Chapter 6: Divorced with Two Kids

Xia Xi spent three days feeling nervous. These three days were no different from her usual peaceful days.

Since reuniting with Xu Yanfeng at the hotel, she has worried that he would come again to ask about the children.

When that time comes, how should she face it?

As the heir of the Xu Clan Group, Xu Yanfeng is fully capable of getting whatever he wants; she fears… she won't be able to keep the children.

In the evening, Xia Xi drove out to Jia Ju Cheng to pick out furniture.

Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival; after leaving Jia Ju Cheng, she went to a nearby supermarket, bought mooncakes and abundant ingredients, planning to cook herself tomorrow to show off her skills to her mother and grandmother.

They have never tasted her cooking.

Over these years abroad, I dare not say much else, but for the sake of the children her cooking has improved by leaps and bounds—just look at how the two little ones have grown as sturdy as calves.

Carrying two big bags of groceries out, her phone rang in the bag; Xia Xi quickly walked a few steps to the parking spot, opened the rear car door, put the things inside first, then took out her phone and pressed the answer key: "Mom, what's up?"

"Um…" Su Jinru's tone was unnatural, "Where are you now?"

Xia Xi: "The supermarket near Jia Ju Cheng."

"Your grandmother said she wants to eat at a restaurant tonight; is that convenient for you?" Su Jinru said.

"No problem. Tell me what cuisine Grandma wants, I'll book a restaurant first, then come pick you up."

"No, no need." Su Jinru hurriedly refused, stammering, "I and… you… your grandmother have already chosen. I'll send you the restaurant address; we'll take a taxi there later with the kids."

"That works too."

Xia Xi frowned slightly, feeling her mother was a bit odd.

She didn't think much of it; not long after hanging up, a WeChat message arrived with the restaurant location sent by her mother.

It was a newly opened Italian restaurant.

Xia Xi pressed her brow; she had grown tired of Western food abroad and didn't want to touch it after returning home, but since her grandmother and mother wanted to eat it, she would accompany them.

She got in the car, entered the address into the car navigation, and started the engine.

*Upon entering the restaurant's revolving door, a gentle cello melody echoed overhead, and the air was filled with a fresh, natural fragrance.

A waiter in a suit came over to ask how many people, to help her arrange a suitable table.

Xia Xi smiled: "Five, thank you."

The waiter made a "please" gesture and led her to a six-person table.

The indoor lighting was slightly dim; the table was covered with a pure white patterned tablecloth, in the center placed a wide-mouthed glass vase holding a bunch of fresh pink-white roses with water; the ambiance was nice.

However, this ambiance seemed not quite suitable for family happiness, but rather perfect for a couples' date.

The waiter brought the menu and poured Xia Xi a glass of lemon water.

"You go ahead and get busy; I'm waiting for someone, I'll order later." Xia Xi explained the situation.

The waiter said "Okay," turned and left, without disturbing her.

Xia Xi sipped water while flipping through the menu when a "scratch" sound came from opposite—the chair legs scraping the floor. She slightly lifted her gaze; a man around thirty came into view, slightly chubby, about 1.7 meters tall, wearing a gray suit and light blue shirt, with silver-rimmed glasses on his nose.

When Xia Xi looked over, the man's eyes lit up, he raised his hand to push his glasses, and gave a polite smile: "Excuse me, are you Miss Xia Xi?"

Before seeing her in person, he had thought from the photo that it was a beauty-filter effect; only now did he realize the real person was even more beautiful. The woman had a head of dark, long, curly hair tied loosely with a simple black hairband into a low ponytail; her skin was fair and clean, even translucent in the dim light. She wore only light makeup, yet her features were striking to the point of being almost bewitching, especially her lips—full and moist.

She looked like a thorny red rose, tempting to pluck.

The man's Adam's apple bobbed; his inner joy swelled like an inflating balloon, and his anticipation for tonight's blind date peaked.

He silently resolved that, no matter what, he would win this woman over.

Xia Xi still hadn't figured out the situation, and instinctively replied, "Um, I am. You must have mistaken the seat—someone's already here."

Upon hearing her say she was Xia Xi, the man's smile grew brighter; he sat down firmly in the chair, extended a hand, and introduced himself: "Hello, Miss Xia, I'm He Xiaofeng, introduced by Aunt Su."

"What Su Auntie, Li Auntie?" Xia Xi had never heard of them.

"Wait a moment."

Xia Xi seemed to guess what was going on; she said that the way her mother had hesitated on the phone earlier was because she was scheming about this blind date.

She picked up the phone on the table and sent a message to Su Jinru.

Xi Xi: "Where did that He Xiaofeng come from?"

Su Jinru typed slowly; Xia Xi stared at the "the other party is typing" prompt above the screen, feeling a bit irritable.

How could her mother set her up without permission! He Xiaofeng felt slightly embarrassed, retracted his hand, pretended to be calm as he poured himself a cup of water; his gaze occasionally fell on the woman opposite—she lowered her eyes, her long lashes like small fans casting shadows under her eyelids, her lips slightly pursed, brow slightly furrowed, even her displeased expression was beautiful.

Imagining waking up every morning to face such a visage, He Xiaofeng couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth.

Su Jinru replied to Xia Xi's message: "Yesterday at your sister's wedding banquet, a Ms. Su I got along with really well; we added each other on WeChat. He Xiaofeng is the son of her neighbor, works at an internet giant, young and promising, handsome and filial. Why don't you try getting along with him?"

The daughter herself said there was no possibility with Xu Yanfeng in this lifetime; Su Jinru also came to terms with it, the Xu family's background is such that ordinary people really find it hard to fit in. She hopes her daughter can have a support; raising children alone is too hard, and if she could have someone who understands her cold and warm by her side to form a warm family, she would be relieved.

Xia Xi was plagued with a headache; previously Su Jinru had brought up a blind date in front of her, but she diverted the conversation, thinking the matter was dropped—she never expected Su Jinru to persist, actually pulling a "act first, report later" stunt.

She lifted her gaze to the man opposite; He Xiaofeng instantly changed his expression, putting on a gentle smile: "Miss Xia, have you clarified things?"

Xia Xi gave an apologetic smile: "Sorry, the blind date was arranged by my mother behind my back…"

"I can see that." He Xiaofeng jumped in: "This is your first blind date, right? You might not be used to it, I understand. Ah, no—I didn't mean I've been on many dates; actually I've only gone out with three or four girls, and when we couldn't talk I deleted the contact. But Miss Xia, I feel we really click."

Xia Xi only wanted to say "heh."

Out of politeness, Xia Xi tactfully refused: "I'm not currently considering looking for a partner……"

Once again the man opposite cut her off: "I know, a woman as beautiful and elegant as Miss Xia certainly doesn't lack suitors. Let me first state my advantages: I earn about 300,000 a year, have a house and a car, am an only child, my parents both have pensions, so after marriage we won't need to worry about them. I don't particularly like kids, but I must have one, preferably a son. If you like children, you could also have two or three."

Xia Xi: "???"

No, how did we jump straight to after marriage? Having kids…? That aside, it's also biased toward sons.

At this moment Xia Xi's native tongue was speechless.

"Mr. He, didn't the introducer tell you about my situation?" Xia Xi forced herself not to splash the water in front of her onto his face, and asked lightly.

He Xiaofeng finally realized he had said too much, lifted his cup for a sip, smiled reservedly: "What situation?"

Xia Xi said, word by word: "I'm divorced with two kids, and I don't plan to have any more children."

(End of Chapter)