Xie Heng made it home just before dinner.
The butler told him that Ms. Lu and his Dad had just arrived, so he raised an eyebrow and strode straight into the dining room.
The moment he walked in, he saw Ms. Lu and the ‘suspect’ sitting on the sofa—sitting very, very close, their faces practically touching.
*Ugh*. He couldn’t bear to look…
Xie Heng turned his head away in disdain and coughed loudly a few times.
Lu Xi and Xie Yizhao both turned to glance at him. Lu Xi’s eyes lit up. “Where did you go this afternoon?”
“Played a script murder game.” Xie Heng strolled over lazily and sat down next to Lu Xi.
Xie Yizhao raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze landing on Xie Heng before flicking to the many empty seats on the sofa. He suddenly felt that his son was seriously lacking in awareness.
Why did his son have to squeeze in with them?
“Didn’t you say you’d be working in the morning and studying in the afternoon? Why’d you run off to play?”
Caught off guard by the question, Xie Heng instinctively sat up straighter. “I can study at night just the same.”
Xie Yizhao asked calmly, “Speaking of which, how were your final exam results?”
“…” Xie Heng immediately tensed up and frowned. “The grades aren’t out yet. How would I know?”
He thought for a moment, then got the feeling that his Dad was deliberately picking on him. He couldn’t help but say, “Wow, what an honor. CEO Xie, the big boss who makes loads of money every day, actually cares about the grades of an underachiever like me.”
Right after he finished, he saw the corners of his Dad’s mouth twitch, and his Dad’s face darken slightly. Xie Heng immediately shifted over a little.
His Dad had long arms. He had to be on guard in case his Dad reached over to smack his head.
Lu Xi was listening in confusion.
Even though she found it a little funny—she did enjoy watching this father and son go back and forth—Xie Heng had just recovered from being sick. That gave him a big sympathy advantage in her book, and she didn’t want him to get scolded. So she reached out and patted Xie Yizhao’s hand in a soothing gesture.
She blinked at him playfully.
No hitting. He’s your own son. At least wait until he’s fully recovered before disciplining him.
Xie Yizhao was very receptive to her gestures. He pursed his lips, shot Xie Heng an irritated glare, but ultimately didn’t make a move.
Having calmed this side down, Lu Xi then turned to Xie Heng.
Thinking back to how pitiful he looked when he was sick just a few days ago, she didn’t have the heart to scold him. But a child couldn’t be too spoiled. Otherwise, they’d get used to it.
Lu Xi asked, “So are you throwing a tantrum at your Dad, or are you acting spoiled?”
…?
Xie Heng was speechless. “I’m not a kid. Who’s acting spoiled?”
Xie Yizhao finally couldn’t hold back. He let out a quiet chuckle and said leisurely, “Oh? I wonder who it was, just two nights ago, clinging to my wife and refusing to let go.”
“…”
Xie Heng’s temples throbbed. He was at his limit.
That incident was already embarrassing enough. Why did his Dad have to bring it up again? Did his Dad think it was funny?
He immediately bristled and shot back without thinking, “And what about you? I wonder who it is that clings to my Mom all day long. You have the nerve to call me out?”
Xie Yizhao: “…”
He clenched his fists.
This brat was really pushing the limits of his patience and self-control.
Lu Xi had a headache.
Ugh. These two. Why were they so childish? She was done. She didn’t want to be the family mediator anymore. If they wanted to fight, so be it.
She smoothed out her skirt, stood up, and said, “You guys take your time arguing—I’m going to eat.”
To show her determination to stay out of the tedious father-son dispute, she deliberately picked a few dishes and had the servant bring them to her study upstairs.
She specifically chose the newly made dishes from the kitchen that night, leaving the leftovers Xie Heng had packed to Xie Yizhao and Xie Heng.
What she didn’t know was that after she left, Xie Yizhao and Xie Heng suddenly lost interest and ended their battle on their own.
Like a stage without an audience, even the actors would find it meaningless.
No matter what strange mood Xie Heng was in tonight, Xie Yizhao felt he was quite innocent in all of this.
He didn’t continue arguing with Xie Heng because he wasn’t as childish as his rebellious son.
Likewise, he had no intention of upsetting Lu Xi or making her worry about their relationship.
