd.

What was Mrs. Xia doing? The couple hadn’t even been married that long, and she was already urging them to have a baby? Gossiping was one thing, but she needed to recognize her own place.

Yet, Mrs. Xia seemed oblivious to the shift in atmosphere. Speaking in a tone of an elder advising a junior, she continued, “You’re really carefree. While Mr. Xie is still young and his son is still growing up, you should hurry and have another child. If you wait until Xie Heng is all grown up, it’ll be too late.”

Lu Xi : “…”

She wanted to sigh.

She wasn’t sure if this woman lacked tact or was just too meddlesome. While it sounded like she had Lu Xi’s best interests at heart, the whole thing felt off.

Thankfully, she was Xie Heng’s biological mother. If she had been a stepmother, wouldn’t this have been an attempt to sow discord between her and Xie Heng?

Lu Xi’s smile faded slightly. She replied calmly, “One son is already enough trouble. Even if I were to have another child, it would be a daughter.”

Daughters were sweet and adorable—she could dress them up every day.

Who needed another bratty son?

Her expression and tone remained elegant, but everyone caught the underlying message. Sensing the tension, Mrs. Yin quickly changed the subject, suggesting they go downstairs for some fresh air and visit her glass greenhouse to admire the flowers.

Those who were close to Lu Xi walked with her at the front.

Mrs. Xia, realizing that Lu Xi had subtly rebuffed her, was displeased. She deliberately kept her distance and muttered to the woman next to her, “Not very bright, is she? Talking about daughters… She may be young and beautiful now, and Mr. Xie may spoil her, but that won’t last forever. Without a son, let’s see what she’ll do in the future.”

The other lady found this remark utterly ridiculous.

The Xia family wasn’t doing particularly well these days, and Mrs. Xia’s own son was a failure. What business did she have telling others whether or not to have a son? Was she stuck in the Qing Dynasty?

She had no interest in associating with Mrs. Xia, fearing it would bring down her own status, so she quickly caught up with the main group.

Lu Xi and the others arrived on the first floor, stepping out into the villa’s courtyard.

The estate was vast. There was a tennis court to the east, while the south side, where they were, featured a swimming pool and a greenhouse filled with various types of roses.

Mrs. Yin smiled as she explained, “I love roses. I have a dedicated gardener to take care of them, so they bloom beautifully even in winter.”

Lu Xi recognized several varieties that she also had in her own greenhouse.

She had been slightly annoyed by Mrs. Xia’s nosy questioning earlier, but seeing these beautiful flowers put her back in a good mood.

At that moment, her phone rang.

She glanced at the screen and was slightly surprised.

Xie Yizhao?

Mrs. Yin, who happened to see the caller ID, chuckled. “Oh my, Mr. Xie really can’t be away from you for long. It’s only been half an hour, and he’s already calling.”

Lu Xi smiled and replied openly, “Yes, he’s a little clingy.”

After showing off their affection, she walked out of the greenhouse to take the call, leaving the other ladies speechless at the blatant display of romance.

On the phone, Xie Yizhao asked where she was and whether she was having a good time with her friends.

Lu Xi suddenly thought back to her playful remark about him being clingy. Maybe it wasn’t entirely wrong.

“I’m in the courtyard, by the greenhouse. It’s alright,” Lu Xi said after a pause, before adding, a little pettily, “But I did run into someone annoying who asked me a strange question.”

In the background of the call, she could hear the sound of string instruments. He was probably still at the banquet.

Xie Yizhao chuckled. “Tell me about it.”

Lu Xi then recounted Mrs. Xia’s remarks about having another child, her tone carrying a hint of grievance.

After listening, Xie Yizhao found her reaction rather adorable.

“You’re right, a daughter would be better,” he said, his voice dropping slightly. “But… it’s not something to rush.”

Lu Xi paused for a moment.

Then, as she thought about what he meant, the corners of her lips curled up slightly.

---

Xie Yizhao merely turned his head back in silence, then let out a muted chuckle. Still, he cooperated and followed Lu Xi.

He didn’t really mind.

He just found it quite amusing to see his wife fleeing in panic from a group of little kids.

Once they successfully escaped, Lu Xi finally let out a sigh of relief. “That scared me to death.”

She absolutely did not want to be hugged around the leg and called ‘Mommy’ in front of a crowd.

Xie Yizhao raised an eyebrow. “Just a few kids, and you’re this scared?”

Lu Xi shot him a sidelong glance. “If they hugged your leg and called you ‘Daddy,’ you’d know what’s up.”

…?

Xie Yizhao didn’t get the joke.

Lu Xi didn’t bother explaining either. Instead, she glanced over at Xie Heng, who was surrounded by a group of children. He was tall, strong, and capable, yet looking utterly pitiful. Shaking her head sympathetically, she simply informed him that those twins were the kids he had saved last time.

“But how did they end up here?” Lu Xi asked.

Xie Yizhao hadn’t seen the two kids before, but he recognized their grandfather. Smiling, he replied, “Probably brought here by Elder Zhou—Zhou Yueheng. He was invited to the banquet tonight.”

Hearing that, Lu Xi immediately understood.

Zhou Yueheng, a media tycoon in China, had built his empire from scratch. She had even read his biography as a child.

And she was right—the twins’ grandfather was indeed him.

Lu Xi was just debating whether to go and rescue Xie Heng, who looked pretty miserable in his current predicament.

Before she could act, however, she spotted Zhou Yueheng approaching.

He walked over alongside the host of the banquet and greeted Xie Yizhao. Upon seeing Lu Xi, the elderly man was quite warm. “This must be Mrs. Xie? We spoke on the phone last time. I just returned yesterday and haven’t had a chance to treat you all to a meal yet.”

Lu Xi noted that the elderly man looked energetic and kind, which made her feel an immediate sense of goodwill. “You’re too polite.”

“No, no, it’s the least I can do. If it weren’t for your son’s bravery, my two grandkids wouldn’t have just lost their belongings, they might have gotten hurt as well.”

Yin Zongming, who had been listening in, was taken aback. He wasn’t aware of this incident, but from the way it sounded, it must have been a big deal. Bravery? How was this connected to Xie Yizhao’s son?

Wasn’t his kid supposed to be a school tyrant…?

Totally confused, Yin Zongming couldn’t help but ask for details.

Zhou Yueheng, however, didn’t seem embarrassed about it. After all, kids were young and prone to trouble. So he simply gave a concise version of the alleyway incident, leaving out the more dramatic parts.

Hearing the story, Yin Zongming was left utterly speechless.

The twins from the Zhou family were infamous for their mischief. Everyone in their social circle knew that. But running away from home and nearly getting robbed? How were they going to turn out when they grew up?

Then again, thinking about his own granddaughter—also spoiled since birth, mischievous as ever, and capable of screaming so loud it could make one’s eardrums ache—he couldn’t even comment.

At that moment, Yin Zongming felt a mix of sympathy for Elder Zhou and for himself. He was at a loss for words.

His gaze drifted toward Xie Yizhao and his young wife, and suddenly, an overwhelming sense of envy washed over him.

Their kid was already in high school. No matter how rebellious, he was at least grown. He wouldn’t be throwing tantrums or rolling on the ground anymore. That had to be so much easier.

Meanwhile, he still had another ten years to go. Just thinking about it made him sigh.

“By the way, where’s Xiao Heng? Why didn’t you bring him over?” Yin Zongming asked.

Zhou Yueheng’s cloudy eyes suddenly brightened. “Yes! I’d love to thank him in person.”

It was obvious that he, too, was very interested in the young Xie Heng. His grandkids had been talking about ‘that Brother’ nonstop, full of admiration.

He wanted to meet this boy himself.

Xie Yizhao chuckled and glanced toward the entrance. “Over there. Seems like he’s… playing with your grandkids.”

Both Zhou Yueheng and Yin Zongming immediately turned to look.

At the entrance, a tall teenage boy stood surrounded by nearly ten little kids, all chattering non-stop.

The boy looked utterly helpless, even a little pitiful.

“Ah… ha, ha, ha…” The two elders couldn’t help but chuckle, amused yet exasperated.

Who would have thought the eldest Xie kid would get mobbed by a bunch of children?

While the adults were enjoying the scene, Xie Heng was absolutely suffering. He wanted to leave, but he couldn’t move too much. Otherwise, he might accidentally step on one of these tiny humans.

Even when he tried to shuffle a few steps away, they quickly followed, crowding around him, gazing up at him with curiosity like he was some sort of rare creature.

Xie Heng was on the verge of a meltdown.

These kids were way too noisy. Someone even asked if his blue hair was dyed or a wig.

Unbelievable.

If he had known this would happen, he wouldn’t have come… Why did his Dad agree to bring him here, anyway?

Oh, right—probably because of Mrs. Lu.

Xie Heng’s expression turned dazed for a moment, unsure whom to blame.

Frowning, he suddenly sensed something. Looking up, he saw four people watching him from a distance, smiles on their faces.

His face instantly turned red.

Half from embarrassment, half from anger.

With a cold snort, he turned his head away, refusing to look at them.

He had seen it just now. Ms. Lu had grabbed Old Xie and bolted, running away as fast as she could without a care for his predicament.

He would remember this grudge.

From now on, he would make sure to be a third wheel more often. And the next time Ms. Lu asked him to buy bubble tea or fried chicken?

He would at least reject her three times.

Xie Heng plotted in silence.

At that moment, a little girl tugged at his clothes. Her big eyes sparkled as she smiled and said, “Brother, I have lots of fun toys at home, and I’ll let you play with all of them!”

Xie Heng : “…What kind of toys do you have? Tell me.”

The girl’s name was Yin Suixue, the birthday girl of the night. She was adorably delicate, especially when she wasn’t causing a fuss, making her seem extra well-behaved.

She counted on her fingers, listing them off like treasures. “There’s an automatic bubble machine, Barbie dolls, a toy train, and a drone…”

Xie Heng rubbed his ear and rejected her offer in the most straightforward way possible. “I don’t play with toys. You guys go ahead.”

Zhou Ning clapped her hands and jumped excitedly, giggling. “Then let’s play house!”

Xie Heng felt a headache coming on and was about to refuse when Zhou Ning beamed at him and said, “Brother, how about you play the police?”

He froze for a second. Somehow, he found himself unable to say no.

Damn it. It was even a little tempting.

Not that it was a big deal. After all, the banquet was boring anyway. He cleared his throat and looked down at them. “If I play the police, what will you all be?”

Zhou Ning, always the quickest thinker, raised her little hand. “We’ll be kids getting bullied by a bad guy and coming to the police for help!”

“Then who’s going to be the bad guy?” Xie Heng’s gaze casually drifted toward Lu Xi.

He wouldn’t mind if she played the role.

But before the thought could settle, the kids were already arguing.

“You be the bad guy!”

“No way! I’m only playing the princess. You be the bad guy!”

“I’m the birthday girl today! I’m not a bad guy!”

The chatter buzzed so loudly it made his head throb.

“Enough! Quiet down!” Xie Heng’s expression darkened as he put on a serious tone. “Listen to the police. If you keep arguing, I won’t catch the bad guy for you.”

He played the role convincingly. For some reason, despite his strange blue hair, the kids all took Zhou Ning’s words at face value—if she said he was a police officer, then he was!

Because he looked just like the ones on TV!

Immediately, the kids fell silent, afraid that their Brother wouldn’t play with them anymore.

Finally, some peace. Xie Heng ushered them along like a shepherd herding ducks. “Come on, let’s go outside and find the bad guy.”

Yin Suixue laughed happily, pulling Xie Heng toward the back of the banquet hall. “I know this place well! Follow me, I’ll take you where there are lots of people!”

And so, Xie Heng was escorted out of the banquet hall by a group of little troublemakers.

Maybe he should organize them properly. He really did look like an oversized leader of kids.

As he passed Lu Xi and Xie Yizhao, he noticed Lu Xi curiously winking at him. Acting cocky, he turned his head away on purpose, pretending not to see her.

Meanwhile, the four adults and the rest of the guests in the banquet hall watched in stunned silence.

Wasn’t that the rebellious son of the Xie family?

Since when did he get along with a bunch of kids?

Someone with sharp eyes had noticed that it was Zhou Yueheng’s two grandchildren who first approached Xie Heng. While the details were unclear, many of the guests speculated. Had the two families struck some major business deal in private?

Or were they about to collaborate on a big project?

If that were the case, these two families would become even more formidable.

While the adults speculated endlessly, the children’s thoughts remained pure—they were just focused on playing house.

Even Xie Heng, who found it childish, felt unexpectedly at ease as he followed the children from the banquet hall into a spacious, beautifully landscaped courtyard.

But now… where were they supposed to find a bad guy?

Xie Heng lowered his head in thought. Should he call one of his family’s bodyguards over to play the role? They all kind of looked the part.

Just then, something thudded to the ground a few steps ahead of him.

The children, laughing just a moment ago, yelped and quickly hid behind Xie Heng.

Frowning, he glanced down. It was a tennis ball. Looking up, he spotted a familiar face.

To be precise, an old rival.

