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Chapter 16 – Do you know Xie Heng? That’s my son, go ask him. (Part 3)
At six in the evening, during dinner time, Xie Heng finally returned home with the setting sun, carrying four cups of milk tea.
Lu Xi specifically asked for two warm cups, and when she drank them, the rich milk flavor mixed with a faint hint of black tea and a subtle fruit sweetness.
“So good! Thank you, our Xiao Heng,” Lu Xi winked at him, giving a thumbs up.
Xie Heng looked sullen, “How good can it be? Milk tea all tastes the same.”
Lu Xi switched to another cup, her voice muffled, “This is much more refined than what we had back then.”
“……”
Xie Heng half-understood, but he picked up his own cup and, forgetting about dinner, started drinking.
It was very sweet, even though he had only asked for half sugar.
But it was quite good.
He had taken a bus to the place in the afternoon, and the queue extended outside the shop onto the street. When he asked, they said it would take at least four hours. He almost fainted.
Could this milk tea send people to the heavens? With the cold wind blowing, were people really that desperate for a drink?
He didn’t understand, but he was deeply impressed.
Although the taste was okay, he still couldn’t figure out why girls loved this stuff so much.
Lu Xi sipped on the straw, her eyes looking sweet and content. Xie Heng couldn’t help but make a sarcastic remark, “You drink two cups of milk tea, be careful not to gain weight.”
Lu Xi: “……” This brat was such a killjoy.
If he wasn’t sitting so far away, she would definitely pinch his handsome face.
But thinking about how obedient he was today, Lu Xi decided to let it slide.
Before long, Xie Yizhao came back.
The housekeeper noticed that ever since Madam came, if the Master wasn’t on a business trip, he would always come home for dinner.
“How was it today?” he asked Lu Xi as he walked into the dining room.
She nodded, “Pretty good, I can eat and sleep well, full of energy, and Xiao Heng bought me milk tea!”
There was a bit of showing off in her tone.
Xie Heng’s face turned a little red, and he buried his head in his food uneasily.
Seriously, was this small thing worth bragging about? If two cups of milk tea made her this happy, what if he bought something more expensive for her? Would she buy a trending topic to announce it to the world?
“Oh? Is it good?” Xie Yizhao saw the milk tea on the table and glanced at Xie Heng.
He knew, of course. The bodyguard following Xie Heng had said he bought four cups. Now, Lu Xi had two, Xie Heng had one, so where was the other one…
It was then that he noticed the milk tea bag in the butler’s hand.
Xie Yichao pressed his lips together, his expression unreadable.
So there wasn’t one for him.
Even the butler had one.
Lu Xi didn’t notice the sudden emo mood of the old man.
She had something on her mind.
That afternoon, while Xie Heng was out, Zhou Wenyuan came again, but the property management stopped him at the gate.
The property management was very responsible; they didn’t let him in and even called to notify the butler, and helped deliver a message.
Zhou Wenyuan brought some fruit, leaving it with the property management.
He said he caused trouble for Uncle and Aunt yesterday, so he came to apologize today.
This time, even the usually kind-hearted butler thought it was unnecessary.
He came yesterday and caused trouble at home, and now he’s back again. Isn’t coming too often?
Lu Xi ordered the fruits to be thrown away.
The people were sent away and the things were thrown out, but she was still uneasy.
She didn’t understand the mechanism of Zhou Wenyuan’s system. Was it simply being close to Xie Heng that allowed him to steal Xie Heng’s luck, or were there other conditions?
For example, making Xie Heng angry or causing him to have negative emotions?
If she couldn’t figure this out, she wouldn’t be at ease.
It wouldn’t be hard to find out, just investigate Zhou Wenyuan from every angle.
If she were alone, it would be difficult to achieve, but now, she had a whole family.
That night, Lu Xi knocked on the study door.
She had thought it over and almost immediately decided to tell Xie Yizhao.
