Chapter 9: You really seem to dislike me?

A few hours later.

Xi Xi watched Yao Yao effortlessly defeat Mom's virus, gasped and clapped: "Wow! Mom, Brother Yao Yao is amazing! He's a genius just like Cat Brother!"

Lu Xiwán stared at the code on the computer, falling into silence…

What kind of experience could make such a genius, whose intellect far surpasses that of peers, become withdrawn and even develop a series of complications?

Lu Xiwán took out her phone and sent Si Jiuyin a message: "Jiuyin, could you send me the files on the Yao Yao kidnapping case?"

Si Jiuyin froze for a moment when she received the message; she was the second person today to ask her for the kidnapping case files…

Lu Xiwán finished reviewing the case files, lowered her gaze and fell into thought.

The case was actually very simple.

A mischievous child ran out of the villa, hid in an alley, was seized by kidnappers, locked in a box, eventually found a way to escape, and after the kidnappers were caught, they confessed without reservation that it was for money.

That would be reasonable for any child.

But…

Yao Yao was different; he would never casually run out of the villa.

Thinking of what she saw in Yao Yao's dream—Gu Qingmeng's actions—though it might contain a child's imagined distortions, Lu Xiwán was certainly doing something that hurt Yao Yao, becoming the child's nightmare.

Lu Xiwán decided to go to the Si Family tomorrow to find Si Jiuyin and learn the specific details of the case.

The next day.

Lu Xiwán woke up early, prepared breakfast for the two children, then drove them to the Si Family.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she stepped into the Si Family's Living Room, before seeing Si Jiuyin, she caught sight of a familiar silhouette.

On the sofa in the Living Room.

The Si patriarch sat opposite Fu Sijue, and the Si patriarch's sigh sounded.

"Fu Sijue, let the past stay in the past. Everyone outside says that girl is gone, the Gu Family child has been with you for five years, Yao Yao is already four, we can't keep this awkwardness forever…"

"Sir Si, there's still no definitive death news about Lu Xiwán; I want to wait a bit longer."

A deep voice sounded, and Lu Xiwán instinctively stopped, looking up toward Fu Sijue.

The man's handsome jawline was almost flawless in the morning light, his star‑bright eyes inadvertently ensnared anyone, and the emotions hidden beneath his gaze appeared devoted and deep.

Even after five years.

Seeing Fu Sijue like this still made her's heart flutter, then a flood of sour ache and pain covered her densely.

Lu Xiwán listened to his words, couldn't help but tug at her lips sarcastically; after being blinded once back then, no matter how foolish, she wouldn't fall for it again.

At that moment, the Steward happened to speak up: "Sir, Young Master Fu, Miss Xuanshui has arrived."

The next second, Lu Xiwán met Fu Sijue's deep gaze.

Lu Xiwán had only come to find Si Jiuyin to learn about the kidnapping case, never expecting to run into Fu Sijue here.

Lu Xiwán stood up to take her leave: "Sir Si, since Jiuyin isn't here, I'll come back later."

But before she could take a step, Fu Sijue called out first: "Xi Wan."

His voice was pleasant, like a cello's resonance, and for a moment it oddly reminded her of the time he called her "Xiwán."

Lu Xiwán halted, hearing him say: "I have some questions for Miss Xi."

He had already reviewed the documents the assistant handed over last night, learning that the master Xuanshui's real name was "Xi Wan," and that she had a five‑year‑old daughter, Lu Xixi, but those records only covered the past five years; he couldn't find anything from before.

Beside them, Xi Xi clutched Lu Xiwán's thigh cautiously, glared at the annoying Bad Uncle, and whispered, "Mom…"

Lu Xiwán glanced at Fu Yao; although she didn't want to deal with Fu Sijue, Fu Yao's treatment indeed required Fu Sijue's cooperation.

After a moment, Lu Xiwán patted Xi Xi's little head: "Good girl, Mom has something to discuss with this uncle."

Xi Xi reluctantly nodded, pulling Yao Yao and looking back every few steps.

The Si patriarch excused himself for a walk and left.

Soon, only she and Fu Sijue remained in the Living Room.

The man's deep black eyes fixed on her, and after a pause he said, "I asked Miss Gu; she said Yao Yao's condition wasn't caused by her…"

"So Mr. Fu, you still doubt and even overturn my diagnosis based solely on Miss Gu's single statement?" Lu Xiwán's expression was indifferent.

Her face showed little expression, treating him calmly as if a stranger, yet Fu Sijue subconsciously felt that this woman didn't like him.

Even last time, she wore an unchanged expression—was it because of Yao Yao, or… perhaps another reason?

Fu Sijue squinted, his sharp, cold gaze assessing her, then suddenly moved closer; Lu Xiwán was forced back into a corner, and before she could frown and speak, Fu Sijue trapped her between himself and the wall, his eyes locked onto hers:

"You really dislike me?"

The distance was so close that Fu Sijue could even see the fine, soft fuzz trembling on her pale face from embarrassment.

"Let go!"

Lu Xiwán's cold face tried to push him away, but the man clasped her wrist; his strength was immense, and she could barely move. Irritated and ashamed, she snapped, "Fu Sijue! Are you ill? Are we that familiar that you grab me the moment we meet?"

Fu Sijue's expression remained calm as he observed her reaction, and after a while he slowly released her, speaking in a deep voice:

"I want to know, after Yao Yao was hypnotized, what exactly did you see?"