Lu Xi thought back to their meal a few days ago, when Xie Heng had made that bold declaration. If he didn’t move up at least fifty ranks in the rankings this time, wouldn’t this rebellious son have to change his surname?
So, she also joined the two kids in their ‘persuade-the-teacher’ campaign. She winked at the director of academic affairs and said, “Director, please. This exam is really important for my Xiao Heng.”
The three teachers were all stunned.
The academic director’s initially stern expression softened a little. She awkwardly adjusted her glasses and said, “No problem. I approve Xie Heng’s makeup exam request.”
Faced with two sincere and adorable boys, and Lu Xi’s sweet, soft smile, it was a three-pronged attack. What else could she do?
Besides, Xie Heng had missed the exam for a legitimate reason. Even if she weren’t considering Xie Yizhao’s influence, she would have agreed anyway.
After some discussion, they decided that once Xie Heng recovered in a few days, he could either take the exam in the hospital room or wait until he got home. A proctor would be assigned to supervise him.
Song Siyang nudged Xie Heng and winked. “Happy now? You can take the makeup exam!”
Xie Heng clenched his molars. “Thanks. I’m so happy.”
A teacher, watching him alone while he took the exam—what kind of hellish experience was this?
Xie Heng never cheated and had a good mentality, but the thought of being watched the entire time still made him nervous.
He felt conflicted but ultimately let out a sigh of relief.
At least he could make up the exam.
He had felt pretty regretful about it. Of all times for his damn appendix to act up, why did it have to be now, making him miss the last two subjects?
He had assumed he was doomed to rank at the bottom this time, but now, he actually had a second chance.
His eyes lit up as he watched the teachers leave.
He didn’t want anyone to feed him answers. If he couldn’t rely on his own strength, then improving wouldn’t mean anything. That said… there was nothing wrong with being a little strategic. He could use these days to memorize key points for politics and history…
Lu Xi walked the teachers out, leaving the three kids to chat in the hospital room.
Just then, the butler arrived with a few servants and a bowl of prepared rice porridge.
“Madam, are you tired? Why don’t you go home and rest? We’re here to take care of Young Master.” The butler noticed that Lu Xi had been at the hospital for half the day and looked a little fatigued.
Lu Xi replied, “It’s fine. I’m waiting for Xie Yizhao. He’s on his way.”
Seeing her insist, the butler said no more.
Lu Xi rubbed her temples.
She hadn’t taken a nap today and was feeling a bit drowsy. Following the GPS, she made her way to a café on the hospital’s second floor, planning to have a cup of coffee and sit for a while. Otherwise, she worried the kids wouldn’t feel comfortable talking in the hospital room with her around.
She sent her location to Xie Yizhao, telling him to meet her there.
There were quite a few people in line.
As she queued up, someone accidentally bumped into her. Her small purse slipped off her shoulder and was about to hit the ground when a hand swiftly caught it from behind.
“CEO Lu,” a clear and youthful voice said.
Lu Xi turned and saw Xu Jiaming. She paused for a moment. “Weren’t you in the hospital room?”
Xu Jiaming handed her purse back. She took it, and he stood slightly behind her, saying, “I felt a little sleepy. I came to get some coffee to wake up.”
“What a coincidence. So did I.” Lu Xi smiled.
Ever since she had hired the kids to model for her, that mischievous rascal Song Siyang had started jokingly calling her “CEO Lu,” saying she was their boss since she paid them.
That was one thing, but somehow, even Xu Jiaming had picked it up. Every time she heard it, she found it amusing.
She was too lazy to correct them. ‘CEO Lu’ was fine—better than ‘Aunt,’ at least.
The line moved forward, and so did they.
“By the way, thanks for earlier. If you hadn’t brought it up, I wouldn’t have known he wanted to take the makeup exam,” Lu Xi said.
Over the past few days, she had noticed that Xie Heng was actually taking his studies seriously. His goal to improve by fifty ranks wasn’t just talk.
Xu Jiaming replied indifferently, “We’re friends. It’s what I should do.”
Lu Xi smiled. “I feel relieved knowing he has friends like you and Song Siyang.”
The line moved quickly, and soon it was their turn. Lu Xi ordered a hot latte and raised an eyebrow at Xu Jiaming. He understood and, without hesitation, ordered the same. She paid for both, took the receipt, and stepped aside to wait.
“Actually, I think Xie Heng’s recent changes are because of you,” Xu Jiaming suddenly said.
He knew very well what Xie Heng had been like at the beginning of high school.
They hadn’t been in the same class in middle school, but Xie Heng’s reputation had been well-known—he was one of those people who frequently got named and shamed at Monday assemblies.
But ever since Lu Xi showed up, he had started to change.
In every way, he was improving.
Xu Jiaming didn’t know why, but even though he didn’t have all the details about Xie Heng’s recent fight, his instincts told him that it definitely wasn’t Xie Heng’s fault.
Maybe there was some kind of misunderstanding…
Everyone likes being complimented, and Lu Xi was no exception. Besides, she felt that Xu Jiaming had a point. His words, calm and refreshing like a spring breeze, put her in a great mood.
She grinned at him self-indulgently. “Oh? Haha, I think so too.”
“Two hot lattes for Miss Lu!”
Lu Xi took the receipt, turned around, and grabbed the coffees. She handed one to Xu Jiaming just as her phone rang.
Seeing the caller ID, she instinctively smiled.
She picked up the call. “Are you here? I’m at the café on the second floor. Where are you?”
