This chapter is brought to you by Peach, thanks for the ko-fi! ♡ ～(‘▽^人)
Chapter 15 – Is she really his biological mother?
“Has that Zhou Wenyuan ever been to our house?” In the glass conservatory of the courtyard, Lu Xi sat on a classical wicker chair, her fingers twirling a string of lilies, her eyes shadowed.
The butler was curious. How did Madam know? He replied, “Yes, he’s an orphan who has been supported by the Xie family’s charitable education fund since childhood. He attended Mingli High School and came to our house specifically to thank Mr. Xie.”
“How many times has he come?”
The butler, meticulous in his duties, promptly answered, “Including this time, it’s been four times.”
Lu Xi smirked faintly, “He certainly comes quite often.”
The butler hesitated.
Zhou Wenyuan missed Mr. Xie on his first two visits and only met him on the third, bringing a gift: a collection of his academic records since elementary school, framed to express gratitude for the charitable funds that had ensured his well-being.
Lu Xi felt uneasy.
This didn’t quite match her dreams.
Zhou Wenyuan came to see Xie Yizhao. He had excellent grades, so Xie Yizhao asked him to tutor Xie Heng, despite attending different schools.
Things had changed. Was it related to her crossing over?
She held no prejudice against Zhou Wenyuan; he, too, was a victim of the incident that left him disabled. However, she didn’t want him to have any contact with Xie Heng.
And then there was Ruan Tian.
After Xie Heng’s incident, Zhou Wenyuan recovered, received substantial compensation, studied abroad, returned to successfully start a business, and pursued his former crush, Ruan Tian.
No wonder her name sounded so familiar to Lu Xi.
Just then, a servant approached, “Madam, Young Master has returned.”
Lu Xi stood up abruptly, her face cold and composed, brows furrowed. “Why is he back at this hour?”
She hurried towards the living room, her long skirt billowing in the wind, her movements sharp and decisive.
The butler hesitated, quickly following. Did Madam intend to confront Young Master now and settle scores later?
Xie Heng looked at the people in the living room, paused, then turned cold, the basketball in his hand was dropped to the floor.
“Why are you all here?”
Seeing him return, Ruan Tian felt a surge of joy, pulling her female classmate beside her as she walked over. “You took a leave, so we came to see you.”
Xie Heng was impatient. “What’s the point of seeing me? We’re not close.”
“…”
Several girls looked uneasy, embarrassed and unsettled.
They knew Xie Heng’s attitude well, but urged by Ruan Tian, they came anyway. Now, they were getting scolded!
Ruan Tian clenched her sleeves in frustration, pouting. “You’re so mean. If it weren’t for your injury, I wouldn’t have come.”
Normally, a slight frown from her would soften anyone, male or female.
But Xie Heng remained unmoved, frowning deeply, his jaw tight with sharp lines. “Enough, I’m fine. All of you, leave.”
Issuing a dismissal, the other girls quickly pulled Ruan Tian away, leaving her feeling aggrieved.
Just as she saw him, they were leaving without even exchanging a few words? If she had known, she would have come alone. She knew Xie Heng was proud and cared about his image.
He really was…
Clearly fond of her, willing to fight for her, yet always wearing a sour face towards her. Fortunately, he was handsome, or she would have been fed up long ago.
Ruan Tian broke free from her friend’s grasp, lifting her proud little face. “But your stepmother just invited us to dinner.”
Xie Heng grew more irritated. “…Mind your own business.”
Seeing him like this, Ruan Tian knew she hadn’t guessed wrong. His relationship with his stepmother was indeed very poor. Suddenly she felt regretful, and wondered if she shouldn’t have mentioned that woman after all.
Xie Heng couldn’t be bothered with them. He had just finished playing basketball and was covered in sweat, and he planned to go upstairs for a shower.
“Xie Heng.” Zhou Wenyuan walked over at this moment. “Long time no see.”
Xie Heng didn’t expect him to be here too. He frowned, “What are you here for again?”
For some reason, he just disliked Zhou Wenyuan, feeling irritated whenever he saw Zhou Wenyuan, almost a physiological aversion.
Especially that time when his Dad praised Zhou Wenyuan for hard work right in front of him, it made him lose his appetite, feeling like he was being compared unfavorably.
Zhou Wenyuan still spoke in a gentle tone, “I heard you got injured. I came to see how you’re doing. If you have any missed lessons, I can help you catch up.”
