Chapter 28

Chapter 28

"028"

The moment he got back to the Xiao villa, Xiao Lancui heard a distinct crash from outside.

A glass, a vase, or some other piece of glassware.

Coming from the second floor.

Xiao Lancui stepped inside, swapped his shoes, and cut through the entryway to the living room, just as Yungu was coming over with the first-aid kit.

Xiao Lancui didn't ask what happened. He just said, "Give it to me."

Yungu hesitated for a beat, then actually handed it over.

She'd been out on family business for a while, and when she came back, she picked up on some subtle changes.

Xie Jingfang had stopped poisoning Xiao Lancui.

Yungu knew better than anyone how much Xie Jingfang hated Xiao Lancui. She didn't know why the change had happened, but her gut told her Xie Jingfang didn't seem to hate him as much anymore.

She glanced at Xiao Lancui and added, "The missus ran into the fish tank and cut her left hand. She's allergic to iodine, so the cut needs to be flushed with saline."

"Got it."

The master bedroom door upstairs was cracked open. Xiao Lancui knocked twice. Xie Jingfang's voice came from inside: "Come in."

Xiao Lancui pushed the door open. Xie Jingfang wasn't in the bedroom—she was on the couch in the little sitting room. She looked wiped out, slumped against the couch with her good hand over her eyes, hiding her expression. Her left robe sleeve was pushed up past her elbow, her palm resting on the armrest, a blood-soaked handkerchief lying on the rug beside her.

Xiao Lancui walked over, crouched, opened the first-aid kit, and set it on the side table. He took Xie Jingfang's hand. Her blood-soaked palm still had glass shards stuck in it.

Xiao Lancui pulled out the tweezers and quietly started picking out the glass.

Xie Jingfang figured it was Yungu, so she stayed quiet the whole time—until the cut was cleaned, medicated, and the bandaging started. Then she heard the voice she hated most, out of nowhere.

"That's a deep cut. Keep the bandage on for at least five days. You can wear evening gloves to the banquet."

Xiao Lancui!

Xie Jingfang yanked her hand back, her swollen, red-rimmed eyes suddenly blinking in the light. She shot to her feet, pointing at Xiao Lancui and cursing, "What are you doing here! Get out!"

Her hand was still in his, but he let go in time. He packed up the first-aid kit at his own pace, totally unbothered by her fury. "I need to talk to you about something."

Xie Jingfang was shaking with rage. "Get out! I've got nothing to say to you."

Xiao Lancui kept going: "The Lu family banquet is the day after tomorrow. You're bringing me."

Xie Jingfang started shaking with fury. She'd just had a huge blowout with Xiao Jingli over Han Xinyi's birthday party.

The Lu family was a big deal in their circle, and just about every society wife and daughter worth knowing in the capital would be at Han Xinyi's party.

This year, Xie Jingfang got the idea to bring Xiao Anfeng along—good-looking guy, pretty girls, all young people. Maybe love would spark.

She'd brought it up at dinner, but Xiao Jingli said he was taking Xiao Anfeng to the office the day after tomorrow for some early training.

Xie Jingfang had no idea that Xiao Jingli didn't want Xiao Anfeng anywhere near Lu Siye again. This time, she was dead set on fighting for Xiao Anfeng. "An Feng networking and meeting people won't hurt your precious son. What exactly are you trying to keep him from?"

Xiao Jingli ignored her and just asked Xiao Anfeng, "You choose. Are you coming with me to the company or going to the banquet with your mother?"

Xiao Anfeng didn't hesitate, barely able to contain his excitement, "I'll go to the company!"

Once Xiao Jingli left looking pleased, Xiao Anfeng took Xie Jingfang's hand and apologized, "Mom, I really want to learn things from Dad. Get Brother or A Mian to go with you!"

Xie Jingfang was furious and hurt.

Furious at Xiao Jingli's favoritism, hurt that she was fighting for Xiao Anfeng and he still picked Xiao Jingli.