Yin Yu approached with a blank expression, chewing on something before spitting it out onto the ground. His tone was full of provocation. “Well, if it isn’t Xie Heng. What a coincidence.”

“You got a screw loose? Throwing things around like that, are you asking for a beating?”

Yin Yu laughed. “This is my Third Granduncle’s house. You think you can beat me up here? You think this is your turf?”

Xie Heng scoffed, clearly impatient. “Did getting your ass kicked before make you forget? Want me to help refresh your memory?”

With that, he kicked the ball hard. It flew straight toward Yin Yu’s shin with perfect aim.

Yin Yu winced in pain, nearly falling to his knees.

Hearing Xie Heng’s words and feeling the sting in his leg, his face twisted with embarrassment.

Back in middle school, he had fought Xie Heng several times but never won. Xie Heng was too strong—he had never gotten the upper hand even once. Feeling humiliated, he had eventually transferred schools.

Now, running into Xie Heng again out of nowhere, all those shameful memories resurfaced. He couldn’t resist picking a fight.

After all, this was the Yin family’s home. He refused to believe Xie Heng would dare lay a hand on him here.

Just then, the real little princess of the Yin family, Yin Suixue, stepped forward, pointing at him unhappily. “This isn’t your turf, it’s my house! You almost hit me with that! Police Brother, he’s the bad guy—arrest him!”

Although Yin Suixue was young, she really didn’t like this cousin.

A child’s likes and dislikes were based purely on intuition, and she always felt that this cousin had an annoying face and a sleazy demeanor, always bragging.

But this other Brother was different. He looked like a good person at first glance!

Yin Yu was furious. He might not be able to beat Xie Heng, but could he not even handle a little brat? He charged forward, ready to hit Yin Suixue.

Xie Heng’s expression darkened. He grabbed Yin Yu by the collar and lifted him clean off the ground.

Yin Yu wasn’t even 1.75 meters tall, and in front of Xie Heng, he seemed rather short.

Xie Heng raised his left fist and swung it straight toward Yin Yu.

Yin Yu had tasted this man’s punches before—each one landed solidly, and the pain was unbearable. His face turned pale, and he shut his eyes in fear.

The children nearby were stunned but quickly started jumping and cheering.

“Police Brother, hit him! Hit him!”

“He’s a bad guy!”

However, Xie Heng’s fist stopped just three centimeters away from Yin Yu’s face.

He let out a disdainful scoff and released his grip, letting Yin Yu crash onto the ground.

“Hitting you would just dirty my hands. Get lost.”

Realizing what had happened, Yin Yu’s face turned red and white in anger, but he didn’t dare cause more trouble. Seething with resentment, he stormed off.

Xie Heng wasn’t stupid. If he had to fight, he certainly wouldn’t do it at the Yin family banquet.

That would just embarrass Old Xie and Ms. Lu.

After what happened at the police station that day, he wasn’t as impulsive anymore.

Throwing a punch was easy—painless for him—but the aftermath would only cause trouble for himself and his family.

Yin Suixue looked at Xie Heng with big, expectant eyes. “Police Brother, why didn’t you hit him?”

Xie Heng thought for a moment, then gave a faint smile. He patted her little head and, imitating his father’s deep and mature tone, said, “Police officers can’t just fight recklessly. You kids can’t either. If you run into bad people, tell your parents or find a police officer, okay?”

The little ones nodded in bewildered agreement.

Xie Heng felt particularly satisfied, thinking he had matured just a tiny bit more today.

What he didn’t expect was that while he had held back from fighting, his old man actually went ahead and did it.

---

When Lu Xi was approached by Xiao Feiyuan, she didn’t recognize him at first.

Not because her memory was bad. She just wasn’t familiar with him.

Xiao Feiyuan had been her senior in university and had pursued her for a long time, but he had never succeeded in getting a single date. After graduation, they lost contact.

Tonight’s banquet was a buffet-style event, which Lu Xi loved. She could pick whatever she liked and take it back to the table to eat.

She had originally been with Xie Yizhao, but he was suddenly pulled aside by a few acquaintances. Lu Xi didn’t bother waiting for him and went off to get food on her own.

That was when Xiao Feiyuan appeared.

“Hello, you’re Mrs. Xie, right? Do you remember me?”

Lu Xi had just arrived at the bar, where she spotted molecular cocktails—those little sphere-like ones—and couldn’t help but feel tempted.

Just as she was about to sneak one while Xie Yizhao wasn’t looking, a big face suddenly appeared beside her, nearly making her drop her plate.

—Dude, who the hell are you?

With his rough pores, acne-covered face, slicked-back hair, and an unsettling smirk, he was downright greasy.

---

However, this betrayal could not go unanswered.

After all, Lu Xi was someone who believed in returning favors.

Moreover, there should be no overnight grudges between husband and wife.

Lu Xi quickly came up with a countermeasure, ready to ‘return the favor’ to Xie Yizhao.

So, she shut down her computer, went downstairs immediately, and asked the kitchen to make her a late-night snack as well. When the fresh meat wontons arrived, she used the excuse that the portion was too much for her to finish alone and called Xie Yizhao down to help her eat the other half.

Xie Yizhao didn’t have the habit of eating late-night snacks.

But once or twice wouldn’t matter.

He sat down, picked up his chopsticks, and the family of three gazed out at the night outside the window. Xie Heng started talking about what happened at school that day. The other delinquents who had run off yesterday had been called to school by Officer Zhang to apologize to him.

Lu Xi listened with a smile, while Xie Yizhao also looked relaxed. The atmosphere was warm and harmonious.

At this moment, Xie Yizhao had no idea about Lu Xi’s scheme.

But soon, Lu Xi couldn’t hold back and asked, “By the way, the banquet you mentioned last time, when is it?”

Xie Yichao : “Sunday.”

Lu Xi’s eyes lit up. “Perfect! Xiao Heng has a day off on Sunday. Do you want to go out with us?”

Xie Heng didn’t even think before responding, “Sure! Take me with you.”

Xie Yizhao’s gaze paused. He put down his chopsticks and first looked at his wife, whose expression clearly showed she was pleased with herself. Without saying anything, he then shifted his gaze to his son, his eyes turning a little cold.

The blue-haired kid, who was focused on his wontons, didn’t notice the chill emanating from his Dad.

All he was thinking was : These wontons are so good, I could eat three big bowls. How come Ms. Lu’s appetite is so small? No wonder she’s so skinny.

Just then, he heard his Dad speak in a deep voice, “Don’t you have studying to do on Sunday?”

Xie Heng froze. “It’s just one day, not a big deal.”

It’s not like the next day is college entrance exam.

“And… don’t you have basketball with your friends?” Xie Yizhao asked again.

Xie Heng gave the same answer—it’s just one day. “I can play basketball anytime.” After speaking, he suddenly realized something was off. He put down his chopsticks, frowned at Xie Yizhao, and asked, “You don’t want to take me, do you?”

Xie Yizhao remained silent, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.

Xie Heng was immediately annoyed. He turned to Lu Xi, his eyes full of grievance and dissatisfaction.

“If your Dad doesn’t want to take you, then there’s nothing we can do. Xiao Heng, you’ll just have to accept it,” Lu Xi said helplessly, shaking her head.

Even she felt a little guilty about how mischievous she was being.

But she was having too much fun.

Let’s go! Let’s get this fight started!

This household couldn’t just have her being the only one getting pranked. Their son was both of theirs, so Xie Yizhao had to share the suffering too.

Xie Heng pouted and quickly finished the rest of his food. He stood up and said in a deliberately sarcastic tone, “Fine, if you don’t want to take me, then don’t. I don’t even want to go.”

“Oh, by the way—” He cast a resentful glance at Xie Yizhao. “From now on, when I go out with Ms. Lu, we won’t take you either.”

Xie Yizhao : “…”

He was momentarily speechless.

Out of nowhere, he suddenly remembered how his son used to clutch his teddy bear as a child.

Back then, if he accidentally knocked his bear off the bed while sleeping and couldn’t find it in the morning, he’d cry his eyes out.

Maybe, even from a young age, Xie Heng was someone who feared loneliness and needed company.

Now that he was older, he was still just a kid in his Dad’s eyes.

Xie Yizhao couldn’t help but wonder. Had he been too strict and distant with him all this time? Was that why Xie Heng was closer to Lu Xi?

Feeling a little helpless, he finally said, “When did I say I wouldn’t take you? If you want to go, then come with us on Sunday.”

Xie Heng’s ears perked up, and he immediately turned around, his eyes sparkling. “Great!”

Xie Yizhao added, “Just don’t wander off. Stay with us.”

“…?” Xie Heng was speechless.

Wander off? What is he, a three-year-old?

Besides, if he doesn’t stick with them, is he supposed to follow some other random parents around?

And just like that, the late-night snack concluded peacefully.

Xie Heng was happy, Xie Yizhao was fine, and only Lu Xi was slightly disappointed.

The father and son’s fighting spirit had weakened lately. She hadn’t even gotten enough entertainment before they just… made peace.

Lu Xi : This show is boring. It was a bad move.

After supper, everyone went back to their rooms. At the elevator on the second floor, Xie Heng waved at Lu Xi and Xie Yizhao before dashing into his room.

The elevator doors closed and continued upward, stopping at the third floor.

Just as Lu Xi was about to step out, she suddenly felt warmth at the back of her neck—someone had gently pinched it.

“…What are you doing?” She felt like a cat being grabbed by the scruff.

Xie Yizhao didn’t apply any pressure, just placed his hand there lightly, as if giving her a relaxing massage. His touch was soft and gentle.

Normally, Lu Xi loved massages, but right now, for some reason, she instinctively shrank her neck.

It tickled a little.

Behind her, Xie Yizhao sighed softly. “First time realizing how vengeful my wife can be.”

Lu Xi bit her lip and countered without backing down, “Same here. I learned it from you, Mr. Xie.”

Xie Yizhao chuckled. “Alright, my fault. Then I surrender. Shall we call a truce?”

“Hm? Did we ever have a conflict?”

Once the time was up and no one exited, the elevator doors closed and remained on that floor. Lu Xi blinked at her reflection in the elevator mirror.

Her round almond eyes widened, giving her an innocent and adorable look.

A faint smile appeared in Xie Yizhao’s eyes as well. “Yeah, no conflict. Shall we shake hands and make peace?”

Lu Xi reached her hand behind her, only for it to be quickly grasped by the man.

She had assumed he genuinely wanted a handshake, but unexpectedly, Xie Yizhao hooked their fingers together, slowly intertwining them, even lightly pinching the soft flesh of her fingertip.

The atmosphere suddenly turned ambiguous.

Before Lu Xi could fully register what was happening, Xie Yizhao had already wrapped an arm around her waist, lowered his head, and gently kissed her.

Her heart pounded wildly as she whispered, “You tell me first, does this elevator have surveillance cameras?”

It does.

There were none in the rest of the house, but the elevator had them, along with the courtyard outside.

Xie Yizhao chuckled softly. “I’ll have them removed tomorrow.”

Lu Xi : …Alright, domineering CEO Xie had spoken. She decided it was best to pretend she knew nothing.

Very soon, it was Sunday—the day of the banquet.

It wasn’t until the night before that Lu Xi remembered to ask Xie Yizhao which event they were attending.

Xie Yizhao told her it was for the fifth birthday celebration of the granddaughter of Mr. Yin, an elder shareholder of Xie Corporation. Because Mr. Yin had been a great help when Xie Yizhao returned to take charge of the company, he decided to attend as a show of gratitude.

Lu Xi nodded in understanding.

Indeed, under normal circumstances, a child’s birthday party wouldn’t be able to invite someone like him. Xie Yizhao simply wouldn’t be interested.

And since it was an important occasion, guests were expected to dress formally, even the children.

Which meant… it was time for Lu Xi to shine.

She prepared outfits for the two men. Xie Yizhao was a matter of course, and also Xie Heng, who needed to wear a suit today as well.

Lu Xi had long wanted to see Xie Heng in a suit. He was tall and lean, with broad shoulders, a slim waist, and long legs—the perfect trio for a well-fitted suit.

Compared to Xie Yizhao’s, Xie Heng’s suit was slightly less formal, with a lighter-colored tie to emphasize his youthful charm.

This wasn’t the first time Xie Heng had been Lu Xi’s model, and by now, he no longer resisted.

Especially since, upon seeing himself in a suit for the first time, he had to admit—he looked quite good. More mature, even.

Teenagers at his age all yearned to grow up, eager to step into the world of adults.

Feeling pleased, Xie Heng couldn’t take his eyes off the mirror.

“Alright, little narcissist, have you looked enough?” Lu Xi teased. “Your Dad still looks the best in a suit, yet look how humble he is.”

Saying this, she linked arms with Xie Heng and pulled him to stand beside Xie Yizhao, linking her other arm through Xie Yizhao’s as well.

In the mirror, the three of them looked like a perfect family, an absolute sight to behold.

Lu Xi was wearing an avocado-green evening gown, the color vibrant and striking. The silky fabric shimmered under the light, so smooth that one might worry about leaving scratches on it with rough hands.

