Chapter 217

The middle-aged man fell silent for a moment, then announced his affiliation: "The chairman of the Xu Clan wants to see you. I am his assistant."

The chairman of the Xu Clan?

Xia Xi silently repeated those words on her lips, her slow mind finally turning a corner: the chairman of the Xu Clan Group—wasn't that Xu Yanfeng's father?

Why would Xu Yanfeng's father want to see her?

Xia Xi's expression froze; after a moment, she seemed to guess the visitor's purpose. Or perhaps she was overthinking?

"I'm at school," Xia Xi said. "Nan Da."

The middle-aged man's manner was always refined and polite, like an English gentleman, his voice carrying a gentle smile: "I know. Please wait a moment; I'm on my way."

Xia Xi heard car honking from the other end of the phone; he was indeed on the road.

Not knowing how long it would take for him to arrive, Xia Xi rose and pulled from her closet a black wool short coat, its waist tied with a wide-edged belt she had fastened into a bow, the hem trimmed with a slight flare of lace, giving her a touch of demureness without losing elegance; she paired it with vintage-blue skinny jeans and riding boots.

Xia Xi took no bag, only her phone, as she went out.

Walking across campus, the wind brushed her face, not as chilly as in the morning, now warmed by a hint of spring.

Xia Xi deliberately walked slowly, enjoying the scenery along the way; by the time she reached the school gate, ten minutes had passed. She looked around, saw no car parked nearby, so she waited in place, glanced at her phone for a while without really taking anything in, and inevitably felt a little uneasy.

She had never met Xu Yanfeng's father, nor had Xu Yanfeng ever mentioned him; she didn't know what kind of person he was. Just hearing the title "chairman" made her imagine someone of immense authority—otherwise how could he overawe tens of thousands of employees and manage such a vast conglomerate?

Lost in thought, an extended Bentley Mulsanne slowly pulled up before Xia Xi.

Xia Xi focused her gaze; the driver's side door opened and a middle-aged man in a black suit stepped out, his temples streaked with silver, the lines on his face deepening as he smiled: "Miss Xia, sorry to have kept you waiting."

He was the man who had just called Xia Xi; his face matched his voice, giving an impression of kindness.

He courteously opened the rear door for Xia Xi, placing his hand against the roof to prevent her from bumping her head as she entered.

Still unsure of his intentions, Xia Xi could not find words to thank him; she bowed slightly and got into the car. The grayish interior was spotless, with a faint fragrance in the air.

The middle-aged man closed the door, settled into the driver's seat, started the car, glanced at Xia Xi in the rearview mirror, and said with a smile: "Miss Xia, don't be nervous; our chairman just wants to have a chat with you and help you resolve your difficulties."

Xia Xi's heart gave a little jolt, focusing on the four words "resolve difficulties."

Resolve what difficulties?

Could it be that Xu Yanfeng's father knows something?

All along the way, Xia Xi was speculating, not paying attention to the route; the car finally stopped at a tea house.

The middle-aged man led her inside; the interior was decorated in an antiquated, fragrant style. He passed through a covered corridor and stopped outside a tea room. He knocked on the door and said: "Chairman, Miss Xia has arrived."

"Come in."

Having received permission from inside, the middle-aged man pushed open the sliding door and gestured to Xia Xi with a "please" motion.

After Xia Xi entered, the man closed the door from outside, stood guard at the threshold without leaving, his hands clasped in front of him.

Inside, tea fragrance lingered; Xu Guanshan sat in an armchair behind the long table, a full tea set arrayed before him. He raised his hand, indicating for Xia Xi to sit.

"Having come, I shall be at ease," Xia Xi told herself, walking over calmly. She hesitated over how to address him—"uncle" felt impossible to say, and he probably wouldn't want to hear it—so she finally said: "Chairman."

Xu Guanshan nodded.

Xia Xi sat on the round stool beside the table; Xu Guanshan handed her a cup of tea.

