Chapter 11

Ling Yan's heart pounded like a drum, her fingers clenched tight, she lifted her eyes anxiously yet eagerly to look at Xu Yanfeng.

She feared he would refuse, yet hoped he would agree.

The two emotions tugged at her, almost tearing her apart.

Xu Yanfeng remained calm and composed; coincidentally his phone rang, he stood, pushed back his chair, and said, "Sorry, I have some work to attend to. You go ahead and eat, no need to wait for me."

He took his phone and left the private room; his retreating back showed not a hint of reluctance, like someone who naturally stood apart from their world.

Ling Yan lowered her gaze, her eyes instantly dimming; a sense of loss swept over her, making her nearly tear up.

Although he didn't explicitly refuse, his intention was already clear.

Xu Guanshan furrowed his brow, his square face looking even more stern than usual; he opened his mouth to call out to Xu Yanfeng, who had already stepped outside, but his wife beat him to it: "Ah Feng has been busy lately, not free even during the holidays—really sorry."

This explanation was a bit weak, but still better than saying nothing.

Ling Yan's mother looked displeased, yet she couldn't say anything.

The two families' relationship had always been fine; it was impossible for such a small matter to create a rift. Though unhappy, they could only bear it.

Ling Yan's father waved his hand, appearing magnanimous and tolerant: "It's normal for a man his age to be busy with his career; among the younger generation, Ah Feng stands out the most. And Junmo, I hear he's doing splendidly overseas. Your two sons are both exceptional—clearly the Xu family's upbringing is excellent!"

Xu Junmo is Xu Guanshan's eldest son and Xu Yanfeng's older brother, in charge of the Xu Clan's overseas holdings. The brothers have a clear division of labor: one went abroad from a young age, the other stayed with their parents; both are outstanding.

Xu Guanshan softened his expression, no longer mentioning the marriage between Ling Yan and Xu Yanfeng, and turned to discussing business.

Xu Yanfeng actually had no work to handle; he merely wanted an excuse to leave the table, and coincidentally a message arrived on his phone, lending a bit of credibility to his lie.

He held a cigarette, standing by the floor-to-ceiling window of the downstairs smoking area, casually scrolling through WeChat.

The person who had just messaged him was Ding Wen Qi.

Xu Yanfeng opened it and glanced; there was nothing substantive.

Ding Wen Qi: "Young General Manager Xu, happy Mid-Autumn Festival!"

Ding Wen Qi: "Our class organized a reunion; I don't know if you have time to come join us."

Ding Wen Qi: "It won't be a big crowd; you should know all our classmates."

Ding Wen Qi: "Here's the attendee list. 【Image】"

A class reunion? Xu Yanfeng had zero interest, so much so that he couldn't even be bothered to reply; as he exited the chat interface, his finger accidentally touched the image.

The table enlarged on the screen; Xu Yanfeng gave it a casual scan, his gaze suddenly sharpening and locking onto the name at the bottom.

Xia Xi.

Xu Yanfeng stared at that name for a full half minute, confirming the two characters were Xia Xi's Xia and Xia Xi's Xi.

He snorted, realizing he had forgotten—Ding Wen Qi was the class monitor of Xia Xi's class; after graduation he entered the Xu Clan Group via campus recruitment and is now roughly an assistant manager, occasionally reporting work to him, which gave them a contact.

Xu Yanfeng tapped the screen with his fingertip and typed a few characters: "Time, place."

Ding Wen Qi was merely being polite in wishing the leader a happy Mid-Autumn Festival; then, thinking of tomorrow's class reunion, he casually extended an invitation. He figured Young General Manager Xu, swamped with work, wouldn't bother attending such a possibly boring reunion, and had prepared himself for no reply—who knew Young General Manager Xu would not only reply but say he'd come! Asking for time and place must mean he intends to go, right?

Ding Wen Qi pondered for a long time and felt he hadn't misunderstood.

Perhaps it was because he hadn't replied in a while; the other side sent a question mark, seemingly urging him.

Ding Wen Qi dared not delay any longer; he promptly sent the time and place, including the specific private room number.

After doing that, Ding Wen Qi still felt as if he were dreaming; he slapped his face and reviewed their conversation from start to finish several times.

He didn't think he had enough clout to summon this young master; the young master's attendance must have another motive. He studied the attendee list thoroughly, and finally, as if discovering a new continent, his eyes lit up and he smacked his own forehead.

How could he have forgotten Xia Xi!

