Xing Di suddenly recalled the marriage certificate he had seen in Chu Rong's room. They had married seven years ago. If the divorce agreement was proposed five years ago, why... Oh, right, the news said his boss had been developing his career abroad.
The child looked only four or five years old. Judging by this, the boss had been raising the two children alone during those five years abroad.
Xing Di's brows furrowed, and he said with disdain, "I knew that brat wasn't a good person. He always put on a poker face, but it turns out his heart is as dark as his face."
Old Master Xing looked confused. "Who are you cursing?"
Xing Di sneered, "Whoever puts on a sour face all day is who I'm cursing."
Old Master Xing thought for a moment and immediately showed understanding like an elder. "My good grandson, although Xiao Chu is successful, distinguished, and handsome, our Xing family is also vast and wealthy. After Grandpa is buried, the entire Xing family will be yours alone. In terms of wealth, you don't lose out.
Besides, my grandson is also good-looking. I saw the comments on your Weibo; those young girls are completely smitten with you. They all praise you as the pinnacle of roguish handsomeness. What was it... one part naive, two parts rogue, seven parts cool and handsome. Yes, yes, yes, as long as you treat people sincerely, Jiu'er will surely see your good qualities."
Xing Di chuckled. "You're already calling her Jiu'er so quickly. I'm afraid she doesn't even know your surname yet."
Old Master Xing glared at him reproachfully. "A strong-willed woman fears a persistent suitor. Your grandmother was also unforgettable about her first love back then, but in the end, she willingly followed your grandfather.
Grandpa has given you the winning strategy. Figure out how to do it yourself. They say when you like someone, everywhere is on the way. There's also cornering, patting the head, and profile shots. Oh, there's plenty of that online. You should learn more when you have time."
"Grandpa, we're still here." Tu Tu's eyes moved from the game, eating a banana with a dazed expression. The siblings blinked and looked at Old Master Xing.
Old Master Xing's eyes lit up, and he whispered to Xing Di, "They say to capture a person, you must capture their stomach. Look how likable those two children are. If you win the children's affection, you'll achieve twice the result with half the effort."
With that, he nudged Xing Di. "Play with them nicely. Grandpa is rooting for you." Then he went to say a few words to Old Master Chu and left. Of course, he didn't forget to pat his grandson's shoulder as he left, his eyes full of encouragement.
Xing Di pondered for a long time, then clicked his tongue, scratched his hair with a wry smile, and walked towards the two children.
After leaving the main house, Old Master Xing clutched his chest, his face looking grim.
Assistant Lao Niu, who had been waiting outside, immediately ran over, his face full of worry. "Boss..."
"It's nothing," Old Master Xing gently brushed aside Lao Niu's hand and shuffled step by step to sit on the flower platform.
Lao Niu turned to fetch a glass of water, then took out a small medicine box from his pocket, poured out a few pills, and handed them to Old Master Xing with the water.
Old Master Xing sighed. "I take it every day, but it doesn't get better. If I don't take it, I can't. Alas... What's the use of having money? In the face of life, old age, sickness, and death, aren't we all just a handful of yellow earth?"
Lao Niu hesitated for a moment. "Are you still not planning to tell the young master?"
"What's the use of telling him? It will only make him sad and distressed for no reason. That child has had a hard life. His parents died when he was so young, and now this old man is also useless. I really dare not imagine what he will do alone if I'm gone." Old Master Xing choked back a sob as he swallowed the medicine and handed the water cup to Lao Niu.
Lao Niu remained silent.
"My only hope now is to see him get married before I close my eyes, so he won't be alone. If he's sad and can't bear it in the future, he'll have someone to comfort and accompany him.
But this child is so fickle. I've introduced him to so many girls from good families, but he doesn't like any of them. I haven't heard of him dating anyone all these years. That kid from the He family is on the hot search three times a week, changing girlfriends as frequently as changing clothes. It's truly a case of drought in one place and flood in another." Old Master Xing sighed heavily again.
Lao Niu remained silent.
"I genuinely liked that girl just now. She's the only one Xing Di has ever mentioned to me in all these years." Old Master Xing slapped his thigh, filled with regret. "How could the Chu family have gotten there first?"
"Didn't you say you were going to divorce?" Lao Niu suddenly spoke.
Old Master Xing's somewhat dejected expression suddenly brightened. "Yes, yes, yes, there's still a chance. You find the young master some classic 'girl-charming' guides later. That kid needs to learn a thing or two."
Lao Niu acknowledged with a "yes."
...
Quan Jiu was pulled into the adjacent room by Chu Rong. She tried to break free all the way, but his hands were very strong, tightly enclosing her palm, not allowing her to struggle.
"Let go," Quan Jiu said irritably.
Chu Rong didn't speak until they entered the room, then he released Quan Jiu's hand and casually locked the door.
Quan Jiu was so angry she felt like laughing. "What? You heard Mom say she wants to adopt me as a goddaughter and you're in a hurry? Afraid I'll take a share of your family fortune, or that I'll offend your lover?"
Chu Rong poured a glass of water and handed it to Quan Jiu. "Mom is old and said something foolish. Don't take it to heart."
Quan Jiu didn't take it. Instead, she sat on the other side, looking at Chu Rong with a cold expression.
Chu Rong took a light breath, placed the water glass by Quan Jiu's hand, then sat opposite her, crossing his legs. His every move was like a lion basking elegantly in the sun.
He said calmly, "As for the family fortune, I am Chu family's only son. All of the Chu family's assets belong to me. And you are my wife; what is mine is yours."
Quan Jiu said coldly, "You saw me and the children at Xiangyuan Xiaoge, and then guessed that I am the painter 'Mitu,' right? Your actions have shown that you believe the children are yours. Have you contacted my children privately? How did you conclude this? Did you do a paternity test?"
Chu Rong rubbed the teacup, hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "I'm sorry, but I have to confirm if the children are mine."
"Bang~" Quan Jiu grabbed the cup by her hand and smashed it at Chu Rong's feet. The cup fell, shattering into pieces of glass.
She stepped forward a few paces, grabbed Chu Rong's tie, and asked with a cold face, "By what right? By what right? Do you want to confirm if I've remained chaste for you, or do you want to snatch the children away from me? Do you know how heartbroken Mimi and Tu Tu will be if they find out the truth because of your actions?"
Chu Rong closed his eyes slightly. "I have no defense. You have every right to be angry."
"You..." Quan Jiu raised her palm, truly wishing she could slap him. But seeing those deep eyes, those eyes that seemed to hold endless tenderness, she couldn't bring herself to strike.
After a long while, she asked coldly, word by word, "If they are your children, what will you do? If they are not your children, what will you do?"
Chu Rong looked at Quan Jiu peacefully. "I will not hide it from you. Whether the children are biologically mine or not, you will always be my wife, and they will naturally be my children. I will fulfill my responsibilities and obligations as a husband and a father to you all.
But if, biologically speaking, they are not my children, then these extra people must be dealt with first."
Quan Jiu let out a cold laugh and retreated step by step, her beauty chilling and captivating. "Mr. Chu, I never thought you'd be eyeing the pot while eating from the bowl. What, after five years of not having me clinging to you and calling you 'A Rong,' you've become unaccustomed to it? Regretted it? Want to win me back? Fine, turn back time five years... no, seven years, and then I'll give you that chance."