“No, need!” Xie Heng put his hands in his pockets, raised an eyebrow, and sneered, “If you want to please my Dad, go to his company and find him, don’t bother me.”
A girl couldn’t help but speak up, feeling indignant, “Xie Heng, you’re being too much. He’s just being kind, don’t insult him.”
They were all in the second year of high school, in the same class. They knew Zhou Wenyuan came from a poor family, but he excelled academically and got along well with his classmates; no one discriminated against him.
Compared to him, Xie Heng was truly a spoiled second-generation rich kid.
Xie Heng looked coldly at the group, his expressionless face making him appear intimidating, after all, his reputation as a school bully was well known. The girl who spoke earlier shrunk back a bit.
He couldn’t be bothered with these boring people and lifted his leg to go upstairs.
The girl misunderstood, thinking he was about to act aggressively, and flinched.
Seeing this, Zhou Wenyuan immediately grabbed Xie Heng, “It was wrong of me to come here. What’s your problem with me…”
Xie Heng: ?
He was annoyed. He shook off Zhou Wenyuan’s grip and grabbed his collar.
Ruan Tian, anxious, wanted to go and pull him away but was afraid of being accidentally hurt, standing awkwardly aside.
Just then, a cold and commanding female voice sounded.
“Let him go.”
Lu Xi walked in, frowning as she watched the scene.
Xie Heng was taken aback and involuntarily released his grip.
But upon further thought, she had just arrived; she didn’t know anything, so why did she demand he let go? Ruan Tian had said she invited them for dinner. Was she like his Dad, preferring Zhou Wenyuan?
He looked somewhat bewildered at Lu Xi, “No, I…”
Xie Heng rarely found himself in this situation, instinctively wanting to explain. Although that assumption hadn’t been confirmed yet, he didn’t want her to misunderstand him as a bad kid.
Before he could speak, Lu Xi interrupted, “Stop talking. Go upstairs first.”
Xie Heng: “…”
He gritted his teeth.
She didn’t even listen to his explanation and just chased him away like that? Sure enough, she was just like his Dad, thinking he was incorrigible, not even measuring up to an outsider.
He felt angry.
And a flood of grievances surged up in him. He couldn’t stay here for another moment.
He pulled off his jacket with a snap and threw it to the ground, suppressing his grievance in his throat, “If you can’t stand me, I’ll leave. I won’t come back to bother you!”
He didn’t expect things to escalate like this.
The butler was at a loss and quickly came up to restrain Xie Heng, coaxing him with gentle words.
Ruan Tian: “…”
She walked up, lightly touching Xie Heng’s arm, then glanced at the woman standing there with a cold expression. She couldn’t help feeling sorry for Xie Heng.
She wasn’t mistaken. Xie Heng indeed seemed very unhappy in this family. Normally, he must often endure his stepmother’s anger.
Xie Heng helped her, so she should stand up for him at this moment.
Ruan Tian looked at him with some pity, “Xie Heng, don’t leave. This is your home. No one can drive you away.”
She spoke with a hint of arrogance, then turned to Lu Xi, “Aunt, as Xie Heng’s classmate, I want to advise you. Could you please treat him better in the future? After all, he is Uncle Xie’s biological son. Even though you are his stepmother, you should care more about him.”
The butler was stunned and wanted to cover the girl’s mouth.
Why is she stirring up trouble? Does she want more chaos?
It’s exhausting.
Xie Heng was furious and ready to leave, but Ruan Tian’s words confused him.
What nonsense is she talking about?
Does she really think she has a say in family matters just because she’s his classmate?
Xie Heng withdrew his hand. He couldn’t push a woman, so he stepped back impatiently and glanced at Ruan Tian, “Could you leave? Can you stop meddling in my affairs? Aren’t you annoyed?”
Why is he like this? She was trying to help him!
“You… you’re unreasonable!” Ruan Tian cried, “I’ll give you one chance. Apologize to me, or I’ll ignore you from now on!”
Xie Heng, bewildered, retorted, “Who asked you to care about me?”
Ruan Tian felt both angry and embarrassed, crying pitifully. Other girls gathered around, quickly comforting her and criticizing Xie Heng.
Lu Xi cleared her throat, “Enough, everyone quiet down.”
Her voice wasn’t loud or harsh, but cold and commanding, reminding everyone that she was the mistress here and had absolute authority.
