The three boys had been sitting in the fast-food restaurant for almost an hour.
After listening to Xu Jiaming talk about his family at the beginning, the atmosphere fell into silence.
Xie Heng didn’t even know what to say. At this moment, he couldn’t offer any advice or help his friend because this wasn’t the kind of problem they usually encountered at school. This wasn’t something that could be solved with a fight.
Even Song Siyang, who was usually a chatterbox, could only sit there anxiously.
They were still too young, what could they do? Even though they were all furious after hearing what had happened, even though they thought Xu Jiaming’s father was disgusting and their fists itched with the urge to hit that man, they knew that a beating wouldn’t solve this problem.
Ironically, Xu Jiaming seemed to be the calmest among them.
It wasn’t that he didn’t feel anger or hatred. On New Year’s Eve, when that man showed up at his grandmother’s house for the first time, if his grandmother hadn’t held him back, he would have gone up and beaten that man to a pulp.
Especially in the days that followed, seeing him act more and more shamelessly, relying on his status to get his way—Xu Jiaming, who had always been composed and well-mannered, couldn’t help but curse out loud.
But over the past ten days or so, he had calmed down a lot.
Especially when he saw how worried his grandmother and mother were. The more concerned they were, the more he had to suppress his emotions.
His grandfather had passed away two years ago. Now, he was the only man in the family. If he panicked now, they would have to take care of him instead, and that was the last thing Xu Jiaming wanted.
But he was still too young…
Xu Jiaming suddenly realized that even though he had always been the best among his peers, there was still so little he could do.
The only thing he could do was not cause them any trouble and follow his Mom’s arrangements.
He knew that with such a sudden change, Yang Yihan was the one worrying the most.
She was already busy with filming, and now, because of him, she had to turn down a project. She was supposed to join a production team after the New Year, but now she had to ask the director for leave to deal with his situation first.
Xu Jiaming’s eyes were dark and unreadable. He remained silent for a long time.
After finishing their meal, the three boys found the atmosphere dull, so they went back to their neighborhood to play basketball for a while. But none of them were really in the mood. The sun hadn’t even set yet, and they already felt restless and bored, deciding to head home early.
Xie Heng was always sharp.
And today, he paid special attention to Xu Jiaming’s emotions. While they were playing, he noticed several times that Xu Jiaming kept watching the road, his eyes wary of the cars passing by and the pedestrians on the sidewalk.
Xie Heng could guess why. Xu Jiaming was probably worried that his father would come looking for him.
On the way home, Song Siyang parted ways with them at an intersection, leaving just Xie Heng and Xu Jiaming.
When they were close to home, Xie Heng finally spoke up. “Actually, you don’t have to worry. Security here is really strict. Unless a resident brings him in, outsiders can’t just walk in.”
He had grown up here. He knew the rules well.
Xu Jiaming nodded.
He knew that too, but Xie Heng didn’t understand what kind of person his father was. His father used to be wealthy, and he had once owned a house here. Knowing other residents wasn’t out of the question. If that man really wanted to get in, that man would find a way.
“It’s fine. My Mom is already working on my paperwork to go abroad.” Xu Jiaming’s voice was calm, as if he had already come to terms with it.
But Xie Heng didn’t think this situation was ‘fine’ at all.
He felt that after this New Year, Xu Jiaming had faced so much trouble that he had become more reserved—more mature, even.
But Xie Heng didn’t think this kind of growth was a good thing…
“But do you actually want to leave? Do you really want to go?” Xie Heng stopped at his front door and asked.
Xu Jiaming lowered his gaze, pressed his lips together, then shook his head. “I don’t know.”
The question was meaningless.
Even if he didn’t want to go, what could he do? He knew his Mom wasn’t the kind of person to force him, and if he truly refused, she wouldn’t make him leave. But then, she would worry about him, maybe even stay behind to look after him.
And if that happened, what was the point? It was better for him to leave.
When Xie Heng got home, the first thing he did was look for Lu Xi.
He had gotten used to confiding in her whenever he had something on his mind.
