This chapter is brought to you by Peach, thanks for the ko-fi! ♡ ～(‘▽^人)
Chapter 19 – Wives need to be coaxed (Part 2)
“Haha, Mr. Xie is in high spirits because of happy events. How come you didn’t invite us to such a big event as your wedding?”
Old Master Ye came together with his wife.
Xie Yizhao smiled faintly and said, “My wife’s health isn’t too good, so we didn’t hold a big ceremony.” After that, he naturally began talking with Old Master Ye about a certain project. Both of them were old foxes, and Old Master Ye wisely didn’t press further on the topic.
On the other hand, Old Madam Ye, a kind-hearted elderly lady, pulled Lu Xi aside and gently asked if there was anything wrong with her health, offering to recommend a good doctor.
Lu Xi had met her before at a tea party Old Madam Ye had hosted. She was a very friendly woman.
After thinking for a moment, Lu Xi said, “It’s nothing serious, just a little weak.”
Old Madam Ye was very eager to help, and despite Lu Xi being younger, she didn’t dismiss her. She genuinely recommended an elderly Chinese medicine doctor, saying that he was quite famous and hard to get an appointment with, urging Lu Xi to go see him when she had time.
Lu Xi seriously took the business card and thanked her.
She really did plan to see the doctor. She wasn’t sure if her body had been affected by the whole time-traveling situation, as Western medicine might not detect things that could be checked through other means.
Xie Yizhao was still chatting with Old Master Ye.
Lu Xi excused herself and hurried to the restroom. Her obsessive-compulsive disorder kicked in; she couldn’t stand not knowing how badly Xie Straight-man1 had ruined her hairstyle. She couldn’t check it in public, which was driving her crazy.
The restroom on the first floor was for guests, with soft lighting. Lu Xi looked at the beauty reflected on the mirror and smiled contentedly.
Thankfully, Xie Yizhao hadn’t been too rough, so it wasn’t ruined too badly. There was still hope.
She lightly wet her hands, then started carefully fixing her hair.
High heels clicked from outside the door.
Soon, two women walked in. Upon seeing Lu Xi, both of them paused for a moment.
Qin Yue instantly regretted coming in.
She linked arms with her friend, arrogantly lifting her chin, and complained, “How annoying, someone’s already in here. If we’d known, we’d have gone to the second-floor restroom.”
Her friend, understanding her, chimed in, “Yeah, it really ruins the mood.”
Lu Xi glanced at them in the mirror.
She raised an eyebrow.
No way, after all these years, there were still such childish provocations? How uncouth.
It just goes to show that some things never change, no matter how many years pass.
Lu Xi couldn’t be bothered with them and continued focusing on her hairstyle.
Qin Yue was ignored completely. Lu Xi didn’t even spare her a glance. She didn’t know whether to stay or leave, feeling even more displeased.
“Hey, I didn’t see clearly just now, sorry, isn’t this the woman Mr. Xie brought?”
Qin Yue pretended to be surprised and stepped closer to Lu Xi.
Lu Xi glanced at her and moved to the side.
How childish. Did she really think that if Lu Xi’s identity wasn’t acknowledged, Lu Xi wouldn’t be Mr. Xie’s wife?
Clearly, she was just a child.
Lu Xi unconsciously saw them as children who didn’t know better, so she couldn’t be bothered to respond.
It wasn’t that she was afraid of conflict, nor was she too lazy. It was just that fighting with someone on such a low level wouldn’t bring any glory, and it was utterly pointless.
After washing her hands, Lu Xi pulled up the corner of her mouth at Qin Yue and kindly said, “Little one, be good and go use the restroom. Pay attention to safety.”
Qin Yue : ?
What’s going on?
Who’s the little one? This woman is really taking advantage of her!
Qin Yue was really upset and, forgetting her family’s advice, chased after her in high heels and stopped Lu Xi. “Miss, I want to kindly remind you not to be a substitute for someone and look so foolish. Do you know that Xie Yizhao has an ex-wife?”
Lu Xi : …Of course I know, I’m her.
Qin Yue continued, “Don’t think that Xie Yizhao really likes you; he’s just using you. After all, you look like his ex-wife.”
Lu Xi wanted to sigh.