"Thank you," Xia Xi said, indeed thirsty, offering a soft thanks, lifting the cup and taking a sip, then another, drinking about half.

She was a straightforward person, not accustomed to dragging things out; she set down the cup and got straight to the point: "Chairman, why did you summon me?"

Xu Guanshan sized her up; having previously reviewed her file, which naturally included her photos, he knew she was good-looking, but seeing her in person revealed she was even more radiant than the pictures.

He had indeed not expected that his usually calm and aloof son would favor this type.

"I know everything about your family—your father's crime, your family's hotel, your sister's illness." Xu Guanshan didn't look up, blew the foam from his tea, took a light sip, saw she was straightforward, and didn't waste words: "If you agree to leave Xu Yanfeng and vanish from his world entirely, I can help you resolve your present troubles and send you abroad to study. Your field will benefit from further study for future development. What do you think?"

Xia Xi laughed; her laugh sounded abrupt in the quiet tea room.

Xu Guanshan's eyelids twitched slightly; his stern visage, coupled with a pair of sharp eyes, inspired fear when he stared at someone in silence—an aura innate to those in high position, all the more so after decades navigating the business world, few could withstand his probing gaze.

Xia Xi stifled her laughter; she really couldn't help it just now. She had never imagined such a scene would play out in her own life—turns out the aristocracy really does pull this sort of stunt.

How dramatic—were there cameras around? She felt as if she were filming a drama.

Xu Guanshan's voice was calm and unruffled, certainly not threatening or coercive; he tried to analyze the pros and cons with Xia Xi so she would willingly accept his arrangement: "Xu Yanfeng is the heir I have chosen, bearing great responsibility; he will one day sit in my position and cannot have a partner of tainted background. An heir's marital status must be disclosed to the company's shareholders; although not published in excessive detail, anyone who wishes to investigate can uncover your family situation. You would become his blemish and a weak point open to attack."

Xia Xi's eyes flickered; she gripped the tea cup but did not lift it for a long time.

The tea had grown somewhat cool.

Xu Guanshan said: "Of course, given Xu Yanfeng's abilities, these might not be problems. No one can avoid gossip; even the most perfect person cannot escape it. Though he stands high above, even if people stab at his back, it won't reach him. You should consider yourself: there is an opportunity before you; if you seize it, you can rescue your family from suffering. Your grandmother and mother need no longer live in constant anxiety and fear, tears staining their faces; your sister can receive proper treatment."

Xu Guanshan had observed Xu Yanfeng's changes over the past six months; a little inquiry revealed what he had been doing. He was dating a girl, their love affair intense and unrestrained.

He originally had no intention of intervening; Xu Yanfeng was young and vigorous, dating a girlfriend was quite ordinary—perhaps they would break up before college graduation, leaving no need for him to step in.

He pretended not to know about it, merely paying slight attention, watching developments.

At the last gathering of old friends, the Ling family's daughter was also present; as she poured him tea, she casually mentioned a funny tidbit she had heard from Xu Yanfeng's childhood friend—that the birthday gift Xu Yanfeng had prepared for his girlfriend was absurdly silly: actually a share transfer contract of the Xu Clan.

Xu Guanshan's heart jolted; tea spilled over half the cup—this was the first time he had lost composure in front of others.

Only then did he realize Xu Yanfeng was serious; if he weren't intent on marrying that girl and bringing her home, he would not have handed over his entire fortune.

Xu Guanshan is not one to lose his temper lightly; although his face turned green with anger just now, he took no action, nor did he summon Xu Yanfeng to reprimand him.

He merely had people closely monitor the couple's movements, especially Xia Xi.

Coincidentally, her family encountered a change; a chain of events snowballed, growing larger and weighing heavily upon her.

Xu Guanshan knew the moment he had been waiting for had arrived; acting now was most appropriate.

In business circles, they stress "wait for the right moment to act"; the same principle applies elsewhere.

It all depends on how she chooses.