At the moment Xie Heng opened his eyes, Lu Xi was curiously tugging on Xie Yizhao’s sleeve, asking, “Really? Let me see! I just wanted to change my wallpaper.”
Xie Heng glared at her in protest. “No way! That’s an invasion of my portrait rights!”
Lu Xi was momentarily stunned, then speechless. “You were pretending to be asleep again?”
Xie Heng retorted bluntly, “If I didn’t pretend to be asleep, how else would I know you were badmouthing me?”
A pacifier in his mouth, hugging a teddy bear… This kind of blackmail material actually existed on his Dad’s phone?
Absolutely not.
Xie Yizhao had noticed long ago that Xie Heng was faking sleep. It was too obvious. Seeing that his son looked energetic, with the same fierce glare as usual and a strong voice, he chuckled lightly and said, “Relax, it’s not on my phone.”
Xie Heng had just breathed a sigh of relief.
Then he heard Xie Yizhao continue leisurely, “It’s on another phone.”
“……”
—Dad, could you stop pausing for dramatic effect?
Xie Heng helplessly realized that his once serious and proper Dad, who never joked around, had been completely corrupted by Ms. Lu.
Now that Xie Heng was awake, Lu Xi no longer lowered her voice. Smiling, she asked Xie Yizhao to send her the photos when he got home.
Since his wife had spoken, Xie Yizhao naturally agreed without hesitation.
Xie Heng’s lips twitched powerlessly.
Clearly, he had no say in this matter.
Since the outcome was already decided and Lu Xi would inevitably see his embarrassing childhood photos, Xie Heng didn’t bother protesting further. But there was one thing he had to insist on: “You can’t set it as your wallpaper.”
This was his last stand.
Lu Xi hadn’t really planned to use it as her wallpaper anyway. After all, imagine opening her phone to a picture of a baby sucking on a pacifier. If someone saw it, she’d have to explain who the baby was.
But seeing how strongly Xie Heng objected, she suddenly felt a rebellious urge.
After taking a sip of coffee, she suggested, “How about this. I’ll find a childhood photo of myself and send it to you. If you want, you can use it as your wallpaper. Fair, right?”
Xie Heng was stumped.
Ms. Lu was offering her own blackmail material in exchange?
Sounded like a good deal.
Was this… the law of conservation of embarrassment?
His embarrassing childhood photos wouldn’t disappear; they would simply transfer from his Dad’s phone to Ms. Lu’s phone.
Meanwhile, Ms. Lu’s embarrassing photos would transfer to his phone.
Fair trade!
To be cautious, Xie Heng asked, “Was there a pacifier? Drooling?”
Lu Xi : “……I, a fairy-like being, do not drool. As for the pacifier… I’d have to check.”
Xie Heng snorted. “Coward.”
Lu Xi rubbed her temples, both amused and exasperated by her rebellious son.
Xie Yizhao was right. When asleep, this kid was a little angel; awake, he was a little devil.
He had been so sweet earlier when he sleepily called her ‘Mom.’
Who knew how many years it would be before she heard that again?
Lu Xi felt a bit wistful.
But she had never forced him before, and she wouldn’t now. Something like this couldn’t be coerced. It had to come from Xie Heng’s own willingness to mean anything. She didn’t have an obsession with it.
Just then, Xie Yizhao’s phone rang.
He glanced at the screen. It was an unfamiliar number.
This was his private number, known only to close contacts, key shareholders, and important clients. It had a high-security filtering system, so scam calls couldn’t get through.
And it was a landline number that was obviously from the same city.
Xie Yizhao answered.
His expression was indifferent at first. But after a few sentences, his gaze swept toward Xie Heng on the bed, and he frowned slightly. “What do you need him for?”
After the other party explained, Xie Yizhao’s furrowed brows gradually relaxed.
Xie Yizhao : “Alright, come to the hospital tomorrow afternoon. He should be awake then.”
After hanging up, he was immediately met with two pairs of curious eyes—one big, one small.
Two pairs of similar-looking eyes, filled with curiosity.
For a moment, Xie Yizhao suddenly realized just how much Xie Heng resembled Lu Xi, especially in the brows and eyes.
A strange, indescribable feeling welled up inside him, and his gaze softened.
Xie Yizhao explained, “You saved two kids today. The police have caught some of the robbers and want to take your statement tomorrow.”
Oh, that…
Xie Heng shrugged indifferently. “Sure, they can come whenever.”
Lu Xi, who had been slightly anxious, finally relaxed. She had thought something bad had happened, but it turned out her son had done a good deed?