Her hair was elegantly pinned up, revealing her slender, graceful neck and shoulders. Her fair skin practically glowed, outshining even the sheen of her dress.

Xie Yizhao, dressed in a black suit, exuded maturity and composure. Black was a reserved, almost abstinent color, yet on him, it carried an understated sensuality.

Xie Heng sneaked a glance at his Dad.

Hmm… maybe his Dad was a bit more handsome.

Broader shoulders, taller frame… even his face seemed slightly better-looking.

Compared to his Dad, Xie Heng still seemed like a kid.

Determined to grow up and mature quickly, Xie Heng made a mental note, while Lu Xi, in high spirits, felt immensely proud to be stepping out with two such dashing gentlemen.

At around six o’clock, as night fell, the family of three arrived at the Yin residence.

Lu Xi held onto Xie Yizhao’s arm while Xie Heng followed closely behind.

Xie Heng already anticipated boredom.

He disliked these events. Always the same people, nothing interesting. He had only insisted on coming today to avoid being left behind by his parents.

Would anything fun happen today…?

Just as he was wondering, two children spotted him from a distance. Their eyes lit up, and they ran toward him, calling out excitedly.

“Brother!”

“Brother!”

They almost ran straight into him, and Xie Heng quickly reached out to steady them.

Recognizing their faces, he frowned.

These two troublemakers again? What were they doing at this party?

After making sure they stood properly, he asked, “What are you two doing here? Do your guardians know you’re here?”

“Of course!” they answered in unison.

Zhou Chi explained, “Our friend is having a birthday party, so we came to celebrate!”

Oh.

Xie Heng sighed in relief. At least they weren’t here uninvited.

“Alright then, be careful and go play somewhere else.” He was about to walk away when suddenly, the two kids clung to his legs, one on each side.

Zhou Ning’s face turned red with excitement as he loudly announced to a group of nearby children, “Come quick! This Brother will play with us! He’s our best friend!”

Xie Heng froze.

He watched in horror as a group of kids came running over, surrounding him and jumping excitedly.

His face turned green.

Lu Xi, witnessing the scene, was utterly stunned.

She had already seen the destructive power of those two little troublemakers before, but now there were at least ten of them…

Her scalp tingled. Without hesitation, she tightened her grip on Xie Yizhao’s arm and quickly slipped away, whispering urgently, “Let’s run before they notice us!”

---

Upon hearing this, Xie Yizhao pressed his lips together imperceptibly and asked with a subtle tone, “Really? I didn’t notice.”

Lu Xi couldn’t help but smile, her eyes curving into crescents.

She finally understood where Xie Heng got his tsundere personality from.

Sitting down on the sofa, she kept smiling at him, her bright eyes shimmering like stars. “Mr. Xie, have you ever heard of the phrase ‘the more you try to cover up, the more obvious it becomes’?”

Xie Yizhao hummed in response, raising an eyebrow at her. “I think I’ve heard it before, but I don’t quite understand. Could you explain it to me, Madam?”

Was he joking with her? Lu Xi blinked, deciding to skip the pretense and go straight to the point. Clearing her throat, she said, “It means that you and your son are both tsundere—clearly wanting to be close to each other but pretending not to care.”

No wonder their relationship had been so strained before.

But to say Xie Yizhao and Xie Heng had a terrible relationship wouldn’t be entirely accurate. Rather, they simply weren’t familiar with each other. Living under the same roof, they barely communicated, and whenever they sat together, even the air around them seemed to freeze.

That was Lu Xi’s impression when she had first arrived.

But lately, things had improved.

Even though they still didn’t talk much when sitting together, the atmosphere wasn’t as awkward as before.

Hearing her words, Xie Yizhao’s gaze paused, and he frowned slightly, as if seriously considering what she had said.

One good thing about this man was that he wasn’t arrogant. He could listen to others and reflect on their words.

Taking advantage of his moment of silence, Lu Xi suddenly remembered something and asked, “By the way, the picture of baby Heng with a pacifier, do you still have it?”

Xie Yizhao snapped out of his thoughts, momentarily stunned before chuckling. “Wait a moment.”

He went downstairs to his study, retrieved an old phone, plugged it in to charge, and after a few minutes, powered it on. He transferred the photo to his current phone and sent it to Lu Xi before even returning to the bedroom.

So when he walked back in a minute later, he was greeted by the sight of Lu Xi half-lying on the sofa, wearing a doting, love-struck smile.

She had expected it to be cute, but not this cute!

Lu Xi had seen plenty of Xie Heng’s childhood photos—at different ages, from babyhood to adolescence. Around middle school, his growth spurt had kicked in, and his chubby baby face had gradually disappeared, making him look cooler. But no matter what stage he was in, Lu Xi always found him adorable.

However, this particular photo—perhaps because she had never seen it before—hit her right in the heart.

In the picture, baby Xie Heng was sleeping on his side, hugging a plush teddy bear almost as big as himself. His chubby little body was wrapped in a diaper, and he had a pacifier in his mouth, his lips slightly wet.

His eyes were closed, and his lashes were so long that they looked unreal.

“He really looks like a little angel,” Lu Xi murmured, gently tapping the photo with her finger, her eyes sparkling. “I just want to hug him, pinch his cheeks, snatch away his teddy bear and pacifier, and make him cry!”

Xie Yizhao had been listening, finding her reaction rather sweet—until she suddenly switched gears. He blinked in surprise, then chuckled helplessly. “Trust me, you wouldn’t want to make him cry.”

Lu Xi blinked back. “Why not?”

Xie Yizhao said, “He used to cry all the time. If he woke up and didn’t see anyone, he cried. If he was hungry, he cried. If he was full, he cried. If people spoke too loudly, he cried. If no one spoke to him, he cried.”

Pfft—

Who would have thought that the little crybaby would grow up into a fierce fighter?

Truly, kids change so much as they grow.

Lu Xi suddenly felt a little regretful. She had missed out on his baby years, and now she could only look at old photos. She hadn’t been there to hold him when he cried.

She glanced at Xie Yizhao and suddenly felt unfairly treated.

Now she understood why he had been jealous earlier.

As they reminisced, Xie Yizhao’s usually stern face softened. “Actually, when he was little, Xiao Heng was very close to me.”

Lu Xi’s eyelids twitched, and she shot him an annoyed glare.

Saying that in front of her, wasn’t he just showing off?

Clearing her throat, she said nonchalantly, “Oh? But he likes me more now.”

Go ahead, be jealous again!

Xie Yizhao : “……”

He fell silent, lowering his gaze to look at her.

When he wasn’t talking or smiling, his expression was quite serious. If it were anyone else, they would probably tread carefully around him.

But Lu Xi wasn’t afraid. She got up, suppressing a smile, and headed for the bed.

Just as she was about to climb in, she was suddenly scooped up by the waist.

She gasped in surprise, but quickly gave up struggling. Instead, she pointed at the bed with an imperious expression. “Perfect timing. I’m too tired to walk—carry me over.”

Xie Yizhao glanced at the short distance between the sofa and the bed, pressed his lips together, then let out a low chuckle. Obediently, he carried her over.

Instead of leaving, he sat down beside her.

The bed was soft, and Lu Xi was light, so when he sat down, she naturally rolled slightly toward him.

Looking down at her, Xie Yizhao seemed like he wanted to say something. But then he recalled her smug expression earlier—both adorable and infuriating—so instead, he reached out and pinched her cheek. “You little ingrate.”

It was unclear whether he was talking about Xie Heng or about her.

Lu Xi simply pretended not to understand and changed the subject. “So, do you support it or not?”

Xie Yizhao: “I don’t know. What do you think?”

Lu Xi puffed up her cheeks, scrutinized him from head to toe, then huffed and turned her back on him.

She realized that Xie Yizhao had changed recently. Changed for the worse.

A chuckle came from behind her.

“Oh, right,” Lu Xi suddenly thought of something and turned to remind Xie Yizhao, “Don’t tell him you sent his photo. Otherwise, he’ll come asking me for mine.”

With that, she opened her tablet and continued watching her drama.

She trusted Xie Yizhao too much, believing he wouldn’t betray her. More importantly, those father and son didn’t usually chat much, so there was no chance of her secret being exposed.

But she overlooked one thing.

Xie Yizhao didn’t immediately agree to her request.

The next morning, Lu Xi was still sound asleep, unaware that the person beside her had already ruthlessly betrayed her.

As usual, Xie Yizhao went for a morning run, and Xie Heng left early for school. The father and son met on the stairs.

Normally, when Xie Heng saw his Dad, he wouldn’t even say greetings. He would just tilt his chin up, shove his hands in his pockets, and walk past quickly.

But this time, his pace slowed unconsciously, even falling slightly behind Xie Yizhao. In an awkward tone, tinged with the grogginess of sleep, he called out, “Dad.”

Xie Yizhao glanced back at him. “What time did you sleep last night?”

Xie Heng no longer needed to hide the fact that he was studying hard. He answered bluntly, “Around midnight.” After a pause, he glanced at his Dad’s silent profile and added, “I was doing practice papers, not playing games.”

Xie Yizhao smirked. “I know.”

Not only did he know, he had heard it.

Back when Xie Heng played games, there was always some noise.

Now, though, he was just as loud, if not louder.

Last night, after Lu Xi had fallen asleep, Xie Yizhao could still hear him downstairs.

—”Ugh, this is so hard!”
—”When I master this, I’m tearing up all these stupid papers!”

And so on.

Xie Yizhao wanted to laugh but somehow couldn’t. He simply nodded slightly and continued downstairs.

Lately, Xie Heng had been having breakfast at home before heading to school. When they reached the first floor, Xie Yizhao was heading out, while Xie Heng was about to turn toward the dining room.

“Wait a second.”

Xie Yizhao gave him a look, hesitated, then asked, “Is there anything you want to tell me?”

Xie Heng had completely forgotten about his verbal agreement with Lu Xi the night before. Even if he had remembered, he wouldn’t have thought she’d act so fast. His mind jumped straight to what happened at the police station.

Oh, right…

His Dad had taken care of things for him last night but hadn’t lectured him yet.

No matter the reason, he had gotten into a fight and wasted his Dad’s time.

The boy clenched his fingers slightly.

He should probably apologize.

“Well, uh… I was in the wrong for fighting yesterday. If this happens again, I’ll try to find Ms. Lu instead.”

Xie Yizhao : “…”

He couldn’t help it. He shot Xie Heng an exasperated look.

Xie Heng shrank back slightly, stunned.

His Dad was never one to show emotions openly. In all his years growing up, Xie Heng had never seen his Dad slam the table in anger. If his Dad was displeased, just one glance from his Dad was enough to make a person nervous from head to toe.

But… what did he say wrong?

The boy looked genuinely confused.

Xie Yizhao raised an eyebrow. “That’s it?”

“Huh?” Xie Heng thought about it, then cautiously added, “I’ll fight less in the future?”

Not fighting at all was impossible. Even if he didn’t pick fights, people would still mess with him. He wasn’t about to lie.

Xie Yizhao took a deep breath, pressing down the complicated emotions in his chest. He couldn’t be bothered to look at him anymore.

This unfilial son…

If he stared at this brat any longer, he might just smack the brat on the head to see if any water would spill out.

As he turned to leave, something suddenly occurred to him.

In a casual tone, he said, “Oh, by the way, last night I sent your Mom the pictures of you wearing a diaper and sucking on a pacifier.”

Xie Heng’s eyes widened. “Huh? Awesome! She lied to me. She hasn’t even sent her photo to me yet!”

“Is that so?” Xie Yizhao’s lips curled slightly, his mood instantly improving. “Ask her for them when you get home tonight.”

His Dad didn’t need to remind him—Xie Heng was definitely going to demand her photos. He wasn’t about to let someone else see his childhood embarrassments for free.

All day at school, this was on his mind.

As soon as he got home that evening, he went straight to the study.

Even his knocking was more urgent than usual.

Lu Xi opened the door and saw the boy standing there, looking less than pleased. He held out his hand toward her.

She raised an eyebrow. “If you’re asking for money, go find your Dad.”

Xie Heng snorted. “Don’t try to fool me, I already know. Hurry up and send me the photos.”

Lu Xi: “…”

By the time she reacted, her first instinct was to play dumb. But after taking a good look at him—his backpack still slung over his shoulders, clearly having come straight here after school—she realized he had been planning this all along.

Not just planning… probably even strategizing.

She pressed her lips together.

No need to ask, she already knew who had told him.

Unbelievable. That old man actually sold her out just to get closer to his son?

Blocked in the study, Lu Xi suddenly felt a deep sense of helplessness.

She had been betrayed.

Lu Xi glanced at the brat in front of her. She knew him too well. If she refused now, he would pester her to death.

“I need a few days to find them. I’ll pick a good one and send it to you,” she sighed in defeat.

Xie Heng thought for a moment. He didn’t push her too hard and simply nodded. “How many days?”

“Three.”

That finally got rid of him.

Lu Xi let out a breath of relief.

---

The mediation room was quiet at first.

Two police officers sat in the front, with the parents from both sides seated opposite each other, while the children stood.