She glanced at Zhou Wenyuan first, her eyes slightly narrowed in thought, then looked at Xie Heng.
Did she hear it correctly just now?
If she hadn’t hallucinated, the strange voice she heard should be like those system prompts in novels.
When Xie Heng grabbed Zhou Wenyuan by the collar earlier, that voice came from him.
[You successfully provoked Xie Heng’s negative emotions, gaining 30 luck points.]
[Keep it up! Only 20 points left, the host can gain the “Goddess’s Favor” buff.]
That cold mechanical voice sent shivers down Lu Xi’s spine.
Whatever it was, it must be harmful to Xie Heng.
She had always thought that although Xie Heng had a bad temper, he was restrained in fights. Like just now, he grabbed Zhou Wenyuan but didn’t actually throw a punch. Lu Xi had looked through his records; every time he fought, it was almost always because someone provoked him.
He had been tutoring Zhou Wenyuan. What had happened during this time to cause such deep enmity that Xie Heng would beat him to a serious injury?
When she arrived just now, she overheard a few sentences outside the window. Zhou Wenyuan’s words seemed innocent at first glance but upon closer inspection, they were suspicious, as if deliberate, specifically designed to provoke Xie Heng.
That system voice and those luck points… Could they be related to a person’s fate?
Ancient people believed in fate and luck. Even with a good fate, bad luck could bring misfortune. Perhaps… this was the truth behind Xie Heng’s early death.
Regardless of what this system with Zhou Wenyuan was, Lu Xi knew one thing for sure: Xie Heng needed to stay away from it.
She asked him to go upstairs, but the unruly child didn’t listen, even talked back to her, threatening to run away from home, which really gave her a headache.
Lu Xi rubbed her temples, feeling a throbbing pain inside.
This silly goose really worries people.
“Aunt, are you okay?” Zhou Wenyuan’s expression was very concerned. “Please don’t be angry with Xie Heng. Although he’s impulsive, he’s not a bad person. I don’t mind.”
Here we go again.
Xie Heng clenched his fists, wanting to grab him and throw him out.
Every time Zhou Wenyuan came to his house, Zhou Wenyuan always acted like this, showing off in front of his Dad, taking all the credit.
Well, adults like Zhou Wenyuan. His Dad does, and she probably does too.
Next, she’ll definitely praise him for being sensible and ask me to learn from him.
Xie Heng sneered. His handsome, youthful face was full of disdain, yet his eyes still betrayed sadness.
No one would stand by his side anyway…
“I do mind,” Lu Xi coldly interrupted, looking at Zhou Wenyuan. “Xiao Heng is my son. I know he’s not bad. There’s no need for outsiders to sow discord.”
Xie Heng was stunned.
How come? She was defending him, arguing with Zhou Wenyuan, and even rolled her eyes at Zhou Wenyuan?
Could he have misheard…
Zhou Wenyuan was dumbfounded. Her reaction wasn’t what he expected at all.
She’s Xie Heng’s stepmother; she should dislike the ex-wife’s son, shouldn’t she?
Xie Heng couldn’t hide his emotions. Just now, he looked so resentful, but now, being praised, he instantly perked up like a dog being petted, his eyes brightened.
Lu Xi stared coldly at him and said sharply, “Xie Heng.”
“… ” The Young Master smiled for only two seconds, desperately trying to suppress his raised lips. “What’s up?”
“Pick up your clothes and put them on. If you catch a cold, go stay in the garage,” Lu Xi said, rubbing her head again, feeling increasingly uncomfortable.
Xie Heng : “Oh.”
He didn’t sound happy, but inside he was secretly pleased.
Lu Xi had woken up feeling breathless this morning, and just now when she was in the greenhouse, her lower abdomen felt uncomfortable.
It must have been caused by the rebellious child.
Seeing her pale complexion, reminiscent of the day she was disturbed by Wang Ling, Xie Heng felt a sudden panic. Without arguing back, he obediently picked up his clothes and put them on.
He frowned deeply at the crowded room.
“The butler should send the guests away; everyone who doesn’t belong here.” It was all because of them, about to make her faint from the noise.
Xie Heng felt very uncomfortable.
He wondered how many times more he would have to bring fried chicken to make it up to her.
