Chapter 251: I Still Have a Purpose

Xia Xi didn't turn around; hearing the voice, she knew it was Xu Yanfeng, and her heart suddenly pounded like a machine gun.

Heaven really loves to toy with people; what you fear comes to pass.

From General Manager Ge's secretary she learned the meeting was at this golf course, and she worried she might run into Xu Yanfeng; after some rational analysis, she dismissed that possibility.

Who would have thought, yet she still ran into him.

Xia Xi pressed her lips together and, without thinking, swung a club just to get by.

Heaven was somewhat considerate, teasing her elsewhere but favoring her on the golf course—the white ball went into the hole. Even she found it unbelievable, raising an eyebrow.

General Manager Ge and the several middle-aged bosses had long stopped paying attention to Xia Xi's perfect shot, turning instead to greet Xu Yanfeng and the few people behind him.

These people, who scrape a living doing business, could hardly compare to those few families rich for generations; meeting them was rare, so they naturally fawned over them, perhaps hoping for future cooperation.

"I was saying, Ms. Xia, your shot is so good—must be an excellent student of a great teacher; it's you, General Manager Xu, who taught you." General Manager Ge laughed until his eyes disappeared, looking more like Maitreya Buddha, "Forgive my meddling, but are you and General Manager Xu very close?"

After saying that, his gaze shifted between Xu Yanfeng and Xia Xi.

Xia Xi glanced at Xu Yanfeng, afraid he'd speak nonsense and cause misunderstanding, and spoke before him: "General Manager Ge is overestimating me; how could I have a deep relationship with General Manager Xu? We're just alumni. We both studied at Nan Da, and General Manager Xu is my senior by one year."

General Manager Ge: "I see."

Xu Yanfeng held a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, his gaze toward Xia Xi deep with meaning—amazing she could say that, having cast aside old feelings, leaving only the distant, worthless titles of "alumni" and "senior."

Truly impressive.

No wonder it's Xia Xi—her heart is as hard as reinforced concrete.

The few people behind Xu Yanfeng watched the show, gaining a new impression of him; they had originally been puzzled about where he got the leisure on a workday to invite them to play golf.

Xu Yanfeng rarely took the initiative to organize an outing, so they naturally gave him face, even making time despite work; only now did they realize they were merely Xu the Second's hired companions, to give him a legitimate reason to be here.

The longest road in the world is Xu Yanfeng's scheme.

Among the group, only Xu Junmo had never met Xia Xi; he had long been curious about her, able to bewitch his brother for years so that he couldn't forget her, defying the family's formidable matriarch—she must be an extraordinary woman.

Now seeing her in person, her personality is hard to judge for now, but that face alone is enough capital.

So his brother likes this type.

Xu Junmo wanted to go over and chat with Xia Xi to get to know her better, but before he could approach, Xu Yanfeng blocked him, finding an excuse to call Xia Xi away: "Since we've coincidentally met, let's catch up, junior—what do you say?"

There was meaning behind his words, but Xia Xi didn't fall for it: "Sorry, I have business to attend to, so it's inconvenient. Besides, Broad and Elegant and the Xu Clan will cooperate; there will be plenty of chances to catch up later, no need to rush now."

With so many people present, acquaintances or not, Xu Yanfeng wouldn't disregard her wishes and drag her into conversation. Realizing that, Xia Xi dared to refuse him.

Even General Manager Ge was startled by her manner of speaking; General Manager Xu lowered his stature to chat with her a few sentences, yet she gave him no face, making him wonder how much nerve she had.

"Ahem, Ms. Xia, our cooperation isn't urgent; we can discuss it later." General Manager Ge said with a smile, "General Manager Xu is more important."

Xia Xi: "……"

"Since General Manager Ge said that, you see…" Xu Yanfeng drew out his tone, leisurely waiting for her response.

Xia Xi wanted to smash her golf club into his head.

"Fine."