Sorry, but such a trendy thing—Xie Yizhao is probably clueless about it.
Lu Xi touched her own face.
Well, since there’s nothing to do at the banquet, she might as well amuse the younger ones.
She curiously asked, “Really? What does his ex-wife look like? Is she as pretty as me?”
“……” Qin Yue was speechless. How could this woman be so narcissistic? To say something like that—how shameless!
She looked at Lu Xi’s face, her figure wrapped in the gown, her casual expression, and a very unique aura, as though she didn’t care about Qin Yue at all.
Qin Yue was the Young Lady of the Qin family.
And this woman, as they say, was picked up from the water—no identity, no background—what was there about her that was better than Qin Yue? How could Xie Yizhao choose her?
Qin Yue deliberately said, “His ex-wife is much prettier than you. Compared to her, you and Xie Yizhao just don’t match.”
Lu Xi’s eyes lit up. Instead of getting angry, she smiled, “Oh? Really? You have such a sweet mouth. Keep talking.”
“……”
So annoying!
Did this woman not understand what she was saying? Was she not mocking this woman? Who was this woman calling sweet-tongued?
Lu Xi didn’t expect that, just by attending a banquet, she would run into someone causing trouble for her because of Xie Yizhao.
Heh, the old man still had some charm, huh?
She didn’t really believe there was anything going on between them. She understood Xie Yizhao; even if he were to date, he wouldn’t go for such a shallow young thing.
She just didn’t get it—why did young women like mature older men now? Xie Yizhao had such a market?
“Little girl, you’re still young, and not bad-looking, so why go for an older man? Aren’t young, handsome guys better?” Lu Xi kindly persuaded.
Qin Yue was so angry that she stopped pretending, and arrogantly snorted, “What do you know? There are plenty of women who like him!”
This woman really didn’t know how to appreciate!
At that moment, Xie Yizhao walked over to the corner.
After finishing talking with Old Master Ye, he noticed Lu Xi hadn’t returned and his assistant had gone outside to take a call. He was worried, so he came to look for her.
It was unfortunate that he overheard Lu Xi’s comment.
Older men…
Xie Yizhao lowered his gaze, his lips tightening slightly, and his fingers lightly tapped.
His face was usually stern, with little expression, and it was hard to read his emotions. After a moment of pause, he stepped forward, walking steadily toward Lu Xi.
He didn’t have the habit of eavesdropping.
If he listened more, who knew what kind of comments his wife might make about his age…
“You’re here?” Lu Xi’s eyes lit up immediately.
He came out just as Qin Yue finished her sentence, so Lu Xi narrowed her almond-shaped eyes and gave Xie Yizhao a meaningful smile, walking over to take his arm. “Hubby, is it true what she said? I didn’t expect you to be so popular.”
Xie Yizhao : …Didn’t expect?
He cleared his throat, glanced at Qin Yue, who was too scared to speak, and softly said to Lu Xi, “Let’s go.”
Lu Xi deliberately teased him, not really jealous, but as a little ‘revenge’ for him messing up her hairstyle earlier. She knew when to stop and wouldn’t keep pestering him with questions.
Moreover, with Xie Yizhao’s appearance and wealth, it was normal for many people to admire him.
The couple left.
Qin Yue bit her lip in anger, her expression full of frustration.
Oh no, did Xie Yizhao hear everything she said just now?
“Yueyue, don’t be upset. I don’t think Mr. Xie is really pampering her,” her friend came over to comfort her. “Did you see her evening gown? I don’t even know which cheap brand it’s from.”
Qin Yue : Yeah, she definitely hasn’t seen it before.
Xie Yizhao could buy any high-end designer he wanted. The way she’s dressed just shows that he’s not really interested in her.
Thinking this, Qin Yue felt much better.
Suddenly, she remembered something.
She had heard that tonight, Master Louis would also be attending. He was Madam Ye’s half-brother and was well-known in the fashion industry. He had a sharp eye, a cutting tongue, and wouldn’t spare anyone’s feelings when he was in a bad mood.
If she could find a way to get Master Louis to comment on that woman’s dress, it would be a real spectacle.
She had been so eloquent earlier—would she end up crying when Master Louis roasted her?
Qin Yue told her friend about her plan.