But she couldn’t explain it clearly. She couldn’t express anything about time travel, that dream, or Zhou Wenyuan’s system in any form.
That’s where the trouble lay.
Given Xie Yizhao’s cautious nature, would he believe her and casually investigate a high school student?
As expected, after hearing what Lu Xi said, Xie Yizhao frowned and asked in confusion, “Zhou Wenyuan? What do you want to investigate about him?”
If Lu Xi hadn’t mentioned it, he would have forgotten who Zhou Wenyuan was.
Lu Xi thought about it and couldn’t find a reasonable excuse. She knew that this matter sounded absurd.
Since that was the case, she might as well be straightforward, “I don’t know what to investigate either, just everything. As for why, don’t ask me, I still can’t explain it.”
Xie Yizhao closed the file in his hand, his gaze indifferent but sharp, as if he could see through her thoughts.
In fact, with Lu Xi saying this, he could understand better.
Just like her disappearance and sudden reappearance, the whole matter, and she herself, exuded an inexplicable mystique. Xie Yizhao originally didn’t believe in gods or spirits, but now, he had gained a bit more reverence for such mysterious things.
She always had her reasons.
Perhaps she had foreseen something. He had a hunch that it had something to do with Xie Heng.
Xie Yizhao nodded lightly and said casually, “If you want to investigate, then investigate.”
Lu Xi was stunned, her amber eyes widening slightly.
No way, did he agree so easily? The Xie family father and son had been a bit too obedient lately.
Xie Yizhao continued, “I have a security company under my name, with some former police officers who have rich investigation experience. You can use them as you wish.”
Lu Xi was too surprised to know what to say.
“Thank you.”
Xie Yizhao smiled faintly, “No need to thank me, I’m Xiao Heng’s father, it’s what I should do.”
Lu Xi looked at him, his seemingly gentle but eagle-sharp eyes, feeling that he had already seen through everything.
Otherwise, how would he know that her needing to investigate Zhou Wenyuan was related to Xie Heng?
Xie Yizhao is different from the fool. He’s too clever and has experienced too much.
Although these things are unbelievable, he might still be able to figure them out on his own.
Just like when he sensed something unusual on her belly, that alone can explain a lot of issues.
But he didn’t mention it, indicating that he doesn’t care, because it’s not important.
As he said, he is Xie Heng’s father, hoping for Xie Heng’s well-being. On this point, they share the same mind, and that’s enough.
Lu Xi has already made up her mind.
Let the people on Xie Yizhao’s side investigate Zhou Wenyuan. His background, his past—whatever they can find might be a breakthrough.
On her side, she originally wanted to find an opportunity to meet Zhou Wenyuan, but unexpectedly, the opportunity will come next week.
Mingli High School is holding a National Day evening party.
The entire school, along with some parents, will attend. Important parents who have donated buildings like Xie Yizhao have received invitations from the school.
The performance list is also included.
Zhou Wenyuan will perform a poetry recitation.
The day before the evening party, Lu Xi knocked on Xie Heng’s door holding the invitation and straightforwardly said, “Tomorrow night, you’re going to school.”
He hasn’t been to school all this time, finding it uninteresting and not bothering to study. Finally, she couldn’t stand it and came to drive him to school, right?
“No classes tomorrow night. Why should I go?” Xie Heng pursed his lips tightly.
Lu Xi shook the invitation, “I know your school is hosting a party and inviting parents to attend.”
Xie Heng looked at her in astonishment, “You’re not seriously going to such a boring performance, are you?”
“Yes, why not?” Lu Xi looked at him calmly, her beautiful eyes faintly displeased, “Or, do you think I’ll embarrass you, think I’m ugly?”
Suddenly, Xie Heng’s heart thudded.
Ms. Lu, her eyes were so terrifying…
As if one wrong word from him would make her fiercely beat him, beat him until he regretted it.
*Sigh*.
Thinking of that pinch she gave him, Xie Heng’s face suddenly throbbed with pain.