“You got into a fight today… Was it with those robbers?” Lu Xi asked, confused about how children were involved. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
Xie Heng rubbed the bridge of his nose and mumbled, “What’s there to say? It’s no big deal.”
Xie Yizhao cleared his throat, his tone disapproving. “It’s not a small matter. It’s a good thing. You acted bravely and saved two kids. You should’ve told us.”
“Exactly! It’s not like you did something wrong,” Lu Xi nodded in agreement.
Xie Heng had truly thought it was no big deal. He wasn’t some righteous hero; he just happened to be there. And when a kid clung to his leg, what else could he do?
But hearing his Dad and Ms. Lu repeatedly praise him, looking so proud of him…
Xie Heng suddenly felt a little light-headed.
“He really did something good, didn’t he? It’s certainly nothing to be ashamed of.”
Xie Yizhao pondered for a moment, then looked down at Xie Heng and said, “There’s no need to be nervous about giving your statement tomorrow. Just answer truthfully. Would you like us to accompany you?”
“No, thanks. I’m not a child anymore,” Xie Heng replied, lifting his chin slightly.
Xie Yizhao nodded. That was fine; he had been held up with work today and had a business trip tomorrow, so he couldn’t be there in person. He planned to have a lawyer from the group sit in on the session. After all, Xie Heng was still a minor, and it was the safer option.
Still, he believed that Xie Heng could handle it on his own.
Lately, he had noticed his son’s transformation. Though he never expressed it, he could sense that Xie Heng was moving in a positive direction. The gloom, hostility, rebelliousness, and all those childish behaviors of the past were increasingly absent.
Lu Xi was right.
He shouldn’t always be silent. The strict, authoritarian approach was no longer working. He needed to praise his son when appropriate.
Often, the older one gets, the more knowledge is acquired and the more successful one becomes, and yet people can become set in their ways—trapped by past experiences and unable to accept new ideas. But Xie Yizhao was different. He had reached his current position because he was perceptive, adaptable in his thinking, and always willing to update his views.
With an approving look in his eyes, Xie Yizhao draped an arm around Xie Heng’s shoulder and gave him a gentle pat. “Good job, you deserve a reward. Once you’ve recovered, we’ll take you out for a feast.”
Lu Xi couldn’t help but laugh.
Both father and son turned to look at her.
Pursing her lips, with barely concealed amusement in her eyes, Lu Xi teased, “You really… still treat him like a kid. How about taking him out to McDonald’s instead? Give him a reward that’s actually sincere!”
At her words, Xie Heng’s eyes lit up. Clearly, he thought Lu Xi had a point.
Xie Yizhao just smiled silently.
He really didn’t have much experience when it came to rewarding his son…
Having been gently mocked, Xie Yizhao didn’t get angry. His handsome face softened as he said, “Then you pick out the gift yourself, alright?”
His tone was a mix of helplessness and indulgence.
After saying that, he glanced at Lu Xi, as if to say, “Surely you’re happy with that arrangement?”
Lu Xi gave a sly little laugh and offered him an encouraging look, as if to say, “Keep it up.”
Truth be told, she didn’t think it was all that great either, but he had to start somewhere. Xie Yizhao was just beginning in this area and had plenty of room to improve.
Xie Heng perked up. “So I can pick any gift?”
Of course, Xie Yizhao wouldn’t indulge him without limits. In a calm tone he replied, “It has to be something appropriate for your age, and it must be within 50,000 yuan.”
Xie Heng’s eyes dimmed considerably.
He pouted.
“Hmph, I knew my Dad wouldn’t be so generous.”
The young man pretended not to care as he lay back down, though a slight smile still played at the corners of his mouth. Obviously, he was in a good mood.
Around six o’clock, Xie Yizhao and Lu Xi went to a nearby restaurant beside the hospital and grabbed a bite. Nearing seven, they returned to the hospital to check on Xie Heng. This time, he was truly asleep.
The boy lay flat, sleeping peacefully: one hand rested by his side, the other casually draped over his forehead, his breathing even and steady.
His eyelashes cast a soft, pale shadow—a picture of innocence in slumber.
Both Lu Xi and Xie Yizhao softened their expressions.
Even though Xie Heng had been insisting that he was fine and didn’t need anyone to look after him, the two agreed that they couldn’t let him be headstrong. Since he refused a caretaker or servant, he’d surely be even less inclined to have a professional nurse. In the end, his parents would have to take care of him themselves.
Well, mainly, his Dad.
