Xie Yizhao merely turned his head back in silence, then let out a muted chuckle. Still, he cooperated and followed Lu Xi.
He didn’t really mind.
He just found it quite amusing to see his wife fleeing in panic from a group of little kids.
Once they successfully escaped, Lu Xi finally let out a sigh of relief. “That scared me to death.”
She absolutely did not want to be hugged around the leg and called ‘Mommy’ in front of a crowd.
Xie Yizhao raised an eyebrow. “Just a few kids, and you’re this scared?”
Lu Xi shot him a sidelong glance. “If they hugged your leg and called you ‘Daddy,’ you’d know what’s up.”
…?
Xie Yizhao didn’t get the joke.
Lu Xi didn’t bother explaining either. Instead, she glanced over at Xie Heng, who was surrounded by a group of children. He was tall, strong, and capable, yet looking utterly pitiful. Shaking her head sympathetically, she simply informed him that those twins were the kids he had saved last time.
“But how did they end up here?” Lu Xi asked.
Xie Yizhao hadn’t seen the two kids before, but he recognized their grandfather. Smiling, he replied, “Probably brought here by Elder Zhou—Zhou Yueheng. He was invited to the banquet tonight.”
Hearing that, Lu Xi immediately understood.
Zhou Yueheng, a media tycoon in China, had built his empire from scratch. She had even read his biography as a child.
And she was right—the twins’ grandfather was indeed him.
Lu Xi was just debating whether to go and rescue Xie Heng, who looked pretty miserable in his current predicament.
Before she could act, however, she spotted Zhou Yueheng approaching.
He walked over alongside the host of the banquet and greeted Xie Yizhao. Upon seeing Lu Xi, the elderly man was quite warm. “This must be Mrs. Xie? We spoke on the phone last time. I just returned yesterday and haven’t had a chance to treat you all to a meal yet.”
Lu Xi noted that the elderly man looked energetic and kind, which made her feel an immediate sense of goodwill. “You’re too polite.”
“No, no, it’s the least I can do. If it weren’t for your son’s bravery, my two grandkids wouldn’t have just lost their belongings, they might have gotten hurt as well.”
Yin Zongming, who had been listening in, was taken aback. He wasn’t aware of this incident, but from the way it sounded, it must have been a big deal. Bravery? How was this connected to Xie Yizhao’s son?
Wasn’t his kid supposed to be a school tyrant…?
Totally confused, Yin Zongming couldn’t help but ask for details.
Zhou Yueheng, however, didn’t seem embarrassed about it. After all, kids were young and prone to trouble. So he simply gave a concise version of the alleyway incident, leaving out the more dramatic parts.
Hearing the story, Yin Zongming was left utterly speechless.
The twins from the Zhou family were infamous for their mischief. Everyone in their social circle knew that. But running away from home and nearly getting robbed? How were they going to turn out when they grew up?
Then again, thinking about his own granddaughter—also spoiled since birth, mischievous as ever, and capable of screaming so loud it could make one’s eardrums ache—he couldn’t even comment.
At that moment, Yin Zongming felt a mix of sympathy for Elder Zhou and for himself. He was at a loss for words.
His gaze drifted toward Xie Yizhao and his young wife, and suddenly, an overwhelming sense of envy washed over him.
Their kid was already in high school. No matter how rebellious, he was at least grown. He wouldn’t be throwing tantrums or rolling on the ground anymore. That had to be so much easier.
Meanwhile, he still had another ten years to go. Just thinking about it made him sigh.
“By the way, where’s Xiao Heng? Why didn’t you bring him over?” Yin Zongming asked.
Zhou Yueheng’s cloudy eyes suddenly brightened. “Yes! I’d love to thank him in person.”
It was obvious that he, too, was very interested in the young Xie Heng. His grandkids had been talking about ‘that Brother’ nonstop, full of admiration.
He wanted to meet this boy himself.
Xie Yizhao chuckled and glanced toward the entrance. “Over there. Seems like he’s… playing with your grandkids.”
Both Zhou Yueheng and Yin Zongming immediately turned to look.
At the entrance, a tall teenage boy stood surrounded by nearly ten little kids, all chattering non-stop.
The boy looked utterly helpless, even a little pitiful.
“Ah… ha, ha, ha…” The two elders couldn’t help but chuckle, amused yet exasperated.
Who would have thought the eldest Xie kid would get mobbed by a bunch of children?
While the adults were enjoying the scene, Xie Heng was absolutely suffering. He wanted to leave, but he couldn’t move too much. Otherwise, he might accidentally step on one of these tiny humans.
Even when he tried to shuffle a few steps away, they quickly followed, crowding around him, gazing up at him with curiosity like he was some sort of rare creature.