As for the bodyguards, Xie Yizhao had dismissed them upon arrival and had no intention of blaming them for what happened tonight.

Due to limited seating, with only five chairs on each side, all the opposing parents had taken their seats. The remaining two parents, finding no place to sit, dragged over chairs from Xie Yizhao’s side.

This left empty space on his side, making Xie Heng the only child in the room who was seated.

A tacit boundary was drawn, like the Chu River and Han Border¹.

Officer Zhang was experienced in handling such matters. He got straight to the point. “Everyone here understands what happened. Both parents are present, and I will contact the families of those who ran off tomorrow. As for tonight, my suggestion is for both parties to reconcile and apologize to each other. They’re all minors, let’s not blow this out of proportion.”

One of the parents across the table chuckled. Unlike the more aggressive one earlier, he spoke politely, “An apology is no problem. But look at my son, and these kids, aren’t we going to discuss some form of compensation for their injuries?”

Other parents nodded in agreement.

As for those troublemakers, now emboldened by their parents, they finally felt some relief facing Xie Heng. Even if they knew they’d be scolded or punished at home later, at least for now, they had the upper hand.

So what if he was arrogant, provocative, or a great fighter? He’d still have to pay them compensation.

They had taken a beating today and lost face, but at least they could make sure Xie Heng didn’t walk away unscathed either!

Xie Heng frowned, tension tightening in his chest. His hand clenched into a fist on the table.

At that moment, Xie Yizhao glanced at him lightly.

Xie Heng pressed his lips together, swallowing the words he had been about to blurt out. His clenched fist loosened slightly.

Xie Yizhao ignored the parent who had spoken and turned to Officer Zhang. “Didn’t you say there’s surveillance footage? Play it, I’d like to see what actually happened.”

His voice was not loud, nor was it overbearing, yet there was an undeniable calm authority in his tone.

It was a kind of gravitas built over years, making anyone who heard him instinctively take him seriously.

Officer Zhang nodded and signaled the younger officer to play the footage.

The younger officer hesitated, glancing at Xie Yizhao. From this parent’s standpoint, it might be better not to watch the footage. After all, his son had beaten the others pretty badly. Wouldn’t playing it just work against him?

But Officer Zhang thought differently. He was more seasoned and had already guessed what the man was getting at. Casually, he sipped his tea.

The younger officer went to fetch the computer, where the video had already been saved.

Sure enough, as soon as he played it, the screen showed Xie Heng and his two friends punching and kicking the others. Xie Heng’s strikes were solid, Song Siyang favored kicks, and Xu Jiaming’s over-the-shoulder throw made a few parents’ pupils contract.

Even Xie Yizhao couldn’t help but glance at Xie Heng again.

It wasn’t the first time his Dad had seen him fight, but this time, he felt particularly guilty, unconsciously rubbing his ear.

One of the parents across the room couldn’t hold back and exaggeratedly exclaimed, “My god, that’s brutal! If I didn’t know better, I’d think they had some deep-seated grudge!”

Another chimed in, “Yeah, he’s just a high schooler! How does his family teach him?”

“If he seriously injures someone, even if you compensate with everything you have, it won’t be enough!”

…

Xie Heng ignored them and pointed at the screen. “The video didn’t start from the beginning. Play it from the start and watch the whole thing before talking.”

The young officer was taken aback. He suddenly realized—he had indeed started it midway.

He had watched the footage earlier and simply resumed playback from where he had left off. However, the software automatically continued from the last paused position, and he hadn’t noticed.

When he restarted it, the left-side camera facing the Mingli West Gate showed Xie Heng and two friends walking out.

They stood at the entrance, looking relaxed. There was no audio, but their expressions suggested that everything was calm.

Then, about ten boys suddenly rushed in from the right, surrounding Xie Heng and grabbing his clothes to drag him into an alley.

Song Siyang and Xu Jiaming quickly followed, standing by Xie Heng’s side.

One of the boys in the group, a cigarette between his lips, smirked provocatively at Xie Heng and flicked the cigarette butt at him. That was when Xie Heng lost his temper and started fighting back.

From that point, the rest had already been seen.

Now, the parents who had spoken so confidently earlier looked rather awkward.

The boy who had flicked the cigarette butt was among them, standing there with his head lowered, not daring to meet his mother’s gaze.

But his mother was furious. She stood up and smacked him hard on the back, scolding fiercely, “You useless fool! If you knew you couldn’t win, why start trouble? Look at yourself—your face, your hands, your head! Didn’t you get beaten too?”

Hearing this, even Officer Zhang’s mouth twitched.

Unbelievable.

The other parents quickly caught on and followed suit, first berating their own children while subtly implying their injuries were too severe to be ignored.

Xie Yizhao remained silent. After a few minutes, he checked his watch before shifting his gaze to the officers.

Officer Zhang had also heard enough. He raised his voice to stop the commotion. “This is a police station, not a marketplace—quiet down.”

Xie Yizhao finally spoke. “Let’s be direct. My time is limited.”

Xie Heng stiffened slightly, feeling an inexplicable discomfort in his heart.

It’s over. His Dad must have been handling something important for work, which was why he got delayed.

Right across from them, the parent who had spoken first just now said again, “It was wrong for our kids to start the fight, but your kid didn’t suffer any injuries. No matter how you look at it, we’re the ones at a disadvantage. Since you’re in a hurry, let’s just settle on a compensation amount here.”

Xie Heng was about to explode. What kind of people were these? No wonder their kids turned out like that.

Could they not have a little more class, like him?!

Just then, Xie Yizhao spoke in a calm tone, “Compensation? No problem.”

Xie Heng was stunned, staring blankly at his Dad.

What did he just say?

Even the police officers and the other parents were caught off guard. They had been gearing up for an argument, but the other side agreed so easily?

Xie Heng suddenly realized something, and his expression darkened.

Was his Dad agreeing just because he was in a hurry and didn’t want to waste time arguing? Was he planning to just throw money at the problem and be done with it? After all, every minute he spent here probably cost him more than a few zeros.

A wave of frustration and grievance welled up in him. He didn’t think he had done anything wrong this time.

But could he even protest?

Would he dare?

If not for him, would Xie Yizhao have needed to come to the police station at all? Was he really going to be selfish and make his Dad waste time dealing with this for him?

He had always known how important his Dad’s career was to his Dad.

It was definitely more important than a son like him.

The boy’s face darkened, and he lowered his head, losing all his earlier bravado.

Xie Yizhao glanced at him briefly, then turned his gaze back to the others. “However, my son just had surgery two weeks ago and hasn’t fully recovered. He was startled this time, and to ensure his safety, he had no choice but to come to the police station to report it. He just told me that his wound is hurting again, and it might have torn open. We’ll need to go to the hospital for a check-up later.”

The other parents exchanged looks, doubt flickering in their eyes.

The blond-haired delinquent couldn’t hold back and shouted, “Bullshit! He had so much strength when he was hitting us and ran so fast—how is that being injured?”

His parent immediately followed up, “Yeah! Where’s the injury? Let us see! Just saying it doesn’t prove anything!”

Xie Heng was completely dumbfounded.

???

His Dad had asked him earlier if his wound was okay, and he had clearly said it didn’t hurt at all and hadn’t reopened.

Did his Dad mishear him, or…?

Xie Heng’s mind raced, and when he met Xie Yizhao’s gaze, he suddenly understood. His face changed, and he immediately clutched his stomach, grabbing onto his Dad’s clothes with his other hand. His voice carried a hint of pitifulness: “Dad, my wound feels hurt. I need to go to the hospital.”

“……”

Xie Yizhao coughed lightly, gave him a glance—a mix of warning and helplessness.

Just cooperate quietly. No need to overact.

One of the parents looked annoyed. “So what do you want? If you don’t want compensation, just say so!”

Xie Yizhao cleared his throat and turned to Officer Zhang. “If I remember correctly, the police station has a forensic assessment center. How about we file a case first and have all the kids undergo an injury assessment? We’ll let the experts decide.”

Before the officer could respond, the other parents started panicking.

“No way! Our kids are still minors. What if they end up with a record?”

“Yeah! Do you want your son to have a record too?”

Xie Yizhao leaned back in his chair, his sharp and cool face void of emotion. “That’s fine. The law is fair. If you do something wrong, you should face the consequences. Besides, even if he does get a record, worst case, he can just come work at the family company. As long as he doesn’t aim for a government job, it won’t matter.”

The room fell silent. Their expressions were all over the place.

None of them wanted to make things more complicated… and frankly, they didn’t have that kind of backup plan. They didn’t own a company their kid could inherit.

Officer Zhang saw the situation was about to resolve itself and shot Xie Yizhao an admiring glance before speaking up. “Think carefully—getting involved in a fight can leave a record. And ten of your kids showed up together—that’s serious. It could even be considered provocation and disturbance.

“If Xie Heng hadn’t fought back or if no one had helped him, think about how badly he could have been hurt.”

The parents’ faces turned pale.

They were adults—they knew how to weigh the pros and cons. Seeing that things were taking a bad turn, none of them wanted to push for compensation anymore. They just wanted to move on as quickly as possible.

“Forget it, forget it. We won’t pursue this anymore.”

“Can we leave now?”

“Wait,” Xie Yizhao glanced at them, his tone unhurried. “Apologize to my son first. And write a guarantee letter stating that you won’t approach him again in the future.”

This time, strangely, none of them argued. They hurriedly made their kids apologize, wrote the guarantee letter, and couldn’t wait to escape this mess.

---

With the matter settled, Xie Yizhao took Xie Heng out of the police station.

Before they left, Officer Zhang walked them out, smiling as he said to Xie Yizhao, “Mr. Xie, your son didn’t do anything wrong this time. He came to report it because he listened to my advice last time. Don’t scold him when you get home.”

Xie Yizhao gave a faint smile. “I won’t. He did well this time.”

Xie Heng was stunned and instinctively rubbed his ear in embarrassment.

His Dad praised him…

Did he really do well?

Officer Zhang chuckled and patted Xie Heng’s shoulder. “Kid, you’re quick-witted. But next time, maybe just run first? Did you really have to hit them before running?”

Xie Heng couldn’t hold back his laughter. Carefree and full of youthful energy.

“Also, the police station isn’t exactly a good place. If you have no reason to be here, it’s best to stay away, got it?”

A passing officer overheard and jokingly replied, “If you really want to come, that’s fine too—graduate, apply to the police academy, and work here. Then you can come every day!”

Officer Zhang burst into laughter.

But the smile on Xie Heng’s face faded. He couldn’t help but glance at his Dad, only to find his expression indifferent. A sudden wave of unease rose in his heart.

If he said he wanted to be a police officer, would his Dad agree?

Just now, his Dad had clearly said that after graduation, his Dad wanted him to work at Xie Corporation.

After leaving the police station, Xie Yizhao first took him to the nearest hospital to have his wound examined. Once it was confirmed to be nothing serious, they stopped by a restaurant near the school to pick up the late-night snack that Lu Xi had specifically requested. Only then did the father and son head home together.

Forty minutes later.

Fresh out of the shower, Xie Heng had changed into clean clothes and was now sitting comfortably on the living room sofa.

Using the excuse of ‘worrying that Ms. Lu might overeat and get indigestion,’ he insisted on sharing her late-night snack. Even when Lu Xi pinched his cheek in protest, he refused to back down, squeezing beside her to fight over the fried chicken while recounting what had happened at the police station.

Utterly shameless.

But with his damp blue hair still slightly tousled from the shower, he looked a little soft and adorable. Given his good looks—and considering that he had almost gotten beaten up today, suffered grievances at the police station—Lu Xi decided to forgive him.

Xie Heng was never one to keep things bottled up.

As soon as Xie Yizhao went into the study, he couldn’t hold it in any longer and confided in Lu Xi.

“What do you think. If I want to become a police officer in the future, will my Dad agree?”

Lu Xi was momentarily caught off guard.

She hadn’t expected that, at this late hour, while eating fried chicken, this little brat would suddenly want to discuss life decisions with her.

It gave her a bit of a headache.

She studied Xie Heng’s expression and saw the confusion in his eyes. It seemed like even he wasn’t sure whether he truly wanted to pursue this career.

In that moment, many thoughts, including doubts and concerns, crossed Lu Xi’s mind. But looking at Xie Heng, she chose not to dampen his enthusiasm. Instead, she said, “If you really want to know, I can find a chance to test your Dad’s reaction. How about that?”

The problem wouldn’t disappear, but the conflict could be redirected.

Sure enough, Xie Heng immediately brightened up. “Then I’ll leave it to you! If it works out, I’ll treat you to fried chicken!”

Having finished his meal and achieved his goal, the boy cheerfully went back to his room.

And Lu Xi’s way of ‘testing the reaction’ was simple—

At ten o’clock, when Xie Yizhao returned to the bedroom, she got straight to the point. “So, what do you think? Our son wants to be a police officer. Do you support it?”

Xie Yizhao lowered his gaze slightly, reaching out to tuck Lu Xi’s long hair behind her ear. His warm, broad palm rested on the back of her neck, pressing just right, making her feel incredibly comfortable.