As they returned to the banquet hall, they happened to see an old man with white hair walk in. That had to be Master Louis.
Qin Yue hadn’t figured out exactly how to go about it yet. She furrowed her brows and thought.
Suddenly, her friend grabbed her arm, looking surprised. “Why is Master Louis talking to her? Do they know each other?”
Qin Yue : ????
It was true!
The old man stood in front of Xie Yizhao and Lu Xi, chatting with them and smiling warmly. Anyone who didn’t know better would think he was some kind of charity ambassador. Wasn’t he supposed to be sharp-tongued and ruthless?
After coming out of the restroom, Lu Xi noticed that Xie Yizhao seemed off.
He was someone who kept his emotions hidden, so it wasn’t easy to tell, but Lu Xi was different—she could feel it. Normally, Xie Yizhao didn’t speak much, but now, he didn’t want to talk at all.
Who made him angry?
After thinking it over, she realized it could only be her. She had teased him a bit earlier, but it was just a joke. Surely, a grown man wouldn’t be that petty?
Lu Xi curiously looked at his indifferent profile. “Are you angry?”
Xie Yizhao’s tone was calm. “No.”
He wasn’t angry, maybe just a little displeased.
Well… if he wasn’t, then that was fine. Lu Xi looked at him again. He seemed very composed. Could it be that she was overthinking things?
Just then, someone beside her quietly murmured something. She didn’t catch the words, but when she looked up, she saw an elderly foreign man with white hair walking toward her. His eyes were strangely excited, like a treasure hunter who had just found a hidden gem.
The old man was indeed heading straight for her.
He had originally planned to come to greet his sister and leave, but his assistant, following closely behind him, recognized Lu Xi and pointed her out to Louis.
When Louis saw Lu Xi, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. He had no other messy thoughts; as a fashion designer, his first glance was at her clothes, and only after that did he notice her. The white embroidered bead lace dress that Lu Xi wore really hit his aesthetic taste.
He couldn’t wait to approach her, eager to introduce himself.
“Hello, Miss Lu Xi, who is the designer of your dress? Could you introduce them to me?” Louis, with his sharp eyes, could immediately tell that her dress was definitely not from those high-end luxury brands.
Lu Xi was taken aback.
The old man’s Mandarin was somewhat rough, and it took her a moment to understand.
Who is this? She didn’t recognize him, though he seemed somewhat familiar.
But his taste was really good, and Lu Xi felt happy. Anyone who liked her dress naturally gave her a good impression. So, she smiled and said, “It’s not a famous designer. I designed it myself, just some casual designs I did in the past.”
Louis : !
He was a bit surprised. He pushed up his glasses and looked at Lu Xi, nodding in satisfaction. He didn’t hesitate to compliment her, “As the old saying goes in your country, ‘heroes emerge in their youth.’ Your design has a lot of spirit; I really admire it.”
His tone was confident, almost grand, like a master. Lu Xi finally remembered who he was—wasn’t he Louis KC? There was even a scammer who had impersonated him to call her before.
“Thank you. I also really like your works,” Lu Xi replied.
Xie Yizhao glanced at the old man. Although he didn’t understand much about the fashion industry, he did recognize Louis.
His gaze silently turned back to Lu Xi, then to her dress. His expression was somewhat surprised.
He knew that Lu Xi liked to buy clothes but hadn’t expected that she could design them herself.
Louis’ gaze was sharp, and his whole demeanor was full of warmth. “Miss Lu, I had my assistant call you before, but unfortunately, you declined. Now, I’m personally inviting you. Would you be willing to come work with me and learn from me?”
Lu Xi was stunned.
What?
So it wasn’t a scam call?
Louis’ assistant was also a bit stunned.
She had worked for the old man for many years, mostly handling administrative tasks. But the old man wouldn’t let her get involved much in the creative side of things. But now, the old man was talking about having Lu Xi learn from him—was he planning to take Lu Xi on as his apprentice?
You should know, over the years, Louis has never accepted a single student, even though countless design school graduates send him resumes every year!
She was a little jealous.
Such a great opportunity, who would refuse it?
- She called him Xie Zhinan (like it’s his name), and Zhinan (直男 zhí nán) means a straight man ↩︎