Xie Heng was on the verge of a meltdown.
These kids were way too noisy. Someone even asked if his blue hair was dyed or a wig.
Unbelievable.
If he had known this would happen, he wouldn’t have come… Why did his Dad agree to bring him here, anyway?
Oh, right—probably because of Mrs. Lu.
Xie Heng’s expression turned dazed for a moment, unsure whom to blame.
Frowning, he suddenly sensed something. Looking up, he saw four people watching him from a distance, smiles on their faces.
His face instantly turned red.
Half from embarrassment, half from anger.
With a cold snort, he turned his head away, refusing to look at them.
He had seen it just now. Ms. Lu had grabbed Old Xie and bolted, running away as fast as she could without a care for his predicament.
He would remember this grudge.
From now on, he would make sure to be a third wheel more often. And the next time Ms. Lu asked him to buy bubble tea or fried chicken?
He would at least reject her three times.
Xie Heng plotted in silence.
At that moment, a little girl tugged at his clothes. Her big eyes sparkled as she smiled and said, “Brother, I have lots of fun toys at home, and I’ll let you play with all of them!”
Xie Heng : “…What kind of toys do you have? Tell me.”
The girl’s name was Yin Suixue, the birthday girl of the night. She was adorably delicate, especially when she wasn’t causing a fuss, making her seem extra well-behaved.
She counted on her fingers, listing them off like treasures. “There’s an automatic bubble machine, Barbie dolls, a toy train, and a drone…”
Xie Heng rubbed his ear and rejected her offer in the most straightforward way possible. “I don’t play with toys. You guys go ahead.”
Zhou Ning clapped her hands and jumped excitedly, giggling. “Then let’s play house!”
Xie Heng felt a headache coming on and was about to refuse when Zhou Ning beamed at him and said, “Brother, how about you play the police?”
He froze for a second. Somehow, he found himself unable to say no.
Damn it. It was even a little tempting.
Not that it was a big deal. After all, the banquet was boring anyway. He cleared his throat and looked down at them. “If I play the police, what will you all be?”
Zhou Ning, always the quickest thinker, raised her little hand. “We’ll be kids getting bullied by a bad guy and coming to the police for help!”
“Then who’s going to be the bad guy?” Xie Heng’s gaze casually drifted toward Lu Xi.
He wouldn’t mind if she played the role.
But before the thought could settle, the kids were already arguing.
“You be the bad guy!”
“No way! I’m only playing the princess. You be the bad guy!”
“I’m the birthday girl today! I’m not a bad guy!”
The chatter buzzed so loudly it made his head throb.
“Enough! Quiet down!” Xie Heng’s expression darkened as he put on a serious tone. “Listen to the police. If you keep arguing, I won’t catch the bad guy for you.”
He played the role convincingly. For some reason, despite his strange blue hair, the kids all took Zhou Ning’s words at face value—if she said he was a police officer, then he was!
Because he looked just like the ones on TV!
Immediately, the kids fell silent, afraid that their Brother wouldn’t play with them anymore.
Finally, some peace. Xie Heng ushered them along like a shepherd herding ducks. “Come on, let’s go outside and find the bad guy.”
Yin Suixue laughed happily, pulling Xie Heng toward the back of the banquet hall. “I know this place well! Follow me, I’ll take you where there are lots of people!”
And so, Xie Heng was escorted out of the banquet hall by a group of little troublemakers.
Maybe he should organize them properly. He really did look like an oversized leader of kids.
As he passed Lu Xi and Xie Yizhao, he noticed Lu Xi curiously winking at him. Acting cocky, he turned his head away on purpose, pretending not to see her.
Meanwhile, the four adults and the rest of the guests in the banquet hall watched in stunned silence.
Wasn’t that the rebellious son of the Xie family?
Since when did he get along with a bunch of kids?
Someone with sharp eyes had noticed that it was Zhou Yueheng’s two grandchildren who first approached Xie Heng. While the details were unclear, many of the guests speculated. Had the two families struck some major business deal in private?
Or were they about to collaborate on a big project?
If that were the case, these two families would become even more formidable.
While the adults speculated endlessly, the children’s thoughts remained pure—they were just focused on playing house.
Even Xie Heng, who found it childish, felt unexpectedly at ease as he followed the children from the banquet hall into a spacious, beautifully landscaped courtyard.
But now… where were they supposed to find a bad guy?
Xie Heng lowered his head in thought. Should he call one of his family’s bodyguards over to play the role? They all kind of looked the part.
Just then, something thudded to the ground a few steps ahead of him.
The children, laughing just a moment ago, yelped and quickly hid behind Xie Heng.
Frowning, he glanced down. It was a tennis ball. Looking up, he spotted a familiar face.