The man spoke, his tone light and amused, but tinged with a bit of sourness. “He tells you everything now. He wants to be a police officer, and I didn’t even know.”

Lu Xi was momentarily stunned, then couldn’t help but laugh. “Xie Yizhao, don’t tell me you’re jealous?”

---

1. 楚河汉界 (Chǔ Hé Hàn Jiè) : This is a well-known Chinese idiom that literally means “the Chu River and Han Border.” It refers to the demarcation line in the ancient war between the Chu and Han states. Today, it’s used metaphorically to mean a clear, distinct boundary or a point of no return between two opposing sides. ↩︎

---

“The alley has surveillance?” The delinquents were stunned.

There never was before!

The officers noticed their panicked expressions and understood immediately.

The camera had been installed after the kids was nearly robbed there last time.

Not only did these delinquents not know, but even the students from Mingli High probably hadn’t realized it.

The delinquents’ faces turned all shades of blue and white.

They didn’t hold out for long before confessing everything.

But they were still unwilling to accept it. “Sure, we started it, but we didn’t even hit him! Instead, we got beaten up. We’re the real victims here!”

The old police officer shook his head and sighed. “A bunch of legal illiterates.”

Clearly, there was still a long way to go in educating teenagers about the law…

He first sent a young officer to check the surveillance footage, then had everyone sit down. Speaking in a serious yet patient tone, he said, “Do you kids not understand anything? You’re all in high school, right? At least sixteen? That means you’ve reached the age of criminal responsibility. Do you think this is just some schoolyard brawl? If we take it seriously, this could be classified as provoking trouble!”

He saw them freeze for a moment, but they still looked unconcerned. He continued, “You’re lucky this didn’t escalate. Ten against one—how did you even think that was fair? If you had seriously injured him and he refused to settle, this would go to court. You’d have a criminal record, a stain on your records, and it might even affect your future generations.”

The group exchanged looks, clearly caught off guard. They wanted to ask more but were too proud to admit their ignorance.

Then, unexpectedly, Xie Heng raised his hand, his eyes bright with curiosity as he looked at Officer Zhang. “How would it affect future generations? Could you explain in detail?”

Officer Zhang : “…”

This kid… does this kid even have descendants to worry about?

And was he here to lecture them or host a legal education program?

Xu Jiaming lowered his gaze, feeling secondhand embarrassment. He coughed lightly and muttered, “Some reputable companies require a clean criminal record. It could also affect the ability of your descendants to join the military or take civil service exams.”

Xie Heng nodded.

That did sound serious.

A thought crossed his mind, and he frowned, deep in thought.

Officer Zhang, seeing that, decided to turn his attention elsewhere. He looked at the group of clearly adult men standing to the side and knocked on the table. His tone grew heavier. “And you guys? What’s your deal?”

One of the bodyguards glanced at Xie Heng before hesitating briefly and deciding to tell the truth.

“We were sent by Mr. Xie to protect him.”

Officer Zhang was momentarily stunned before letting out a chuckle. So, these were the bodyguards of a rich young master…

Upon hearing this, Xie Heng scowled and glared at them, grumbling impatiently, “My Dad, again? Why does he keep sending people to follow me…”

Officer Zhang glanced at him, his tone serious but with a hint of familiarity. “You’re always causing trouble. Of course, your Dad worries about you. It makes sense to have someone watch over you.”

“…”

Xie Heng rubbed his nose, feeling slightly wronged, but he didn’t argue back.

Soon, the young officer returned with the surveillance footage. After reviewing it, they confirmed that the situation matched the reports. He sighed in relief but then frowned.

For cases like this, if the injuries weren’t severe, mediation was usually the preferred approach.

But if one side refused, a medical evaluation would be necessary.

The gang of delinquents looked visibly guilty and desperate to leave. Meanwhile, the three boys—though they had fought back—had clearly done so in self-defense. If they refused to settle, things could get complicated.

Old Zhang took a sip of tea and said leisurely, “Call your parents. I’ll talk to them.”

Even the delinquents panicked at that, pleading to avoid involving their parents.

Xie Heng’s expression flickered.

He tugged at his uniform, his previously defiant posture lowering slightly as he spoke hesitantly, “Can we not call our parents? We’re not kids anymore. We can handle this ourselves. I’ve decided not to pursue charges.”

The two officers, the delinquents, the bodyguards, and even Xu Jiaming and Song Siyang all stared at him in disbelief.

If you didn’t want your parents called, why did you even report this?!

Song Siyang patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry. It’s fine. It’s not like this is your first time getting your parents called by the police. You should be used to it by now.”

Xie Heng : “Get lost!”

He ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

Would they call Ms. Lu?

But… his school uniform was torn and dirty from the fight.

He really didn’t want her to see him like this.

After hesitating for a long time, Xie Heng finally took out his phone and decided to call Old Xie instead.

That should be fine. His Dad was so busy that he probably wouldn’t even come.

Even if his Dad got mad, he should be used to this by now, right?

---

When the call came in, Xie Yizhao was already at home, in his study.

“Got into a fight?” Xie Yizhao pinched the bridge of his nose, momentarily at a loss for words.

The kid’s wounds hadn’t even fully healed, and he was already fighting again. That was so… typical of him.

Xie Heng couldn’t be bothered to explain too much. “Yeah, sort of… If you’re busy, don’t worry about it. I can handle it myself.”

“You’re just a kid. How are you going to handle it?” Xie Yizhao’s tone deepened. “Don’t cause trouble at the station. I’m coming over.”

Xie Heng paused, then let out a prideful “Oh” and didn’t say anything else.

After hanging up, Xie Yizhao shut down his computer. He glanced at the scattered documents on his desk but left them as they were. Shrugging on his coat, he stepped out of the study.

He called for a servant to prepare the car, then stood at the staircase, thinking for a moment before looking upstairs and heading up.

Back in the bedroom, Lu Xi was lounging lazily on the bed, watching a variety show on her tablet.

It was her second day of her period. The cramps had eased, but she still felt sluggish and had spent most of the day in bed.

Xie Yizhao walked over, reached down, and gently touched her cheek.

Lu Xi didn’t look at him, but there was a smile on her face as she affectionately rubbed against the back of the man’s hand. “Done with work?”

Xie Yizhao gave a soft “mm,” then, after a moment’s thought, decided to tell her about Xie Heng.

“A fight? And it even got to the police station?” Lu Xi suddenly tensed. She tossed aside her tablet and instinctively tried to get up.

That troublesome kid…

But Xie Yizhao held her down, gently guiding her to lean back against the bed.

“He sounded normal on the phone, doesn’t seem like anything serious. I’ll handle it.” His expression was relaxed, calm and unruffled, giving off an air of confidence that everything was under control. Seeing that, Lu Xi unconsciously relaxed as well.

She thought for a moment. “Alright.”

She couldn’t handle everything herself, and since Xie Heng had called his Dad, it was only right that Xie Yizhao be the one to take care of it.

Xie Yizhao stroked her hair briefly before getting up to leave. Then, as if remembering something, he turned back. “By the way, the police station’s near the school. Do you want me to bring you anything to eat?”

Lu Xi was momentarily stunned, then suddenly craved fried chicken.

She touched her stomach and smiled, squinting slightly. She told Xie Yizhao she wanted fried chicken, then added, “And, make sure you figure out what happened first. If our boy isn’t at fault, don’t let him be wronged. But if he is, tell me when you get back—I’ll scold him to death.”

Xie Yizhao chuckled lightly. “Got it.”

At that moment, Xie Heng sat on a long bench in the police station’s lobby and suddenly shivered.

Xu Jiaming and Song Siyang had already been sent back to school. They had called their families, but since their parents were all out of town, they couldn’t come.

The police had explained the situation to them before letting them go.

The whole incident tonight had actually been targeted at Xie Heng; the other two had just been caught up in it.

Xie Heng felt a little resentful.

Before leaving, Song Siyang had even cheerfully waved at him, looking downright smug.

Xu Jiaming, on the other hand, said gently, “Just be patient. I’ll lend you my notes tomorrow.”

“…Get lost, both of you!”

Both were terrible friends.

Still, it was better this way. Without them around, he actually felt less pressure.

He had already dragged them into this mess, which made him uncomfortable enough. If his Dad scolded him later, at least they wouldn’t be there to witness his humiliation.

Xie Heng’s expression darkened. He crossed his arms and looked indifferent, but there was a hint of unease and apprehension in his eyes.

It wasn’t the first time his Dad had come to pick him up from the police station.

And it had never ended well before.

Aside from the bodyguards, six other people remained. One or two of their parents had arrived, and after hearing what had happened, they were glaring at him angrily.

They didn’t say anything, but their looks alone made him uncomfortable.

As if everything was his fault.

Xie Heng couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge them. He put on his headphones and started playing a game.

Just as he was matching with teammates, he vaguely heard someone calling “Mr. Xie.”

He froze and immediately looked up.

Sure enough, his Dad had arrived.

Their eyes met briefly before Xie Yizhao started walking toward him.

Xie Heng quickly stood up, his gaze flickering, not quite daring to meet his Dad’s eyes.

Even though he hadn’t started the fight this time, he knew how busy his Dad was, yet his Dad still had to come all the way here for him.

Losing face himself was one thing, but dragging his Dad into it too…

Officer Zhang had been newly transferred and didn’t recognize Xie Yizhao, but some of the other officers did. One greeted him with a smile. “Mr. Xie, you’re here?”

Xie Yizhao simply nodded slightly.

A parent stepped forward, dragging their child along. They didn’t know who Xie Yizhao was and spoke rather rudely. “So, you’re Xie Heng’s father? Perfect. Look at what your son did to mine, how do you plan to handle this?”

Xie Heng was so annoyed he almost rolled his eyes like Lu Xi.

What the hell? Did this guy have no shame? The police had already explained the situation. What nonsense was he spewing now, just because his Dad was here?

Xie Heng suddenly felt like he hadn’t hit hard enough earlier.

He was about to retort when Xie Yizhao cleared his throat and subtly held a hand out in front of him, stopping him.

Calm and unhurried, Xie Yizhao’s face held a faint smile, his tone polite yet distant. “I know this little guy¹ of mine well. He can be a bit mischievous, but he’s not someone who picks fights unprovoked.”

He paused, then turned to the police officer. “Officer, who threw the first punch this time?”

Officer Zhang shot a look of disdain at the other parent before explaining the situation again, making it clear that ‘those ten kids were the ones looking for trouble with Xie Heng.’

The parent’s expression stiffened, and they fell silent for the time being.

Xie Heng, however, was stunned.

What had his Dad just called him? L-little guy?

Ugh, so cringeworthy.

The boy took off his headphones and snuck a glance at his Dad.

He hadn’t heard clearly just now. Could he get Old Xie to say it again?

---

1. “小家伙儿” (xiǎo jiāhuo er) is a friendly and affectionate term in Chinese that’s typically used to refer to a little person, child, or a small animal. It’s not a formal or respectful term, but rather one that conveys fondness, endearment, or sometimes a playful sense of mischief. ↩︎

---

The few delinquents chasing behind became even more furious, wishing they could catch Xie Heng right away. Even if it meant a fight where both sides got hurt, they wouldn’t let him go.

Wasn’t it just a fight? And he went to call the police? Did he have no sense of honor?

He was the school tyrant of Mingli! If word got out about this, how was he supposed to show his face again?

Some people, upon hearing that Xie Heng was heading to the police station, started to hesitate.

They were just having a fight; they didn’t want to blow things up and have their parents find out! What if their allowance got cut off?

So, a few of them stopped in place, thinking about backing out and giving up on chasing Xie Heng.

But someone grabbed them and shouted fiercely, “Run my ass! You dare to run? I’m telling you, that brat Xie Heng wouldn’t dare go to the police station. He’s always hated going there, he’s just trying to scare us! Let’s go after them!”

“Yeah! Look, they’re not even running in the direction of the police station!”

The group took a closer look—sure enough, they weren’t.

They knew where the police station near Mingli was; they should have gone right. But instead, Xie Heng took the fork in the road and turned left.

However, they weren’t students of Mingli and didn’t know that just last month, the police station had relocated to another street, to the left of that fork.

Song Siyang and the others were well aware. While running, Song Siyang rolled his eyes at Xie Heng. “Brother Heng, are you seriously going to the police station? Are you crazy? It’s not like we can’t beat them!”

Xu Jiaming, his face slightly flushed from running, but still breathing evenly, said, “Xie Heng is injured right now. His combat strength is down. Even if we beat them up, we wouldn’t come out unscathed.”

He glanced at the sprinting Xie Heng, then at his stomach.

Song Siyang was a bit slow to react, but he soon realized—

Oh yeah, Xie Heng just had surgery. What if his wound reopened?

But… was there really a need to go to the police station? They could just pass the school gate. Those idiots wouldn’t dare chase them inside, would they?

Still, he couldn’t be bothered to argue. If they fought, they fought together. If they ended up in the police station… well, they’d go in together!