Xie Yizhao volunteered to stay on. After all, this was a suite with another room available for sleeping. It wouldn’t be convenient for Lu Xi to stay here, so it made more sense for him to take care of Xie Heng.
Lu Xi didn’t argue.
After all, as a grown man, it was easier for him to take care of the boy.
Once Lu Xi left, Xie Yizhao looked at the sleeping boy. At some point, Xie Heng had kicked the blanket off, leaving one long leg exposed. So, he walked over and carefully pulled the blanket back over Xie Heng.
He wasn’t sure what to do next.
Xie Yizhao had never had any experience taking care of a patient.
Fortunately, Xie Heng wasn’t really a patient. Throughout the night, although Xie Yizhao couldn’t sleep properly as he kept a vigilant eye on Xie Heng’s movements, the boy slept so soundly—no snoring, no sleep-talking, no trips to the bathroom—that even when Xie Yizhao left the next day, Xie Heng hadn’t noticed a thing.
It wasn’t until Lu Xi mentioned it to Xie Heng that morning that he learned his Dad had stayed over to take care of him last night.
Xie Heng’s expression immediately turned rather animated.
However, he didn’t have time to dwell on it today. His mind was entirely on the statement he was about to give later.
For some reason, even though Xie Heng had originally been indifferent, after being praised by his Dad and Ms. Lu yesterday, his mindset had begun to change.
It was as if he had truly done something remarkable.
In the past, he’d been to the police station several times for fighting. Back then, being interrogated by the police had annoyed him; he felt like a criminal.
But this time was different.
This time, he’d acted as a good Samaritan—a conscientious citizen. Instead of being hauled off to the station for questioning, the officers had come to him in a polite manner, asking for his cooperation in an investigation.
The whole situation was entirely different.
A mysterious pride welled up inside the boy. Not only did he not mind the hassle, he actually hoped they’d come sooner.
That morning, over twenty classmates visited the ward.
Yesterday, they had been in different exam rooms and were unaware of what had happened. It wasn’t until the evening when the news spread that the class monitor organized a group to come see Xie Heng today, and everyone who was free made the trip.
No one came empty-handed; each had brought a gift.
In Class A, where Xie Heng was, at least half the students were students with great grades.
What sort of gifts would these academic overachievers give?
Last night, they specifically asked Xu Jiaming in the group chat.
They all knew that Xu Jiaming had been getting close to Xie Heng lately, so asking him about Xie Heng’s preferences seemed like a safe bet.
Xu Jiaming’s response was brief and to the point : “Get him something related to studying.”
Everyone was dumbfounded.
Seriously? Giving study materials to the school tyrant? Wasn’t that basically asking for a beating? Wouldn’t he take it as an insult?
But Xu Jiaming seemed absolutely certain. Given his reputation for being reliable and not one to mess with classmates for fun, they reluctantly believed him and went ahead with their gift preparations.
And so—
Xie Heng received a “study essentials” gift package bursting with variety: extracurricular workbooks, exam prep booklets, listening comprehension practice sets, and even a carefully compiled study guide from the class monitor…
Xie Heng : “……”
Facing so many pairs of sincere, expectant eyes, he wanted to get angry—but somehow, he couldn’t. In the end, he could only accept the gifts with a dark expression and force out a “Thanks.”
Fortunately, his mind was preoccupied with giving his statement to the police. A minor ordeal like this wasn’t worth getting upset over.
The police arrived right on time. Though they had said ‘in the afternoon,’ they actually showed up just past noon.
Two officers came. The older one, surnamed Zhang, had reminded the younger officer before they arrived:
“Be careful with your wording later.”
They had only learned about Xie Heng’s family background after making the call, and after checking the system, they found quite a few ‘incidents’ tied to his name.
“Kids from wealthy families like this are usually spoiled. He’s been causing trouble all over the place, and even at the station, he acts like he doesn’t care. Be prepared, he might not cooperate.”
The younger officer had only recently graduated from the police academy. It was his first time going out for a case like this, and after hearing his senior’s words, he became nervous. On the way there, he kept running through different ways to handle the situation in his head.
But when they arrived at the hospital room and saw Xie Heng—who was accompanied by a lawyer—both officers instinctively grew cautious.
Yet, the moment the blue-haired young master on the hospital bed saw them, he suddenly sat up, eyes lighting up.
The older officer took the lead: “Excuse me, are you Xie Heng? We’re from Kaiyuan Road Police Station, and we’re here to—”
Xie Heng : “Take my statement, right? No problem. Ask me anything—I’ll tell you everything I know.”
Both officers : “……”
Why did this blue-haired Young Master seem so… enthusiastic?