Chapter 351

Xu Guanshan never expected that meeting this woman again would turn out like this.

His brows and eyes grew cold, and after a long while he said nothing.

It was he who underestimated Xia Xi; when he first discussed the deal with her, he never calculated that things would come to this.

Seven years have passed, and Xu Yanfeng still ended up falling into her hands.

He really is capable.

Setting aside the fact that Xu Yanfeng is his son, Xu Guanshan would still have to say he admires her.

Does this count as another form of "lying on firewood and tasting gall"?

Zhong Yinghong's worst fear came true—this was the first time her son brought a girlfriend to the door; even if Xu Guanshan was dissatisfied, the most basic courtesy could not be omitted. When they greeted him, he gave no response.

Xu Guanshan used to be most particular about etiquette and self-cultivation, but this time I don't know what's wrong—he is so rude as to not give the younger generation face.

Zhong Yinghong grew so anxious that sweat beaded on her forehead; she moved her hand behind her, pushed her husband, and reminded him not to go too far. It was he who wanted to see her; he shouldn't be acting like this.

Xu Guanshan stared at Xia Xi for a long time, then only gave a faint "en."

Only then did Zhong Yinghong breathe a sigh of relief; as long as he responded, it wouldn't embarrass anyone.

"Sit, sit, don't be so formal," Zhong Yinghong said, smiling as she raised her hand and pressed her palm down, trying to ease the atmosphere.

While Xia Xi wasn't looking, Zhong Yinghong secretly gave her husband a look urging him to stop.

Xu Guanshan put on a show of goodwill and said, "I ordered a fish; the steward went to get it, and just now I got a call that the car broke down on the road. Xu Yanfeng, you go pick it up."

Xu Yanfeng, whose name was called, froze for a moment—what did that mean? Was he trying to get rid of him?

Xu Junmo also realized this, his heart tightening; he knew his father wouldn't let this pass easily, even if his mother tried to mediate it wouldn't help. He cleared his throat and volunteered for the task: "I'll go."

He turned to Xu Yanfeng and asked, "Is your car parked in the courtyard? Give me the keys."

Xu pointed in a direction and said the keys were on the metal tray on the table by the entrance. By doing so he agreed to Xu Junmo's suggestion, ignoring Xu Guanshan's words.

Xu Junmo still harbored a layer of fear toward his father deep inside; he glanced at him. Xu Guanshan's expression didn't change, but his eyes held some emotion; to Xu Junmo, who knew his father, this meant he was angry. For a moment he didn't know whether to go or stay, his scalp tingling.

In the stiff atmosphere, Xia Xi tugged at Xu Yanfeng's sleeve, gazing into his eyes, her eyes conveying calm and composure: "You should still go."

Xu Yanfeng also stared at her, but his words were directed at Xu Guanshan: "There are so many servants and cars at home; it's not necessary for me to go. It's just a fish; we can do without it."

Adding fuel to the fire, Xu Yanfeng was doing just that. Hearing his words, Xu Junmo felt his palms sweat, afraid his father might lose control and slap him again.

What was bound to come couldn't be avoided. Xia Xi thought.

Before coming, she had imagined various possibilities; the situation before her was not unexpected.

"But I want to eat fish; the fresh delivery will surely be delicious." Xia Xi didn't want to undermine Xu Yanfeng, but she had no choice: "Just make the trip. It's so hot; if you're late the fish will die on the way."

Xu Yanfeng's gaze was deep, fixed steadily on her face, as if he wanted to see into her heart.

Xia Xi spoke softly, with tenderness: "Don't worry, I'll be fine." She said another line even lower, only for them to hear: "Your family won't eat me."

After struggling for a long time, Xu Yanfeng moved, grabbed the car keys, and went out.

The door opened and then closed; the house fell into a near-dead silence.

Xu Junmo clearly saw his father's face change—just moments ago it had been steady. Still, it made sense: Xu Yanfeng treated his words as if they were air, not listening at all; when Xia Xi spoke, Xu Yanfeng obediently complied, so he surely felt his paternal authority had been offended, feeling stifled inside.

Xu Guanshan raised his hand, pointed at Xia Xi from afar, and threw down four words: "Come with me."

Saying that, Xu Guanshan led the way to the study.