It was dinnertime, and the snack street near the west gate was packed with Mingli students. Some were sitting inside shops, some had already bought their food and were walking toward the school gate in groups.

Before long, they all saw three groups of people sprinting down the street, leaving them stunned.

No one recognized the delinquents from the other school, but the three people in the frontmost group were all big names at Mingli—especially Xie Heng, who had just spoken on stage a few days ago.

Who in the school wouldn’t recognize him?

As for the group behind the delinquents, they weren’t running fast, but they were clearly adults—tall and sturdy.

They were the bodyguards sent by Xie Yizhao to protect Xie Heng.

Not long ago, Xie Heng had been behaving himself, staying out of trouble, avoiding bad crowds—so Xie Yizhao had pulled back the bodyguards. It was only after Xie Heng was discharged from the hospital that he assigned them back, fearing something might happen to him.

Xie Heng never liked having bodyguards following him, always pulling a sour face whenever he saw them.

So, the bodyguards had no choice but to keep their distance, trying not to let the young master notice them.

Just now, when they saw their young master in trouble, they were about to rush in to help. But before they could even reach the alley entrance, he and his friends had already burst out, yelling about going to the police station.

The bodyguards were stunned.

But seeing that the young master looked full of energy, running like the wind, and that the people left in the alley were the ones who had gotten beaten up, they didn’t intervene, just followed from behind.

But… was the young master seriously going to the police station to report this?

No matter what others thought, Xie Heng was dead set on running straight there.

He had already been there once before with two little kids, so he was familiar with the way. It was only a five-minute walk from the school. Running would make it even faster.

The delinquents chasing behind were exhausted.

One of them, who had been kicked in the stomach earlier, was out of breath. He stopped and cursed, “Damn, did he really have surgery? How the hell is he running so fast?”

If Xie Heng had heard that, he would have laughed himself to death.

This wasn’t even his full speed. He was deliberately slowing down to avoid tearing his wound open. If that happened and he got scolded by Ms. Lu, it wouldn’t be worth it.

Just thinking about reaching the police station filled him with boundless energy.

Good times always seem to fly by.

Before long, Xie Heng and his two friends reached the police station entrance.

Song Siyang hesitated a little, but when he saw Xie Heng striding in with head held high—like he was there to accept an award—his scalp tingled, and he quickly dragged Xu Jiaming in with him.

Before Xie Heng could even step inside, Officer Zhang, who was standing at the door on the phone, looked up and froze.

Wasn’t this that kid, Xie Heng?

He had a deep impression of him, especially that head of blue hair.

Xie Heng also spotted him. His eyes lit up, and he trotted over eagerly. Without beating around the bush, he said, “Officer Zhang! Someone’s chasing me! They want to beat me up!”

Officer Zhang was stunned. He glanced over Xie Heng’s shoulder at the people behind him.

A whole group of people really came running over, yelling and shouting for Xie Heng not to run.

The old police officer hurriedly hung up the phone, straightened his face, and sternly reprimanded, “What are you all running around for in the middle of the street?! Get over here, all of you!”

The gang of delinquents shuddered.

Seeing the police uniform and then glancing up at the police station, they were all shocked.

Wait… Xie Heng actually ran here to report to the police?

Then they looked at Xie Heng himself—now completely relaxed, hands in his pockets, looking at them with an air of indifference. Standing just behind the police officer in his blind spot, he waved at them provocatively, mouthing the words: “Come on over if you dare.”

“……”

Only an idiot would go over!

Even though this group acted all high and mighty in school, picking fights and causing trouble like they feared nothing, the moment they saw the police, they lost their nerve.

Some reacted quickly and bolted, but the ones left behind weren’t so lucky.

Officer Zhang saw them trying to escape and immediately barked, “Who dares to run?! Get back here, all of you! You think you can get away?”

He was a veteran officer, exuding a natural aura of authority.

Xie Heng felt that his kind of authority was different from his Dad’s, but either way, it was intimidating.

A few managed to run, but five or six were left behind. After being shouted at, they felt chills down their spines, as if an invisible force was holding them back. They didn’t dare to flee anymore and turned around, lowering their heads as they walked toward the police station.

Only then did Officer Zhang snort in satisfaction, not bothering with the ones who got away.

If they were involved, they’d be caught eventually.

Just as he was about to take them inside for questioning, he caught something in the corner of his eye—a few more people standing not far away, sneakily watching.

With his years of experience, he instinctively felt they were connected to the situation. He raised a hand and pointed. “You lot! Get over here too!”

The bodyguards froze, exchanging looks.

Was he talking to them?

The leader of the bodyguards frowned and said, “Let’s go take a look. We need to make sure Young Master is fine.”

Seeing them obediently walk over, Officer Zhang said nothing and led them all inside.

Xie Heng and the other two boys lingered at the entrance, just peeking in, as if they had no intention of going inside.

Officer Zhang glanced at them sideways. “What are you waiting for? You’re the one who called the police—you’re going in too.”

Xie Heng replied righteously, “Of course I’m going in. I wasn’t planning to run!”

“……”

Inside the police station, the place was bustling.

There were people brought in for fighting, parents reporting missing children, even couples arguing…

The officers on duty handled everything methodically. But when they suddenly saw a whole group of teenagers walk in, they all froze.

What’s going on? A gang fight?

Xie Heng wasn’t here for the first time, but this time, he felt relaxed, finding everything fresh and interesting. He couldn’t help but glance around.

So this place was this busy every day…

The last time he came, he was too angry to pay attention.

But Officer Zhang’s shouting just now had been pretty impressive.

Song Siyang, the biggest gossip among them, spent the waiting time eavesdropping on a quarreling couple, listening with great interest and even sharing the drama with his two friends.

“Did you hear that? The guy was sending flirty texts to a female colleague, got caught by his girlfriend, and they fought. They were already engaged and even bought a house together, but now the girl wants his family to refund her money.”

Xie Heng and Xu Jiaming weren’t interested in this kind of thing and just looked at him speechlessly.

Officer Zhang, having just finished speaking with a duty officer, happened to overhear this as he walked over. Amused, he patted Song Siyang on the shoulder. “You just got beaten up yourself, and you’re still so nosy?”

A younger officer next to him chuckled. “Wait, who got beat up?”

These three looked perfectly fine, while the other guys all had injuries on their faces.

Xu Jiaming, with his studious and well-behaved appearance, said seriously, “They attacked us first. We were just defending ourselves.”

The two officers found this even more amusing and led them into a mediation room to get their statements.

At first, the troublemakers tried to play tough, pointing at their injuries indignantly. “Xie Heng and his guys started it! Look, they beat us up so badly!”

“Yeah! Not just our faces, our stomachs too! Xie Heng kicked me!”

“Him! That guy!” A blond-haired delinquent pointed at Xu Jiaming. “He threw me over his shoulder, it hurt like hell!”

The two officers glanced at Xu Jiaming.

With his mild demeanor, neat appearance, and clean-cut gaze, he looked completely harmless. Meanwhile, the blond guy was wearing ripped jeans and grimacing in pain.

Even though they knew they had to rely on evidence rather than personal bias, it was hard not to lean toward Xu Jiaming.

Officer Zhang was puzzled too. He knew Xie Heng, who had just had surgery not long ago. How was Xie Heng still fighting so fiercely?

But there was no need for unnecessary questioning. Once they pulled up the alley’s surveillance footage, everything would be clear.

---

The next day, Monday.

Xie Heng hadn’t been to school for over ten days, and his laziness had crept back in. The butler had to call him several times before he finally got up, sluggishly heading to wash up.

There was actually no need to hurry today. Monday meant the flag-raising ceremony, so there was no morning self-study. Even if he was late, at worst, he could just climb over the wall to get in. It wouldn’t affect anything.

So, Xie Heng moved even slower.

Leisurely, he got out of the car two minutes before the school gate closed, blending in with the last batch of students entering.

The school broadcast was already playing the flag-raising music, and the field was packed with students.

Each class had a designated spot, so Xie Heng went straight to Class 1-A’s lineup, taking a place at the very back.

In front of him was Song Siyang’s head.

To his right was Xu Jiaming.

Song Siyang was delighted to see him and winked playfully. “Why’d you come so early? It’s just the flag-raising ceremony. You could’ve come later during class.”

He didn’t understand Xie Heng’s recent enthusiasm for school. If it were him, he’d take a full month off after surgery before coming back.

Xie Heng smacked the back of his head. “You’ve got the nerve to talk. Why don’t you just show up after school? I heard you ranked dead last again.”

Song Siyang : “…”

That was just uncalled for.

His Dad had already given him the same scolding at home. He immediately turned his head away and shut up.

At that moment, Xu Jiaming cleared his throat and said to Xie Heng, “I just went to the office and overheard the director mentioning your name. It sounded like they’re calling you up during the ceremony.”

Xie Heng frowned.

Even Song Siyang turned back, surprised. “What happened now? Did you get into trouble again, Brother Heng?”

Xie Heng’s face darkened.

He hadn’t even been at school. How could he have caused trouble?

He looked at Xu Jiaming. “Did you hear what it was about?”

The boy shook his head, his gentle face showing confusion. “No. They stopped talking as soon as I walked in.”

Xie Heng lowered his head and kicked a small stone by his foot.

So annoying. School was always a mess. If he had known, he wouldn’t have come today.

“Ow! Who threw a stone at my head?!”

A loud, booming voice rang out.

It was the teacher of Class B, known as ‘King Kong’ because of his strictness, thick neck, and burly frame. His students were all terrified of him.

Xie Heng touched his nose, looking completely innocent, like he had nothing to do with it.

The others couldn’t help but stifle their laughter. It was only after Teacher King Kong rubbed his head and walked away in frustration that laughter finally spread through the crowd.

But Xie Heng was in no mood. He put on his headphones, drowning out the world with music.

He didn’t know how much time had passed when suddenly, Song Siyang tugged at his sleeve.

Xie Heng lazily lifted his eyelids.

Just as he was about to ask what was up, he noticed that all eyes were on him—students, teachers, even the director standing on the flag-raising platform.

Xie Heng jolted awake, yanked off his headphones, and took a moment to find his voice. “Why is everyone looking at me?”

Seeing his confusion, Song Siyang barely held back a laugh. “Get up there! They’re calling you to give a speech!”

…?

A speech?

Xie Heng turned to Xu Jiaming, who also seemed to be holding back a smile. He coughed lightly and said, “The director wants you to say a few words.”

Xie Heng was even more confused.

His mind raced. Had he really done something recently and just forgotten about it?

The director, seeing him standing still, was beginning to look impatient. The students were also getting noisy. He cleared his throat. “Quiet down, everyone. And, Xie Heng, why haven’t you come up yet?”

Xie Heng was exasperated.

With a blank expression, he pushed through the crowd and walked toward the stage, completely unbothered.

This place might as well be his VIP seat at this point. He’d been up there so many times for scoldings since the start of the semester.

But this time, he genuinely had no idea what he’d done.

As the murmurs in the crowd grew, he grew more irritated. His face darkened.

“What is it now?” He didn’t even bother with pleasantries.

The director noticed his earphones still hanging from one ear and knew immediately that he hadn’t been paying attention at all. With a stern face, he repeated, “On the last morning of the midterm exams, you saved two children in the alley by the west gate. Their parents called to thank you for your bravery. Xie Heng, what you did was truly commendable.”

Xie Heng was stunned.

The teachers and students who had no idea were also stunned. Even Xu Jiaming and Song Siyang were hearing this for the first time.

Nobody really paid attention to the Monday flag-raising ceremony. Some were zoning out, others were dozing off. The only thing they caught was that Xie Heng had been called up, so everyone assumed he was in trouble again.

But bravery?

The entire field was dumbfounded.

The school tyrant helping people? That had to be a mistake.

Was there another Xie Heng in school?

At that moment, Xie Heng wished there was.

He had stood on this stage countless times before, but this was the first time he ever felt embarrassed—so much so that he wanted to dig a hole and disappear into it.

But the director wasn’t letting him off easy. For the first time, her usually stern face softened into a smile. “What you did was admirable. Now, please tell everyone how it happened.”

Before Xie Heng could refuse, the microphone was shoved into his hands.

He froze.

Looking at the dense crowd on the playground, Xie Heng suddenly felt his scalp tingle. He wanted to throw away the microphone and run.

With his excellent vision, he spotted Song Siyang and Xu Jiaming in the last row, sending them a pleading look.

—SOS!
—Brothers, save me!

However, Song Siyang only grinned mischievously, clearly enjoying the spectacle, while Xu Jiaming smiled at him with a face full of helplessness.

“……”

An untimely phrase suddenly popped into Xie Heng’s mind—utterly lost, alone in the world.

He furrowed his brows in frustration. He was seriously considering ditching the microphone right then and there, or maybe even scaling the wall to escape?

But that would be even more embarrassing.

The real issue wasn’t just his own embarrassment, but that WeChat group with ‘Xie Heng’s Mom’ and ‘Xie Heng’s Dad’ in it will also be full of embarrassment.

All of a sudden, he recalled his parents’ words at his hospital bedside that day.

