Xie Guanning had long anticipated the Xie family’s motives. After all, as an illegitimate son with no father to protect him and no mother to love him and being a constant thorn in Mrs. Xie’s side, the fact that the Xies were still willing to support him made their intentions obvious.
But, the Fang family…
As he was thinking, his terminal rang. He looked down to see the caller: his “dear” uncle, Xie Hongfei.
Xie Guanning’s eyes narrowed slightly. He let the phone ring for about ten seconds before slowly picking up.
“Guanning,” the male voice on the other end was warm and fatherly. Xie Guanning’s expression remained blank. “Uncle.”
“Guanning, I heard you’ve been living out on your own lately?”
Xie Guanning gave a noncommittal hum of affirmation. Xie Hongfei immediately followed up with concern. “What’s wrong? Is the house uncomfortable? Or did the servants say something out of line?”
Xie Guanning masked his true thoughts. “No, it’s just more convenient to live outside.”
There was a pause on the other end, followed by a light chuckle. “Right, right. You’re grown now; it’s natural to want your own space. Tell you what, I have a small apartment under my name with excellent security. Why don’t I transfer it to you? An Omega living alone should be careful. If the family knows where you are, we can rest easy.”
“No need,” Xie Guanning replied. “School starts soon.”
“True, true,” the uncle agreed smoothly.
“Is there something you need, Uncle?”
Xie Hongfei immediately replied, “What could I possibly need? I’ve just been busy lately and realized I haven’t seen you in a while. Your aunt and cousins miss you, too. I thought, while everyone is free, why don’t we have a family lunch today? A little reunion.”
Before he could refuse, Xie Hongfei added, “Everyone is already here waiting for you. Where are you now? Should I send a driver?”
If Xie Guanning didn’t know the true attitude of his aunt and cousins, he might have actually believed this nonsense. He sneered inwardly but replied, “No need, I’ll make my own way back.”
“Make it quick, then! Your aunt had the kitchen prepare all your favorite dishes. If you’re late, there won’t be any left!”
Xie Guanning smiled, but his eyes were cold.
After hanging up, Xie Guanning reviewed his plan. He accepted Lin Ziyan’s friend request and typed a few words:
[Since you’re being so helpful, why don’t you send me the basic info on the Fang family too?]
The reply was instant: a long string of “…” representing Lin Ziyan’s speechlessness.
Xie Guanning didn’t mind. After washing up, he checked his phone again. Several files had been sent over. He opened them to find not just basic materials, but a collection of private gossip as well. Lin Ziyan had clearly put in some effort.
Smiling, he replied: [Thanks, classmate~]
The moment he hit send, a bright red exclamation mark appeared. He had been blocked. Xie Guanning raised an eyebrow, a trace of genuine amusement in his eyes.
He took his time with breakfast, then sent a message to Jiang Yan:
[Something came up this afternoon. I might not make it to the shop. You should just come tomorrow instead.]
There was no immediate reply. Once in the car, Xie Guanning began studying the Fang family files.
The Xie family’s primary business was in traditional pharmaceuticals, a multi-generational legacy with deep roots. In contrast, Boss Fang was a self-made man in emerging sectors. While his current company wasn’t as large as the Xies’, his momentum suggested he would surpass them soon.
The Xies had connected with him because Fang wanted to enter the pharmaceutical industry. Lacking a foundation, he needed an established family to introduce him. Even though the Xie family had been declining since Xie Hongfei took over, they still had the reputation to pull him in. Xie Hongfei, recognizing his family’s weaknesses, wanted to branch out into new industries. The Fangs were the perfect partner.
A marriage alliance was simply the glue to bind their mutual interests.
Xie Guanning scanned Boss Fang’s profile, noting a few specific hobbies and habits. He paused at certain details, a plan forming in his mind.
The car stopped outside the Xie villa just as Jiang Yan’s reply came through.
[?]
Xie Guanning’s finger hovered over the screen. After a long moment, the driver spoke up. “Young man, we’re here.”
He snapped back to reality, typed a quick response, and hit send. After paying and thanking the driver, he stepped out.
The Xie villa stood before him, glaringly bright under the sun.
Meanwhile, in a sealed laboratory at the Research Institute, staff were bustling about. Jiang Yan sat in the center, wired into various monitoring instruments. He stared at the message on his terminal, his brows knitted tight.