The two were a couple in college; later, something happened—Xia Xi vanished before graduation, no one heard from her, only that she and Xu Yanfeng had broken up, the reason unknown.

Could it be that these two… still have a chance? Ding Wen Qi had a premonition that he was brushing up against the truth; suppressing his excitement, he posted in the group: "Don't forget tomorrow night's gathering, everyone! Try to come early and chat a while longer. By the way, a heavyweight guest will attend—get ready."

"Being so mysterious, what's this heavyweight guest? Give us a hint."

"I thought seeing Xia Xi on the list was already a big surprise; is there someone even bigger than the campus belle?"

"Where's Old Ding? You're not being a good guy—throwing the bombshell and running off; I'm dying to know."

Ding Wen Qi looked at the group's messages, gave no hint, raised his eyebrows smugly, and thought, "Someone bigger than the campus belle? Obviously… the campus hunk!"

Xia Xi was also watching the group messages, just as clueless as everyone else, her curiosity piqued.

Could it be that their class produced someone really impressive?

"Sis, did you put salt in the spare rib soup?"

Suddenly Xia Xuan's voice came from beside her, pulling Xia Xi's attention from her phone; Xia Xi glanced at the rice cooker and said, "Not yet, I'll add it later."

"Oh." Xia Xuan set down the salt container and went to the sink to wash vegetables.

Today being a holiday, Xia Xi called her sister and brother-in-law over for a reunion meal.

The two sisters busied themselves in the kitchen while the others chatted and watched TV in the living room. Xia Xi put down her phone, continued prepping ingredients, and chatted casually with her sister: "How are you getting along with your mother-in-law?"

The water splashed loudly; Xia Xuan's washing motion paused, she glanced at the living-room sofa where Chen Songbai was playing blocks with two kids, then she gave her sister an indescribable look.

Xia Xi frowned: "Is your mother-in-law bullying you?"

She had only recently returned to the country and hadn't interacted much with Chen Songbai's family; just from the wedding day she could tell that Miao Cuixia was not easy to get along with.

"It's not exactly bullying, but…" Xia Xuan bit her lip, "She's sharp-tongued, often lashing out with words; in front of she mentions I don't work, spending Songbai's money—I explain that my painting can earn money too, but she doesn't believe me, and she keeps bringing up having children."

"Did Chen Songbai not speak up for you?"

"He's on my side, but after all they're his parents, who gave birth to and raised him—I can't speak harshly." Xia Xuan sighed, recalling the past few days, she'd been quite annoyed, "Now it's fine; the elders have gone back to their hometown, so we can live our little lives in peace."

Xia Xi, however, wasn't reassured; she repeatedly urged: "No matter who says it about having children, you mustn't give in. Don't let morality shackle you—don't risk your life for a child. Your own body is what matters most; if you lose your life, you have nothing."

Xia Xuan nodded: "I know."

"I'll have a word with Chen Songbai later," Xia Xi said.

Xia Xuan hastily interjected: "Don't, he's actually been supportive of me." She shifted tone, turning to her sister's love life: "By the way, has Xu Yanfeng been looking for you again?"

Xia Xi almost cut herself: "... No."

Xia Xuan tilted her head: "Really?"

Xia Xi put her hand into the pool, scooped up a handful of water and splashed it toward her: "Don't go poking around, wash the vegetables properly, what time is it now, still haven't had dinner."

Xia Xuan giggled, shrinking her neck to dodge.

*The next day, around six in the evening, Xia Xi changed clothes and went out, drove to the subway station entrance to pick up Zhao Lei, and the two went together to Prosperous Courtyard Hotel.

She might have an affinity with this place; this is her second time coming back after returning to the country.

When Zhao Lei got in the car, she sized up Xia Xi, praised her as being even more beautiful than before, and asked how she had been abroad these past few years and what she was doing now.

The two chatted all the way, seeing the sparkling sign of Prosperous Courtyard Hotel ahead, Zhao Lei suddenly asked: "Have you and Xu Yanfeng gotten back together?"

Xia Xi stepped on the brake, the car came to a steady stop at the hotel entrance, she turned her head to look at the woman in the passenger seat: "Why would you ask that?"

The valet came over to help open the car door, took the keys, and drove the car to the dedicated parking lot.

Zhao Lei linked arms with Xia Xi as they walked up the steps, cleared her throat lightly, and continued the conversation from the car: "The monitor secretly told me that Xu Yanfeng will come tonight, so I guessed you two got back together."

Xia Xi:????? Is it still possible to leave now? (End of chapter)