Chapter 6 – Let’s sleep in separate beds.
He scowled and prepared to go out to find food. It’s not like he didn’t have money; why bother staying home to be tortured? He walked downstairs, deliberately passing through the dining room, swaggering out in front of them.
“Stop,” came Xie Yizhao’s voice. “It’s lunchtime. Where are you going?”
Xie Heng sneered disdainfully. “As long as it doesn’t bother someone’s eyes, I’ll eat out on my own.”
Lu Xi finished the last bite of her food, set down her chopsticks, and heard his sarcasm, her delicate face showing no emotion. “Wait a moment, we’ll do a paternity test before you leave.”
“A paternity test?” Xie Heng was stunned, his eyes showing confusion. What the heck?
After a moment, he suddenly realized something, his anger and panic rising. Clenching his fists, he stared fiercely at Xie Yizhao. “Are you okay? Someone says a few things and you actually suspect I’m not your biological son?”
How come he never noticed before how soft his Dad’s heart was?
The young man’s body tensed, stubborn yet full of indescribable grievance. His tough attitude was just a shield. In Lu Xi’s eyes, ignoring his height, he was just an immature child.
Lu Xi sighed softly. “It’s to test your relationship with me.”
Xie Heng’s pupils widened slightly. He blinked, feeling like a paused scene in a movie. When he finally understood, half of his anger dissipated, feeling absurd. “We’re not even blood-related. Are you crazy?”
Lu Xi replied calmly, “Your opinion doesn’t count. Science does.”
“…” Xie Heng, a self-proclaimed academic underachiever, felt like the word ‘science’ was an insult.
“Fine, let’s do it,” he gritted his teeth. “Not only with you, I want to test with my Dad too. It seems like he’s been possessed. I suspect he’s not himself.”
Xie Yizhao remained noncommittal.
A few days ago, Teacher Liang from school called his assistant, reporting that Xie Heng had gone from sleeping in class to reading novels. It seemed he had stumbled upon some strange things, and now his imagination had become wild.
Lu Xi stood up, walked gracefully towards Xie Heng.
He instantly became alert, bad memories flooding back. “What are you doing, trying to start a fight again? I don’t hit women, but don’t push it…”
But this time, Lu Xi just smiled and patted his shoulder. “Little kid, how about a bet?”
“What?”
“After the test, if I turn out to be your mother, you have to agree to a request from me. Of course, if I’m not, I’ll agree to one of yours,” Lu Xi said.
Xie Heng looked skeptical. “Really?”
Lu Xi raised an eyebrow. “What, are you scared?”
Boys of his age couldn’t resist a challenge. Xie Heng snorted and said bluntly, “No problem. My request is for you to leave my family. Don’t try to be my Mom.”
Lu Xi chuckled.
This little guy was quite childish.
Soon, the staff from the testing agency collected samples from the three of them. The process was very professional and efficient, without any inappropriate questions or looks.
As for what they were thinking… who knows?
Their boss suddenly wanting a paternity test could easily trigger thoughts of complex family scandals among the rich and powerful. The staff present had various speculations: ‘CEO suddenly suspects his son isn’t his own,’ ‘Evil stepmother causing trouble between father and son,’ and so on.
But they only thought about it briefly, dared not discuss it, and certainly wouldn’t spread it. Doing paternity tests often involved strict confidentiality agreements, especially when dealing with someone like Xie Yizhao. Crossing him could mean losing everything.
The person in charge said, “We will expedite the testing, and the results will be ready tonight.”
Lu Xi replied, “No rush, deliver them tomorrow morning.” She wanted the troublesome child at home to have a good night’s sleep. If he saw the report tonight, he definitely wouldn’t sleep a wink.
However, Xie Heng still couldn’t sleep tonight.
As he lay in bed, everything that had happened today kept swirling in his mind.
That woman was too strange, and now his Dad seemed to be going mad too. Was he the only sane person left in this family?
He was sixteen, not six. They thought they could just throw any woman at him as a mother, underestimating him completely.
Even if that woman looked so much like his real Mom and even had the same name, she couldn’t replace his Mom. With so many people in the world, finding someone similar, getting some plastic surgery, changing their name—with his Dad’s wealth, it wouldn’t be difficult.
But genetic testing doesn’t lie.
With a slightly eased heart, Xie Heng lay in bed, tossing and turning for half the night still unable to sleep.
He was hungry…
Right after the test earlir, Xie Heng openly threatened in front of Xie Yizhao, Lu Xi, and the butler that he would never sit down to eat as long as Lu Xi was at the table.
He was serious; he couldn’t sit at the same table with that woman, pretending they were a family.
Luckily, he could order takeout when hungry. After all, she was only staying at home for a day. Tomorrow, when the results came out, he would watch her leave the villa with his own eyes.
Thinking of this, the young man leaped out of bed, his mood suddenly lifting. He ordered fried chicken and barbecue takeout, then called a friend to play video games. Soon, he forgot all his worries.
Upstairs, in the master bedroom.
Lu Xi had just finished her bath and was sitting in front of the dressing mirror applying face cream.
Usually, this was the most relaxing time of her day: a fragrant bubble bath, applying body lotion, doing her facial care, then lying in bed happily binge-watching dramas until she got sleepy.
In this era, there were many new skincare brands and products, and she had bought a lot, enjoying trying them out one by one.
But today, she couldn’t relax. Every now and then, she glanced at the door.
Ever since Xie Yizhao showed her the asset documents, she had been somewhat excited. And that brat Xie Heng always opposed her, making her forget an important matter.
What should she do with Xie Yizhao now?
Originally, she had planned that once she regained her identity, she would move out of here.
But she hadn’t ‘died.’