They had praised him, saying he had done a great job and deserved a reward. Just like that police officer had said—he had done something good, so why should he feel ashamed? It’s not like he had been robbing kids on the street.

He should be proud of himself.

With that thought, Xie Heng unconsciously straightened his back.

He picked up the microphone, though his mind was still a bit scattered. He could only say whatever came to him. His voice started off low and a little stiff, but as he spoke, his thoughts cleared up, and his tone became more natural.

Before he knew it, he was getting into it—and even started embellishing a little.

“That day, I was rushing to an exam, about to climb over a wall—no, I mean, I was about to buy breakfast when I heard a kid crying…

“I ran into the alley and saw three ugly thugs beating up a little boy…

“I got really angry and immediately jumped in to save him. I didn’t think much at the time…

“I took them down in just a few moves, then brought the two kids to the police station… That’s it.”

Finishing his story, Xie Heng set down the microphone, his face radiating the carefree confidence of youth.

Written all over his expression were three words : Praise me now.

The entire faculty around the disciplinary director was speechless.

If they hadn’t listened carefully, they would have thought the school troublemaker was reading out his reflection letter after a fight.

For a few seconds, silence hung in the air. Then, a round of applause erupted from Class 1, quickly spreading across the entire playground.

Even the academic director forced a smile, took the microphone, and said, somewhat awkwardly, “Well, well done. Xie Heng, you were very brave.”

Xie Heng, oblivious to the hidden meaning in her words, was just pleased with himself. He had spoken his mind and felt great. When he walked off the stage, he was still grinning smugly.

This good mood lasted the entire morning.

Until lunch break—when he checked his WeChat Moments and saw his wonderful mother, Ms. Lu, had posted a new update two hours ago.

It was a photo of him standing on the podium, gripping the microphone, wearing the school uniform she had designed. His expression in the picture was a mix of confusion, embarrassment, and the overwhelming urge to dig a hole and hide.

Someone must have sent this to the parents’ group chat!

And the caption made it even worse:

[My baby boy is all grown up.]

Xie Heng : “……”

Ms. Lu was way too sentimental.

He took a deep breath and checked the post again. Three people had already liked it.

His Dad, Xu Jiaming, and Song Siyang.

These were just the ones he could see. There were probably even more likes he couldn’t see…

Xie Heng felt a little humiliated, a little annoyed. The more he looked at it, the more he thought his picture didn’t look good enough. It made him seem dumb. If Ms. Lu was going to post his photo, why not pick a more handsome one?

He was definitely better-looking in person.

Then, he remembered how his Dad had played the piano that day, and Lu Xi had taken a picture of his back and posted it on WeChat. When Xie Heng saw that, he had been happy for quite a while.

Even someone like his Dad had photos posted without a second thought. So what was the big deal about his own picture?

Realizing that he and his Dad were getting the same treatment, Xie Heng instantly felt at peace.

He curled his lips into a smirk and gave Ms. Lu’s post a like.

Since he couldn’t fight his Mom on this, he might as well surrender and let her show him off all she wanted. After all, he was her pride.

---

Xie Heng’s appendix surgery wasn’t exactly a secret.

By the second day of his hospital stay, most people at school had already heard about it. The news eventually spread to students from other schools as well.

And plenty of them had their own ideas.

Xie Heng had made a lot of enemies from middle school to high school. Plenty of people had suffered at his hands. Even though he had never been the one to start a fight, some people didn’t care. If they got beaten up, they held a grudge and wanted payback.

But every time they tried, things never worked in their favor. Either they didn’t have enough people and got beaten up again, or they managed to gather enough people, only for Xie Heng to be conveniently chauffeured to and from school, making it impossible to catch him.

Now, they heard that he had just undergone an appendectomy. That meant he was injured, he wouldn’t be as strong as usual in a fight.

This was their best chance.

A group of thugs from another school heard the news and immediately gathered a crew, ten people in total. This time, they would make sure Xie Heng wouldn’t have the upper hand.

Starting Monday afternoon, they began lurking in the alley by the west gate, waiting for him.

Everyone knew that was where students from Mingli High went to eat. Sooner or later, Xie Heng would show up.

They waited for three days.

Finally, on Wednesday, they saw him.

Winter had set in, and by 6 PM, the sky was already dark.

Xie Heng, Xu Jiaming, and Song Siyang walked out through the west gate, chatting about what to eat.

At that moment, a large group of people surged out of the alley, surrounding Xie Heng and dragging him back inside.

“Finally caught you today, huh? All these people are here to settle scores with you!”

Song Siyang immediately sensed trouble, and Xu Jiaming’s expression darkened. Without hesitation, the two of them rushed in after him.

Inside the alley, three against ten—things weren’t looking good.

Xie Heng let out a scoff, leaning lazily against the wall as he sized up the group with disdain. “Seriously? You set me up? And you brought ten people just to fight me? You must think pretty highly of me.”

The ten men looked a bit embarrassed. It was indeed a little dishonorable, but they were too eager for revenge to care.

The leader, holding a cigarette between his fingers, smirked and said, “Yeah, we’re blocking your way, what are you gonna do about it? You’ve made too many enemies. If you don’t wanna fight, just come over and let me burn a hole in your face. Then we’ll call it even.”

As he spoke, he flicked his cigarette forcefully. The glowing ember shot through the dim alley and nearly landed on Xie Heng’s school uniform.

A moment ago, he had been indifferent, even lazily amused. Now, his expression instantly changed.

“F*ck!” he cursed under his breath.

Having his uniform yanked out of place earlier was one thing, but if they actually burned a hole in it, how would he face Ms. Lu when he got home?!

She had designed this uniform for him!

Xie Heng took a step forward, grabbed the guy’s wrist, twisted it sharply—causing him to yelp and drop the cigarette—then landed a punch straight to his face, followed by a swift kick.

The others hadn’t expected him to move so fast and immediately charged in.

Song Siyang wasn’t about to just stand there. He jumped into the fray but still had the presence of mind to yell, “Old Xu, run! Go get help!”

Xu Jiaming, the model student, had no experience fighting and would only get in the way.

But before Song Siyang even finished shouting, he saw Xu Jiaming deliver a sharp elbow strike to an opponent, then grab another guy’s arm and effortlessly throw him over his shoulder.

Song Siyang : ?

Xie Heng : ???

Since when did their top student learn to fight? And he actually looked skilled—totally different from their wild, scrappy style!

But this wasn’t the time to dwell on that.

Xie Heng landed another punch. Seeing that he and his friends were still unscathed, he didn’t linger in the fight. He immediately turned, yanked Xu Jiaming and Song Siyang along with him, and shouted—

“Old Xu! Old Song! Run!”

Song Siyang was stunned again.

Wait, what? This was the first time he’d ever heard Xie Heng tell them to run in a fight.

He caught up, shouting, “Run where?!”

Xie Heng: “The police station! Find the cops!”

Xu Jiaming, slightly out of breath from the fight, was also dumbfounded. His usually fair face was flushed. “Did I hear that right?”

“You heard right!” Xie Heng panted slightly as he ran, but he was grinning triumphantly.

He wasn’t stupid. He was a precious young master. if he got hurt, wouldn’t Ms. Lu and his Dad be heartbroken? He had a massive inheritance to claim in the future, why would he risk his life fighting street thugs?

The gang of pursuers chasing after them was utterly dumbfounded.

They were the ones who just got beaten up. So why the hell was Xie Heng the one running to report them to the police?!

---

While Li Xiao questioned reality, Xie Yizhao took Lu Xi and Xie Heng from the parking lot elevator to the first-floor cafeteria, experiencing the long-lost feeling of squeezing into an elevator with employees.

The last time he had done this was when he first joined Xie Corporation after graduating.

There was a private elevator in the office building for him, but not in the cafeteria. Not that it mattered to Xie Yizhao.

At the elevator entrance, a few young new hires were chatting and laughing while waiting. Seeing the three of them approach, they hadn’t yet recognized their top boss—just that the trio had strikingly good looks and presence, making them take a few extra glances.

When they reached the first floor and the doors slid open, several senior employees who had already finished eating looked up, immediately blurting out, “CEO Xie?”

The young employees’ hearts nearly stopped.

C-CEO Xie?!

Could it really be the Xie Yizhao?

They all froze in shock, while Xie Yizhao simply nodded at them coolly without saying much. Holding Lu Xi’s hand, with Xie Heng following beside them, he headed toward the food counter.

Not long after, the shocking news of CEO Xie making a surprise appearance at the company cafeteria, bringing along two family members, spread through Xie Corporation like a spring breeze.

Even some employees who usually didn’t eat in the cafeteria couldn’t resist coming over to watch the spectacle.

Xie Yichao, however, was indifferent to the gossip surrounding him.

Frowning slightly, he studied the cafeteria’s layout and the meal distribution process.

Fortunately, even though he rarely visited, the cafeteria was well-equipped and orderly. A brief observation was enough for him to understand how everything worked.

Lu Xi curiously looked around. The cafeteria was bright and spacious, with clean tables and chairs free of grease stains. The air was filled with the aroma of food—she could smell braised pork and chicken soup. She couldn’t help but take Xie Yizhao’s arm and ask, “It looks pretty good. How do we buy the food?”

Luckily, Xie Yizhao had already figured it out. He calmly explained, “You can get food on the first floor. It’s free for employees—our company covers all three meals. The second floor has paid options for those who want something fancier.”

Lu Xi nodded.

It was similar to her university days. The food on the second floor was always more expensive—and usually tasted better.

“Let’s go with the first floor, then,” she decided, more interested in experiencing the cafeteria food.

Since leaving school, she hadn’t had the chance to line up for a cafeteria meal.

Xie Heng also preferred the first floor.

Mostly because Lu Xi liked it—and whatever she chose, he would follow suit.

Since getting out of the car, he had spoken less and slipped into his obedient-child persona, quietly following his parents.

“Good afternoon, CEO Xie.”

“CEO Xie, are you having lunch with your wife and son today?”

“This way, CEO Xie…”

As they reached the food counter, some employees greeted them enthusiastically before tactfully stepping aside. Still, curiosity kept them lingering nearby.

Xie Yizhao nodded in acknowledgment, then picked up three trays and handed them to Lu Xi and Xie Heng.

Lu Xi winked at Xie Heng with a smile. “Let’s get some food! Your Dad’s treating us today.”

“Yes, I’m treating. Eat well—don’t try to save me money,” Xie Yizhao quipped.

It was clear the company offered excellent benefits and was generous to its employees. Lu Xi quickly counted nearly twenty food stations, offering a wide variety of dishes.

Glancing at the first few counters, she noticed a mix of common home-style dishes like scrambled eggs with tomatoes and braised eggplant, as well as fancier options like abalone, braised pork, and mustard prawns. Each dish was neatly labeled.

Lu Xi turned to Xie Yichao and playfully winked. “Now I see why Xie Corporation is ranked as the No.1 dream job for fresh graduates.”

With food this good—and free—who wouldn’t want to work here?

Xie Heng stopped at one of the counters, handed over his tray, and pointed at the braised pork. “Auntie, I’d like a serving of this.”

Lu Xi and Xie Yichao exchanged amused glances.

The whole family knew that Xie Heng was a meat lover.

Lu Xi also asked for the same dish and added a plate of stir-fried water spinach.

Seeing this, Xie Yizhao ordered the same as Lu Xi.

Xie Heng glanced at their trays, hesitated for a moment, then also added a portion of vegetables—he couldn’t fall behind.

A sign on the counter glass read: [Queue in order, take only what you need, no crowding, no waste.]

Following their own appetites, the three of them selected their meals and looked for a place to sit.

Xie Yizhao surveyed the cafeteria.

Many people were still watching them.

He pressed his lips together, wondering if Lu Xi would feel uncomfortable eating under so many eyes. He was about to suggest taking their food back to his office when the cafeteria lady struck up a conversation with Xie Heng.

“Are you an employee here? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.” She eyed the boy’s striking features. If he had been here before, she would’ve remembered.

Xie Heng answered honestly, “No, I came with my Dad.”

The cafeteria lady glanced at Xie Yizhao and suddenly smiled. “Oh, your Dad works here?”

Xie Heng hesitated briefly. Well, technically, that wasn’t wrong. His Dad did work here. So, he nodded.

Thanks to his good looks, the boy received an extra dose of warmth. Today, he was also particularly patient, answering every question without complaint.

Even Lu Xi was surprised by his tolerance.

The lady eagerly asked about his age and school. Though well-meaning, her curiosity was a bit excessive—even Lu Xi felt it might be too much. She worried that Xie Heng might get annoyed and snap.

But he answered everything. And when she asked about his grades, he straightened up, cleared his throat, and casually boasted, “They’re just okay. I only moved up fifty-seven ranks this time—it’s nothing special.”

And just like that, he earned an impressed nod from the cafeteria lady.

Lu Xi finally understood his little scheme.

He was showing off.

The way he puffed up his chest—so smug!

Amused yet exasperated, she grabbed her boastful son, ready to drag him away before he disrupted the lunch line.

