Chapter 363: A Grand Show

347 came down holding many books, and Lu Xiwán's gaze passed over Qiana and landed on 347.

She smiled even more happily; so many books are enough for her to read for a while.

347 hurried over nervously, squeezing beside Qiana and shielding Lu Xiwán with his body.

Lu Xiwán's reaction was much milder, "We were having a pleasant conversation."

Anyway she was happy, and she had no idea what Qiana thought of Lu Xiwán.

347 clearly didn't believe Lu Xiwán, and placed the books he was holding on the small table in front of her.

Qiana glared at 347 angrily, "You want to control me too?"

She could at least be forced to watch Chris's mood, but now being treated like this by a bodyguard, Qiana naturally felt aggrieved.

Lu Xiwán casually picked up a book from the table and waved at Qiana, "You want to read with me too?"

Qiana let out a cold snort, turned and left.

347: "I'll inform the boss and have Miss Qiana sent away as soon as possible."

Lu Xiwán frowned slightly, "Send her away for what?"

"Don't you find it interesting to have someone constantly disapproving of you yet unable to get rid of you?"

Lu Xiwán squinted at Qiana's retreating back and smiled brightly.

Qiana's presence brought a lot of fun to her otherwise boring life here.

……

Fu Sijue left abruptly after a disagreement, and before departing handed all matters over to Zhong He.

Zhong He, who was accustomed to idleness, suddenly took over this huge mess and was so worried he couldn't even eat his rice.

He also had to watch daily that no one in the Vacation Villa discovered Fu Sijue was no longer there, and Zhong He was on the verge of cursing.

"He's busy inside, I'll just deliver the food," Zhong He stopped Xie Zhangwen and Zhu Shutao as they were about to go in.

To stall them, Zhong He recited almost every lie he could think of.

"How is this possible? Being cooped up in a room like this—what's going on?" Zhu Shutao grew anxious and snatched the food box from Zhong He's hand.

Zhong He dodged Zhu Shutao's suspicious gaze, and finally, reluctantly, led them inside.

The massive Study was empty, and Xie Zhangwen widened his eyes and looked back at Zhong He.

"A Jue isn't here?"

Zhong He let the two sit first, and kindly explained, "You should know his temperament better than I do; after Wanwan was taken, he's been completely absent‑minded."

Xie Zhangwen couldn't stay seated, stood up, and shouted in a hoarse voice, "You still can't just go along with his temperament! No one knows where they've gone now…"

But before he could finish, Zhu Shutao yanked him back and forced him to sit in the chair.

"You have to let someone finish speaking; his legs are on A Jue—if he truly wants to leave, who can keep him in check?"

Zhu Shutao's point was reasonable, and Xie Zhangwen managed to calm down a bit.

Both stared at Zhong He with the same yearning eyes, making Zhong He feel a little uneasy.

"Outside the Mountain Villa, their people are watching; no matter how many we send to look, they can track our movements."

Zhong He strained to think of a plan, and after a long while finally replied.

With that said, Fu Sijue's whereabouts could finally be explained clearly.

Xie Zhangwen and Zhu Shutao weren't angry about being deceived by Fu Sijue and Zhong He.

"I understand A Jue's good intentions; they're all to keep us from worrying," Zhu Shutao said magnanimously.

Since Lu Xiwán's incident, the Xie family also sent many people out to search.

"Just understand, we didn't want those people to know our plan, that's why we acted this way."

Zhong He hesitated for a long time, then finally spoke, "But we still need you to help soothe everyone's emotions; under no circumstances should anyone learn he's absent."

Especially Lilian, Zhong He always believed Lu Xiwán and Fu Sijue's speculation.

After sending the two away, Zhong He finally felt much more at ease.

Xi Xi and Yao Yao weren't as troubled as Zhong He thought; they continued to frolic as before, appearing carefree.

In fact, out of Zhong He's sight, Lu Xixi anxiously shared the intel she had just gathered with Yao Yao.

"Aunt Si Jiuyin came today; I heard her at the door tell Grandfather Zhong He that Mommy is fine now," Xi Xi frowned. Although Si Jiuyin said Lu Xiwán was doing well, her expression was worried.

Lu Xixi didn't understand what she meant.

Yao Yao nodded vigorously, "Alright, I'll go ask Uncle Xie again."

The two little milk buns slipped away stealthily like secret agents meeting, then headed in different directions.

Zhong He emerged from the Study, pretended to be "unpersuadable," sighed, and left.

At the stairwell he saw Lilian, who seemed to have been waiting for him; as soon as he came down she hurried to greet him.

"Mr. Fu still refuses to come out?" Lilian asked beside Zhong He, her face full of anxiety.

Zhong He glanced at her peripherally, expression neutral, "If he doesn't want to come out, let him stay inside; a bad mood calls for some calm."

Lilian followed up, "Perhaps we should let a doctor go in and check; constant bad mood will affect his health."

Lilian's concern for Fu Sijue seemed longer than for Xie Zian, and Zhong He couldn't help but glance sideways.

"I am the doctor," Zhong He said, a bit impatient, turning his head away.

Lilian finally realized her mistake, touched the tip of her nose, and gave an embarrassed light laugh, "Have you located Mrs. Fu yet?"

Xie Zian had been with Shen Shu these past days, so Lilian's only remaining source for updates was Zhong He.

"Currently not yet, Miss Lilian, I recall you love reading; Fu Sijue's Study holds many treasured books—" Zhong He noted Lilian's expression, then abruptly changed the subject.

"Have Zhong Yi bring out a few, everyone's busy and has neglected you."

Lilian clearly seemed more disappointed, yet she nodded meekly.

Zhong He leaned on the sofa, pondering Lilian's earlier behavior, and found it rather odd.

It sounded like he was showing concern for Fu Sijue, but in fact every sentence was an indirect probe, trying to get some words out of Zhong He.

Zhong He cleared the gloom from his eyes, but he hoped none of this was what he had imagined.

He remained calm as if nothing had happened, but his eyes were like a hawk's, constantly watching Lilian's movements.

His intuition told him that Lilian was anything but simple.

Whether it was her appearance or what happened afterward, it all seemed like a play that someone had long planned.

All that remained was for the actors to take the stage.

Zhong He picked up on a clue.