This meant she was still married to Xie Yizhao. Even if she filed for divorce tomorrow, according to current law, there was still a mandatory thirty-day cooling-off period.
Of course, that wasn’t the problem. The main issue was whether she should divorce him now.
Xie Yizhao had never gone to file her death certificate. Lu Xi wasn’t so narcissistic to think that Xie Yizhao deeply loved her. His actions were based on principles, and he didn’t see a need to do so.
This was also Lu Xi’s current mindset.
Deliberately seeking a divorce from Xie Yizhao or not wasn’t necessary.
Lu Xi had crossed over this time, avoiding an early death. For her, the focus now was clear: cherish life, live well, and save Xie Heng, preventing him from falling into a tragic fate.
These two points don’t conflict with her marital status at all; she doesn’t see any need for a divorce.
Now there’s just one issue: does she need to share a room with Xie Yizhao?
The last time she slept with Xie Yizhao was… a week ago. As adults, everything was normal, of course, it wasn’t just sleeping under the covers.
Honestly, since marrying Xie Yizhao, they’ve maintained a normal frequency. He isn’t overly desirous nor particularly aloof; unexpectedly, they’re quite harmonious in that regard.
But now, whenever she recalls those memories, Lu Xi can’t help but feel awkward.
She’s lost interest in that kind of thing now. It’s complicated at the moment, and she’s afraid there might be trouble if they divorce in the future.
After thinking it through, Lu Xi made up her mind. She got up and walked to the study, where even after work hours, he was still dealing with work.
Xie Yizhao had just told her the password to the study. Nevertheless, she chose to knock on the door. Before long, Xie Yizhao opened it. “What’s up?”
Lu Xi stood at the doorway, looking up at him, and calmly said, “I’ve thought it over. I think it’s better if we sleep separately and don’t interfere with each other’s private lives, unless it involves Xiao Heng. How about that?”
Xie Yizhao stood in the backlight, his facial features somewhat blurred, and surprisingly mild in temperament.
Upon hearing Lu Xi’s words, his eyes slightly paused, seeming somewhat puzzled, but he didn’t intend to inquire further. Obviously, she had her secrets, and over these years, many things could change. If she didn’t want to say, he didn’t have to ask.
Or perhaps, Lu Xi’s current existence itself was a secret…
“Agreed,” Xie Yizhao said.
Lu Xi had long been accustomed to his concise manner, never wasting words. But she liked his straightforwardness; it was comfortable talking to a smart person.
Why didn’t that little brat Xie Heng inherit his father’s intelligence?
“However, I don’t think separate beds are necessary,” Xie Yizhao spoke again, “That bed is owned by both you and me. Moreover, at this critical juncture, I don’t want Xie Heng to misunderstand anything. I can assure you I won’t do anything reckless. What do you think?”
Lu Xi tilted her head.
Seemed reasonable?
No one understood Xie Yizhao’s self-control better than her. Besides, if he, an adult man, said so, refusing would make it seem like she couldn’t control herself and might behave recklessly…
Lu Xi nodded calmly, “Alright, let’s settle on that.”
With the major worry resolved, Lu Xi was in a very good mood and ready to return to her room, catch up on dramas, and sleep.
As she turned to leave, she suddenly frowned and sniffed the air hard. She seemed to detect a scent of barbecue? And fried chicken?
At this moment, Xie Heng was standing in the shadow of the staircase on the first floor.
He had just picked up takeout from the door while gaming, heading upstairs with his head down, unaware that someone was waiting for him on the second floor.
“I thought you weren’t hungry. What did you order?”
A cool voice tinged with curiosity echoed above him. Xie Heng looked up and saw Lu Xi standing on the second-floor platform, smiling at him.
Xie Heng quickly put on a cold expression, adopting an arrogant look, “None of your business, move aside.”
Lu Xi paid no attention to his attitude. She lowered her eyes and softly asked, “Do you dislike me very much?”
“… ” Xie Heng bypassed her and coldly pursed his lips, speaking indifferently, “You’re overthinking it. I don’t dislike you, but I’m not welcoming you either.”
His room was on the right side of the second floor. After walking two steps in that direction, he stopped again. A hint of awkwardness appeared on his handsome face as he said softly, “Anyway, thanks for that night.”
His face slightly embarrassed, he quickened his pace.
Lu Xi followed casually, “Is that all? Shouldn’t you show a bit more sincerity when thanking someone?”
Xie Heng turned inexplicably, his tone not very pleasant, “What sincerity do you want? Don’t push it. I won’t acknowledge you…”
“No need to acknowledge me. Just share half of your supper with me,” Lu Xi stared at the food in his hands without blinking.
Xie Heng : “…”
Did he hear her right? She had dinner already, yet she shamelessly asked for the food from him, someone who hadn’t eaten all day. Did she really dare to ask?
Lu Xi looked at him, “Be generous. If you’re a man, don’t be so stingy.”
Xie Heng replied, “I didn’t eat today. Are you really going to snatch food from me?”
“Whose fault is that? You didn’t want to see me, so you skipped dinner and secretly ordered takeout, hurting your own body just to spite someone else. Is that smart?” Lu Xi looked straight at him, her tone calm and without mockery or condescension, making her words easier to listen.
Xie Heng pursed his lips tightly.
He didn’t want to admit that Lu Xi had a point. He didn’t skip dinner because of her words; he just didn’t want to have a bad time with his body and let her see him as a joke.
The expression of a rebellious teenager remained on his face as he reluctantly handed over a paper bag, “Barbecue for you. Also, as long as I’m home, I will eat every meal. Don’t think you can take over here.”
Lu Xi waved her hand, “No barbecue, I want fried chicken.”
Xie Heng : ? Why is she even choosing on her own?