"Old Xu!" Zhong Yinghong's gentle facade couldn't hold; she anxiously blocked Xu Guanshan's steps, "What are you doing?"

"What can I do?" Xu Guanshan hummed with a sarcastic tone, "I just want to chat with Miss Xia; I'd rather ask what you're trying to do."

"What can't be said in front of everyone?" Zhong Yinghong exclaimed, flustered.

"He already sent Xu Yanfeng away; now he won't even let her and Junmo listen in—is he trying to make things difficult for Xia Xi?"

Xia Xi stood nearby; there were things Zhong Yinghong couldn't say outright, so she desperately tried to warn Xu Guanshan with her eyes, but he seemed not to understand, so she spoke, voice barely audible: "Every child is their parents' treasure; you can't treat someone else's child the way you treat Ah Feng."

"If it were our own child who got hit, I'd feel sorry and resent my husband, but it wouldn't be unforgivable; if he hit someone else's child, that would be inexcusable."

The more she thought, the more frightened she became; Zhong Yinghong shook her head—no, she could not allow Xu Guanshan to proceed.

"If there's something to say, say it here," Zhong Yinghong said firmly.

"If Xia Xi is bullied here, never mind how hard it would be to explain to Xu Yanfeng; she herself couldn't get past it in her heart."

Xu Guanshan frowned, displeased: "Move aside; blocking the way like this—what is this?"

"Since he slapped Xu Yanfeng, Zhong Yinghong has been like a startled bird, constantly worrying he'll lash out again—he almost laughs in anger, for he isn't that clueless about his strength. Over all these years, he's only struck that once."

Xia Xi tugged at the corner of her mouth, then turned to comfort Zhong Yinghong: "Auntie, the chairman just wants to chat with me a bit; it's nothing."

After pondering for a long while, Zhong Yinghong finally stepped aside.

Xia Xi followed Xu Guanshan into the study, which was furnished in an antiquated style; the air mingled with the scent of ink and tea. On a black walnut-colored étagère stood various antique ornaments, likely genuine. Shelves of the same wood, sorted by category, were stacked with books; the top shelf required a ladder to reach. On one side, a large window faced a small bamboo grove, its blinds half-open, half-closed, letting sunlight filter in quietly, casting light-and-dark streaks across the floor. Behind the desk, the wall bore an ancient painting in ink and color, probably a genuine work by a famous artist.

"Sit." Xu Guanshan pointed to a chair.

Xia Xi didn't sit, feeling that sitting would diminish her presence—she lacked Xu Guanshan's experience and aura, so she had to rely on outward appearances to bolster herself.

Xu Guanshan ignored her, seated himself in the swivel chair behind the desk, and gave Xia Xi a chance to speak: "Got nothing to tell me?"

Xia Xi remained silent.

Outside the door, Xu Junmo cupped his ear to eavesdrop, but heard nothing—the study's soundproofing was top-notch. He gave up, and just then his phone rang in his pocket.

Xu Yanfeng sent a message: "Help me look after your younger siblings."

Xu Junmo very much wanted to reply with the four words "powerless to help."

A moment later, Xu Junmo knocked on the study door, entered without waiting for a response, holding a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice, and glanced at the two people inside.

The atmosphere was a bit odd, but not yet at the point of swords drawn; thank goodness.

Xu Guanshan eyed his eldest son, who had barged in without permission, his brow twitching as a thin layer of anger surfaced.

Xu Junmo forced himself to say: "Mom was worried Xia Xi wouldn't be used to your tea, so she asked me to bring in a drink."

Having found a suitable excuse for his action, he set the cup down, dared not linger another moment, slipped out, and closed the door.

Xia Xi happened to be thirsty; she lifted the cup and took a sip—it was the orange's natural sweetness, just right. She glanced at the bookshelves and saw many architecture books, some of them out of print.

Suddenly I remembered that Xu Yanfeng also studied architecture in university, so it's not surprising.

Xu Guanshan looked at her leisurely, self‑satisfied appearance and coldly said: "I remember last time you personally promised me that even if we cooperate with the Xu Clan, you would only talk work with Xu Yanfeng, not personal matters; I chose to believe you, yet you toyed with me. Xia Xi, you think that with Xu Yanfeng backing you, I dare not move you?"