She said that single word through gritted teeth, handed the club to the caddy, and gave Xu Yanfeng a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

The others continued playing, while the two stepped aside, half a meter apart.

Xu Yanfeng had one hand in his pocket, gazing at the lake; the water was still like a mirror, reflecting blue sky and white clouds, the shore's vegetation. He asked bluntly: "How's your consideration going?"

Xia Xi knew what he was referring to.

Living with him for a hundred days, whatever ridiculous demand—she'd have to be out of her mind to agree.

"I haven't figured it out yet." Xia Xi's face was cold, her words devoid of emotion, like a robot.

Xu Yanfeng turned sideways, locking eyes on her face, easily seeing through her intent, and said bluntly: "Are you planning to drag this out with a delaying tactic, right?" He snorted, "Xia Xi, do I look easy to fool?"

Not giving her a chance to evade or delay, otherwise she'd push further; Xu Yanfeng pondered, then spoke with a much colder, harder attitude: "Do you think I'm still the old Xu Yanfeng, letting you push me around?"

"I don't think that." Xia Xi met his gaze, "I just… I don't understand what your purpose is in doing this."

"Zi Heng is also my child; is there a problem with me wanting to cultivate feelings with him?"

Indeed it was for the child; Xia Xi snorted inwardly, keeping a straight face: "You can exercise your visitation rights, and wanting to bond with him is fine, but there's no need to do it exactly as you say."

Things having come to this point, pretending not to hear or speak is pointless; Xu Yanfeng already knows Zi Heng is his child and has expressed a strong desire to spend time with him, and she has accommodated him.

Legally, when a couple divorces, the child is awarded to one party, and the other party by law enjoys visitation rights. Preventing Xu Yanfeng from seeing the child is improper emotionally, rationally, and legally.

But that's all; she could not possibly compromise on anything beyond that.

Xu Yanfeng frowned slightly; he still underestimated Xia Xi's determination not to be with him, and she actually used a retreat-to-advance move, perfectly resolving his unreasonable demand.

Now what to do?

"Any other issues?" Xia Xi crossed her arms, gazing at the distant forest, speaking unhurriedly: "If there's no problem, we'll draft an agreement to set the visitation schedule for the child. Tell me how many times a month you'd like to see him; if it's reasonable, I'll agree, otherwise we'll negotiate further."

She had the upper hand, and her speech became much more relaxed.

Xu Yanfeng, on the contrary, was depressed to the point of speechlessness, saying nothing for a long while.

Xia Xi waited for his response: "Huh? You still haven't decided?"

Xu Yanfeng steadied his mood and put up a stubborn defense: "Don't you consider the child? A healthy, wholesome family is crucial to a child's growth."

Xia Xi laughed: "You think living together for a hundred days, then each returning to our original positions after those hundred days, could positively affect the child's growth? Are you being too naive, or have I misunderstood?"

Xu Yanfeng: "……"

Sharp-tongued as ever, just like before. Although her personality has become much steadier now, at times she still reveals those old little flaws.

She is so convinced that after a hundred days, they will not reconcile.

If they stayed together from now on, wouldn't the child have a complete family?

Xu Yanfeng knows it's hard to persuade her, yet he insists: "At least let him experience a loving family atmosphere."

Xia Xi shook her head, laughing at his illogical talk—just saying whatever comes to mind. This isn't the Xu Yanfeng she remembers.

"Zi Heng is very smart and growing up well; he won't develop psychological problems just from lacking a loving family atmosphere. You can rest assured on that." Xia Xi's eyes wandered as she assessed him, "On the contrary, you need to set aside time to see a psychologist."

"……"

Xu Yanfeng's chest held a breath of resentment that gradually swelled; he suspected he would be angered to death by Xia Xi here.

"Xia Xi, setting aside the child, I still have a purpose." Xu Yanfeng lowered his gaze, fixed on her eyes, "It's you."