After dinner, some time passed before Xie Yizhao knocked on Lu Xi’s study door.
He was about to say, “Sorry,” but before the words could leave his mouth, Lu Xi’s eyes lit up upon seeing him. She pulled him inside, pressed his shoulders, and made him sit down in the chair.
Xie Yizhao thought she was still angry and didn’t expect such enthusiasm from her.
Her almond-shaped eyes sparkled like stars.
Only then did he relax, smiling as he asked, “What’s up?”
“My dear smartest darling!” Lu Xi’s sweet tone was practically free-flowing. “I remember you know a really good private detective. Can you introduce him to me?”
Xie Yizhao paused at her words. “Who do you want to investigate?”
“Mrs. Xia, though I don’t know her real name.” Lu Xi then recounted what had happened at the banquet, the rumor she heard, and how Mrs. Xia had come to the studio today to cause trouble.
She had a feeling Mrs. Xia wasn’t just picking a fight out of boredom. She wanted to know the real reason.
Xia…
Xie Yizhao was silent for a moment before saying, “I think I know who it is. Don’t worry about it, I’ll handle it. I promise she won’t bother you again.”
Lu Xi blinked. “Really?”
The man nodded, gently squeezing her hand as he looked into her eyes. “Really. But only if you don’t mind me taking care of it for you.”
Lu Xi was momentarily stunned, then smiled with curved brows and eyes. “Why would I mind? I’d love for you to handle it. I can’t be bothered to waste time on petty people.”
Seeing her proud little expression, Xie Yizhao couldn’t help but smile as well.
Lu Xi gazed down at him, eyes filled with delight.
She liked the Xie Yizhao who childishly argued with Xie Heng, full of spirit and a bit adorable. But she also liked the Xie Yizhao who now calmly took care of trouble for her.
He sat by the floor lamp. He had broad shoulders, long legs, handsome features, deep eyes. There was an indescribable allure to him.
“Thanks for the help, Hubby.” Lu Xi leaned in and kissed him without hesitation.
Xie Yizhao cupped her delicate chin, ready to pull her onto his lap.
But Lu Xi suddenly stopped, lightly pressing a fist against his chest.
Her bright eyes held a teasing glint, and her voice was soft and melodious. “Since you’re already helping, why not do me one more favor?”
Xie Yizhao gazed deeply at her. “Anything you want.”
Lu Xi stepped back, leaned against her desk, and tapped a pen against his chest. “Go talk to Xie Heng and figure out why he’s always targeting you.”
Xie Yizhao pinched the bridge of his nose.
He really didn’t want to bring up that rebellious son at such a moment. It killed the mood.
He gave her a helpless glance. “So you knew he was targeting me all along?”
“You’re the mature Dad; he’s the half-grown cub. You two should learn to solve your own problems.” Lu Xi pulled Xie Yizhao up and pushed him out of the study.
Before closing the door, she left him with a meaningful remark: “I like mature men who can handle problems.”
Xie Yizhao : “…”
He was speechless, then let out a soft chuckle, touching the corner of his lips thoughtfully.
From her words, he caught an unspoken message.
If he couldn’t resolve this issue—talk things out with Xie Heng and make Xie Heng stop targeting him—he could forget about having a peaceful time alone with Lu Xi in the future.
That was a threat with serious weight to it.
As he passed by Xie Heng’s room, he hesitated.
He thought he heard the sound of a video game inside.
“…”
Forget it. Better let the kid cool down overnight. He’d talk to him tomorrow.
Xie Heng had no idea that, under the looming threat of Ms. Lu, his father was preparing to have a heart-to-heart with him.
The next morning, Xie Heng woke up as usual, planning to head downstairs for breakfast before waiting for Lu Xi to go to the studio together.
But in the living room, he unexpectedly ran into his Dad.
Xie Yizhao was dressed in black athletic wear, clearly about to go for a run.
Xie Heng pressed his lips together, deciding not to greet his Dad today.
But his Dad spoke first. “Want to go for a run with me? We can talk about whatever issues you have with me.”
Xie Heng smirked rebelliously. “Sure. But just so you know, I run fast. You might not be able to keep up.”
Xie Yizhao remained unfazed, raising an eyebrow. “That’s what you thought last time before you tried to fight me.”