Chapter 40

Xia Xi froze for a moment, slowly turned her head to look at her son, only to see Zi Heng holding fries and stuffing them into his mouth, with an innocent, clueless expression, as if he didn't know what had happened.

But how could he possibly not know?

Last time, when mother and son talked in the restroom, Zi Heng already knew that Xu Yanfeng was his father.

So is he… doing this on purpose?

This child is smart, observant, quick-reacting; he usually acts mature, and many things he understands without adults explaining.

On the other hand, Zhou Du, because he didn't react in time, looked dazed. Xia Xi grew anxious and kicked him under the table. This time she got the direction right, avoiding the earlier mistake.

Zhou Du looked at her, and Xia Xi narrowed her eyes.

Having received her hint, Zhou Du coughed and said, "Okay… Dad will get you another one."

He waved to summon the waiter and ordered a plate of ketchup.

Xia Xi didn't dare openly glance at Xu Yanfeng's expression now, fearing to reveal her emotions; she only dared to sneak a peek with her peripheral vision, seeing him put down his utensils, pick up a napkin to wipe his mouth, and lean back lazily in his chair.

He should have dispelled the suspicion by now.

Xia Xi lifted her cup and took a sip of orange juice, to calm her nerves.

Xu Yanfeng is harder to deal with than six years ago, no matter from which angle.

"What type of renovations does Manager Lu's design company mainly handle? I have a project here and wonder if there's a chance to collaborate."

Xu Yanfeng's voice suddenly rang in her ears, calm and steady, talking about work, as if the previous matter had already been settled.

Only then did Xia Xi dare to lift her gaze to him: the man had his legs crossed, one hand resting on his knee, the other on the table edge, facing her sideways, his expression calm as usual. Her tensed nerves gradually relaxed; it seemed he really had no intention of further investigating Zi Heng's allergy.

Lu Mingji ate his meal in a daze, as if watching a silent play; when Xu Yanfeng prompted him, he snapped back: "Ah, our company takes on both residential and commercial projects. General Manager Xu, is this a private project or a company project?"

If it's a company project, hitching onto the Xu Clan Group's big ship would naturally be greatly beneficial for Broad and Elegant's future development.

Xu Yanfeng said: "Private project."

Lu Mingji paused, feeling a sense of dashed hope, and smiled faintly: "Sure, but the specific renovation ideas might require you to meet another time with the client manager or designer…"

Saying that, he suddenly realized something, glanced at Xia Xi—she was the designer; Xu Yanfeng probably came for her, right?

"Of course I know that." Xu Yanfeng uncrossed his legs, all business, showing no personal motive, "We'll talk later."

Lu Mingji could say nothing more, so he just nodded.

Give him another chance, and he'll surely find an excuse to brush it off, feeling he didn't perform well just now and let Xia Xi down. If Xu Yanfeng really comes looking for her, naming her to take charge of this project, should she accept or refuse?

The adults had finished eating, but the kids were still slowly eating, not yet done, so they weren't in a hurry to leave, just sitting there chatting intermittently. Zhou Du hadn't heard a word of their conversation; he hadn't interjected at all, feeling as if there were spikes on the stool, growing increasingly unable to sit still, wanting to slip away.

After another agonizing twenty minutes, the two little ones finally finished eating; Youyou patted her round belly and said, "Mom, let's go home."

Lu Mingji: "I'll go pay the bill."

Finally seizing the chance to leave, Zhou Du wouldn't miss it; he jumped up, nearly knocking over the chair behind him: "I'll go pay!"

Xu Yanfeng sat there unmoving, speaking softly: "The waiter has already put it on my account."

Zhou Du's mind turned, and he corrected himself: "I'll go to the restroom!" He slipped away as fast as if his feet were oiled; in short, he didn't want to stay in the same space as Xu Yanfeng, or else he'd feel like he'd suffocate.

He shouldn't have come tonight just to join the fun; eating has made his stomach hurt.

This isn't eating; it's clearly swallowing knives.

If he hadn't come, he'd now be soaking comfortably in a luxurious suite at a five-star hotel, sipping red wine while admiring the Nancheng night sky—truly asking for trouble.

Zhou Du muttered complaints all the way, went to the restroom, came out and stood at the washbasin to wash his hands; a shadow suddenly approached beside him—dark, tall—he glanced over casually, and his pupils contracted.

How could it be that living King of Hell, Xu Yanfeng?!

Zhou Du despairingly closed his eyes, silently chanting twice "He didn't see me," then held his breath, focused, and quietly turned, praying he'd escape unnoticed while stepping away.

Xu Yanfeng reached his hand under the sensor faucet; warm water gushed out, and he leisurely washed his hands, seeing in the mirror that Zhou Du looked like a big idiot, thinking he could avoid others' gazes and disappear from here.

He spoke slowly, his voice like striking jade and ice: "You seem quite guilty."

As his words sounded, Zhou Du became like a thief caught red-handed: his spine stiffened suddenly, his expression panicked, his eyes darting, and he inwardly lamented bitterly.

What the hell is this?!

Xu Yanfeng's hand left the faucet, the water stopped, and all around fell silent.

He took a few paper towels from the white marble countertop's tissue box, stacked them, wiped the water droplets from his hands, furrowed his brow, and muttered to himself: "You stole my girlfriend, so seeing me makes you nervous?"

Zhou Du admired Xu Yanfeng's mental fortitude from the bottom of his heart; he was too strong—no other man could so calmly admit being betrayed.

He turned stiffly; this was the first time tonight he faced Xu Yanfeng directly, his height not lacking, but his aura much weaker: "What happened back then isn't what you think…"

"What was it then?" Xu Yanfeng stared at his face, eyes like torches.

At this moment, he felt his blood speed up and his heartbeat turn violent.

Back then he personally witnessed Xia Xi naked, entwined with Zhou Du on the hotel's big bed; not only him, but also the few people beside him at the time said Xia Xi was licentious and shameless, probably already carrying on an affair with his childhood friend behind his back, only this time they happened to be caught.

He didn't believe it, and asked her for an explanation.

She didn't utter a word, simply acquiescing to everyone's accusations against her.

After that she just walked away, without even a farewell, completely vanishing from everyone's sight.

Zhou Du couldn't bear the pressure, took a few deep breaths: "I… I… you…" As he was about to leave, recalling Xia Xi's instructions to him, he muttered, "Forget it, I'm the one who let you down; let's leave it at that."

Without waiting for Xu Yanfeng to say more, Zhou Du hurried away, as if a ferocious beast were chasing him from behind.

Xu Yanfeng's gaze deepened, he stared at the direction Zhou Du had gone, not withdrawing his eyes for a long while.

With no one around, he pulled out his phone and called his assistant Guan He, coldly ordering: "Go check whether the agency that did the last paternity test has any issues; focus on investigating the doctor in charge of the test."

The child named Xia Ziheng, like him, is allergic to beef—could this be such a coincidence? He knows beef allergy isn't rare; many people share that allergen, but over the years he's never encountered anyone like this around him, so he can't help but harbor a sliver of suspicion.

Moreover, Zhou Du's inconsistent statements are also suspicious.

Oh my! (End of chapter)