To be precise, an old rival.
Yin Yu approached with a blank expression, chewing on something before spitting it out onto the ground. His tone was full of provocation. “Well, if it isn’t Xie Heng. What a coincidence.”
“You got a screw loose? Throwing things around like that, are you asking for a beating?”
Yin Yu laughed. “This is my Third Granduncle’s house. You think you can beat me up here? You think this is your turf?”
Xie Heng scoffed, clearly impatient. “Did getting your ass kicked before make you forget? Want me to help refresh your memory?”
With that, he kicked the ball hard. It flew straight toward Yin Yu’s shin with perfect aim.
Yin Yu winced in pain, nearly falling to his knees.
Hearing Xie Heng’s words and feeling the sting in his leg, his face twisted with embarrassment.
Back in middle school, he had fought Xie Heng several times but never won. Xie Heng was too strong—he had never gotten the upper hand even once. Feeling humiliated, he had eventually transferred schools.
Now, running into Xie Heng again out of nowhere, all those shameful memories resurfaced. He couldn’t resist picking a fight.
After all, this was the Yin family’s home. He refused to believe Xie Heng would dare lay a hand on him here.
Just then, the real little princess of the Yin family, Yin Suixue, stepped forward, pointing at him unhappily. “This isn’t your turf, it’s my house! You almost hit me with that! Police Brother, he’s the bad guy—arrest him!”
Although Yin Suixue was young, she really didn’t like this cousin.
A child’s likes and dislikes were based purely on intuition, and she always felt that this cousin had an annoying face and a sleazy demeanor, always bragging.
But this other Brother was different. He looked like a good person at first glance!
Yin Yu was furious. He might not be able to beat Xie Heng, but could he not even handle a little brat? He charged forward, ready to hit Yin Suixue.
Xie Heng’s expression darkened. He grabbed Yin Yu by the collar and lifted him clean off the ground.
Yin Yu wasn’t even 1.75 meters tall, and in front of Xie Heng, he seemed rather short.
Xie Heng raised his left fist and swung it straight toward Yin Yu.
Yin Yu had tasted this man’s punches before—each one landed solidly, and the pain was unbearable. His face turned pale, and he shut his eyes in fear.
The children nearby were stunned but quickly started jumping and cheering.
“Police Brother, hit him! Hit him!”
“He’s a bad guy!”
However, Xie Heng’s fist stopped just three centimeters away from Yin Yu’s face.
He let out a disdainful scoff and released his grip, letting Yin Yu crash onto the ground.
“Hitting you would just dirty my hands. Get lost.”
Realizing what had happened, Yin Yu’s face turned red and white in anger, but he didn’t dare cause more trouble. Seething with resentment, he stormed off.
Xie Heng wasn’t stupid. If he had to fight, he certainly wouldn’t do it at the Yin family banquet.
That would just embarrass Old Xie and Ms. Lu.
After what happened at the police station that day, he wasn’t as impulsive anymore.
Throwing a punch was easy—painless for him—but the aftermath would only cause trouble for himself and his family.
Yin Suixue looked at Xie Heng with big, expectant eyes. “Police Brother, why didn’t you hit him?”
Xie Heng thought for a moment, then gave a faint smile. He patted her little head and, imitating his father’s deep and mature tone, said, “Police officers can’t just fight recklessly. You kids can’t either. If you run into bad people, tell your parents or find a police officer, okay?”
The little ones nodded in bewildered agreement.
Xie Heng felt particularly satisfied, thinking he had matured just a tiny bit more today.
What he didn’t expect was that while he had held back from fighting, his old man actually went ahead and did it.
When Lu Xi was approached by Xiao Feiyuan, she didn’t recognize him at first.
Not because her memory was bad. She just wasn’t familiar with him.
Xiao Feiyuan had been her senior in university and had pursued her for a long time, but he had never succeeded in getting a single date. After graduation, they lost contact.
Tonight’s banquet was a buffet-style event, which Lu Xi loved. She could pick whatever she liked and take it back to the table to eat.
She had originally been with Xie Yizhao, but he was suddenly pulled aside by a few acquaintances. Lu Xi didn’t bother waiting for him and went off to get food on her own.
That was when Xiao Feiyuan appeared.
“Hello, you’re Mrs. Xie, right? Do you remember me?”
Lu Xi had just arrived at the bar, where she spotted molecular cocktails—those little sphere-like ones—and couldn’t help but feel tempted.
Just as she was about to sneak one while Xie Yizhao wasn’t looking, a big face suddenly appeared beside her, nearly making her drop her plate.
—Dude, who the hell are you?
With his rough pores, acne-covered face, slicked-back hair, and an unsettling smirk, he was downright greasy.