Lu Xi was stunned.
She scanned Xie Heng up and down, unable to understand why he suddenly said that.
Although she found his words quite touching, she was still confused. “When did I say I was going to leave your Dad?”
Her eyes were filled with utter bewilderment.
“Not leaving is for the best.” Though deep down, he felt that with Ms. Lu’s qualities, she could definitely find someone better than his Dad, he was still quite happy. “So, you won’t divorce my Dad in the future?”
Lu Xi deliberately smiled. “That’s not certain. Who can guarantee the future?”
Xie Heng was momentarily stunned, then his gaze darkened.
Sure enough, he wasn’t wrong. Ms. Lu really didn’t like his dad all that much. If she found someone better in the future, his dad would be in danger.
It seemed Xu Jiaming had a point. Xie Heng needed to find a way to warn his Dad.
Even though he was bad at academics, he still knew that a triangle was the most stable shape. If Ms. Lu found someone else in the future, he, as her son, might end up being disliked by the new man. Thinking about it, his Dad still seemed like the better option. After all, he was their biological son.
The young man turned his head away, stubbornly and seriously saying, “I don’t care. You have to take me with you.”
“I’m really touched, but I still want to ask. Why wouldn’t you stay with your Dad?” Lu Xi asked. “Do you dislike him that much?”
Xie Heng ruffled his hair, sat down on the sofa, and thought for a moment before saying, “It’s not that I dislike him… it’s just that… being with you feels more comfortable.”
He couldn’t quite explain it.
When he was with her, he naturally felt close, and his whole body relaxed. But with his Dad, even just talking felt like a huge pressure. He was always tense, afraid of being judged from above and disappointed looks filled with indifference. It even made him defensive…
Lu Xi felt warmth in her heart. She asked again, “Do you realize how rich your Dad is? If you stay with me, I might not be able to provide you with the same lifestyle.”
Xie Heng scoffed and said proudly, “Doesn’t matter! I’ll earn money. Worst case, I’ll support you!”
Such bold words, yet so incredibly adorable…
Lu Xi squinted her eyes with a smile, suddenly feeling a warmth akin to basking in the winter sun.
She thought about the classic question asked of children after a divorce: whether they wanted to stay with their father or mother. But she didn’t even need to ask; she already knew the answer.
Except… this wasn’t very fair to Xie Yizhao.
If he knew how much his son rejected him, how would he feel?
From what Lu Xi understood about Xie Yizhao, he wasn’t someone ruled by emotions. Even if he knew his son wasn’t close to him, he probably wouldn’t be too upset. As a strict father, he wouldn’t even see it as his problem.
But that wasn’t right…
Lu Xi decided that when Xie Yizhao came back, she would find an opportunity to talk to him. After all, they were father and son, it was best not to let things become too strained.
On Lu Xi’s side, everything was progressing steadily in a good direction.
But things weren’t the same for Wang Qianru.
Lately, she had been plagued with trouble. Her career was facing its biggest crisis yet, and her home life was in turmoil.
After Lu Xi had hung up on her that day, her plan had failed. Soon after, her assistant received a lawyer’s letter. It was from Lu Xi, who was suing her. She knew this wasn’t something that could be easily resolved, so she had no choice but to hire a lawyer as well. She even spent a fortune hiring a high-success-rate lawyer, which pained her immensely.
However, after reviewing the documents, her lawyer advised her to settle out of court. Lu Xi’s lawyer, Lawyer Xu, was a top-tier professional in the industry, and the evidence was overwhelmingly against Wang Qianru. The chances of winning were very slim.
“As if I wouldn’t want to? But she’s completely cut ties with me now, even blocked my number!”
Wang Qianru knew Lu Xi’s personality. She wasn’t someone who feared trouble. She might seem like a pampered socialite, but in reality, she was strong-willed. Not to mention, her husband was Xie Yizhao! Now that she knew her work had been plagiarized, she obviously wouldn’t let this slide.
Wang Qianru reached out to other lawyers, but they all refused to take her case.
It was clear they didn’t want to go against Xie Yizhao.
The fashion industry was full of gossip, and soon, word of her plagiarism spread. A few contracts she had lined up were suddenly withdrawn, and partners who had previously been on good terms with her now wanted to sever ties.
One afternoon, her son came home from school with a dark expression, threw his bag onto the ground, and shouted that he wanted to transfer schools and he wasn’t going to school the next day.
She quickly asked him what was wrong.
“You’re asking me? Now all my classmates know what you did! They’re all saying my Mom is a thief who steals other people’s work!”
As he spoke, his eyes turned red. The whispers and ridicule from his classmates had left him speechless and unable to defend himself.
He didn’t even know who had spread the rumors… but even if he did, what could he do? The parents of those kids weren’t easy to mess with.
Especially Xu Sisi from his class. She had been his deskmate, but today, she asked the teacher to switch seats.
“My Mom hired your mom to design our school uniforms, and she just copied someone else’s work and tried to fool my Mom. How shameless.”
That cold and mocking face would be unforgettable.
Wang Qianru was frozen in place, as if nailed there.
It was Zheng Suxin’s daughter…
The rumors at school, there was a good chance she had started them!
But what could Wang Qianru do? Whether it was Xie Yizhao or Zheng Suxin, she couldn’t afford to offend either of them. But if Lu Xi hadn’t come back, none of this would’ve happened!
Her son’s grandmother was heartbroken and immediately agreed to transfer him to another school. She even blamed Wang Qianru for everything.
Later that evening, when her husband returned, she was bombarded with complaints at the dinner table, each remark laced with barbs.
She had thought, with all her heart, that her husband would take her side. Or at the very least, he would try to appease his mother.
