Chapter 348: Things That Must Be Done

Am I still your dear son? You used to say every day that I was a piece of flesh that fell from your body—how can you not feel any pity for me now?

Zhu Shutao blatantly wrote double standards on her face, and she isn't at all worried that Xie Zian will feel wronged.

She raised her head confidently and said, "I already said before that if you don't find a steady girlfriend by twenty‑five, you're not to come home to see me—so why weren't you that obedient back then?"

Lu Xiwan listened beside them, feeling suffocated, and silently gripped Fu Sijue's hand.

Zhu Shutao and Xie Zian, mother and son, are utterly hurting each other, leaving no room for either.

Look at Lilian—what a fine girl! Even if you didn't marry her into Haicheng, just placing her in the Imperial Capital would have those aristocratic clans fighting over her; it's a bargain for you, kid, so enjoy it secretly.

Xie Zian has a notorious reputation outside, and to find a suitable match, Zhu Shutao has spared no effort.

"That's you setting the bar too high—if you say marriage is enough, I could go find someone myself…"

Just as Xie Zian hadn't finished speaking, a deep voice cut him off.

"Even if the Xie family is down on its luck, we still have standing in Haicheng—you can fool around outside all you like, but don't expect to bring those dancer girlfriends home."

Xie Zhangwen came in from outside and heard that, then, furious at Xie Zian's ineptitude, kicked him; Xie Zian staggered, looked back, and dared not say a word.

Lu Xiwan quickly wiped her smile, and together with Fu Sijue she solemnly addressed Xie Zhangwen as "Uncle."

Now in Haicheng, after the Fu family, the Xie family is the most prominent; Xie Zhangwen is upright and kind‑hearted, never resorting to underhanded tactics—something even Fu Sijue admires.

"Speak properly—why kick a child for no reason?"

Facing Zhu Shutao, the tall, broad‑shouldered Xie Zhangwen's aura suddenly shrank.

I don't know if it's my imagination, but Lu Xiwan actually felt Xie Zhangwen a little wronged.

"If this brat weren't so disobedient, you wouldn't have to trek all the way out here."

Xie Zhangwen's glance swept over her; Lu Xiwan almost choked, but Fu Sijue put an arm around her shoulders and gave her a comforting pat.

"Uncle Xie frightened Wanwan—she's in poor health and has nightmares at night."

Xie Zhangwen sheepishly rubbed his nose, then turned his sights back on Xie Zian.

Lu Xiwan lightly punched Fu Sijue's shoulder.

Even if she were fragile, she wouldn't be as weak as Fu Sijue said.

"Sort out your own affairs—don't keep making your mother worry."

Xie Zhangwen was almost writing the word "threat" on his face; his whole expression was displeased.

Xie Zian didn't dare utter a word; if it were Zhu Shutao coming, he could handle it alone, but his father is the one he fears most.

"According to Xie Zian, the Fu family has had a lot going on lately—let's go upstairs and talk in detail."

As soon as Xie Zhangwen spoke, Lu Xiwan sensed something unusual; Fu Sijue didn't refuse his suggestion, took Lu Xiwan's hand, and followed him upstairs.

Xie Zhangwen left, and Xie Zian finally could breathe easy.

Fu Sijue calmly watched Xie Zhangwen, utterly unaffected by his overpowering presence.

"These years you've become steadier day by day—your uncle would surely be pleased if he saw you."

Compared to other families, the Xie household seems good‑looking but otherwise useless.

"Did someone sneak into Hengshan Gongguan?" Xie Zhangwen said this with suspicion, clearly doubting the claim.

He's not never been to Hengshan Gongguan; because it's Fu Sijue's private residence, the guards there are tighter than those at any other Fu Clan property, even with Fu Sijue's personally arranged bodyguards on duty.

By rights, such a thing shouldn't happen.

"It's true… someone slipped in while Uncle Chen was out, but luckily the child wasn't hurt and there was no major loss."

Fu Sijue nodded firmly; Xie Zhangwen's grave expression eased a little.

"I heard your people are recently investigating something—you should know what I mean."

Fu Sijue wasn't surprised at all that Xie Zhangwen would know.

Over the years of friendship, the Fu and Xie families share some resources; Fu Sijue has mobilized this many people at once, making it hard for Xie Zhangwen to pretend ignorance.

"Rest easy, Uncle Xie—no matter what goes wrong on the Fu side, it won't affect the Xie family."

"You've practically watched me grow up; I wasn't able to see my uncle one last time, but I have a duty to look after the Fu family for him. The Fu family has suffered greatly, and you know full well I care not about how many resources you've moved."

Xie Zhangwen came over also wanting to know what matter warranted Fu Sijue mobilizing so many forces.

Lu Xiwan poured Xie Zhangwen a cup of tea, saying, "Uncle Xie, don't rush—things won't be clear in a moment or two."

Moreover, concerning the tangled Paradise organization, investigating them naturally works best when as few people know as possible.

"For me, you needn't hide anything; if there's anything the Xie family can help with, I'll hold nothing back."

Xie Zhangwen's words were spoken with great conviction; Fu Sijue merely hesitated slightly.

"Back then Yao Yao wasn't sent back to Gu Qingmeng through legal channels—we suspect someone secretly manipulated all this."

It's even possible that everything happening today was prearranged by those people.

Fu Sijue deeply dislikes the feeling of being controlled by others.

Xie Zhangwen gripped his teacup tightly and asked, "Are you sure your investigation isn't mistaken?"

"From Haicheng to the whole Z Country, nobody would dare pull this on the Fu Clan."

This point is something Xie Zhangwen firmly believes.

"We don't yet know where their base lies, but all this is certainly no accident or coincidence."

Precisely because he feels someone is secretly eyeing him, Fu Sijue pays such close attention.

"We've already found some evidence; the nurse who secretly took the child years ago is now in our hands, though there's been no further progress… Uncle Xie, do you know about the organization called Paradise?" Lu Xiwan hoped Xie Zhangwen, being well‑informed, might have some insight.

After thinking hard, Xie Zhangwen shook his head helplessly.

"As you know, the Xie family rarely deals with overseas affairs; if that organization is rooted in H Country, finding its base would be as hard as climbing to heaven for us."

Qiang Long can't suppress a Local Big Shot—this principle applies everywhere.

"Not only did they do things back then; Hengshan Gongguan might also have their involvement… some things we simply have to do."

Only by pulling out this thorn in the flesh can Lu Xiwan feel at ease.