A deep male voice sounded in her ear, coming through the phone yet seeming as if it was just behind her. “Turn around.”
Lu Xi turned at his words.
The man stood tall, holding his phone a short distance behind her. He approached at an unhurried pace until he was standing right in front of her. The two exchanged a knowing smile before lowering their phones simultaneously.
“You got here a little earlier than I expected,” Lu Xi said.
Xie Yizhao had been rushing between appointments all day, flying from place to place. He should have been exhausted, but there was no trace of fatigue on his face. He still seemed full of energy. He said to Lu Xi, “I came straight over after getting your call.”
He glanced at Xu Jiaming, giving him a nod, his expression warmer than usual. “You must be Xiao Xu. Are you here to see Xie Heng?”
Xu Jiaming’s gaze remained calm as he politely greeted him. “Hello, Uncle Xie. I was just about to head home. I’ll visit him again tomorrow.”
Then, he looked at Lu Xi briefly as a silent greeting.
Xie Yizhao gave a slight nod, then turned his attention back to Lu Xi. She had already finished her purchase, so she naturally took his arm, leading him upstairs to see Xie Heng.
The three of them walked toward the exit together, with Xu Jiaming slightly ahead.
As Xie Yizhao lowered his head, he caught a hint of the sweet orange scent from her hair, mixed with the faint aroma of coffee. Raising a brow, he asked, “Latte? Did you get one for me?”
Lu Xi paused, looked at him, and said, “I didn’t. Do you want me to get one now?”
Xie Yizhao pressed his lips together briefly, then took the cup from her hand, his tone calm yet intimate. “If you don’t mind, I’ll just have yours.”
Lu Xi chuckled, touching her cheek. “Of course, I don’t mind.”
After leaving the café, Xu Jiaming quickened his pace. At the elevator, he turned to bid farewell to Lu Xi and Xie Yizhao once more.
“Take care, Xiao Xu,” Lu Xi waved at him.
Xie Yizhao remained silent, only watching him leave with a composed gaze before hooking his arm around Lu Xi’s. “Let’s go. We should check on Xiao Heng first.”
Xie Heng’s hospital room was on the sixth floor.
On the way up, Lu Xi told Xie Yizhao about Xie Heng’s condition, things to take note of, and what had happened earlier. Just as they entered the room, she was finishing a cheerful story about how Xie Heng had called her ‘Mom’ when he woke up.
Xie Heng had been awake, playing on his phone.
Hearing Lu Xi talk about him behind his back, his lips twitched in embarrassment. Giving up, he shoved his phone under the blanket and pretended to be asleep.
Lu Xi instinctively lowered her voice as she entered. She glanced at the boy in bed, then at the butler. “Has he eaten?”
“He had some porridge.”
“Asleep again?”
The butler hesitated awkwardly. Well… Young Master had been playing on his phone just a moment ago, then suddenly lay down and closed his eyes as soon as they walked in. It was a very unconvincing act.
Xie Yizhao walked over to Xie Heng’s bedside. Seeing that his complexion looked fine, he finally relaxed. He turned to the butler. “Lu Xi and I will stay here. You can all head back for now.”
In reality, Xie Heng wasn’t used to being watched over so closely. It was just a minor surgery, and his wound had been well taken care of. It barely hurt anymore. After eating, he had already urged the butler and servants to leave.
Since Xie Yizhao had spoken, the butler nodded and quickly led the others out. The hospital room instantly felt much emptier.
Xie Yizhao remained by the bed, then lowered his hand to touch his son’s forehead. It was an unnecessary gesture, but he instinctively wanted to make contact.
He was so used to seeing the boy act carefree and energetic. Xie Heng had always been healthy and rarely got sick. This was the first time he had seen Xie Heng lying there so quietly.
As a father, he wasn’t used to it.
Taking a sip of coffee, he then handed the cup to Lu Xi.
Lu Xi suddenly found it amusing. She had bought the coffee, but before she even had a sip, he had already taken the first one. He was getting more and more comfortable with her.
Xie Yizhao put down his phone, then washed his hands and returned to stand beside Lu Xi, looking down at Xie Heng together.
Lu Xi’s face was filled with a gentle, motherly smile as she blinked at Xie Yizhao. “Don’t you think he looks so well-behaved when he’s asleep? Like a little angel?”
Xie Yizhao paused, then gave a silent chuckle. “And the moment he wakes up, he’s a little devil.”
Despite his words, his tone carried a hint of affection.
Xie Heng’s lips pressed tightly together.
Wow. These two were really talking about him while he was ‘asleep’? He could accept being called a little angel, but a little devil?!
Xie Yizhao then asked, “Did he really call you ‘Mom’? Are you sure you didn’t mishear?” His voice was skeptical.
Lu Xi was displeased and rolled her eyes at him. “Of course, I’m sure. Too bad I didn’t record it. Just wait, next time I’ll get proof for you.”
Xie Heng: …
Xie Yizhao chuckled, his gaze sweeping over Lu Xi’s delicate face before resting on Xie Heng. His eyes carried a deep, unspoken fatherly affection.
Suddenly remembering something, he turned to Lu Xi. “I have pictures of him as a baby on my phone. Diaper on, pacifier in his mouth, hugging a teddy bear while sleeping, and drooling. That looked even more like a little angel. Want to see?”
Xie Heng’s eyes shot open.
!!!
No way! His dignity must remain intact!
Ms. Lu and Mr. Xie… These two were unbelievable!