But just then, the cafeteria lady called after them. “Hey, you haven’t swiped your card yet!”

“Swipe what card?”

“Your employee card, of course!”

Lu Xi was momentarily stunned, and Xie Heng also froze. Both pairs of eyes locked onto Xie Yizhao, waiting for him to pull out a card.

Xie Yizhao’s expression remained calm, but internally, he was slightly flustered.

An employee card… Did he even have one?

Every time he came to work, he went straight up from the underground parking lot. Even if he passed through the first floor, his assistant always swiped the card for him.

Xie Yizhao frowned slightly.

Seeing him remain silent, the cafeteria auntie grew suspicious. She scrutinized the three well-dressed individuals before her.

“You guys wouldn’t have sneaked in just to freeload a meal, would you?” she asked bluntly.

Under the cafeteria lady’s wary gaze, even the ever-composed Xie Yizhao felt a rare sense of awkwardness.

At this moment, revealing his identity would only make things weirder.

Xie Heng was speechless, but when he saw his Dad’s expression, he couldn’t help but be amused.

Only the cafeteria lady could pull this off! Xie Heng was now even more convinced that once the auntie learned his Dad’s identity, the news of ‘CEO Xie’s son improving by 57 ranks in his latest exam’ would spread across the entire company in no time.

Lu Xi, however, wasn’t as amused as the rebellious son.

She tugged at Xie Yizhao’s sleeve and subtly hid behind his tall frame, avoiding the auntie’s scrutinizing gaze.

This was so… embarrassing.

Yet, she couldn’t help but stifle her laughter.

Xie Yizhao felt the slight tremble of the hand tugging his sleeve. He sighed helplessly and glanced down at his wife. Then, he looked over at his blue-haired son, who was holding a tray and grinning smugly, clearly recalling something amusing. Suddenly, he had the urge to rub his temples.

He felt utterly abandoned by his family.

Some employees, sensing the situation, approached with their cards, ready to help Xie Yizhao swipe in.

“Mr. Xie!”

Fortunately, Li Xiao arrived just in time. Taking in the situation at a glance, he quickly handed over his card and explained to the auntie, “This is CEO Xie. He rarely comes to the cafeteria. You can use my card for him.”

The auntie opened her mouth in shock, her face turning red with nervousness.

Had she just offended the big boss of the company?

Xie Yizhao, however, didn’t mind at all. But after this little incident, he decided that eating in the cafeteria was best avoided. Instead, he had the food packed and took the two of them back to his office for lunch.

His office was divided into three sections: a workspace, a lounge area, and a small meeting room with a rectangular table—perfect for dining.

After eating, neither Lu Xi nor Xie Heng left immediately. Lu Xi sat on the sofa, planning to rest for a bit, while Xie Heng, who rarely came to his Dad’s office, couldn’t resist wandering around, touching things here and there.

However, the office was minimalistic, exuding a strong work atmosphere. Unlike Ye Sisheng’s office, there was nothing fun to explore.

Xie Heng quickly lost interest and plopped down next to Lu Xi on the sofa.

Xie Yizhao sat at his desk, catching up on the backlog of work from the morning.

Suddenly, he lifted his gaze and looked at Lu Xi.

As if reminded of something, he opened a drawer, pulled out a beige sticky note, and wrote something on it.

Then, he walked over to the sofa, handed her the note, and, with a serious and business-like expression, said, “Take a look at this and consider your answer carefully.”

Lu Xi was momentarily taken aback.

Judging by his tone, was this something important?

Even Xie Heng thought so.

He wasn’t as reckless as before—he had learned some discretion. Knowing that it was best not to interrupt when adults were discussing serious matters, he sat up straight, pretending not to notice.

Lu Xi picked up the note and read it carefully, only to break down laughing a second later.

[Madam, you seemed very happy to see me embarrassed?]

Her expression turned complicated as she glanced at the man who had calmly returned to his desk as if nothing had happened.

It took all her willpower to suppress her laughter.

Seriously? How could he do something so subtly dramatic while keeping a straight face?

She cleared her throat, got up, and walked to his desk. Taking the pen from his hand, she quickly scribbled a response below his elegant handwriting. Then, putting on a serious face, she handed it back to him with an air of formality.

[Sorry, my bad. What compensation does my dear Hubby need?]

The man’s eyes glimmered with a faint smile as he glanced at the note. Then, making sure the clueless teenager remained oblivious, he smoothly wrote a reply and slid the paper back to her.

[Easy. There’s a banquet this weekend. I’d rather not go alone. Would my wife be available to accompany me?]

Xie Heng, completely unaware of their exchange, was lost in his own thoughts.

Tomorrow was a school day.

Which meant waking up at 6:30 AM.

No more sleeping in.

Ugh. He was so jealous of Ms. Lu!

---

Cen Yun watched as Xie Heng dashed out like a little wolf cub, shielding Lu Xi as if forbidding her from getting close. His stance was rather intimidating.

Her lips trembled, and she instinctively wanted to put on the airs of an elder and lose her temper.

But the cold wind in the cemetery quickly sobered her up.

Put on airs? Among the three people in front of her, which one would actually give her any face? Even the niece she had watched grow up had clearly grown distant. Since her return, Lu Xi hadn’t even bothered to visit them. If Cen Yun hadn’t taken the initiative to call her over, she wouldn’t have even greeted them.

Soon, Lu Yuehua arrived. He quickly pulled Cen Yun back and plastered a smile on his face as he spoke to Lu Xi. “It’s nothing, your Aunt just wanted to check on you. No other intentions.”

Lu Xi couldn’t tell what they were after, but her expression remained indifferent as she nodded.

“Thank you for your concern, but we still need to pay our respects to my parents,” she said.

Lu Yuehua, a businessman of decades, was sharp and quick to react. Immediately, he pulled his wife aside so they wouldn’t be in the way.

As Lu Xi approached the grave, the two men who had been standing there also stepped back, watching her with complicated expressions.

They were Lu Xi’s cousins.

One was thirty-five, the other around thirty. Both of them looked impatient, making it obvious that they hadn’t wanted to come today.

Interesting.

They were grown men with their own careers. If they truly didn’t want to be here, Lu Yuehua wouldn’t have been able to force them. And yet, the whole family showed up together—coincidentally at the same time as her.

Lu Xi hoped she was overthinking it.

Lu Yuehua was, after all, her father’s younger brother. Blood ties still existed between them. Coming to pay respects to the deceased should be an act of sincerity, not driven by ulterior motives.

She quickly dismissed the thought.

Seeing them begin their rituals, her uncle’s family didn’t linger. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Cen Yun hesitating, reluctant to leave, but in the end, she was coaxed away by the others. Lu Xi simply acted as if she hadn’t seen anything.

For today’s memorial, they hadn’t brought anyone else—just the three of them. As Lu Xi was about to kneel, Xie Heng stopped her. He glanced at her long coat and said, “We’ll do it. You don’t want to dirty your clothes.”

Before Lu Xi could respond, he was already skillfully setting up the offerings they had brought.

Watching both Xie Heng and Xie Yizhao work with practiced ease, Lu Xi’s gaze flickered slightly.

As the two men busied themselves, Lu Xi stood before the gravestone in silence for a long time.

She had noticed Xie Heng’s nervousness toward her all the way here. He was young and wore his emotions on his face. Earlier, when she had yawned and teared up from waking up too early, he had hurriedly handed her a tissue as if she were about to break down, making her both amused and exasperated.

Even Xie Yizhao, while driving, kept glancing at her a little too often.

Initially, Lu Xi’s mood had been quite heavy. But thanks to this father and son duo fussing over her, a lot of her sadness had dissipated. She felt much calmer now.

She knew. They were afraid she would cry.

But it had been so long… She had been just a child back then. Even at that time, she hadn’t cried. How could she cry now?

She had been three or four when it happened, too young to understand anything. One night, her uncle had suddenly come to take her to his home, saying something had happened to her parents.

It wasn’t until the funeral that she realized her parents had died in a car accident.

But to a child that young, the concept of death was incomprehensible.

As she grew older and began to understand, she learned that they had died in a car crash.

She never spoke about it, but a shadow remained in her heart—one that stopped her from ever learning to drive.

And ironically, in her original fate, she too was meant to die in a car accident…

Was it some eerie twist of fate?

A cold wind blew, and she shivered slightly.

Xie Yizhao stood beside her, unwrapping his scarf and draping it around her neck, threading it through the loop to block out the wind.

The scarf carried the warmth of his body and the clean, woody scent that always clung to him.

Xie Heng, seeing this, prepared to take off his own coat, only to realize he was wearing a fleece hoodie. If he took it off, he’d be left in just a short-sleeved shirt underneath.

He wasn’t afraid of the cold.

But he was certain that if he took off his coat, Lu Xi would pinch his cheek and tell him to put it back on.

So, he silently gave up and stood at her right side, deliberately positioning himself in the wind’s path.

Lu Xi still crouched down, unconcerned about her coat getting dirty, and finished burning the offerings for her father. Then, the family moved to the neighboring grave and did the same for her mother.

She noticed that her mother’s grave was empty—not a single other offering or even a bouquet of flowers.

Her brows furrowed slightly in discomfort.

She thought about it, then let it go.

After all, they weren’t related by blood to her mother. If they had cared, it would have been kindness; if they neglected it, she couldn’t blame them. In the end, this was her own responsibility.

Once everything was done, Lu Xi stood up, and the two men flanking her immediately reached out to support her.

While she had been burning offerings, Xie Heng had quietly been holding up the hem of her coat for her.

She turned back to look at the boy, and finally, a faint smile appeared in her eyes.

After a moment of thought, she stood between the two gravestones and, in a voice only the three of them could hear, said,

“Dad, Mom, don’t worry. I’m doing well now.

“Xiao Heng has been very well-behaved. He even improved by fifty-seven ranks on his last exam.”

Xie Heng was suddenly called out and couldn’t help but ruffle his blue hair. He tried to act indifferent but failed, his lips curled up into a smile. Realizing it might not be appropriate, he quickly suppressed his grin and spoke earnestly, “Grandpa, Grandma, just wait and see. My grades will definitely improve more!”

He paused before adding, “And also, I won’t let anyone bully Ms. Lu. Outsiders can’t, and even family… can’t either.”

As he spoke, he sneakily glanced at Xie Yizhao.

The hint was far from subtle.

Xie Yizhao shot him a warning look, and only after Xie Heng tactfully averted his gaze did Xie Yizhao allow a faint, composed smile to surface.

He looked at the two tombstones before them, then at Lu Xi’s calm profile. His lips pressed together slightly, his gaze carrying a deep and distant emotion.

After bowing to the elders, they left the cemetery as the rain stopped.

It was almost lunchtime.

Although Lu Xi hadn’t cried today and appeared composed, she was too quiet, barely speaking. Xie Heng scratched his head and, in an attempt to distract her, pulled out his phone and casually asked, “What are we eating later? I’m starving. Are you guys hungry?”

“That’s a good idea,” Xie Yizhao completely ignored his son’s input and gently asked Lu Xi, “What do you feel like eating?”

How could Lu Xi not see through their intentions? She blinked and smiled at Xie Yizhao. “Anything?”

“Yes.”

Xie Yichao’s reply was firm.

In truth, even if Lu Xi said she wanted to fly to the other side of the world for a meal, he could make it happen.

But her actual suggestion caught him completely off guard.

“I’ve always heard that Xie Corporation’s cafeteria rivals Black Pearl restaurants. CEO Xie, do you mind taking us there for a taste?” Lu Xi asked with a bright smile.

Xie Heng was stunned. Was that even a thing? Why had he never heard of it?

But today, whatever Ms. Lu said was law. So the boy shamelessly played along, pretending to be interested. “Yeah, I heard that too. CEO Xie, take us to broaden our horizons.”

Xie Yizhao : “…”

As if he couldn’t tell what this little brat was up to.

Expressionless, he reached out and pushed Xie Heng’s head back before glancing at Lu Xi with a half-smile.

She was looking at him innocently.

But why did he feel like she had planned this all along and just waited for the right moment to bring it up?

Besides… was the cafeteria really that good? Why had he never heard about this?

Xie Yizhao had never eaten at the cafeteria.

He had only visited on special occasions—to inspect the food and greet employees. He wouldn’t normally go there.

But today was different. He wasn’t going for work—he was taking his family to eat. So he simply drove to the company, parked in the parking lot, and led Lu Xi and Xie Heng inside without even informing his assistant.

At 11:50 AM, Li Xiao had just finished his tasks. He removed his glasses and rubbed his temples, ready to head to the cafeteria for lunch.

Suddenly, a group of colleagues surrounded him, staring at him in shock.

“Why is CEO Xie at the cafeteria? And you’re not with him?”

“Is there some company event today?”

“I heard he even brought his wife and son…”

Li Xiao froze.

No way.

Why on earth would Mr. Xie go to the cafeteria for lunch—with his wife and son?

He quickly checked his phone. No messages from Mr. Xie.

Then he glanced at the calendar and was even more confused.

It wasn’t April Fool’s Day, so his colleagues couldn’t be pranking him… right?

---