But Lu Xi wasn’t home. The greenhouse was empty, and she wasn’t in the living room or the study either. When he asked the butler, he found out she hadn’t returned yet.
The butler said, “Madam said she was having dinner with a friend and would be back later.”
“I see…” Xie Heng frowned. “Which friend?”
The butler replied, “I think it’s the neighbor next door, Miss Yang.”
Xie Heng was momentarily stunned. Wasn’t that Xu Jiaming’s Mom?
He had overheard Lu Xi chatting with other ladies before, and they always talked about all sorts of things. He had a feeling that Xu Jiaming’s Mom had probably come to his Mom as a close friend for advice.
Maybe they were talking about that issue.
Suddenly, Xie Heng felt much more at ease.
This was a good thing! Maybe Ms. Lu could persuade Xu Jiaming’s Mom or help Xu Jiaming’s Mom come up with a solution. Maybe even a way for Xu Jiaming to stay.
Even though he knew the chances were slim, even if it didn’t work out, at the very least, Lu Xi could be there to comfort Xu Jiaming’s Mom.
Xie Heng had always felt that even though Lu Xi often bickered with him and left him speechless, when she actually wanted to console someone, she had a way of making them feel at ease.
He, for one, always enjoyed talking to her.
During dinner, Lu Xi still hadn’t returned, but Xie Yizhao arrived just in time.
Seeing only Xie Heng at the dining table, he glanced upstairs and asked, “Where’s your Mom?”
Xie Heng : “Went out with Xu Jiaming’s Mom next door.”
Xie Yizhao nodded, said nothing, and sat down to eat.
Dinner between father and son was just like their occasional breakfasts—always carrying a faint sense of awkwardness in the air.
Every time the butler saw them, he felt like they were two strangers forced to share a table at a restaurant.
Still, compared to before Madam arrived, the relationship between Master and Young Master had improved quite a bit. At least now, they could peacefully sit down and have a meal together, right?
When Madam was around, the atmosphere was much more relaxed. After dinner, the three of them would chat on the sofa or go for a walk together.
It was better when Madam was home…
The butler felt both comforted and worried, wondering when Master and Young Master would become closer.
He shook his head slightly and was about to go eat.
Just as he turned around, he witnessed something shocking.
Xie Heng picked up the plate of braised fish in front of him and placed it in front of Xie Yizhao. Then, he swapped it with the plate of vegetables in front of his Dad. “You like this, so eat it.”
Not only was the butler stunned, but even Xie Yizhao paused for a moment.
The butler remembered that Master did indeed like fish. On the other hand, Xie Heng, like Madam, found eating fish troublesome.
The maid who brought the food was new. Otherwise, the staff usually arranged the dishes according to the three family members’ preferences.
But that wasn’t the main point.
The real question was—what was going on with Young Master today? He was actually showing concern for Master!
Could he be running a fever?
Xie Yizhao didn’t have as many thoughts as the butler.
He just found his son’s behavior unusual today and vaguely felt that his emotions seemed off.
Xie Yizhao didn’t reject Xie Heng’s gesture. He picked up a piece of fish and put it into his bowl. After eating it slowly, he looked at Xie Heng and asked, “Do you need my help with something?”
Xie Heng was momentarily stunned.
He instinctively denied it. “No, why?”
Xie Yizhao smiled slightly. “Oh? Then why are you suddenly being so nice to me?”
Xie Heng choked for a second.
Why did it feel like his Dad was implying he was being suspiciously nice for no reason?
He scoffed, feeling a little aggrieved. “Come on, you’re my Dad. What’s wrong with me taking care of you a little? Seriously…”
Listening to his son grumble, Xie Yizhao raised an eyebrow. But the amusement in his eyes faded slightly, replaced by a thoughtful expression. After a moment, he said, “Then I misunderstood you. My apologies.”
Hearing his Dad apologize, Xie Heng was startled again.
But his mood suddenly improved.