But unexpectedly, the usually gentle and amiable man only looked at her with suspicion and asked, “You didn’t really plagiarize Xie Yizhao’s wife’s work, did you? You offended him, could he be retaliating against me?”
Wang Qianru felt guilty and avoided the topic of plagiarism, mumbling, “No… why would he target you…”
Her husband said nothing more.
That night, as she cut some fruit to bring to his study, she accidentally overheard his conversation with his mother.
“Maybe you should just get a divorce. We can take Xiaoqi and move elsewhere. Don’t you have business in B City anyway…”
Her husband lowered his head and said, “I’ll think about it.”
At that moment, Wang Qianru felt utterly devastated. She realized that her peaceful and happy life was about to be turned upside down.
She had always known that her mother-in-law disliked her, but after so many years of marriage, she had endured it. At least, on the surface, things had been fine.
But she never expected that the moment she ran into trouble, her mother-in-law would be so eager to push for a divorce. And her husband, he actually said he would consider it?
In an instant, Wang Qianru felt the world spinning, as if she was about to be abandoned by everyone.
And it was all because of Lu Xi…
Why did she come back? She was supposed to be dead! Someone who had fallen into the water and disappeared for so many years, why did she have to return?
Besides, all Wang Qianru did was take a few of her design drafts. Did she really have to be so petty? She already had Xie Yizhao, a wealthy husband, and she was living the life of a rich lady with no worries about food or clothing. Why did she still have to compete with her?
It was all Lu Xi’s fault…
Wang Qianru hated Lu Xi to the core, but there was nothing she could do. At this point, she couldn’t even see Lu Xi if she wanted to…
The next day was the school anniversary, as well as the day of the uniform design competition.
True to his word, Xie Yizhao made it back just in time.
Lu Xi had no doubt that he would keep his promise, but when she came downstairs for breakfast that morning and saw him sitting at the table, she still felt unexpectedly uplifted.
Xie Heng was also eating breakfast nearby.
“When did you get back?” Lu Xi walked over, her eyes sparkling in the morning light, tiny soft hairs on her cheek visible in the sunlight.
Xie Yizhao’s gaze softened. “An hour ago. You were still asleep, so I didn’t wake you.”
Xie Heng pursed his lips.
Sure, his Dad didn’t wake Lu Xi, but his Dad did wake him up, scolding him for sleeping in and making him choose between reading a book or going for a run.
Xie Heng felt extremely wronged. He wanted to say that he had stayed up late studying the night before, which was why he woke up late today. But, of course, he couldn’t tell his Dad that.
Lu Xi glanced at Xie Heng and reminded him about the fashion show today, telling him not to be nervous on stage.
“I know, no problem.” Xie Heng finished his egg, but instead of heading upstairs, he sat there, deep in thought, looking back and forth between Xie Yizhao and Lu Xi.
His gaze was so direct that both Lu Xi and Xie Yizhao noticed it.
Xie Heng didn’t bother to hide it either. Casually, he asked, “Dad, you just got back from a business trip. Didn’t you bring a gift for Ms. Lu or something?”
Hearing that, Lu Xi blinked and smiled at Xie Yizhao, looking as if she was really anticipating his response.
Xie Yichao cleared his throat and said to Lu Xi in a calm tone, “Sorry, I was too busy this time and didn’t have time to buy you anything. Next time.”
“Alright.” Lu Xi smiled and continued eating breakfast.
She was a little disappointed, but she understood that he was truly busy. Given his naturally unromantic personality, it wasn’t realistic to expect him to always remember to buy her gifts while on business trips.
So, whose fault was it?
Of course, it was all because of that meddlesome son!
Finishing her meal, Lu Xi went upstairs to change, preparing to leave, but not before glaring at Xie Heng.
This was all his fault.
Xie Heng, who had been inexplicably glared at, looked confused for a moment before realization dawned on him.
See? She was upset now, wasn’t she? And it was all because his Dad wasn’t thoughtful enough to bring her a gift.
Frowning, Xie Heng shook his head at Xie Yizhao with a look of disappointment. “Song Siyang’s Dad brings his Mom gifts every time he goes on a business trip.”
Xie Yizhao was reading messages on his phone. Upon hearing this, he looked up and said in a calm voice, “And what exactly are you trying to say?”
“Nothing. Just giving you a little reminder.”
Xie Heng felt that his Dad’s attitude was seriously problematic—so unromantic! At this rate, his Dad would lose her sooner or later.
He picked up a strawberry from the glass dish, popped it into his mouth, and chewed it thoughtfully. Looking at Xie Yizhao, he suddenly felt a rare sense of superiority over his all-capable father.
He might not be as smart or successful as his Dad.
But he definitely understood Lu Xi better.
A smirk curled on the boy’s lips, a trace of pride flashing in his eyes. He warned, “Dad, you better be careful. Look at Ms. Lu, she’s very popular. If you don’t put in more effort and treat her better, you’re going to regret it. Do you even realize how many stray young men are waiting for their chance?”
With that, he casually strolled upstairs, a satisfied smile on his face.
Xie Yizhao watched his son’s smug back, the veins on his forehead twitching.
This kid…
Xie Yizhao had the sudden urge to drag him back and knock some sense into his son’s head, just to see what kind of nonsense his son was thinking all day long.
However, Xie Heng had just spoken so vividly, something about a ‘stray young man’…
Could he have been hinting at Ye Sisheng?
Xie Yizhao silently lowered his eyes, reached into the pocket of his trench coat, and touched a small velvet box. He frowned slightly, suddenly feeling a bit regretful. Perhaps he should have taken it out just now.
But doing it in front of Xie Heng, at the dining table at home, felt too casual and not romantic enough.
Better to wait for another opportunity…
After all, tonight, he and Lu Xi would have plenty of time together.