[Maybe I’m going on a blind date?]
The Xie Residence
The moment Xie Guanning knocked, the butler greeted him with a fawning smile. “The young master is back!”
He changed his shoes and looked into the villa. A portly, middle-aged man walked over to greet him. Sitting in the main hall were Mrs. Xie and his aunt’s family.
“You’re here! The whole family has been waiting,” Xie Hongfei said with a smile. “I told your mother to have you stay over last night, but she must have forgotten.”
Xie Guanning looked at the couch. Mrs. Xie sat like a statue, not even glancing at him. Xie Jiaran curled her lip in obvious disdain.
He smiled inwardly. Forgotten? She probably didn’t want to deal with me.
Xie Hongfei shot a warning look at Xie Jiaran, signaling her not to start trouble, then turned back to Guanning. “Sit, sit! The food is ready.”
The elder Mrs. Xie rose with a beaming smile. “Yes, I specifically told the kitchen to make your favorites. Let’s have a good reunion.”
They gathered at the table. Xie Hongfei placed Guanning right next to the seat of honor. Beside him, Mrs. Xie’s expression twisted for a split second.
As the seafood dishes—shrimp, crab, and various delicacies—were brought out, Xie Guanning understood where the “favorites” list came from. These were high-end items that most people liked, a generic attempt at hospitality.
Xie Hongfei didn’t eat; instead, he kept putting food on Guanning’s plate. “You’ve gotten so thin since I last saw you. You must eat more; it’s not good for your health to be this frail.”
His aunt added, “Your uncle is right. You’re naturally handsome; don’t go on those silly diets like other kids. What if you ruin your health?”
“Why don’t you move back in?” Xie Hongfei suggested. “We have maids to look after you. Now that your father is gone, I’m one of your few remaining relatives. I have to look after you so I can answer to him in the afterlife.”
The aunt chimed in, “Your mother might have a sharp tongue, but she cares for you deep down. Isn’t that right, sister-in-law?”
Mrs. Xie gritted her teeth, her eyes nearly shooting fire at the aunt. Easy for you to say, it’s not your husband’s bastard living in your house. But she knew the situation. “Yes,” she forced out.
Xie Hongfei jumped on it. “Then it’s settled. Move back in, Guanning. I’ll feel much better having the family together.”
Xie Guanning ate slowly, watching them perform this theater of “family love.”
When he didn’t respond, Xie Hongfei’s smile faltered. “Guanning?”
Xie Guanning swallowed his last bite, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and looked directly at his uncle. “Uncle, if there’s something you want, just say it.”
Xie Hongfei stiffened. “Child, what a way to speak…”
Xie Guanning stared at him until the fake smile slowly slid off the uncle’s face. The others at the table stopped eating.
“Fine,” Xie Hongfei sighed, dropping the act. His portly face now showed nothing but shrewd calculation. “Guanning, you aren’t a child anymore. It’s time to put certain life plans on the agenda.”
“And what plans would those be?”
“I have a friend,” Xie Hongfei said. “Successful, appropriate age, and most importantly, he doesn’t care about your… background. He’s willing to get to know you. I’ve booked a dinner with him tonight. Why don’t you meet him?”
Though framed as a suggestion, his tone was absolute and unyielding.
Xie Guanning smiled but said nothing for a long time. The silence grew heavy.
Xie Jiaran, long annoyed by the “careful” treatment of Guanning, finally snapped. “What’s there to discuss with him? Xie Guanning, the family has raised you for years for free. When it’s time for you to be useful, shouldn’t you do something for us?” She sneered. “With your status, being able to climb up to Boss Fang is a blessing. What are you hesitating for?”
“Jiaran!” Xie Hongfei barked.
She turned away with a huff.
Xie Hongfei looked back at Guanning, his voice now carrying a heavy pressure. “Guanning, consider what I said carefully.” He smiled again, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “But be quick. We’re meeting Boss Fang at 6:00 PM.”
Xie Guanning smiled. “Is there really anything to consider?”
Xie Hongfei looked surprised. “You mean…”
Xie Guanning laughed. “Like Xie Jiaran said, with my status, it’s my great luck that Boss Fang would even look at me.”
He stood up and looked around the table, his smile bright but his eyes void of emotion. “I’ll go.”