Not bad. His Dad admitted his mistake right away. That was a good trait. Unlike Xu Jiaming’s Dad, who had done so many wrong things and was still hurting his own son. Absolutely shameless.
Xie Heng looked at his Dad with newfound respect.
Seeing his son staring at him, eyes shining with what seemed like admiration, Xie Yizhao was at a loss for words.
During meals, Xie Yizhao wasn’t talkative, and neither was Xie Heng. So, father and son quietly finished eating.
When Xie Yizhao put down his chopsticks, signaling that he was done, Xie Heng suddenly called out, “Dad… wait a second.”
Xie Yizhao looked at him. “If you have something to say, just say it.”
He knew it. His son wasn’t being nice for no reason.
Xie Heng had thought it through before deciding to confide in Xie Yizhao.
His Dad wasn’t an ordinary person. His Dad was so capable. Maybe his Dad would have a way to help Xu Jiaming?
So, he explained what had happened to Xu Jiaming. Of course, he didn’t mention the name, just said it was a friend from school. After finishing, he asked, “Don’t you think his father is awful?”
That was a very childish way to put it.
Seeing his son’s indignant expression, Xie Yizhao remained calm, but he could understand Xie Heng’s feelings.
He had been Xie Heng’s age once. He understood how much friendships mattered at this stage, how one would get angry on behalf of a friend. It was a good thing.
But that didn’t mean he supported Xie Heng getting involved in someone else’s family matters.
So, he simply responded in a neutral tone, “Yes, that man is indeed a terrible father.”
Xie Heng didn’t notice that his Dad was only making an objective statement without any emotional involvement. He was happy to hear the agreement. “Right? He’s so awful. Do you have any way to help them?”
Xie Yizhao : “How do you want to help?”
“Well… drive his father away so he doesn’t have to go abroad?”
For Xie Yizhao, solving this problem wasn’t difficult. To a child, it might seem impossible, but in reality, it was just a matter of using the right connections and methods.
But this was someone else’s family business. He had no reason to intervene.
He wasn’t the overbearing CEO from the novels Lu Xi liked to read—the kind who meddled in everything just to show off his power.
Just as he was about to shake his head and refuse, he saw Xie Heng looking at him with wide, expectant eyes.
Xie Yizhao hesitated.
If he rejected his son outright, would that discourage him from ever seeking his help in the future?
Normally, Xie Heng only confided in Lu Xi.
Even though Xie Yizhao was self-aware enough to know this was probably because Lu Xi wasn’t around, leaving him as the only option, he still couldn’t help but feel a little happy.
He inexplicably felt a sense of relief, as if he had finally gotten a little closer to his son.
Besides, any friend who could make this little guy speak up on his own must be very important to him.
Xie Yizhao hoped that his son could have more genuine friends.
He looked out the window in the direction of Xu Jiaming’s house, already having some suspicions in his mind.
Xie Heng was still waiting for his Faf’s answer, completely unaware that the heavily censored story he had told had already been deciphered by his Dad.
Xie Yizhao spoke gently, “First, you need to confirm your friend’s own wishes. Does he really not want to go abroad?”
“He’s not happy about it anyway.”
Xie Yizhao objectively suggested, “Then you should persuade your friend to talk to his Mom himself and try to stay.”
Xie Heng looked troubled. “But what if his scumbag father keeps harassing him?”
Xie Yizhao shook his head and said calmly, “That’s something his parents need to handle. If he has an opinion, he can communicate with his Mom. She won’t ignore his thoughts… Besides, his family situation sounds complicated, but it might not be a dead end.”
There was one more thing Xie Yizhao didn’t say to Xie Heng directly.
In his view, this matter wasn’t serious enough to require immediately sending the child abroad. Instead, it seemed like Xu Jiaming’s mother was either feeling guilty about something or being threatened by her ex-husband.
If sending the child away was the only solution, then it seemed like all they needed to do was keep it from the child.
If the mother and son could talk things through, perhaps the problem could be resolved.
Xie Heng looked at his Dad’s authoritative yet gentle expression and nodded in half-understanding.