Chapter 140: A Chance Encounter with Yan Xiu

"Sorry, uncle."

Xie Wantang was about to apologize for Xiao Chengzi, but before she could speak, she looked up and saw Yan Xiu's face that resembled Lu Yanze's; beside her, Xiao Chengzi quickly apologized to Yan Xiu.

If she hadn't previously known about Yan Xiu, Xie Wantang would surely have thought he was Lu Yanze; they are virtually identical.

However, during the three years she spent with the Lu family, she seemed never to have seen Lu Yanze smile, whereas Yan Xiu was always smiling.

At that moment, hearing Xiao Chengzi's apology, Yan Xiu squatted down and gently responded to her apology, "It's okay, little friend; it's also my fault—I wasn't watching where I was going, not yours."

"We're both at fault; as an adult, I'll buy you a new cake to make up for it, okay?"

Xiao Chengzi shook their head and refused, "Thank you, uncle, but no thanks—the cake is still edible."

Xiao Chengzi was that well-behaved and sensible.

Seeing Xiao Chengzi refuse his offer to compensate for the cake, Yan Xiu didn't insist; he stood up and looked at Xie Wantang, "Miss Xie, you're really good at teaching children."

"Thank you, Mr. Yan, but you overpraise me."

Over the past two years, she, an incompetent mother, has been utterly inadequate, never having spent a day with the children.

She only briefly accompanied them during her vacations.

The children turning out so well is not due to her efforts as a mother.

Yan Xiu looked at Dongdong, who gazed at his face with puzzlement, making eye contact, a little surprised but showing no fear.

Xie Wantang guessed that such a reaction could only mean that Lu Yanze had never harmed Dongdong in life; a child's reaction is the most direct indicator.

As for Yan Xiu, seeing Dongdong, he too felt completely unfamiliar, as if they had never met before.

You should know that back then, Dongdong, following Xia Meng, could come and go from the Lu family residence at any time.

Therefore, if Yan Xiu were Lu Yanze, he would not have been able to face Dongdong without reacting.

"Miss Xie, you're so young yet have three children?" Yan Xiu exclaimed in shock.

"That explains it; no wonder Miss Xie said she had to bring the kids and has no time after five—okay, then I won't keep you from your children; let's meet tomorrow at noon."

Now I understand, no wonder Miss Xie said she has to bring the kids; after five o'clock she has no time. Okay, then I won't keep Miss Xie from bringing the kids—let's meet tomorrow at noon.

"Goodbye, uncle." Xiao Chengzi hurriedly followed Yan Xiu, waving farewell.

"Goodbye, little friend; I owe you a cake, uncle—when we meet again and you happen to want cake, I'll definitely repay you."

"Thank you, uncle, really no need—don't worry about it." Xiao Chengzi firmly refused again.

"Thank you, Uncle, but really, it's not necessary; you don't need to worry about it." Little Orange firmly refused again.

Yan Xiu watched the mother and her four children leave, then bought some things and also left the cake shop.

Xie Wantang didn't take this little incident to heart.

However, that evening she still reported this little incident to Shen Ye.

They are now part of an organization, and having run into each other, they naturally need to report to their superiors.

Now Shen Ye is not only her senior martial brother but also the leader of their action team.

"Buying a cake and yet running into each other—this is too much of a coincidence." Shen Ye always has more thoughts.

In his view, encounters between people do happen, but too many encounters, too much coincidence, are never a good thing.

"I think you should skip tomorrow's lunch; wait until I arrive, then we'll discuss further." Shen Ye said, still worried about Xie Wantang's safety.

"If you wait until you arrive to discuss further, they'll surely know I'm suspicious." Xie Wantang thought this was a bad idea.

"Wait until you arrive, then we'll discuss further; they'll surely know I've suspected them." Xie Wantang thought this idea was not good.

"I have the ability to protect myself."

"No, if you really want to go, wait for me to make arrangements." Shen Ye knew Xie Wantang could be stubborn in some respects; since he couldn't persuade her, he'd let her go, but he needed to take some precautions.

"Senior brother, don't be so nervous, okay?" Xie Wantang thought Shen Ye was too anxious, while also knowing that caution makes for safe sailing.

"Senior Martial Brother, don't be so nervous, okay?" Xie Wantang felt Shen Ye was too nervous, and at the same time she also knew that caution makes for a safe journey.

He wants to bring the Lu Clan Group into the pharmaceutical field; since he has already made that public, he has only just shown his face, and unless absolutely necessary, he has only just begun operating and will not openly break relations.

Therefore, at least tomorrow's lunch, her personal safety is still very much assured.

"You can't not be nervous; your safety is the most important thing. Back then, they tried to steer you away from criminal investigation, but you wouldn't listen—with so many directions, what's not good about them, yet you insist on pursuing……"

Before Shen Ye could finish his words, Xie Wantang didn't want to listen anymore.

"Senior brother, the kids are looking for me—I'll hang up first."

"Senior Martial Brother, the kids are looking for me; I'll hang up first."

Heh, don't use the kids as an excuse.

She simply didn't want to listen to his nagging.

Forget it—he knew what kind of person Xie Wantang was since childhood.

Who could change anything she decides?

Fine, let her go—Shen Ye called Su Yang.

Back when Lu Chen had disappeared to the point of utter hopelessness, Pei Xiao, Su Nianchu, and Su Yang told him that, whether it was him or Xie Wantang, if they ever needed help, they should just ask.

Xie Wantang would naturally not ask them for help, but now he has to.

Who left him no choice, unable to split himself from abroad, to appear instantly by Xie Wantang's side?

Pei Xiao is now a vice president at the Pei Clan Group, far away in Sijiucheng—distant water cannot put out a nearby fire.

As for Su Nianchu, she recently won a major design competition, and in the design world she is only becoming more prominent.

Like him, they are both abroad, making them even more distant.

Finally, only Su Yang remained.

Su Yang is in Haishi and has always been there, so after Shen Ye made the request, Su Yang agreed without hesitation.

Only then did Shen Ye feel somewhat relieved.

Shen Ye only then felt a little relieved.

Xie Wantang hung up the phone, then took out King's previous notes and did a third review.

Those notes of King. When Professor Wu passed away, he left a will; under his name, all of King's notes were given to Xie Wantang, and all property was left to LC Technology Company.

Xie Wantang was very satisfied with Professor Wu's arrangement.

She lacks no money, only King's notes.

She treats King's notes as treasure, having read them completely twice; each time she finishes, she gains deep insight.

Now, facing Yan Xiu's appearance, her mind has become muddled again; King's notes can let her wake from the chaos.

That is, Xie Wantang had just turned two pages when a knocking came from the study door; immediately, Xiao Chengzi's voice came through the door panel, "Mom, we want to sleep; will you tell us a bedtime story?"

"Okay."

Xie Wantang agreed while putting King's notes away.

Opening the study door, Xie Wantang entered the room, took the storybook that Dongdong handed over, and after the three children lay down in their respective spots, she began to tell the story:

"A big grey wolf, hungry and thirsty, searched everywhere for food. It looked left and right, but found nothing. Suddenly,..."