She knew Xiao Anfeng had always craved his father's approval, and she wanted him to have it too. But Xiao Jingli was playing them—mother and son! And Xiao Anfeng couldn't wait to take the bait, all eager and thrilled. So...

So useless!

Xie Jingfang was so mad her stomach was in knots. And now Xiao Lancui actually wanted to go to the banquet with her? That made her even angrier. Why did the mistress's son have to be the sensible one! The scheming one!

She jabbed a finger at Xiao Lancui, wishing she could reach across and stab it through his forehead. "Don't even think about it. I'm not taking you."

"A couple of days ago," Xiao Lancui said, finishing with the first-aid kit. He picked up the bloody handkerchief, set it aside, and stood with a faint smile. "I got kidnapped and locked in a freezer."

Xie Jingfang was caught off guard. "What do you mean?"

"They haven't caught the guy yet." Xiao Lancui liked to milk a situation for all it was worth. "You've poisoned me before—you've got a track record. I can't help but suspect you."

"It wasn't me!" Xie Jingfang shot back.

"Maybe." Xiao Lancui gave a faint smile. "But right now, you're my prime suspect. Take me to the party, and I'll drop the whole thing. Otherwise, you won't be at the banquet the day after tomorrow. Though if you clear things up at the station fast enough, you might still make it for a slice of cake."

Xie Jingfang shook with rage. "Are you threatening me?!"

"Yes." Xiao Lancui admitted it freely, giving a polite nod. "I'll wait for your answer tomorrow morning. I won't bother you anymore."

Xiao Lancui left. Xie Jingfang sank back onto the couch and sat there for a long time without moving. After a while, she looked down. The bandage was wrapped clean and neat, pure white, with no blood showing through.

She couldn't help but mull over what Xiao Lancui had said.

If Xiao Lancui wasn't lying, then someone besides her wanted him dead?

Who could it be?

And the banquet—should she take Xiao Lancui?

*

The next morning, Yungu knocked on Xiao Lancui's door right on time, delivering a silver three-piece suit.

She delivered Xie Jingfang's answer: she'd take him.

Xiao Lancui took it without a flicker of emotion. "Thanks."

But Yungu's heart was churning. She couldn't help but admire Xiao Lancui a little. She added, "The eldest young master is going tonight too."

Xiao Liqin was of marriageable age, and Xie Jingfang wasn't about to pass up that opportunity.

Besides, she didn't want to show up at the banquet alone with Xiao Lancui—it felt weird, and she was uncomfortable.

They left in the afternoon. She rode with Xiao Liqin and made Xiao Lancui go separately.

Xiao Lancui didn't mind.

On the way, Xiao Liqin finally asked, "Mom, why are you taking him?"

Xie Jingfang dodged the question. "Your father insisted. Just ignore him when we get there and do your own thing."

His job was handling those women.

Xiao Liqin felt somewhat weary. He wasn't exclusively gay—he'd dated women before. He knew there was no future with Xiao Anfeng; Xiao Anfeng would always be his one and only second brother.

Still, a quiet sadness always lingered. In the dead of night, when he woke from dreams, the only person he wanted in his arms was Xiao Anfeng.

He undid a shirt button and pulled out his phone to send Xiao Anfeng a WeChat message: "How's the studying coming along?"

Xiao Anfeng was busy and only replied half an hour later: "So much! Dad's been drilling me nonstop! Still tons to do—won't be home till midnight."

He sent an excited emoji.

A smile tugged at Xiao Liqin's lips. "So diligent, huh? What reward do you want? I'll give you unlimited options."

"Generous! I'll text you once I've thought it over. Gotta go, back to work now."

Xie Jingfang suddenly chuckled from beside him. "Who's that? Chatting so happily your mouth's about to hit the sky—secretly got a girlfriend?"

Xiao Liqin put his phone away and said, "Work stuff."

Meanwhile, the car turned onto a boulevard lined with plane trees.