“N-no, it’s not that. Anyway, just don’t go, and I don’t want to go either.”
Lu Xi looked at him quietly.
After a while, she said, “Fine, then don’t go. I’ll go by myself.”
Xie Heng stared blankly at her back. He couldn’t understand why she was so interested in a trivial activity at his school.
He felt uneasy.
Suppressing the restlessness in his heart, he shouted irritably, “Fine, I’ll go!”
Really, she’s unbelievable.
If she really were his mother, well, she would be quite the character, wouldn’t she? Was she spoiled like this by his Dad?
That night, Lu Xi had a peaceful sleep, but the little troublemaker stayed awake.
The next day, despite his deep resentment, he sat in the backseat with Lu Xi, glaring with dark circles under his eyes.
As soon as he got in the car, he leaned back, crossed his arms, and pretended to sleep. His expression was cold and stern, with his eyebrows tightly furrowed.
So young, yet always brooding over something.
But Lu Xi was different.
She was going to Xie Heng’s school, and she felt inexplicably excited.
Strictly speaking, it had only been five years since she graduated from high school, and memories of campus life were still fresh. Those times were beautiful, apart from the worries about studying, everything else was carefree.
In the prime of youth, full of fantasies and expectations for the future, surrounded by friends of the same age, and many charming boys pursuing her, Lu Xi really missed those days.
And now, she could only take this silly goose to experience a bit of youthful spirit, to see other cute boys and girls.
Life really is like a drama…
Lu Xi was feeling relaxed today.
Although she was here to investigate Zhou Wenyuan’s system, she also wanted to enjoy the gala seriously. She even specially had someone queue to buy bubble tea and brought snacks, even Xie Heng had a share.
The car drove straight into the school and they only got out when they reached the entrance of the auditorium.
Xie Heng looked unwilling, like he was kidnapped, but he stayed close to Lu Xi, not moving an inch, showing a hint of inexplicable obedience.
As they entered the auditorium, Lu Xi already felt many curious eyes on them, wherever they went.
Throughout Mingli High School, from freshman to senior year, there wasn’t a person who didn’t know him. He was handsome, had a bad temper, and could fight. Stack these three attributes together and it was enough to make him famous at any school.
But today, those gazes weren’t just looking at him; they were curious about the woman beside him.
Who was she?
Why does the school bully look like a tied-up big dog next to her?
Those gazes held no malice, and Lu Xi didn’t mind. As they entered the auditorium and found a suitable seat, it didn’t take long for her bubble tea and snacks to arrive.
The gala hadn’t started yet, and Xie Heng watched in disbelief as she ate a bag of spicy sticks and drank half a cup of bubble tea.
???
She was really well-prepared for this gala…
At this moment, Lu Xi’s phone rang.
It was the security captain arranged by Xie Yizhao.
He must have found something.
Lu Xi hesitated for a moment, then got up and walked out of the auditorium to answer the call.
Xie Heng was about to follow, but Lu Xi gestured to him, “Stay here, I’ll be right back.”
She quickly walked out.
Just as she was about to answer the phone, suddenly, several tall boys appeared from beside a marble pillar near the door, looking a bit mischievous. When they saw Lu Xi, their eyes lit up.
The leader took the initiative to walk over and block her path.
He flashed what he thought was a handsome smile, “Hey classmate, which class are you in? Want to add me on WeChat?”
Lu Xi : Hmmmm…
Was this a joke? She was being hit on by a few younger boys?
She blinked slowly, scrutinizing him from head to toe, barely suppressing the urge to laugh out loud.
Height, acceptable.
Looks, tidy enough to look at, but a hundred miles away from being handsome like Xie Heng.
The key point was, he wasn’t cute at all.
“Well, you’re quite confident, little classmate,” Lu Xi replied with a gentle yet serious tone, “Do you know Xie Heng? He’s the school bully here, and he’s my son. Go ask him and see if he decides to beat you up.”