Chapter 28 – Neglecting His Duties
Who was that man who answered Madam’s phone just now? What was his relationship with her? Should he tell the President about this?
“You still haven’t gone to get food?”
Xie Chengyu came out to pick something up. Seeing Zhou Wen still standing outside the office door five minutes after he had been sent to buy food, he asked.
Zhou Wen instantly lifted his head, his heart torn with conflict.
He had already made the call. And sooner or later, the President might learn of it himself. So wouldn’t it be better to report it now?
“President, I remembered Madam’s crucian carp tofu soup is quite good, so just now I… rather presumptuously called Madam to ask if she had time to bring some over. But… a man snatched the phone from her and said no.”
At the last words, Zhou Wen swallowed nervously, eyes fixed on Xie Chengyu in fear of being thrown out.
Half of Xie Chengyu’s face was in shadow, unreadable. He only said faintly: “It’s fine. Go buy food.”
Then Zhou Wen watched in astonishment as Xie Chengyu turned and walked away.
Back in the office, Xie Chengyu mulled over Zhou Wen’s words. His heart felt as if pricked by a fine thorn—not an unbearable pain, but definitely an uncomfortable sting.
What had Nan Xiao been doing just then? Was she with another man? Who was he?
Along with discomfort came a faint sense of humiliation, though he couldn’t even explain why.
His eyes, dark as night, lingered on the phone on his desk. He had the urge to call Nan Xiao and ask, but even if he did, what would he ask?
—
Meanwhile, after more than an hour of work, Nan Xiao and Xiao Zekai finished cooking. As they dished up the meal, Xiao Zekai asked, “Nan Xiao, why are you divorcing Xie Chengyu?”
From their earlier conversation, his tone carried a sense of frustration with her, and Nan Xiao didn’t know how to answer. He had asked this before.
With a sigh, Xiao Zekai dropped the question and instead said, “Xiaoxiao, I’ve really missed you.”
They had been childhood playmates, the closest of companions. All these years he had thought of her. Many times he had wanted to call her, to ask about her life, but he always held back.
Nan Xiao lifted her head, her heart softening. “Really?”
“Of course.”
“Oh? Then why don’t we get back together?”
“Heh, that I’ll have to consider carefully.”
This infuriating…! Nan Xiao rolled her eyes, carrying the dishes to the living room.
Together they had made four dishes and one soup, with steamed rice—a full table of delicious food.
Nan Xiao had long grown used to wearing a mask, but there were only two people before whom she felt comfortable taking it off: Lin Yan and Xiao Zekai.
So now she casually pulled it off, picked up a slice of green pepper with her chopsticks, and chewed contentedly. “Mm, tasty. Your cooking hasn’t gotten rusty.”
“…”
Xiao Zekai stared dumbfounded at her face.
A few seconds later—clatter!—his chopsticks fell to the floor.
His mouth hung wide open as he stared blankly at her, looking utterly dazed.
Flustered by his stare, Nan Xiao pushed him. “What are you doing? Eat properly.”
Xiao Zekai remained frozen for half a minute before suddenly springing up like a monkey, startling her.
“Your scar’s gone? How did you heal it? Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
He darted about, checking her face. After confirming it was true, he exclaimed.
Nan Xiao laughed. “I had a doctor fix it. You blocked me from your social media, remember? How was I supposed to tell you?”
“I didn’t block you. I just closed my posts altogether—it shows as a line. Lots of people asked me about it.”
As he spoke, his eyes never left her face.
Nan Xiao was breathtakingly beautiful. Xiao Zekai had spent years in the entertainment industry, seen countless stars, but none matched her. He had never expected that, once grown and scar-free, she would be this stunning.
Naturally, their conversation turned to her looks.
He peppered her with questions—how her face had recovered, when she’d finally stop wearing a mask, and more.
They talked late into the night. Only when Nan Xiao began yawning did Xiao Zekai reluctantly head home.
—
The next morning, Nan Xiao went to the film set. After setting her things down in the lounge, Old Master Xie arrived again.
“Xiaoxiao.” He pulled up a chair himself, took her hand, and half-earnestly, half-dramatically lamented, “These past days with you moved out, Grandfather’s been all alone at home. I miss you so much.”
Nan Xiao: “…”
She could already guess why he had come. Sure enough, after dabbing at non-existent tears, he said:
“Xiaoxiao, come back home to live. Spend more time with Grandfather. After you and Chengyu divorce, I won’t get to see you anymore.”
Nan Xiao quickly shook her head. “Of course you will. Even after the divorce, I’ll still visit you. I truly see you as family.”
The Old Master opened his mouth as if to continue, but Nan Xiao hurried on: “Grandfather, the main residence is too far from the set. Commuting is hard. Living nearby makes things easier.”
She dared not return to the old house. What if the Old Master tried drugging her and Chengyu again?
Seeing her insistence, the Old Master didn’t press, but before he could think of another argument, Madam Zhang entered, frowning.
“Sir, the Young Master is also here on set. He went into Xu Ruoxin’s lounge.”
The Old Master’s face darkened instantly.
“Go call him here.”
“Yes.”
Nan Xiao wanted to intervene, but the Old Master caught her hand. “Xiaoxiao, don’t meddle. He’s tangled up with that actress again. I must set him straight.”
Nan Xiao frowned. The Old Master was too stubborn. If Xu Ruoxin and Xie Chengyu were to marry one day, things would not be easy.
Soon, the door opened. Xie Chengyu entered with Madam Zhang following.
He wore a deep gray suit with a blue tie—different from his usual black, it was striking. But Nan Xiao glanced only once before looking away.
His face was grim. Before he could speak, the Old Master pointed at him and scolded:
“In broad daylight, instead of working, you go visit that act… that woman! Why have you started neglecting your proper duties!”