Ruan Tian waited half a day without hearing a soft word from Xie Heng, tears welling up in her eyes. “Xie Heng, you still haven’t apologized to me…”
Before she finished speaking, Lu Xi suddenly sat down on the sofa, holding her head low, bending over, hands massaging her temples, looking very uncomfortable.
The butler hurried forward to check on her condition.
But someone moved faster than him.
Xie Heng rushed over, sat down beside Lu Xi, his expression nervously gentle, his voice soft, “What’s wrong with you… Are you okay?”
Lu Xi sighed inwardly.
So annoying, of all times, her period had decided to come early, half a month ahead of her normal cycle!
And at that moment, Xie Yizhao returned.
His black car drove into the courtyard, and from the car, through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the living room, he could see a chaotic scene inside.
When he walked into the villa, Xie Yizhao handed his coat to the servant and heard someone’s crying.
?
What was going on?
Xie Yizhao disliked noise, especially since the situation at home was special now.
He glanced at the servant with displeasure, “Madam is still at home, how did you let it get so noisy?”
The servant quickly explained, “They’re Young Master’s classmates. They just wouldn’t leave, and Madam has become sick because they were too noisy.”
Xie Yizhao’s face darkened as he strode into the living room.
Xie Heng looked up and saw his Dad had returned, and everyone else froze.
Even Ruan Tian stopped crying.
“Master, you’re back,” the butler, ever alert, stepped forward and said urgently, “Madam isn’t feeling well. I was about to call Dr. Huang.”
On the sofa, Lu Xi leaned weakly against it, her small face pale, eyes closed, eyelashes trembling slightly.
Thinking back to that night when she was pulled out of the water, she looked just as pitiful. At that time, he couldn’t believe his eyes, he just picked her up, saw her clearly, and held her cold little hand. He found that the touch was just like before.
At that time, Lu Xi was so weak, as if she might disappear at any moment.
Thinking of this, Xie Yizhao’s heart tightened suddenly.
His face was as cold as water as he walked to the edge of the sofa, bending down slightly, half embracing her, one hand gently touching her forehead, and softly asking, “Where does it hurt?”
Lu Xi opened her eyes and blinked somewhat coquettishly, “It’s nothing. I just talked with Xiao Heng’s classmates for a while. They are so lively, I’m a bit tired.”
Zhou Wenyuan pushed his glasses up and apologetically said, “We were too thoughtless and disturbed Aunt.”
What a great acting skills.
Xie Heng really wanted to roll his eyes at Zhou Wenyuan like Lu Xi.
Meanwhile, Xie Yizhao was more straightforward, not even lifting his eyes as he coldly instructed, “See the guests out. Don’t let random people into the house in the future.”
This was a clear order to leave.
Even Ruan Tian felt too embarrassed to cry any longer, wiping her tears and leaving with her classmates.
As they left the villa, Zhou Wenyuan’s hands in his pockets were clenched white.
What a pity. He was so close; today he could have gained some luck points… He would have to try again next time.
Little did he know, as soon as he left, Lu Xi mentioned him to Xie Yizhao.
Lu Xi leaned against Xie Yizhao uncomfortably, holding her forehead. “It’s so strange. Every time I see Zhou Wenyuan, I feel so uncomfortable, I’m sure I clash with him.”
Xie Heng felt like applauding inwardly at this.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Although he didn’t know why Lu Xi disliked Zhou Wenyuan, would his Dad believe this reason?
Business people are superstitious; they consult Feng Shui and fortune-tellers for everything, but Xie Yizhao rarely went along with this.
While Xie Heng thought about this, he heard his Dad solemnly instruct the butler, “Notify the property management not to let him in again.”
Xie Heng : ???
Did that really work? If only he had known earlier!
Once those people left, the house became quiet again.
Xie Yizhao carried Lu Xi back to their room.
Xie Heng sat on the sofa, pondering. He felt uneasy. He didn’t invite those people, but because of him, Ms. Lu was upset like this.
He wanted to go upstairs and check, maybe apologize again or something.
He reached the third floor and found the master bedroom door open, hearing voices inside.
…Forget it, better leave. Avoid hearing things he shouldn’t.
“I thought it was Xie Heng who made you angry,” Xie Yizhao said casually.
Lu Xi’s voice was sickly sweet and fierce, “I’m his biological mother. If he dares to make me angry, I’ll beat him.”
Xie Heng’s feet slipped, almost falling down the stairs.
Did she really say that… Could it be…
She really wasn’t lying to him?!