From here on, it was all Lu family estate.

They drove to the parking lot, where nearly all two hundred spots were taken.

The driver circled to find a spot and parked. Diagonally across, the car carrying Xiao Lancui was slowly backing into a space.

Xiao Liqin buttoned his jacket, got out, and walked around the back to open the door for Xie Jingfang. A silver-white figure approached, and as he glanced up, he froze.

The parking lot lights were bright, casting their glow on Xiao Lancui—he seemed to radiate his own light.

Silver-white suited Xiao Lancui perfectly, and those silver-rimmed glasses looked made for him.

And that face—

it bore a striking resemblance to Xie Jingfang.

Xie Jingfang never appeared in public with Xiao Lancui, and Xiao Lancui never went to banquets. If the two were seen together, people would inevitably comment on how similar they looked.

Xiao Liqin kept his cool. He lowered his head and said to Xie Jingfang, "Mom, get out a bit later. I'll take him in first, so nobody asks questions."

Through the tinted car window, Xie Jingfang glanced at Xiao Lancui. Finding the logic sound, she lowered her voice, "Once you take him in, don't worry about him. Do your own thing."

Xiao Liqin nodded and closed the car door. Xiao Lancui walked over just then. That Xie Jingfang hadn't gotten out was expected.

The original body did look a bit like Xie Jingfang, and Xiao Liqin wouldn't risk having them walk together.

Xiao Lancui waited quietly for Xiao Liqin.

Xiao Liqin paused a few seconds, and when Xiao Lancui didn't ask anything, he hesitated before saying, "Mom has something to deal with. Come with me first."

Xiao Lancui said flatly, "Oh."

He didn't ask why. A flicker of surprise crossed Xiao Liqin's eyes. He frowned slightly and strode ahead.

Xiao Liqin was instinctively wary of Xiao Lancui.

He always felt that Xiao Lancui, after falling into the sea, had become unreadable. In business, he'd dealt with all kinds—old foxes, young foxes, smiling tigers—countless of them, and he handled them all easily.

But the amnesiac Xiao Lancui made his skin crawl. Though they rarely interacted—since Xiao Lancui returned from the hospital, they'd only crossed paths at the dinner table four times.

The parking lot exit led straight to the side door on the first floor of the villa.

Several servants stood at the side door, already familiar with the guests. One, clearly the head, smiled at Xiao Liqin. "Good evening, Mr. Xiao, thank you for coming. Let me escort you both inside."

His gaze politely met Xiao Lancui's, and he was momentarily stunned.

This man—he was impressive.

Unable to match a name to the face, he didn't presume to ask, only smiled and introduced himself. "Hello, I'm the deputy butler of the Lu estate. Just call me Xiao Xu."

He had smoothly shifted to escorting Xiao Lancui into the banquet hall.

Xiao Liqin frowned slightly but followed silently.

After about twenty-five feet, they reached the second main door. Two attendants pulled open both doors in unison.

As the doors opened, the sound of a symphony rushed out, and ahead, the glittering hall was filled with moving silhouettes.

Deputy Butler Xu led Xiao Lancui inside. The banquet was about to start, and most people were gathering toward the center of the hall.

A crowd surrounded Lu Siye as he walked toward the center, wine glass in hand, looking completely at ease. Suddenly, he stopped, turned, and glanced back.

Fu Chen was beside him and followed his gaze. "What are you looking at—Xiao Lancui!"

"Holy shit! He actually wears glasses now!" Fu Chen blurted out, drawing the attention of everyone around them, who all looked over. Someone asked, "Brother Chen, who's wearing glasses?"

Lu Siye answered, gently swirling his red wine glass, a knowing smile curling at the corner of his lips.

"Who else? Our gorgeous Miss Xiao."

Meanwhile, on the second floor, a pair of eyes locked onto Xiao Lancui from the shadows.

Deep, pitch-black eyes gleamed with sharp light in the darkness.

He's here.

Teacher.